Author's note: I know this is a short chapter but what comes next I think should have it's own chapter. I know most of my chapters are 3k+ words and this one isn't. I do apologize. I'm really hoping I can get this next chapter out. As always please read and review. I also want to apologize about taking so long to get this up. Can't really type while on the job. Anyway enjoy!
The next few days passed in a blur. Work was work. Eirik and I talked more when I got off work and brought up the paperwork for him to go through. I asked simple questions and had them all answered. Eirik would come out to the sea wall with me almost every night and we would just sit there. Neither of us saying anything to the other. Both of us just enjoying the company. It was nice. However, every morning when I fell asleep I would notice that feelings were starting to arise more and more frequently. I was starting to not be able to ignore them for much longer. Though, I spoke with Mary a few times, and Antony had come by the bar once. I still couldn't deny that I was starting to feel something for Eirik. I care for Antony though, and I want to spend time more with Antony, yet I still had a nagging inside me for Eirik. Every night and every morning I talked to Antony, either on the phone or text messaging. I felt like Antony and I were getting closer. Yet, I couldn't figure out why I was feeling something for Eirik. It was driving me batty. I was thankful that after tonight I would be meeting up with Antony, Mary, and John. I needed to get away from everything here in the city.
I sit up in the lush bed stretching out. I look over at clock seeing it was 6:30, I decide to take my time in getting ready. Climbing out of bed I look around my lavishly decorated room. It has been nice staying in such luxurious accommodation, but after work it's time to go to the manor. Making my way into the bathroom I run the water for the shower. Letting the water get warm I make sure I have everything packed up and ready to go. I climb into the shower letting the warm water cascade over my body warming me. I wash up, wash my hair, and shave. Feeling satisfied I climb out of the shower, wrapping my hair up in a towel. I dry off and go sit in front of the vanity prepping my face to do my make up.
I take at least a hour and a half to do my make up. A soft airbrush foundation, apply a beautiful green and blue smokey eye, a sliver winged liner, and the final touch a bright pink matte lipstick. I put on a pair of peacock feather earrings, a simple black ribbon tied around my neck with the bow in on the side. With my makeup finished I grab my clothes pulling on a pair of skinny dress pants, short black wedges, and a cap sleeve mesh top with a floral bead pattern. I check myself in the mirror as I tie my hair up into a twist, securing it with a few bobby pins. Smiling I grab my gear and head out.
Once inside the bar I stow my things under the register and make sure everything is ready to go once more. I didn't want to leave anything behind that I couldn't live without. I go in the back grab my bar towel, and start stocking out front. Henry is milling about making sure things are running smoothly. We chit chat here and there, but once the patrons start coming, I switch into work mode. A few men come up to the bar and they have those good American boy looks, and southern charm. They all order beer, and tip me well. All three looked like they just stepped out of the back countries of the South. One was 5'8" blond hair, blue eyes, light blue jeans, work boots, and a black button down. Another one in the group looks like a Native American black hair down to his shoulders, deep brown eyes, and a tribal tattoo on his chest. He was wearing working boots, dark jeans, an a white button down shirt. The third one in the group is the tallest of the three. He is 6'0", has green eyes, red hair, and is wearing a plaid shirt with light blue jeans. They all seemed very polite and nice.
The night drones on as usual with a fight breaking out at my bar. Henry jumps over the bar and two other bouncers come up taking the guys away. Just then the three men came back around and all took a seat at my bar. I roll my eyes thinking out loud "Well that was entertaining." I turn back to my liquor bottles behind the bar.
"Excuse me Miss can I get another round?"
" I turn around and there are the three men standing at my bar again. Blonde tipping his empty beer bottle to me. I smile and nod.
"Same thing for everyone?" I ask walking over to get a miller lite and two bud lights. I hear him hollar yea as I am opening all three beers and heading back to him. I smile and pass over the three beers. " That'll be 15 even doll." I say and he slides me a twenty telling me to keep the change. Ha can't beat that.
My area was unusually deserted. So the three men took a seat at my bar and started on their beers. I walked around did my small clean ups where I could. Fixed drinks for waitresses and basically milling about. I figure what the hell and go talk to the three men. "So what brings you guys around this area?" I ask smiling.
"We're in to see a few friends. Sort of a get together." The red head answers. "I'm Jack by the way."
"I'm Sean." Says the Native American guy, as he extends his hand.
I shake his hand saying "Nice to meet y'all I'm Lilianna. Your lovely bartender for the evening."
"Hello Miss Lilianna. I'm Marcus. It's a pleasure to meet you." Blonde say s as we shake hands. "That fight earlier, those guys didn't hurt you did they?" He asks staring at me.
"What that no. No one gets near me. My bouncers, bar back, and the owner all look out for us girls. They treat us almost like gold. We are precious to them." I say wiping down an area of my bar. "We don't normally get fights in here. Most people know better and know that if you fight in here not only do we press charges but we also ban you from the club. So I'm sure we won't be seeing those guys come back. Where are you boys from?"
"We are from the Tennessee darlin." Jack interrupts.
"Well nice to have some people from somewhere other than here. So are y'all getting together some old friends from college or something what's up?"I ask
"Wait a minute where are you from darlin? I don't hear much of an accent however, y'all is a southern term." Marcus says
"Ah yeah I guess I gave that away. I'm from Georgia. Near the Alabama line." I say before walking away to take care of a few other patrons. Clearing away empty bottles, and dirty glasses. I take care of them and head back over to the group of guys. "So anyway where are your other friends?"
"One of them had to work and he's suppose to be hanging out with his girlfriend for a few days but we have other friends we are going to meet up with." Marcus says.
"You might know a few of them. John, Tony, Chris, James, Bryan, Scott. Any names ring a bell?" Sean chimes in as if on cue.
"I have a friend named John but none of the others ring a bell. Sorry boys." I say walking away and grabbing another round for the boys. Smiling I place the next round of beers in front of the men. I chat the guys for a little while longer and they seem nice enough and they kept me company while I worked. They left close to closing time and were my last patrons. So that made it easy enough. I counted my money out and cleaned up my paper. I get my paperwork ready and set aside. I decide to forego the coffee and just walk out to the seawall and sit down. I will always love doing this. The sun wasn't even peaking up over the horizon yet. I must have sat there for an hour just enjoying the silence. Headlights flashed in the twilight. Ignoring it I just stared out into nothing, my mind going blank.
Moments later I felt hands on my shoulders and immediately jumped to my feet on the edge of the wall. I almost lost my balance as I looked at the person that was behind me.
"Whoa there sweetheart. I know you're pissed at me but no need to jump the wall into the water to get away." Antony said as he helped me to keep my balance. Pulling me back away from the edge of the wall he looks at me. "Look Lili I'm still not comfortable with the situation of these past few days..." He pauses briefly because I look at him like a pissed off honey badger ready to rip his face off. "Wait...as long as you say there's nothing to worry about then I won't worry about it. I trust you." He continues and hugs me tightly. I can tell he smells different like pines and earth. Almost like he rolled around in dirt and pine needles.
Smiling and letting my anger from earlier melt away I relax into his arms. "Eirik is a friend always has been, always will be. Now why don't you let me finish up inside, get my things, and we can be off to the manor ok?" I ask staring up into his beautiful amber eyes. Nodding his answer I hug him tightly and jog inside. As I enter Henry is sitting on the bar top, just sitting there playing on his phone. "Hi Henry, you staying here tonight?" I ask walking around the bar. I grab my paperwork and money for the night.
"Boss wants you." He answers startling me just a bit. He so casual about it so I just brushed it off. "No Lili you don't understand the boss, Eirik, wants you. You don't get it do you? I know you're smart. Let this roll over in your pretty little head for a while." He jumps down off the bar and walks up to me. He kisses me on the top of my head and I just stand there staring at him. Shaking my head I figured I'd let it go for now and deal with this little piece of information later. Henry wasn't known for joking but every so often he was known to pull elaborate pranks. Making my way up the spiral staircase and to Eirik's door I smile and push the door open with my foot.
"What no warm meal to suck on tonight?" I ask teasingly. Eirik just smiles at me warmly and I place my things on his desk.
"No my dear not tonight. I have business to tend to tonight so I'm probably going to be eating later." He replies sweetly.
Shaking my head I just sit down in my usual chair across from him. Smiling I sit there and wait for him to make sure that everything is in order. As if it wouldn't be.
"Ok Lil as always everything is in order. I know you're off the next few days so have fun, be careful, and I can't wait to see you again. Remember our deal. So be expecting to have a sit down when you come back." He says as I stand up.
"No worries I'm telling you. You're gonna lose." I go to walk out of his office and stop at the door leaning against it. "Oh, one more thing. When is this masquerade, and what do I need to look for to wear?" I ask staring at him. I notice that right now, he's in a t-shirt, and from I can tell blue jeans. He looks so normal. Except for his mohawk and his beautiful eyes. I truly loved his eyes. I knew this and realized this not too long ago. I finally excepted that I may have some kind of feelings for Eirik more than us being friends. Maybe, but for now, I had Antony and I was happy. So no big deal really. At least not to me, and I wasn't about to tell anyone else about what was going through my head.
"The Masquerade will be New Year's Eve. Not too long after the gala. As for what to wear, I'll handle you're dress and mask, you will need to bring your own shoes. Someone will be here for all the other ladies to do hair and makeup. All of that will be set up in the back of the bar. The main event will take place on the main floor. I'll have a few of the girls here bartending and Henry will be here too, but as a guest. Like I said this will be a gathering for my kind." He said looking up from all the paperwork on his desk. After staring off for a moment he looked back down at his paperwork. Busying himself with all the work of being a club owner.
"Sounds good boss-"
"I really don't like it when you refer to me as boss man. You know I prefer you call me Eirik." He cuts me off nothing bothering to look up from his desk.
Shaking my head I walk out the door, and down the spiral stair case. Bouncing along I go to the bar, grab my things and I walk out the front door. As I enter the outside world I find the sun blinding. Letting my eyes readjust to the brightness of the morning, I start to look around for my sexy man. I stand there for a while in front of the bar just looking, and feeling like a complete idiot. I was starting to yawn and decided to sit down on the steps. I leaned back on my forearms and let the sun sink into my skin, warming me. Lounging on the steps I closed out the world around me for what seemed like only five minutes. Then I was jolted out of my thoughtless thinking.
"Whoa hey what the hell?" I shout as I open my eyes and see Antony's silhouette covering me. Smiling up at him I slap his chest. "Come on help me up." I say as he lets a small giggle and he grabs my hands helping me to stand up. I dust myself off, and turn pickup my bag slinging it over my shoulder.
"What no helmet, no bike?" He asks taking my bag from me. I could see his brilliant smile playing on his handsome face. He eyes glittered in the sunlight. It was like his eyes were pure gold. He looked so handsome and so good in this perfect moment. He left me standing on the steps of the Enigma, walking to his car, opening his back driver door, and putting my bag in the bag seat.
"No no helmet this time. I'm leaving my bike here. I know it's safe here, and I really don't feel like riding. I'd rather ride up with you in the car anyway." I say walking around the Porsche, opening my door, and climbing in. "So come on lets go."
He climbs in and we drive off heading towards the interstate to head to the manor. I knew Mary and John would be coming up later. Honestly for me, all I wanted was just some sleep. Beautiful darkness, envolp me and drag me down to the beautiful dreams awaiting me. Antony turned on some music but I couldn't make out what was playing. I just let sleep take hold of me.