Him & I

SIENNA-ROSE

Sophie soon came back into the kitchen with the biggest grin I had ever seen on her face. I knew it had something to do with that attractive stranger out front, but I couldn’t think of any way in which she would know him.

I decided to stop with my overthinking and just do the reasonable thing and ask.

“So, who was that out front?” This only seemed to brighten her smile; I felt a wave of fear down to my stomach because no human should be able to raise their cheeks that high, but I was not about to rain on her parade by mentioning it.

“Oh, my dear, that fine young man is my nephew. He’s twenty-two and owns his own business. He’s single, you know.” She sent me a wink with a suggestive expression on her face.

It was no secret that he was handsome; he probably knew himself, but I didn’t have time for guys like him. He must have women throwing themselves at him all the time, why would he want Plain Jane over here?

“You know I don t have time for dating; between working here and the club I don’t even have time for myself. Besides, a guy like that wouldn’t even look in my direction.”

Her smile remained on her face, and with a roll of her eyes, she began walking toward the back ovens.

I went back out front and continued with my shift. It was not until midday when the pace started picking up; this was normal most days, so I was used to working at a high pace.

That and my experience from late nights at the club really helped with remembering orders and keeping on top of making drinks.

It was around three in the afternoon when it started to die out and I finally had five minutes to myself.

Once there were only two tables left, I made sure that they were fine and had everything they needed before going out back to check if I had any texts from my parents. I did have a text but not one that I wanted.

I went back into the kitchen to find Sophie; I would need to leave at five so that I could get home and grab my uniform to make it on time.

“Sophie? Are you back here?” I called out into the kitchen.

“Back here, sweetie, is everything okay?” By the sound of it, Sophie was at the walk-in freezer on the other side of the room. I began to make my way over hoping that she would be okay with me leaving slightly early.

It wasn’t like she would have no staff to work the floor because Olivia, another server, would be here at five to take over.

I walked into the walk-in freezer only to come face to back with Sophie with her head in the frozen fruits.

“Ugh, you know I hate to do this to you, Sophie, but my other boss has sent me a message and I need to cover for another server tonight. Would it be okay if I left at five today instead of six?”

I held my breath hoping that she would not mind; normally on the days where I work at both the club and café, I bring my uniform because the bus from the café to the club leaves at six twenty and it is a good thirty-five-minute journey.

So, I needed the extra hour to go home, get my work clothes, and cover any bruises that would be visible in the skimpy clothing the club calls its uniform.

“Of course, sweetie, you’re a hard worker, I understand that sometimes things like this happen. Just don’t make a habit out of it.”

I had two hours left until the end of my shift and decided to make them count. After handling the last tables, I wiped down all the counters and chairs, restocked the pastries, and put all the used glasses through the wash.

When I was done it was four forty-five. I made sure that everything was in order out front and double-checked with Olivia in case she needed any extra help with tables.

Five o’clock finally came around and Sophie waved a quick goodbye to me and off I went; walking as quick as I could I made my way home to get ready for another long shift at the club.

As soon as my hand was on the door handle, it swung open revealing my mother, no doubt going out to spend money we could not really afford to lose.

“I expect you to have disappeared by the time your father comes home; we all know that the sour mood you put him in doesn’t benefit anyone.”

I know it sounds like she cares but in other words they do not want to see my face, they do not care what happens to me or where I go if I am not around them.

She barged past me and straight to her car. After watching her drive down the road, I ran all the way up the stairs and straight into the attic to get ready.

After using half a tube of concealer and making sure I had all I needed for work, it was around six fifteen. I ran to the bus stop not even stopping to greet my siblings. I only just managed to catch the bus and using the tips I made at the café I paid for my fare.

I arrived at the club at six fifty leaving me ten minutes to get dressed. I squeezed past the people dancing and the chairs that seemed to be so far from the tables that there is no use in even having a table.

I made it into the staff room and got dressed quicker than ever and made my way over to the bar where my manager, Marcus, was talking to the new guy in training behind the bar.

“Good, you’re here, Sienna. There is a group of especially important men in VIP room four; you will be their personal server tonight. Anything they want you give it to them.”

He always creeped me out, only because he was twenty-six and thought that he was entitled to touch me whenever he pleased. I knew what he meant by “anything they want” but I was not like that.

I refused to lose my dignity and self-respect for a little extra in tips. It was not worth it.

“Okay, is that all?” He gave me a brief nod of the head and a once-over before dismissing me completely.

I involuntarily shivered as walked away, not because I liked it, it is the opposite, but no one here had the confidence to stand up to him. Unfortunately, I am one of those people; I needed this job more than I like to admit.

I made my way to the stairs leading to the VIP sections and put on a nice smile to get the job done.

I did a quick check of my makeup in the mirror to make sure that the bruising was covered, and I looked presentable before giving a small knock to notify the people behind the door of my arrival.

When the room went quiet, I took that as my cue to enter. As soon as I walked in, I realized the room was full of scary-looking men all in dark attire.

“Good evening, gentlemen. I’m Rose and I’ll be your server today. Is there anything I can get you?”

When I first started working here Marcus told me my name was too long so he cut it down to just Rose, so that customers will think I am “as innocent as a flower.”

His words, not mine, but I guess I kind of liked that nobody that comes here knew my full name; it kept the weirdos who could not keep their hands to themselves from asking questions.

All the employees called me Sienna so when old men came asking for Rose, they normally deflect them for me by telling them they don’t know a Rose.

I could feel a pair of eyes staring at me from somewhere in the room, but I didn’t want to look around just in case it was a false feeling.

“I’ll have a beer.”

“Whiskey, neat.”

“I’ll have the same as Cole, give me a whiskey.”

“Tequila shots for me.” That voice sounded oddly familiar, and when I looked to see who the voice belonged to my eyes connected with familiar blue eyes. It was Sophie’s nephew.

Now I knew who was staring at me when I walked in because even now when I was staring back, he did not make a move to look away first. I quickly looked away remembering that I had a job to do and excused myself without looking back.

“Right away.” I left to get their drinks and prayed that he did not remember me, but I knew just from the look in his eyes that he did, but something else was there, something behind the recognition.

Maybe it was just my mind giving me false hope that a guy like that can find a girl like me even the slightest bit attractive.

I repeated their order to Peter behind the bar and prepared myself to walk back into that room without creating an awkward scenario between me and Blue Eyes.

“Here you go, Sienna.” I took the tray with a quiet thank-you and scaled the stairs as quick as I could without spilling any of the drinks on the way there.

I gave a quick knock again at the door and entered, making my way to the table in the middle of all the chairs.

Once I placed down everyone’s drinks, I turned to walk away only to be stopped by a hand pulling me into the lap of a guy lap that I didn’t recognize.

“Come on, sweetheart, care to be mine for the night?” I had to handle guys like this all the time, but I was never going to be a pushover and allow perverts like him to touch me when not wanted.

“I don’t think so, now if you could be so kind as to remove your hands from my body, that would be much appreciated.” I tried to sound as sweet as possible, but this guy was not giving it up.

I looked around the room to see if any of the guys would help, purposefully skipping past his gaze.

“Come on, don’t play hard to get now, you have my attention. Why act as if you do not want me? I know you do.” This guy was really starting to piss me off, but that last sentence made me snap. I could not hold myself back anymore.

“Right, I tried to be nice but clearly your ego is blocking your brain function, now I suggest you get your fucking hands off me before I really lose my temper.”

I grabbed his hand that was on my waist while getting up and twisted it behind his back to the point where he was sitting in an awkward position. “I’m not like these other cheap whores that you find in these places, so keep your hands to yourself.”

I let him go and made my way to the door. Pulling the sweetest smile onto my face, I turned back around excusing myself. “Enjoy your drinks, gentlemen.”

The shocked expressions were not missed but one person still stood out to me. Glancing his way, I realized that he did not look shocked; if anything he looked…proud. Maybe he had never seen a girl like me stand up for herself before. That must be it.

I walked out the room and straight toward Marcus to report what happened.

“An incident happened in the VIP room; a guy got too handsy and I put him in his place.” I was not a violent person, but I put up with enough torment at home. I did not need it at work too.

“Are you stupid, Sienna? Those men are dangerous. When they request something from you, you go along with it, no questions asked.”

What was with people acting weird today? Marcus always said that his number one rule was that people were not allowed to manhandle the servers.

“What happened to the ‘they’re not allowed to touch you if you don’t want to be touched’ policy?” Before I knew what was going on Marcus had grabbed my upper arm a little harder than necessary and began dragging me toward the back door.

As I struggled, I caught the eyes of Blue Eyes across the room. I did not trust Marcus and his intentions, and I am hoping that the look I was now giving him was one that signified my need for help.

Unfortunately, before I got the chance to give any other indications that I needed help it was too late, we were already out back. Marcus threw me against the wall next to the back door and stood way too close for comfort.

“Now where did all this sass come from, Sienna? It’s kind of hot. Maybe you can put that smart mouth of yours to good use for once.”

His hands grabbed my hips roughly and I knew there would be even fresher bruises when all this was over. I was terrified. I could not move or function. This had never happened to me before, and I did not know what to do.

I finally pulled myself out of my trance when he started placing wet kisses against my throat. It was not pleasant at all; I had to hold myself back from puking all over the place. Maybe that would be a good idea. Snap out of it, Sienna.

“Please, leave me alone. Someone help me!” I started screaming but Marcus apparently did not appreciate it; he sent a hard blow to my face to keep me quiet.

While in my hazy state he threw me to the floor and began to unbuckle his jeans. He was going to rape me and that blow to the face only increased the already throbbing pain in the rest of my body.

I had lost my fight. Just when his weight pressed against my own it was gone as quick as it came.

“Get the FUCK away from her.” I knew that voice; it was Blue Eyes. My vision started to turn to black and it was getting harder and harder to stay awake. I knew that I could not pass out now; I needed to get home tonight.

I picked myself up and blinked a couple of times to clear my vision, but it worked only slightly.

From what I could make out Blue Eyes had Marcus on the floor, and he was continuously throwing hits while another guy was standing guard at the entrance of the alleyway.

I watched as Blue Eyes leaned in closer to Marcus and whispered something in his ear. By the look on his face, it must not have been very pleasant for him.

From where I was leaning on the wall, I could make out only a few words: “You…touch…mine…die.”

It did not make sense to me, but before anything else could happen a black Range Rover pulled up at the entrance of the alley and what seemed to be four bulky males approached Blue Eyes and hauled a savagely beaten Marcus to the car.

My knees began to feel weak and before I knew it the ground was coming up quick, but arms circled my waist causing tingles to erupt everywhere his hands touched. I just knew it was Blue Eyes holding me, but I could not figure out why he was here.

But I was thankful.