~Chapter 53~
Adjusting the uniform, trying to tug the trousers down to a more decent length, but it was no use.The outfit was designed to be revealing, to showcase the staff’s bodies.
Making feel more like a commodity, than a staff, a product to be exploited for the club’s gain.
But I had no choice. I needed the pay, and I was willing to endure this humiliation to get it.
I stepped out of the cramped uniform room, the bright lights and pulsating music of the club enveloping .
But it was still early, the main event yet to begin, and the music played softly in the background.
I made my way through the little crowded floor, weaving past the scattered tables and chairs. I spotted Jason, the bartender, already stationed behind the counter, his eyes observed as I approached.
"Good evening, Ja," I said, reaching out to grasp the counter as I slid onto a stool.
Jason but I call him ja flashed a warm smile as he expertly mixed a drink with one hand.
I reached over to the counter, snatching a glass of drink. It was my usual drink, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, expertly mixed by Ja’s skilled hands.
He’d been making it for since my first day on the job, and it had beco a comforting ritual, a small but significant perk in an otherwise demanding job.
The juice was tart and sweet, as I raised the glass to my lips, taking a sip. The flavors exploding on my tongue and I swallowed, closing my eyes, savoring the taste.
I still vividly rember our first encounter, because it was an awkward one and it was now printed into my mory.
Ja had walked into the back door, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on . I was struggling to get into the uniform, fumbling with the complicated fastenings of the shirt and bra.
It was all so unfamiliar to , and I was very clumsy trying to dress myself.
Ja’s expression was kind and understanding as he strode over and helped . And as he stepped back to examine his handiwork, his eyes landed on the scars that crisscrossed my arms and back.
But Ja’s expression didn’t change; he didn’t react or comnt. Instead, he pretended like he hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary.
"So, what’s your favorite drink?" he’d asked, breaking the tension.
I frowned for a mont before responding, "Orange juice." Ja smiled and nodded. "I’ll make sure to have so ready for you every day," he promised and left standing there, taken aback by his kindness.
But I hadn’t have ti to process it further, finishing getting dressed and making my way back to the club. But when I arrived, Ja greeted with a warm smile and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
"Welco to your first day," he said, handing the glass. "I promised you your favorite drink, and I always keep my promises."
I took a sip of the juice, it was the perfect antidote to my nerves, and I smiled at Ja genuinely.
In that mont, I knew that Ja was soone special. He was the only person outside of Aria and Frank who had shown kindness and acceptance without judgnt.
And as I looked into his warm, brown eyes, I saw trust that I hadn’t felt in a long ti.
Ja dropped the hand towel he was using to wipe down the counter, his eyes moving onto mine with a shake of his head. "Who told you to take the drink, hmm?" he asked, a sly grin spreading across his face, mirroring the one I had on mine
I took a long sip of the orange juice, savoring the tangy flavor before responding. "Well, who else is the drink for, hmm?" I shot back with a grin.
Ja was soone who had a way of making feel at ease.
He had a calming presence that seed to wash away all my worries. I felt comfortable around him, like I could be myself without fear of judgnt.
Ja let out a loud laugh, shaking his head once more. "What if I poisoned it?" he teased, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Don’t trust too much, Katya."
He picked up his hand towel and began cleaning the counter again. I watched him for a mont, feeling a sense of unease creep in.
Looking back at my drink, doubts swirling around my head. Was I trusting too much? I had just t Ja two days ago, and yet I felt like I could trust him with my life. But was that just naivety?
I shouldn’t trust him so quickly. I barely knew him. But there was sothing about Ja that put at ease, sothing that made feel like I could trust him but don’t!
"I didn’t poison it, Katya," Ja said with a chuckle, bringing out of my head "and if I did, you would have already been dead. After all, you drank it, lol."
He laughed out loud and I gave him a playful glare, pouting my lips in mock annoyance.
Despite my pretend anger, I still brought the glass to my lips, savoring the last drops of sweetness.
The orange juice was refreshing, and I needed to finish it off or I might die.
With a satisfied sigh, I pushed myself up from the stool and joined Ja behind the counter.
Together, we worked in hand, arranging the bar aree. Ja showed where everything went, from the bottles of liquor to the garnishes and mixers.
I followed his instructions, my hands moving quickly as I helped him set up.
As we worked, the club began to co alive around us. The music grew louder, the lights flashing more rapidly as the DJ started to get into the zone.
Not long, the bar was fully stocked and ready to go. Ja gave a nod of approval. "Thanks for your help, Katya." I nodded back at him waving him and walking to do my job.
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