C2 Two

Elsa’s POV

Choosing an outfit for my first day at work in a bar was much harder than I imagined. I majored in business management and not bartending so finding a short skirt with ruffles and a cheerleader-type skirt was going to be hard.

I drew out a leather jacket from my wardrobe but when I remembered the amount my ex-boyfriend bought it I immediately returned it. I have heard of people being overqualified for job positions and my portfolio already said enough about that, I wasn't going to risk it.

“Shit shit shit,” I muttered as I hurried to find my phone in the pile of clothes on my bed. I wasn’t a device person so I carelessly placed them, I knew I had to be better in that aspect since Fiona and I were now functioning long distance.

Her raspy voice came on and I felt instantly relieved. “You sound hushed! What’s going on?”

“I can’t find a suitable outfit to wear for my first day at work. I hope to meet Mr. Boss today but I heard he’s not always there, he works in the main office.”

“Okay, what are you complaining about now? Mr Nelson or what to wear?” Fiona clarified and I returned on track.

“Outfit. These here are either running and home clothes then two hundred thousand two piece professional clothing. Did I ever really need this much clothes?” I asked her and she chuckled.

I pulled out a pair of jeans trouser I thought was plausible and returned the call.

“I think I found some good jeans. What shirt do I wear!” I asked her and she seemed to be lost in thought as she was quiet for some time.

“Do you still have the Coca-Cola shirt I have you for Cola Fest?” She asked and I nodded seeing her vision. I immediately went to the section I usually left it and pulled it out, it was new and appropriate.

“Thank you so much, I love you, bye,” I said and cut the call before she could say anything.

I slid into my Jean trousers and buckled my fly.

I quickly folded the heap of clothes on my bed before putting on the fancy red shirt.

“Brooklyn here comes Elsa,” I said into the mirror, smiling deviously at the beautiful reflection I was seeing.

******

I didn’t feel as confident as I had when I left my house, I felt spooked out. Sky Bar was large and almost intimidating, it made a lot of sense and it was classy. I started to rethink my decision to come casual.

“We’re here. Pay up ma’am, it’s New York don’t be looking for too long them’ men will call the cops on you.” The taxi man yelled over the roaring noise of the busy traffic.

“I don't want to steal from ‘them men’ so they should probably zip up their pants, you should too,” I muttered and threw a five-dollar bill at him, he raised his middle finger at me before driving off to join the traffic.

A security man stood at the entrance munching away on donuts. What was with security personnel and donuts?

“Welcome to Sky Bar!” Cliff, the security guard, greeted me and I smiled at him. It was written in cursive on his blue uniform and he had a cheeky smile on.

I nodded and walked past him, I was not the most friendly person in the queue and I knew that.

The bar was occupied and it made me wonder why grown men, and women were out drinking gin on a Monday morning. It was too early to be drunk, or maybe it was just the sober nature of her major that allowed her to think that way.

“Why don’t you look where you’re going?” An angry customer asked as he passed me by, we hadn’t even touched at all but I guessed you had to transfer your rage and aggression to the nearest potential bartender.

“And try to use more cologne,” I muttered.

The guy behind the counter was busy when I got there but he made sure his wide smile welcomed me.

“Welcome to Sky Bar, what would you be having?” He asked and I smiled, my cheeks felt weird.

“A job. I’m here for the position of a bartender.” I explained to him and his smile widened.

“Nikos is not in today so Elise would be receiving you, back door, far right, first door. Good luck.” He muttered and returned to mixing alcohol.

I went to the back and followed his orders just as he had explained. A woman dressed in red was seated behind the desk as I entered her head shot up, and she looked at me strangely urging me to speak.

I cleared my throat. “Hello, I’m Elsa Forbes, I am here for a job position, I received the confirmation email just yesterday,” I explained to her and she brightened.

The meeting went well and by the end of it, she handed me an apron and a change of shirt then ordered me to the reception. I lied I had previous experience with working in bars but it was just me volunteering in my school’s coffee shop.

“The name is Alonso, welcome to our world of crazy.” The guy at the bar introduced himself to me as I awkwardly stood next to him.

“I’m Elsa, and I don’t know what to do,” I responded and we both laughed, it seemed like we were going to hit it off well.

He handed me an apron and instructed me to wait at as many tables as I could.

The door chimed and I watched as a man dressed all in black with stubbles and hair that fell over his face came in.

It was always the odd ones that were present in bars by this hour of the day.

I walked over to him and braced myself, I was going to tame my mouth, no need to be mean.

Tyler’s Pov

I hated two things, one was being scolded about work and two was my mother’s presence.

I had shrugged into a black shirt intentionally left my beard stubble, and headed to the bar. I needed explanations from them and they were forcing me to station my office here again.

I sat down at the back of the bar, waiting for Nikos, he said he wanted in and I was going to wait till he got here.

“Good afternoon, welcome to Sky Bar. What would you be having?” I looked up to find a pretty girl standing over me, she had the bar's apron and a Coca-Cola shirt peeking from beneath it.

I didn’t know who she was and I suspected she didn’t also know me, for the mere pleasure of it I decided to play along and maybe flirt a little. I was never too bored of a girl.

“Oh hello love, I don’t know you.” I smiled at her, she had a stubborn look in her eyes which didn’t falter even with the smirk I was giving her.

“I guess you wouldn’t. I can tell you’re a regular here” she said in a condescending tone, and I chuckled.

She didn’t have a name tag like all the other staff and her hair was perfectly made, not like the ponytails the female staff usually had.

Who was she?

“Calm your tigers pretty,” I mumbled, my eyes sweeping from her head to toe, she didn’t look the least bit moved, only stood with her hands wrapped around her chest.

“What are you going to be having?” She asked me instead and I shrugged,

I didn’t plan to take anything, I didn’t like to drink before five PM. I also didn’t judge those who did because how else was my business supposed to blossom, but this lady here apparently did.

“Go over to the bar and tell Alonso there that I’m here,” I said to her and she looked at me for a while before walking away, I could tell she used a certain amount of patience to not snap out of me. I already found her interesting, whoever she was.

I watched as Alonso sighted me and waved at me, she turned to look at me as he said something to her, and I saw her expression change from surprise to shock and finally to something I recognized as held in hatred and anger.

Who was the girl? At that moment I didn’t care to know, I was already attracted to her and would stop at nothing to get her.