The picture turned translucent and I realised my tears was the reason. I dabbed at it with a clean clothe and then stared at her again. My God!. She's grown so big. A wide grin spread all over my face as I kept looking at her. Her eyes were still marine blue and even brighter. Her dark hair was cut into bangs. And her smile,...like her dad.
"That's your girl" Ashley tapped my shoulder and i nodded proudly.
"I've got to see her, Ash. Soon. Real soon"
"I know but you won't break the ice to her until everything is over" Ashley poured more tea for herself. She really needs it, After she drank so much last night.
"I know that" I rubbed my chin devising a way but nothing seemed to come to my mind.
"Maybe we should just head to work for now" Ashley poured her remaining tea into the sink and then walked out of the kitchen. I stared at the picture again and then kissed my baby before putting it down and going to get ready for work.
°°°°°°
The bar wasn't all that busy seeing as it was afternoon. By nightfall, that's when the real business starts. I tucked my hair behind my ear and poured myself a peach drink. It's homemade. No non alcohol at work. Ashley came up behind me.
"How's it going?" She asked.
"Nice"
"Well, I have a surprise for you" she pulled out a card from her bag and handed it to me. I gasped when I saw the name ' Tiffany ' on it and my new look.
"So that's what you've been doing" I grinned.
"Yeah....you can thank me by making dinner tonight" she smirked and walked back to her stand. A tall guy walked up to my stand. He didn't look all that old or elderly like most men that come here. He's much more younger and finer.
"Hi...what can I get ya?"
"Cocktail" he tapped his fingers against the creaky counter.
"Coming right up" I did exactly what Ashley taught me. Combination of spirit with cream. I shoved it right in front of him. I expected him to take it to his table but he sat on one of the stool by the bar stand.
"I've never seen you around here" he said.
"You come here often?" I asked and he nodded. "We'll I just moved here and got this job" that was a lame explanation but it's the best I could come up with for now. I just moved here. Nice one Elaine.
"I see.. you know Ash?" He asked. It was my turn to nod.
"She's my friend"
He sipped his drink and placed it down while twirling it with his fingers. "So your the one that needed a fake ID"
I stared at him wide eyes. How'd he know that? Did Ashley tell him? Does he know who I am? What if he turns me in?....so many questions.
"There you are" Ashley came up right behind me and placed a hand in my shoulder. "I see you've met Hunter"
I stared at the guy again and he smiled at me. Something seemed off with him but I didn't question nothing. He looked buffy like some cop and that made me sweat on my palms. But since Ash knows him. I know she won't do anything stupid to put me in danger.
"Yes...I have" I smiled.
"I'm...E... Tiffany" I literally slapped myself for almost saying my real name out just now.
"Nice to meet you" he said and then finished his drink.
"He's the one that made the ID" Ash chuckled beside me. I stared at her. Did she also tell him who I was? I glared at her.
"What?" She asked and I groaned inwardly. This is one of those times I wished we could communicate with looks.
"Excuse me" I told Hunter and then shoved Ashley away and into the backroom. Every bar has one. I don't get it too.
"Did you tell him?"
"Nope. He doesn't know but he fished something was up" Ash said and that made me frown.
"I don't like him. He seems off. Like there's another side to him." I blinked severally. "Is he a cop?"
"What? No!." Ash Excalimed. "I've known Hunter for like two weeks now. He's a good guy" She smiled genuinely and I narrow my eyes. I wanted to tell her you don't just know people you've met for only two weeks.
"Fine" I said and walked back into the bar .
"You'll like him don't worry" Ashley whispered in my ears. I pinched her side as she laughed away.
I turned to stare at Hunter and he was staring at me as if observing something.
"Do I have something on my face?" I asked him.
"No. Your face is perfect" he placed the glass in front of me and then walked away after paying. He also left a huge amount of tip.
°°°°°°
Seating behind the bar stand, I took out the picture of Autumn I had. It was crumpled up in my Jean pocket. I tucked it into my wallet along with my fake ID. I love you my baby. I kissed her picture and then jumped when someone cleared their throat. It was Hunter.
I tucked my wallet into my Jean pocket.
"Here for another drink?" I asked. He just had a cocktail like four hours ago. That made me yawn. When do I get off work! I'm so tired.
"No. I'll just have water"
"This is a bar" I said with amusement clearly written all over my face. He chuckled.
"Right" he took the stool in front of him and sat down.
"Ash busy?" He asked but I figured he's not here to talk to Ash.
"Yeah..." Iooked over to her stand where she was cursing a man out for spilling drink on the counter. I chuckled. "Very busy"
"That's alright" he said. He moved his hand to the counter and tapped on it. We we're both silent for a while before I decided to break the akwardness.
"Thank you for the ID. Sorry I didn't say it earlier"
"It's alright" he nodded.
"No really. You didn't have to. I know how persuasive Ash can be" I chuckled.
"She's a good friend" Hunter said calmly. His hands were still tapping against the creaky old wooden countertop.
"That she is" I smile.
"Yeah....now tell me why a pretty lady like yourself need a fake ID ?" He asked and I zoned out. There's literally not an answer I could give him right now. And he's staring at me with raised brows. Waiting!
I blinked severally before gaining my senses back. What do I tell him. I was never really good at lying. I need Ash on this one. I looked over to her stand and she was really busy. I sighed rubbing my fingers against my temple.Lucky for me, a lady walked up and requested margarita so I focused on making her drink, giving me more time to come up with something.Hunter sat there the whole time and I wished he'd just go. I served the margarita andlooked at him. He was still waiting for my answer. I shook my head."It's complicated" I poured Ice cubes into several glasses."I'm a good listener""I'd rather not" I took out napkins and started wiping the already clean cold counter."Does it have to do with your past?" He asked and I stood still for a moment. Seriously, who is this man? I narrowed my eyes at him but he wasn't evading my glare."Why do you even want
I ran out of the bar for a reason I'm not sure of. I don't even have a reason. Only that I need to get the hell away from that bar. What Hunter said :don't I miss my daughter?Of course I miss her. I miss her every second of my life. Every minute I'm not mixing a drink, my mind wanders off to her and I sit in the loneliness but noisiness of the bar and sink my teeth into my wrist to stop myself from crying."Tiffany!" Hunter called behind me. I didn't even listen, I just kept walking until he grabbed my hand. "Why'd you run off like that?""Why? Why?...Hunter you just asked me about my daughter and I should be calm?""So you do have a daughter" he grinned. I felt like punching his nose but that would ruin his face. I won't like to see him battered up so I refrained from throwing punches."Yes, I have a daughter. And my situation doesn't concern you" I said and started walking away
I walked in through the door and into Ash's apartment. I knew she was in the kitchen cause I heard the sound of the cooker go on."Ash!""In here!" She called right back so I hurried to meet her. I can't wait to tell her how my day unfolded. The talk with Hunter, and the plan.I sat on a stool by the counter and passed myself an apple from the fruit bowl. "You got off work early" Ash said as she sprinkled a little oil in the pan just to grease it up."Yeah...the girl taking the shift from me came earlier" I took a large bite from the Apple."So what's up?""Hunter knows I'm Elaine"I wish I hadn't said that with her standing next to the cooker. She turned around quickly and that made her tip the pan off her hand and to the floor. I bit on my bottom lip."Say again!" She half yell.I repeated myself the same
I didn't expect Hunter to come in early the next day but he did. Ash was right. He does seem to care about me in a special kind of way. One I'm not ready to look into or discover why?I went down the steps slowly pulling my little box of cloth that Ash graced me with. I would rather not wear prison clothe everywhere. Hunter appeared at the bottom of the steps and helped me with the box."Is this all?" He asked."Yep! Don't got much" I sighed"Then we'll have to go shopping" Hunter said and walked away quickly so I didn't have time to object. I'm still going to anyway. He can't just take me shopping like that. This is all an act. Not some romance prodigy.Ash was seating by the counter having coffee. I'm surprised to see she's not holding a bottle of wine. What's up with her?."Hey girl" I dropped my purse on the counter and poured me my own coffee. Black coffee? Ash is
I got dressed in a floral free gown. The length was a bit over my knee but nice and still decent. At least the gown didn't have a low cut or anything. I'm surprised Ash even has a floral gown.I packed my hair up in one breezy ponytail and decended downstairs. The sweet smell of food led me all the way to the kitchen and I stopped in my tracks when I saw Hunter cooking. He even had on an apron. I chuckled."So you cook?" I came and sat by the counter looking at the already made dishes on the table. Pastrami on Rye, black and white cookies, , Bagel and cream cheese."Yeah" he replied and placed a plate of creamed cheese in front of me. I inhaled the sweet aroma that suddenly made my tummy growl. "You better take care of that" Hunter grinned.I served myself some Pastrami and then stuffed my mouth. I won't deny, this is good food. At Ash's place, sphagetti and meatballs were the common.
I stared between Hunt and Nicole,waiting for Hunter to correct her but he didn't. He only grinned and stretched his hands out to her. We have a lot to talk about."You know her honey?" I ask with a side grin and clenched teeth."Nicole is a good friend" he smiled at the blonde and I blinked. Is this a game? How did he know Nicole and they seem to be so much good friends.A plump lady came out from the Rivera mansion with a worried expression on her face."Ma'am....Autumn won't have lunch" she said with full concern. I held my hands up to say something but Hunt pulled me away."See you around" he told Nicole before leading us back into the mansion. I found the nearest chair and sat down burying my face in my palms."Tiff. Are you alright?" Hunter asked kneeling in front of me."Why call me Tiff when you know who I am?"He smiled. "I guess I
The fair bob lady in front of me kept trying to steal glances at Hunter. When she tried looking at our direction again, I scowled at her and she cleared her throat looking away.We both stepped into Kennedy & Co boutique. The lady by the counter smiled at us and did a full glare at Hunter. Can I ever stop calling him that? His name is Lucas.I glared at him and he wasn't even noticing all the attention seekers around him. His right hand was tangled with mine while the other punched into his phone. He's here with me beat that.... i grinned stupidly to myself."We're here" he suddenly announced beside me.Once more, we're greeted with a fair blonde but this time, Lucas does seem to know her. He hugged her, kissing both her cheeks."Content de te re voir, Lucas" she grinned at him. While I never paid much attention during french class, now i wanted to gnaw my eyes out fo
Staring at the woman in the mirror was just as inspirational as any motivation I could ever need. Myself. The Cocktail dress I and Jacq finally picked out was as dashing as ever on me. On the hanger it looked pretty and all but wearing it now, I feel powerful. Intimidating.It was a red Sheath/ column off-the shoulder Assymetrical cocktail dress, with sequins. Jacq finalised the entire dress with a pearl earring and diamond necklace."Make sure to not loose this" she said pointing to my neck. I stared at the necklace through the mirror as it shone like thousands of diamonds. It wasn't huge or anything but looked simple and intimidating as ever."Why? Has he got his family fortune on it" I said with a grin but Jacq shook her head. "So what?"She pushed my cheek gently to the side applying a little rosy blush to my cheek making me look plush."You wanna know what's on your neck?"she asked st