A Mate Not For Sale

Amber's Pov

"Hey, you're really lucky tonight, Amber. A lot of customers gave you a tip this night," Mildy, my colleague as a waitress at the night bar I work, my classmate in school and also my best friend commented on me while smiling widely. The bar we work at is not a bar with dancing GROs, but only women who sing and dance on stage and wear proper clothes. But of course, when people hear the word "night bar" they will think of women dancing on stage while stripping their clothes even though not all night bars are like that. But I do know that I have waitress colleagues who are willing to go with the customers and do all the way jobs outside the bar. It is up to us waitresses to decide if we agree to "go all the way" and the bar management has nothing to do with it. But if other waitresses do it so that they can earn more money, not me. I am satisfied with the meager income I earn as a waitress as long as my money comes from a clean way.

I use to pay for my education with the money that I received from working as a waitress. I'm nineteen years old but I'm still in the fourth year of high school. I stopped studying because I lacked the financial means to support myself. I have a mother but she already has a second family. My father died when I was 15 years old because of an accident. I don't want to depend on my stepfather for my education because I don't get along with him. He and his witch daughter, Ruby.

I live in Uncle Roman's house now but I am saving up so that I can rent even a small room. And even if I can find rent in a squatter's area, I will accept it as long as I can get out of his house. Ruby and I fight almost every day. Because she is too bitchy and I am a fighter so we always clashed. And whenever the two of us fight, my mom always takes her stepdaughter's side as if she's her real daughter and not me. That's one of the reasons why I want to leave their residence. I feel like I'm just unlikable excess baggage and their house is already filling up because of me so I'll just leave rather than have them throw me out when they can't stand my presence anymore.

Monday to Thursday I am on the night shift since I study during the day. When Friday comes, it's my day off. I take advantage of my day off to do all the things I need to do at school. Saturday and Sunday, my shift is from two o'clock in the afternoon to seven in the evening. This schedule is okay with me because I can relax after my work. Sometimes customers tipping to us is slow when the customers are stingy but sometimes, just like today, tippers are gallant as long as our service is good. I received many tips tonight went and Mildy noticed it.

"Just making up for a few nights that I didn't receive some tips from the customers," I smiled back at her. We laughed and do the high five. Like me, she was also lucky tonight because she also received a lot of tips.

"But it looks like your night is going to be ruined because the arrogant customer who is always looking for you to serve him a drink is here," Mildy whispered to me as she sniffed at the entrance of the bar where the person who caught all the arrogance that Lucifer cast into the world was just entered

"The arrogant and thick-faced man is coming," I replied to Mildy with a frown. That Santi must have thought that he was handsome to the core, that's why he dared to brag. If he only wasn't gallant to give a tip, surely no waitress would come to assist him because of his excessively strong wind and perverted looks.

"I agree with you," Mildy winked in agreement with what I said.

"But he's unlucky because I'm going out now," I said to Mildy with a smile. And before Santi can call me, I quickly left Mildy to time out of the logbook. I planned to work overtime tonight because almost all the customers are gallant but this snot came. It's a pity that I would have made more money this night if only Santi didn't arrive. My plan will not be ruined.

After I change into my usual clothes, I quickly walked out of the bar before Santi could notice me. Before I go back home, I first go to the canteen where I always eat dinner. I eat before I go home because I know that there will be no food on the table would be left and when there is, I will hear terrible scolding from both my mom and stepfather.

It's only a tricycle ride from the night bar up to Uncle Roman's house, which is why I don't have a hard time commuting home. When I got off the tricycle, I immediately frowned when I saw a fancy car parked in front of the gate of Uncle Roman's house. He seems to have a rich visitor today. Or maybe Ruby's lover? How lucky of that witch if she was courted by the owner of the BMW outside the gate.

To answer my curiosity, I immediately entered the house. I found my mom, Uncle Roman, and Ruby sitting in the living room talking with two men who were both wearing business attire. One man wearing glasses was probably in his late forties while the other looked to be in his early thirties. And my oh my. He is super hot and handsome. He is handsome even though his face is serious. He also looks tall even when sitting. I couldn't even guess his height because he was sitting. His appearance is more attractive than many local or international actors and models. His eyebrows are a little bushy but they fit his long and curly eyelashes. His eyes are black but I think it's not black but a different color. Because the color of his iris is black when it's held up to the light, it suddenly lights up slightly, so I guess his eyes are light brown during the day. And his long eyelashes added to the beauty of his eyes. His nose is pointed like the nose of the Spaniards. Maybe he is of Spanish descent because of his mestizo feature. His lips are thin and red, which of course is a natural red. He will not put on lipstick on his lips unless he is gay. Thinking about that, I couldn't help but smile. I imagined him shopping for lipstick to apply to his lips.

What's funny, Miss? Did you enjoy looking at my appearance? Did I pass your standard?" the handsome man who was talking to me raised his eyebrows.

"Of course," I answered quickly while smiling. But my smile quickly disappear when I realized my answer. "I mean I'm just wondering why there are handsome guests in the house," I quickly corrected my answer, not knowing if he buy it. He is handsome but he looks grumpy. It gives him lesser handsome points from me.

"Can you please not bring at home your behavior from the night bar where you are working, Ruby?" Ruby raised her eyebrows as she spoke to me. I couldn't help frowning because of what she called me. Since when did I become her? I stare at them alternately. The handsome man in front of me is frowning as if he is wondering who I am while Uncle Roman, Ruby, and my mom look at me with uneasiness on their faces. I think there is something wrong with the situation. And base on the expression of those three people who live in this house, I clearly see that they don't want me to know or join in what they are talking to. But it only makes me curious so I choose to stay even if I know they will scold me later when their guest is gone.