Five

Since then I never heard of or met the men in black suits again, Kate was right, they wouldn't bother me anymore.

Even Richard came to the cafe whenever I was already home or just when I didn't have a shift at the time, as if to give me some distance.

It's been a week since I returned to my life, only less burdened where I used to have to set aside money to be able to pay educational debts, now I can pamper myself a little with the extra money.

Bbrrttt..!!

The vibration of the mobile phone from inside informs me that there is an incoming text and I take it out to read it from my old part-time place at Equinox bar, yes, I am currently only working part-time at Kate's place and stopped bartending.

'Dwyne, can you help cover for Ed at the bar Friday night? He fell down the stairs yesterday and I haven't found anyone who can bartend Friday - Louis' 

Louis is the owner of the bar where I used to work.

I thought I could rest tomorrow night, but I couldn't say no to the owner of the bar because he, like Kate, often helped me out. 

"Okay, I'll be there at 9." I replied before putting the phone back in my pocket and walking back to the emergency room with my fellow interns.

Never thought that I would meet that horrible man there.

********

Wearing tight jeans and a black tank top, I think this is enough, after all I will be working behind the drinks counter not as a waitress, I thought and grabbed a jacket to put on before going out and locking the room door.

"Ellainne," Louis greeted me as I entered the bar from the back door. One of the conditions of working here was that we called each other by other names instead of our real names, and he always called me by my middle name Ellainne instead of Dwyne.

I smiled and waved softly to everyone in the lounge. The diner opens at 7pm and will turn into a bar at 10pm, where the tables will be removed for those who want to dance.

"Thank you for coming to help," Louis said and kissed my cheek.

I nodded, "Who's in front?" I asked him, wanting to know who my bartending colleagues were tonight.

"Benjamin and Gilbert," He replied smiling, he knew those two men were one of the men I could tolerate.

I waved goodbye after putting my bag in the locker then put my mobile phone in my back trouser pocket and walked out.

Equinox was always crowded, one of the youngsters' favorite places.

"Ellainne!!!" Greeted Benjamin and Gilbert then hugged me, "Nice to have a pretty lady helping out tonight." Benjamin added as he received a gentle punch from me.

Still a flirt, I said to myself and shook my head.

"Why did Louis ask me to come? Usually two bartenders are enough." I asked as I started to help them tidy up the glasses for later use.

"An important person said he rented this place overnight." Gilbert whispered and made me raise my eyebrows in surprise.

An important person, huh?

"Really? The whole Equinox." I exclaimed in shock.

He and Benjamin nodded, "That's why Louis asked the best bartender he had to attend." Gilbert added with a wink.

I laughed at that, Benjamin and Gilbert were very easy going, that's why people liked them and the money made for the bar if they worked was a lot because they were very good at seducing women who would melt and order whatever was offered.

As the tables are set and the dinner guests begin to leave, one by one the décor of the restaurant transforms into a night bar and the DJ starts playing his tunes.

As the tables are set and the dinner guests leave, one by one the décor transforms into a night bar and the DJ starts playing his tunes.

As guests began to arrive and order their drinks, me, Benjamin and Gilbert got busy with our work.

It was 1 o'clock and there were more guests, but to my surprise, there were a few men who came in their black shirts.

Why are you panicking? I scolded myself.

Black shirts are normal, calm down... calm down...

"Hey, baby girl, 2 shots of Tequila." A very handsome black man with a Chris Brown-like face greeted me and placed his money on the table.

I quickly handed him his drink, but he quickly thrust one towards me, "Afraid you're thirsty, beautiful, maybe after this you can give me your phone number?" He flirted deftly and I just laughed as I downed the tequila quickly.

"Only one shot won't get my number, baby." I quickly replied and turned around to take another drink order.

Yup, rejecting these drunk men has become my specialty, working for more than 2 years behind the bar counter taught me many things, one of which is not to easily believe the men who come to this bar and seduce you.

Since then, many men have bought me drinks, as if to see who can conquer me, men!

However, I'm a girl who can handle alcohol, so a few drinks doesn't make me drunk.

Benjamin and Gilbert were smirking at the fact that I was more famous than them and just laughed as I turned them all down.

Apparently they said it was an important person's birthday celebration so it was a private party attended by only his friends.

Benjamin and Gilbert seemed to know some of the guys and I just nodded when introduced by them.

"Don't try, she can't be seduced." Gilbert hurriedly warned his friend who wanted to open his mouth towards me and I just laughed while shaking my head in amusement.

"Really? Even for my birthday?"

My eyes widened as I heard the words spoken by a heavy-voiced man from beside me.

I knew that voice...

Thump... Thump... Thump...

My heart skipped a beat and I turned my head to meet a pair of brown eyes that looked back at me with his trademark smirk when he saw me recognize him.

Sh*t! Him again?!!!

"Hello, puppet!" He greeted me happily.

**************