I'm just waiting for the day when Bond tries to corner me. I fully plan on breaking his little d**k. Or twisting it off. Whatever, I'm in the mood for that day.
"Here," I pour him his beer and slam it before him. "I have other customers."
However, before I can leave, he grabs my wrist in an almost painful hold, his eyes sly but his voice hard, "And what about the quickie in the backroom?"
Derek is already sitting up, ready to intervene, but I move closer to Bond, my voice low, "I don't sleep with pathetic nobodies."
His face flushed, and he was about to say something when I gave him a cold smile, "What? Are you going to go crying to Henry now? What're you going to say? That I wouldn't sleep with you? Or that I called you a nobody?"
The look of humiliation on Bond's face is entertaining.
Henry won't fire me, not if I don't cause a scene or file an official complaint against Bond. However, he doesn't have a problem if I keep things quiet. I'm one of his longest bartenders who have stuck around, and I doubt he wants me to go.
When Derek snickers, Bond whips his head to the side and glares at him, "You got something to say?"
Derek smirks, "I think she said all that had to be said."
Bond narrows his eyes, "You want to go outside?"
Derek nurses his beer, "No, thanks, man. I don't roll that way."
Short bursts of laughter from around us, and Bond's expression tightens in rage as he looks at Derek, "I'll deal with you later."
To me, he sneers, "You've got quite a mouth on you. I'll be sure to put it to good use."
I don't even bother meeting his gaze, my voice casual, "Careful what you wish for. I'm known to be a biter."
When he storms off, my eyes lift and follow him all the way to where Henry's office is. My gaze is cold.
He's not going to leave me alone.
I know that.
I might have to do something about this one.
*** ***
It's around two in the morning, an hour from closing, when Henry approaches me. Tensing, I keep my expression blank as I gather the empty glasses and put them on the tray.
"You got a minute, Aisha?"
Unlike Bond, Henry is a polite person. Or that's how he comes across. Henry's big on appearances. He has a picture of his wife and two sons on his desk and a few other family portraits around. Everybody considers him a family man. But there's a streak of cruelty to him, a callousness that I don't like.
He's human, but he reminds me of my father. I wouldn't put it past Henry to use his fists rather than his words when he's at home.
I nod at Henry, "Something wrong?"
I already know what it is.
Henry studies me, "Did something happen between you and Bond today?"
I shrug, "He tried to hit on me and wanted me to blow him. I told him there was a chance I might bite his d**k off. He didn't like that."
Henry doesn't look very happy, and I raise my brows, "I didn't make a scene. My voice was low. he was the one who kept trying to turn it into something."
Henry frowns, "If he's interested in you, then just-"
"I work for you, Henry," I set down my rag, giving him a cool look. "I'm not the bar w***e who will open her legs at your order. I'm doing a good job here. I've not given you any trouble. Let's keep it that way."
Henry is silent and then, "I'll tell Bond to back off."
"Thanks."
However, as he walks away, my legs tremble, and I lean down in the guise of needing to pick something up, only to sink onto the floor. That was a ballsy thing to say to my boss. If Henry decided to fire me, there is no way I would be able to find a job that pays me this much money. This wasn't a risk I should have taken.
My hands are shaking at how close I was to getting fired just now.
But I also couldn't sleep with Bond just because my boss thinks the man-child should get who and what he wants. I wet my lips, trying to steady myself. My job is fine. I'm not fired.
Getting to my feet, I pour out the last few drinks before going to the kitchen to take a five-minute break.
"You good, sugar?" Comes Layla, the cook's question. She's wiping down the kitchen area, and I nod.
"You got something I can eat?"
"Jojo!" Layla hollers. "Get the girl a plate of fries. You want to take something home, hun? We've got some fried chicken left over and some desserts which won't last till tomorrow."
"Thanks, Layla," I give the older woman a grateful smile before accepting the plate. Her kitchen hand, Jojo, hands me. The young boy gives me a shy smile, "I'll leave the bag for you in the refrigerator before we leave."
"Appreciate it."
I munch on the fries, and Layla scolds me, "Chew, don't inhale."
"Sorry," I give her a wan smile. "I have to go back out."
"Still," she looks worried.
I just smile and try to eat more slowly.
Even with how little the rent is, Harry is in Junior School. He has school activities that need supplies, and those supplies cost money. He's also a growing boy, and young wolf shifters go through food like anything. Since their bodies are learning how to shift into their wolf form, their bodies are expanding a lot of energy, so they're like little black holes. You keep food in them, and it's never enough.
If we had still been living in our pack, our father or one of our many uncles would be helping guide Harry through his transition. The whole pack always cooked together, so there was always food for the younger ones who needed it. But all of that came at a cost in our pack, a cost my mother paid, I paid, and Harry would have paid if I hadn't taken him away from there.
The only time I get to eat these days is here, whatever Layla gives me. The rest I take home to Harry. He's just eleven. He should be enjoying his childhood and getting through his transition. I want him to have the life I never did.
After this upcoming college semester is over, I'll be able to work an additional job during the summer break. I might be able to save some money that way.
Finishing my meal, I head out and start closing up tabs. Usually, its Henry who locks up, but once or twice a week, he leaves that responsibility to me. Today turns out to be one of those days. Sighing. I tally up the cash and leave the receipts and the cash box in his desk drawer before heading back out to the main floor. Putting up the chairs, I've begun to mop, everyone else long gone, when I notice that the red light on the security camera is off.