Shadows Of Red

CHAPTER 7: Inside The Shadows

CHAPTER 7: Inside the Shadows

Balancing a couple of beer bottles and glasses on a serving pan, I made my way towards the tables beside the dance floor where I needed to serve these drinks.

“Oh, sorry.” I said as I almost tipped over the pan filled with drinks, when a girl dancing on the side collided with me.

“Can you be careful?” Almost already dragging out her words drunkenly, she raised her brows at me.

I just sighed. It’s not even my fault. But for the sake of not to making a scene and continue working, I said, “I’m sorry.”

The girl just breathed out haughtily and went back to dancing, now on the dance floor. I shook my head. This work kind of helped me work out my patience too, just to see the brighter side of doing this, and well, of course the salary that keeps me alive.

Heaving a breath, I continued making my way towards the table I was about to serve drinks to. I passed the beer bottles and glasses on the table, and I smiled when the customer gave me a tip.

“Thank you,” I said to the familiar man. He’s been here ever since I became a waitress in the bar almost a year ago. Maxwell, that’s what they call him.         

The middle aged guy just nodded his head at me, with a small smile on his bearded face. “No problem, girl.” I smiled again and made my way towards the other tables to ask for orders.

I’ve been working in the Neptune’s for almost a year now. A month after I left the Wilson’s mansion, I did everything I can to find a job before all of my savings depleted. I needed to find a job immediately at that time as I was renting an apartment outside university. And I needed the money to sustain my everyday needs like food and things for school. My transportations too.

And so when Stacey told me she can refer me to a job, I didn’t think twice. I took it, even when I felt like I would owe her something since we weren’t exactly close, and even knowing the fact that I was going to be working in a night bar. Not just any bar, but the most popular bar in West Vanders.

Working in here meant letting everyone know that I’m not as rich as them. Most especially to the kids I go to school with. Since kids that weren’t as rich as the lots of my schoolmates didn’t go to the same high school we were in before.

It wasn’t actually a private school, but West Vanders High School was also kind of luxurious. As luxurious as a public school could possibly be. It could be because most of the rich kids go there and their parents offer or donate lots of things in that school. Giving it an unsaid label as: the school for the rich.

So, being in the same college with them right now, with them seeing me work in here, cleared their confused minds whether I was one of them in their social ranking. So, here it is: I am not. And I don’t mind it. I don’t think I even want to be part of that “hierarchy”. I mean, those levels and rankings and such is quite normal when you’re living with the biggest business families in town and in the state. But I don’t really care much about that anymore.

“Another set, miss.” A costumer’s voice called behind me.

“Coming!” I said and made my way towards the bar counter where Jenna, our new boss, is bartending for tonight. She’s Stacey’s aunt. Her brother, which was the former owner, passed this bar to her when his family decided to move to the big city, finally leaving the small town of West Vanders.

“Another set, right there, Jenna,” I said and sat on one of the empty bar stools.

The dark, curly haired and middle aged woman scrunched up her nose. “Gawd, do these people don’t get worried about having a lung cancer?” I chuckled at that.

“Coming from a bar owner, don’t you think that would make your business’ market low?” I commented to which she pointed a finger at me.

“That... is a practical and logical reaoning, and the very thing I should stick in my head to continue running this business—goodness gracious! Why didn’t Kent just make a restaurant business instead of this? See that? Who wants that?” She suddenly exclaimed when Mike, the bar’s security, held a guy in his huge arms to prevent the fist fight that occurred.

I winced at the scene. Both guys were already drunk and the dance floor got a little messy when most people watched the brawl that happened.

Unfortunately, that is quite indeed a regular occurrence in a place like this.

“Yeah, I guess a restaurant would be a more peaceful place than this,” I said and looked at Jenna shaking her head in dismay. I leaned on the table and watched her amusedly. Her chestnut colored eyes suddenly went to me.

“You think I should change this place to a restaurant, instead?” I gave it a thought.

“You think as many people would still come every day as early as 3 o’clock in the afternoon?” I replied, chuckling. Slowly, Jenna nodded and pointed a finger towards me again.

“Right. You’re right. As dreadful and disgusting this place sometimes could be, market wise, serving college thugs and drunkards would be wiser.” She pointed. I pursed my lips at a sudden thought that crossed my mind.

“You know, Jenna, you could turn this to a small breakfast house in the morning and a bar at night. That way, you could do what you want without compromising the financial stability you can gain from this bar.” Jenna laughed and clapped a hand. With her mouth in a wide grin, she said,

“You are a smart, smart girl, Natalie. That’s a great idea!” I leaned further on the table and looked at her in the eye, teasing. “And guess who would be the very first person hired in that breakfast house?”

She guffawed that spilled a little of the drink she was holding. I started laughing as well.

“Why, of course! You are going to be the best manager for my breakfast place.” We both laughed again after that.

“But, seriously?” I asked after our laughs subsided. Manager? That would be big for me.

Jenna chuckled at my query. “Yes, Natalie. You are going to be my partner for that. You’ve been a great worker for the past months. You’re hardworking and you don’t whine like the others.” She glanced at the other waiters and waitresses in the bar. Some were even just standing and enjoying a conversation with some costumers.

“And that was an ingenuity you devised yourself. It’s only fitting you be my partner for that.” I smiled at the compliments. Yeah, I’ve been doing that because I won’t have money to sustain for myself if I don’t.

“Anyway, you got a tip from that Maxwell guy again?” Jenna asked, changing the subject. I glanced at the middle aged man on the side. As usual, all by himself on that corner that he made his all these months.

No one even dares occupying that spot when he’s not around yet. Every regular costumer knows that that certain table is just for Maxwell.

“Yeah, I hope that’s fine,” I said as I looked back at Jenna who just dismissed me with her hand. “Of course. I don’t hold any of the costumers’ interests if they like giving you, guys, tips.” I nodded and smiled.

Changing the subject, I asked, “Do you know where he lives?” I know I’m not the only one curious about the man.

In the 19 years of my life here in West Vanders, I have never seen him. Just now, here in the bar, which is where he practically lives. He doesn’t even go out when he’s done and just sleeps on his spot.

Jenna once tried letting him out, and let’s just say, that didn’t turn out so well. So we just let him be.

“Nu-uh. He’s still that homeless, rich guy in my mind,” she said, putting the last bottle in the serving pan on the table.

I stared at Maxwell. He doesn’t exactly look homeless. His clothes aren’t as dirty as those people pertained to, yet he doesn’t look as neat as a rich guy as well. Not that every rich person is neat and clean. He just looks... left to himself.

“Here.” Jenna’s voice made me turn back towards her. She pushed the serving pan full of glasses to me.

“Be careful, alright?” I nodded and smiled at her. “I will.”

“Oh, Nat.” I turned back to Jenna as she spoke again. I raised my brows, waiting for her to speak.

“Speaking of ‘careful’, how has it been after that bastard outside assaulted you? Did anything happen? I heard he’s out of prison.” I bit my lip at the memory of that night with Fred.

With everything that has been occupying in my mind for the past couple of days, that news added up to my worries. Fred was out of the prison locks because of his father’s political power again. And since that news broke out, I couldn’t help feeling unsafe whenever I’m alone.

“Nothing bad particularly happened,” I answered that made Jenna look at me thoughtfully. “’Cause Jordan been around you?” She asked. I shook my head.

That too. Since that day I told him about that weird incident in the woods, I can’t seem to grasp him anywhere. Not in university and not even in here, now, which is supposedly the start of his shift.

“He’s been... busy,” I just said. Jenna made a clicking sound in her mouth. “That boy has been MIA. If I didn’t know him as someone hardworking, I’d fire him for slacking off. That boy just seems problematic these past few days.” That made me frown and stare at her.

“Problematic?” Jenna nodded.

“Yeah, been seeing him everywhere looking for something. I don’t know what, but it seemed like something important. Even making him miss work, like now.”

We both glanced at the red, blinking digital clock above. Jordan is already late for his shift. I sighed.

“Yeah, I guess I’d just wait when he comes back. He’ll open up when he’s ready.” Jenna nodded. “I’ll just serve these.” I said, deciding to do my impending work.

“Aight.”

I finally turned around towards the dance floor, where I can see the way to the side for the couches in the corner.

I walked towards the busy people and immediately served the drinks I had in hand. Doing the job quickly, I took the pan out of the table and turned around. But something in the shadows suddenly caught my eye.

I started squinting my eyes to see, but a deep voice interrupted me.

“You ready, girl?” Maxwell asked as he gulped down a drink. I frowned in confusion. Ready for what? A grin made its way to his beard-filled face. His eyes wrinkling to the side as his grin widened at the sight of my confusion.

“You better be,” he continued and once again gulped down a drink from a big glass.

“For what?” I couldn’t help but ask.

And that’s when he started chuckling. Chuckles that became loud guffaws that made some people turn towards him amidst the music. His loud and booming voice adding up to the noise of the bass and beats.

“You asking for what?” I just stared at him. Just now seeing he has a pair of green eyes, that was now glinting with a knowing look and some more I couldn’t decipher.

He leaned towards his table, even when I was quite far from it, as if to whisper. “For the shadows. The shadows of red.”

For some reason, his words brought an impact to me that made the hairs on my body rise amidst the warmth inside the bar. His glinting green eyes stayed staring at my face as he watched my reaction. I just stood still, feeling the tension-filled sensations brought by his enigmatic words.

“E-excuse me,” I said after a moment and made my way back to the bar counter. But just when I was about to run back to Jenna, another figure caught my attention.

A figure from the shadows of the bar’s neon LED lights.

I stopped. What was that?

But just when I was about to go near to the corner where I kept on seeing that tall figure, I once again collided with somebody, now with a greater impact that pushed me to fall to the ground.

I held my breath as I waited for the hard floor’s impact on my body, but I was suddenly hauled up by an arm that wrapped around my waist, preventing me from falling face first on the floor.

“You have to start taking care of yourself.” Was the greeting Calum Price welcomed me.

I caught my breath at the shock of almost falling. My eyes went to him and those supposedly dark orbs of his were dancing with such glints that made it look almost silvery. I got a hold of myself and I started stepping away. But my eyes widened a little when his hand on my waist just pulled me closer to him, not allowing me to get away.

I swallowed composing myself. I stared at him again and heaved a deep breath when his grip tightened on me. I frowned at him. Feeling tensed despite quite still feeling undone with my irritation towards him. Is he drunk?

“Get off me,” I said but a sudden amusement flashed in those dark and piercing metallic eyes.

“You’re not even listening,” he said that made me scoff. This guy really needs to realize that everyone isn’t working for him. He just can’t order me around like this!

“No, you are not listening,” I clapped back, now fully in irritation. “I told you Calum, I don’t answer to you. Now, get of off me,” I said and took his hand away from my waist. A small amused smile made its way to his sexy lips.

I cursed myself for even thinking about that.

Really, Natalie? Now?

I made a step back, only to jump out of the floor and collide with his body again when something sharp pierced through my shoe.

My eyes went up to Calum and a smirk finally appeared on his smug face.

“Who’s not listening again?” He stated that made my eyes narrow at him.

What’s with him, anyway? Smirking and being smug all of a sudden? Isn’t he supposed to be ice cold and indifferent?

I just frowned at him and took a step back. I finally turned around, making sure I didn’t step on something again. I looked at the floor and saw shards of glasses, broken bottles and spilled beer on the floor. I guess I’d be calling a janitor for this before anyone gets injured.

Sighing, I walked away from the spot and sat back on the same stool I was a sitting a while ago in front of the bar counter.

Jenna looked at me and glanced at somewhere behind me. “A Price.”

I put the tray in front of her. I couldn’t help glancing back as well as I saw Jenna still looking at him. But I almost rolled my eyes when I saw Calum with another girl already on the dance floor.

He was elusive, but not during times like this. Most especially with an active participant. I watched them as that same girl I bumped with a while ago clung to Calum and started doing things with him.

“You know him personally?” Jenna asked casually, but I can almost hear her screaming curiosity at me. I shook my head as I looked back at her.

“No, just a schoolmate,” I said, which surely didn’t appease her curiosity. I couldn’t blame her. The Price family is the most popular name in town, but ironically, people don’t know much about them, which I think, drew even more attention to them.

“Hmm.” I heard her hum. I looked at her and raised my brows at Jenna’s knowing expression. “What?” I asked.

She shrugged. “You know, he’s a Price and they’re... not socially inclined, just to put it like that. You know what I mean.” I nodded. Everybody does. “I’ve seen him get some hook-ups here and there, but it’s just weird, seeing that guy talk with someone whom he’s not planning to hook up with for the night.”

“Jenna,” I said in reprimand.

She held both of her hands up. “Just saying, kid. The guy is as good-looking as a masterfully carved statue. A face and body like that is bound to get many attention even without wanting it. Most especially from the ladies.”

I sighed. I guess she has a point. I’ve never even seen him approach a girl first. It was always the other way around. And it always ends up to something like that.

My brows knitted at the thought. That definitely made him feel so much more entitled, that’s why he thinks he can order anyone around.

Jenna and I continued on our work as wave after wave of people continuously got inside the bar as the night deepened.

A couple minutes went by and the same routine of work was done. We, servers, served drinks to the people and the bartenders did their part. I watched the digital clock above and saw that it was almost 12 AM, but Jordan hasn’t showed up yet.

Pursing my lips, I went inside the staffs’ station and took my bag. Jordan’s shift starts at 11 until the bar closes at 3 in the morning. He once told me that he sleeps through the hours after his classes so he can get up in time for his shift. At first, I was worried he won’t be able to do it, but along the months, he proved he can sustain himself. He was doing well in balancing his job, personal life and school. But I don’t see that as much now, and it bothers me.

What is happening to that guy?

“Bye, Jenna!” I said amidst the loud music as I turned towards the exit. “Bye! See you on Monday!” She shouted back.

The moment I went out of the bar, I realized how warm it was inside. The cold air immediately slapped on my skin as I walked further away from the place.

I stopped on my tracks to get my beanie out of my bag and my scarf, but just as I was circling my favourite scarf on me, something caught my eye again. But I immediately looked away the moment I realized what they were doing.

Gawd. They can just get on with it somewhere private, you know. Not here.

Turning away, I continued adjusting my scarf and beanie, only to turn back around as I heard a shout.

My eyes widened in horror at what I was seeing. The girl was holding her neck as she shook uncontrollably to the ground while the guy watched her, which was now much farther away from her distance.

My breath hitched and my heart started beating frantically.

They both were in the midst of the shadow, but I can still see who the girl on the floor was.

It was that girl I bumped with. The girl who was dancing with Calum Price.

I looked at the tall figure who was standing from afar, but like a vapour, he vanished in thin air, leaving not a single trace.