by Rumer Raines
I grab a knife from the drawer and peep out of the kitchen before walking out. I hold the knife as I head to the bedroom and peek into every door as I walk past. I am here alone and it’s silly that I don’t realize that. I put the knife on the nightstand and take off my clothes to take a nap before work. Yet for some reason, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s found me.
When I wake from my nap, I have two hours until I should be at the club. I take a bubble bath and prepare myself for the night. I am not sure if I am preparing for a busy night of customers or to do battle with Alex. I just love the jasmine scented bubble bath that a previous guest left behind. It is so relaxing and I can almost forget about life’s problems as I let myself close my eyes and just chill. When I finally get out, I grab a towel to dry off and head back to the bedroom and put on my black skirt and white blouse. I bend over to look for my work shoes and remember I left them in the living room. As expected, they are exactly where I left them. I grab my backpack and pick up my cell phone to call Nick to ask him for a ride. As I am about to press the button I recall him telling me that I need to drive the car. I close my eyes and sigh as I head to the kitchen to get through to the garage. As I walk past the kitchen table, I come to a stop. I look at the kitchen table and there is another glass. I move over to it and pick it up and again, it’s bourbon. I think I am going to throw up and run over to the sink. I turn around and glance around the kitchen. I know this wasn’t here when I went to take my nap. There was a glass in the living room and I brought in in the kitchen and poured it out. I even washed the glass and put it away. I hold my head back and try to recall everything I did after I found that first glass. I was tired, did I really wash it and put it away? Or did I just set it on the kitchen table and got lost in the moment and forgot to put it away?
I laugh to myself because I realize that I am losing it. I obviously set it on the table and forget to wash it. That must be the explanation. I do know that I grabbed a knife and took it to the bedroom with me. I don’t want to leave it there so I run to the bedroom to grab the knife off the night stand. When I swing open the bedroom I stop in my tracks. The knife is gone! I think I am going to hyperventilate. I know I took the knife into the bedroom with me, I didn’t imagine that. I walk carefully out of the bedroom and head back to the kitchen. I open the garage door and walk to the car. I turn around, inspecting the house and praying that I just have an overactive imagination. I pray that all the time I spent with Garth just has me paranoid. I lock the door and run to the garage to get into the car. I head off to Deluca’s hoping that I am only losing my mind and that he hasn’t found me.
Traffic was awful on the way to the club, but when I finally arrive I realize I don’t know where to park. I have only been dropped off before, so it never occurred to me to ask. I pull into the alley and there is only one empty spot. I recall Alexis saying the parking in the back was for Alex and Frank. I will assume since I am using Frank’s family’s car that I can use his parking spot while he is gone. At least I’ll use it tonight until Alex finds out and makes me move it. The club is already busy when I arrive so I hurry to put my backpack into my locker so I can get to work. I check to see which tables I have been assigned to and I notice that I have more tables than the other girls do. I don’t know if I should complain or be happy. Hopefully, that will mean more tips. As I walk up the bar, I notice the bartender is talking to Alex. This is the last thing I need, time near Alex. The bartender nods his head at me and Alex turns around and sees me. He rolls his eyes and grabs the schedule. He sets the schedule down and walks past me and heads upstairs. He is such a rude bastard. I guess it would kill him to acknowledge me. The bartender notices the same thing because as I turn to look at the retreating Alex, I hear the bartender chuckle.
“Hi. I don’t think we ever were introduced. I’m Adele.” I reach over to shake his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Adele. I’m Teddy.” He extends his hand in response.
“I guess I am going to be a busy girl tonight, Teddy. It seems that I have more tables than the other girls. I guess Alex has decided to get his money’s worth with me tonight.”
“Trust me, Adele, Alex doesn’t like you having so many tables either,” Teddy tells me.
“I am confused. Why did he give them to me then?” I ask.
“Apparently, customers requested your table. These are all repeat customers and they liked you the last time they were here. Some of them were sat in Angie’s section and they didn’t want her, so the people you waited on the last time suggested they sit in your area. Alex was quite pissed off when that started to happen,” Teddy states.
“I bet he was,” I chuckle.
Teddy hands me one of my tables orders and I get to work. He was right. Every one of the customers was happy to be in my section. They even told me how polite I was and that I offered great service. A few even said they hoped I was replacing Angie and that she would be fired. I can understand why they would hope for that, but I would hate to see anyone get fired. After a few hours, I am working my ass off and totally loving having so many assigned tables assigned to me. I am also loving the tips and I am sure I have already made three hundred dollars in the few hours that I have worked. I will enjoy counting my tips at the end of the night. I am standing at the bar waiting for a drink for one of my tables and Alex walks behind the bar. He ignores me once again and chit chats with Teddy. It’s odd that he is so nice to Teddy and even the other girls. How can he be so nice to everyone else, but such a bastard to me? As Alex and Teddy laugh and joke with each other, Teddy hands me the drink I had been waiting for. I thank him and narrow my eyes at Alex. I turn around and I glance toward the door as I hear the greeter welcome someone inside. I drop the glass when I see it’s Garth.
Alex
It has not been my night. I am so disgusted that some of my best customers, the ones that come in every night, requested Adele’s table. Am I the only one that isn’t mesmerized by this girl? She is going to be so hard to get rid of if she has Frank and customers rooting for her. I don’t even have to see her to know when she arrives. I can smell that damn jasmine scent on her and it irritates the hell out of me. Then she has the nerve to just walk up to bar like she belongs here. I had to walk away and head straight for the office. I didn’t even want to talk to anyone. I must have pouted in that damn office for hours. Finally, I realized that I am a grown ass man and this is my damn club and I headed back downstairs. It’s busy, so hopefully, there won’t be any need to talk to her. She should be busy too since I had to give her more tables than the other girls. Angie was pissed off that I did. I had no other choice when customers start refusing to sit in her section. It’s her own damn fault for giving such bad service. I should have listened to Frank months ago and fired her ass. He would have a stroke if he knew the reason I keep her is that I don’t want her suing us for sexual harassment. I should have never touched her, but after a few drinks, I did.
I finally head down the bar and ask Teddy how the night is going. He is the best bartender in Chicago as far as I am concerned. He is the only one we have and he’s only one we need. He’s that damn good. When he does need help, I work the bar with him. I know I am part owner, but I have never had issues with working the bar. Teddy advises that it’s been busy, but he is handling it and I realize he is. I decided that I will hang around the bar to help for the night and I look up and notice she is standing there. I make some stupid joke to Teddy, trying to ignore Adele and he finishes up with the drink and turns to hand it to her. Being the grown-up that she is, she narrows her eyes at me and turns around. Being the grown-up that I am, I am so tempted to stick my tongue out at her, but I don’t since I am a grown ass man. When Adele turns around, she looks up at the door and the next thing I know she drops the glass. Teddy and I look at her and as he leans across the bar, Adele drops to her knees and crawls behind the bar. I motion for one of the other girls to clean up the broken glass and to get another drink for Adele’s table. I look down at the floor
and she is sitting with her knees folded and her arms wrapped around them.
“What the hell is your problem?” I try to remain as calm as possible with her since she obviously has issues.
Adele motions with her finger for me to bend down and I roll my eyes and start to bend over. As I am bent halfway down she reaches up and grabs my shirt by the collar and pulls me the rest of the way down.
“I need to get out of here. He can’t see me. I can’t let him see me,” she whispers and I see the tears in her eyes.
“Who are you talking about?”
“The guy that just came in,” she says.
“Adele, several guys just came in. Would you mind telling me who the fuck you're talking about?” I ask, pissed.
“He just came in. He’s wearing a pink button-down shirt. He has blond hair and brown eyes. His name is Garth. I can’t let him find me. I know you don’t like me, but please don’t let him find me,” she is still whispering and now she is crying. I look up and see Teddy is watching us and he looks over to the table where I think this Garth is seated. I stand up and look in the same direction. There is a blond guy who is wearing a pink button-down shirt. I look back down at Adele and she is rocking herself with her arms wrapped around her legs. I don’t know who this guy is, but he has her scared stiff and I don’t like it.
I walk around the bar and ask the other girls if he has already been waited on. Ironically, he was seated at Angie's table and since she is the slowest waitress ever, he is still waiting. I walk over to his table and he looks up at me with brown eyes.
“I’ll just take a beer,” he announces when I stop at his table.
“I am actually not here to take your order. I’m here to ask you to leave,” I tell him.
“Leave? Why do I need to leave?” he asks as he scans the restaurant “You’re not closed, are you?”
“No, we’re not closed, but you are not welcome here.” I tilt my head as this guy appears to be ready for a fight.
“Look...I don’t know what your problem is. I am not going anywhere. As a matter of fact, can I see the manager?” He moves his napkin from his lap and slams it on the table.
“It’s your lucky day. You don’t need the manager since I am the owner. As the owner, I don’t want any of my other guests to be offended by a grown ass man who wears a fucking pink shirt. Please leave while you can do so on your own two legs unless you prefer to be carried out,” I tell him as I lean over the table.
He narrows his eyes and starts to scan the club. I must wonder if he’s looking for Adele, but I sure as hell won’t ask him. He gets up to leave and I escort him out to make sure he is leaving the club. I tell our security that he isn’t allowed back in. When I get back inside, I head back to the bar and Teddy gives me a nod as I approach it. I see that Adele is still sitting on the floor holding her legs. I bend over and tell her that he’s gone and she wipes the tears away and puts her hand on my arm as she stands up. I look over at Teddy and he shakes his head at me. He is obviously thinking the same thing that I am, that this shit isn’t over.
“My office, Adele,” I tell her as I move to shake her hand off me.
“You don’t have an office. That is Frank’s office,” she says as she wipes her eyes and sniffles.
I roll my eyes and take a deep fucking breath. I want to strangle her.
“Okay, get your ass up to Frank’s office, Adele. NOW!” I snap at her.
She continues to wipe her eyes and she moves around me and heads up to the office. I glance at Teddy and he shakes his head at me.
“What do you think that was about?” he asks.
“I don’t know, but I am going to get to the bottom of it,” I retort.
I watch as Adele enters the office and I grab a glass and pour myself a vodka. I know I am going to need it if I must deal with this shit.
“Teddy... Are you a religious man?” I ask as I pick up my drink.
“Why are you asking?” Teddy asks as his eyebrows rise.
“I think I am going to need a few prayers before I get into the office with this girl,” I say as I walk around the bar and head towards the stairs. I can hear Teddy chuckle as I walk away and it only makes me want to shoot him.
When I walk into the office, Adele is sitting on the couch, leaning over and holding her head. I flashback to the other women I have had on that couch. I have never had to deal with a crying one before so this should be interesting. I use more force than I need to on the door and it slams shut, which causes Adele to jump as she turns to look at me. I don’t know whether I should sit next to her or sit at the desk? I am not the comforting kind of guy so this is unfamiliar territory for me. This must be one of the few times that I wish Frank was here.
I decide to sit on the edge of the desk across from Adele. I have no idea what I am supposed to say to her. I need to find out why just threw one of my customers out of the club, but I don’t want her crying either. I also recall my promise that I made to Frank. I take a deep breath and pinch my temples as I consider what the hell I need to say to her. As I am putting my thoughts together Adele speaks first.
“Thank you,” Adele quietly says and I almost don’t hear her.
“What was that?” I ask thinking I misheard her.
“Thank you,” she says louder and I can tell she is sincere when saying it and I nod my head.
“Do you care to tell me why you freaked out? I would like to know why I threw out one of my customers.”
Adele looks away from me and closes her eyes. We are not leaving this office until we have answers and it’s a busy night so we need to hurry this shit up.
“Adele, we both are needed downstairs. I can’t let you go back down if you’re going to be dropping glasses and crawling behind the bar at every blond guy that walks in tonight. I threw that guy out, but if you think he’s going to be a problem I need to know so I can let security know.”
Adele starts to bite on her lip and I notice her eyes are watery. I hear her inhale and she looks up at me.
“He’s my husband.”
Adele
I have no other option, I should talk to Alex. Frank is out of town and Alexis can’t help me. I keep thinking back to being at the house and finding the two glasses out of place. I knew someone had been in the house. I also knew that Garth’s drink of choice was in the glass. I tried to convince myself that I was only being paranoid, but I realize that I’m not. He showed up at Deluca’s. I am not naïve enough to think this was a coincidence; I no longer have the luxury. He found me and he will either force me to go home with him or he’ll kill me. He promised that he would kill me if I ever left him and I believe he would. There were plenty of times he had beaten me nearly to death. I can talk to Nick, but he can’t sit at the bar all night either. I should tell Alex, so he can put security on high alert. He asked Garth to leave once, so maybe, just maybe I can trust he’ll keep him out.
Alex questioned who Garth was and let me know that he had security keep him out. I took a chance and I just blurted it out. ‘He’s my husband.’ I could see the surprise in Alex’s eyes as well all the questions in them. I know he is about to ask questions that I ‘ll have to answer.
“I don’t understand,” he says and I try to think of what to tell him, that won’t give him everything. He doesn’t even like me and I don’t trust him enough to share with him.
“It’s when a man and woman stand before a man of God…,” Alex cuts me off.
“Adele! You know what I am talking about,” he practically shouts.
“I left him. He wasn’t happy about it and I was surprised to see him here,” I say and I notice Alex’s eyes narrow again and I can tell he is thinking about what I said.
“That’s not it. You're scared of him. You don’t crawl behind a bar because your husband shows up. You would have just gone over to him and asked him to leave or ignored him. You wouldn’t hide.”
He’s right and he’s looking at me and he knows he’s right. I close my eyes and hold my head
down avoiding his gaze. Alex walks closer to me and he put his hand on my chin to lift it and I open my eyes to him.
“Adele, what is going on?”
“He was abusive. He went to work one day and I took a chance and I ran.”
Alex nods his head and walks over to sit on the couch. “How long have you been running?” he asks.
“Three months,” I tell him.
“Where have you been staying?” He manages to ask the one question I am too embarrassed to answer.
“I was sleeping in my car. I parked at the mall on most nights and would clean up in the bathrooms. I would always walk past Alexis’ and Lola’s store and I caught on that they gave away soap samples. Each time I stopped, we’d talk more and we became friends. One-day Alexis asked if I needed a job and I told her I did. Long story short I ended up here.” I didn’t even notice I had started pacing as Alex sat watching me from the couch
“Where are you staying now?” he questions.
“I was staying at Lola’s old place.”
“You were staying there?” he tilts his head.
“I think my ex found out where I’m staying. I found a few things out of place and I know it’s him. I’ll have to move.”
Alex is quiet and doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, which is odd. I would expect him to comment on me staying at Lola’s or call me a user for being friends with Alexis. He does neither of these things. After several minutes, he stands up from the couch and tells me that Garth won’t be coming into the club anymore. He’ll let all the security know that he isn’t allowed in. I feel better knowing that I will be safe at work since I really need this job. I thank him and he tells me that we need to get back to work.
The rest of the night is uneventful. I wait on my tables and I still get good tips. I catch some of the other girls staring at me and Angie even has the courage to ask me why I swan dived for the floor earlier. I just ignore her and walk away. We aren’t friends, so her concern isn’t genuine anyway. I’ve noticed Alex keeps looking at me, but he keeps turning away before he thinks I’ll notice. He has even kept all his rude comments to himself. He has been nice to me since I told him my secret. I have no idea what I’ll do once this night is over. Will Garth be at the house waiting for me? Will he sneak in once I’ve gone to sleep? Is it even safe for me to go back there?
