Inevitable Desire

Ever since I was young, I have had this passion for Horror Movies. Something about them I found excitement in watching them. Could be because of the fear that makes life seem so precious and to survive, that you truly know what it means to be alive.

I had a certain taste for horror/Fantasy movies. If they had a little romance in them, it was all the better. Although to be Honest my true obsession was the kind of movies that has me wishing that could be my life or at least be real, to be true. To be anything then what my reality was. Speaking of the bitch called Reality, better drag myself back down to it. Let's face it, still working at a club as a bartender was not how I pictured my life at the age of twenty-five. But in the end, living in a fictional fantasy world would not pay my bills.

I am sure most would love this job. On the other side of the bar its all “woo every night is a party hell yeah” From my side, we see all kinds of people. Drunk emotional females that always wear too much mascara that by the end of the night seems to run down their faces. The cocky douchebags who think every female would be lucky to go home with him that night. Lets not forget the overly confident woman who walk around like their shit stinks of roses, and the occasional lonely people who come to watch other people enjoy life instead of doing so themselves.

It is not all bad though, tips are nice and the best part, my coworkers are my closest friends! Not just because I work five nights a week and do not have time during the day to have any kind of Social life. Fortunately I get to work beside my childhood best friend, Rayleen. Ray, is the only one who truly knows me.

“Well, looks who is late again!” Ray giggled as she prepares the sliced garnish for the cocktails that we will be serving tonight. “Oh, stop teasing Jackson Ray, you were late twice last week” as I nudged her in hopes she would miss putting the fruit in the containers. ” I was only late because I got stuck behind you, who so graciously slowed down. Then would speed up as the yellow light turned, not leaving me enough time to make the light.” Ray rolled her eyes so hard I could have sworn I saw the roots in her eye sockets.

“SO, Jackson! What was it today that made you hit snooze on your alarm clock.” I said smirking at Jackson as if his job depended on it “Ha very funny Aria, I was actually on time. Our ever-so-kind Manager, Marco, had stopped me out front to let me know I cannot take New Year’s Eve off even though I put in the request a month ago”. Ray and I looked at each other and tried so hard to hold back our laugh, because we both knew he was dreaming if he got that night off. “I don’t know what you expected, New Year’s Eve is like one of our busiest nights of the year” Ray said as she finally finished all the garnishment for tonight’s shift.

As we all continue our conversations about what to expect on New Year’s Eve, we hear a very loud and demanding voice come from the entrance. “Less Chatting and more preparing for tonight’s shift, it’s an important Night. We will be touring with important guests tonight around the club” it was Marco walking around the club in a frantic state. “But most of all the owner will make an appearance to greet the guest, so I will need one of you to prepare the VIP section with Mr. Haydes favorite bottle of Whiskey”.

I would lie if I said this was not a shock to me, because it was. I have been working here for 4 years and still have not even seen what the owner of the club looked like. I expected him to be one of those “I am too rich to care about anyone below me” type of business guy. An Old man who bought this place just to receive the cash flow without the challenging work of it all. Now finally showing his face in here to impress fancy guests to make even more money off them. Honestly, I would be completely fine never meeting Mr. Haydes, it is not like I plan to work here forever anyway, so why bother?

“Eeny, meeny, miny, Rayleen! You will be setting up the VIP section for Mr. Haydes.” Marco is checking to make sure all the garnishments are finished and set for the evening. “Oh, and I’ll need you to be their personal bartender tonight as well. So, keep the smile up and anything they want you get it for them, I don’t care what it is.” As he walks fast to the cooler. “Jackson! Get in here and restock the beers and wines, and while you are at it change out the kegs from behind the bar too!” With a sigh Jackson headed over to the cooler dreading tonight’s shift already.

Giving each table an extra wipe down, knowing the club will open in an hour, I found myself leaving Reality even for a moment. How it would feel to live forever, to have all the time in the world to be anything and everything all in the same life span. I shake my head, to try and snap myself back to reality. “I need to cut back on the movies” I whispered to myself.

“Hey Rayleen! Can you give me a hand with these last two kegs? I swear the dark beer always feels heavier than the rest!” I hear Jackson shouting from the cooler. “Yeah, on my way. Aria, can you run Mr. Haydes personal glasses through the dishwasher while I help Jackson?” “For sure!” I said in hopes to get everything done as soon as possible.

Mr. Haydes personal Glassware has been kept in a box at the very end of the bar, under the counter. As I bent down to find them, I came across a box. Not any ordinary cardboard box, but it was a heavy-duty wooden box. A mahogany brown stain and genuinely nice black metal hardware. The feel of this box was exceptionally smooth, but I could almost feel it had years of history behind it, like a family heirloom that has been down for Centuries. On the front of the wooden box was a strange looking crest, a fancy H with bright red soft curves swirled around it. Ending with two lines directly under the H then a red dot on either side to finish the crest off.

I could not overcome this feeling of wanting to run my finger over the crest, this strange feeling came over my skin leaving little bumps in its place. It was odd, I had never seen the owner come into the club, yet the box did not have a speck of dust on it. I shook off the feeling and brought the box up to the dishwasher.

Opening the box had around six 16oz Cups, probably the nicest drink ware I had ever seen. Six Shot glasses were nestled on the side. Every glassware was perfectly placed on top of this deep red velvet fabric. Each piece of Glassware had the very same Crest print on them, the same as the front of the box. Being extra careful with these glasses, I start placing them in the dishwasher, when I find a note under the last glass in fancy lettering it said, “Hand wash only”. I rolled my eyes and proceeded to hand wash each glass.

“Wait wait! Auh Shit! Get it off, get it off!” I could hear Ray Screaming from the inside the cooler. I set the last piece of glass I had hand washed down and hurried to the cooler. There I saw Ray on the ground with the last heavy keg on her leg, crushing her ankle. Jackson just stood there looking shocked and full of apology in his eyes. “Why are you just standing there staring Jackson?! Help me get this off her!” With such urgency we managed to get the kegs off Ray’s ankle.

“Are you okay? Can you walk?” Both Jackson and I asked in a worry tone. “Not sure, help me up and I can try” said Ray with a hint of pain in her voice. We helped her up and as she tries to take a step, we stopped in mid step when Marco comes running into the cooler. “What the hell happened?!” Marco demanded with a look of annoyance all over his face.

Jackson walked out of the cooler to explain what had happened, while I continued to help Ray take a step. “Ouch, fuck!” Winced from Ray’s mouth as she took a step. “Does it really hurt that bad” replying to her with concern washing over me. “I mean yeah, it’s bearable but not sure how long I’ll be able to be on my feet tonight.” Jackson and Marco look over listening to Ray and I speak, I look over at them. “Marco, I don’t think Ray should work tonight with her ankle in this condition” I explained in hopes he would pardon her from the shift tonight.

“Not possible, tonight is too important to have someone go home. Rayleen, you will work in the front checking bags and coats with Lidia. I will have Dom come from the private bar up top and work the bar down here with you Jackson, Ill also call Sam and Brit to come work the Floor tonight as well”. Putting his finger on his face trying to figure out where to put everyone last minute.

Then Marco looks at me with the immediate Urgency screaming from his eyes alone. “Aria, you will have to fill in for Rayleen in the VIP section taking care of Mr. Haydes and his important guests” with that last order he walked off, but before he went upstairs he turned around and said in a soft tone, “Make sure they are enjoying their night Aria, we need to make a good impression on Mr. Haydes so I need you to stay and wait in the VIP section till he arrives. I am counting on you tonight.”

I cannot believe he put the responsibility on me. Could not help but think why he not made someone from the private bar on the second story take on this role. Better yet, why would Mr. Haydes want to entertain his important guests down here in the VIP section when there is a private bar? Nothing truly made sense.

I have never been inside of a private bar; I do not think anyone working on the floor down here has. They have their own security at the entry way up there. I have heard it is like a second club. But those are just rumors. All we could see from down there was mirrors, from where the second floor starts to the ceiling in the middle of the dance floor. Which made the club lights bounce off each other and give the club a true dance vibe feels.

With an hour and a half left till the club opens, everything is all set and ready to go. Considering I now had to take on the job of tending to Mr. Haydes this evening, I took it upon myself to give the VIP section another wipes down. Bringing extra drink napkins and putting the bucket of ice on the table ready for the red wine that Mr. Haydes requested in the notes to have ready before he was to show up.

Almost done, I had accidentally knocked over the bucket of ice I had just set out. “Damn it! I do not have time to be clumsy now” I spoke to myself in such disappointment. Dreading bending down because these damn uniforms were so revealing. The shirt was a regular white button-up dress shirt, it was how we had to wear it that was so revealing.

The first three spots where there needed to be a button was not there to give off the hint of cleavage. Down the shirt we had to tie it in a nice knot to show a little belly. Our shorts were high waisted and black. I will say these shorts gave great definition to my waste and support for the cheeks. They were ridiculously cute I would say so myself but working in a club gave the costumers an excuse to flirt with us. But these uniforms did enhance our tip flow, so truly I would not complain for this reason alone.