Him & I

SIENNA-ROSE

Sophie returned to the kitchen, her face lit up with the biggest smile I’d ever seen. I had a hunch it had something to do with the handsome stranger outside, but I couldn’t figure out how she could possibly know him.

Deciding to stop overthinking, I chose the straightforward approach.

“So, who was that guy outside?” I asked. Her smile only grew brighter, and I felt a twinge of unease. No one should be able to smile that wide, but I didn’t want to burst her bubble by saying so.

“Oh, darling, that’s my nephew. He’s twenty-two, runs his own business, and he’s single,” she said, winking at me suggestively.

I couldn’t deny he was good-looking. He probably knew it too. But I didn’t have time for guys like him. He must have women falling all over him. Why would he be interested in a Plain Jane like me?

“I don’t have time for dating, Sophie. Between working here and at the club, I barely have time for myself. Besides, a guy like him wouldn’t even glance my way.”

She just rolled her eyes, her smile still in place, and headed towards the back ovens.

I returned to the front and resumed my shift. The café started to get busy around midday, which was typical. I was used to the fast pace, and my experience from late nights at the club helped me remember orders and keep up with making drinks.

By three in the afternoon, things started to slow down, and I finally had a few minutes to myself. Once I’d checked on the last two tables, I slipped out back to see if my parents had texted. I did have a text, but not the one I was hoping for.

I went back into the kitchen to find Sophie. I needed to leave at five to get home, change into my uniform, and make it to the club on time.

“Sophie? Are you back here?” I called out.

“Over here, sweetie. Is everything okay?” Sophie’s voice came from the walk-in freezer on the other side of the room. I headed over, hoping she wouldn’t mind me leaving a bit early. Olivia, another server, would be here at five to take over.

I walked into the freezer and found Sophie rummaging through the frozen fruits.

“Sophie, I hate to ask, but my other boss just texted. I need to cover for another server tonight. Can I leave at five instead of six?”

I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t mind. Normally, on days when I work both jobs, I bring my uniform with me. The bus to the club leaves at six twenty, and it’s a thirty-five-minute ride. I needed the extra hour to go home, change, and cover any visible bruises from the skimpy uniform the club requires.

“Of course, sweetie. You’re a hard worker. I understand things like this happen. Just don’t make it a habit.”

I had two hours left on my shift and decided to make them count. I took care of the last tables, wiped down the counters and chairs, restocked the pastries, and washed the used glasses.

By the time I finished, it was four forty-five. I made sure everything was in order out front and checked with Olivia to see if she needed any help.

Five o’clock finally rolled around. Sophie waved goodbye, and I hurried home to get ready for another long shift at the club.

As I reached for the door handle, it swung open. My mother was heading out, no doubt to spend money we couldn’t afford to lose.

“I expect you to be gone by the time your father gets home. We all know your presence puts him in a bad mood.”

It might sound like she cared, but what she really meant was they didn’t want to see me. They didn’t care what happened to me or where I went, as long as I wasn’t around them.

She brushed past me and headed for her car. After watching her drive away, I ran upstairs to the attic to get ready.

After using half a tube of concealer and gathering everything I needed for work, it was six fifteen. I sprinted to the bus stop, not even stopping to say hi to my siblings. I barely caught the bus and used my café tips to pay the fare.

I got to the club at six fifty, leaving me just ten minutes to change. I squeezed past the dancers and the chairs that were so far from the tables they might as well not have been there.

I hurried into the staff room, changed as quickly as I could, and headed to the bar where my manager, Marcus, was talking to the new guy.

“Good, you’re here, Sienna. There’s a group of important men in VIP room four. You’re their server tonight. Anything they want, you give it to them.”

Marcus always creeped me out. He was twenty-six and felt entitled to touch me whenever he wanted. I knew what he meant by “anything they want,” but I wasn’t about to lose my dignity or self-respect for a few extra tips.

“Okay, is that all?” He gave me a quick nod and a once-over before dismissing me.

I shivered involuntarily as I walked away. Not because I liked his attention, but because no one here had the guts to stand up to him. I needed this job more than I cared to admit.

I headed to the stairs leading to the VIP sections, put on a smile, and prepared to do my job.

I gave my makeup a quick once-over in the mirror, making sure the bruises were well hidden and I looked presentable. Then, I gave a soft knock on the door to announce my arrival.

The room fell silent, which I took as my cue to step in. The sight that greeted me was a room full of intimidating men, all dressed in dark clothes.

“Good evening, gentlemen. I’m Rose, your server for tonight. Can I get you anything?”

When I first started working here, Marcus decided my name was too long and shortened it to Rose. He said it would make me seem “as innocent as a flower.”

His words, not mine. But I didn’t mind that the customers didn’t know my full name. It kept the handsy ones from getting too personal.

The other employees called me Sienna. So, when the older men came asking for Rose, they’d usually cover for me, saying they didn’t know who Rose was.

I felt someone’s gaze on me, but I didn’t want to look around in case it was just my imagination.

“I’ll take a beer.”

“Whiskey, neat.”

“Same as Cole, a whiskey for me.”

“Tequila shots for me.” That voice sounded strangely familiar. When I turned to see who it belonged to, I found myself looking into familiar blue eyes. It was Sophie’s nephew.

So, he was the one who’d been staring at me. Even now, as I met his gaze, he didn’t look away. I quickly averted my eyes, remembering I had a job to do, and excused myself without looking back.

“Coming right up.” I left to get their drinks, hoping he didn’t remember me. But the look in his eyes told me he did. There was something else there too, something beyond recognition.

Maybe it was just wishful thinking, hoping a guy like him could find a girl like me even slightly attractive.

I relayed their orders to Peter at the bar and braced myself to reenter the room without making things awkward between me and Blue Eyes.

“Here you go, Sienna.” I took the tray with a quiet thank-you and hurried up the stairs, careful not to spill any drinks.

I knocked lightly on the door again and stepped in, heading straight for the table in the middle of the room.

After setting down everyone’s drinks, I turned to leave but was stopped by a hand pulling me into a stranger’s lap.

“How about it, sweetheart? Fancy spending the night with me?” I dealt with guys like this all the time, but I wasn’t about to let some creep touch me without my consent.

“I don’t think so. Now, if you’d kindly remove your hands from me, I’d appreciate it.” I tried to keep my tone sweet, but this guy wasn’t backing down.

I glanced around the room, hoping someone would step in, deliberately avoiding his gaze.

“Don’t play hard to get. You’ve got my attention. Why pretend you don’t want me? I know you do.” This guy was really getting on my nerves, and his last comment made me snap.

“Okay, I tried to be nice, but your ego seems to be blocking your brain function. I suggest you get your fucking hands off me before I lose my temper.”

I grabbed his hand from my waist, stood up, and twisted it behind his back until he was in an awkward position. “I’m not like the other girls you find in places like this, so keep your hands to yourself.”

I let him go and headed for the door. With a sweet smile plastered on my face, I turned back to excuse myself. “Enjoy your drinks, gentlemen.”

Their shocked expressions didn’t escape me, but one person stood out. He didn’t look shocked; he looked...proud. Maybe he’d never seen a girl stand up for herself before.

I left the room and went straight to Marcus to report the incident.

“There was a situation in the VIP room. A guy got too handsy and I put him in his place.” I wasn’t a violent person, but I had enough problems at home. I didn’t need more at work.

“Are you out of your mind, Sienna? Those men are dangerous. When they ask for something, you do it. No questions asked.”

What was going on today? Marcus always said his number one rule was that no one was allowed to manhandle the servers.

“What happened to the ‘no touching if you don’t want to be touched’ policy?” Before I knew it, Marcus had grabbed my arm a little too hard and was dragging me towards the back door.

As I struggled, I locked eyes with Blue Eyes across the room. I didn’t trust Marcus, and I hoped my look conveyed my need for help.

But before I could signal for help, we were out back. Marcus shoved me against the wall next to the back door, standing uncomfortably close.

“Where did all this sass come from, Sienna? It’s kind of hot. Maybe you can put that smart mouth of yours to good use.”

His hands roughly grabbed my hips, and I knew I’d have fresh bruises later. I was terrified. I couldn’t move or think. This had never happened to me before, and I didn’t know what to do.

I snapped out of my daze when he started planting wet kisses on my neck. It was disgusting. I had to fight the urge to vomit. Get it together, Sienna.

“Please, leave me alone. Someone help me!” I screamed, but Marcus didn’t appreciate it. He hit me hard in the face to shut me up.

In my dazed state, he threw me to the ground and started unbuckling his jeans. He was going to rape me. The blow to my face only intensified the pain throbbing through my body.

My strength was gone. His weight was pressing against me one moment, and then it was gone, just as quickly as it had come.

“Get the FUCK away from her.” That voice was familiar; it was Blue Eyes. My vision was fading, turning black around the edges. I was struggling to stay conscious. I couldn’t pass out now; I had to get home tonight.

I pushed myself up and blinked a few times, trying to clear my vision, but it only helped a little.

From what I could see, Blue Eyes had Marcus pinned to the ground, landing punch after punch, while another guy stood guard at the alley entrance.

I watched as Blue Eyes leaned in close to Marcus, whispering something in his ear. Judging by the look on Marcus’ face, whatever he said wasn’t pleasant.

From where I was, leaning against the wall, I could only catch a few words: “You…touch…mine…die.”

I couldn’t make sense of it, but before I could think about it any further, a black Range Rover pulled up at the alley entrance. Four big guys got out and approached Blue Eyes, then dragged a badly beaten Marcus to the car.

My knees started to give out, and the ground was rushing up to meet me. But then, arms circled my waist, sending tingles everywhere they touched. I knew it was Blue Eyes holding me, even though I couldn’t understand why he was here.

But I was grateful.