“That couldn’t be further from the truth, you can trust me on that,” she told me and my look said it all, because now she was laughing. She nudged me and said,
“Come on, what’s the worst that could happen?”
“I could get fired,” I told her and this time she really laughed, as in the kind that just bursts from someone unexpectedly. To be honest I didn’t see what she had found so funny.
“Besides, I really think one of the other girls would be better suited.”
“Why?” she asked affronted, as though I was insulting myself or something.
“Well for starters, they have been here a lot longer than I have and your brother obviously doesn’t hate them,” I told her glancing a look at him to see him ordering a drink from the other waitress, Lauren. It looked like the bitchy one was missing for the night. Couldn’t say I was disappointed as it made a change from getting scowled at every time our paths crossed.
“My brother doesn’t hate you, come on, you will see. Karmun, Keira is working the top table tonight. Get her a bottle of bubbles on ice to carry over.” Karmun gave her a look of disbelief, similar to my own, only his didn’t last as long, as mine still hadn’t left me yet.
“Sophia, I can’t…” I started to say before she could walk away but she interrupted me by taking a step closer to me so that she could pat my cheek twice, whilst informing,
“Don’t worry, he won’t bite you.” Then she laughed and walked away with a natural born swagger. I, on the other hand, was left looking about as graceful as a damn guppy. In fact, it was only Karmun clearing his throat that made me realise that I still had my mouth open in shock.
“Uh…did that really happen?” I asked to the bar resting both hands on its top so that I wouldn’t crumble to the ground like I wanted to. Only we were on the top floor, so I doubted I had much chance of it swallowing me whole like I was hoping.
“Afraid so, honey…here you go,” he added pushing something to me and I looked up to see an elaborate looking cut glass, black ice bucket with an expensive bottle of champagne sticking out from the folded white cloth. Then I looked up at Karmun and he said,
“Good luck.” I swallowed hard and straightened my back and muttered,
“God help me” as I turned around and faced my worst nightmare yet…
Draven’s Table.
Chapter 21
Shattered Peace.
Book 1
NEW
‘Okay so I can do this. I can do this…I can’t do this!’ I said to myself turning around once only to have to turn back to the table, knowing there was no way out of it. I loved Sophia, but right now I just wanted to dump the bottle, tap her on the back and shout, ‘see you in class’ as I legged it to the door. Yes, that would have been the smart thing to do. Not walking up to the table as I was currently doing, trying to stop myself from shaking like a leaf. You could hear the tapping of the ice water clinking against the glass cooler.
So, I did the unthinkable, wishing I was back in my room and daydreaming about acting this out cooler unlike the shrinking violet act I was currently playing out as I stepped nervously up onto the dais. There I was joined by Lauren who smiled warmly at me and thankfully it helped calm my nerves.
“Oh goodie, time for bubbles of my favourite kind, thank you Keira.” Sophia said and Draven’s head shot to where Lauren was stood with the extra addition…me. I bit my lip and looked away first as the look of disdain he gave me was crushing. It was so bad I almost felt like weeping like a little girl who had been caught stealing cookies.
Lauren touched my hand getting my attention and making me jump. I looked to her and she mouthed the word ‘glasses’ at me and then nodded back to the bar. Whilst this happened, Draven turned his attention back to the culprit and snapped,
“Explain yourself, Sophia.” I saw Sophia roll her eyes and say,
“Oh relax, she is only serving us drinks and besides, I thought it would be a good opportunity for her to see you as something other than a grumpy asshole,” she said and I nearly gasped out loud as I passed. I know that she was his sister but she definitely had balls bigger than most!
“End it!” he demanded.
“No and neither will you. For fuck sake Dom, she is near terrified of you, is that really what you want?” Sophia said and the heat of embarrassment flushed across my cheeks. I didn’t hear his reply but instead almost ran to get their glasses, then I was so outta there. I would give them to Lauren and then make up some excuse about not feeling well.
“Here you go, honey, all ready for you,” Karmun said and then saw my face which must have said a lot more than I wanted it to.
“Hey, are you alright?” I looked back to Draven when Karmun asked this to find him looking at me. It also didn’t take a genius to know when Sophia hit him on the arm what she said to him, trying to prove her point.
“Yeah, I will be. Goodnight, Karmun.” I told him, making him frown in confusion but I didn’t elaborate. I just picked up the tray and tried to walk back over there with my back straight and this time my hands steady. I was too far gone to care what he thought of me anymore. Hell, it wasn’t like he wasn’t making it obvious he didn’t like me, the only answer I wanted to know was why?
“Ah here she is, a glass would be lovely,” Sophia said pretending nothing had happened and I placed the tray down on a small round table used for such things. Then I turned to face Sophia and just started to make my excuses,
“Sophia I’m sorry but I can’t…” Just then Lauren popped the bottle, startling me. Then I watched as she was just about to pour the first drink when Draven’s hand came up, stopping her.
“Go and help Karmun with orders…” Draven said and I thought he was talking to me but when he turned around to face us, he looked to Lauren and finished his sentence,
“Keira is going to serve us tonight.”
“Yes, My L…” Lauren was about to call him something but with a slight shake of his head, she stopped and nodded instead. Then she walked past me, giving me a beaming grin and a wink to match.
“I’ll take one also, sweetheart.” Hearing this new voice, I looked almost dumbstruck to Draven’s handsome brother who looked like some casually dressed angelic model. I swallowed down the hard lump of uncertainty and grabbed a glass off the tray. Then I picked up the bottle and tried to keep my hand steady as I tilted it to one side and filled it. I was about to pass it to Draven’s brother first when he looked to his side, telling me I should always serve Draven first.
I gave him a small smile in thanks and like Lauren, he winked at me in return. So, I did the very last thing I thought I would be doing that night…
I served Draven his drink.
“Thank you, Keira.” I almost choked when swallowing…did he really just thank me? I didn’t allow myself too much time to think about it, instead I cleared my throat and whispered,
“You’re welcome, Sir.” Then I turned away from him and concentrated on pouring the rest of the drinks. I poured the next two for Sophia and Vincent, getting thanks from both. I then handed all the others theirs one by one, taking notice for the first time of everyone else sat around his table. Two of the men I had seen before when Draven first entered the club, but the other two women I had only ever seen sat at this table.
Once I was done and everyone had a drink I moved back, about to walk to the bar until I was needed next. But one more step and Draven stopped me without turning in is seat. No, instead his hand went up like before, telling me not to move.
“You can wait here by the table. Lauren will know if you need anything.”
“Oh…okay,” I said feeling the need to answer him. Well at least this wasn’t snapped out, so who knows, maybe we were making progress. Sophia looked side on, watching us with a slight smirk and before I could retreat further she spoke up.
“But how rude of me, let’s introduce you to the table…brother?” Sophia said turning to face Draven rolling her hand out at him, expectantly. He turned to lo
ok at her and raised an eyebrow, a look she just rolled her eyes at before nudging him, urging him on. I didn’t quite get what was going on between these two but something must have worked because Draven cleared his throat.
“Keira, this is my council, to my left you have Takeshi and Zagan.” Each of them nodded to me and in return I gave them a shy little nod back. Zagan was the name of the Albino who, once he smiled at me, didn’t look half as terrifying. The Japanese man however always looked kind and gracious.
“And to my right is Aurora and Celina,” he said and I looked to see there wasn’t an ounce of kindness coming from the blonde, Aurora, who simply looked bored. The redhead Celina at least smiled.
“This is my brother Vincent and of course my sister Sophia you know from school.”
“Hello everyone,” I said giving the group a little wave and feeling stupid whilst doing it.
“Well isn’t this just precious, tell me Dom, will we be introducing ourselves for all the hired help or is she just a special case?” Aurora asked callously.
“Oh yes, that would be a problem for a stuck-up bitch like you, wouldn’t it?” Sophia snapped and in that moment, I would have loved to have been stood by her side giving her a high five. But in reality, I just bit my lip and kept my mouth shut.
“May I remind you, she is serving us drinks for a reason, so I see no need to lower myself in…”
“Enough!” Draven suddenly shouted banging a hand down on the table, silencing the room.
“Keira is my sister’s friend and you Aurora, will be respectful of that whether she is serving you drinks or here drinking with us…do you understand?” Draven demanded firmly and this time I actually did think that I was dreaming. Did Draven just stick up for me? And more importantly, did he just say that I might be drinking with them?
“Drinking with us?!” she said sounding outraged, and other than the outraged bit, I had been tempted to ask the same thing in the same stunned tone.
“I asked if you understood, not if you could repeat me,” he said glaring at her.
“Yes, I understand,” she snapped back finally relenting.
“Good, then I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself in future,” Draven added before swigging back the rest of his drink. Sophia’s smirk reached new heights as she too sipped her drink, looking like the cat that got the cream. I, on the other hand, didn’t know whether I was coming or going! Did this mean he liked me, hated me or just tolerated me for Sophia’s sake?
I was still playing out this conundrum when the sound of someone clearing their throat brought me back to the room. I looked towards Vincent who was kindly alerting me to the fact that Draven’s glass was empty. Why, oh why, did he have to drink it so fast. I gave Vincent a nod of thanks before grabbing the bottle and stepping up to Draven’s side. I wished I could stop myself from shaking the way I did and hated feeling like some kind of skittish doe in the sights of a hunter.
He saw me approach and held up his glass for me. I went to take it but he never let it go, obviously expecting me to fill it right next to him. I was sure the hard lump I swallowed could have been heard across the room as it certainly seemed to echo in my mind. He didn’t look at me but instead looked to his side in a motion that indicated why I hadn’t yet filled it. So, I bit my lip and started.
“Sorry,” I muttered shamefully as I couldn’t help the bottle rim clinking on the side of the glass as my hand continued to shake. At first, I wasn’t sure he had even heard me but once it was filled he placed it down in front of him and then motioned for me to come closer. Confused, I took the last step I possibly could, putting myself flush with his side, but this didn’t seem enough.
“Come here,” he ordered retracting two fingers, telling me to lean closer, so that he could tell me something. I took a deep breath and held it tight in my lungs as I did as I was told. I had to place my hand on the table in front of him just to steady myself. He was so close now that I knew if I would only allow myself to breathe then I would take in his intoxicating scent. Then he placed a hand over mine and that breath I was holding came out in a whoosh before he said only one word,
“Relax.” Then he squeezed my hand once before letting it go. This was my cue to leave and all without muttering a single word back. So, I straightened myself up, stepped back, grabbed the bottle and asked in a strained, high-pitched voice,
“Top up anyone?” Sophia burst out laughing and said,
“Always.”
After this encouragement from Draven,I found myself doing as he had asked and managed to relax a little. So, because of this, the rest of the night continued down a smoother path. The next shocking thing that came from Draven happened about an hour later. I had just been handed a bottle of expensive looking whiskey. It had the name ‘The Dalmore’ under a golden stag’s head and I nearly choked when I saw the age was 46 years. I dreaded to think how much this single bottle alone cost and decided it was too much of a risk for someone like me.
Draven must have sensed my hesitation, that or he was getting impatient.
“Is there a problem, Keira?” he queried, this time looking over his shoulder to see me looking down at the expensive bottle as if it would explode if I touched it. I first looked to him and then at the rest of the table, thankfully finding no-one but him looking. Although Vincent seemed to be listening.
“I…uh…it looks expensive,” I said after clearing my throat but the panic was probably clear to hear.
“It is fine,” Draven said, waving it off as if my fears were unfounded.
“But I…” I started to say what I thought he needed to know before he let me loose on something of this magnitude. I mean what if it was $200 a bottle or something?! So, I made the decision to step closer to him, which seemed to take him by surprise. Then I leaned in close and quietly told him the embarrassing truth.
“I don’t mind serving you…Uh, I mean it...! The drink that is.” Great start, Keira. I felt like taking a moment to slap my forehead and his smirk said that he knew it.
“But?” he enquired.
“Well I think you should know that I am clumsy and I would hate to drop it or something and when I say clumsy, I mean on like an epic scale…So maybe I should get Lauren to…” Draven cut off my rambling and said,
“Keira, you are overthinking this. It is not that expensive, so I am sure you will be fine.” I bit my lip and nodded, deciding to take his word for it. So, I turned around but I swear when I did I was sure I heard him chuckle. I frowned at the table and just then Lauren turned up with a tray of cool iced glasses. Inside each one was a small cut glass frosted mountain. It not only looked cool once the whiskey was poured over it, but it helped to keep the drink cold without watering it down.
Once I had poured four, I handed them out to the men who wanted them, as the women preferred to continue with champagne. I handed Draven his first and then received a thank you from each but it was the one that I received from Draven that meant the most.
“Mmm, gotta love the good stuff, smooth as silk,” Zagan said smirking at Sophia who he was sat next to. I had to say that being this close to the table, you could certainly tell they had a thing for each other. Flirting wasn’t even the right word for it!
“Yes, well for $215,000 a bottle you should hope it tastes good.” I heard Draven groan aloud just as my mouth dropped. Of course, being me, this wasn’t the only thing that fell as the bottle slipped out of my hand and headed for the floor. My hands flew to my mouth just as Draven’s seriously fast reactions saved the bottle. This before it could smash along the floor, scattering like diamonds, for how expensive it was.
“Oh, my god! I am so, so sorry, I didn’t…” I said rambling and flinging my arm out, managing to fling his glass onto the floor instead, this time smashing it. I cringed, closing my eyes tight as if this would help with the shame. I counted to three and then with tight lips, looked at him to see that thankfully he didn’t look angry.
“Now, I am really sorry!” I said quickly ben
ding down to start picking up the pieces.
“Keira please, it is fine but leave it alone before you…”
“Oww…” Too late I thought as one of the pieces sliced into my palm, getting stuck there.
“Keira?” Draven said my name in question and suddenly my shame was mounting.
“Oh, it’s nothing but let me just go and get something to clean this up with. I will be right back…just, uh…nobody move or the glass might…um yeah, I will be back…” I got up quickly and started to move away before anyone could see the blood dripping down my hand and onto the floor. Then I quickly rushed over to the bar, holding my hand in front of me, trying to contain the blood in my palm. Holy Hell, it stung like a wasp with a machete!
“What happened?” Karmun asked referring to the sound of broken glass, before seeing my hand, as I kept it from sight.
“I happened,” I said with a sigh and then elaborated.
“I broke a glass. Do you have a cloth and a dustpan and brush?” I asked him.
“Yeah sure I…” A sight cut him off as his eyes moved over me to whatever was behind. I was just turning around when I heard Lauren say,
“Hey, what happened to your hand?” And then I came face to face with Draven. He first looked at my face, scowled, then looked down at my hand that was cupping an overflowing palm full of blood. I didn’t think of what I was saying but just blurted out,
“It’s just a scratch.” His raised eyebrow said it all.
“Clean cloth,” he ordered over my head to Karmun.
“Lauren, go down to the main club, they should have a first aid kit behind the bar. Bring it to my office.”
“Yes sir.” she said bending slightly that looked half nod, half bow. Then Draven stepped closer and caught the cloth in his hand without even looking. Wow, he had skills, it had to be said.
“Honestly it’s really not that…” I started to speak, reassuring him when he growled down at me, stunning me into silence. Then he issued me a warning.