10 - Functional Drunk
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"Alcoholism is a well documented pathological reaction to unresolved grief."
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The long day was over and Ahsoka and I were cleaning and organizing the bar area that had become a complete mess by the end of the night. It was Skywalkers lovely 'drinks on me' that gave us all headaches and made us work ten times faster to keep up with the guests.
Soon, it grew difficult trying to figure out who had already gotten their one free drink and eventually it was a free for all. But according to Ahsoka, they could afford one night of chaos without going bankrupt so we let it happen and handed out drinks like it was candy on Halloween.
So, while we made everything over here presentable for the Saturday rush tomorrow; Piett and a few of the bouncers went around the club to clean. They grabbed cups to take to the back, swept and mopped the floors, wiped down the tables, and sanitized the chairs and couches for tomorrow's use.
Skywalker had disappeared a few hours ago, but his guest, Clovis, remained the rest of the night. Him and his friends nearly drank the bar dry after ordering drink after drink - drinks that were not paid for. And despite us already trying to clean up and go home, they were still here.
Drunken laughters echoed across the room, startling both Ahsoka and I and we both almost dropped the bottles in our hands that we were trying to put away.
She snapped her gaze upstairs and if looks could kill, they'd all be in the afterlife right about now, "I'm going to tell them to leave," She aggressively set the bottle of vodka down and went to walk around the bar.
I didn't stop her, I wanted to see how this would play out, and I was hoping that I would hear something of value.
But just as she reached the bottom of the steps, Piett quickly stood in her way, "Where do you think you're going?" He asked low with a stern gaze. I couldn't see her expression since her back was now facing me, but I could tell by her body language she was irritated beyond belief that he was getting in her way.
One thing I've learned about her is she's incredibly feisty and not afraid to speak her mind. Which I would say is a good thing, but it can also get her into trouble if she's not careful with who she speaks to, especially in a city like this.
"To tell those bastards up there that we're closed, and it's time to pack it up and leave," She said as if the answer was obvious before attempting to push past him.
He gripped her shoulders to stop her, "You know you can't do that, it'll only irritate him and we don't need the trouble right now."
"Look at my face baby," She used her index finger to circle around her facial features. And I'm guessing in her angered state she didn't realize she just called him 'baby' in front of me and about four other bouncers. But they didn't seem to notice, they were too busy cleaning to even pay attention to what was going on, "Does it look like I give two shits?" She finished and tried to walk around him once more.
He sighed as he kept her in place and rubbed her shoulders soothingly, "I know you don't, but you don't want to bring heat down on your brother do you?" He asked softly with a small head tilt, "That spoiled brat up there would run to his daddy in the blink of an eye, and Anakin will get the shit end of it." He tried to calm her down and judging by the relaxing of her shoulders, it was slowly working, "Why don't you go sit in the back for a bit, take a breather." He dropped his hands down and placed them back at his sides. I could see it in his eyes that he wanted to comfort her more, but probably knew this wasn't the best time or place to be affectionate.
That's one of the shittiest things about secret affairs, the hiding. Not that I've had experience in that area, mine have always been open, but it's not hard to imagine the struggle.
I went back to putting bottles away so I wouldn't look like a creep for watching them. Plus my OCD brain was going crazy at the state of this place. You would think that this was my actual job and that I cared about it by how well I do it - but really, I'm just a perfectionist.
After I began wiping down the counters, a voice surprised me, "Hey (y/n)," I jumped and placed my hand over my chest to ease my heart that was pounding into my rib cage, "Sorry," Ahsoka chuckled at my reaction, "I'm gonna go in the back for a little break, is that alright?" She asked, looking behind me at the mess she was leaving me to.
I nodded after I pulled myself together, "Yeah it's fine don't worry." I assured her with the wave of my hand, "You look stressed, make sure you drink some water too."
She smiled gratefully, "Thanks, I'll be back in about ten minutes to help you finish up." She turned away and walked towards the back with a long exhale, one I'm sure was in response to the men upstairs laughing loud once more.
I hate that I was starting to actually like her knowing this whole friendship was built on a lie and a ploy to take away the only family she has. But I did my best to remember my training and kept reminding myself that I'm not really her friend, and this isn't really my life. I was here on a job, and I couldn't let anything distract me from achieving my goal.
I went back to minding my business and placing the glasses that were on top of the bar into a bin and just as I was about to take it to the kitchen, I heard a whistle.
"Hey bar chick," Someone from upstairs called out. I slowly looked up and met the eyes of one of Clovis' friends, although I could tell they were all looking at me, "Bring up a round of beers." He demanded, prompting me raise my brows — how do they not all have alcohol poisoning by now?
I dramatically eyed my watch to check the time before glancing back up, "Sorry boys, we're closed and no drinks are to be served pass two am. Californias rules, not mine." I said with a smile before picking up the bin and taking it to the kitchen, ignoring their annoyed remarks directed towards me.
"Gracias Señora," Arturo took the bin from me and I smiled with a nod in response before turning around to leave the room
"Eyes up Arturo," I called aloud, knowing damn well where his eyes were lingering. Us women, and possibly men too I can't speak for them, we can feel when we're being ogled inappropriately. It's like a sixth sense.
I didn't get a verbal response from him, but I did hear him drop something and silently curse to himself in embarrassment. I smiled as I turned the corner, but instantly stumbled backwards when my body ran into another's.
"Oh crap I'm sorry," Piett chuckled as he momentarily grabbed my shoulders to stop me from falling over.
I made sure to keep both of my feet planted on the floor, although it was difficult, this guy had the body of a rock, "It's okay," I chuckled with him as he removed his grip from me, and I was about to walk around him when he held his hand up to stop me.
"Hold on. It's a good thing I bumped into you, I was just looking for you to give you this." He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small stack of papers that were folded in half.
I accepted it with knitted brows, "What is it?" I asked, unfolding the stapled pile of about six pages.
"It's a contract stating that you have completed your probation period to our satisfaction and have become an official employee on our roster," He said with a large grin as he reached forward and flipped it open to the last page, "I already signed it, but it still needs your signature here," He pointed to a line on the bottom, "And Anakin's right here." He went one line down to an empty space.
I put on my best smile, "This is amazing, thank you," Obi-Wan is gonna be ecstatic that I have my official in. And I know I was already here; but this paper is proof that I trained well for this and have nothing to worry about regarding keeping up with their standards of employment.
"No, thank you. This short-staffing has been a real pain in my ass. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find a decent bartender," He rolled his eyes with a low sigh, "But you still need to go up and have him sign it. Usually I'd go up and have him do it but," He subtly shifted his gaze to the right which was a hallway that led to the employee break area - where Ahsoka is. He then brought his gaze back to me, "The boss had a rough day and he seems to like you so you probably have a better chance than me of not getting something thrown at you." He breathed a laugh.
Translation — I'd rather go check on my secret girlfriend.
I nodded, "Sure, I'll go right now." I went to walk past him again.
"Oh and give him some of these too."
I turned around to see what he was talking about when I saw him throw something in my direction. I caught it with ease and eyed the bottle of Tylenol.
"He's had way too many and that hangover is going to destroy him."
I raised my brows as I looked up from the bottle to him, "Are you sure he's sober enough to sign these papers? Or would you rather I wait until tomorrow?"
He shook his head with the wave of his hand, "No it's fine, he's a very functional drunk. But make sure you read through it too because it is your contract of employment so make sure you're okay with everything on there." He turned around after giving me one last smile and walked down the hall towards the break area. Which I'm starting to suspect might need a deep cleaning at some point. Anakin's office may not be the only place they decide to explore their young love.
With the bottle of medicine in one hand and the contract in the other, I left the back area to go up to Skywalker's office. Which I now just realized, I'm going to have to walk past the group of drunken fools to get there — great.
I walked up the steps and read through the contract. I didn't actually care what was in it and I was going to sign it no matter what, but it gave me a good excuse not to look up at the men who had suspiciously stopped speaking as soon as I took my first step up the staircase.
I was careful with my steps so I wouldn't trip and as soon as I reached the top, I glanced up just before making a left to open the door that led to the secluded hall that was off limits to the public.
"Hey, hold on for a second," Someone spoke, prompting me to stop just as I opened the wooden door, "Are you new?" They asked.
I turned my head to look at the group from my side vision, "Yes." I answered simply, before turning back around to walk through the doorway.
"Darling stop running, I'm not done talking to you." The same voice said and I breathed out a long sigh as I fully turned my body to give my attention to the group. I'd love to walk away, but apparently this man Clovis is important and I wouldn't want to upset him enough to demand my termination.
"My apologies," I forced a smile, "Is there something you need?"
The one known as Clovis eyed me up and down and I stood there holding my breath, preparing to hear something that would make me nauseous, "I just wanted to apologize to you for the way my drunken friends have acted tonight. We have more manners than that," He said, taking me by surprise. I was expecting something flirtatious that was also on the border of sexual harassment; not an apology, "Here, take this." He raised his index and middle finger, a folded bill in-between them.
I shook my head, "It's okay, you don't have to give me anything."
He shrugged, "I insist."
With a quiet exhale, I walked forward, passing a couch that held two of his friends and reached forward to take the money, "Thank you, I appreciate it."
His smile widened, "Of course beautiful, will you be here tomorrow?" He asked with a head tilt, checking me out once more.
I nodded, placing the hundred dollar tip into my apron's pocket, "Yeah, I will be."
He stood up from the couch and straightened his black suit jacket, "Well, if I happen to stop by, I do hope I get a moment to know you a little better."
"Of course, have a good night and please get home safe." I smiled, and this time it was real, although it was more of a deceiving smile than anything else. I hope to learn more about him as well and exactly who he and his father are.
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I slowly turned the nob to Skywalker's office after knocking half a dozen times and not getting a single response. My one hope was that he wasn't in here and had gone home without anyone realizing — that would be the perfect time to check out his office.
But that hope was short-lived when I walked inside and saw him passed out on the black couch to my left. His hair was a mess, his tie was off and on the floor, his gray suit jacket was flung over his desk chair and his white button up was halfway undone.
To say that he looked like a wreck would be an understatement.
And the more I looked around, the more I saw that his office was in the same condition as him. There were papers scattered across the floor, the chair that's meant for any visitors was tipped over onto its side, and a few of his books from his book shelf were on the floor in front of.
"Jesus Christ," I mumbled as I stepped further inside, it really looked like a tornado came through here.
Functional drunk my ass.
I placed the papers and the bottle of aspirin on his desk with a smile on my face. I saw this as a snooping opportunity. I was going to walk around and check through his stuff as I picked up everything, so that way if he wakes up or if someone walks in here - it simply looks like I'm cleaning.
I started with the book shelf. I opened and flipped through the pages of the ones on the floor incase there was anything inside of them - seeing as it looked like he was searching for something. Plus, all the books on the floor looked exactly alike, meaning in his drunken state he probably was looking for something but couldn't remember which book it was in.
Black cover, gold etchings.
I made a note as I put the last book on the shelf. I couldn't find anything now, but that doesn't mean there won't be something later.
Next, I picked up the papers from the floor and scanned through them. So far they all looked legitimate and club related - I sighed, dead end there. I placed the stack on his desk next to my contract and proceeded to pick up the chair he had most likely kicked over.
And as I did, a little something fell off of the back and onto the floor. My eyes widened a little when I saw that it was the bug I planted, which must have loosened when the chair was roughly knocked to the floor.
I quickly bent down to pick it up, and just as I had it in my grasp, I froze when someone spoke, "What do you have there?"
I slowly looked up and locked eyes with an ocean blue — he was awake.
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I had fun writing this one and I hope you liked it!❤️
Also, I added Ahsoka to the cast list! I'm still debating on if her choice was a good one, so let me know your opinions and please give suggestions if you have anyone better in mind🥰 and another thing, Clovis, he's gonna be a big part of the story and I wanted any suggestions for him as well! I was thinking Tom Hiddleston but idk cause I love him and Clovis will not be very likable. So please, help a girl out give me some names haha
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