It was almost a week since August went back to his usual routine. He went to college regularly and lectures were going on perfectly. One morning, when August growled leaning with his forhead in Liam's, there was no more pressure of hamburgers. Later, the group meeting for assignment exhausted him when the same hot girl was getting on his nerve. The fourth guy of group was indeed some nerd but he had a good brain.
August heard about Charles returning back home before Christmas with Mark. He hadn't met him for who knows how many months and was missing the company. About his master Ariel, he wanted to call but decided to keep to himself until everything sorted out. But he was curious, if everything was going well with him.
It was around six in the evening. Everyone were busy and Matthew took a day off. Sophie was taking deep breaths everytime she did Matt's work including, keeping the store records and receiving all delivery of inventories. August tried to help but she would act tough and do by herself.
For a time being, the bar was empty and August started to clean glass washing system. His small relieved smile formed remembering the encounter with Butler John. He somewhat could be compared to Ariel.
"What's going on ? I need a hand " the waiter chuckled at August. He stood wearing a clean white fit shirt and black pant with dark waist apron, keeping both of his hands on his waist. He had a small tablet on left and stylus on right.
August turned his head at the waiter saying "Nothing. Let's go". He walked inside through the door and the waiter followed round from outside of the counter.
Both of them marched towards the kitchen section and stood beside the service hatch. The waiter leaned giving quick wave at one of the chef and received two disposable paper cups. "Here, drink coffee". His hand stretched towards August, who was trying to keep an eye on counter checking if anyone came.
August's eyes widened, "Travis, what the hell man ? I thought you needed a real help". He was pissed but received it anyway. He leaned against the wall giving up at his co-worker. Before placing the lid on his lips, he stiffened as the scent hit straight to his sensitive nose. A quick smile formed on his thin lips looking towards Travis as some of the black veins under his eyes appeared with a quick reaction.
Travis smirked shaking his head and drank from his own cup. "I thought you needed that". He raised a toast winking at him.
"THANKS. You know what ? I REALLY REALLY NEEDED THIS".
August gasped finishing. He threw an empty cup inside the waste bin turning behind and returned back to Travis.
"Sure. Don't go around being upset, Aug. It doesn't suit you. I have been keeping an eye on you. And these days, Matthew is worried as hell. We are family that's why we care. Just let us know and don't face everything alone." Travis passed by him towards the bin.
August was happy hearing that and he jumped at back of Travis with his right arm wrapped around his friend's neck, who was trying to throw his cup.
"What the....?" Travis almost screamed and both of them started giggling and talking. [murr-murr]
"HEY, WHAT'S UP WITH YOU ? ON TABLE FOUR NOW". Another waiter yelled at Travis from the door rushing right back. He shrugged his shoulders raising his eyebrows at August and nodded. "Noah, wait for me" tuning towards the door.
"Your brother is scary sometimes".
"He is. Even though I am the older one" Travis pouted as both of them walked, separating themselves.
When August reached the counter, Travis and Noah were back to taking orders from customers on tables. While in front of the bar, there were two women and a man sitting on tall bar stools. Sophie was busy making drinks and she smiled at August, who just entered.
"I am sorry" he apologized in a small voice.
"It's fine. I am making the Old Fashioned for one here. Can you please handle those womens at your front. Aghh!!! they are insane." she whispered giving a signal with her eyes.
There were two womens, one on red over exposed blouse and other one with black tights having fur going around in her shoulders. They sat there chatting with each other.
"Hello". They both turned their attention towards August with pissed face but quickly reacted smiling.
"SEE ? they only like mens" Sophie added in a small voice clenching her teeths at the same time.
August couldn't help but smile, listening to angry Sophie. He tried to keep straight face, when a woman in red asked with her eyes searching around,
"Where is another tall barman, who always served here ?"
"Uh, he had a day off ma'am" he answered giving his professional smile.
"Oh, ok. BTW we are Misses. But if you wanna call us ma'am it's fine". She said thrusting her chest forward exposing herself and looking seductively at him.
"Uh, Okey". August nodded with fake smile. He couldn't help but feel irritated inside his head like Sophie did turning to POS for an order and payment. He could feel Sophie doing "Bleh!!!" on far right and it was funny.
[mur-murr]
After their order, he made them two separate drinks Manhattan with Carpano Antica and Tequila on the Rocks With Lime, listening as well as giving attention for whole thirty minutes. He had to smile continuously and tried to serve other customers finding a way to flee but Sophie wouldn't let him move. She pleaded with her amber eyes and puppy look every time he did. Maybe she learned from him.
"Thankyou handsome, you are actually so nice and I like your hair too"
"Yes, sister he is. Hey? can I get your numberrrrr ?" one with black fur said slowly biting her lower lip. August just stood without any reaction and remembered a hamburger he threw up some days ago, giving chills down on his spine.
"I am so sorry I lost my phone yesterday. We will meet here anyway, right ?" He replied in husky voice as both of them agreed and waved goodbye.
"FINALLY" he took a look breath and looked at Sophie busy on telephone. She approached him,
"Thankyou so much. If you weren't there, they would have made me redo their drinks maybe for ten times. They are new regulars here always giving huge tip to Matt and IDK why they don't like me".
"OH SH*T, you have a call. It's on hold".
August nodded and walked towards the telephone attached on the wall.
"Hello"
[silence]
"Hey Sophie, is this phone working ?" he asked her enough to be heard and she gave thumbs up right after.
"LET'S MEET"
When August heard that voice, he could feel his blood rushing inside his cold body. Everything around him freezed like the time had stopped. He couldn't focus on any voices or any heartbeats inside the place unlike before. Was it fear ? or was it anger ?
"What do you want from me DI*KHEAD ?" he yelled.
The place went silent, eveyone turning their attention towards him. Even the one exiting the door stood looking back. All four waiters continued talking to distract them. Sophie pursed her lips turning pale, telling EVERYTHING WAS FINE at anyone her eyes landed on.
"Oh you can yell too ? Come alone, if you want everyone around you to be alive, boy. I know you don't want to call cops or I would say humans. Go to seven way intersection north road, someone will pick you up and I repeat.... ALONE".
~tut-tut~
[phone ended]
August hanged up loudly after the call ended. He rushed to get out of the place. His cold hands were trembling and feet were numb but he tried his best to get out of there. He didn't cared if he lived or died but one thing was sure that he would make everyone around him safe. Everyone, who gave place for him to stay, who guided him in his harships, who saved him from darkdays, who introduced him to what real hapiness was, who gave him food when needed... they were his family and he had to save them even if it meant being selfish. He would fight and fight for what was his.
"Hey, what is happening? Are you okey ? Please talk to me. August, where are you going ?" He could hear all the questions from Sophie. Her amber eyes that would mostly be shining with her long black lashes fluttering were then filled with worries. There were no words coming out from his lips. He knew, if he told her everything, her only worried expression would turn to terror that he was feeling right then. He knew, she would do anything to help her friend and he knew, if he told her the truth then she wouldn't let him go alone.
She grabbed the fabric at back of his black shirt. Seeing that, he turned around moving away and putting his hands on her thin shoulder. Her eyes turned from his hands to him. Sophie was worried so much and that was enough for him. He had to go and he smiled tightening his grip,
"It's my friend. He called me to meet up. I don't know if I will be back today. Please look after the place for me, okey ?"
She nodded and Travis standing far in the room nodded as well. She knew that everything was not fine but she choose to trust him.
August walked out from the place quickly catching the passing cab. The driver took him directly from elevated road rather than going around as it took him about an hour to reach where caller wanted him to go.
It was an open place far towards the north. In the seven way intersection, he rarely saw any cars passing through. It was almost about eight in night but it felt like a midnight there. The caller said he would send someone to pick him up but no one came.
August stood for five minutes before black Limousine came his way from far away. He tried to focus inside through the glass when he suddenly felt something flying towads him and it penetrated his head real hard. His vision became fuzzy as he fell straight on the gravel making him slowly fade away with heaviness inside his head.
"Target eliminated". A man wearing all black in concealed position far from the road, on top of the hill reported with his sniper mounted in stands, at front.
"Good job Tony. Return to base now" Lil. Hunter ordered from other end.
"Yes sir".