Kate's POV
On the other side of the building...
Upon entering the upper floor, the assigned manager immediately approached me.
"Kate, those customers in counter six is demanding a certain vodka. Spirytus! They were insisting for us to serve a shot on them." the manager said in haste. Panic is evident not only in his voice but also in his eyes. Despite the dim light of the room, I could also see the swell in his cheeks.
"Who slapped you? I could feel the sting just by looking on the palm print." He subconsciously hold the swollen cheeks but refused to speak.
I glanced at the people occupying counter six and saw eight foreign men about the same age as me or probably younger. Ah... based on the crisp suits they are wearing, I would not blame this manager for losing his composure.
They were indeed intimidating. Unfortunately, appearance never had a big effect on me. And I hated people who use physical pain just to prove their dominance. It's disgusting!
"Don't worry about it. Get me eight cups of dark coffee instead." I told the manager before I quickly stride towards the counter holding our menu.
I gently placed the menu towards the center of the counter and looked at their faces.
"Gentlemen, I removed Spirytus from today's drink menu for the benefit of everybody. If you do not like what's available here, I'll be glad to recommend something rare and different." A sly smile appeared on my lips as I pointed to the menu book.
These guys also glanced at me with a hopeful grin on their faces.
"Right mate, what could ya possibly recommend?" the thick accent of the guy with green eyes is evident as he speaks. Australian perhaps.
"Ya know, we're here coz only t'is place offer spirytus in the whole place. Me and my buddies wanna get some hard booze! T'is why we wanna get the spirytus. Such a shame if you won't serve it to us." another guy lamented.
As if on a perfect cue, a waiter came up. The strong scent of coffee is looming with him. I looked at his name tag. Mike.
"Then gentlemen here is my highly recommended drink. Mike, kindly serve them." I urged the waiter and helped him distribute the cup.
I have seen some entertaining expressions but the one that these guys are having right at that moment is totally on a different level.
As the cup of coffee was arranged in front of them, their jaws dropped open! Eyes widened from confusion to disbelief.
"Did you just serve us a coffee?" one of them managed to speak studying at the cup.
I almost trembled inwardly from forcing myself not to laugh at them.
"Are you kidding me? Lady, do you think you can just insult us like this?! Are we a joke to you!?" the man sitting opposite to the man whom I assumed Australian suddenly exclaimed in frustration
The sudden changes in the color of his face from pale to angry red is so distinctive.
"Oh, no! Gentlemen, you misunderstood. You see, if dogs are man's best friend then coffee is my kind's best friend! This is just a friendly offering." I reasoned while trying to maintain a dignified composure.
"What a friendly offering? Do you know who we are? Even Mr. Rou, the host of this event was very respectful towards us!" One of the guys in the group shouted, his voice managed to catch the other customers.
"Something's wrong, Mr. Kirk?" another foreign man asked from the opposite counter.
"Yes! T'is staff here yea'... She's insulting us! My mates askin' for the booze of spirytus, yet served us dark coffee!" the man named Kirk responded in a cold manner. His index finger is trembling in anger at it points towards me.
"Miss, these people are from K-N Ventures group of Company. They are the people behind the success of this exhibit." the man spoke with a warning tone.
"Oh? Well, that does not change a thing. As I said, Spirytus will not be served tonight. If you don't want our available cocktails, enjoy the coffee then." I repeated before turning my head and walked away.
There is a valid reason why I removed this vodka drink just for tonight. First, our club is not restricted because of the exhibit event. This means spoiled teenagers can come here and enjoy drinking. I cannot afford to offer Spirytus with these kids. It may cause their life if they abused drinking.
"Hey! You don't seem to know what respect is! Do you know what it means to be part of K-N Ventures?" An arrogant yell from behind echoed in my ears.
"I don't but I know that it means you are under your boss and me." I flipped my hair and casually shrugged.
Then out of a sudden, one of the men in counter six decided to transform into a bitch. I bet he was the one who slapped our manager. He plunged his cup of coffee into my direction! It's good that I have quick reflexes and easily dodge the object.
"That's it! I could charged you of an assault young man but it will be a waste of time. Guards, ban them!" Without even glancing back in their direction, I automatically ordered the bouncers to kick them out.
"Bah! You can't just do this to us! Do you know who you are against to lady? I bet an employee like you does not have an idea." I look back and as the four bouncers approached them, I could see the arrogant and smug smile of these men.
"I'm not interested in your identity, boys." with an eyebrow going north, I hope they could get the hint and stop our nonsense tirade.
Men should learn this drill that the majority of women do. If you ever see us raising one eyebrow, it means we are about to call checkmate. They must abort any arguments on their heads for it is a sign that the offense-defense mode has been activated.
"Is it because we are foreigners? What an unfair woman you are! We are the customers and I refuse to be discriminated!"
The other customers had started grabbing their luxurious phones and capturing a video towards us.
Just as I was about to speak, I felt an arm draped on my shoulder. I looked up and saw the grinning face of Nate. Before the two of us could say something, Mr. Kirk already beat our chance.
"Boss, this employee is so rude! She even dared to serve as a coffee, like we are a joke to her!"
"Hmmn, Is that so? Then, I better discipline this employee. Enjoy your coffee boys. We have an early project tomorrow, you're not allowed to get drunk." I don't if those men understands the sarcasm Nate told them but I could tell that their faces turned sour before Nate guided me away from them.
"Discipline? Tchh! I'm calling this a night." I playfully said as we stepped in the elevator.
"Hmmn, I will crash on your place." He suggested but I shook my head.
"No. I have two teenagers in my apartment. We should serve as role models." I chuckled.
"Fine. How about my place?"
I stared at him with a meaningful smile before asking, "Do you want your company to lose?"
He shook his head in defeat. Nate maintain his silence until we went in his car.
"What do you think about the main event of the exhibit?" Nate's question follows right after I sat on his car.
I stretched my body and lean my head on his shoulder before I close my eyes. I'm exhausted.
"For your target market, its perfect Nate. For me, a little bit impractical." I mumbled while trying to relax my head. I felt his fingers softly brushing my hair as he started the engine of his car.
Damn, this man is perfect!
Nate moved my head to adjust into a more comfortable position. Then I could feel his hand gently caressing my shoulder. The next thing I know is I fall asleep in his arms.