"I heard on the news that there is some ball holding at the palace in courtesy of your birthday. So, what is the birthday girl doing here?" he continued.
"I ran away Dave, I can't stand the palace"
"I see. But, you know you still have to go back before the ball starts or else, we're going to be in so much trouble"
"True, but the plan is that I'll be back at the palace before the ball starts. I'll be able to endure the ball as long as I've been here. Your drinks always make my day"
"Please, don't flatter me, princess."
"I'm serious! I only come here because of you. Do you have plans of opening your own bar someday?"
"Ahh...Princess, you don't know how much I've dreamed of owning a world-class bar. It's that dream that makes me get up from bed every day and come to work. Every month, twenty percent of my salary goes to the funds I'm going to use to open my bar. Though it's a small amount someday, I'm sure I'll get there. They do say slow and steady wins the race."
"Dave, how about me make a deal? If u give me the strongest drink in the bar, I'll give you fifty percent of my allowance every month to help with the funds of your bar. Plus, this will be like me saying thank you for all the drinks you've served me"
Dave was contemplating whether the deal would pay him or not. If anyone else was to be asked this question, they'd answer deal but Dave's answer was "No deal"
Hearing those words, Rose creased her brows, pinching the skin in the middle of her brows she was utterly dumbstruck and confused by his sudden and unexplainable reply. 'Wait, did I say something bad. Or, am I not being a good friend? Wasn't the deal fair enough?' she thought to herself.
"No Princess, the deal was fair and you are a good friend. It's just, I don't want to be the reason why you'd show up drunk to the palace tonight and, I don't think you'll be able to take the strongest drink in the bar" he said as if he could read her mind while throwing emphasis on the word strongest.
When she heard his words, she looked at him for a few seconds and started to laugh hard and loudly.
Everyone around them had their eyes plastered on Rose as they wondered why someone with such beauty would have such an ugly laugh.
Rose didn't even bother to pay attention to everyone who was looking at her as she laughed to her heart's content. She laughed so hard, tears started to come out of her eyes.
"Hahahahaha. Dave, you know how to crack me up. Is that why you don't want to give me the strongest drink because you think I can't take it?. Hahahaha. I love your humor. I mean, how strong could one drink be. I have experience you know that right? I'm sure a year plus of drinking is enough experience to take the strongest drink you have here" she said as she was still trying to clean the tears that fell off her eyes while she was laughing just a minute ago.
"Hmmm I'm not too sure about that princess the drink is pretty strong and you're a wo-"
"Now, Dave this is where I stop you. Haven't you heard of the saying what a man can do a woman can do better? Now, please stop complaining and go get me the drink...Please? I promise you. I don't get drunk easily. When was the last time I even got drunk since I've been coming here...Never!"
"Are you sure about this Princess?"
"I'm sure" she assured him.
Reluctantly, he went to get the drink for her from the rack. Then, he popped the cork of the drink open and poured the drink into a glass, and placed it on the table.
"Here it is Princess. One shot and, you'll be on the moon."
"I'm gonna prove you wrong today and take four shots of this drink."
"Don't say I didn't warn you, Princess"
Ignoring what Dave said, Rose quickly gulped down the first shot.
She asked Dave to serve her another one. He did as he was told.
She gulped the next shot as fast as she gulped the first. Dave poured her another shot and, she took the next shot as fast as she took the others.
Dave served her the last shot and she was about to gulp it down when they heard the sound of shattered glass coming from the table close to the entrance of the shop.
They both diverted their attention to where the sound was coming from.
When Dave saw what caused the glass to break, he started to smile while Rose's mouth was wide open in awe.