They gathered the staff around the kitchen island. Marv stood next to Lace, who was quiet. Copper pots and pans cluttered the kitchen while black and gold marble dishes stood ready to plate. The manager stood at the end of the island with a paper and schedule. He was tall, lean, and had honest eyes which scanned the room.
"So" he clapped his hands together, which made Marv and Lace look at each other "As you know…" the boss walking interrupted him in.
Everyone turned to look at him, but he walked into the kitchen like they weren't even there. He grabbed a seat and sat down, legs crossed and fingers intertwined. He nodded towards the manager, who nodded and processed.
"As you well know Chad has been let go" he clapped his hands again, signaling the bad news "We will have to work more shifts" the room complained with moans of annoyance "I know, I know, quiet down," Joe said as Marv rolled her eyes at the inconvenience "so we need four bartenders, plus our mixologist out front" he suggested to Marv "So Marvel will fill in Chad spots while we look for a eplacement"
Marv raised her hand. "It's Marv and no, I am not working every night, double shifts. I have much more important things to do" She stared Joe in the eye.
Joe watched Marv for a moment before speaking. "Well, finding a new mixologist takes time" Marv shook her head, causing Joe to bite his tongue.
"It's been four weeks," Marv said in a dull tone. "I am not using my free time, working my ass off in heels just for a check," she said evenly. The room was quiet, eyes looking between the boss and Marv. Joe was long forgotten. "you find a new mixologist or I walk"
Joe and Marv stared each other down. The room was watching the boss instead of the interaction between the two. Joe was furious and frustrated at this motion, but Marv didn't care about the outcome. A chair moved, causing the two to turn to the boss, who stood up.
"it's been four weeks," a voice so deep causing a pulse to go through Marv's chest.
"find a replacement or get fired" the boss buttoned his blazer and walked out, dismissing the meeting.
Marv grabbed her waistcoat and moved towards the bar, but as she passed the bathroom, she was pulled into it. Joe stood over her, his lips were tight and his eyes steamed with frustration. He didn't like her interruption today. Marv's throat tightened and an itching sensation crawled up her arms. She wanted to push him away, but instead dug her nails into her palms.
"I never have a problem with you, you know," he hissed at her, "but speak against me again and see," he said as he moved again.
"do your job then I wouldn't have to," Marv sneered.
Joe pushed her against the wall "you think invincible because the boss favors you, think again" he eyes scanned her with lust "he doesn't care for you and if I ask, he will let me have you" he bite his lip, a hand moved onto Marv's waist which made her body go numb "just remember, you are nothing without him, just another tramp to fuck"
"Are you done?" she asked with dead eyes.
"Are you offering?" he chuckled, moving deeper into her space. She turned her head away, but he grabbed her jawline, squeezing it between his fingers and turning her head towards him.
She released her hand and grabbed his shoulder. "let go of me or you won't leave here alive," she whispered, but he just laughed, shaking her hand off.
"What are you gonna do?" He looked into her eyes.
She geared up to attack but the bathroom door swung open and Lace stood at entrance "Joe" she said with dull eyes, as Joe jumped away from Marv "the boss wants to see you" Joe looked at Marv but she just walked away, following Lace.
They walked to the bar with Joe's eyes on their back, but they ignored him. Marv put on her waistcoat and straightened her name tag. The sense of vomit still sat at the back of her throat, but she didn't want to acknowledge it now, especially at work.
Lace watched her co-worker go on as usual, like he did not violate her in the bathroom. "You ok?" she asked, hoping to break Marv's shell.
"yea" she threw over her shoulder.
"You sure? I mean, what happened back ther-'' But Marv cut her off.
"I am fine" she looked Lace in her eyes "now, lust in vampire lore, is it that powerful?" Marv asked, which made Lace brush it off.
….
Nandi walked into the gothic manor, her silhouette clicking against the marble floor. She passed Minjun who gave her a sad look. Her 2 piece maroon suit flows back her while tribal tattoo curled up and down her arms and legs. Arioch was flipping through a book when he caught Nandi's scent and rolled his eyes when she walked in.
"you supposed to be looking after the clan, do you or Minjun have any sense of responsibility" he exhaled in a grunt.
Nandi cocked her hip and crossed her arms. "Be nice to me, I have news" she walked deeper into the garden gothic seating area.
Arioch watched her closely, caressing her narrow eyes and deep sepia skin. She was trying to tease but her expression told him a different story. "What are you doing here?"
Minjun walked in, giving Nandi a cup of tea. "I have news, bad news, Arioch" Minjun looked at Arioch before sitting down next to Nandi.
The atmosphere in the room changed, no teasing cluttered the walls, no idle conversation followed. It turned so silent that even their noses could be smell it, Nandi took a sip of her tea while Arioch watched her. He knew she was giving him time to inject or dismiss the whole thing, but something about her demeanor said that this was important.
"What?" he uttered. The words bounced around the room and echoed down the hallways.
"Arjun is coming," she said, but Arioch his eyes at her dramatic words.
"I know" Arioch stood, done with whole affair "it is the reason I told you to hide the clan"
Nandi slowly placed her tea down. "He is coming to take back what was his" Arioch stopped dead in his tracks. "nothing can stop him"