Don't I get to have a break from all these? I just came here to relax but here he is again. Was I so wrong to have stood up for myself? I quickly lower my gaze and look away before he sees me but I am too slow. As he approaches me, my lips go dry and my breathing becomes faster. Now would be the perfect time for that alcohol to calm my nerves but Mr Patrick is lost in his conversation with the bar man.
"You again?" He said, his voice so intimidating that I nearly knocked my purse off the table.
I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me riled up but his presence wasn't making it so easy for me. I picked up my phone and scrolled aimlessly through my gallery, intentionally ignoring him. I heard him whisper to his partner and the latter walked off, leaving only the two of us. Still scrolling through my phone, I hoped he would catch the hint and leave me alone in peace.
"Don't you have hotel rooms to clean? Hiring agencies must be so incompetent these days, letting employees roam free during work hours." He tut tutted. I could sense the mockery in his voice.
Seeing that I was still ignoring him, he snatched my phone out of my hands. I rolled my eyes and looked up. From where I sat under his eyes, he looked very intimidating.
"I don't think my work life is any of your business, especially considering how you've jeopardized it so easily." I replied curtly.
He gave me a sinister grin that made my skin crawl and I just knew he was enjoying this.
"What do we even have here?" He scrolled through my phone a few times before bursting into laughter. "Ew, that is one ugly lingerie. Is that what you wear to turn your boyfriend on?"
The realization of what he was referring to made me charge at him with apprehension but he dodged instinctively. I instantly regretted why I didn't delete that photo of the lingerie set I wanted to give myself for my birthday.
"Hey, that's private." I said, my cheeks now red with shame.
"Red would look good on you though. But that style is old school." He added.
"That is none of your business, give me my phone." I said with a high pitched voice, struggling against his tall build for my phone. This only made him⁷ giggle in excitement as I stretched myself on my toes.
"I'm glad I didn't even have my way with you. I would have been disappointed to see you wear something so ugly beneath." He whispered into my ear, still stretching my phone as far away as possible.
I stepped back instantly as the breath of his mouth against my ears grossed me out totally. I wished I could wipe this embarrassing moment away from my head. Liam sure knows how to piss me off, argh!!
"Is there a problem buddy?" A voice boomed from behind me. I turned around to see Mr Patrick grabbing the phone from Liam's grip.
"Is there a problem buddy?" Liam mimicked. "I remember you."
"I don't think we've met." Mr Patrick replied calmly. "Are you okay?"
I nodded.
"Can you just go? You're creating a scene here." I said to Liam with a harsh tone. I avoided his eyes because I was still feeling humiliated.
"Can you please leave? She obviously is not comfortable with your presence here." Mr Patrick said, as he gave me my phone.
"I have no business with you, so back off boyfriend." Liam replied with the same mischievous smile.
Mr Patrick stood between the two of us, now facing Liam with only an inch or two between them. His face now serious was making the air tense. He looked like he could punch Liam any minute now.
"Please leave." Mr Patrick said, clenching his jaw.
"What are you going to do?" Liam asked sarcastically. "Why don't you be a good boy and run along."
"And you." He turned to me, pulling me by my arm.
"Ow, let me go." I squealed under his grip.
"Watch it man!" Mr Patrick snapped as he hit Liam's hand away from mine.
"Or what?" Liam retorted. He hit Mr Patrick with his chest, daring him to do the same.
"Please let's just go." I pleaded but he was not yielding.
We would both be in trouble if we don't get out of here soon. I don't even want a repeat of that night to happen again.
"You think people's livelihood is a joke to you that you can just toy with anytime? What did she ever do to you? How dare you humiliate her like that?"
Mr Patrick's voice was becoming hostile. He shoved Liam back so hard that he lost his balance.
Uh oh...
By now, a few customers had their attention on us and everything could get messy any minute now. I was surprised to hear Mr Patrick say those words, more surprised to see him shove Liam. Doesn't he know who this guy is?
"I hope you know what you're doing." Liam said, his tone now serious.
Before things get more ugly, I pull Mr Patrick out of Liam's way.
"Please, let's just get out of here. Let's not do this here okay?"
Thank goodness he listened this time. I grabbed my purse and walked out of the pub with him. Curious eyes followed us out of the place. I guess they were wondering who would be so crazy to step on Liam Henderson's toes. Well, that's me.
* * * * *
"What was that all about?" Felix asked as he walked to me where I was still standing. "I thought you'd gotten yourself in trouble that's why I came out. Who are those people leaving? Don't tell me you fought again."
A feeling of satisfaction filled me as I watched them walk out of the place. I won this round. A smile forms on my lips as I remember the look on her face when I walked up to her. She's just trying to act all tough but she's intimidated by me. Why won't she come and beg though?
"Dude, what are you smiling at? Hope you didn't make passes at someone's girlfriend?"
"Nothing" I said happily. "Just some random people."
"That doesn't seem like nothing to me." He looked surprised at my change in mood.
"Relax man, nothing is going on." I replied with a smile. "Let's go inside"
"Alright, whatever." He raised his hand in surrender as we went to the VIP lounge.
* * * * *
AMELIA
"Geez, that guy is such a moron." Mr Patrick fumed as we crossed to the other side of the street where his car was parked.
"I'm so sorry about that. He's just a nasty person."
"I should have punched him in the face. Did you see the way he was smiling after he did that? I should go back in and teach him a lesson." He said angrily.
"No, that won't be necessary, I'm fine." I replied, blocking him from returning to the pub. "It's okay, really."
"Gosh!"
"Please, let's just forget this. I don't want any more trouble with him. He has done enough as it is." I tried to calm him down.
"I don't care who he is. That doesn't give him a right to pry into your phone."
I have never seen Mr Patrick this agitated.
"Let's just go." I pleaded.
He took my cue and unlocked the car doors.
"What does he have against you anyway? I know he's been the one putting you through all that stress with the job search."
My eyes widened with surprise upon hearing that. What else does he know about me?
I sighed and looked out the window.
"Please just stay away from him. I don't want you to get into any trouble because of me." I said sincerely.
He heaved out a sigh. Sensing that I didn't want to be probed further, he turned on the ignition and drove out.
"Hope you're okay though? I'm sorry about what happened back there." He said after some distance of driving.
"Thanks Mr Patrick, I appreciate the show of concern. I am fine," I said, letting out a fake, brief smile.
I was seriously hoping that what happened tonight would not provoke Liam to trouble Mr Patrick. I have bothered him enough with my troubles, I can't let Liam add his to the list. Maybe I should just swallow my pride and apologize for Mr Patrick's sake because I'm worried about what Liam would do.