Another guy

I am playing different scenarios in my mind.

"All goes well and there's someone who will help me deal with this situation."

"The police will come and took me because I offended someone very important."

"There will be a lot of chaos because the one I slapped is a son of a General. I'm doomed."

I know working in a bar is dangerous at times if you work in an environment that sex and drugs are the main courses of the night. But no. I am working in a high-class bar with high-class people. This is not just an ordinary one that it's in the lost suburban’s homes with a neighbor that is a haunted house. I've never hurt any customers in my life, ever. This is the first time that it has happened and I don't know what to do. My feet become numb, my legs won't move and I am facing a tall, tiny bit handsome guy filled with rage.

“Fuck! What was that for? Bitch!” He said while gazing at me with wide eyes while touching his cheek that I slapped.

"If you didn't drag me, I would not have done that." I cross my arms as if it can mask the nervousness, I'm feeling inside.

I've dealt with a lot of shit in my life and this is by far one of the worst. I mean not worst more like a dilemma. Working here in the bar, I've encountered a lot of drunk customers who can't handle their alcohol. Some of them almost puke at me, others kiss me on the cheek and take note, most of them were girls. I just deal with it professionally by helping them or I seek help from my co-workers.

And I've seen people who are broken-hearted and let them vent their feelings at me. I just listened while they drown themselves with a drink that they think will numb the pain inside. I feel sorry for those people.

This jerk in front of me deserves not just a slap but a beating. How I wish I can beat him. Wait! Where did the idea come from? My mind wants violence.

It's like when I saw him raises his left hand to slap me, everything went to slow motion. I don't know what happened to me and I just close my eyes. I am an idiot for doing that. I didn't run away and just waiting to be slapped. I thought to myself; 'it's my fault anyway, I'll just receive my punishment."

Seconds passed and I didn't feel the pain. All I know is I heard screaming from our girl customers and someone is hugging me. Slowly I open my eyes and am surprised to see my best friend now beside me. When I look at him, it's like I didn't know him. The dim lights are now gone and everyone is looking at us.

"Are you okay, Jedi?" his voice is gentle and so manly. Wait! What is going on?

"I-I'm f-fine," I stutter because he is so close to me. I can feel his aura have changed and my mind went blank for a second.

All I know is that he let go of me and now he's facing the man I slapped. Everything is happening so fast that all I can hear is Chris, my best friend, warning the guy while he is holding him on his collar while giving a deadly glare that even I will get scared. The guy's nose is broken and there's blood on his lips. Wait, what happened? Who punched him?

"I don't want to see your face or any of your so-called friends here in my bar," Chris said with authority. And he looks at the lounge where the guy's friends are and immediately, they stood up. The girls run as fast as they could and the only one left is the perverted guy.

"L-let me go now," he can't look directly at Chris and I can see the sweat forming on his forehead.

He then let go and the guy just runs that he can't even walk straight that he stumbles a couple of times. I can't hear anything and some bodyguards walk towards Chris while here I am, stuck and can't move my feet. What is going on?

I was snap out of my reverie when Chris held my hand and look me in my eyes. "We have a lot to talk about," I can't see that usual playfulness and cheerful aura that he always has when we are together. His voice is new to me that I can't utter any reply.

He held my left hand with his right hand and pulled me away from the VIP lounge. All the attention is on us and I don't know what expression I am wearing right now. All I know is that my best friend is holding my hand and I didn't know why I become nervous.

I was quiet until we reach his office on the other end of the second floor. I saw a man standing in front of the door of Chris's office. I want to let go because it's awkward for my boss/best friend to act this way.

The guy walks towards us and I felt a slight shyness the way he is looking at us. He is quite tall, wearing a simple white shirt matching it with a brown leather jacket with jeans paired with white sneakers. And I don't know if I should be glad that I am seeing yet another good-looking guy in front of us.

“Yo Chris, I was waiting here for- Dude, are you okay?” The guy looks at my boss's right hand and he didn’t even budge to answer.

“What are you doing here?” Chris's voice sends shivers down my spine. How manly it is and I can’t breathe because he is still holding my hand.

“I need to talk something with you. Would you mind?” the tall guy gestures to go inside Chris’s office. My boss didn’t answer and the tall guy goes inside without saying anything. I am sure that they are close because Chris will never let someone go to his office just like that. Even my co-workers can’t just barge in as they please except for me. And now, I am thinking that he is playing favorites.

Finally, he let go of me and I felt a sudden relief. I don’t know how many minutes I’m holding my breath.

“Just stay here, we have a lot to talk about,” he looks at me seriously and I swear I felt sweats building on my forehead.

“B-but I need-“

“Stay, it won’t take long.”

Before I can even reply, he’s out of my sight and goes inside his office. I step away from the door and put my right hand on my chest. What was that? Why do I feel like I’m about to know something that I shouldn’t?

I don’t like being idle and not doing anything. Should I just run and just go back to my work? But my boss said that I should wait for him.

How do you like it? It’s quiet again, you can talk to me.

I wince from the pain I felt on my left temple. And it is not a good sign. This is why I hate quietness and not being able to do anything.

Leave me alone. I don’t have any time for you.

Oh, come on! I am always here with you whether you like it or not.

Why don’t you just leave me alone?

I put both my hands on either side of my forehead. This is not good. I know that someday I have to face it again. I have to be brave and accept the fact that this thing will never go away. But I want to suppress it as long as I can. I can still manage the pain and I don’t want anyone to know about it. I don’t want my family to worry about me.

There will come a time that you will need me again.

No, it will never happen again. Just leave me alone!

I hope no one can see me now. I am in a position where both my hands are on my ears while my eyes were close.

Do you want to get rid of me? Hell no! I won’t go away, not in a thousand years!

Why does it have to be this way? Why do I have to suffer?

A sound of a door opening pulls me back into reality. I stand up straight and see the tall guy walking towards me.

“Hi! I’m Brian Axel Martinez. And you are?” he said with a smile and held out his right hand for a handshake. It’s new for me to meet someone telling me their full name. I don’t want to be rude because from what I saw earlier, he is Chris’s close friend.

“Hello, I’m Jediel Lorraine Rivera.” His hand is soft and I felt my cheeks heating up of embarrassment because I have a rough hand. I have an allergic reaction to a detergent powder and I don’t usually use lotion for my hands.

“Okay, can I call you Raine? Are you okay? Is there something wrong?” He is the first person who gave me a nickname. Most of the people I meet will call me by my first name, Jedielle. Or some will call me Jed or Jedi. I am blushing not because I like him but because I want him to let go of my hand.

“Rain? As in the weather?” I ask curiously.

“No, Raine as R-A-I-N-E.” When he spelled it out, my ears also starting heating up. What’s up with this guy?

“You can call me, whatever you want. You can let go of my hand now.” If this conversation goes on, I don’t know if I can still keep my composure. I might run without saying goodbye and make a fool of myself. I am proud that I didn’t stutter.

I look away from him for a second because this is the worst time meeting someone close to Chris. I am a little curious how their conversation goes but it’s not in my nature to intrude about such things.

“It was nice meeting you, Raine. I’ll catch up with you some other time.”

After what he said, I don’t know how to react. It’s like he is sure that we will meet again. Well, it’s a possibility given that he is my boss’s friend.

I force a little smile because from what I can see, he is a nice person. “Nice meeting you too, Brian. See you.”

He walks downstairs and when he is out of my sight, I heave a sigh of relief. That was intense for me. He has this confidence and intimidating aura when he was standing in front of me. And I don’t know how did I manage to have a conversation with him.

I have this feeling that I want to tell him to go away and not talk to me. My mind is in chaos. I need to stand my guard and not let any guy get close to me. I have to put yet another wall because of what I am about to face.

This is a battlefield I need to won if I want my life to continue as it is. Chris, what are you hiding from me?

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