Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Now the thing was how was I going to say it to my father? The hours wouldn’t interfere with work. Darren said I could start at eleven and end my shift at two in the morning. I needed to think about our future and the reality was this store was going bankrupt. My father would have no means to find a job the way he was, plus his medication cost us a lot and then there was Sofia. I needed to think about her future. I wanted her to fly, to soar away from us and find her own happiness. I knew it was only a few hours, but Darren promised me it was worth the money. Plus, in case the restaurant failed, I at least had a job I could work at.
“Yeah, Dad, I'm going to be late tonight. I'm going to see some friends, okay?” I called him the moment I locked up.
“Okay, be safe.” He sounded so tired.
“Okay Dad, bye.”
***
I finally made it to midtown. Darren’s bar was swanky and expensive. The man loved his liquor and used the place to earn him connections. He understood how our school worked and used it to make him more money. I looked down at my clothes and felt like shit. I watched as the people walking in were wearing clothes, which cost more than the mortgage on my house. I took a deep breath and called Darren to give him the heads up that I was there.
“Hey, Darren? It’s me, Addie. I'm here.”
“Okay, tell the bouncer you’re here to see me and he’ll let you in,” Darren replied.
“‘Kay.” I hung up and headed for the bouncer; the man was huge. A refrigerator was smaller than him. I tried to get his attention, but he didn’t even spare me a glance.
“Um, excuse me, but I'm here to see Darren Sparks,” I said politely waving at him. The big brawny bouncer continued to ignore me.
“Hey!” I yelled. I had a long day and made no money, I wasn’t about to be ignored by the likes of him. I was here for a fucking job. “I said I’m here to see Darren Sparks. He told me to tell you,” I seethed. The bouncer slowly looked my way and glared.
“Well, he didn’t tell me,” he bit back.
“Well, he told me.”
I knew the voice that spoke over my shoulder. I closed my eyes, hoping it was all a nightmare that I was going to soon wake up from. Daimon walked up to me, pinched my coat, and dragged me inside.
“So do you remember me now?” he asked. I couldn’t help but scan him. The man looked good in jeans and a grey sweater.
“No,” I said in a frosty tone. “But thanks for getting me in.” I nodded slightly and left.
I walked through a corridor of thick red velvet curtains that led me to a small door. I pushed the door open and was taken aback at how stunning Darren’s bar was. The lighting was low, setting the mood. Each sitting area had small art deco chandeliers that helped light up the area for the patrons. The walls had small compartments, each with locks for the various expensive drinks Darren’s bar had to offer. There was a long dark mahogany bar all the way at the end, with big red leather lining stools, which lined it.
“Addie?” I looked over and Darren stood with open arms, waiting for his hug.
“Darren, how are you?” I asked as I hugged him.
“Good, now that you’re here.” He kissed both my cheeks and held my hand as he weaved me in and out of the crowd to take me to his bar.
“Sit here.” He patted down on the last stool at the edge of the bar. “So, what do you think?” He held his hands up showing me his place.
“I think… it’s you,” I smiled.
“Thanks,” he smiled back.
“What are you drinking?” he asked, waving over his bartender.
“Whiskey, neat,” I said while taking off my jacket.
“Anything in particular?” he asked.
“No, you choose.”
I couldn’t help but feel out of place. It had been awhile since I had gone out and even longer since I’d had the time to see my friends. The bartender came back with my drink. Darren raised his glass and we cheered. I took a sip and loved it. I could taste the flavor of sweet fruit, with a slight hint of floral notes.
“You seem to like it,” Darren said watching me carefully.
“What’s not to like? It’s a Glenfiddich, isn’t it?” I smiled.
“It is. It seems our girl Addie knows her liquor,” he smiled.
“I used to, but not now.” I looked at my glass regretful of a past I hardly had.
“So tell me, the diner’s not doing well? Is that why you’re here?” He sighed as he leaned against his bar, watching me. I hated being pitied.