A Hunger to Share ( Book One )

chapter 8

Ada    

She spent the rest of the day at her Father's office.

When night finaly came, Ada went home, changed clothe and jumped off the window, landing gracefully on her feet.

She haden't always been so smooth. The first few times she had managed to break and strain her ankles quiet frequently. Sometimes she even broke an arm or two.

Worst than the pain was the humiulation. And even worst than that was her Father's shouts, telling her to get up and do it again and again and again, untill she could do it perfectly.

That was only one of the many excrusiating things Ada had to do, to become strong enough in her Father's eyes.

It wasn't just Ada he liked to boss around but all of them. They had to be strong to survive. He would tolerate no weakness, no disobedience, no failure, from no one.

                   *

When Ada reached the bar, it was crowded.

Pushing open the door, she walked inside. It was filled with hot, sweaty bodies.
People were dancing, drinking and kissing.

Ada looked around for James, and saw him standing behind the bar, serving drinks and smiling that sweet smile of his. She walked towards him, opening up the zipper of her parka.

As soon as James saw Ada his eyes lit up with recognition. "Hey."

"Hey yourself handsome." She sat on an empty bar stool. "How's business? Met any interesting customers today?"

James smiled, green eyes crinkling at the edges. "Only one."

Ada snorted. "You're a shameless flirt."

His bright smile widened. "I'm serious. She had this breathtaking blue eyes..."

"Yeah?"

"And gorgeous blond hair. She was absoloutly dazzling."

Ada smiled at him softly and leaned towards him over the counter. "You're even more dazzling."

"How's that sister of yours by the way? Didn't give you any more trouble, did she?" James put the margarita he was preparing in front of the woman on her right.

Ada tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. "No. I handled the situation pretty well. Thanks to you."

He gave her a warm smile. "I'm glad to hear it, but I didn't really do anything."

"You did, even if you got paid for doing it." She said with a little wink.

Jame's face was serious when he answered. "I would have done it for free."

Ada felt her heart warm up. "I'm just messing with you pretty boy."

He poured a cocktail in a glass and served in to a man sitting on her right. Then he turned towards Ada. "Give me a minute." He walked towards a bartender standing on the other side of the bar and started talking to him.

If Ada had normal human ears, she wouldn't have been able to hear the short conversation going on over the blare of the music.

"I'm ending my shift a little early tonight. Do you mind covering for me? I'll make it up to you."

"Sure. Have fun." The bartender winked.

She tried to look unaware as he came out from behind the bar and walked back towards her with a leather jacket slung over one arm.

Ada rose a brow. "Are we going somewhere?"

"We can if you want, but I thought we could hang out here for tonight. If you don't want to though..."