Subtle Endearment

10. Drunk Love

Kira

"Cheers, to successfully signing onto a new collaboration. May the results be in our favor," Mr. Kurt says, holding a Gin martini glass up. As others raise their glasses I take the opportunity to raise mine as well. I'm not a very heavy drinker but company custom is company custom.

"Cheers," I say in Union with the other employees.

Violet who sits on one side of me takes a huge chug of the drink and places it down abruptly. "Kira, tell me why I just found out Jean is cheating on me," she says holding out her phone. The screen shows text messages between someone named Meghan and her. The picture in the messages shows a guy with his arm slung around a woman. His other hand rests at her waist holding her close. In the distance you can see a Hilton hotel sign.

"Are you sure? It could be a misunderstanding," I lie in an attempt to calm her a bit.

"You don't really believe that, it's written all over your face Kira," she whines, pouring herself another glass of the Gin martini. I watch in horror as she chugs it all down in one go.

"Shoot, I need something stronger," She says, rubbing her head.

"Eat some food," I say, putting some grilled steak on her plate.

"Is she okay?" Ian asks from the other side of me.

"Well-" I begin.

"Hey, give me your strongest rum please,"Violet whispers to a nearby waiter. He nods and picks up the plate with remnants of steak and vegetables in front of me.

"Violet pull yourself together, we're still at a company meeting," I remind her in a harsh tone so that only she can hear.

"Kira, we've been together for seven months. Why would he do this to me?" She asks, grabbing onto my shoulder.

"You're causing a scene," I say, placing her hands in her lap.

"Here's your rum, Ma'am," the waiter says, placing the drink in front of her.

"Thank you, you're a lifesaver," she slurs. "Don't," I demand, taking the drink.

"Oh, are you going to drink on behalf of the company's success? What's your name? I didn't see you at the last meeting but you are certainly the addition," Mr. Kurt asks.

"I'm Kira," I respond regretfully.

I should've left the drink on the table, now I'm gonna have to drink this entire glass of rum. Just the smell of it tells me it's strong.

"Go on, Kira," he says, encouraging me to drink the alcohol. "Of course," I say, raising the glass. "Cheers," I say.

"Cheers," everyone shouts raising their glasses. Before I can bring the drink to my mouth it's swept from my hand. Turning to my right, I watch as Ian chugs the alcoholic beverage.

"You don't have to drink if you don't want to, you clearly don't drink often," he says, placing his own drink in front of me.

I take a sip of it and am surprised to find that it's apple juice.

"Thank you, Ian," I say.

"Yes, one more please. That'll be all," I hear Violet say. "Actually two more, in case someone tries to steal my drink again," she says glaring at me.

"Violet, why do you insist on making things so much harder for yourself? If he really did cheat then that's on him. He lost you. Really it's his loss," I assure her.

The waiter returns with the drinks and places them both in front of Violet. "But I loved him," Violet cries before drinking a glass. I take the other and place it on the other side of me out of her reach.