Beta's Fragrance [ MxM ]

13

THE CUSTOMERS INSIDE the bar aren't that much. The night isn't yet deep so it can't be helped.

I look for Uncle but he can't be seen everywhere.

"Mr. Kim went somewhere. He'll be back after some hours." A staff stated. "You're Vine, right? Mr. Kim told us about your state. Are you already fine now? He added and asked.

"Yes. Totally fine." I nodded. Does the others know? There's no need to tell it to them, Uncle.

I excused myself and just went to change my clothes.

That's the time I saw a message from Uncle. 'I'm not at the bar, but I'll be back late. Mikhel is there so don't worry. I always leave everything to him when I was away."

He was talking about Mikhel, the bartender here.

Now that I think about it, Mikhel is the one who taught me everything when I first came here. He was a great help. 'Hes more reliable than you.' I replied to him.

Moments after, I got a reply.

'Hahah! That's why I choose him. Be good, 'kay?'

Good thing he knows.

I left the locker room and start my job. Even though the customers aren't that much yet, they still need to be served.

"Vine!" I was called by Mikhel. He was doing something on the counter.

"Uncle said you're in charge here for the time being while he was away. What are you doing there?" I commented when I saw him mixing some liquids in a cocktail's shaker.

"What do you mean by the time being? I AM always in charge here. He was away most of the time." He looks disappointed for some reason. "That man has a lot of things under his sleeves, you see. He just won't stay for one."

That man? "You know the owner? Like, personally." He didn't call him boss.

"Well, we were colleagues." Oh. "I won't ever call him boss." He added.

"I don't either." He prefers me calling him Uncle.

He chuckles, a little. "Anyways, I'm making my own drink. Joe suggested it, and if the result is good, it would be on the menu. Well, probably."

Oh, that's why the counter is in mess. "How was it?"

After mixing, he pours it into the glass. The liquor result is a violent color one.

"Taste it." He said.

"... I'm not allowed to drink."

"I didn't put much alcohol on it. Don't worry."

"...But Uncle-"

"He's not here." The side of his lip moves up. "Just this one."

Well, either if Uncle's here or not, I'll not drink.

Though, "Just once." I said and grabbed the glass. Before I sip, I smell it first.

The strong scent of alcohol is presented.

I sipped a little and wait for its taste.

"Sour.." The first thing I tasted. When the liquor runs down to my throat, the insides starts to heat up. And there's a bitter aftertaste on the tip of my tongue later on.

"It's...pretty strong." I added. Well, it wasn't bad as well.

"Really?" Mikhel looks like he was thinking about something. "So, no good?"

"It's good, actually." I put it back on the counter's table. "But not all would like it."

The drink itself is strong. But it isn't a taste that everyone can enjoy.