Thicker Than Water [18+]

Chapter 6: Special

Finishing the hunt of Demon Borgrig was going terribly. Throughout the beginning of the week, I have been desperately trying to track and finish off that demon, but to no avail. Leftover black blood was scattered around the city at random. I wasn't sure if he was attempting to escape from multiple points within the city or if he threw his blood around everywhere just to confuse me. What made it worse was that I knew he was trying to heal by committing sin. The grim news reports on recent attacks weren't a shocker to anyone else since many terrible things happen in Vegas. However, it made me anxious knowing that this demon was the cause of this current issue.

"Miss Skye, you are looking rather tired lately. Your dark circles are starting to match your hair." Miss Blackwell faked concern, making sure to throw in an insult to try to rile me up. I was never one to get a rise out of me so easily. Even if I was, I would be too exhausted to even give a witty retort.

"I have been stressed lately. Care for a drink?" I bluntly stated, caring to maintain a sense of professionality even if we weren't the biggest fans of each other.

Her face fell as I refused to take any bait. "Apple martini. What could be so stressful? I mean, you went to dinner, enjoyed some expensive Italian, and received special attention. It's not like you're struggling to keep up with work either."

My cocktail shaking slowed for a brief moment. "Special attention?"

She rolled her chocolate eyes and furrowed her perfectly groomed brows in anger. "Don't act coy! I know you must've spent time with Vincent after the dinner. He was all over you during it and he left before dessert to look for you. You too are involved, right?"

I set her martini down in front of her and gave her a cold stare. I could see a shiver pass through her as my blue eyes helped convey my sudden iciness. "Mr. Sterling and I are in a strictly professional relationship. It was my first time attending the managers' dinner despite the few years I have been qualified to go. He was ensuring that I felt included. As for him searching for me during the dinner, I ran into him outside after my private call was finished. Once I made it clear that I was fine, I headed home. What Mr. Sterling did between then and after is his business."

She scoffed. "So you're saying that absolutely nothing happened between you and him? Nothing at all?"

"Nothing at all, Miss Blackwell. Even if something did happen, I wouldn't be so bold to continue working here. Mr. Sterling is our boss. Becoming personally involved with someone of his authority would be an HR nightmare. The last thing I want is for his, mine, and the casino's reputation to be soiled." I strictly established, rinsing out my shaker.

"He's more your boss than mine. I work directly with Mr. Barron most of the time, remember?" She slyly added. I wasn't stupid. I knew she was implying that if she were to enter a personal relationship with Mr. Sterling, then it wouldn't technically violate any HR policies. It would still be unprofessional in my opinion, but they wouldn't get in trouble. It wouldn't be considered a relationship between an employee and their boss.

Without giving away my irritation, I simply nodded. "I remember. But ultimately, your position along with everyone else's is none of my business. I am just the bar manager."

Miss Blackwell scanned me for a long time, trying really hard to detect the even smallest detail that could allude to me being upset by her antagonizing conversation. In the end, she found nothing, mumbling into her glass as she sipped. Her brows rose for a moment in surprise as she tasted the martini. "This is. . . really good. . ."

"You sound surprised. Did you expect it to be unbalanced?" I inquired.

She flipped her blonde beach waves over her shoulder, giving me attitude through body language rather than tone. "Not really. This is my first time trying a drink made by you. I heard that you were an expert at making cocktails. I thought that you were being overhyped."