Nameless Temptations

Chapter 2: Bartender

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Now he knows after checking his calendar ten times that today is back to work day. To think it took Velentia, the most unorganized person he knows an hour-long teasing session to finally get his things straight, is crazy to him.

But he's finally back on track and is ready for whatever the day brings. He picked up a colorful striped T-shirt, and khaki shorts with socks, and slides nothing too over complicated.

He slit on two rings, one on each finger from his parents and a gold necklace from his grandmother. He never goes anywhere without at least one of those items.

Once he was done with everything, he picked up his phone, backpack, his uniform that was covered in a black bag and got ready to head out. He decided to just dress when he got to the resort, which he never did, but he was too late to assemble a whole uniform.

"Okay ladies, Daddy is going to work, and you know I can't leave you home alone. So, get in the cat dungeons so I can drop you off at daycare. Okay? "

Of course, they ignored him as always. Maybe if he stopped calling those things "cat dungeons," they would be into it. But what else can he call them?

"Babies, Daddy is going to be late for work. Please, " he tried again, but unfortunately, it did nothing. At this point, he would have to skip breakfast to be on time. He sighs heavily, dropping his backpack on the couch. He's gonna need all his brain strength for this.

Surprisingly, three treats and a few head massages, he was finally able to convince them, thank heavens. He's a bit behind on time, but he will not be late for his first day back. That's a promise. He picked up the two cages and walked out of the apartment, locking the door behind him.

He speed walked down the apartment building steps because the elevator wasn't working for some odd reason. He hoped that by the time he reached the parking lot, the taxi he took to work would be there on time.

And just his luck, it was pulling at his stop just as he hoped. He got in, greeted the driver and passengers, and sat in the window seat. The first destination was the cats' daycare, then the Crystal Waves resort. With some shakey driving, whining cats, and minimum traffic, he was finally at his first destination. He paid the driver and walked towards the daycare building, thankfully bumping into one of the workers and a friend before he could go in.

"Oh, thank god. Look, I don't have time to talk today. Just take them. I'll catch up another time," he said, handing the cats to her and running off before she could say anything.

He ran to catch the next taxi to the resort once he got there practically ran to the entrance only to be almost mowed down by those damn annoying revolver doors. Why they couldn't get normal push-pull doors is beyond him.

At the front of it all, the reception was none other than the most prestigious, most annoying, and most unbearable person you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. Those were the other worker's words, not his own.

Personally, he didn't care to analyze his supposed horrible personality. Plus, he hasn't worked with him enough to know since he (the man behind the desk) doesn't work full-time there.

He works at the other resort, you know the fancier resort than this, both owned by the same person. Guess we're understaffed if his here.

"Morning Mosi, " he greets as he passes by the front desk. And like any other day, he gets a simple glance, then ignores it. He doesn't let that get to him anyway. He pays attention to no one except the manager. Mosi is 195cm, has short curly hair, and is a light-skinned lover boy who barely talks to anyone but the manager. Beautiful face terrible personality.

He took the left corridor that led to the employees section of the building. Employees of the resort are offered accommodation within the resort for free. So he does have the option of living at the resort and saving money, but as soon as he heard that pets are unwanted, you can only guess what he optioned for.

Like any other luxurious resort the staff at Crystal Waves Resort dress in formal, crisp, and clean uniforms that consisted of a white shirt, black trousers and pencil skirts for the women, a bulgary vest with gold detailing, and black shoes. And what's a good service worker without a name tag? A golden name tag.

Very uncomfortable, but it pays the bills, so they just have to endure. He opened the changing rooms and changed from casual to formal to start the day.

His job in the resort is to be at the bar. Yep, he is a bartender. Yes, he wakes up at the a*s crack of dawn and misses breakfast to bartend. To some, it may not be a big deal job like a concierge and hotel manager, but he likes it, so he will wake up at dawn for it.

To tell the truth, he's what they come to the resort to see the most, is what he tells himself. He folds the clothes that he came with neatly and placed them in his backpack. He walked out of the room to the bar area where he was needed.

He greeted a few employees and guests along the way, turning heads like he always does, and just his luck. One of his favorite co-worker was already at their station getting everything ready. That's one of the many reasons she was his favorite. She was on time... sometimes, she's organized, and she's a hard worker who knows her craft. A shift feels like nothing when she's around.

"Can you stop staring with that wonky smile and come help me with these glasses," she said without even lifting her head from what she was writing. Told you she was a pro. "How did you know I was here?" he asked, leaning against the bar in front of him.

"You're like the tower, too big to miss, plus your shadow is blocking the light," she states like it's the most obvious thing.

"Well, good morning to you too." Something in those words made her composure crack cause the minute they reached her ears, she started ranting like he knew she would. He joined her at the back of the bar and started clearing the glasses and getting everything ready while listening to her talking.

"To think, I thought being the bartender, I would have the most flexible hours out of all the workers here. But here I am at 6 a.m. cleaning glasses and taking inventory like a b*tch."

He hummed to acknowledge her that he was listening.

"This damn bar doesn't open till at least 11h30 on the special days, so what the hell.  Oh! did you see who was at the reception desk," she stopped writing full attention to him now, but his eyes were on those stubborn, stained glasses.

"Yup, your favorite," he teased, already knowing how she would react.

"Ha ha, very funny. I would rather chew glass than get along with that twink. He thinks just because he works at the fancy resort and we work here his better than us."

"I mean, technically, it does mean he is the best of the best if his there." At least that's how it works here.

"Oh please, if he was the best of the best, he would be working overseas at the main luxury of luxuries, La Rosa d'Oro not here," she states confidently, going back to writing.

She was right about that, though. That's how it works. The family that owns this resort owns another resort on the other side of this island. Unlike this resort, the other resort is much more luxurious and much more expensive and exclusive. It's not as big as this, but then it doesn't need to be.

At least that's what he's heard. His never seen, nor has he gone there before. Then there's Hotel La Rosa d'Oro, the epitome of luxury. Is where the rich of the rich go to rub shoulders and talk business.

As a worker here, you have to go through these stages to truly say you made it. He's heard the pay is good, the living is better, and the opportunities are endless. He doesn't care for that, but Safina seems to want different. She has always wanted to go overseas to better things.

"Don't we have a staff meeting today?" He asked, checking the ice compartment to make sure it was full and ready for the busy day ahead.

"Sh*t yeah, actually, we do. Let's go before Jabari has our heads."

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