From the Past - Lando Norris

One: The Club

--Ella's POV--

Kelsey puts her hand on my shoulder reassuringly as we read out the schedule for the week. I'm convinced that our boss hates me because I'm the only one who isn't scared to call him out, "It shouldn't be too bad...it could be a low-key sports event," She says as I turn my head looking unimpressed. When I thought about getting a job at the hottest nightclub in Monaco...I thought it would be a little more glamorous. Almost every night a different rich person rents out the place. The sports events are the worst, especially football players from America who think they run the place. I don't know when Monaco became the new Ibiza but I need it to change.

"Looking forward to this weekend?" Peter asks as I walk behind the bar to grab the tray I need to serve drinks for the night, "Cause you know Angelo only schedules you cause the other girls are too scared to collect the tabs at the end of the night," He laughs.

"Please tell me you're the bartender that night," I say with a pout as he nods his head making me happily skip away. Peter has been here since we have. We were all hired around the same time so we are the OG's now that most of the staff is new people. He's known by everyone important for making the best cocktails, it's amazing watching him work. But Kelsey and I make sure to keep him humble.

There have been a couple of drunken hookups here and there over the past three years but thankfully we are both professionals. Who can resist those amazing dimples? Kelsey just shakes her head calling us nasty cause she sees us as family. It's a fun dynamic we have. We know it's going to be a good shift when the three of us are on together, "Ella, over here," Angelo yells making me roll my eyes as I turn around with a smile. I take my notepad out and look at the table in front of him, "If you guys need anything...this is your girl," He says putting his hand on my shoulder. I fight the disgusted twinge on my lips as I step forward to hear the group better.

Peter is just shaking his head as I walk over to hand him the ticket, "What time are you done tonight?" he asks.

"Closing shift"

He sucks his teeth as I walk away with a sarcastic smile, "Watch it," Kelsey teases as I almost bump into her. She smacks my waist as I push past to go to my section of the club. The building is designed in a U shape. Kelsey always takes the right and I get the left. Peter is directly in the middle and the dance floor is always packed.

Unless you have some sort of status there is no point of trying to get in here. We have one bar which sounds insane for somewhere so popular but it works.

However, recently Angelo has started doing a street night on Wednesdays. That means that if people are lucky he will let some people in off the street. Any way to make more money. The waitresses are scrambling all night and Peter just keeps up somehow. You'd think he was on drugs he's that good.

I see some regulars and the main guy waves his hand as his way of letting me know they want a round. I love it when rich old men treat me like I'm not human...it really warms my heart. I'm asking too much though...basic respect is hard to come by nowadays. Most nights are the same more or less. People drink, dance, get too drunk, and then the bodyguards have to break up a fight. This is when Kelsey, Peter, and I sit back and watch with the leftover appetizers that were ordered. I try to romanticize every aspect of my life.

As I'm looking at the sloppy note I left when taking orders I walk past a table getting slapped on the ass. I quickly drop off the drinks before walking back to the asshole that did it. And of course he's ugly.

It's a guy with a chin strap looking like he belongs on the Jersey Shore, "Hey," I say with a flirty smile. He raises his eyebrows and looks at his boys as he sits up in his chair, "You having fun tonight?" I ask as I bite my lip.

"How could I not when you're here," he says as I smile. I look past his head and raise my hand signaling to Crush. He smiles as he walks over and stands beside me.

"Good cause it's over. Have a good night fellas," I say as I pat Crush's shoulder and walk to another table. They try to argue but when a 6 foot 5 bald-headed man who looks like he could bench press a bus tells you to leave...you leave. I have a bodyguard in my section and Kelsey has one in her's. Crush and I go to the local farmers market every other Sunday together. He's a softie when you get to know him.

I grin to myself watching chin strap getting kicked out. I turn to Peter smirking, "God, I love Crush." Something eventful always happens. I just hope Friday has less ass-smacking.