Winter Hearts

Grey Skies

Panos saw George come out of the lift in the lobby, freshly showered and changed, with Lukas following close behind. George beckoned to him and walked outside into the carpark, leaving Lukas to make his way towards the bar.

Panos walked out and joined him in the crisp evening air, and saw that he had a sombre expression on his face.

"What's up?" he asked without preamble.

"I saw something today which worried me," George said, staring out into the carpark. "I met Siana with her friends-" he began.

"Hey, her friends are cool, I told you already," Panos said with a frown. George turned to him irritably.

"No. As I was saying goodbye I noticed someone taking pictures of them."

Panos smiled, nodding his head.

"I can explain that. The boys are all part of a k-pop group, so maybe it was a fan who recognised them."

George shook his head.

"You already told me this. Fans... you can tell when someone is a fan. No. I knew this person. You know this person. It's that new guy we got at the club - you know, the one who is always badmouthing people on the job."

Stavros, their bartender, the one he had scolded that night at the club for not paying attention while on the job, playing with his phone.

He had been particularly annoying this last week, being impatient and wondering aloud about an early Christmas bonus. Panos was in half a mind to fire him, but there was no real reason to, and he knew that Stavros was the type to hold grudges and go telling stories to anyone who would listen. Already there was jealousy, not just of his family, even of him, for being young and successful in a small town where there was hardly anyone else who could compete with him. Stavros would find plenty of willing ears to listen to his version of events.

Panos was reminded of an incident when Stavros had been caught talking smack about their father, who had dropped in one day before opening time and confronted him for posting sarcastic remarks about his new work place, namely, their club.

Panos felt an old irritation surge. Despite his lack of prudence, the man was a good worker who seemed to be known for his bitchy attitude - and the clientele liked their cocktails served with a side of sour and bitter.

There were few people to be found in Itea and its surrounds who could replace him. He mixed drinks with panache and put on a show, which was its own entertainment act.

"Maybe he knows who the boys are?"

George looked at him doubtfully.

"He may know of them but I don't think he has the intentions of a fan. But the thing that worries me is... he was taking pictures of Siana." George looked at Panos solemnly. Panos absorbed this information with a growing anger.

What the hell was Stavros playing at?

"If you know his social media, you better check it. See what he is doing with those pictures. There is probably video too. Oh!"

George's eyes went wide as he remembered something.

"I forgot. Siana and I were acting like we were fighting. He could have filmed all that. God knows what the hell he wants it for."

Panos gasped.

"Hey, you could get into trouble for things like this! Were you still in uniform?!"

George nodded.

"Why didn't you call him over or take his phone or something? You're still his boss," Panos was getting more and more angry. Stavros had better not have posted any footage yet. George clapped a hand on his shoulder, pulling him close.

"Don't worry, we will have it sorted out before I leave on Friday. He may not have even done anything with it, just being a cowardly idiot or trying to make some waves."

"He could try to use it against you."

"Anyone can see we were just playing. We even hugged at the end."

Panos looked at his brother irritably.

"And if he doesn't show the ending? Come on, Yiorgo, it can look really bad. You should make a report, or talk to your superior about it. Why didn't you say something earlier? I can't go and find that asshole now that we have gues-"

"Panos, my man!" Panos stopped himself from cursing out loud at the interruption. Then he realised it was Hyuk who had called out from the road as they approached the hotel. He turned to see him and Hongbin coming up the small road, smiling at him.

He smiled and waved, turning to say briefly to George, "Let's fix this tonight, and sort out a new bartender before the weekend." He patted George brusquely on the shoulder before turning to walk towards the boys.

"You better warn them too," George said quietly as Panos reached them. George waved at them and walked back inside, looking for Lukas.

Panos greeted Hyuk and Hongbin with a tight smile, grasping their outstretched hands and pulling them close for a chest bump.

"You okay?" Hongbin asked Panos. Panos shook his head, spying Ravi and Ken coming up the road as well. Behind them he saw Leo, N and the two staff chatting as they brought up the rear.

"Something has come up, but I would rather tell you guys later. Let's not spoil the evening. Yet."

Hongbin looked back to see where Panos had glanced, and could see that it was Leo he was looking at. He turned back to Panos with concern, a frown wrinkling his forehead.

"What is it? Is it to do with Leo? Did something happen to Siana?"

Panos shook his head, putting up his hands and clapping them onto both their shoulders.

"Look, right now it's nothing, but I promise, I will tell you after dinner. Alright? For now, let's have some fun. My brother is back in town and we are celebrating the fact that he is leaving already!" he laughed, hoping to lighten the sobriety that hung in the air. Hyuk laughed along with him as Hongbin smiled. They all went inside, but Hongbin couldn't help feeling perturbed by Panos' agitated state.