The Penguin And His Dove

Love Is the Flower , You Have To Let Grow.

The bar was very quiet today. I was collecting the glasses from the dishwasher and stacking them back underneath the bar. There was a small group of people sitting near the stage where a young girl was singing. I would say around four of them. I didn't take much notice of them as they were back and fourth ordering food and drinks most of the late afternoon. The entrance to the clubs door opened and closed and a short gentleman power walked in holding a massive bouquet of flowers. I couldn't see his face as the bouquet was so big it was covering most of his chest and face area.

"Miss (Y/N)!" He shouted from behind the flowers. 

"Uh , that's me " I answered confused. He followed my voice and set them down on the bar in front of me

"Delivery for you" He said. Without another word he turned around and sped off back out the door. Did Oswald order table decorations for this evenings entertainment ? I looked to the sides of the bouquet to see if he had left a note as to where to place them. I finally found a small hand written card.

"A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love. " It was signed with a kiss. Are these for me ? I smiled as I looked at the bouquet. Roses, lilies , tulips , dahlias , marigolds. They were filled with every type of flower. He must have really spent a fortune getting this arranged. They were all in a large , black vase with an blue umbrella on the front. I blushed as I slowly picked the vase up and placed it at the side of the bar for everyone to see its beauty. I began to smell the flowers until I was interrupted by one of the gentleman from the table I had served earlier this afternoon.

"So you work here all the time little girl ?" He asked rudely, leaning up against the bar. I looked behind him as four other men were looking over at me. A bit frightened I stood up straight and tried to lie.

"No , there's another two of us working here ". I said quickly. He smirked. He was wearing a dark blue suit and he had short black hair and glasses. He had a large scar on his cheek. I didn't recognize him so I knew I had never met him before. 

"I know there is only you here this evening , am I right " He said looking me up and down. I gulped hard. 

" You are mistaken, sir ,there is another two of us" I said again confidently. I looked behind him to see there were now only three gentleman sat at the table. Where did ther other guy go! Inside I was beginning to panic. I put my hand under the bar where Oswald had told me was a small handgun in case of emergency. I slowly began to slip my hand underneath. I looked at the gentleman and tried to distract him.

"Its two males working with me today, they are on kitchen duty" He cackled loudly.

"Oh really. You might have to go and call them for me sunshine" He said in a voice as if he was enjoying knowing I was lying and wanted to catch me out. I slid my hand back and fourth quietly on the shelf under the bar but couldn't feel the gun. Where the hell is it. It was here earlier ! The man looked down at my arms as he caught them moving, and looked back up to my face.

"We already know what your looking for " He smiled a manic smile. I heard a gun cock behind me. I froze. I always seem to be the centre of something. I tried to play it cool.

"Me , no I am not looking for anything" I felt something cold between my fingers under the bar. It was the lemon cutting knife. I grasped it in my hands and the man turned to face the other three men that were on his table.

"I like this girl. She is as dumb as she looks " As his back was turned to me I quickly swung around and tried to disarm the male behind me. I knocked the gun out of his hand and tried to lunge at him. He lifted his arm and I managed to stab the knife in to his forearm. He groaned loudly , holding on to the wound.

"You little bitch" He shouted. I stood, frozen, holding the knife with blood dripping from the blade on to the floor. He swung at me, hitting my face. The pain was burning as I fell sideways on to the side of the bar, dropping the knife and managing to grasp on to the ledge to stop myself falling.  The male bent down and snatched the knife from the floor. 

"Lets see how you like it ! "He shouted. He began to storm over to me . I fell to he floor and lifted both my hands to cover my face. There was an almighty bang and the man dropped the knife. I moved my arms slowly from my face. He was stood in front of me , eyes wide. He slumped to his knees and to his side. Maroon blood pouring from the back of his head. My heart thumped though my chest. I stood up slowly from the floor and looked around.

"Oswald" I whispered to myself as I caught a glimpse of him stood on the other side of the bar with Zsasz at his side grinning widely, and Butch.

"What do you think your doing terrorizing my staff" Oswald said gently. The gentleman that I had spoke to at the bar raised his hands in the air and laughed.

"Terrorizing? Hah!" He laughed and looked down at the floor then at Oswald.

"Is that what you think I was doing?" 

"By the looks of this poor frightful young lady I beg to differ " Oswald said. The three gentleman stood stood up from the table and stood behind their presumed boss. 

"Don't be silly , we were just having a chat , weren't we doll" He said. He turned to me with a deathly stare. I didn't answer as I looked over to Oswald. He already knew that wasn't the story. He was looking into my eyes as I trembled. Blood splattered across my face from the man he just killed. He gritted his teeth angrily.

"I don't like people who interfere in business that they have nothing to do with it. This is MY club and MY rules. You do not terrorize my staff! " He shouted loudly. I cowered slightly as he shouted. It was always scary seeing this side of him.

"Can we kill em now boss?" Zsasz shouted. Oswald sighed and looked at Zsasz as if he was a dumb child.

"Yes, kill them now " He said sarcastically. Before a blink of an eye, all the men quickly put their hands in their pockets and pulled out guns. There were gunshots and smoke filling the air. It was all happening so quickly. I ducked back under the bar and covered my head. After a few seconds the gunfire stopped. I was too afraid to look over the bar and look at who was alive and who was dead. I put my hands on to the bar and pulled myself up slowly. I peeped over the bar and tried to focus through the smoke. There was blood splattered up the walls , the bar , the floor. I focused again and seen Oswald , Butch and Zsasz all stood then unscathed with their guns in the air. I sighed a deep sigh of relief. Oswald looked over to me and sighed , he hobbled over with his cane , and was stood  facing me from the opposite side of the bar. 

"Are you alright Dove" He said sweetly. I smiled at him. 

"I am fine Oswald". I rubbed the side of my head where I was hit but luckily I wasn't marked. He smiled at me and looked to his right. He seen the flowers placed on the edge of the bar. Blood splattered on the petals.

"I see you got my flowers" He grinned from ear to ear, proud of himself. I turned to look at them and seen all the flowers stained with fresh blood. I frowned slightly hurt but then smiled.

"The reds are beautiful." I said playfully. He cackled.

"I like your enthusiasm" He said pointing to me. I laughed with him. He offered his hand out to me.

"Come ,ill get you somewhere safe , Ill get someone else to clear this mess up." He said , taking his eyes off me and scanning the club. I took his hand in mine. So warm and soft. He pulled me upwards as to step up on the bar. I followed and stood on the bar. I slowly crouched and jumped down , falling in to his arms. He gazed in to my eyes as I took in his beautiful , glistening eyes. He smiled down at me and without warning , quickly planted a kiss on my lips. I melted as his warm touch made me shiver . He broke the kiss and smiled at me.

"Oh Boss please " Butch said looking away. Oswald smile fell and he rolled his eyes.

"You know what. Go make yourself useful and get the car ready and warm for us" He shouted. Butch didn't answer and left the club quickly. We began walking slowly to the exit , arms linked as he used me slightly as a guide , and his other arm using the cane.

"Do you want me to go off ahead as well Boss" Zsasz said dumbly. Oswald stopped his his tracks and shot his eyes at him. 

"The moments gone Zsasz. " He said. I giggled quietly to myself as Zsasz frowned with confusion.