LADY YAKUZA BOSS

Jethro

"Wow! "

Kalalabas ko lang ng employee's Restroom. And Carlo is gaping at me unbelievably with his mouth opened. While I, on the other hand is feeling uncomfortable with my uniform. It's too short for comfort!

I am now wearing a white collared long sleeves with a black mini vest on top of it. And a black skirt that's inches above my knees. Good thing there's a thick black stockings that came along with my uniform. Meron din ibinigay sakin na heels. And I was relieved that it's only 2 inches high.

I tugged the hem of my skirt down hoping na bumaba iyon kahit papano. I scowled in frustration. Never in my entire existence did I dreamed of wearing one. And now look at me. I don't feel comfortable at all. This uniform is almost hugging the shape of my body! I kinda feel naked and vulnerable in it.

"Muntik na kitang di makilala ah. " may halomg biro na sabi ni Carlo saken.

"Hindi ako komportable sa suot ko." I frankly said.

"Masasanay ka rin. Tara, may mga customers na sa lounge. Ganito ang trabaho dito, bawat server may designated tables. Pagdating ng guest, kukunin mo order nila tapos ibibigay mo sa dun sa bar counter saka ka babalik dun sa designated table mo. May maghahatid ng mga orders sayo, pagdating ng order ikaw dapat ang magseserve sa kanila. Mapa-vintage wine man yan o cocktail drinks. Pagkatapos nun, ang gagawin mo lang ay tumayo sa gilid on stand by. Ang concept kasi ng Palladium is to make it personal for the guests. Kaya para tayong personal butlers nila. Sa madaling sabi, utusan."

Wow, I never thought that there'll be a bar with a concept like this. It's almost like those famous maid cafes back in Japan. Though this is a high end version. I gotta give it to whoever thought of this.

Few moments later, Carlo already have customers and now i am behind the counter getting briefed by the barista and some of the servers there.

I flinched when I heard a bang on the counter behind me so I turned and saw my new boss, Jethro. Nakasandal ito sa bar counter habang nakapatong ang dalawang braso don. And he is smiling as usual.

Sinenyasan nya ako na lumapit sa kanya. So I did.

"Whoa.. look at you. Looking good huh. Anyway , how about you remove the glasses? And a little bit of make up won't hurt you know." He said while giving me the once over.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself that it's my first night at work. Kahit na gustong gusto kong sabihan sya na walang kinalaman ang hitsura ko sa pagiging effective na serbidora. This Jethro guy doesn't struck me as a flirty guy at all. He just have this happy go lucky vibe in him. That's why I am still holding back.

"Tinawag nyo ko? Ano po yun?" I asked ignoring his comment and suggestion.

"Ah yes, here's your name tag and your table is right there...I'm assigning you to the VIP lounge." He stated like it's nothing then winked and I almost grab his neck. My hands are itching to choke him real bad.

Napanganga ako. Like what? Come again? Did I hear it wrong?

"Pe-pero unang araw ko palang sa trabaho." Wala akong masabi kundi yun lang dahil sa sobrang pagkabigla.

"Well, now's the right time to prove yourself, right? You'll be okay. Gawin mo lang yung itinuro sayo."

"How can you be so sure I'll do just fine there??" I exclaimed while pointing my finger at the direction of the VIP lounge. And it was too late before I realize it.

All pairs of eyes in the bar counter stared at me incredulously. After hearing their newly hired server speak in straight fluent english. Who wouldn't?

"THAT is why Jin." Jethro said smiling at me like crazy.

I stared at him with a serious face. What? Does he know something?

"A-anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Hindi ko nalang namalayan at kumilos agad ang kanang kamay ko at dinampot ng patago ang isa sa cork screw na nasa loob ng counter. If Jethro knows something... If he is by chance, someone they sent for me..

Then I'm gonna have to kill each and everyone here...and that includes Carlo. Dahan dahan akong huminga ng malalim.

Jethro grinned at me. Completely oblivious of what I am actually thinking of doing right now.

Yumuko si Jethro at inilapit nya ang mukha nya sakin saka sya nagsalita ng halos pabulong para hindi mahalata ng mga ibang kasama namin.

"We'll talk later. Don't worry, I am no one's man. Kung isa ako sa kanila, kanina pa sana sila dumating dito para patayin ka. I just happened to recognized you little dragon. Right now, I am just your boss and you're my employee. Take my word for it. Gaya mo, ayoko ng gulo. Plus, I don't want to die just yet. So you can let go of that thing in your hand now and relax." Aniya saka umatras.

"How can I be sure you're telling the truth? " I hissed.

Jethro looked at me straight in the eyes and raised his one hand. I paused for a moment when I saw that he's missing a finger. And that only means one thing.

He is a former yakuza member who bailed out! At ang isa sa nakagawiang ritwal o kabayaran kapag may binali kang batas sa organisaayon, gaya nalang ng pag-alis sa grupo, ay ang tinatawag namin na Yubitsume ( a ritual that yakuza use for punishment or if someone is sincerely apologetic about something).

Hindi parin ako makapaniwala. Pero kahit papano ay nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

"Okay Jin? VIP lounge. Chop!  Chop! Get to work..." Then he gave me another wink before leaving.

I found myself nodding while staring at him na parang wala sa sarili.

What a fxcking small world....

A few moments later and I am already on my way to the table of the VIP guests.

I stopped in front of the table. There are seven guys sitting there.

"Good evening everyone. I am Jin. And I will be your server tonight. Can I take your orders? " Magalang kong sabi habang magkadaop ang mga palad ko sa harapan.

Isa isa silang nagbigay ng order nila at isa isa ko yung isinulat sa maliit na papel. Maya't mayay may ilan sa kanila ang panay ang titig sakin mula ulo hanggang paa pero sinubukan kong kalmahain ang sarili ko. This is work. If worst comess to worst, I know I can manage and take care of myself. I looked at the last man in the middle.

"How about you Sir? What are you drinking tonight? "

The man is sitting in the middle of everyone like a god. At para bang nagbigay pa ang mga kasama nito ng space sa magkabilang gilid nito. It was already obvious, by the way the other man act and fawn over him. It's clear that he is someone from a higher status.

But to my surprise, the man in the middle looks like he doesn't even want to be there at all. Well, why do I even care.

The man didn't even bothered giving me a look.

"Give me anything good you got there." He said in a deep voice.

"Uh.. Maybe you can be specific about the drink you'd like Sir?"

I bit my lower lip. I didn't know that being in the front line would be this hard. Nasanay ako na laging nasa likod ng pagpapatakbo ng mga bar ni Taiga. Pero hindi ko minsan naranasan ang maging server at makipagusap sa mga customers.

This time lumingon yung lalake sakin.

I almost stopped breathing when I saw his face.