A Knight of Chivalry (On-Hold)

Chapter 3 - Part 3

"Me neither. This is crazy. Wow." A small laugh bubbled out of her. "Here I am, talking to you about what you did and...and wow. I'm going to shut up now." Dawn took a long sip of her drink. She also didn't want to revel how holding his hand made her feel. They were slightly big and warm with some calluses, yet his skin were almost soft too.

Sage couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, garnering looks of surprise from his co-worker nearby.

"Were you hurt?"

"Not badly, just a small scratch. Nothing a disinfectant and antibiotic can't heal."

Sage nodded. "I'm glad."

She shook her head as if the straighten her thoughts. "I'm sorry but I still can't believe it. I've been beating myself up that I should have done something more to thank you, and I never thought I could. And here you are."

Sage's mouth quirked a little; he was touched yet amused. "You don't have to, Dawn." Funny how he didn't have qualms about saying her name. "I did what everyone else should have done."

"Maybe so, but most wouldn't. Will you let me do something? Can I at least buy you a drink?"

Sage paused in thought. He didn't know what to say; on one hand, it wasn't like he was being asked out like Louise did earlier, and on the other, if he did say yes, what would happen? He was a stickler for rules. At least, he tried to be. The conversation he had with Carl a long while back came to mind.

"By the way, kid, try not to date the patrons. Fancy people or not. Better yet, just don't." Carl's rough voice spoke, an unlit cigar in his mouth as he gave his precious bottle of liquors a thorough cleaning.

The place seemed scarce of patrons despite the supposedly busy hours. Sage knew sometimes they'd have days like this, and sometimes either a half or full house. There were a few people working that day, and Sage was washing the glasses by the sink while listening to Carl for advice. He had only started working there for a few weeks and this was the first time Carl mentioned it.

"Why?" It wasn't that he was against it because rules are there for a reason, but he was curious as to what the reason could be. It was an odd thing, and he had never heard of other bars who applied the same principal. Then again, this was the first bar he worked.

"Good question. Why? Well, kid, take it as a liability to the business. Jealousy, stalking, and threats aren't uncommon 'round here. We've had to put a restraining order before. Too much risk for the employees and business. Take Chen for instance," Carl nodded at an Asian-American man in his late-twenties wiping a lacquered table. "He's been there. Chen, tell him how you got that scar."

The young man paused wiping, grinning at his boss and fellow co-worker. The grin made his already handsome face held a note of dangerous charm to it, despite the subtle but jagged white scar marring his left eyebrow.

"I dated this pretty girl for a while, 'bout two months. She went nuts one night at this bar and threw a flute at me when she saw me talking to other women. Had a good aim too," He said impressively but sobered up a second later. "But I knew that was it. That was really scary."

"You sure you were just chatting the ladies up, boy?" Carl asked with a smirk. He loved to joke with his employees – they were also family to him.

Chen laughed. "I may look like a rogue but I don't live like one." Then, he continued where he left off and wiped the remaining tables.

Carl turned towards Sage, who had been absorbing the information like a newfound revelation. "See, kid. Now that's just one of the stories you'll hear here. It ain't all bad though, there are some who has it better. We just try not to make it a habit for the most part, that's all." Setting the newly polished bottles aside, Carl took one from the shelves and poured himself a glass. "But suppose there'll be a time where you fancy a lass, I wonder what are ye' going to do 'bout it then?"