Black Lotus [Vintaker]

Chapter Three

"Hey, Vincent," Lau placed his hands on Vincent's shoulders and looked him in the eye with a serious expression. "I need you to do the new R.E.A.P.E.R.S. dance for me. This is not a request, this is an order."

"Why the fuck would I do that?"

"Because I pay you. Because I am your boss. Because I know you have that bastard talent of seeing a dance once and being able to replicate it. Did I mention that I pay you?"

"I better get a raise for this," Vincent mumbled. He pulled out his shitty phone and looked up the new trending video. Undertaker was the lead in this disaster. He sighed, watching carefully, and the lights dimmed. Leave it to Lau to have an area dedicated to dancing. He played the song and Vincent mumbled curses.

"Please sing too!" Lau replayed the intro as Vincent got into position. Adrian watched from his usual booth. His heart raced rapidly as Vincent replicated the dance number with ease. It had taken him months to learn that, even longer to sing and dance at the same time, but here Vincent was doing the exact thing in less than a minute with no practicing beforehand. Who was this beast? He recorded him, without a second thought, and sent the clip to his best friend.

"Ah, I should've asked first," Adrian regretted it afterwards but it was too late.

Omg!!! Who is that sexy beast?! Is that your waiter crush!!! I have to meet him! Grell texted back instantly. This truly was a mistake. He should've thought before acting. In almost no time at all the redheaded wonder walked through the door. The two shared a room with their other bandmates not far away from Black Lotus. That's why Adrian could show up so regularly. But it was still odd to see his friend walk in after texting him just three minutes ago.

"I never want to do that again," Vincent groaned. Lau got it all on video and kept replaying it.

"I'll give you the extra food and a bit of cash. So stop complaining," his eyes nearly made hearts as he hit replay for the fourth time. "Go greet our new customer," Lau shooed him away.

"Hello and welcome to Black Lotus," Vincent rolled his eyes. "Are you a party of one?" he asked. Grell eyed him up and down after lowering her sunglasses. She took a step forward and pinched his cheek. Vincent swatted her hand away and growled like a dog. "What the fuck? Who do you think you are?!"

"And there he is," Grell smiled. "That wonderful attitude! I like you already."

"Are you here to eat or what?" Vincent frowned.

"I'm really sorry," Adrian stood up and bowed repeatedly while apologizing. "She is with me." He grabbed Grell's hand and dragged her to his table.

"He is such a mean sexy beast. I love him," Grell swooned. "You have to ask him out."

"I don't even know if he likes me!" Adrian waved his hands frantically. "Don't say things like that so loudly!"

"Hey, sexy waiter guy," Grell waved him over.

"What the fuck do you want?" Vincent walked over and slammed his hand down on the table.

"Ooo," Grell shivered. "I like a man with confidence. If I give you a tip, will you kiss me?"

"Better be a damn good tip if you're asking for me to sell myself," Vincent replied. "I've got bills to pay and mouths to feed so how much are we talking?"

"I'll give you $300 if you kiss this man for a good minute," Grell offered.

"Set your timer and make it $500," Vincent crossed his arms.

"Grell, what are you doing?" Adrian panicked.

"Done," Grell got out her phone. She started the stopwatch and Vincent lifted Adrian up by the collar. He smashed their lips together and Adrian thought for sure he would die of a heart attack. He could taste the smell of smoke on his lips and feel his tongue piercing up against the roof of his mouth. Saliva dripped from his chin and people's heads turned in the restaurant. Lau recorded the whole thing, of course.

"Time," Grell reluctantly announced. Vincent released his grasp on Adrian's shirt and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Shall I add this to your bill or do you actually have cash?"

"Add it to the bill," Grell smiled. "A girl like me can't walk around with that type of money."

"Damnit," Vincent muttered. "I really needed cash. But, money is money."

"What did you need the cash for? If you don't mind me asking..." Adrian, to hide his embarrassment, avoided thinking about the kiss by asking this question.

"I was hoping to get my brothers some presents for Christmas this year," Vincent replied.

"Oh my god," Grell covered her heart with her hand. "Such a foulmouthed saint."

"Please take this," another regular customer walked up to Vincent and placed some cash in his hands. He sniffled, wiped his eyes, and walked out of the restaurant.

"Thanks?" Vincent stared down at the cash and put it in his pocket. "I wish I remembered his name. Names are so difficult."

"My name is Grell, this is Adrian," Grell introduced the two. "Try not to forget."

"Vincent," he pointed to his nametag and walked away.