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4. LARA: A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TURNED INTO SOMETHING UNEXPECTED

Lara

“You’re joking right?”

Andrea shook her head and pursed her lips. She was disappointed and very, very angry because her trip hadn’t turned out the way she had hoped. Brian hadn’t proposed like he had planned to do. In fact, there was no romantic getaway since the trip was cancelled. Imagine my surprise when Andrea showed up on my doorstep at seven this morning. I was looking forward to sleeping in.

“Why?” Andrea cried as she clutched the blanket tighter to her chest. “I was hoping. . .he didn’t even try to think of an alternative for our cancelled trip! He just shrugged and told me that he’d drop me home. Can you believe that?”

I nodded and made sympathetic sounds as she continued to complain about everything. My eyes were starting to drift shut again, but I quickly forced them open. Letting out a low sigh, I sat up more and blinked the sleepiness from my eyes. I had no work today or tomorrow. If I had known that I would get a visitor so early in the morning I would never have stayed up watched movie until one this morning.

“Are you listening Lara?”

My eyes snapped to Andrea. I instantly nodded. “Yes, yes I’m listening.”

“Liar,” she muttered as she pursed her lips. “You didn’t hear a single word I’ve just said! All you’ve been doing is staring into space.”

I gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.”

“Are you worried about the bar?”

I nodded.

“Lara. . .”

“It’s already been a week. Surely it doesn’t take that long to do some renovations. Andrea. What if Kenzie decided to never open the bar again?” I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat.

Andrea leaned forward and wrapped her arms around my neck. She hugged me as tightly as she could. After a few minutes, she slowly pulled away but kept her hands on my shoulders. Her eyes locked with mine.

“Why are you so worried?” she questioned. “We’ve known for weeks now that he’s going to sell the place. It shouldn’t really be a surprise if Kenzie followed through.”

Kenzie had made it clear that there was a possibility. He couldn’t give us a guarantee that the new owners would let us stay, because he wasn’t even sure if the bar was going to remain. He actually told us to start looking for another job.

“It’s a small town,” I said, feeling upset. “We both know that the jobs here are limited. If you’re not family you won’t be getting a new job.” I swallowed loudly. “I like this town, Andrea. I don’t want to pack up and move again.”

“Oh honey,” she sighed. “We’ll make this work. If we’re forced to move, we’ll find another town just as great as this one.”

We both knew it wasn’t that easy. Besides, this time Andrea had found the love of her life. She would give that up for me, but I wasn’t going to allow that to happen. Andrea deserved happiness and I’ll be dammed if I made her give that up just to continue running with me. It was time for me to start doing things on my own.

“I’m just over thinking things,” I said, giving her a smile. “You’re right. It will be okay.”


I soothed my hands over the black pants as I let out a breath. I was nervous but I knew it was important not to show it. One mistake and I would be sent home without any hesitation.

“You serve the drinks and you leave. Don’t make conversation. Don’t flirt with the guest,” Claire ordered. “Follow those rules; you’ll get paid at the end of the night.”

That was easy and things were going well until I saw her. I could only stare at her side profile for a few seconds before I snapped into action. I couldn’t allow her to see me! As I hurried through the crowd, I risked a glance over my shoulder.

The woman had turned towards me. My steps flattered when I realized she wasn’t the woman I was hiding from. My mother was far from her. Hopefully, she’s still on the other side of the world.

They looked quite similar, but upon closer inspection I realized that the woman had dark brown eyes, completely different from the eye colour of my mother. Besides, my mother was much thinner. She looked very unhealthy after using drugs and constant gambling.

She doesn’t know where I was either.

I breathed a sigh of relieve. I was on edge because of what happened with the man. Ever since the night that man grabbed me, I’ve been feeling uneasy. Glancing over my shoulder was a constant thing these days.

“Lara.”

Turning towards the voice, the smile slipped from my face when I saw Claire hurrying towards me. I swallowed and then forced a smile onto my lips. She stopped in front of me with a disapproving frown.

“I need you on the floor above,” she ordered. “Now.”

With a nod, I hurried past her and ran towards the elevator. Holding the tray against my chest, I waited patiently for it to arrive. Then, I noticed someone stopping slightly to my right. There’s a person who’s staring at me. I shifted from foot to foot and was just about to turn around and use the stairs instead, when the elevator doors open. Stepping inside, I turned and pressed the button.

My eyes snapped over to the person who stepped in behind me. Colour flooded my cheeks when our eyes met. I moved backwards until my back hit the wall. Silas moved to the opposite wall and leaned against it. With his eyes focused on his shoes, I took the time to study him without him realizing it.

Silas wore a black suit with a crisp white shirt and a blue tie. It looked like the suit was custom made for his tall frame. The shirt was stretched tightly across his broad chest. The lightning inside the elevator was too bad. I couldn’t see his body clearly.

“You’re not working at the bar anymore?” he suddenly asked me.

My eyes snapped up to his face. Colour flooded my cheeks when I realized that he caught me staring at him. I swallowed before answering him.

“I am. The bar is closed for some renovations.” My eyes dropped to the floor. “I thought you left town.”

“Did you?”

I glanced up at him to find him watching me with a gentle smile. My hold on the tray tightened. I had no clue what to say so I stayed silent. His slight movement caught my attention. Silas stepped toward me with the same charming smile playing around his lips. His eyes locked with mine, but unlike before, he didn’t drop them.

The silence was slightly uncomfortable which made the urge to break it so much stronger. I was at a loss for words. He broke the silence before I could find anything to say.

“Would you like to ditch this place and get something to eat?”

My eyes widened. “W-what?”

“Would you like to get something to eat with me?”

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