Chapter 6

The picture turned translucent and I realised my tears was the reason. I dabbed at it with a clean clothe and then stared at her again. My God!. She's grown so big. A wide grin spread all over my face as I kept looking at her. Her eyes were still marine blue and even brighter. Her dark hair was cut into bangs. And her smile,...like her dad.

"That's your girl" Ashley tapped my shoulder and i nodded proudly.

"I've got to see her, Ash. Soon. Real soon"

"I know but you won't break the ice to her until everything is over" Ashley poured more tea for herself. She really needs it, After she drank so much last night.

"I know that" I rubbed my chin devising a way but nothing seemed to come to my mind.

"Maybe we should just head to work for now" Ashley poured her remaining tea into the sink and then walked out of the kitchen. I stared at the picture again and then kissed my baby before putting it down and going to get ready for work.

°°°°°°

The bar wasn't all that busy seeing as it was afternoon. By nightfall, that's when the real business starts. I tucked my hair behind my ear and poured myself a peach drink. It's homemade. No non alcohol at work. Ashley came up behind me.

"How's it going?" She asked.

"Nice"

"Well, I have a surprise for you" she pulled out a card from her bag and handed it to me. I gasped when I saw the name ' Tiffany ' on it and my new look.

"So that's what you've been doing" I grinned.

"Yeah....you can thank me by making dinner tonight" she smirked and walked back to her stand. A tall guy walked up to my stand. He didn't look all that old or elderly like most men that come here. He's much more younger and finer.

"Hi...what can I get ya?"

"Cocktail" he tapped his fingers against the creaky counter.

"Coming right up" I did exactly what Ashley taught me. Combination of spirit with cream. I shoved it right in front of him. I expected him to take it to his table but he sat on one of the stool by the bar stand.

"I've never seen you around here" he said.

"You come here often?" I asked and he nodded. "We'll I just moved here and got this job" that was a lame explanation but it's the best I could come up with for now. I just moved here. Nice one Elaine.

"I see.. you know Ash?" He asked. It was my turn to nod.

"She's my friend"

He sipped his drink and placed it down while twirling it with his fingers. "So your the one that needed a fake ID"

I stared at him wide eyes. How'd he know that? Did Ashley tell him? Does he know who I am? What if he turns me in?....so many questions.

"There you are" Ashley came up right behind me and placed a hand in my shoulder. "I see you've met Hunter"

I stared at the guy again and he smiled at me. Something seemed off with him but I didn't question nothing. He looked buffy like some cop and that made me sweat on my palms. But since Ash knows him. I know she won't do anything stupid to put me in danger.

"Yes...I have" I smiled.

"I'm...E... Tiffany" I literally slapped myself for almost saying my real name out just now.

"Nice to meet you" he said and then finished his drink.

"He's the one that made the ID" Ash chuckled beside me. I stared at her. Did she also tell him who I was? I glared at her.

"What?" She asked and I groaned inwardly. This is one of those times I wished we could communicate with looks.

"Excuse me" I told Hunter and then shoved Ashley away and into the backroom. Every bar has one. I don't get it too.

"Did you tell him?"

"Nope. He doesn't know but he fished something was up" Ash said and that made me frown.

"I don't like him. He seems off. Like there's another side to him." I blinked severally. "Is he a cop?"

"What? No!." Ash Excalimed. "I've known Hunter for like two weeks now. He's a good guy" She smiled genuinely and I narrow my eyes. I wanted to tell her you don't just know people you've met for only two weeks.

"Fine" I said and walked back into the bar .

"You'll like him don't worry" Ashley whispered in my ears. I pinched her side as she laughed away.

I turned to stare at Hunter and he was staring at me as if observing something.

"Do I have something on my face?" I asked him.

"No. Your face is perfect" he placed the glass in front of me and then walked away after paying. He also left a huge amount of tip. 

°°°°°°

Seating behind the bar stand, I took out the picture of Autumn I had. It was crumpled up in my Jean pocket. I tucked it into my wallet along with my fake ID. I love you my baby. I kissed her picture and then jumped when someone cleared their throat. It was Hunter.

I tucked my wallet into my Jean pocket.

"Here for another drink?" I asked. He just had a cocktail like four hours ago. That made me yawn. When do I get off work! I'm so tired.

"No. I'll just have water"

"This is a bar" I said with amusement clearly written all over my face. He chuckled.

"Right" he took the stool in front of him and sat down.

"Ash busy?" He asked but I figured he's not here to talk to Ash.

"Yeah..." Iooked over to her stand where she was cursing a man out for spilling drink on the counter. I chuckled. "Very busy"

"That's alright" he said. He moved his hand to the counter and tapped on it. We we're both silent for a while before I decided to break the akwardness.

"Thank you for the ID. Sorry I didn't say it earlier"

"It's alright" he nodded.

"No really. You didn't have to. I know how persuasive Ash can be" I chuckled.

"She's a good friend" Hunter said calmly. His hands were still tapping against the creaky old wooden countertop.

"That she is" I smile.

"Yeah....now tell me why a pretty lady like yourself need a fake ID ?" He asked and I zoned out. There's literally not an answer I could give him right now. And he's staring at me with raised brows. Waiting!