Part 4. Red Affair

Jane felt her body give up as she cleaned the corners of the bar. It was tedious and difficult. Her fingers felt numb by the time she was done with the ice machine. Chuck had asked her to make sure the bar was spotless because, of course, the celebrity party. She did not understand why he was taking so many offers when they were all tired. Business, he said. She almost scoffed at that. 

“So...” Krista cleared her throat, standing beside Jane with a coy smile on her face.

Jane huffed, “What?”

“Nothing” Krista shrugged, trying to pay attention to her glasses. She was purposely drawing out everything. 

Jane rolled her eyes, neatly placing the tulip glasses behind the rack. “Oh, come on! I know you have been itching to ask me something since the moment I got here.”

“Guilty!” Krista mumbled lowly, finally turning towards Jane.

“What happened last night with that mystery guy? He kind of disappeared before midnight. Did he give you his number or something?” 

“Why would he do that?!”

“The two of you seemed cosy.” 

“I was doing my job” Jane lamely said, avoiding her friends eyes digging into her. It was better than facing her. Even though Jane didn’t want to admit it, something was going on the previous night only if Tristan had stayed longer. 

“Yeah, right.” Krista snorted

“I’m not lying.”

“Okay bub whatever helps you sleep at night” With that Krista disappeared into the connecting room but not before giving Jane a teasing smile. 

***

As soon as the clock struck seven, the bar was completely packed. She thought that the celebrities would be late to the party. Jane and Krista were on their feet already, serving drinks left to right. They were trying hard not to yell at the loud noise, blaring some god awful music. It was not their DJ, so they had no say in it.

“My ears are gonna bleed” Krista cried over the music, her eyes focused on vodka she was pouring. It was another one of her signature drinks. Unlike Jane, Krista’s a professional. The pink-haired girl gave her bartender exam and all.  She was also two years older than Jane. That’s why she guided jane in the beginning before she became comfortable to handle the bar on her own. 

Jane laughed at that and shook her head, finding her way to the glass rack. The guy wanted to be dazzled and try something new, so she thought picking a random glass and mixing up her Red Affair was the way to go. As soon as she turned towards him, she was instantly reminded of Tristan. And how eager he seemed to try her new drink. With a sigh, she shook her head and flashed the guy in front of her a smile which he didn’t return. 

What was it about the guys in a leather jacket? Were they all certified jerks? 

"Could I have a refill?" A girl politely smiled, handing Jane her glass. The bartender smiled at the girl before nodding her head and filled the glass with the sparkly liquid. 

“Here”

“Thank you.”

"Enjoy!” Jane smiled before turning to the guy in the leather jacket. He was staring at her. 

Averting her eyes, she focused on making the Red Affair. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed Krista rushing towards her with a wide grin on her face. She nudged Jane.

“What?”

“Your man is here” Krista whispered furiously, her eyes turning towards the dance floor.

“Huh?” Jane raised her brow.

“The hot guy from last night. He’s here!”

Jane immediately looked up, her eyes following the crowd to spot Tristan when she saw him. Her breath hitched in her throat. He stood out so easily in the crowd that she didn’t know if it was impressive. 

She felt her hands felt clammy and throat dry as their eyes met. He was approaching the bar with a determined look on his face. Jane couldn’t help but gawk at him, at the way he controlled the room and made her weak in her knees. 

Tristan was dressed sharply in his dark black blazer, perfectly tailored to show off his muscular body, ripped jeans and a loose tee. He had his hair tousled carelessly as he had just woken out of bed, a five o clock shadow on his face. 

Blinking her eyes, she added the finishing touch to her Red Affair, sliding the drink towards the guy in the leather jacket. Before he could take it, Tristan swiftly took the drink in his hands, tightly gripping the glass. 

“How did you know I was coming?” He questioned,

there's a bit of a glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine, a rush of delicious excitement. Did he just assume that she made the Red Affair for him? That’s so arrogant. 

Before she could open her mouth, the guy in the leather jacket made a sound. 

“Excuse me? That is my drink.” 

Tristan rolled his eyes, “I didn’t see your name written anywhere here.” 

What was he trying to do? Jane thought, narrowing her eyes at him. 

Krista was quick to intervene, a flirty smile on her face. She mouthed to Jane something which was indeed dirty and not meant to be heard by others. The leather jacket guy turned to Krista.

“I’ll be serving you, Sir.”

“Fine” He muttered under his breath, before shifting few chairs away from Tristan.

Jane let out a sigh, sending a thankful smile in Krista’s way. If it weren’t for her friend, there would be a stupid fight breaking out for a drink. 

“Did you have to do that?” She turned towards Tristan, pressing her lips together. 

"I just wanted a drink," Tristan said with a small smile, his eyes crinkling a little by the corner. He signalled towards the lemon wedge on the side which surprised her. Did he change his mind about citrus fruits? Whatever. She grabbed the wedge, proceeding to shove it in his drink when their hands brushed together. 

Jane felt her cheeks heat up. As she began to retrieve her hand, Tristan was quick to take hold of her, turning it in his hand. 

"Thanks for the drink." He rubbed his thumb on her skin, a grin sitting on his lips. 

A laugh tore out of her lips, but she didn’t pull her hand away, just tilted her brow and leaned in closer until she could smell him again, the musk made her eyes roll back.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Thanks” He quirked his lips. 

"Can I have my hand back now? I've got to work and all, you know."

"Of course," Tristan instantly released her wrist. “I didn't mean to keep you."

She ducked his head, unable to keep herself from smiling. "No? Well, I'm a bit disappointed then.” 

“You’re evil, you know.”

“So I’ve been told” She nodded her head, immediately turning her head when she felt someone pull at the stool after that Jane got busy because Krista was already dealing with so many others.

Tristan went away midway to mingle in the crowd to which she felt the disappointment crawl in her stomach. She thought he would wait for her or something, but it was so stupid. He must be a guest in that celebrity party, and that’s the reason he met her again. The thought made her sigh. So much for thinking he was interested in her. 

***

As the clock struck one, the bar was relatively empty save for the man sitting by the VIP lounge. Jane could only see the back of his head. Krista groaned as she noticed the last man. 

“You can go. I will talk to him” She mumbled to Krista as the pink-haired girl was hurrying to get her things. They were all bone tired and ready to hit the sack. 

“Love you! Bye” 

“Good night!” Jane whispered behind her back. 

She slowly walked towards the man on the lounge and softly tapped at his shoulder when she noticed the familiar blazer. He tilted his head and curved his lips in a smile. 

“Tristan?” She breathed. 

“Hey” He stood up, inching closer to her. 

“I thought you left.” 

"Actually." He leaned down, his breath ghosting over her lips. "I was waiting for you.”

Jane swallowed tightly, “Really? So you did not just come to attend the party tonight?”

He shook his head, nudging his toes against her, “I may have an ulterior motive to come back here.”

His eyes were dark, and she reached up to steady herself against his shoulder, exhaling sharply as his hands snaked around her waist. 

"Yeah?” She hoarsely said, pushing herself up more until she could press her lips against him. A squeal left her lips as he pulled her closer, kissing her lips oh so careful and soft, nipping at her. Her toes curled as he almost lifted her on her tiptoes, brutally moving his lips. Jane tangled her fingers in his hair, tugging at his locks sharply as he explored her mouth. The taste of vodka and cherries on his tongue made her moan in the back of her throat.

When she pulled away, her lungs burned, face hot and red because of the intensity. 

"So," Tristan whispered, his breath felt warm on her cheeks.

"So?” She cheekily replied, her cheeks flushed. Her heart was beating like crazy, and she felt butterflies in her stomach just by his touch. When was the last time she had been kissed like that? It felt like forever ago. No one made her knees weak only by one single glance. 

“I suppose I should take you home."

"Mmh," She hummed, internally freaking out. 

“Your place or mine?” 

“I live close by.” 

He pulled back a little, a smirk playing on his lips. "Don’t worry; I bought my car.”

The excitement and anticipation pooled hotly in her stomach. She nodded her head at him, wetting her lips. 

“Let’s go then.”

***