Shadows In Durango

relief. If all my customers were like this, the night might not be so bad after all.

The hours slipped by in a steady rhythm as | glanced down stairs to see the dancers swaying their hips on the

poles. It seemed that they didn't strip, only danced, which for sreason made the fact that | was working

here feel less illegal... The VIP lounge saw a handful of other patrons, each group coming and going with little

fanfare. | managed to keep up with the orders, my confidence growing with each successful transaction. | even

found a moment to practice a few cocktail recipes, adding my own flair to the drinks.

The lull in activity gavea chance to catch my breath and prepare for the next wave - as my little tip jar

started to collect snotes forto take hwhich madesmile.

| was wiping down the bar when | heard the sound of laughter- loud and boisterous-carrying up the stairs. My

heart skipped a beat as the unmistakable thumping of heavy footsteps approached the VIP lounge. This was the

loudest group so far... which caused goosebumps to rise in anticipation.

Then they appeared.

Daryl, Vincent, and a large group of guys, most of whom | hadn't seen at school before, filling the entrance to the

balcony. They were a rowdy bunch, their presence commanding the room as they piled into the VIP area. Daryl's

eyes sparkled with mischief, while Vincent exuded his usual air of confident arrogance. The sight of them almost

knocked the air from my lungs as | ducked down behind the bar to catch my breath.

Panic surged throughas they made their way towards the bar, still oblivious to my presence as | pretended

to be wiping an imaginary spillage from the floor. This was not how | envisioned my first shift, but | was

determined to handle it with grace...

How were they even allowed in here? In VIP too at that?!

The group suddenly changed their mind, pointing towards a table by the edge of the balcony, as they dispersed

to their seats, and | took a moment to steady myself.

Maybe they couldn't seeand thought there was no bartender...

But | was being silly, this was my job! | have to serve them and get over my fear, plus, Daryl wasn't all bad.

| still hadn't seen Vincent since Daryl had toldnot to buy and deliver his lunch, so | feared his wrath more

than anything else...

The noise level in the VIP lounge had increased significantly with their arrival, the air thick with laughter and

boisterous conversation. Despite my initial panic, | found myself slipping back into the rhythm of my job,

focusing on the tasks at hand and trying to go undetected for as long as possible.

As | continued to serve drinks, my nerves started to settle, and | found myself getting into the rhythm of the job.

However, | couldn't shake the anxiety that gnawed at the edges of my mind knowing Daryl, Vincent, and their

rowdy entourage were just a few steps away.

| hoped they wouldn't notice me. Maybe they'd be too engrossed in their conversations to pay any attention to

the bartender... perhaps Vincent and Daryl would even stay away from the bar, having one of the others come

up to order instead...

But unfortunately luck was not on my side.

Just as | was beginning to feel a bit more confident and secure, | glanced up and my eyes instantly locked with

Vincent's - his daggers piercing holes through my face.

His expression shifted instantly from carefree amusement to a dark, almost furious glare. He rose from his seat

abruptly, the force of his movement causing his chair to scrape loudly against the floor. My heart pounded in my

chest as he marched towards the bar, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Sofia?!" His voice was low and menacing, dripping with displeasure as | was shocked that he even cared to

remember my nsince | was only known as his personal 'lunch lady’.

| felt my face flush with a mix of fear and embarrassment. "Vincent?" | stammered, trying to maintain some

semblance of professionalism.

"What the fuck are you doing in here?!" His voice was louder now, drawing the attention of his friends and the

other VIP guests.

Daryl, who had been deep in conversation with another guy, looked up at the commotion.

His eyes instantly widened in surprise and he quickly got up to make his way over, his bewilderment evident as |

pleaded back with him for silent support.

Vincent's jaw tightened, and he leaned over the bar, glaring atwith an intensity that madewant to shrink

away and disappear. "Why are you working in my bar?" he demanded to know, his voice cold and unforgiving.

"Your bar?" | echoed back in disbelief, feeling the ground slip from under my feet.

Did | hear him right?

"Yes, my fucking bar," he spat out, his eyes blazing with anger. "I own this place. So tell me, what are you doing

in it?" He grits out without remorse.

"l—well, Tito hired me," | managed to explain, my voice shaking. "He said he needed shelp, and | needed

the job. I didn't know..."

Vincent's expression momentarily softened only slightly, but his voice remained harsh. "This is no place for a

seventeen-year-old girl," he snapped. "You shouldn't be in here."

"But | need the money," | blurted out, my voice breaking. "I... | live with my brother, and we need the money." It

was a lie, but | hoped it would be enough to make him reconsider and not question further why I lived alone...

Vincent's eyes narrowed, his posture rigid as he considered my words. For a moment, | thought he might actually

throwout, but then Daryl stepped in like a knight in shining armour...

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"Vincent, con man," Daryl said, his tone a mix of concern and frustration. "She just started here. She didn't

know it was your place. Let her stay? Tito put her up here, it's always quiet up top so it will be no hassle."

Grateful, | offered Daryl a thankful nod as he returned the gesture and looked to Vincent for his final verdict.

Vincent looked between Daryl and me, his anger still evidently simmering beneath the surface. "This isn't a joke,

Daryl. She shouldn't be working in here. What's with you two anyhow?!" He accuses, as my cheeks instantly

flush. "Look, I'll keep an eye on her myself," Daryl promised, his voice firm. "We all can, She obviously wants this

job, Vin. Don't take it away from her on her first day - that would be shitty to do to anybody."

Vincent hesitated, his gaze shifting back to me. My eyes were watery, and | could feel the tears threatening to

spill over. "Please, Vincent," | whispered. "I promise I'll work hard. I just... | really need this job right now." | find

my words escaping, embarrassed by how desperate they sound.

He stared atfor a long moment, the tension palpable between us.

Finally, he let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "But if anything goes wrong, you're out

the door. Got it?"

I nodded quickly, relief flooding through me. "Thank you," | said, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Vincent shook his head, clearly still unhappy with the situation, and turned to walk away cursing under his

breath. Daryl stayed behind for a moment, givinga reassuring smile.

"You'll be okay," he said softly. "Just keep your head down and do your job. I'll make sure nothing happens to you

either - | told you he wasn't all bad, he just needs talked around sometimes."

"Thank you," | replied gently, my voice shaky but grateful for his help in handling the situation for me.

He nodded and then followed Vincent back to their table, leavingto catch my breath and steady my

pounding heart.

The night was far from over, but at least now | had a chance to prove myself and to keep my job...