Linked Souls

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Serve

I managed to insert myself into the blur of crowds. Chin up, flashing a cheery and poised smile on my face. The first guy who took a shot on my tray smiled at me and bobbed, and the next one asked if I was really Brixton's slave. Some chatted with me, just asking why the infamous slave of Cardinal is serving in this place. I'm still quite amused by how well-known that Cardinal is.

Oddly, I felt comfortable being around them. It's been a while since I felt that I fit in a particular group. Sa ganoong pagtrato nila sa akin ay mabilis akong napalagay. Nagawa kong makailang balik at mag-serve ng alak. They are good, crap those desirous gazes.

"Here," I put a shot of glass on the table. "Enjoy your drink, Sir."

"So, how's like to be near with that Cardinal?" tanong ng lalaking binigyan ko ng alak. Nakaupo ito sa pahabang sofa at nakaakbay sa isang babae. Pansin ko ang mantsa ng dugo sa kulay dilaw na dress ng babae. "Looks like you are relishing the accompany of the devil huh?"

"He's my master," I responded, calmly. "Nothing is enjoyable about being a slave. Don't romanticize it."

Tumaas sa hita ng babae ang kanyang kamay. Nagdulot ito ng kiliti sa babae kaya napakagat ito ng labi. Ang babae ang uminom sa laman ng baso.

"You will get used to it, too, Astra." The woman in yellow uttered, flashing a naughty smile. "Sooner or later, you will love it, too. Especially in bed," she uttered as she bit her bottom lip, hitting her role as whore in this story.

"Maybe? We will see." Hindi ko inalis ang ngiti sa aking labi.

"Anyway, Randolf here. My father is Lord Sever's friend. I am friend of Oscar, too. Nagkasama na rin kami ni Brixton." He offered his hand in front of me, waiting for me to accep it. "And this is my bitch, Wendy. Nothing is special about her but when she blows, she blows your soul, too."

"Babe!" Wendy cackled, pretending embarrassed but I know she liked that compliment.

Damn. I can't see myself being this clingy to Brixton.

"Don't you like handshakes?" Randolf asked.

Nag-atubili pa ako kung tatanggpin ko ang nakaalok na kamay ni Randolf na pinanghawak niya sa hita ng babae. Hindi natinag ang nasa ere niyang kamay kaya tinanggap ko na rin ito nang may malawak na ngiti.

"Pleased to meet you, Randolf. And your bitch who blows damn good, Wendy." After a second of hand shake, inalis ko rin ang kamay ko. Pasimple ko itong pinunas sa skirt ko. "I need to get back to work. I need to impress my boss."

"Sure. Let's hang out sometimes, Astra," said the bitch.

Ubos na ang laman ng tray ko kaya kailangan ko ng bumalik sa bar counter.

"Lady." Napalingon ako sa lalaking nakasandal sa pader. Nakayuko ito pero alam kong ako ang tinutukoy niya. "Right. It's you." Saka niya inangat ang kanyang tingin. His cold dark eyes darted on me.

"Yes, Sir? Drink?" I offered.

"A shot with a mixture of your blood, please?" he demanded.

"I'm sorry?" I arched my brows.

I heard it right but what the hell?

"What?" he chuckled. "Didn't your trainer tell you to grant your customer's requests? Hindi naman bago ito. I do it whenever I go here." Umayos ito ng tayo at humakbang palapit sa akin. "A drink with a mixture of your blood, Miss Martin. That's my request."

No. Laura didn't tell me anything about mixing my blood on a drink of a random stranger.

I don't want to argue so I just noted his order on my notepad. "Is that all?"