Chapter 5 Imposition

• Cecília
• I managed to get a job as a waitress at a nightclub in the southern part of the city. I hate it, but it was the only thing that came up. I got it through a recommendation from one of the girls who also lives in the boarding house. It's not quite a nightclub, I realized on my first day of work. I don't know how to describe the place, but they call it the Sussex Club.
• The majority of the audience consists of men, and in some more secluded areas of the club, there are pole dance shows and other things I had no interest in knowing about. Luckily, I was assigned to stay around the regular bar area, the part where nothing special happened. Just music and drinks.
• "This place is crazy tonight!" Manuela commented when we arrived at the bar together to take orders from customers. "I haven't been able to go to the bathroom since we got here."
• "Yeah, it's pretty busy tonight," I agreed.
• The bartender quickly took the orders, and we moved away.
• The club was packed, mostly with men, but I didn't bother paying attention to any of them. After all, they were all the same: wealthy and arrogant men who didn't even thank the waitresses when they served them. They reminded me of Liam, which made me sigh in frustration.
• I had already realized that this job was not only tiring but also extremely unpleasant. As the night went on, the men became even more obnoxious. I even received pick-up lines from some women and couples. However, every time I thought about reacting in some way, I remembered that this was my only source of income at the moment and swallowed any provocation.
• It was past two in the morning when I went to serve one of the tables in the main hall and realized that one of the customers was none other than Liam Ricci, my idiotic ex-boss. It was too much to handle in a single night. At that moment, I hated him three times more, blaming him for my situation.
• "It's my fault, so I can blame whoever I want," I thought bitterly.
• "Manuela, Manuela," I called hastily, giving up on serving the table where Liam was. "Can you take care of that table? Please!"
• Not that he would remember me, but I really couldn't stomach being face-to-face with my ex-boss.
• "I'm sorry, Cecilia, but that table is your responsibility. I can't take over your part of the work," Manuela replied, with an expression of understanding mixed with pity.
• I knew Manuela was right; after all, each of us had our assigned tables, and switching places could cause confusion and disrupt the service. I sighed resignedly, knowing I would have to face Liam anyway.
• "Okay, I understand. I'll go there then," I replied, trying to control the nervousness that was starting to spread through my body.
• I took a deep breath and headed over to the table where Liam was accompanied by a group of friends. They were laughing loudly and making toast, clearly enjoying the night. As I approached, I noticed that Liam hadn't recognized me. After all, I was just a former employee to him.
• "Good evening, gentlemen. What can I get for you?" I asked with a fake smile on my face, trying to hide the mix of emotions consuming me.
• Liam's friends ordered their drinks and made some appetizer requests while he seemed distracted amidst the lively conversations. I was about to leave and fetch the orders when, accidentally, one of Liam's friends bumped into me, causing me to spill a drink on Liam.
• "Damn it! Look what you've done!" He exclaimed, getting up abruptly and wiping the liquid that was dripping down his shirt.
• I felt embarrassed and guilty, but before I could apologize, Liam gave me a furious look and started complaining rudely.
• "You're completely incompetent, aren't you? Can't even serve a simple drink without making a mess!" He ranted, attracting the attention of other customers nearby.
• "Easy, Liam," one of the men at the table said to him. "She didn't mean to."
• My face burned with shame, but I knew I needed to maintain composure. I swallowed my wounded pride and responded with a firm voice.
• "I'm sorry for what happened, sir. I'll get a towel for you to clean up."
• I stepped away as quickly as possible, feeling some eyes on me, and went to the counter. While grabbing a towel for Liam, I tried to control the frustration and anger welling up inside me. I was a person deserving of respect, even if my job was humble. But that man seemed not to see it. I returned to the table quickly, determined to resolve the situation and move on.
• "Here's the towel, sir. I apologize again for the incident."
• Liam took the towel and impatiently wiped his shirt.
• "Just go and bring our orders. And be more careful this time."
• I made a move to go back to the bar to get the orders, but one of the men at the table, who appeared quite drunk, unexpectedly hugged me, leaving me stunned by his inappropriate behavior.
• "Hey, pretty girl, don't worry about him. He's just in a bad mood because he had to share the attention."
• I tried to free myself from the uncomfortable embrace, but he was holding me quite tightly.
• "Please, sir, let me go. I'm just doing my job," I pleaded.
• "Oh, don't be so serious. I just want to have a little fun," the man insisted, speaking uncomfortably close to my ear, making me even more disgusted with the situation.
• "Let go of me!" I said loudly enough for several people to hear.
• "Cut it out, man! Leave the girl alone!" one of the men said, I couldn't tell which one.
• "Oh, come on, don't be such a buzzkill! I know you want to have fun too."
• Liam approached us and tried to pull his friend away, but I believe the man's drunken state and lack of balance caused him to lose his footing, and I ended up falling instead. The impact was painful.
• "Look what you've done, Caíque!" Liam complained loudly, staring at me with irritation.
• I felt a sharp pain and became momentarily dizzy. While trying to regain my balance, Liam approached me, looking concerned, and extended his hand to help me up.
• It was at that moment that our eyes met.