**ROSEANA**
"Hey, sexy lady, two more beers for me and my babe." An older man ordered me, his hand resting on the exposed thigh of one of the women working at the bar. I secretly looked at the woman, checking if it was against her will that the hand of the man was roaming around her body, but it seemed like it didn't bother her at all. It looks like she's used to these bar scenes.
I went to the bartender and got the beer. I think I've been working for almost five hours. I can feel the pain in my thighs and even in my feet because of the heels I'm wearing. I was standing and walking, getting the orders, and serving the drinks. I didn’t have the chance to even rest my feet.
My eyes have gotten used to the mischievous lights inside the club. Women are dancing on the stage. I couldn't focus my eyes on their obscene grinding, especially since they were only wearing underwear. I am afraid for them. What if that little piece of clothing slipped and exposed their most private part?
I saw Macy walking towards me. I noticed her looking at me a while ago, probably checking if I was okay.
"Are you okay?" she asked me. She massaged one of her legs. She took support from the bar stool.
"Yeah. How about you?”
Macy shook her head. "I'm fine," she said.
"Let's go to the locker room."
I looked at her in wonder. Our work is not done yet. Our shift is seven hours every night. We are supposed to clock out at 2 in the morning.
"We have a 30-minute break," she explained to me.
I nodded at her. I followed her as he started walking towards the locker room. She never mentioned that break to me. Maybe she missed it too.
I sigh when my butt rests on the chair. I wanted to sit down, but I couldn't because there were so many customers. This club is packed with men trying to find comfort in the arms of women for the night. Most of them are old people, although I still see a few who are my age or just a few years older than me.
Our night ended quickly. I was in no mood to finish my shift, yet I am still glad I was able to. My eyes were almost closing as I changed my clothes. I just forced myself to move.
I am wearing comfortable, loose pants and an oversized shirt. Macy's loaned me money, which I used to buy my other needs. It's also good that she still has my old stuff, so I don't need to buy a lot.
My feet seemed to breathe properly when I finally took off my heels and changed into comfy slippers. "My poor feet," I murmured as I gazed down.
"Girls, hop in. I will drive you home." I was intrigued when Ric's car stopped in front of us. We have been waiting for a passing taxi for almost half an hour now.
"Wow, this is a first, Ric. Before, you didn't let anyone ride there in your car." Macy's brow was raised.
The man just laughed loudly and didn't respond to Macy's teasing. His gaze turned to me, and he smiled widely. Her cute dimples came out. That's one of his assets, I must say. Besides his epicanthic fold or a slight narrowing of his eyes, his dimples also give him charisma.
Maybe Ric is of Chinese descent. It is obvious from his features that he is, although his surname does not sound like one.
“Hi, Rose. How's your first day of work?" he asked me. I almost asked him who the Rose he was referring to.
I politely smiled at him, then politely answered, "It's fine."
I heard Macy snicker on my side. "Tsk, enough with you hitting on my friend, Ric. Oh, I am telling you. Leave her alone," Macy said gruffly.
She pulled me and made me sit in the back seat of the car. She went straight to the passenger's seat. Ric grunted.
"Hey, stop blabbering nonsense, boss. Just drive there and don't even dream of being alone with Rose," Macy sternly ordered our boss. She was not even shaken by the annoyed look that Ric was giving her.
Our boss did nothing but follow Macy's orders. He didn't complain anymore. Maybe he knows and is aware that he won't win at Macy's.
These two kind of look good together. Maybe they don't notice, but there is something about the way they look at each other when they are not aware of it.
I secretly smiled. It looks like my friend's being single since birth is coming to an end.
"Have you two known each other for a long time?" I asked out of curiosity. They are pretty close.
"No."
"Not really."
My laughter bubbled up, a melodic cascade that filled the car with warmth and joy when they denied each other at the same time. Cute.
"I'm just explaining to you, Roseana. That man and I are not close, and especially we are not friends." Macy rolled her eyes as she said that. Her response was a feisty retort with a sharp wit that cut through the conversation, leaving a sassy and confident impression.
"Yeah, we're not close, babe. Even if she wants to be friends with me, I don't agree," Ric answered arrogantly.
Instead of being annoyed by him calling me babe, I just laughed. I know he didn't mean it disrespectfully.
"Tss, you're a man, but you beat my old neighbors with your chatter," was Macy's complaint. She covered her ears with her hands as if the sound of our boss talking irritated her. I don't know where Macy gets the courage to tease and contradict what our boss says. I guess that's how close they are to joking with each other.
We got to Macy's apartment while the two kept bickering in the front seat. They do realize that it's not just the two of them in the car, right? I feel like I am third-wheeling in their relationship.
We said goodbye to Ric and went upstairs to the room occupied by Macy to rest. I almost don't want to move. I was so entertained by Macy and Ric's bickering that I temporarily forgot my tiredness, but it seems to have doubled now.
When I entered the room after cleaning myself, Macy was already fast asleep. Her mouth was still slightly open. I shook my head while gently tucking the blanket up until it was on her chest. She purred like a kitten.