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~~~This chapter is dedicated to Erika for being my biggest and only fan who consistently comments on my novels. You rock!! :D~~~

+++

"You're a special events server," the young, black haired woman in front of Carmine explains. "That means you work at weddings, conferences, proms, fashion shows...you get the idea. We are the backbones of these functions -the hidden faces- keeping all these fancy operations intact. No one knows we exist, but without our teamwork and diligence, this hotel wouldn't run. Never forget that. Oh and you and I are co-workers."

Carmine nods silently. It still hasn't sunk in fully that she actually got the job, no questions asked. It really pays to have connections in this town.

She studies the tall, lithe woman in front of her. Her new coworker is about 6 feet tall, with jet black hair and a barbell lip piercing. She's wearing a lot of smokey eye makeup and thick black liquid eyeliner. Her full, luscious lips are painted blood red. She looks like she should be doing some modelling or featured in Hollywood movies...at least something more glamorous than serving snooty hotel guests. Then again, she must get a lot of great tips looking the way she does.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Carmine," Carmine introduces herself, extending her hand.

"Nyla," the woman replies, shaking Carmine's hand. "I'm sort of new here too. Only been here two weeks but I guess everyone else was busy prepping for that hoity-toity Henderson wedding so they just assigned you to me for your first day training."

"Well you've still got more experience than me so just show me what I have to do and I will listen to you."

Carmine is not used to following instructions from a human but she figures it's essential if she wants to keep her job and actually be good at it.

"You better listen to her."

That voice.

It's so annoying yet...for some reason it prickles the tiny hairs along Carmine's outer ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

"But more importantly, you need to answer to me. I'm your boss, remember?" Sebastian rests a palm lightly on Carmine's right shoulder, causing her to tremble.

"Don't touch me," Carmine snaps, shrugging off Sebastian's touch and sidling towards Nyla.

Nyla bows her head slightly at the sight of Sebastian. "She's new, Mr. Hunter. Sorry. I think she's just a little overwhelmed by everything. I'm sure she didn't mean to be rude towards you."

Why is she acting so scared of him? It's not like he's the big boss, like Lucas Greene. Now that's a man people should stay away from.

"Nyla, It's okay. Sebastian and I know each other. We- Uh...He-He was the one who recommended me to this job."

Nyla's eyes light up momentarily, as if a bulb went off in her head. "Oh! Okay, that makes sense."

"Nyla, is it?" Sebastian turns to Nyla, flashing her one of his characteristically charming smiles. "Take good care of Carmine. She's very special to me."

"Yes sir!" Nyla stands a little straighter. Her blue gray eyes cautiously flicker up at her superior.

Is she blushing?

"Now get to work you two. No more chit-chat and slacking off in the hallway. Carmine, we'll talk later." Sebastian gives Carmine a nod before taking out his cellphone and walking down the hall.

"How do you know each other?" Nyla asks as soon as Sebastian is out of earshot.

Carmine sighs. "It's a long story."

"Well give me the short version."

"He gave me his jacket on my prom night after I got stood up by my date. Then the next day I saved him from his crazy ex-girlfriend and we went out for lunch." No need to tell her about what happened at the Gala.

"So you two are dating?"

"NO! No. Nothing like that. We're practically strangers. He was just returning a favour by getting me this job."

"But he said you were special," Nyla winks, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

"He's just playing around. You know, he's not as scary and serious as you seem to think he is. He's harmless."

"Well," Nyla laughs, "If he's got a playful side, I've certainly never seen it at work. He's very serious about his job. And I respect him a lot for that."

Don't need to tell me THAT again. He whored me out to his boss just to save his stupid job.

"Yeah. That's true. I witnessed that firsthand. Anyway," Carmine turns to the door of the dining hall. "Time to show me the ropes."

++

Being a waitress is ten times harder than it looks.

Carmine knew it would be tricky handling uptight and arrogant customers but she had no idea how stressful it was juggling so many tasks at once. One minute she was taking orders, the next, grabbing drinks and serving five plates of food at once. Then she would be called back into the kitchen. On top of that, she even needed to help with bussing tables and the occasional dishwashing. After all these chores, she still needed to face angry customers whose food was a little cold, or not up to par or had too much cheese on it. And of course there were the hordes of dolled up, selfie generation tramps who wanted photographs of them and their friends from every angle.

How humans manage all of this is beyond me, Carmine muses, I have uncommon strength and amazing memory and I'm still dazed by all of this. Earning money is not easy. It's even harder when Carmine feels like throttling to death half the patrons in the room for being too stupid and self-righteous. Reigning in her fiery temper would be the hardest part of the job. And of course, keeping up with the rest of the servers while hiding her inhuman strength. Things would go a lot faster if she could work at supernatural speeds. Or carry ten sacks of flour at once instead of one. But the ruse is absolutely necessary.

Nyla seems to have worked everything out though...In two short weeks, she works the floor like she's been here for years. Then again, who knows, Carmine figures, I'm a fast learner.

"So, what do you think?" Nyla smirks, watching Carmine wipe sweat off her brow.

It's the end of the shift and the wedding reception is finally ending. The last drunken guests straggle out of the banquet room, loudly bellowing achy love songs. Nyla and Carmine lean against a serving cart. Carmine feels immense relief that she doesn't have to clean up the ridiculous mess left by the wedding party. How can such civilized people be such pigs after a few drinks?

"This job is lot harder than it looks, that's for sure."

"The first day is always the hardest. It can only get easier from here." Nyla hands Carmine a few clean tissues to dab off her face.

Carmine's makeup is streaking, and her eyeliner smudged. She accepts the tissue and starts wiping her cheeks.

Nyla motions for them to head back to the changing rooms. Carmine nods and follows her.

"So what brings you here?" Carmine asks. She's never been good with small talk and this is no exception. But Nyla seems nice and if they're going to be working together...Allies at work are always handy.

"I just moved here from Europe actually," Nyla says, pushing open the locker room door. She takes off her cotton uniform, leaving her with only a bra and panties on. Upon a closer look, Carmine indeed notices the high European cheekbones and pointed, slender nose. Nyla's flawless skin is unusually smooth and white with a faint sheen.

Nyla starts slipping into a thin strapless dress."A family friend had connections and got me this job. I'm just looking for a place to stay right now. My father says I have family here that I can rely on if I need them."

"Oh, that's nice. Whereabouts in Europe?"

"Romania. Bucharest to be precise. It's been a bit of a ride for me. Culture shock and whatnot. But I was born here so it wasn't completely new to me. I moved to Europe when I was seven."

Carmine looks away as Nyla gets changed, unused to her coworker's forwardness. "What about your family? They didn't come with you?"

She turns to her own locker and starts fumbling with the lock dial. Seconds later, the lock clicks open and Carmine removes her clothes and heads to the bathroom to change.

"No need to be shy you know," Nyla laughs, "I won't look. And my family has other plans in Europe. I might go back when some things have been...sorted out. Until then, this is a working vacation for me."

Carmine replies, "I guess that's good that you landed this job here. No doubt it pays well."

"Yes. The patrons can be quite generous with their tips. I can't complain."

Carmine smiles. "I can't wait for the tips to come rolling in. " She heads into the bathroom stall feeling a warm sensation throughout her body. Is this what it feels like to have friends? "Will I meet the rest of the staff next time?"

"Oh yes. Most of them anyway.They'll love you." Nyla calls out as she turns to the mirror on the wall and starts brushing her hair. "How are you feeling? Exhausted yet? Night shifts are the worst when you haven't slept during the day."

"I'm okay. I can function fairly well on little sleep." Carmine slips off her tight-fitting work pants. At least this uniform is better than what Robert wanted me to wear.

"Try to nap during the day, it helps a lot I've heard."

"Thanks Nyla." Carmine steps out from the bathroom, her wrinkled uniform in one hand. "You've been really helpful." Carmine gives Nyla a half-smile before shoving her uniform into a reusable shopping bag. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You bet. Have a good nap when you get home."

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