Essence

The music blared loudly, and while I gradually adjusted to it as the night wore on, the proximity of a massive speaker next to me made me want to rip my ears off. Seeking relief, I moved away from the table and headed to the counter. Taking a seat on one of the stools, I sighed with relief as the pounding in my head eased.

"What are you doing?" a shrill voice screeched, and I turned to see a red-haired girl standing with her arms crossed, annoyance etched on her face. "You're supposed to be working," she screeched again, her tone grating on my nerves. Who was she to dictate to me?

"No one's at the snack bar, and it's just a bit loud—" I began, but she cut me off, her voice dripping with disdain. "Does it look like I care? You don't get special treatment," she snapped, her hostility palpable.

"Hello? I'm talking to you, little skank. Get up and do your job. Killian will be pissed," she continued, her insults stinging like barbs. Anger boiled within me, and before I could think, I raised my hand and delivered a resounding slap to her cheek, wiping off half her makeup in the process. A gasp escaped her lips, and she instinctively raised her hand to retaliate.

But before she could strike, a large hand intervened. "Is there a problem here?" a calm voice interjected, and I turned to see Killian standing beside me, his presence commanding attention. Clutching the redhead's hand, he lowered it gently, his demeanor radiating authority.

"Oh, Killian, you're here. This employee just slapped me for trying to tell her to do her job," the redhead exclaimed, her attempt at crocodile tears failing to elicit sympathy. She seemed more like she needed to relieve herself than anything else.

"It's boss to you," Killian corrected her sharply before turning his attention to me. "I don't like trouble, Bambina, especially in my club," he said, his gaze piercing mine. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of him being any closer.

"There wasn't any trouble," I responded, forcing a smile despite the guilt gnawing at me. "Essence—my place, my rules," he reminded me, his voice dropping to a menacing tone. "Keep your attitude under control," he warned, his eyes narrowing.

Turning back to the redhead, now named Juli, Killian addressed her sternly. "Juli, next time, do not take matters into your own hands. You are on the same level as Essence; you both work for me. Under no circumstances are you to tell her what to do. Do you understand?" he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.

Juli's eyes fell to her shoes, her hand still on her reddened cheek. "Yes," she mumbled softly.

"I said, do you understand?" Killian reiterated, his voice firm.

Juli's eyes widened, and she nodded vigorously. "Yes, boss. I understand," she replied, her voice trembling.

With the matter seemingly resolved, Killian turned back to me, his gaze unwavering. "If you want to see another day, you'll keep yourself in check," he warned before turning and walking away. A flicker of something passed through his eyes, but before I could decipher it, it vanished.

As I watched him go, a sense of guilt washed over me. Had I overreacted? I couldn't shake the feeling that I had. But then again, I refused to be pushed around anymore.

Leaving the club behind, I stepped into the alleyway, the cool air offering a moment of respite. Taking a deep breath, I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to shake off the events of the evening.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a blonde girl stumbled towards me, her laughter ringing out in the quiet night. Concerned, I reached out to steady her, only to realize that she was drunk.

Was she all alone?

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, reaching out to touch her arm. She looked at me with wide eyes before bursting into laughter. "Per-perfectly okay. I mean, my best friend and boyfriend are hooking up, but I'm swell," she managed to say between giggles.

I reached for my phone in the small apron around my waist, intending to call an Uber. But then I hesitated. What if someone took advantage of her? Feeling a bit lost, I scrolled through my contacts and dialed the only person I knew with a car.

"Hello?" Zail answered, sounding a bit confused. "Hey, um, it's Essence. Yeah, I might need you to drive me and a friend home," I said quickly, trying not to stumble over my words. I glanced at the blonde girl, now twirling around with a cigarette between her lips.

How did she get that?

I walked over to her, grabbed the cigarette, and stomped on it. She glared at me, crossing her arms over her chest. "Ess? It's late, where are you?" Zail's voice came across with concern.

"Work, remember? I'm just with someone, and you're the only person I know with a car... and not a complete creep," I replied, hearing his chuckle on the other end.

"Yeah, I got you. Hang tight," he said before hanging up. I turned back to the grumpy blonde, who huffed and puffed loudly.

"What's your name?" I asked, trying to change the topic. Her eyes lit up as if she had forgotten about the now-crushed cigarette.

"Ruri," she replied. "Woah, unique name."

"I love that name!" I exclaimed.

Ruri spun around, looking up at the stars. "Yeah, my mom named me after her birthstone, emerald. Ruri means emerald," she explained, her eyes clouding over with sadness at the mention of her mother.

"How about you?" she asked, almost stumbling as she pointed at me. I took her arms, steadying her.

"Essence," I replied.

"Oh my, that's so pretty," she said, gaping at me like a fish.

"Yeah, I guess so," I shrugged.

A car pulled up in front of us, and Zail stepped out, laughing at the sight of me practically holding the drunken blonde girl in my arms.

"Who is that?" he asked, nodding towards Ruri. Before I could answer, Ruri spoke up for herself. "You mean she. I am a woman and have rights too," she declared, walking over to Zail with her finger raised.

"I see that," Zail said, looking her up and down with a smirk. "Why aren't you gorgeous."

"Oh no," Ruri laughed. "Oh no no no, I am not falling for a player jerk like you, even though you're probably the most gorgeous boy I've ever seen." She reached out to touch his face, running her finger along his tattoos before squishing his cheeks between her hands. "You know what?" she whispered to him.

Zail's smirk grew wider, but before anything else could happen, Ruri whispered, "I think I'm gonna pass out." And with that, she collapsed into his arms.

"Well, there goes the fun," Zail said, rolling his eyes as he gently placed Ruri in the backseat of the car. I sat in the front, watching as he secured her.

I realized I didn't even know where she lived, and it would be weird if I brought her home. "So where exactly am I going?" Zail asked, looking confused.

I bit my lip, unsure of what to do. Leaning into the back, I reached into Ruri's pocket. "What the—" Zail started to say, but I quickly shushed him.

"She's sleeping," I whispered, picking up her phone and unlocking it. Surprisingly, there was no passcode.

"What idiot doesn't have a code?" Zail muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up," I chuckled, scrolling through her contacts.

"My love" – he cheated, right? Better not call him.

"Lily" – maybe that's her friend? Or just a friend? Let's not take the chance.

"Sister" – maybe that'll do.

I clicked speaker so both Zail and I could hear. "Ru, where are you? It's the middle of the night. I was so worried," a young voice said on the other end.

My eyes went wide as I looked at Zail, feeling speechless. She sounded so young.

He took the phone. "Hi, yeah, this is Zail. I'm a friend of your sister's, and she passed out. I'm currently in the car with her and her friend Essence, so if you could maybe just tell me a place to drop her at...?"

He said it so casually, playing with the rings on his fingers as he leaned back in his chair. "Oh my god, is Ruri okay?" the voice on the other end cracked as worry started to fill it.

He rolled his eyes. "She's completely fine, just asleep... unconscious... and I don't know where to drop her," he said again waiting for an answer.

After a moment of hesitation, the girl agreed and texted us the address.

"Nice going," Zail said as we drove to the destination.

"I'm not good with talking to people on the phone."

"Ok then" he says looking at me suspiciously.

As we pull up to our destination I look at Zail with a sweet smile, as if he knew what I wanted he walked stepped out of the car with a groan. Following his lead I watch Zail open the car and scoop the girl into his arms he carried her like a baby to the front door waiting for me to make the next move. I stood beside him and rang the bell, immediately after a small girl in a pink robe answered.

She should be asleep by now it was at least 1:30 am, she sighed happily "thank you. she's all I have" she looked at the both of us.

"Where do I put her?" Zail gestured at Ruri.

"Oh, just the couch" she pointed into the living room.

"Not her room?" He says concerned.

Her small daul eyes widened "oh no it's fine she deserves it for keeping me worried, plus she'd murder me if I let a boy in her room" she nervously let out a laughed.

Zail took off Ruri's shoes and jacket before He placed the blanket that was folded on the couch over her and tucked her in making sure she was fully covered, he narrowed his eyes at the little girl "well you're welcome but we must get going" I awkwardly laughed and grabbed his arm, before rushing out. Behind us she yelled a thank you and closed the door.

"That girl is a terrible liar" looking back at the house Zail walked slowly.

"It is none of our business," I said seriously.

"I thought she was your friend" he looked at me as he put the keys into the ignition.

"Well I just met her, but as you could see she was intoxicated and you don't know how many sick fucks there are out there" I continued to ramble on until I realized we were in front of my house.

Damn, she lived close to me.

"You're really nice, you know that?" Zail laughed at me while shaking his head before I left his car.

Not really. "Bye," I yelled before his car speeds off into the distance.

Finally.