149 Let Me Pass (1/2)

”How many people are present?” I asked Rob. He was running around the place, trying to manage everything when I entered.

”Too many,” he groaned. I nodded. Not that it was much help, but at the time, his condition made me sympathetic.

”I'm taking over,” I told him. ”Take a break.” He scurried away, thankful for the break.

I threw myself into work, enjoying ordering people around. I realized that it was what Anthony must feel every day.

”Ma'am,” a girl whispered. I turned to her and gave her a stern look. ”We need one more bartender,” her voice grew to a whisper as I glared at her.

”I thought we had enough bartenders this evening.”

”We miscalculated. The crowd is bigger than we antic.i.p.ated.”

”Put Rob behind the bar,” I told her, frustrated. She opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. ”Tell me.”

”He's serving the VIP room, ma'am. No one else is allowed up there.” I might have growled in response.

”Just put him behind the bar. I'll see what I can do.” She nodded and hastily retreated. I pulled out my cell phone from under my dress and dialled Michael's number. He picked up after a couple of rings.

”What is it?” he sounded irritated.

”We need another server in the VIP room. I'm coming in.”

”No!” he ground out.

”Michael...”

”Don't come up here.” I heard the door closing behind him. ”I am coming downstairs. Wait for me.” He hung up on me. I waited for a few minutes as I placed the cell phone back into the strap. The tray was sitting beside me. I just had to pick it up and take it to him.

”Mia,” he greeted as he burst through the door to the kitchen. ”What are you thinking? What is the problem?” I explained everything to him and he gaped at me.

”You tend to the bar!” he suggested, frantically.

”Anthony, I don't know the first thing mixing up drinks. You know that,” I hissed. He shook his head. ”Send some other girl in. I don't care. You are not coming.”

”If you are worried that they will find out who I am, then you don't need to be.”

”Luke will take you.” The worry was clear in his eyes. ”Don't,” he pleaded.

”All the servers are wearing masks. I will wear a mask as well. There are a few good things that come out of having a masquerade party,” I gave him a smirk. He tried to smile but failed.