Businesses... 13.1

"How dreadful… To be caught up in a game and have no idea of the rules." - Caroline Stevermer, Sorcery & Cecilia

Anthony sat at his usual spot, watching Lexie, she hasn't seen him yet. Lexie was at the bar counter talking to a woman who had her red hair in a high ponytail and was wearing some sort of leather dress. They were both laughing and Anthony wondered what they were talking about, the woman must be a regular, or maybe an employee here too because they seemed close and Anthony knows that Lexie doesn't really get close to customers.

He was a little late today cause he had so much to finish at the office and now he wants to make up for the time. If Lexie could just pay attention to him already.

"Hi, can I get you anything?" Anthony looked up, a little bit annoyed but he kept a smile on his face. In front of him was a short haired girl, she was looking at him expectantly.

"Hi…" Anthony broke out his most charming smile. "What's your name?"

"Uh.. It���s Jana." Jana was a little bit taken aback with the customer in front of her, he was really handsome, and he definitely knows it.

Satisfied with her reaction, Anthony laughed to himself. So at least he knows his charms still works, it's just Lexie. "Just the menu please."

Jana handed him a menu and watched as he scanned the items, not able to look away from his face.

"Uhmm… I think I need sometime to decide, can you just leave this here with me?" Anthony once again flashed his smile and Jana just nodded. She smiled at him again before reluctantly leaving to serve other tables.

Holding the menu is his hands, Anthony went back to watching Lexie, she was no longer in the counter with the woman. He looked around, straining his neck to find her, she must be out in the floor serving others. His eyes brightened when he saw her, he called out.

Lexie was handing a customer his drink when she heard her name being called, she recognized the voice, she had been hearing it for nights now. She looked towards the voice and smiled as she moved towards Anthony.

"Hey." She greeted.

"Hey."

"Let me guess…. Beer, maybe?" Lexie raised her pointing finger to her right temple, pretending to think.

Anthony laughed and nodded. "You know me so well."

==

"Here you go." Lexie placed the beer on the table.

"Thanks." He smiled his charming smile at him and was slightly irritated when she didn't react to it.

"Anything else?" Lexie was already looking out on the floor, watching out for anyone that might be needing her services.

"Yeah, what time is your break?

"What?" Lexie looked back at Anthony's face.

"What time is your break?" Anthony repeated his question slowly and louder this time.

"Oh… Well.." Lexie looked at the watch on her wrist, with her sleeve out of the way Anthony could clearly see the brand now. It was definitely not a cheap watch, he smiled to himself. "Actually, I'm about to take a break now. Why? Do you need anything else?"

"No. Maybe you can come sit with me." Anthony motioned to the empty seat in front of him, still trying out his smile.

Assuming Anthony was joking, Lexie laughed as she shook her head. "You're crazy."

"I'm serious." Anthony's face immediately turned serious and Lexie was a bit taken aback.

"Oh… Uhm…"

"Hey, 21…" Nathan called out to Lexie, he was a few steps behind her.

Lexie turned to see Nathan smiling at her, eyebrows raised. "Yeah?"

"Break. Come on, I'm starving." Nathan pointed his chin towards Kaylee's office, he had made it a point to always have his break time with Lexie, he wanted to make sure that she was actually eating something.

"Oh. Okay." Lexie turned her attention back to Anthony. "Got to go… Just order from Jana or Brit okay? I'm sure they'll do a wonderful job of bringing you you're beer." She joked.

Nathan's eyes drifted to the person Lexie was talking about and his face turned cold when he saw the man looking back at him with the same cold eyes.

Lexie looked at Anthony but he wasn't looking at her, he was focused on Nathan. Curious, she looked back at Nathan who was also looking at Anthony.

"Lexie, let's go." Nathan turned his back at the two and made his way to the kitchen.

Lexie was confused to the sudden harshness of Nathan's voice but quickly followed him, giving Anthony a last smile.

Anthony watched as Nathan and Lexie went to the kitchen, later emerging with plates and bottles of beer then moving towards a door at the back. He chugged down his beer, feeling the heat in his head. Looks like he's not the only one who wants her attention.

In the office, Nathan dropped the plate on to Kaylee's desk making a few fries fly out. Kaylee looked up at Nathan who seemed like he didn't see her.

"Is there a problem here?" She asked looking back and forth at Nathan and Lexie who was looking at her confused. "Lexie?" She asked as she placed one of the fries that fell out in her mouth.

Lexie shrugged her shoulders and looked at Nathan who was sulking in his seat. She had no idea what's happening, all she did was follow him.

"Why were you talking to that guy?" Nathan took a deep breathe and finally looked up at Lexie.

Kaylee watched Nathan's face, getting a sense of the situation she got up from her seat, trying to control the laughter that was starting to burst out of her. "I'm gonna go help out at the bar." She got out laughing, leaving the two in her office. She shook her head, seeing Nathan act like this was top entertainment for her.