Chapter 4 Entangled

Emily felt a pang of jealousy, which she quickly suppressed. She had no right to feel jealous, not after what Harrison had done to her.

As Harrison and the woman approached the bar, Emily steeled herself for their arrival. She wasn't going to let Harrison get under her skin again.

"Welcome to the bar," Emily said coolly, her eyes meeting Harrison's. "What can I get you?"

Harrison smiled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Just a whiskey on the rocks," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Emily nodded, her movements efficient as she poured his drink. She tried to ignore the woman by his side, who was gazing up at Harrison with adoring eyes.

"And for you?" Emily asked the woman, her tone polite but distant.

"I'll have a cosmopolitan," the woman replied, her voice husky.

Emily nodded and began mixing the drink, her mind racing with thoughts. Who was this woman? And why was Harrison parading her around? As Emily handed Harrison and the woman their drinks, she couldn't help but remember the numerous times he had been rude to her at the bar.

She recalled the time he had ordered a drink and sent it back, claiming it was made incorrectly. He had spoken to her in a condescending tone, making her feel like she was an incompetent bartender.

Then there was the time he had asked her to refill his drink, and when she had politely told him she would get to it as soon as she could, he had snapped at her, saying she was moving too slowly.

Emily also remembered the time he had hit on her, making suggestive comments and trying to get her to go out with him. When she had politely declined, he had become angry and stormed out of the bar.

As these memories flooded her mind, Emily felt a surge of anger and resentment towards Harrison. How could he treat her so poorly, yet she decided to give herself to him even though a million dollars wasn't worth her body she felt a sudden disgust.

She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself, not wanting to let Harrison get under her skin. But it was hard to shake off the feeling of frustration and annoyance that had built up inside her.

Harrison's voice cut through the noise of the bar, making Emily's eyes snap back to him. "Hey, Emily! Get us some nachos or something to go with our drinks!" he shouted, not even bothering to get up from his stool.

Emily's eyes narrowed slightly, her annoyance at Harrison's rudeness simmering just below the surface. "I'll get that for you," she said coolly, her tone polite but detached.

As she turned to put in the order, Emily couldn't help but think about how Harrison always seemed to treat her like a servant. He never bothered to say please or thank you, and always seemed to expect her to jump at his every command.

She took a deep breath and pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on getting Harrison and his companion their food. But as she worked, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that Harrison was enjoying making her squirm.

As Emily delivered the nachos to Harrison and his companion, she couldn't help but notice the way he was gazing at her. His eyes seemed to be boring into her skin, making her feel uncomfortable and exposed.

"Thanks, Emily," Harrison said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're a real lifesaver."

Emily forced a smile onto her face, trying to maintain a professional demeanor. "No problem, happy to help," she said, her tone bright and cheerful.

But as she turned to walk away, Emily could feel Harrison's eyes on her, making her skin crawl. She quickened her pace, eager to get away from him and his toxic attitude.

As Emily walked away, she could hear Harrison's companion giggling and whispering something to him. Emily's eyes rolled involuntarily, wondering what kind of person would find Harrison's behavior charming.

She busied herself with other customers, trying to put Harrison and his antics out of her mind. But she could feel his eyes on her, watching her every move.

Suddenly, Harrison's voice cut through the noise of the bar again. "Emily, refill our drinks!" he shouted, not even bothering to look at her.

Emily's patience was wearing thin. She took a deep breath and made her way over to Harrison's table, trying to keep her cool. "Coming right up," she said, her tone tight but polite.

As she refilled their drinks, Emily couldn't help but wonder how much more of Harrison's abuse she could take.

As Emily handed Harrison his refilled drink, he smiled up at her, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Thanks, Emily," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're earning your keep tonight."

Emily's eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her cool. "Just doing my job," she said, her tone neutral.

But as she turned to walk away, Harrison's companion spoke up. "Hey, Emily, can I ask you something?" she said, her voice sweet and innocent.

Emily turned back, wary. "What is it?" she asked.

The woman smiled. "I was just wondering, are you and Harrison...like, a thing?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Emily's eyes widened in shock. Was this woman serious? Did she not know about Harrison's reputation?

Emily's eyes darted to Harrison, who was watching her with an amused expression. She could feel her face burning with anger and embarrassment.

"No, we're not a thing," Emily said, her voice firm and deliberate. "I'm just his bartender."

The woman's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Oh, I see," she said. "Well, you two seem to have a lot of...chemistry."

Emily's eyes rolled involuntarily. Chemistry? Was this woman kidding? Harrison was a manipulative, egotistical jerk, and Emily was just trying to do her job.

"There's no chemistry," Emily said, her tone flat. "Just a customer and a bartender."

Harrison chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, come on, Emily," he said. "Don't be shy. You can admit it. You're attracted to me."

Emily's anger boiled over. "I'm not attracted to you," she said, her voice low and even. "I'm just trying to do my job and get through my shift without having to deal with your ego and your attitude."

The bar fell silent, with all eyes on Emily and Harrison. Emily's heart was racing, but she stood her ground, refusing to back down.

Just as the tension between Emily and Harrison was reaching a boiling point, the door to the bar swung open and Ethan walked in, a bright smile on his face. He was holding a bouquet, and his eyes scanned the room until they landed on Emily.

Emily's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of Ethan, her boyfriend, standing in the doorway with flowers. She felt a rush of excitement and happiness, and for a moment, she forgot all about Harrison and his antics.

Harrison's mood instantly changed, his face filled with disgust.