Drunk again

"Little sister-in-law, it won't be satisfied if you come without drinking. A feast here is prepared for you. Let's toast!" Someone who was thin and had a piercing in his lip shouted from the other end, holding up a large glass of beer.

Someone else hit the back of the man's head. "Little sister-in-law doesn't drink this kind of drink, she is still so young!"

"Right, Nigel, you don't remember what happened to the little boss?" whispered a third man, who had the same piercings and sunken eyes. "Little boss get kicked out of headquarters!"

"Geez, that's just a threat, after all little boss isn't really kicked out, is he?" Nigel replied.

The third man hit Nigel on the head too. "Moron! Even a little boss can get a punishment like that, let alone you who was just picked up by the boss from under the bridge, huh?!"

"It's true what Ruzek said, you better not get into trouble, Nigel!" Orland, the second man, whispered back.

Nigel snorted. "Alright, alright. Don't talk too much. Big boss has sharp ears."

Ruzek hit Nigel on the head again. "It's not the boss who has sharp ears, but your voice is fvcking easy for others to hear!"

The three of them looked at Arthur in unison, but their big boss was drinking quietly as if he hadn't heard.

"Don't be fooled by boss' calm face, he must have heard us," Ruzek warned.

The two of them nodded together.

Evander shook his head. "I heard that, you know."

The three people who were whispering immediately stared at Evander stiffly.

"I heard that you guys want to get Livy drunk, do you want to repeat what happened to Dave?" asked Evander grinning.

The three shook their heads.

"Come on, Boss. We just want to have fun, no malice." Nigel grinned.

"That's right, don't bother sister-in-law anymore, she will be scared because of your look!" Ruzek scoffed.

Before Nigel hit him, Orland said, "See how you look, compared to us skinny guys, you're tall and have lots of tattoos. You're the scariest! Even Kibe isn't as scary as you!"

"What did you say?!"

Livy saw their little fight even roll up until the three of them pressed each other on the ground and could only wince.

"Don't take them to heart," said Arthur.

Livy nodded. "They're actually not bad."

When Arthur heard this, he was a little surprised. He didn't expect that Livy could accept all the people with bad backgrounds in this place. Not some people easily accept it and will be prejudiced.

According to him, she is a good girl.

The workers here used to be those who had a poor way of life. Some of them are convicts who cannot find work, former drug dealers, thugs, beggars and street children. But this organization gives them a decent chance at life. They themselves know how to thank and work responsibly.

That's why everyone here loves this place so much.

"Even though they are kind, you must not be influenced. If you agree to them to drink, you will really be drunk to the point of poisoning. A lot has happened here," Evander warned.

He actually remembered this because Dave and the others used to welcome new members by inviting them to drink until morning. Then make that person alcohol poisoning and rushed to the hospital. This didn't happen once or twice, not even many times.

Countless times Arthur had to punish them.

"Ex-drinker, still ex-drinker." Evander laughed.

Livy actually won't be affected either. Remembering the last time she was drunk and not knowing what happened, she didn't dare to drink anymore.

"Hmm ... then what do they mean by the little boss is Dave?"

"Yeah, he's the youngest of the three of us. I don't know when that nickname was coined, we didn't make it." Evander shook the jar of sweet peas and ate them alone. "You want this?"

Livy shook her head, she was still not used to Evander's appearance and still felt odd.

The joy that was on the page seemed to continue and it didn't bore her at all. Ever since she found out that all of them here had bad records in the past, she felt a little bit friendly with them. Because not everyone has a straight path in life, but to continue to live happily, it's up to them how they live it. With this, she felt that it was inappropriate to complain.

After all, now that her aunt was no more here, she felt luckier and her life had gotten better.

Right now, with Arthur around, she would make the best of this relationship.

"The party will last until morning, if you are tired, I will take you to rest." Arthur suddenly said.

Livy nodded, she glanced at Arthur again. Into his eyes that looked ahead, but she knew that the man could see nothing but blur. Only those eyes seemed to also catch the cheerfulness around them and glowed slightly.

"Arthur ..."

Arthur blinked and turned to Livy.

"Can I ask something?" asked Livy a little doubtful.

"Say."

Livy didn't meet Arthur's gaze, she fiddled with the meat skewer in her hands, snapping it in half. "May I know, why are you hurt?"

Arthur knew Livy must have seen the cut, he put his glass down on the table, before replying, "It's a small present from an old friend. No problem."

Old friend?

The wound is not serious, in a few days it will probably heal and leave no scars. But what kind of friend hurts his own friend? Is he lying?

He was very calm when he took her hand and held it. "You don't have to think about it."

Because he said not to think about it, she agreed, but that was only on the outside, in her heart she was still thinking about it. She held out her hand to brush his bangs. The scar was still red.

This distance is not close. Even though his eyes couldn't see clearly, Arthur could catch the tip of Livy's nose and felt like touching it. He endured the feeling and held her hand.

"It doesn't hurt anymore," he said.

"Ah, I'm sorry." Livy lowered her hand and Arthur's grip still didn't let go. "I just wanted to know why you were hurt and didn't tell me."

Their feelings are actually connected, but Livy knows there are gaps where she feels insecure and uneasy. As if, that gap could make their relationship stretch.

Arthur looked doubtful, but that didn't stop him from bringing up the subject. "Actually I didn't mean to hide it from you. Since it's just a small wound I don't think you need to know."

Livy nodded. "I know, I'm just a little worried."

The serious and calm man squeezed her cold hand, realizing that the cold wind slightly made her shiver. Then stood up draping his jacket on the small shoulders in front of him.

"I won't hide anything from you in the future, please forgive me this time."

***

When Livy opened her eyes, for a moment she didn't know what happened or where she was. But she felt her head hurt a bit. There was a knock on the door and someone's voice sounded faintly in her ears.

"Yes," Livy replied after she had regained her senses a bit, "wait a moment."

Livy opened a wooden door whose hinges were rather old, even the door knob was rusty. At the door he saw Dave's sun-bright smile.

"Good morning."

In a half sleepy state, Livy was still dazed. "Dave?"

Dave pushed the door wider and slipped inside. "Hmph! You party without me and now you're confused to see me!"

Livy's mind immediately recalled about the party at Eternuz headquarters and how the food the female workers made was so delicious, she kept eating and feeling full. But she couldn't remember until what time the party lasted and when she slept in this room.

"Is this still at headquarters?" asked Livy hesitantly.

Dave waved at her. "Are you still drunk?"

"Am I drunk?" Livy asked back.

"???"

Livy approached Dave who was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Tell me, was I drunk last night?"

If she was drunk last night, she was really unlucky. Arthur kept her from getting drunk and she stayed drunk? He would be mad at her for sure.

Dave made a confused face too. "You don't remember anything?"

Livy shook her head.

"You were drunk and made a scene at the party. Maybe you don't remember what time I came, at that time you were throwing up on Boss."

"W-What?" Livy's eyes bulged.

Teasing Livy was so much fun, so Dave continued, "You even rolled on the ground and said Boss lied to you. You said he could buy everything for you without being asked, but he can't buy your heart if he keeps lying. What does that mean?"

She was stunned. She couldn't believe she actually said something like that.

"I ... said like that?"

If she had said that to Arthur, he would have misunderstood her. After all, when did she get caught drinking alcohol without realizing it? She knew that the effects of alcohol had taken a toll on her since last time, she couldn't have drunk it on purpose.

Now her head hurts even more.

Seeing her expression, Dave was somewhat satisfied. "You don't remember at all? Too bad. Last night you also sang while hugging some people, until Boss had to kick their butts one by one!"

Her expression grew even more horrified. "T-Them?"

"Rather than me explaining it, you see for yourself." Dave took out his phone and showed a video.

As soon as the video was played, Livy immediately found herself singing out of tune while twirling Arthur's jacket in the air. She was joined by a few thin and burly men, embracing each other, singing a strange, obscure tune.

It was true, then Arthur came to separate her and the others and kicked them one by one. When he was about to withdraw her hand, she got angry and bit his arm. Then rolled on the ground screaming.

"Oh no!" Livy threw the phone away as if her hand was on fire. She couldn't see that anymore.

"There's more."

"No, no! I don't want to see it!" Livy panicked.

Dave laughed out loud. "But you were so funny last night. Boss is furious about this and has all the beer thrown out right then and there. I beg for his mercy, but he can't be dissuaded at all!"

"It wasn't my fault!" Livy pouted.

"Indeed, who dares to blame you? We will all be punished today by Boss. I came here to ask you to persuade him to forgive us. Come on, Sister-in-law, persuade our boss, will ya?!"

Why was she asked to persuade Arthur? She sas the main culprit in this mess!!! She even bit Arthur's arm.

End of history.

Does she still have the face to persuade Arthur?

Livy looked at the window, realizing that the sky was still a bit dark. There was only a little light in the sky, she guessed it was still before dawn.

"Where's Arthur?"

"I saw him leaving with some workers. Look, I don't know what Boss will do to them. After this it will be my turn!!!"

"You are the little boss here, and you are still afraid of him?"

"Geez! Don't mention it! What little boss, I'm just an underling!" Dave looked around before whispering, "There is only one real boss, Big Boss and his deputy, Evan. They are both freaking vicious."

Suddenly there was a sound of coughing.

Dave backed off automatically. Evander, who had just arrived, crossed his arms to see the two of them.

"Miss, if you are awake, go and take a warm bath. Boss is waiting for you." Evander said indifferently. "And you, Dave, come with me."

Dave glanced at Livy with pleading eyes. But he still went closer to Evander, his lips pouted.

"After you finish showering, go downstairs and have breakfast together," Evander said and then closed the door.

Livy ruffled her hair.

"Ah, Livy, you will die!"

***

Breakfast together in question is eating together with the workers who partied together last night. Livy this time is wearing a new dress prepared by a female worker and it looks like the dress is very expensive.

She remembered she didn't bring clothes, Arthur must have bought this dress.

She also didn't expect to get heavily drunk and stay the night here. Her intention was that they would go home after the party was over, who would have known that she had missed out?

At this time, she really didn't want to think about it, it would only make her head hurt. She walked towards the place one of the female workers pointed out and it turned out that they were going to have breakfast at the place where they had a party last night.

The arrangement of the benches this time was a bit different, more organized and everyone had gathered there.

The atmosphere at the table that was arranged looked gloomy. All workers sat neatly with their heads bowed to the table, there was no commotion and taunting each other like last night. While walking in the midst of them, Livy heard whispers of conversation,

"Look at this, who got little sister-in-law drunk last night? We all got the sap!"

"I passed out last night, which definitely wasn't me."

"I don't remember what happened either, someone seems to have kicked my ass!"

"After all sister-in-law looks young and innocent, who would give her alcohol? Unless they're looking to die!"

"Hmph! If I find out who did it, I'll squash their ball down! Just make a mess!"

"Shhh, you guys ... don't make any noise!"

"We're having sashimi breakfast without beer, what good is that!"

"Sister-in-law is so unfortunate, will she be punished too?"

"Don't think about sister-in-law's punishment, think about how Boss won't let us go today!"

"Who the heck did it?!"

And others, others too—Livy quickened her pace and ignored the whispers. Although no one blamed her, but she didn't feel relieved at all. Instead she was trembling even more because this situation had happened because of her as well.

From a distance, she saw Arthur already in the tent with Evander, apparently chatting alone. Livy didn't see where Dave was.

Did Dave get kicked out?

Livy shuddered.

"Ah, you've arrived?" Evander saw it for the first time. "Here. Sit next to Boss."

Arthur still didn't say anything, Livy could only sit obediently by his side. Several appetizers were prepared, sh3 lost her appetite. She remembered the video Dave showed her and got goosebumps, then snuck a glance at Arthur's arm.

Unfortunately, Arthur was wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

Arthur took a jacket from the chair and stood up, put it on her shoulder. "Are you still cold?"

She was speechless for a moment with this treatment. Isn't he mad at her?

"You stay quiet, does your head hurt? You were so drunk last night."

Livy laughed awkwardly. "No, no headache at all. Just sleepy."

Arthur didn't chase after her and called the maid to bring some drunken soup. This situation made her even more nervous, judging by one video, it was already completely crazy, there must have been more embarrassing things she did last night.

Finally, unable to bear the silence, she hesitated, "Umm ... I ... last night, did I ..."

"You're drunk."

That short answer made her wince. "Did I do something strange?"

Arthur didn't answer, but Evander stifled a serious laugh. "You don't remember?"

She shook her head wearily.

"You don't remember at all?" Evander laughed. "Too bad."

Too bad?

Why did Evander and Dave say the same thing? Actually, what did she do besides singing with the workers, rolling on the ground, and biting Arthur's arm? Is there anything more astonishing?

"Too bad you don't remember, Sister-in-law. But last night, it was really fun."

Evander even teased her by calling her 'sister-in-law'.

"Evan, shut up!" said Arthur firmly.

Livy looked between Arthur and Evander nervously. "I really don't remember. Was it something bad? I mean, did I hurt someone by accident? I didn't hurt anyone, right?"

Evander put the phone on the table and leaned towards her casually. "Well. If you don't remember, then I will tell you. Last night you just—"

"Evan," Arthur said warningly.

Evander wasn't scared at all and continued, "You said ... Arthur slept with you and he's such a pervert."

Livy's heartbeat stopped and her body froze.

... to be continued ...