Bella could see it now—this guy was nothing more than a glorified drink hustler.
Offer him marriage and a generous allowance? He turns it down.
Offer him a respectable job? Not interested.
But let him play booze boy for a bunch of cougars? He's all in, loving every second of it.
"Bring me ten more cases of beer!" Bella snapped, her delicate fists clenched tight. She had never been brushed off like this in her life.
"Right away! Miss Bell, any preference on the beer?" William beamed like he'd just hit the jackpot. "Our most expensive is the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA—twelve bucks a bottle. Ten cases, that's 120 bottles!"
Cha-ching. He was practically glowing. Maria had told him earlier—he got a 10% commission on any drinks sold at his table.
That order alone? A cool $1,500 in his pocket.
Bella gritted her teeth. "Fine! Go get it. I'll be dropping by often to watch you drink."
"Always a pleasure!" William said cheerfully, then headed over to Maria. "K8 wants ten cases of Corona."
Maria's jaw nearly hit the floor. "William, damn! First day on the job and you're already pulling this off? You're gonna be our star!"
She couldn't stop smiling. She'd really struck gold with this one. With talent like his, the bar's business was bound to skyrocket.
"I'll definitely be the star," William said confidently. He'd worked in every kind of industry imaginable, and no matter what the job was, he always ended up at the top.
Selling drinks? Please. Child's play.
"Alright, alright, go back and keep Miss Bell company. I'll have someone bring the beer over. Just do me a favor—don't piss them off again. Those three ladies aren't people you want to mess with," Maria warned, a little nervous.
"Relax, I got it," William said, then headed back.
The ten cases of beer were carried in right behind him.
William gave Bella a playful wink. "Since we're drinking anyway, how about we spice it up with a game?"
Bella clenched her jaw. "Fine! Let's play! You think I'm scared of you?"
"Dice or cards?" William asked, like a seasoned pro. He'd only learned these games earlier today, but he handled them like he'd been doing it for years.
"Dice," Bella said, eyes sharp. "Just you and me. One-on-one."
"One-on-one? Sounds good." William reminded himself not to go too hard—he'd already shown off a bit too much earlier with the wine.
Once the game started, he made sure to lose—five rounds in a row.
Bella finally felt like she was getting her revenge. Sweet, glorious revenge.
"Keep going!" she said, shaking the dice again, eyes locked on him. She wasn't done yet.
William rubbed his temples. "I'm feeling a little dizzy. Might not be able to drink much more."
"Aren't you supposed to be a professional?" Bella snapped. "Cut the crap and drink!"
She figured the wine was finally catching up to him. He'd been all smug earlier, downing ten bottles like it was nothing. Now five glasses in and he was tapping out?
William forced a flush to his face and kept playing.
He kept the pace steady—lose two, win one.
Which only made Bella feel even more triumphant. She was crushing him, and it felt damn good.
Bottle after bottle disappeared, and William kept insisting he couldn't drink anymore—but he never stopped.
Bella had already made two trips to the restroom, while William sat steady as a rock, still in his seat. His face, though, was flushed and dazed, putting on a perfect show of drunkenness.
Lila couldn't help but give him a long look.
This guy… his kidneys must be made of steel.
"Sis, maybe we should call it a night," Emily said nervously. She couldn't tell if William was actually drunk, but Bella? Bella was definitely gone.
"No way! Keep going! You drink too!" Bella's cold demeanor had completely melted under the alcohol. Booze really could flip a switch in people.
Lila raised her glass and said, "One drink and I'm out."
"You drink!" Bella shouted, now fired up and pointing at her. "I wanna see if Lila Carter really is a one-drink knockout!"
Lila didn't argue. She downed the glass in one go—then flopped straight onto the couch like she'd passed out.
William nearly laughed out loud. That acting was so over-the-top it belonged in a soap opera.
Emily looked pitiful. "Sis, you know me. I'm a one-drink lightweight too."
Bella narrowed her eyes. "Bullshit! Don't think I don't know—you've been to places like this plenty of times! Drink! And if you pass out, I'm making William kiss you!"
"What the hell?! Are you even my real sister?" Emily looked like she was about to cry, but she still picked up her glass and drank.
Lila had faked being drunk to give them an out—if they all "passed out," at least they could get home safe. Emily wanted to fake it too, but Bella wasn't giving her the chance.
And just like that, Emily was dragged into the chaos.
Another thirty minutes passed.
Piper and her crew stumbled out of their private room, clearly hammered. Piper had already paid the bill and was now scanning the bar, looking around in a daze. Her friends all had their young men with them—but William was nowhere to be seen.
"Maria… where's William?" Piper slurred, swaying on her feet. The bar was packed, the lights were dim, and she couldn't spot him anywhere.
Maria quickly stepped in with a smile. "Sorry, Piper! William got called away by a friend. He took the rest of the night off. Want me to find you another guy to keep you company?"
Right now, William was still with Bella and the others. Since Piper hadn't seen him, Maria wasn't about to spill the truth.
Women fighting over a man? That was a nightmare waiting to happen. Maria had no intention of getting caught in the crossfire.
Piper waved her hand. "No need. Just tell William I had a great time tonight. I'll come back for him in a few days."
"Of course! Let me walk you out." Maria personally escorted her to the door, only letting out a long breath once Piper was gone. As the bar owner, she had to keep everything running smooth—no loose ends.
By 2 a.m., the crowd had thinned out. At William's table, every last bottle had been emptied.
Bella was sprawled out on the couch, snoring without a shred of elegance.
Lila sat up and sighed. "Alright, that's enough for tonight."
William smiled. "Same time tomorrow?"
"You're not drunk?!" Lila frowned, staring at him.
"I can be," William said casually.
"Liar." Lila rolled her eyes hard and started helping Bella up.
Emily, surprisingly, held her liquor better than Bella. She could still talk normally.
"William, you're insane. I've never seen anyone drink like that. I'm impressed."
"Right back at you," William said with a nod. "Emily, don't forget to come support the bar again."
He didn't mind staying in touch with the descendants of his former servants from fifty years ago. No need to force distance, but no need to force closeness either. Let it happen naturally.
Emily grinned. "Of course. I'll bring more clients your way. And hey, if you ever get tired of working hard, just let me know."
William chuckled. "Don't worry. If I ever decide to stop trying, your sister's first on the list. She was the first to sign up, after all."