[Klayko]

Servers were not exactly allowed to fraternize with the guests. How informal would that be? In fact, their own celebrations were to be had when the party was done and over with and their chores were complete. Good thing Larry did not have dish washing duty. Going out and putting names to faces was more exciting than it was being trapped inside the kitchen and forced to smell the aromas. Some were pleasant. Others, like the garlic and onions, not so much.

He counted not tripping and breaking some of the good glass and food as a blessing. Others like Roberto would not hear the end of it. When he stepped back into the kitchen, the sound of laughter had greeted him when the news of Roberto fumbling reached their ears. And why wouldn’t it have? One of Romeo’s trusted men, Federico, had personally shoved Rob back inside after the small fiasco. The laughter had come to an abrupt end when the double doors pushed open once more and before them all stood Romeo’s very own son, Aryin.

The phrase “fresh off the boat” applied here. When Aryin asked of something, naturally given his privilege, it was to be given. The problem lied in the fact that everyone knew he was a cop and while some might get the idea that being on the good side of the law was a good thing, it was not in his case. Oh, how the stories could be old or unfair tickets and other belittling charges that filled their hearts with woe. With friends and family like Aryin, who needed enemies? Almost everyone present found reasonable excuses to turn down his request. Everyone but the obliviously naive Larry, that is. The way he understood it, he had to oblige Aryin’s wishes.

“Yea,” he stated. “We actually do. Come.”

He was just doing his job, but every once in the while, he would see the chef or one of the servers make a cutthroat expression. They wanted him to find an excuse not to serve Aryin, but Larry did not exactly catch on to why they would exactly want that. They did not care that he was gay. Heck, they toasted to Raphael’s marriage to Bruno a week ago. It was just the fact he was a man in blue. Down the stairs to the cellar Larry went, turning on the lights where the aroma of alcohol greeted their noses on a mild note.

“We have wine, champagne, from sweet to dry,” he explained. “And we have liquor as well. Disaronno, Whiskey, Rum, Gin. Anything you want, really.”

Larry knew his way around it all at this point. Whatever Aryin needed, he could help around with.