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CHAPTER THREE: A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR
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2024-12-08 07:25:09Ricardo’s silence was louder than the bass thrumming through the club. I stared at him, silently pleading for a miracle, but his shoulders sagged under Olivia Steele’s hawk-like glare.
“Are you going to let this slide, Ricardo?” Olivia asked with barely restrained anger. “Do you really want to test my patience tonight?”
“Ms. Steele,” Ricardo began, his voice measured, almost desperate. “I can’t afford to lose you as a patron. You know that. But Cassie is—”
“Expendable,” Olivia interrupted, brushing off his weak defense. “You can replace her with someone competent by tomorrow. I don’t want excuses.”
I felt my chest tighten as humiliation burned in my cheeks. My job wasn’t glamorous, but it was mine. Losing it over one stupid mistake? It wasn’t fair.
“Ricardo,” I said, stepping forward, my voice trembling but determined. “Please, let me fix this. I’ll pay for the dress. I’ll—”
“Pay for my dress? Is that a joke? Olivia snapped, her icy gaze locking on me. “Wait, you serve drinks and what? Strip? Is that where you'd get the money from my dress. I feel insulted!” She raged on. “You’re done here. If she’s still on the payroll by morning, consider my business elsewhere.”
The threat hung heavy in the air. I clenched my fists, trying to hold back the wave of anger and helplessness rising inside me. I opened my mouth to speak, to say something—anything—that could save my job.
And then, like a ghost slipping through the chaos, he appeared.
“I think that’s enough, Olivia.”
The voice was calm, deep, and laced with authority. It was the kind of voice that made people stop and listen without meaning to. I turned to see him: tall, dressed in a tailored suit that fit him like a second skin, his sharp features softened by an air of easy confidence. His dark eyes lingered on Olivia, unflinching under her surprised glare.
“Marcus Wayne,” she said, her voice shifting from venomous to cautious. “This doesn’t concern you.”
“Oh, I think it does,” he replied, stepping closer. “Cassie’s little mishap is hardly worth all this fuss, don’t you think? Surely, you have bigger battles to fight.”
Olivia folded her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line. “This isn’t about the dress, Marcus. It’s about accountability. If people see me let this slide, what message does that send?”
“It sends the message that Olivia Steele is gracious and forgiving,” Marcus said smoothly, his lips curving into a faint smile. “And as I recall, you still owe me a favor. Or shall we discuss that right here?”
The color drained from Olivia’s face, but she quickly recovered, her gaze darting around as if assessing the situation.
“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “Consider this my repayment.” She turned to Ricardo, her voice cold and clipped. “She stays. But if she screws up again, you know what to do.”
With that, she grabbed her clutch and stormed out of the club, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The tension in the room didn’t leave with her. If anything, it thickened as Marcus turned his attention to me.
“Thank you,” I said quickly, my voice shaky but sincere. “I don’t know why you did that, but I—”
“Save your gratitude,” Marcus interrupted, his tone unreadable. “You’re not off the hook just yet.”
“What?” I blinked, confused.
“You owe me now.”
Ricardo cleared his throat awkwardly, as if he wanted to vanish. “Cassie, why don’t you—”
“No,” Marcus said, holding up a hand. “This involves her. Let’s not waste time pretending otherwise.” He stepped closer, his gaze pinning me in place. “I’ve got one favor to cash in, and you’re going to repay it.”
My heart sank. “Look, I’m grateful, but I don’t have anything to offer. Whatever you’re asking for—”
“You’ll do a private session with me,” Marcus said, cutting me off as if my protests were inconsequential.
The words hit me like a slap. I felt the heat rise in my face, but it wasn’t embarrassment—it was anger. “I don’t do private sessions.”
“You do now,” Marcus said, his expression unmoving.
I opened my mouth to argue, but Ricardo stepped in, his voice unusually firm. “Cassie will do as you please, Mr. Marcus. She'll surely strip as it's no big deal. Right?” He asked facing me this time. "Cassie, don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
“Ricardo, are you serious?” I turned to him, disbelief dripping from my voice. “You know I don’t do that.”
He sighed, avoiding my gaze. “This isn’t up for debate. A favor for a favor—that’s how things work.”
“No, that’s not how I work,” I snapped, my anger flaring. “You’re just going to hand me over like some kind of bargaining chip?”
Ricardo finally met my eyes, and for the first time, I saw the weight of the decision he was making. “You don’t understand, Cassie. This isn’t about you. It’s about the club.”
His words stung, but before I could respond, Marcus spoke again, his tone almost bored. “If you’re done arguing, we can get this over with.”
I turned back to him, my fists clenched. “What’s your problem? You don’t even know me.”
“No, but I just saved your job,” he said, his gaze unwavering. “And now you’re going to repay me. Unless you’d rather lose it after all?”
I wanted to scream, to throw the tray in my hands and storm out. But I couldn’t. I needed this job. As much as I hated it, I needed it more than anything else right now.
“Fine,” I muttered through gritted teeth. “When?”
Marcus smirked, the expression sending a shiver down my spine. “Tonight. Midnight.”
And just like that, he was gone, slipping back into the crowd as effortlessly as he had appeared.
I stood there, my chest heaving with frustration and humiliation. Ricardo put a hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off.
“This isn’t fair,” I said, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. “You should’ve had my back.”
He hesitated, his face a mix of guilt and resignation. “Cassie, I did what I had to do. You’ll understand someday when you have to run a place of your own like this.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding, a bitter taste in my mouth. “I guess I know where I stand now.”
I turned and walked away, leaving Ricardo behind as the weight of his betrayal settled over me like a heavy cloak.
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