Chapter 1

“Hey, curly haired lady. I need your service.”

“What would you like to have for a drink, sir?”

“No. I don't mean a bottle service. I need you to play as my date for just one night.”

“But sir, that's not a part of my job in this club. I can only serve your drinks- ”

“Money serves as a reward for services rendered. Does this job pay you more than I can?”

_____________________

[Cattleya]

I ran a finger through my hair to rearrange it after the incident that happened earlier.

“I'm sorry Cattleya, it's really unavoidable for such a customer here at the club. You were the top service last week so the manager asked for you to come back.”

I just threw a glance at my friend Loren. She's the one who introduced me here to the nightclub as a bottle service girl.

At first, this work went well. But earlier, an old man who didn't seem to like his drink threw the bottle of wine at me. Fortunately, I dodged it. But I could'nt prevent my hair from getting wet with the leaked alcohol. So I had to immediately rinse it.

This is my second week as a bottle service girl. And I can say that this job will never be easy.

Some people categorize this job as pretty dimwitted who only works in this kind of place. When in fact, this job pays for a lot of expenses that goes to groceries, rent, hospital bills, school, and personal needs.

Yes, I enjoy this job. But what I want other people to know is that I don’t do this for personal pleasure. If I had only a choice, I would be at home now and sleeping after a tiring day at university, or going out every Friday night with friends.

But, it is a job. A job that fits into my schedule and serves as a good income for a college student who is responsible to support a family.

“This is the first time that I saw your natural curls. It looks better on you than your straight hair.”

When I heard that from Loren, I turned my attention back to the mirror and re -examined myself. After drying my alcohol-soaked hair it went back to my natural curls. I can't re-do my hair since it will take some time. I can also not wash it because the customers will definitely smell the alcohol from me.

My eyes dropped to the red lingerie dress I am wearing. I never thought that I could wear this kind of dress. It comes with silky satin straps attached to the thigh before long boots that are just the same color. This dress is extremely short that my soul can be seen if ever I pick up a coin on the floor. If my mom could see me now, I am certain she would faint.

“I'm fine now, Loren. Let's go back outside.” I simply muttered

When I finally got out of the room, I was greeted by a loud reberbating sound and dazzling lights.

I paused for a moment to put on my invisible mask, my fake smile, before walking over to the customers again.

It is noticeable that there are not as many customers in the club compared to last week.

I just decided walking to the bar counter and wait for a customer to call me. It's easier to be seen in this place.

“Seriously, Jax, what are your plans?”

The two men sitting not so far from where I am standing caught my attention. It was just enough for me to hear their voices.

“—If you just want to drown yourself in alcohol until you forget everything, you will only look like a loser to your family.”

When the man in front of him met with his eyes, I had a chance to see his entire face.

“What do you mean?” he mumbled with a raspy voice. The sorrow in his eyes is hard not to notice, and even seeing him at first glance, there is no doubt that this man is facing a huge problem.

“Don't you still realize that your step-brother Lance wants to prove that he is more suitable than you? You trusted them so much that you let them play a trick on you, Jax!” The other guy howled in rage. Annoyance can be traced with his gnashing teeth and tone of voice. “Now look at you! Those two successfully deceived you that the child inside Daniella's womb is yours. When in fact, it's Lance's. The person whom you always trust. He knocked your fiance to be the first one to have a child— and guess what will happen next? He's the one getting the entire Ruegold Corporation. Leaving you with no piece.”

My gaze was struck by the slight movement of the man's jaw as he clenched his fist firmly.

“What do you want me to do then?”

My eyebrows met when the man he's talking to just stingy shrugged.

Not that I'm interfering with their current family issue, but I seem to want to hear more about what's going on.

“I don’t know. He already took a slice of your life by getting your fiance pregnant. Now, if you want to continue drowning yourself in alcohol here, it's up to you, Jax. But all I want you to know is, if you continue acting like this, you’re only making it easier for Lance’s plans to bring you down in no time. You are slowly being a shame to the family, and I'm sure they are already making fun of you now.”

After leaving those words, the man with him stood up and left him alone, dumbfounded.

Her fiance just got pregnant by another man, and he thought that it was his child?

Seriously, isn't that too much for cheating? Even just thinking that someone you love has another person to meet with is already painful.

I weakly chuckled when I realized what I had just said. Who am I to say? I've never even had a boyfriend.

I decided to pull my eyes away from him and look for customers instead. It seems like I won't be taking enough money tonight because there aren't many customers.

I sighed under my breath before glancing at the man again.

My eyes widened and quickly averted when our gazes met.

I was saved from the brink of danger when his phone rang on the table, which quickly grabbed his attention.

“Geo?”

I couldn’t avoid peeping whenever I heard his deep and cold croaky voice.

“A dinner? Why so sudden?”

I want to slap myself by frowning at the same time as he frowns.

You are so obvious, Cattleya!

“They suddenly call for a family dinner on Friday, for what? To make everyone see how devastated I am right n- A WHAT?! Wedding?”

My lips parted in appall because even though I couldn't hear the person he is talking to on the other line, I knew there's a big chance that his fiance and his step-brother who got her pregnant is the one getting married.

That's just so cruel...

“No! Why would you cancel my invitation? I am going.”

Slightly, my lower lip lifted at what he said.

Why would he go there if he knew he would only get hurt?

People really are a different breed nowadays. They are willing to do everything when it comes to the person they love. Even if it means being hurt.

I quickly averted my gaze from him again when he ended the call and returned his sharp stares at me.

He may have noticed that I had been listening to them. I just hope that he won't get mad and made a complain to our manager.

I wanted to run and hide when I saw out of the corner of my eyes that he stood up from his seat and started walking towards my direction.

I take a glimpse of him back and forth to be sure that he is walking to my stance.

“Hey, curly haired lady,” he called.

I sort of tilted my body to pretend that my attention was focused in a different direction.

“I need your service.”

When he let go of those words, I could do nothing but face him. It is against our job to reject customers and it could damage my name to the manager if that happens by chance.

I slowly turned around and forced a smile to cover my uneasiness. “No problem, what do you want to have for a drink, sir?”

“No. I don't mean a bottle service.” he uttered.

“But sir, that's all I do here at the nightclub. To serve the customers with their drinks.”

That's our mere job as bottle service girls and nothing else. It's our mission to make the customers buy more drinks than they foresee, then we get the commission on their bills. That doesn’t include the tips they give us depending on the quality of our service.

“I just need you to play as my date for one night.”

I outstare him to see if he was just trying to fool around and make a monkey out of someone. Customers often act like this every time they are devoured in alcohol.

But, this man in front of me did not take his eyes' full of desperation away from me. It even moved down to my feet before coming back to me again.

It is almost impossible to see the true color of his eyes because of the dark aura that surrounds it. Seems lethargic and without any traceable emotions.

It took a while before I had the courage to speak.

“I understand what you mean, sir. But that’s not how I work here at the club. I provide other services to customers. I consider myself as a virtuous woman that has never gone out with anyone that I never know. Now, if you don't need anything else sir, please allow me to excuse myself.” I implied, marked with emphasis, before starting to step away.

“Money serves as a reward for services rendered. Does this job pay you more than I can?”

I was taken aback by what he said, making my feet come to a halt.

“How much do they pay you for a night here? I can triple it up.”

I didn’t face him but just remained with my feet motionless and eyes staring at the floor.

I felt my fist clench bit by bit.

“Alright. Since you seem too tough and tight with your red clothes, I'll let you name your price.”

It was only then that I vigorously stared at him. I felt all the blood in my body rise to the top of my head due to a short fuse, that made my breathing also quickened.

“Pardon me, sir. I'm aware that my job as a bottle girl in this club is to serve you. But, don't you think you are being too lubricious?” I couldn't help but to raise my voice at him. “Just because I am wearing this kind of garments, doesn't give you the right to insult me and-”

“Cattleya!”

I was astounded to hear the reverberating voice of the club's manager.

At the same time, Loren softly held my arms. “Catt, calm down.” she whispered. “You know there's a lot of customers like that. You just really have to be patient.”

I heard Loren, but I didn't shift my eyes to her as my glares were still pinned to the man in front of us.

I understand that he's going through a mess with his fiance, but that doesn't mean he has the right to displease another woman.

“Mr. Madrigal, we apologize for her behavior. Cattleya's not having a great night as we also handled an incident earlier. She may just be worn out. I hope you can understand, sir.”

I tried to calm myself with his grins and meaningful glances at me.

“Alright, accept this.”

I followed his hand with my eyes as it moved into his pant's pocket and took his wallet. He pulled out a calling card and laid it on the side bar counter.

“Call me once you have decided. I'll wait until Friday night.”

After giving me an eloquent smirk, he turned his back on us and went straight away.

Leaving me watching his back.

That man has seriously gone mad.

What did he think of me, huh?