Chapter Two: The Invitation

Mr. Johnny Croone smiled at Clarisse.

"My Boss is still alive and kicking, and it's all thanks to you. If you didn't help him, who knows what will happen to him.” he relayed. 

“I am glad and relieved that I was able to help him." Clarisse smilingly responded. 

"My Boss wants to show his appreciation to you, so that's why he wants to invite you for a simple dinner. Please, accept his invitation dinner..." John Croone finally said his intentions. 

“There's no need for him to prepare a dinner for me. A simple thank you is enough." Clarisse politely rejects the invitation. 

"I'm sorry to say this, but my Boss doesn't take "no" as an answer. My Boss is known to be very persistent, and he'll just let me come back until you say yes..." John Croone insisted. 

Clarisse: "But-----!"Clarisse wasn't able to finish his sentence when Johnny Croone spoke again.

"To sincerely show how thankful my Boss is because you saved his life, he also donated a generous amount of money amounting to one million dollars at the Sunshine Orphanage. That's where you grew up, right?" John Croone gave her more information. 

Clarisse's eyes widened in shock after she heard Johnny. Why does his Boss knows about her background and how did he know about the orphanage?

“Wait, how did you know about Sunshine Orphanage?” she asked, while looking obviously shocked.

"If you want to know the answers to your questions, you should accept my Boss' dinner invitation." John Croone smilingly said, instead of answering her question. 

Clarisse fell into a deep thought as she's trying to assess the situation. She's having second thoughts of being with a total stranger, as she doesn't have any idea what will happen to her. However, there are many CCTV cameras around the convenience store, and it will serve as an evidence on who she talked with if something bad happens to her...

She really wants to know the "so-called-Boss," and she wants him to get back the money that he donated at the orphanage. If she doesn't accept the dinner invitation, Johnny will just keep on coming back until she says yes. But once she accepts the dinner invitation, the man won't pester her anymore, and they can forget everything.

"Okay, I'll come with you." Clarisse finally made her decision. 

"Good choice. I will pick you up at 9pm, right after your shift ends." John Croone gave her further instructions. 

"Wait, how do you know almost everything about me? Oh, nevermind. I don't want to hear the answer..." she just have to wait for the day she will meet the so-called Boss. 

"It's settled then. Please be ready at exactly 9pm." 

After a few moments, Clarisse watched Johnny exiting the convenience store, while looking bewildered. She wondered what kind of person is Michele Montserrat... Well, she will find out about him once they have dinner together, face to face.

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Later that night, Clarisse is now endorsing the night shift to her fellow colleague, Lara. She's giving her some last-minute instructions, then afterwards, she finally said goodbye. As soon as she steps out from the convenience store, a sleek-looking black limousine suddenly stopped infront of her. A chauffer who's wearing a black suit and tie suddenly appeared and walks towards her.

"Good evening, Miss Clarisse Marshall. I am Thomas, and I'm going to be your personal chauffer this evening. As instructed by our Master Michele Montserrat, I'll be driving you to the dinner venue." The chauffer politely informs her. 

"Err... Nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas. Where are we going?" Clarisse inquired. 

"We're going to a very private place, and I'm afraid I can't disclose the location for privacy and security reasons. But I can assure you that it's a very safe place.” the chauffer gave her an assurance. 

"Uh, okay then. I'll trust you. Shall we go ahead now?" asked Clarissa. 

The chauffer politely opened the door for her. Once Clarisse is inside the limo, she can help but to feel amaze when she saw numerous bottles of expensive. And at the same time, she also saw a tray laden with big and fresh-looking fruits such as apple, oranges, pear and who knows what are the other fruits there. There were also some slices of cheese, crackers, and high-quality ham. She's not really a wine drinker, and she is unfamiliar with rich people's food so she decided to not touch or eat anything...

After a few minutes, the limousine stopped at a modern high-rise building located at an expensive-looking Metropolitan City. Clarisse steps outside from the limousine, and stared at the building with her mouth open...

She was greeted by two tall and big-looking man who are wearing sunglasses and they are also wearing black suits...

"Welcome to Athena Palace, Miss Clarisse Marshall."

Clarisse: "T-Thank you."

"Our Boss have been waiting for you. Please follow us. This way, please." the two bodyguards escorted her. 

Clarisse tries to hide her nervousness while she's trailing behind these two bodyguards. The three of them are walking inside the lobby. And once they reached the elevators, one of the guards started talking to her again.

"The elevators on the left side are for all the hotel guests. We have a special elevator for our Boss, and we're going to use that." Informed the first bodyguard. 

“But it's all the same---!" Clarisse wasn't able to finish her sentence when the man spoke. 

“We're just following our Big Boss' orders." responded the second bodyguard. 

Clarisse decided to shut her mouth and not say anything else. Anyway, she's pretty sure what they are doing. They stepped inside a gold-colored elevator. She was secretly impressed by the elevator's interior design.

“In case you're wondering, everything and every corner of this elevator is made from gold." one of the guards informed her, much to her amazement.

Clarisse's jaw almost dropped halfway to the floor when she heard the trivia about the elevator. She can't believe that it's possible to own an elevator which is made from gold! She can't help herself but to feel amazed once they reached penthouse where Michele Montserrat is waiting for her. She feels like she's inside a dream. Everything about this place is beautiful, and she feels like she's doesn't have the right to step into this wonderful place! Everything about this place screams of money!