Ashes of Betrayal

Chapter 6 Unwanted Attention

As Olga and I made our way to work, I couldn't shake the lingering tension from my earlier confrontation with Charles. I filled Olga in on the details, grateful for her support and encouragement. “Good job on confronting him," Olga remarked, her voice laced with admiration. I smiled gratefully, thankful for her unwavering support. However, as we arrived at the club, Anya's sudden approach diverted my attention. Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and I struggled to maintain a composed facade.

"Lilian, you have a table, and it's Demetri. He asked just for you, so you are his server for tonight," Anya informed me, her expression unreadable. A mixture of irritation and apprehension bubbled within me at the news. Despite my reservations, I forced a smile and nodded, preparing myself for what lay ahead. Deep down, I knew tonight would be far from ordinary, and I braced myself for whatever challenges awaited me as I stepped into Demetri's domain.

As I approached Demetri's table, my nerves were already on edge, but I put on a professional facade and greeted the gentlemen. "Hello, gentlemen, what would you all like to drink?" I asked, trying to maintain a polite tone despite the tension in the air. Demetri's order for Imperial Collection Gold Vodka was no surprise, and I quickly retrieved the bottle for him before returning to the table.

However, Demetri's demand for me to sit down caught me off guard. "I'm sorry, I cannot sit down on the job," I replied, attempting to assert my boundaries. His laughter only added to my discomfort, but reluctantly, I complied and took a seat. As he pulled me closer, his question about Charles Thompson hit me like a punch to the gut. "Why were you with Charles, Lilian?" he pressed, his grip tightening on my hand.

My patience waning, I struggled to maintain my composure. "Demetri, I need to work," I insisted, attempting to free myself from his hold. Demetri then said “okay don’t answer I will go tell Anya to fire you.” His threat of implicating me to Anya, my boss, left me with no choice but to reveal the truth. "Charles is my brother, Demetri, and I didn't call you because I didn't feel like it," I confessed, my voice trembling with a mix of defiance and fear. The shock on Demetri's face was evident as he processed my words. Without waiting for his response, I rose from my seat and walked away, needing to escape the suffocating atmosphere and gather my thoughts in solitude.

I walked away to the bathroom, needing a moment to gather my thoughts and regain my composure. The encounter with Demetri had rattled me, but I knew I couldn't let his presence unsettle me. As I stood before the mirror, I reminded myself to stay strong and not allow him to get under my skin.

Returning to the floor, I resumed my duties, pushing aside the distracting thoughts of Demetri's allure. When he waved me down, I couldn't help but acknowledge his undeniable attractiveness, but I quickly suppressed any lingering feelings. My brother's warning echoed in my mind, urging me to maintain my distance.

I reluctantly approach his table, steeling myself for whatever manipulation he might attempt. "Yes Demetri, how may I help you?" I inquire, trying to keep my tone neutral. He then hands me a key card, his expression unreadable as he speaks, "Lilian, this card is for you. It grants you private access to my office in this building. My office is on the top floor." I resist the urge to accept the card, firmly replying, "No thank you Demetri." Ignoring his insistence, I turn my attention to his companions, offering them drinks and deliberately avoiding any further interaction with him. The tension in the air is noticeable as no one utters a word. Sensing my dismissal, I attempt to leave, but Demetri's grip on my hand tightens, and he warns me, "Lilian, you will regret this." With a surge of defiance, I pull my hand away and walk off, determined not to let his intimidation tactics affect me. Despite my inner turmoil, I maintain my composure, silently praying that my decision won't cost me my job.

As things finally calm down, the tension in the air is shattered once again by the arrival of Sergei into the VIP section. My heart sinks at the sight of him, knowing that today is just getting worse and worse. Olga, ever the supportive friend, approaches me and offers to take Sergei's table, reassuring me that she'll handle it. I watch with a sinking feeling as Sergei walks up to Demetri, seemingly oblivious to the animosity between them. My stomach churns as he sits down with his friends, a few tables away from Demetri. Olga heads over to his table, but Sergei's loud voice cuts through the air, rejecting her presence and demanding my service instead.

Fear and discomfort grip me as I approach Sergei, pleading with him to leave me alone. But Sergei persists, pleading with me for a chance to talk. Before I can respond, Demetri appears behind me, his voice laced with warning as he orders Sergei to leave me alone or face the consequences. Sergei, sensing the seriousness of the situation, begrudgingly gets up and leaves. Relief floods through me as he disappears from sight, but I can't shake the feeling of unease that lingers. This day truly can't get any worse.

After Sergei leaves, a heavy silence settles over the VIP section, lingering like a thick fog. I exchange a glance with Olga, her eyes reflecting concern and understanding. Demetri's gaze remains fixed on Sergei's retreating figure, his expression unreadable. As the tension gradually eases, I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. Demetri's presence beside me offers a sense of security, his protective stance a stark contrast to Sergei's persistent intrusion. Anya, our boss, approaches us, her expression a mix of annoyance and concern. "Is everything alright here?" she asks, her gaze flickering between us. I nod, forcing a smile. "Yes, everything's fine now. Just a minor disturbance," I assure her, hoping to downplay the situation.

Anya's sharp eyes assess the situation before she nods curtly. "Alright, get back to work. Let me know if there are any further issues," she instructs before walking away, her brisk steps echoing through the VIP section. With a sense of relief, I return to my duties, trying to push aside the lingering unease that Sergei's presence had stirred.

As Demetri approached me, his presence commanding attention in the bustling atmosphere of the casino, I couldn't help but feel a surge of apprehension. His deep voice cut through the noise as he extended an invitation, his words carrying a weight of authority tempered with a hint of concern. "Lilian, how about you come to my office and we can talk," he suggested, his gaze steady as he met my eyes. Despite the tumultuous events of the evening weighing heavily on my mind, I mustered a polite response, my voice tinged with weariness. "Demetri, please no. Today has been rough and I need to get back to work," I murmured, the exhaustion evident in my tone as I struggled to maintain composure.

However, Demetri's resolve remained unyielding, his tone gentle but insistent as he pressed forward. "I'll talk to Anya. I just need you to explain what is happening, nothing more, so we can talk in private. You're not in trouble," he reassured me, his words carrying a soothing undertone that offered a glimmer of solace amidst the chaos. With a sense of resignation, I watched as he made his way to Anya, his authoritative demeanor brooking no argument as he informed her of our impending discussion

He then gestures for me to join him. I follow him to the elevator, my heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety. With a swift motion, he retrieves the key card and swipes it, granting us access to the upper floors of the building. As the elevator ascends, I steal glances at Demetri, his demeanor composed yet unreadable.

Upon reaching the top floor, a sense of gravity descends upon me as I step into the corridor lined with sleek offices. Demetri leads me to a spacious room adorned with opulent dark wood furnishings and striking abstract paintings adorning the walls. He settles into a chair behind a grand desk, motioning for me to take a seat opposite him.

"Lilian, how do you know Sergei?" Demetri's voice breaks the silence, his gaze unwavering as he waits for my response. I feel a wave of embarrassment wash over me, memories of my tumultuous past with Sergei flooding my mind. With a deep breath, I lift my head, meeting Demetri's gaze squarely. "Demetri, he is my ex," I confess, my voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and bitterness. "He cheated on me and hit me, so I left him."

Demetri's expression darkens at my revelation, a flash of anger flickering in his eyes. "He's a f*****g piece of s**t," he mutters vehemently. A surge of validation washes over me at his candid remark, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Yes, he is," I agree softly. His next words catch me off guard, a glimmer of reassurance in his tone. "Okay, if he bothers you again, please let me know. I can handle him," Demetri offers, his sincerity noticeable. A surge of gratitude washes over me, and I can't help but smile appreciatively. "Thank you, Demetri," I reply earnestly, a weight lifting from my shoulders.