The Christmas Eve Cinderella and the Lycan King

5

Pov Bridge

I was stunned to hear this. What the hell?

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I had been wrong; James would never help a silly omega like me. He had only been kind that day. Christmas Eve's last chance had passed, and only harsh reality remained.

I looked down, not even caring about Nathalia's insults, wanting only to escape quickly. But suddenly, his loud shout rang out again. “Get out now!”

Hearing this, I opened my eyes wide. They were treating me like an intruder who was about to be forcibly expelled.

“I'm sorry for wasting your time,” I said, and without further ado, the men grabbed me by the arms and dragged me out of the office.

It had all been a complete disaster! As they dragged me away, I saw the big Christmas tree in the reception area shining brightly, oblivious to my suffering.

I didn't want to go home, so I went straight to Agatha's house. I told her about the public humiliation and James's order. My heart was pounding with cold disappointment.

“I was wrong. He just saw me as a nuisance, Agatha. He rejected me!” Christmas Eve's last chance had passed, and only the harsh reality remained.

“Cheer up, Bridge. That man may be powerful and attractive, but there are better ones out there. Besides, you have to think about how to get the money to pay off the debt,” Agatha added.

I listened to her words without knowing what to say. I was the only one to blame.

“I think we should go,” Agatha suggested after my obvious silence. “Our shift starts soon.”

I took a quick shower and accompanied her to the restaurant. I had no other choice.

As soon as I arrived, I went straight to my locker to put on my uniform, but my nefarious boss returned immediately with a box.

“Come closer,” said the man. “This will be your new uniform. Remember, your only obligation is to please the customer and earn those big year-end tips with your dedication,” he hinted with a greasy wink.

The new uniform was a cheap, ridiculously outdated polyester waitress outfit, designed to be ugly and despicable, a visible sign of my low social status.

I put on the uniform. I looked like a maid from the last century. The humiliation was social, public, and painful. “I look like a disaster,” I said in a soft whisper.

“You're ready to work, that uniform fits your ass!” said Agatha, slapping me on the butt.

I didn't even want to be there, but I had to get the money, and I had no other choice. I was at the bar, in my ridiculous polyester uniform, feeling exposed and socially humiliated. I had been rejected by James, and now all I had left was to work to pay off the debt.

I thought my night would be quick, but after a few hours, the intoxicating aroma of warm hazelnut and cinnamon filled my nostrils.

Damn it, the world hated me again.

I couldn't help but frown when I saw a large group of wealthy men walk in, including Liam, with his usual pretentious expression. They were dressed casually, laughing, still celebrating Christmas, while I sold my dignity by serving them.

“Bridge, take care of the new arrivals,” my boss ordered from behind.

“But I...”

“Do it!” the man replied, reinforcing my servitude.

I clenched my fists, annoyed but determined to do whatever it took to help my family. I put my pride aside and headed toward the group of men.

“Well, well, now you're the waitress at this dive?” one of Liam's friends suggested mockingly. He was laughing at my low status.

A soft growl escaped my lips. I placed the menu on the table. “I'm not just any waitress. I'm here to take your order,” I said, pulling the pen from my belt.

At that moment, however, I felt a hard slap on my buttocks. "You have a nice ass. Maybe you should serve us with a smile and we'll give you a good tip,“ the man announced, laughing at my position.

”Don't touch me again," I said, turning to look at him.

His touch made me nauseous. I hated those damn power-hungry men who thought my body was part of my service.

“Are you going to refuse? If so, I'll have to call your boss. I'm sure he'll fire you. Or have you forgotten that your job is to make us happy with your obedience?” his friend continued.

“That's right. You'd better do your job. Kneel down and bring the order if you want to prove you're good for something,” announced another of the boys, humiliating me.

I clenched my teeth. I felt all the anger swirling in my chest. For a moment, I looked at Liam, who stood motionless, enjoying my pain. He wanted me to break.

The same annoying man from before stood up and approached me, putting his hand on my waist and trying to force my body toward him to make me bend over and serve.

“Let go of me right now!” I shouted, putting my hands on his chest to push him away.

“Let you go? No, no, you have to please me... with your total obedience...”

The man seemed to want to say something else, but at that moment I felt a strong grip and he pushed me back hard.

Without even hesitating, I turned my gaze and my eyes widened as I saw Liam quickly get up from his seat and run towards me.

I couldn't process what was happening when his fingers closed around my arm with brutal force and he pushed me backwards, pulling me away from the table with humiliating abruptness.

At that moment, I wanted to open my mouth to yell at him to let go of his filthy grip, but before I could expel the air, a shrill laugh broke the tension.

“What the hell? Can't you see we're having fun?” one of Liam's friends suggested.

This man's breath reeked of cheap liquor. However, he made an obscene gesture to the pack of idiots who supported him to intervene.

“Come on, bro. The girl is a little slut, she has to serve us, she's working on Christmas for that...” muttered another of the boys, getting too close.

Liam heard his friends' words but didn't respond. He looked at the boys and roared abruptly. For a moment, I thought he would defend me. Instead, he looked at me, then, with his jaw clenched, gestured to his friends and began to drag me away from the table without saying a word.

I had no idea what was going through that man's head, but I just wanted to get away from him and get back to my work.

“Liam, let me go right now! What are you doing?” I tried to shout, struggling against him with all my strength. The rough fabric of my uniform stretched under his hand as he growled through his teeth.

Despite my futile efforts to free myself, I couldn't even move him an inch. Liam was a wall of muscle, who effortlessly managed to drag me across the room, making me watch the thick snowflakes fall against the windowpane, illuminated by the flashing lights that adorned his own engagement.

“Stop! Where are you taking me? Let me go now!” I shouted again.

But again, I got no response; on the contrary, his steps finally stopped in the kitchen area, where the cooks stood frozen, staring at us with their stupid Christmas hats.

“Get out of here now!” Liam roared in a threatening tone, causing everyone to scatter like cockroaches, leaving a sudden, mournful silence.

As soon as we were alone, Liam turned, grabbed my shoulders, and squeezed so hard it hurt. His eyes locked with mine, making me tremble with excitement.