Chapter 3 Fair Enough?
928 Words
Anna noticed Ruby lagging behind and turned back. Ruby quickly pulled herself together and followed.
Suppressing her inner panic, Ruby carefully trailed Anna, keeping her head down, and minimizing her presence. She delivered the drinks swiftly and turned away before anyone could take a second glance.
Anna caught up with her. "You seem off. Are you okay?"
Ruby shook her head, grateful when one of Anna's regulars pulled her away, sparing her further questioning.
As she walked away, Ruby couldn't resist one last glance at Bill, surrounded by admirers, tossing money around like it was nothing.
She quickly tore her gaze away, focusing on her work.
He hadn't recognized her. Of course, he hadn't. At school, she was invisible. He and his elite circle wouldn't even know she existed.
She had been worried over nothing.
Among the mingling scents of the bar, Bill caught a fleeting whiff of something familiar—something that stirred something deep in his memory. But it disappeared before he could place it, slipping away like a dream.
Kelly, having lost her morning opportunity, clung possessively to Bill's side now, blocking the advances of any woman who dared approach.
When she noticed Bill's gaze flicker toward the two bunny girls delivering drinks, she subtly shifted to obstruct his line of sight.
Two stunning women in skimpy outfits. Immediate alarm bells rang in Kelly's mind.
"Want another drink? I can call them over," she offered sweetly.
"No need." Bill took a sip of his drink, dismissing the thought. Maybe he was imagining things.
"What are you two whispering about? No secrets, come on! Get on the dance floor!" Stephen interrupted, dragging both of them into the pulsating crowd.
Midnight came, and the bar pulsed with bodies lost in the deafening rhythm of the music. Anna glanced at Bill's group and nudged Ruby. "The way you looked at him earlier—you're not seriously going to tell me you don't know who he is, right? Billionaire heir, gorgeous, generous? Not many people don't recognize him."
'Oh, I know him all right. In fact, I slept with him. And he has no idea it was me.'
This secret would stay buried, forever hers alone.
"Hard not to know who he is," Ruby admitted. "But he's from another world. He has nothing to do with me."
Anna tilted her head, nodding but also shaking it slightly. "Yeah, I guess. But at least we're making money off him tonight."
Anna's eyes gleamed at the thought. Bill was known for splurging on the most expensive liquor, tipping generously without a second thought.
"His new girl, though? Ugh. She's the worst. A few months ago, she was clinging to some sugar daddy. No idea how she landed Bill."
Anna launched into full gossip mode, while Ruby's eyes involuntarily drifted back to Bill.
On the dance floor, Kelly slithered around him like a snake, her body pressing against his.
As the music slowed into something more sensual, she leaned in and kissed him. Bill frowned slightly but didn't pull away.
"Hey, sweetheart! Two more bottles over here!" A customer called out.
Ruby inhaled sharply and forced herself back to work.
Bill was the type of man who changed women like he changed his watch—one per week. She had no illusions of him ever looking at her again.
She refused to feel that heartbreak again, hearing another woman's name on his lips.
By the end of the shift, Ruby was exhausted. Her legs ached, her mind hazy.
Just as she turned around, someone crashed into her.
The tray in her hands tipped. Liquid splashed onto the person's clothes.
"Are you stupid?! Do you have any idea how expensive this dress is?!" Kelly's shrill voice cut through the music.
Ruby's stomach dropped. 'Of all people...'
She quickly bowed her head. "I'm so sorry! I'll pay for the damage."
"Pay?" Kelly scoffed. "You couldn't afford this dress in ten years!" This wasn't just any dress—it was a limited-edition designer piece, one that Bill had gifted her just today.
Apologies weren't going to cut it. Kelly's fury burned hotter by the second. She shoved Ruby, making her stumble backward into a chair, nearly falling.
Pain jolted through Ruby's back, but she steadied herself, gritting her teeth as she apologized again.
Anna rushed over, grabbing Ruby's arm. "She barely touched you! It's just a dress! We'll cover the dry cleaning!"
"Just a dress?! You don't even make enough in a year to buy it!"
The bar owner hurried over, recognizing Kelly immediately. "Miss, I sincerely apologize! She's new here—"
"So what? Being new means she can spill drinks on customers?"
"No, of course not!" The owner's voice was placating. "How about I personally compensate for the dress?" He recognized Kelly as Bill's companion. And for a VIP client like Bill, he had no choice but to comply.
"This isn't about money," she sneered. "It's about her unprofessionalism ruining a customer's experience."
Ruby clenched her fists. "What do you want me to do to make it right?" She stood tall, her posture straight and unyielding. A flicker of anger flashed across her face, but she forced herself to hold it back.
She needed this job. She couldn't afford to offend a guest like Kelly.
Kelly's gaze darkened. She scanned Ruby's form, her curves accentuated by the ridiculous bunny outfit. A slow, wicked smile stretched across her lips.
"Since you asked... let's be fair." Her voice dripped with malice. "Strip. Right here. In front of everyone. Do that, and I'll let it go."
- Writer
