Chapter 1 ---- Fall from Grace
Chapter One
My black mini dress feels like rubber against my skin as I walk around the nightclub, head held high and a blonde ponytail swishing around like the anger and humiliation I was trying to suppress. Who did my uncle think he was? How dare he send me to a place like this for work? I am still Ana Wayde, heiress of the Wayde empire.
Just because my parents died and we went bankrupt did not mean he had the right to treat me this way. I can’t help but fume. A whole me, sent to work as a hostess?
‘Hey, pretty thing, bring us a bottle of champagne, would you ?” A man’s voice reached my ears.
I scowled at him before quickly schooling my face. Even if I was upset, I knew better than to let it show on my face. I can’t risk word getting back to Uncle that I wasn’t doing my job.
“Right away.” I smiled at him, but kept walking.
Um noo… I’m not doing that. I’d rather die than serve him, a nobody. I keep walking, trying to avoid customers and the club manager.
But well, it's me, and I am always the unlucky one. I turn a corner, and a huge man appears in front of me. He’s older, fat and has had a lot to drink. Two bodyguards stand at each side of him.
“Ouu.. aren’t you a sweet little thing ?” his eyes stared at me greedily. His gaze lingered on my bare thighs and my exposed cleavage. I wanted to throw up.
But I don’t. Disgraced heiresses don’t scowl and throw up in pigs' faces. They pretend these nasty words are compliments and thank them with a small smile and a blush.
So that’s what i do. Except the blush, of course…. I can only do as much. The redness on my face is more of anger and disgust than being shy or playing coy..
I try to side-step him and walk away, but he doesn’t let that happen. He blocks my path again.
“Where are you in a rush to? Join me in my private booth. Entertain my friends and i for a little bit. Eh ?”
His meaty fingers reach out towards my hair, attempting to tuck it behind my ears, but I step back, avoiding contact. A vein pops up on his forehead. I know men like him. They are big fish in a small pond. He felt embarrassed that i didn’t let a ‘powerful man’ like himself touch me and show enthusiasm because of his lewd offer.
I was prideful, not stupid, and I still knew the consequences of making an enemy here so soon. I quickly salvage the situation, pretending to look around.
“Where is your section? I’d make it worthwhile for you.” i smile at him.
His anger seems to dissipate and he throws his back and laughs heartily.
“I don’t do sections. It's for the small boys. I have a private Executive VIP room. Let's go. I’d tip you very well.” He says proudly. The stench of alcohol from his breath reached my nose.
‘Don’t scrunch your nose’ I warn myself inwardly.
‘‘Of course,” I say in a fake nice tone, following him upstairs.
We go into the VIP room. There are a bunch of other men seated around, all obviously men who had made a name for themselves. Young hostesses surround them, serving them, and giggling at every word that comes out of their mouths.
I roll my eyes. I need to find an excuse to leave.
“Let me go get you some champagne sir.” I say to the man with a sweet smile, knowing i wasn’t returning once i stepped out, but this guy doesn’t take any chances.
“A pretty doll like you shouldn’t have to do that. Sit with me.” He says, plopping into the chair. I can’t hide my scowl in time. It shows on my face.
One of the men speaks from his seat. “ Ah, Master Lard, you got a fierce one on your hands tonight.”
“Good thing he likes it when they struggle. I bet she’d be very fun to have writhing beneath you.” Another chimes in.
‘Ah, I’m in the mood for an obedient one tonight. You’d be obedient, wouldn’t you ?” The so-called Master Lard says.
Suddenly ifeel very visible. Everyone was now staring at us, waiting for my reaction. I can instantly tell Master Lard was one who got his way and didn’t like that I was embarrassing him in front of his people.
“Master. Lard. Let me take care of you. This girl is new and doesn’t understand how to please you yet.” One of the ladies says quickly, hurrying over to him with eagerness in her eyes.
Master Lard’s face grows redder. She made the wrong move. I can tell by the vein that has popped back in place on his forehead.
Men like him don’t care about women. They care about power, their egos, showing off and right now, he wanted to break me. He wanted me at his feet. To prove that every woman was the same to him, and he could get whoever he wanted, not whoever threw herself at him like this girl was.
“You want to take care of me ?” He asks the girl.
She nods enthusiastically, ready to please him.
“Then pick up the bottle and serve myself and the beauty.” He says to her, but his eyes are on me.
The girl glares at me. I recognize her, she’s one of the ones who i learnt had worked here for long. Infact, too long. She was considered washed up and used. Unwanted anymore by clients who had grown bored with her.
I can’t even hate her. I just feel bad for her.
She was pitiful, but I have my own problems and battles to fight too.
“Let me do that instead,” I say, quickly walking towards the table to pick up the whiskey cooling in the ice bucket and pour a glass, handing it to him.
His meaty hands lurch out, but he doesn’t take the drink; he grabs my hand pulling me forward.
“Ah !” I yell before falling into the sofa beside him