Claimed By The Tycoon

~3~

Blood flowed from her ears as an earthquake settled in her heart- Paula was right, as soon as it clocked 10pm, people started flooding in and the music seemed to have ingested some substances, it was now more erratic than sober.

The flickering multicolored lights made it slightly hard for Aria to see, thankfully she wore a pair of black flats, if she had worn heels, she would have tripped over a couple of times.

Aria glanced at the gallery about 10 times in that last hour, hoping she’d accidentally lock eyes with him again.

She couldn't stop thinking about him for some reason, but she tried her best to focus on the work at hand, she couldn't afford to mess up on her first day.

“Ari, a man at table 8 is requesting you, he's one of our biggest customers, don't screw up.” Liz warned.

Aria nodded in response and walked swiftly to the table, and she was met with a highly disturbing sight.

A balding man in his 50s carelessly groping one girl and shamelessly shoving his tongue down the throat of the other.

The girls in his arms couldn't be older than Aria, and even if they were, it wouldn't be more than a year or two. They barely had anything on, just strings and patches of cloth hanging on for dear life.

“What would you like sir?” Aria asked, trying so hard to keep her composure.

“You’re clearly new here. When’d you start sugar?” his words were slurred- he was already drunk

“Today sir, what drink would you like sir?” Aria forced a smile, silently praying this man would not be used by the devil tonight

He shoved the girl on his left to the ground

“Have a seat sugar, there's room for one more” A sly smile appeared on his face.

Aria knew that look all too well; she needed to leave before things escalated.

She laughed nervously “I'm on duty sir, I wouldn't want to get fired”

“Sugar, I'll pay you a hundred times what they're offering you, you're too beautiful for this” He stood up and grabbed her by the hand- Aria’s eyes widened in fear.

“Sir please let go” She was frightened, but she kept thinking about what Liz had said to her. He was one of their biggest customers, if she messed this up she’d be fired, and she would end up becoming a burden on Paula.

He was probably too drunk to hear her plea or he just didn't want to listen. He felt too confident and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close to him enough for her to smell the ooze of alcohol from his lips.

While she was plotting her futile escape from his grip, her savior appeared

“Mr Smith, I suggest you let go while you can; she belongs to Mr Devereaux.”

Immediately Mr smith jerked away from her as though she had a plague, his demeanor changed to panic-stricken “I- I didn't know, please, I didn't kiss her I swear” he waved his hands frantically.

The short bearded man turned to me and smiled softly “You can go back to work now alright? No one will trouble you from henceforth”

“Thank you” Aria nodded quickly and escaped to the nearest bathroom she could find, locking the door behind her.

Her breathing was ragged and her heart felt like she had just run a marathon. Her fingers trembled as she gripped the sink.

If not for that man that interfered, what would have happened? She looked around at that moment, her eyes calling for help, but they all turned away like it was a normal occurrence.

He was their biggest customer after all.

What if he reports her to Tim and she loses her job, she just started for goodness sake!

But come to think of it, who was Mr Devereaux? And why did that man say she belonged to him?

How did she belong to someone she hadn't even seen?

What is wrong with people in the city??

Either way, she was grateful he showed up at the time, she didn't want to bother herself with the specifics. All she knew now was to avoid Mr Smith at all cost.

She wiped the tiny drops at the corner of her eyes and took her few breaths before heading back to the war front.

She seemed to have picked the perfect time because Paula just started her performance, and my god did she glow like a diamond.

Her movements were as fluid as a stroke of a brush, and her body was a hypnotizing masterpiece. She hung and twirled on that pole like she was as weightless as a feather, it was mesmerizing.

Aria didn't even realize she was staring until she was brought back by the unified cheering of the crowd.

Paula wore an infectious smile as her eyes searched for the man she performed for, the one she yearned for… but he wasn't there. She felt a jab in her heart, but she didn't let her smile falter.

She took a bow and waltzed seductively off the stage.

And before you know it - it was 3am, and the club was deserted. While Aria and Liz cleaned up, the short bearded man from earlier appeared again

“Miss Aria, can I have a word?” his tone was polite, nothing about him made her want to run away. Ignoring Liz’s questioning glares, she gave him her audience

“Mr Devereaux extends his greetings. Please do read it- “ He handed her a gold and black envelope “have a lovely night miss Aria” he bowed slightly and left.

She was so afraid to open to envelope, what could be in it? Was it money? Or an invitation? - to what exactly?

She didn’t even know the man.

“Did Mr Devereaux send him?? What did he give you?? Is it money??” Liz asked excitedly, startling Aria.

“I-I don’t know, I haven’t even opened it. Who is Mr Devereaux?” Aria needed to know this mystery man

“He is the most handsome man you’d see walk the face of the earth -“ Lizzy spoke dreamily, her eyes drifting into a world unknown to Aria “- and he is the owner of the club. The guy that just walked up to you, thats his assistant.”

“Please excuse me” Aria excused herself quickly and ran to the restroom

Aria didnt know what to think. He was the owner of the club? So what exactly did he want with her?

Why did he say she belonged to him?

Did he know her before now?

That’s impossible, this was just her second day in the city.

She desperately needed answers. She took a deep breath and opened the envelope.