Alina’s POV
I practically ran into the club.
My lungs burned, my head still slightly heavy from the fever, but I forced myself forward. The bass was already thundering through the walls. I slipped behind the counter just as my boss turned around.
“You’re late,” he barked.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “Traffic and…”
“I don’t want excuses.” His voice rose above the music. “You think this is charity? If you want to keep working here, you show up on time.”
“I understand.”
He glared at me for a second longer before waving me off. “Go. Start clearing tables. And fix that face. Customers don’t pay to see miserable.”
I swallowed whatever pride I had left and moved.
The night swallowed me almost instantly. I carried trays, wiped tables, forced polite smiles at men who stared too long. I av
