Chapter 5

Avah's POV

After tossing my phone on the bed in frustration, I flopped back on the mattress, staring at the ceiling. My boss's call had thrown me completely off. What the hell had I done to offend a VIP?

As I replayed the events from last night, my phone buzzed again. With a heavy sigh, I picked it up, already bracing for more bad news.

The message was from my boss:

"Come to the club tonight. Don't be late."

My heart sank further. He hadn't even bothered to explain. I was left in the dark, once again.

Tonight?

I glanced at the time. That gave me a few hours to pull myself together. Rolling over to my side, I hugged a pillow to my chest, trying to calm my nerves.

The more I thought about it, the more the memories came rushing back. The man from last night; his intense gaze, the way he held me, the things we did.

My cheeks flushed, and I buried my face in the pillow. How could I face him if he was involved in this? Did he say something to my boss?

No, I reassured myself. He didn't seem like the kind of man who'd complain about a one-night stand.

Still, the knot in my stomach refused to loosen. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to distract myself, but the hours dragged by like molasses.

When the sun finally dipped below the horizon, I changed into something casual, black jeans, a plain t-shirt, and my sneakers. I wasn't about to dress up for whatever nonsense awaited me.

With a deep breath, I stepped outside and hailed a cab. The city lights blurred past the windows as I headed to the club.

Whatever was waiting for me, I'll handle it.

I reached the club in record time, unlike usual when the distance seemed to stretch endlessly. The moment I stepped inside, I felt the weight of countless stares. Everyone was looking at me like I was on display in a zoo.

What the hell is wrong with them?

Ignoring their judgmental gazes, I made my way to the manager's office. My heart pounded, but I wasn't about to let their whispers shake me.

When I pushed the door open, the manager looked furious, pacing the small space like a caged animal.

"I've told you time and again to control your damn temper, but you don't listen!" he started shouting the second I walked in.

"I didn't—"

"Shut up!" he barked, cutting me off mid-sentence. "This is exactly why I don't assign you to VIPs. You don't know how to treat them with respect! You don't think before you act, and now look where that's gotten you!"

I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to stay calm, but his rant only escalated.

"You're beautiful, sure, but you're too damn smart for your own good. No wonder you can't survive in this establishment. And after today, you probably won't have a job!"

The final jab pushed me over the edge. I slammed my palm on his desk, the sharp sound cutting through his rant like a whip.

"Now it's my turn to speak," I said coldly, glaring at him. "You didn't even bother to ask me what happened. You decided to blame me right away without knowing the truth. The problem isn't my work ethic, the problem is you. You let these so-called VIPs get away with anything. Do you think I don't know what happened to Molly?"

His eyes widened in shock before narrowing with anger. I could see the guilt flicker there before he quickly masked it.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," he said, his voice low and defensive.

"Oh, I know exactly what I'm talking about," I shot back. "I saw Molly after that night—drugged, beaten, and barely able to walk. And what did you do? You fired her and threatened her to keep quiet! You didn't help her; you threw her to the wolves!"

The color drained from his face for a moment, but he quickly replaced it with a sneer. "You'd better watch your tone, Avah. You're playing a dangerous game."

I straightened my back, refusing to cower under his glare. "And you'd better watch how you treat people, or one day, you're going to get what's coming to you."

His laugh was bitter, full of malice. "You think you're untouchable just because you're pretty and clever? That mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble one day, mark my words."

"Maybe," I said, my voice icy. "But at least I can sleep at night knowing I'm not complicit in ruining someone's life."

For a moment, the room was silent except for our heavy breathing. Then he leaned back in his chair, smirking.

"You're walking on thin ice, Avah. One more word, and you're out of here for good," he said, his voice low and threatening. "But for now, go apologize to the VIP you offended last night. Right now."

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "So that's what this is about? I offended someone by doing my job? Fine. I'll apologize, but only because I don't have another option right now. But mark my words, this isn't over."

With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of his office, slamming the door behind me. My hands trembled with adrenaline, but I kept my head high as I walked to the VIP lounge.

Whatever was waiting for me, I'd face it head-on. No sleazebag manager or entitled VIP was going to break me.