Chapter 3

After the catch-up with my friends, I return to my office at the club. It's got roughly a couple of hours until it opens for the night. It gives me time to work before customers start spilling in. Maybe I will have time to dance tonight, or at least grab a drink.

I check the storage room to make sure we aren't running low on anything, before tidying up the shelves to make the place look a little neater. I then check the drinks behind the bar to make sure we have enough drinks to last throughout the whole night.

Despite being so laid back about my job, I am very serious about it. I do want to expand my business. I do want to succeed. I just need to find the right time and the right opportunity. Which has, unfortunately, come to me in the form of a man I'm trying to hide from.

What would my dad think? He's in prison, so if I do agree, he may hear about it in the news. How would he react? Speaking of, I haven't spoken to him in a long time. I should visit him this weekend. Should I tell him about this? Or is it a bad idea?

Since when did I doubt everything so much? What is wrong with me?

***

I managed to finish my work before opening time. After treating myself to one drink, I started dancing on the dance floor. Why don't I do this often? This is amazing. My DJ has great song choices as well. I should give her a raise. I should give everyone a raise. They all work so hard. Everyone deserves it.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and jump back in fright, falling to the ground. I hear laughter from above and start cursing at the source drunkenly.

"Is that how you talk to potential partners?" Noah laughs, holding out a hand. Scowling, I ignore it and get myself up.

"What are you doing here?!" I yell over the loud music.

"Nothing. Just looking around,"

"Why?"

"No reason. Force of habit,"

"Force of habit?"

"I came here a lot when I was looking for you, but you were never there. I guess I found you now,"

"Hah!" I don't know why I laugh. I don't know how to react to this. I think I'm too drunk to think straight. I think I'm too drunk to think at all.

I ignore him and keep dancing. Moving away from him as I do. It's not enough to get rid of him. Fuck!

"Why are you following me?!" I yell.

"I wanted to see how you work. If this is what you do, I may need to reconsider our deal,"

"I'll have you know I've finished my work for today, Mister!" He shrugs his shoulders, then walks away. I scramble after him. "Oh no you don't!"

I wrap my arm around his shoulder as if we were best buddies. I yell at him for ignoring me and thinking I party at work on a daily basis. He rolls his eyes.

"Even if you've finished work, you shouldn't be partying. It's unprofessional,"

"Hey! Don't lecture me!"

"I'm just saying. An issue may arise that you will need to tend to. You can't do that if you're drunk,"

"Stop!" He is right, but I don't want to admit it. I want to treat myself for the first time in a while.

I move away from him and head back to the dance floor. I don't see any problems so far, so I can keep dancing as I please.

***

My head hurts when I wake up. I frown at the light shining in the window, so I hide under the covers. The headache is worth it - I had a lot of fun last night. I should do this again.

When I manage to muster the energy, I sit up in bed to stretch. I need medicine for my head before I can do anything. And a nice hot shower.

I check the time on my phone. Crap! It's late! Looks like I can't take my time in the shower. Oh well.

***

After finishing my shower, I head into the kitchen to grab some medicine. I almost fall on the floor upon seeing a surprise guest sitting at the dining table, reading a book.

"Noah! What are you doing here?!" Throwing a hand to my chest, I feel my heart beating rapidly. Gosh, he really scared me there.

"I was waiting for you to wake up. How are you feeling?"

"Wha… Why?!"

"You threw up on my shoes at the club. I thought it would be best to take you home," he frowns.

"Well, thank you, but why did you stay?"

"You had given me your answer. I was waiting for you so we can get started as soon as possible."

"Wait. I've already agreed?"

"Yep. Have you changed your mind already?"

"It's not that. I just would've liked the rest of the day to think about it."

"That's not a problem," he sighs, standing up and putting the book down.

"Give me your number. I'll message you my decision. It would save you from leaving and coming back again." He nods and we exchange numbers before he leaves. I breathe out a sigh of relief, before checking to see what book he was reading.

My blood freezes. Out of all books, he chose to read the smuttiest book out of my collection. Now he's going to think I watch porn or something. I just hope he doesn't view me as any less competent because of this.

Why am I concerned about that? I haven't even finalized my decision yet.

Having been mortified, I shamefully return my book to my bookshelf, then return to the kitchen. I pour myself a bowl of cereal and stick it in the microwave to heat it up. Once it's heated up, I bring the bowl to the dining table and then sit down.

So, my drunk self wanted to work with him. What does my sober self think? I want to agree, but I'm still so scared. This is basically a life-and-death situation. I don't know what he or his family is capable of - they one hundred percent will get revenge on me to get back at my father. The thought of it makes me shiver.

My mind wanders to completely random things as I eat. I remember something funny and almost choke on my cereal as I burst out laughing. It takes me a while to calm down before I can take another bite. I have the day off today, so I can do whatever I want today.

Whatever I want… What exactly is it that I would do?

Sitting here by myself, eating my breakfast enlightens me out of the blue. It's pretty quiet here. There is not much to do. It's just the same day over and over. I haven't had a day off in ages, so I've gotten used to working every day for a while. What did I used to do on my day off? I must have read books, but I wouldn't be able to do that for a whole day straight. I would need a break, but what would I do during my reading break?

I guess I could do some window shopping today. I haven't been shopping in ages. I could use the time outside to ease this hangover.

Having thought that, I finish my cereal, wash my bowl and spoon, then go for a shower. It's been a while since I've been able to take a long shower, so I take my time and savor the hot water. My muscles relax. I breathe out deeply. I think I might end up spending the day in the shower. I should shower like this on my days off.

Once I finish this blissful experience, I put some nice clothes on and get ready to go. I put on some light makeup and leave my hair open, before putting my flats on, grabbing my bag and keys, then heading out the door.

It is a nice day today - not too sunny, not too cold. It's perfect. As I walk, I brainstorm ideas about what I would want to do if I agree. Would we be on the same page? Would we work well together?

The main question that haunts me is what if he finds out who I am? I still can't shake the fear away. I don't know what his family would do to me just for being my father's daughter! I'm scared that I would have to go to his house one day. If that ever happens, I hope he doesn't live with any of his family members.

I stop in my tracks. I count the days. It's been… a while since I've last seen my father. I don't think I've actually visited him in prison before. Despite the fact he deserves to be there, I still feel bad for ignoring him. He is still my father. I should keep in touch to avoid tension between us. Plus, he may get lonely there, and that makes me feel bad.

Sighing, I make my way back home. I need to get my car before I head to the prison. For some reason, I'm nervous. I don't know what to expect from my father. I just hope this visit goes well.