Trouble In Paradise

The ruckus at the VIP section caught her attention. What on earth was going on?

Everyone around that section made a run for the exit in fear, alarming the guests on the ground floor as well…

What is it this time?

It was normal for fights to break out at the club. If a month goes by without a fight, it would be the same as saying the club didn't make any profit.

It was that bad.

That aside, she needs to get out of here, before she gets hurt or worse someone runs her over and a stampede begins…

Where on earth is Greg?

She glanced over the chaotic crowd, searching for Greg.

Oh goodness, she hopes it isn't Greg and one of the customers this time.

Aside from getting fired, her friend could get hurt really badly!

It obvious the VIP is drunk which makes it even more dangerous if Greg is really involved..

"Greg!!!" She yelled, panicking.

A gun was shot.

Everyone screamed as people rushed towards the exit in panic. Between the music and the frantic noises of the already terrified crowd, she couldn't tell which was louder.

Her eyes rang terribly from all the noise. Where on earth is Greg?!

Goodness, she hopes he's safe…

Hazel froze at the spot on seeing a male attendant fall from the balcony on the second floor .

Her hands shook at this horrible sight before her, watching as the man hit the floor unconscious. There was a bloodstain on his coat…he was bleeding.

From a gunshot.

Hazel walked slowly towards the man…

Please don't be Greg. I can take anything right now except losing someone close to me…

It took all of her might to dare look up, to the height the man had fallen from.

She was trying to convince herself….the man couldn't have possibly died from that height, could he?

She locked eyes with a pair of greens that was nothing more than a shadow. She couldn't make out who it was but the thought that he'd shot the attendant….

Hazel took a step back in fear, unable to look away from the shadow she had her eyes on.

A pair of strong arms whisks her off her feet, gripping her tight by the waist and running towards the exit.

Hazel was yet to process what had just happened.

Or did that happen?

Did it happen?

No...you're overthinking things, Hazel.

No…it…it can't be…

"Are you out of your f****ng mind?! You could have been shot!"

Hazel turned to see Greg squatting in front of her.

She was seated by some stairway and the noise around no longer existed.

When did she get out of the club? She'd been so lost in thought that she didn't notice Greg carrying her out of the club to the building just across the street.

"I…I'm sorry" Hazel managed to reply.

She was more than happy to see that Greg was okay…

She wrapped her arms around him, her body still shaken by what she had just seen.

"I. I thought it was you. The man. Second floor. The gunshot. I was worried. I just.." Hazel went on, unable to sit still.

She had just witnessed a murder!!!

Right in her own eyes…

She'd seen the killer…At least, that was what she thought.

"HEY!"Greg yelled, startling Hazel.

"Breathe. It's okay. You're out of danger. And I am here with you. I'm fine. I wasn't involved in any fights and you are safe. Breathe'' Greg instructed.

Hazel fiddled with her side purse and took out her inhaler with trembling fingers.

"I'll do it" Greg took it from her and gave her two puffs of it.

It took Hazel five minutes to relax. To calm her nerves and reassure herself she's safe.

"Did that happen?" She asked, staring at the entrance to the club.

"Don't worry about it" Greg urged

"Who was it?" She asked quietly

"I said don't worry about it, okay? Come on I'll take you home" Greg stood on his feet.

"I said who was it?" Hazel demanded

Greg clenched his jaw. He hated it when Hazel had to go through all this. She's like a younger sister to him and to have her going through a panic attack…

He couldn't bear it.

"Matt"

Hazel exhaled with her eyes closed.

Matt…

He had offered to take her lunch once. And gave her her inhaler when she had that d*mn panic attack in the staff room.

"Wh..why?" She asked

Greg exhaled.

"I don't know what happened Hazel. I don't"

Greg was upset. Nobody wants to see their colleague die.

Not right in front of him.

NO

Hazel stood on her feet, her eyes still locked at the entrance to the club.

She was hoping the green-eyed man wouldn't show up.. She wasn't sure she would be able to make a run for it if he did.

"I want to go home Greg" Hazel muttered

"Of course "

Greg waved down a taxi and sent Hazel in gently.

"I'll try to stick around and see if I can find Fred. "

Hazel's eyes shot up in fear.

"W..why aren't you leaving? yo..you can't go in there!" Hazel pleaded.

"I'm going to get our pay Zel, you don't have to worry" he assured

"I..in there? A..are you crazy??" Hazel yelled

"Zel, this isn't the first time this has happened here. Fred will pay us. If we're going to quit working here, we deserve some compensation for our hard work"

If he was trying to lighten the mood, that certainly isn't working.

He's been working at this club longer than Hazel and he had seen way worse things in this part of the city.

Hazel stared at him in confusion; not the first? not the first time this had happened or not the first time he'd lost a colleague?

"You can't go in there, Greg. It's too dangerous!" Hazel exclaimed

"Hey, I'll be fine. Taxi, drop her off please?" Greg pleaded as he handed the old man some bills.

"Greg!" Hazel called.

He shuts the door and watches the taxi zoom off towards Hazel's apartment…

He exhaled; Zel is out of danger.

Now, back to the mess in the club…