Chapter 3 Surprises

Avery's POV

I watch as the car drives away into the distance, and I sigh in relief. I turn to walk back into my apartment when I am engulfed in a hug. I am initially frightened, but I am calm as soon as that familiar scent reaches my nose. I smile, and I hug him back.

"Where exactly have you been?" He asks as soon as he breaks the hug.

"Awww,were you so worried about me?" I tease,my voice dripping with mischief.

"Of course I was. I mean-"

I interrupt him. "Alright, Jake. I am fine. I just visited some new clients who were interested in my designs. Sorry for how I had you worried."

I feel bad about lying to Jake, who has been nothing but a good friend to me, but I have no choice. Without being told,I know I have to be confidential about the entire situation with Ethan and the contract.

If Jake feels I am hiding anything,he doesn't show it and gives me a bright smile. "Alright,red. I will be going now. Take care of yourself."

I smile as I hear his nickname for me; he calls me red because of my hair color. I wave goodbye as he climbs his motorcycle and speeds into the distance. I check the time on my phone, and my eyes widen. It's already 7:00 p.m.-two hours before I resume work for today.

Sprinting back into my one-room apartment,I take a quick bath and change into a jean and white top before squeezing my work uniform and wig into my bag. My red hair always attracted attention in the club, so I started wearing a brunette wig while working to avoid the unnecessary attention. I check my appearance in the mirror, and it's perfect. I guess I am ready for tonight.

**

The loud blast of music welcomes my ears as I step inside the club. I have been working at Palmers for three years now, but I still am not used to the deafening blast. I squeeze through the sea of dancing bodies, gyrating with so much gusto. I see my coworker, Brenda, wave at me. That's a first. We barely talk except for work.

"Good evening! Let's go inside the changing room." She shouts over the loud music as soon as I reach her.

"Why didn't you just use the back door?" She questions as soon as we enter the changing room, which is quiet-a contrast to the outside.

"Uhm, I actually prefer using the front entrance," I reply, carefully choosing my words. The back entrance was always filled with all sorts of crazy stuff, like horny couples and drunk customers. I could do without the drama, honestly speaking.

I start to take off my clothes to change into my work uniform, and Brenda whistles, "Girl,you are hot. No wonder the boss had you transferred to the VIP section."

I am in the middle of taking off my trousers when I process her words. "What?"

Why was my whole day filled with surprises?

Brenda looks at me as if I have grown two horns. "You didn't know? Candy discovered she was pregnant yesterday for some billionaire who frequents the VIP section and ran from the city. It's been chaotic, and the boss needs an immediate replacement for her-he actually called you this morning." Brenda explains, and I am too stunned to react. Candy was a hot redhead who worked in the VIP section, and rumors have it that she is popular among VIP customers because of her red hair and beauty. I am probably going to replace her because I have the same red hair as her.

A sigh escapes my lips. I didn't want to work in the VIP section for fear of running into people from my past, but I guess my opinion wasn't even needed in the first place and I still need this job to survive.

"You don't have to be worried; your salary is twice as much, and you get nice tips too. You are lucky." Brenda smiles, handing me a paper bag, which I am just noticing she has been holding since I saw her. I should get a grip on myself.

"It is your uniform for the VIP section; you should be fast." She says, showing me her phone, which is vibrating and has Boss displayed on the screen.

I am introduced to my new coworkers in the VIP section by my boss, Mr. Marcini, the club manager. Most of them stare at me wide-eyed before they are dismissed. I don't blame them; even I was shocked when I saw myself in the mirror.

My new uniform is a knee-length pink glimmery gown that hugs my curves, and its neck is cut low with thin straps. My red hair was curled, and my makeup was done by Brenda.In one word,I looked ravishing.

"You are so sexy." I hear a male voice speak behind me. I turn, and my jaw drops at the sight before me. A tall guy with curly brown hair and green eyes is smiling at me with his hands stretched for a handshake. Only one word comes to mind: hot.

I feel my cheeks heat, and I am thankful for the red lighting, which helps conceal my blush. "Thank you." I reply, accepting his handshake.

"Brandy,Brandy Lorenzo, That's my name." He introduces himself,a smirk on his lips as he notices my reaction.

"Uhm, I am Avery." I reply before taking my hands from his grip. He wants to say something, but someone interrupts.

"Avery,go serve the people in private room one." It is my new coworker. I think her name is Mandy, and I don't miss the hostile look she passes me as she hands me the small paper containing the orders.

"I will see you later, Ave." Brandy gives me a wink, and I nod wordlessly before walking away to serve the orders.

My heart beats erratically as I am handed my first tray of drinks to serve in the VIP section. I climb the stairs and look for private room 1, which I immediately see on the first turn to the right.

The men guarding the door push it open when they see me. I smile politely at them before going inside, and the loud laughter echoing across the walls of the dimly lit room greets my ears.

A loud whistle from someone almost causes quietness in the room, and I feel my legs weaken from the harsh glares the ladies sitting besides the men pass me. I muster courage and wordlessly walk to the center, where the table is placed to pour the drinks. Everyone in the room is clearly drunk except for a man who is smoking alone on the other end of the room. I can't see his face, but I feel his chilling gaze on my back, and I oddly feel a sense of familiarity. My heart thuds again, and I pour the drinks faster. Thankfully,I am soon done and about to walk away when I hear a voice-a familiar deep voice speaking.

"Are you not going to fill my glass?"

I turn wide-eyed, and the questions fly out of my mouth before I can stop myself. "Mr. Ethan? What are you doing here?"

What sort of luck is this?

Ethan's POV

I had been restless since I left Avery after I gave her my conditions. I went home and was told my grandmother had taken the twins to her mansion for the night.I would have loved to spend some time with them, but it is fine. Nana loves them so much, and it is understandable.

My phone vibrates. It is a text from my friend, Anthonio,inviting me to the club. I prefer to bury my head in some work that needs my attention since my insomnia would persist, but I can use the distraction to clear my thoughts or even seek some pleasure tonight.

***

The private room is filled with loud laughter from my friends and their companions for the night. I am the only one seated on the other end smoking because I don't find any of the ladies present interesting, and I am beyond irritated because I know why.

The door to the private room opens, and I hear someone whistle. I raise my head, and I feel numb from the soul-blinding lust that travels through me as my eyes settle on the reason for my constant thoughts.

Avery is dressed in a tight dress that ends above her knees and outlines her sexy curves. I catch a fair amount of cleavage peeking from underneath the dress, and I control myself from wrapping a coat around her to cover her. I find myself thinking about how soft her red hair will feel in my palms. She has that much effect on me, and I wonder if the self-control I have built over the years is gone.

Thankfully,all my friends are so engrossed in their drunken discussions that they do not gawk at her.

She fills their glasses and is already on her way outside when I stop her. Nice try, kitten, but no one escapes me.

"Are you not going to fill my glass?" I find myself saying, and a burst of satisfaction fills me as I see the shock spread on her face when she turns around. Yeah, kitten, have you missed me already?

"Mr Ethan? What are you doing here?"

"Are you asking me what I am doing in my own club?" I ask,amazed at how I never knew she worked for me. Yeah, I had her investigated, lust or not. I needed to know why a woman who willingly agreed to be a surrogate is stalking my kids, but I don't find anything suspicious from her end except uncovering the annoymous source updating her about the twins. That's not a problem. Marcus was slacking, and I have to remind him to behave one of these days.

"I am sorry, sir." She gasps an apology, quickly bending to fill my glass, and my thoughts wander off as my eyes rake her entire body.

I am a man of my words, and I have never made spontaneous decisions except when they involve this woman. Fuck,this is bad, but you never live until you risk your life, and I am willing to take this risk-a sweet risk.

"Let's do it tonight." I breathe, stubbing my cigarette on the ashtray.

The earlier I got this woman out of my head,the better for my sanity.

"W..what do you mean?" She stutters inaudibly, but my sharp ear catches her words.

I gesture for her to come closer,a smirk on my lips as I notice the frightened expression on her face, before I whisper into her ears. "I want to fuck you tonight."

I want you screaming my name tonight,baby.