Chapter 2 You don't want to keep the big guy waiting.

Nelly's POV

I had just finished my shift at the restaurant, wiping down tables when the manager walked in, looking serious.

"Listen up!" he called out. "Tomorrow is an important day, so I need you all to pay attention."

We all stopped what we were doing and turned to him.

"The CEO of this restaurant, Jason Wilson, will be visiting. I need everyone to be on their best behavior." With that, he turned and walked back to his office.

Excited whispers filled the air.

"Wow, this will be my first time seeing him!" one of the waitresses gushed.

"I've been working here forever and have only seen him once," another added. "He's cold but damn handsome."

I glanced at my wristwatch-it was getting late. My other job was waiting. Without another word, I grabbed my bag and slipped out of the restaurant.

As soon as I walked into the dressing room of the brothel, Agnes whistled.

"Damn, Nelly, where have you been? You look stunning tonight."

"Got held up at work."

She smirked. "The boss wants to see you."

That made me pause. The boss never called for anyone unless it was something important. I quickly dropped my bag and went to her office.

Boss-our madam-was a tough woman, built from fire and steel. People said her father sold her off as a teenager to pay his debts, but she clawed her way out and built this place from scratch. Now, she ran one of the most high-end brothels in the city.

She had been good to me since the day she found me crying in the bathroom. Ever since I told her about my situation, she made sure to send high-paying clients my way.

"Sit, Nelly," she said, gesturing to the chair in front of her.

I obeyed, waiting as she finished a phone call.

"There's a client willing to pay big," she said finally, locking eyes with me. "You up for it?"

I grinned. "Of course, Boss."

"Room 401. He's waiting. Be good."

I nodded and walked out.

---

In a short time, I had learned a lot about men. They were easy to handle-give them the right touch, and they melted. With my body? They never stood a chance.

I stepped into Room 401, my movements slow, calculated.

A deep voice broke the silence. "Are you the girl they sent?"

The tone alone sent a chill down my spine. I turned, and-damn.

A tall, dangerously handsome man sat on the couch, legs crossed, watching me with unreadable eyes.

I smirked, stepping closer, my voice sultry. "Are we doing this on the couch?"

He didn't react. Just watched me.

I trailed my fingers down his chest, lower... The slight twitch beneath my touch made me smirk. Got him.

Leaning in, I whispered, "Come on, you don't want to keep the big guy waiting." I flicked my tongue over his earlobe, expecting him to finally give in.

Nothing.

He just sat there, staring.

A sliver of doubt crept in. Every other man would have been all over me by now.

Finally, he spoke. "I want to take a shower first."

I blinked. "What?"

"Then you will take one too."

I frowned. In all my time here, no man had ever asked for that. But I nodded and sat on the couch as he disappeared into the bathroom.

This was going to be a long night.

---

"You're joking!" Sugar cackled, nearly splashing water out of the bathtub as we washed up the next morning.

"I swear, I was so confused," I groaned. "He even made me shower too, like I was some dirty street girl."

Sugar shook her head, still laughing. "Some clients are just weird. You've just never had one like that before."

"Well, whatever. At least he paid well."

After our bath, we got dressed and headed to the restaurant for our shift. I made a mental note to visit Grandma after work and make a deposit at the hospital.

---

The restaurant was packed, orders flying in, trays clattering, customers shouting. I was rushing from table to table when I noticed our manager heading to the entrance in a hurry.

Then came the whispers.

"That's him."

"The CEO."

"Mr. Wilson, this way, please," the manager said, leading a tall, powerful-looking man toward his office.

I barely glanced up until Sugar nudged me.

"Damn, he's smoky hot," she whispered. "Wouldn't mind a night with him."

I rolled my eyes. "You sleep with men every night, Sugar. What kind haven't you had?"

She grinned. "That's why they call me Sugar, baby."

I chuckled, shaking my head-then stopped.

Something about the CEO's presence made my skin prickle. His posture, his physique... something felt familiar.

I frowned, trying to place him.

Then he turned.

And my heart stopped.

"It's him," I whispered, eyes widening.

At the same moment, his gaze swept across the room-

And landed right on me.