THE OBLIVION REVENGE

As she pushed open the heavy doors of the nightclub, she hesitantly stepped inside, her eyes scanning the dimly lit room with uncertainty.

She looks so out of place with her dressing. She knows within her that she's not fit to be in here, it's not like she wishes to be in a club anyways.

If someone has told her she would be here, in The Rock club, the most famous club in Rome she would doubt it. She had sneaked in unnoticed when the security men were trying to control the crowd outside the club. She knew she would be thrown out immediately if she was noticed or sighted.

Her shoulders hunched, and her arms wrapped protectively around herself and kept looking around fearfully thinking her predator will appear in front of her, damning her godforsaken uncle, who chooses to assault her even after working her ass off to provide for him and his miserable son. She shook her head at the thought of him. Nothing good will come out of thinking about it again anyways. Bringing her hands up to the tears threatening to burst out at any moment.

He is seated at a corner in the club where he has a clear view of everything happening inside the club. When he comes around he hardly stays in this part of the club but he decided to just hang around tonight. Not like he is needed anyways he thought as he sat down looking at the crowd. He is going to retire soon and leave everything to his son.

Then, someone caught his attention. A fragile , shabby figure, utterly out of place amidst the glamor of the club.

"Who allowed that piece of shit in here?" He growled.

As he signaled one of the men closest to him Marco, with a subtle nod.

"Who allowed her in?" He said pointing at the lady.

"It's probably the security," he answered.

"This is how you allow anybody in when Antonio is not around? I get that he is not around but is that how you idiots run here." He yelled amidst the noise in the club.

The first thing that came to his mind was to dismiss her, to order the security to escort her out but then an idea popped into his head.

"I'll tell the security to drag her out now boss," Marco said quickly.

"You know what Marco give her a drink, something special," he said, his eyes on the girl who's still standing in the middle of the club. Marco immediately understand what he meant

With a curt nod, Marco went to the bar to get something special to her as he was instructed, then went towards the crowded floor, his eyes locked on the shabby girl. It was easy to identify her; she looks so different from everyone in the club.

"Care for a drink?" He asked when he got to her.

She turned and looked at him weirdly before turning back.

"You're the only one without a drink here, just have this, it's on the house," he whispered.

He is right after all, she looks so out of place so she might as well take the drink.

'Thanks' she said, collecting it and chunking it down in one gulp.

When she turned to thank the stranger again she couldn't find him.

She suddenly felt dizzy. 'It's probably the alcohol settling in' she thought. She wondered how strong it was.

She sat down hoping it would wear off soon. The last thing she remembered was being carried by someone but she doesn't know who or where she's being carried to.

"The beginning is the most important part of the work,"

Plato.

Anastasia's POV

I stand before the Rock Club, the nightclub is lively and filled with booming music. I felt a sense of Deja Vu standing outside this club. It holds a lot of memories and it's definitely not good ones.

Being this close to the club gave me a clearer view. I had been here at the beginning of the week but I didn't pay attention to the exterior part of Rock Club. Looking at it now I see why this club holds a lot of power.

It's built in the center of Rome. You can hardly miss it. This club is massive, easily the largest in Rome. As I gaze up at Rock Club, my eyes lock onto the club's logo, perched atop the building.

The logo seems to be in the form of a crown but if you look closer it looks like a musical instrument. I can't remember what it's called. It's sleek, modern and bold, at the center of the logo a subtle shimmering effect shone brightly in the sun.

The building alone is intimidating. A part of me wants to turn back and go back home but I know better than to do that. I have waited for this opportunity and now that I got it I shouldn't let it slip off just like that.

Standing here stir up lots of memories and emotions. I'm trying my best to hold back and not break down.

"I can do this," I said, muttering to myself several times. I looked up to the

I took this job as a waitress for two reasons and one of the reasons is because the pay is actually very good and the other I don't want to talk about.

I took a deep breath, smoothing my dress, and went towards the entrance. I can see the security men stationed everywhere. I walked towards the glass door where a security guard was standing.

"How can I help you, miss?" He asked. I guess he wasn't the security guard at the entrance when I came to apply earlier in the week.

"I'm new here," I said.

"New here? A customer or a staff member?" He asked in a bored tone.

"A staff," I replied.

"Your ID card please," he asked.

"I haven't gotten one, I'm just resuming today." I replied, getting irritated by his questions.

"I can't let you in without any means of identification," he responded.

"But...." I stopped because I didn't know what to say.

"Let her in, she was employed when you weren't here." I heard a male voice from behind me, I turned to see who saved me from looking stupid. It was a guy in a security uniform.

"Okay sir," the other guard replied.

"Th..thank you." I said to the guy that saved me.

"It's okay, you can go in. Have fun working here," he said, giving me a boyish smile.

If it was in another world where I had no worries, I would have said he's totally my type but then this is reality and I'm not here for that.

I gave him a grateful smile as I entered the club. The familiar scent of liquor and perfume envelops me, making me feel nauseous.

"I can't do this." I said to myself as tears welled up in my eyes.

"I can do this, I'm a big girl now." I said, still talking to myself.

I applied for this job for a reason and I have to accomplish my mission, although I don't know how to go about it yet. maybe someone would slip up, or perhaps I'll find some clues.

I walked deeper into the club, there aren't so many people here right now probably because it's noon because this place is always filled up by evening although I've been in here once but I pass the front of the club almost every day.

I spotted the manager Emily and I walked towards her and she spotted me almost immediately and gave a warm smile.

"Welcome, Anastasia," she said.

"Thank you," I responded with a smile.

"Since you're here now, I should show you around before going back to my office, follow me," she said.

"Alright ma,"

She walked towards the room and opened the door. There were about five girls seated there.

"I'm glad you're all here, meet your new colleague Anastasia."

"Anastasia, this is Samantha. She's been working here the longest, she would take you around and put you through the necessary," Emily said.

Samantha's piercing blue eyes sparkled as she extended her hands towards.

"Welcome to Rock club! I'll show you the ropes."

I shook her hand, feeling a warmth. She seems like a nice person but I can't judge too quickly.

I gave her a grateful smile.

"Meet Bianca, Sofia, Mia and Alice," Emily introduced the others. They waved at me and I gave them a smile.

"Samantha will get you settled, my job here is done." Emily said and walked out of the locker room.

"Thank you." I said not caring if she hears or not.

When Emily left, Samantha spoke.

"I'm Samantha like Emily said, I'll be here if you need anything," she sounded so kind, she made me feel so relaxed.

"Hi I'm Sofia, nice to meet you," a girl with gold hair and brown eyes introduced herself.

"So you're Bella's replacement, anyway I'm Mia. I hope you have fun working here," she said and strutted out of the room," she seemed like a mean person but do I care? No.

"Ignore her, she woke up at the wrong side of the bed today," another girl with ginger hair said.

"I'm Alice," she introduced.

"Nice meeting you all," I said.

"We're all family here, since you're here now you're part of the family as well." Samantha said.

"Thank you." I said, gratefully.

"Let's get you familiar with the system, follow me I'll show you around."

I nodded and followed her out of the locker room, while we walked around the club.

"So have you worked in a club before?" She asked.

"Yes, I worked in a bar before," I replied.

Samantha nodded.

"You'll fit right in," she said.

As we walked, Samantha pointed out,

"This is the dance floor, I think that's pretty obvious,"

"That's Mark our head bartender," she said, pointing at the guy that directed me to reception when I came to apply the other day.

We climbed the stairs that lead upstairs.

"This is the reception, I guess you've been here earlier," she said and I nodded.

We walked down the hallways, there were two extra rooms in the hallway.

"This is where the owner attends to his visitors, no one goes there without permission from Emily or the boss," she said pointing to the room with authorized personnel only on it

"Ermmm can I ask a question?"

"Sure, I'm here to help you after all so you might as well ask anything," she said in a kind voice.

"So does the boss come around often?" I asked looking at her,

"Hmmm not really, he's always on business trips all the time but he comes around when he's in the country," she responded.

"Okay thank you."

"Why do you ask about it, do you know him or something?" She asked.

"No, no, no, I've just heard a lot about him, I'm just merely curious." I said quickly.

"You know what they say about curiosity?" She asked in a serious tone

"What?" I asked, looking at her curiously.

"'It gets you killed. Anyway let go and check out the other parts you'll be working on," she said walking ahead of me.

I slowly walked behind her wondering if I said something wrong.

I can't get killed before I get my hands on what I came here for.

"No news is good news."

Ludovic Halevy

Antonio's POV

I stepped off the private jet, the cool evening air hitting me. My gaze scanned the tarmac, my eyes locking onto Leo, one of my many men who is serving as my chauffeur.

"Bentornato Capo," (it means welcome back in Italian and capo means boss) he greeted in Italian while opening the door to the sleek black sedan.

"Thanks, Leo," I replied, settling into the leather seat.

My mind shifted to the unfinished business awaiting me at the club. It is a deal I was supposed to close before traveling but the people involved were indecisive and I couldn't let them hold me back. I had to travel for another business meeting but then I got a call from them last night that they are ready to seal the deal.

I guess they finally came to their senses and it was a good thing that I already rounded up things where I was before their call came through.

"How was your trip boss?" Leo asked from the driver's seat.

"Just the usual," I replied in a sharp tone. I'm not really in the mood for any conversation. He seemed to get the memo and didn't talk any more.

"Have you seen my father around?" I asked.

"No boss, I haven't seen him since you left," he replied and I gave a curt nod.

I'm not surprised at the response, my father is probably in one of his many hotels with his new play thing. He didn't even call since I left the country to attend to a business that would benefit him the most.

The driving was swift, the city lights blurring outside my window. By the time we got to the club it was already dark outside.

I stepped out of the sedan, my Italian leather shoes hitting the pavement with authority. The neon lights of 'Rock Club' shone brightly at the top of the building.

This was my family's empire, my father's domain. My father would do anything to save this club if any situation warrants it. He once told me he would pick the club over me in one of our many heated arguments.

I might be doing most of the work and sealing all the deals but my father is still the owner of this club and our other businesses and for some reasons he doesn't want me to get full control even when he's usually unavailable half the time. Well he will retire soon I know and everything will be mine soon enough.

I took a deep breath, as I stepped into the club one of the security men at the door greeted me.

"Welcome Capo," he greeted.

I only nodded at him.

The club was in full motion by the time I got in, it's night time already so I'm not so surprised to see a lot of people inside the club. I walked deeper and soon I climbed the stairs that led to my office. As soon as I got up, I met Emily, our manager. She seemed to have been waiting for me.

"Welcome sir," she greeted.

"Emily," I said, giving her a curt nod.

"The clients have been waiting for you, I'll lead you to where they are seated boss," she said and I signaled her to proceed.

We walked down the hallway that leads to another stairs which we climbed and finally we got to the door that states 'only for authorized personnel.' This room is only meant for our business associates, it's strictly for business deals.

As soon as I stepped into the room, Emily shut the door. She didn't bother entering, her only goal was to take our clients to the room and make sure they are attended to by one of our waiters.

My gaze swept across the room, locking onto the clients seated around the polished mahogany table. My eyes fell on my lawyer and consigliere Andrea who gave me a bow.

"Good evening, gentlemen," I said, my deep voice filling the room.

Their nods and murmurs acknowledged my authority.

"I see you have finally decided to do business with us, what changed your mind because I noticed you were skeptical at first." I asked while taking a seat.

"We just decided you're the best to do business with," one of the men said.

I gave a smirk but didn't give any response to what he said.

"Let's discuss the terms," I began in a more professional voice.

Their lawyer, a nervous-looking man, fumbled with papers. He seemed to be scared by presence, it's not like I'm going to kill him or anything, at least not until they give me reasons to.

"I believe we've reached a mutually beneficial agreement." I continued.

The clients' eyes darted to mine, seeking reassurance but my expression remained neutral.

Andrea slid a folder across the table.

"The details are in there," he explained to them.

Silence hung in the air as they reviewed the documents.

Finally, the lead client spoke.

"We accept," It's not like they have a choice.

A nod from me sealed the deal.

"Welcome to partnership with Ferguson," I said.

Handshakes and forced smiles. I stood, signaling the meeting's end.

"Andrea, see our new associates out," I signaled to my right hand man.

As they departed, I rested my back on the chair and closed my eyes. I need rest. I haven't slept properly in the past days and I'm slowly feeling worn out.

But as I'm starting to drift off into sleep I hear a knock on the door. I wonder who's here to disturb my peace.

"Arrrgh, Come in." I said, in a low voice and I heard the door open, I opened my eyes slowly to see who it was.

It was Emily, I wonder what she wants.

"Emily, I'm not really in the mood for anything right now, can you come back some other time?" I said, closing my eyes back expecting her to leave me alone.

"No Antonio, you know I won't leave you alone," she said. I forgot to mention earlier that Emily is my cousin, my father's only brother's daughter. Her father had died when she was younger so my father took her in and we grew up together which is why she knows about our business.

"This isn't a time to be stubborn, I've had a long day, I need my rest." I said.

"Just five minutes and I'll be out of your way," she insisted.

"Fine, speak," I said, sitting up properly.

"So about the new waitress, someone finally applied," she said.

"Really, I thought we would never find a replacement since the last person resigned." The thing is there has been a rumor about our club saying someone was killed in the club which has made it hard for us to get new staff. Yes an incident happened between some fools who were in business but it is sorted now.

"Yes I'm surprised too, anyway the lady is still young and seems like she'll be good for the job." Emily continued.

"You know we need more than that, do you think she'll be able to keep her mouth shut, we don't need a snitch."

"Yeah she seems okay, I already went through her file and we did a background check already so she's good to go," she said.

"Okay, I trust your judgment. Give the job to her since you think she deserves it."

"Okay but won't you like to check her resume or something," she said, gesturing to the paper in her hand.

"No it's fine, just do the right thing." I said.

"Alright let me leave you to rest, but shouldn't you go to your office or something?" She asked.

"I should," I said standing up.

"Ermmm Antonio I have to tell you something," Emily said as I stood to go to my office.