HER POV

       "It's not much, but it's better than living in the streets," Derek jokes as we enter his studio.

       A blue chaise is placed next two a brown three-seater couch. A piano stood proudly next to the blue chaise. Adjacent to the small living room is a small kitchen area with a island countertop at the center.

       After being thrown into the streets I turned to the only person I could — Derek. I wanted to go to Brian, but I knew doing so would cause a deeper attachment and I could not allow for that to happen. So, instead I took Derek's help and agreed to stay with him for a few weeks.

       "You really seem to like plants," I muse as I look at the green plants around the room.

       "Gives this place a much more pleasant aesthetic," Derek shrugs as he closes the door behind us.

As he turns around to look at me the atmosphere around us becomes quite tense. He searches my eyes for some kind of answer, but I keep a poker face. He presses his lips together before opening them to speak.

"Thank you for helping me out," I state before he can say or ask anything.

Derek seems to take the hint and simply nods with a small smile. He sets his keys on the bookshelf near the door and walks into the kitchen.

"Have you eaten?" He asks as he opens up his fridge and I shake my head. "How about some instant ramen?"

       "Yes," I nod at the same time my stomach lets out a loud rumble. I watch as Derek works on cooking the ramen. "I promise this will only be for a short while. I'll move out as soon as I find a place to live... and new means of income."

Derek turns to me with a cheeky smile.

       "I thought your sneaky-seductress side hustle was going good," Derek tries to lift my mood and I roll my eyes with a small unamused smile. His smile slowly drops and the expression in his chocolate brown eyes becomes serious. "If you want I can get you a job at the nightclub. My manager told me they need new baristas to attract more customers."

       I bite down on my bottom lip with uncertainty. I know I will not be able to find another job like the one from Antonio's bar that can keep me out of the radar. However, I also know that I cannot keep hiding for the rest of my life.

       I look up at Derek and nod my head hesitantly. It'll just be for a short while. Antonio's anger will eventually subside and he'll take me back in, just like he did for Kieran.

"I'd appreciate that," I smile up at him.

"Great!" Derek's smile returns upon hearing my answer. "I'll text my manager and schedule an interview for you."

"Yay," I reply in a whisper. My tone is much less enthusiastic but I feign as much excitement as I can.

***

       I walk into the familiar club. Unlike at night, every single noise can be heard including the clicking of my high-heel ankle boots against the tile floor.

       "This outfit doesn't seem too casual right?" I ask Derek for the millionth time.

       "You look great," Derek assures giving my shoulder a comforting squeeze.

I did not have much clothing and the best outfit I could come up with is a pair of blue jeans, black ankle boots and a white long-sleeve t-shirt. My auburn locks were tied up in a bun with a few strands sticking out.

"There he comes," Derek whispers as a figure approaches us.

A tall man who seems somewhere in his late forties appears in front of us. His long light brown locks are tied back into a ponytail. He greets us with a warm smile.

"You must be Samantha?" He muses and I nod. I reach my hand out and he gives it a firm shake. "My name is Will.

"Hi," I greet formally.

"I will be honest, we are really short staffed, so I need all the help I can get. Do you have experience bartending and waitressing?"

"Yes," I nod with a smile. "I worked at another club near the outskirts of the city."

"Very well, can you start today?"

My eyes open in surprise, but I nod vigorously. "Yes, yes. I can start today." I reply.

"Great!" He grins before motioning us to follow him as he shows me around the club. "You will be starting with the minimum wage of eighteen dollars and fifty cents. Depending on how well you excel these next three months we can increase it accordingly. The tips that the customers leave are all yours. Also, would you like to get paid in cash or check? The owner of the bar is lenient with the form of pay, so it's up to you."

"Cash would be good," I reply and Will nods.

"You will need to use a uniform which will be given to you tonight. I'll count on Derek to fill you in everything else and afterwords you can stop by my office to fill out the necessary paperwork." Will explains.

"Great, thank you," my grin remains intact as Will shakes my hand once more.

"It was nice meeting you Samantha," he states before walking out of the room.

I turn around to face Derek. I jump up and down like a little child. He smiles back and opens his arm for a hug. I rush over to him and welcome his embrace.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I squeal.

Derek's husky chuckle echoed throughout the room. "Come, I will show you the ropes," he says as he guides me toward the bar.

He spends the rest of the day teaching me how to make his signature bestseller cocktails and where I can find the fridge, kitchen and bathroom.

I learn as much as I can before the doors open to the public. I look down at my watch and just on time the security guards slides open the double-doors. One by one the customers rush in ready to have the night of their lives.

"You ready?" Derek asks as he approaches me. He wore the same clothes as me: a white button-down shirt, black slacks and gray apron.

       "Yes," I say with a determined expression.

       My very first customer is a short brunette. She gives me a drunken smile.

       "Two mango martinis, please," she states as her friend who also seems to be tipsy joins her.

       I grab the bottle filled with the mango-flavored liquor and pour into two martini glasses. I quickly cut up one of the mangos near by like Derek had showed me earlier today and slide it onto the glass.

       "Here you go," I slide the two martinis toward the girls. "That'll be sixteen dollars."

       The girl hands me a fifty dollar bill.

       "Keep the change," she slurs out before I can give her back her thirty-four dollars.

       "Thank you," I slide the extra money into one of the pockets on my apron. "Huh, this renders more money than my check from Antonio and the lousy stealing combined."

       I turn around to clean up the half cut up mango and set it aside. The loud ding from the bell set on the counter near my station alerts me of a new customer.

"How may I help y-" My eyes widen as I recognize the figure in front of me. "W-What are you doing here?!"

"You thought I'd give up so easily," he cocks his head to the side with a smug smirk.

Author's Note
Here it is! I am so sorry for the late update... again. To make up for it, I am doing a double-update so be on the look out for another chapter later today. I am still figuring out where it is I want to take this book. I am thinking of making it a three-boom series maybe four book but I have yet to decide. The chapters may get a bit shorter due to writer's block but I will be updating on time. Any who, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. Vote and share if you enjoyed.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay awesome!
Xoxo, Liz 💋💋💋