Chapter 21 Chapter 21
ALINA'S POV
The following day came fast. It was a double shift day today.
First, I had to come in during the day to Oxygen and then at night. I called it a double shift, because you know... It is double.
Anyways, I started off my day as usual. Praise to the heavens, there were no serious corrections from my dear boss the day before, so I got off early after his inspection, then got to rest. Hence, leaving me in better spirits as I resumed the next morning. Today.
Although I didn't encounter Roman during the day— my first shift, I sure did at night time. The encounter and everyone after that, completely depleting what was left of my high spirits in the morning.
“Do you ever move?”
His voice came behind me. Hot, sudden, and so very irritated amidst all the bodies around here; skin, leather, lace, thong, you name it.
"Do you ever properly announce yourself?” I said in retort, blinking as I steadied my heartbeat. Trying not to show how startled I was by his voice. I didn't turn around to him either. My view was far more interesting.
I had two men evidently trying to tease a lady in a neon green thong, each man doing the most. All the while trying to stay within the bounds of what was allowed in the lounge.
Active sex happened in the booked rooms, not outside it. So you could imagine right now. Their struggle. But the lady in question... she was one lucky slut, I tell you.
“You’ve been standing here for a while,” His continued, evidently not going to let me be. “People are starting to notice.”
“I am allowed to STAND.”
"No. You’re allowed to work,” he corrected. “Standing around watching is something else.”
I turned to face him now, features unimpressed. Annoyance sizzling.
He was holding a drink too. Untouched. Unlike mine. Eyes sharp, tracking everything — including me.
“Do I need permission to exist on this floor now?” I questioned, "Do I need your permission to BREATHE here?"
“This isn’t your floor.”
“Yes, but I'm here by extension from handling the Seraph wing project."
“And yet,” he dragged, tilting his head. “you’re everywhere but there tonight.”
What?
He didn't expect me to spend the entire night in an uncompleted, empty and cold wing. Did he?
"I have finished my shift.”
“Still, you linger here."
"You asked me to be here. I have compulsory two nights to spend in Oxygen, remember?"
He paused, jaw flexed. Clearly not liking i wasn't agreeing with him right now. "We're not doing the 'i control everything' bit, are we?" I pressed, his eyebrows furrowing.
"What are you talking about?"
"This." I pointed between us, staring at him. “You trying to control what I do, decide where I’m allowed to be. To be a control freak, right now. I'm not on shift."
“People are uncomfortable when they’re watched.”
"Who? These people?" I pointed, using my glass. "Or those ones over there I just finished laughing with about 5 minutes ago."
His eyes flickered past me, where I pointed with my glass.
The few ladies at the bar counter, a male escort that winked as he walked past and a really pretty female escort named Linda. Dressed extremely skimpyly too, but with a soft personality to go with it.
"Her name's Linda," I said to him, noticing his stare on her in particular. "Linda. Alina. Our names sound alike. You can see how we have something to talk about, don't you? Or should I give you the exact details?"
His eyes only narrowed at my statement, “They don’t need to be familiar with you.”
“And yet they are.”
"Well they shouldn't." He stepped closer, scowling. “You're not the same. You blur lines around here.”
“You're the one drawing imaginary ones.” I replied, "What, am not allowed to speak with others now?"
"That’s not your call.”
“Neither is you policing my movements.” my voice snapped, getting mad now as I stared at him.
Just what was his problem?
Couldn't he stay wherever he was? Think he could come out here and say whatever to me? I was my own person not his personal toy.
"I am not on shift right now," I said to him, "I see no reason for your corrections or inspection. I'm done for the day."
"You're done for day?" He scoffed, smirking. "You think you are, don't you? We'll see about that."
See about that? There was nothing to see about.
But he was already walking off. Turning around and vanishing into the dark hallway by the corner, the buzzing music and sizzling drink in my hand not letting me concentrate on him anymore than I should. So I turned away.
"He's acting crazy again," I muttered, sipping my drink.The taste dousing down on my earlier climbing annoyance. I gobbled it all down then. Appreciating the fruity taste even if I knew it was still acohol.
But maybe I should've done more than that. Should've taken more precaution, or at least did something. Cause after a seemingly good 30 minutes later, of no fault of my own, a shadow walked right into my face.
"Move," was the voice I heard, a body nearly knocking me down to the floors. My latest drink spilling all over me. I gasped, shocked as I turned backwards in haste. Hoping to catch whoever that was, but only thing I caught was the faint highlight of a woman. A really familiar looking woman from the side profile she gave me before fleeing away.
Weird.
Strange. More than strange even, there was enough space to move about. But she hit me. It was intentional, that much was obvious.
Still, I pulled myself together. Needed to clean the drink off and then get another cause if there were more random attacks coming my way tonight? Then this was going to be a long night.
I took myself to the bar counter then. Grabbing some tissues and dapping my coat while asking for a fresh drink. So imagine my surprise when instead of a drink, I got this;
"Can't give you any more drinks." The bartender said.
I paused, blinked. "What? Why?" The rules were staff got free drinks. So what's the problem?
"The rules." He said, mixing more drinks. Clearly not for me.
"What rules? Same rules that says all staff are to get free drinks? I'm a staff. Look!" I angled my neck to display my gold insignia.
He stared at it for a second, unimpressed. "Seen but no." He declared, "No drinks for you."
"What? Why are you saying? Why??"
Now I was getting pissed.
What the hell is wrong with this bartender? What the hell was wrong with this floor?? First, there's nowhere to sit, my heels were starting to kill me, everywhere's all dark and filled with heavily sensual people. I try to distract myself with a drink but I get attacked and now refused a drink. Why? Why??
My heated stare must've been getting too much for him cause he reluctantly turned to face me. Sighing. "Look up. You're on red. Meaning no drinks."
I looked to where he pointed above him. Some sort of electronic notice board up there, white and bright. My name shining on it. Red.
"What is that?"
"The control board." He answered, "You appear on there, nothing for you for the rest of the night."
"But I didn't break any rules."
"You didn't. Boss's orders."
"Boss-
Oh my world, you've got to be kidding me!
Roman.
Seriously? What the hell??
I looked around instinctively, wanting to catch him wherever he was right now and giving such orders. But I got nothing. He was nowhere to be found. At least not in this sea of moans and nakedness.
I could feel annoyance swell up in me like yeast amidst it all. My teeth grinding intolerably, mood sour. But someone thought it best to add to it right now. Rub salt to injury.
"Oh? THE consultant is being blacklisted?" The voice sneered, mocking. "Serves you right!"
THE consultant? Since when was I called that?
I turned to face the person, a lady cause it was a female's voice. But all I got was one elegantly strutting down the other side of the lounge. A moment passed, then she turned back to look at me. Smirking. And then it hit me!
That was her.
The one that almost knocked me to the floors. And I'd most definitely seen her before. I was sure of it.
But where?
Where could I have seen her? I'd no enemies, or at least I like to think so. Asides Nicole and her minions at Boldlines, I couldn't really think of anyone right now that would have it out for me. Plus, they couldn't have come so far as to have someone here at Oxygen that would do their bidding.
No way.
"Where then have I seen her from?" I questioned myself, frowning even more now cause she seemed to have her own little clique that was staring at me now.
It took a while, but as I turned back around to talk about a way out of Roman's stupid orders, it suddenly clicked.
Roman.
I'd seen her with Roman!
In his office. She was the one I asked out that day I confronted him and came to oxygen on a Saturday!
"Oh my world," I turned back to look at her, seeing clearly now. A brunette. She was tall. Taller than me for sure, how did I not remember her at first glance?
But then again, why was she attacking me? I wasn't the one that sent her out at the end. Her boss did. Why the hostility towards me?
In fact, this all meant it's that bastard fault! Me being here tonight, wearing these killer heels, my feet swelling, back aching, having a drink and yet getting attacked by some strange woman. This was all his fault and yet he dared to attempt controlling my movements!
Wanting to dictate who I spoke to, where I stood and how much I drank! I hadn't even had anything yet. My second or third glass had been knocked over by his brunette hussy. I didn't even get to drink it!
"You should vacate the spot," the bartender's voice reached my ears, cutting through my hateful thoughts. My face doing more than scowling now. I was pissed.
"You need to leave." He repeated, "get somewhere else to sit, clients are coming in."
"What?" I stared at him, "You cannot be serious. I can't possibly go over there where they're making out. There's nowhere else to sit."
"Because this floor is not for sitting." His voice cut in,
Roman.
His body cologne reaching my nose before I saw him with my own two eyes.
"I told you," he said, smirking in front of me. "This is not your floor. You want to be here? Then you stand around or sit around watching people. You work or participate."
Participate?
Was he trying to insult or something?
"I am a consultant," I gritted between teeth, rising to meet him. "Not one of your escorts, Mr Ward."
"Then act like it. Go do your job."
Job??
"I am NOT on-
I held it in, swallowing down those words. My fists clenching at my sides.
Just calm down, Alina. Calm down.
This is what he wants. To make you mad even if he had functioning eardrums!
I was not on shift. I'd told him before. Said it multiple times tonight. Said it the last time he popped up behind me and yet here he was acting like he had processing problems.
It was intentional.
So intentional.
"Seems you're busy patroling, Sir." I said instead, plastering a smile on my face. A painful one despite the bubbling heat underneath my skin. "You must be 'inspecting'. As usual. A hobby I see now, reason
why you can't seem to stay in your office."
"I do whatever I want, I don't need your permission, Consultant."
"Clearly." I smiled, shooting daggers with my eyes. "I'll leave you to it then."
I turned immediately, not waiting for a response from him.
"Stupid annoying bastard." I cussed under my breath, "Infuriating."
So infuriating.
I'd never met anyone more infuriating in my entire life!