Chapter 177 Joshua Maddox

Chapter 177 Joshua Maddox
I’m sitting in one of the plush velvet booths near the VIP lounge at Vesper, holding a glass of iced water because I politely declined every single attempt to get me a real drink.
A few minutes ago, Bastian vanished through a set of heavy double doors toward the back offices with a small entourage of guys in sharp suits. None of them looked remotely thrilled to be in his presence. They did that classic corporate maneuver, hiding their sheer discomfort under tight, forced smiles, but it was painfully obvious this meeting wasn't a fun social call for them. Before stepping inside, Bastian asked me to wait for him out here, leaving me to my own devices in a venue that is easily twice the size of Orphic.
My phone vibrates in my palm, and I tap the screen, pulling up the brand page again.
The campaign ads officially went live, and I've been rewatching the video edits on a loop ever since. They turned out incredible. It's only phase one, but it feels less like a commercial rollout and more like a cinematic short film. They tagged my personal handle in every single post, which explains the stream of new follower alerts blowing up my notifications. I know I’m sitting here grinning like an absolute idiot at my own face, but I can't help it. It’s an undeniable dopamine hit.
I’m so deeply invested in admiring my own portfolio that I completely miss the quiet sound of approaching footsteps.
"Hello there."
The smooth, unexpected voice startles me so badly I nearly drop my phone right onto the table.
I snap my head up. Standing near the edge of the booth is a man. Probably in his mid-thirties, tall... brown hair and wearing a tailored charcoal suit. He’s smiling...a composed, introspective kind of look, like he’s quietly taking my entire measure without asking.
He lets out a low chuckle, raising a hand in apology. "Sorry. Didn't mean to spook you."
"It's fine," I say, quickly straightening up.
He gestures vaguely toward the upper mezzanine level behind us. "I was watching you from upstairs and decided to come down and say hello."
I blink, thrown off by the bluntness. "Oh." I pause, trying to recalibrate. "Hi."
He steps forward, extending a hand with practiced grace. "I'm Joshua. I manage the floor here at Vesper."
I shake his hand briefly. "Kaden."
Joshua nods, his brown eyes sweeping over me with a polite curiosity. "You're waiting for Mr. Steele, correct?"
"Yeah. I am."
"They might be a while," he says smoothly. He glances down at my condensation-covered glass of water, his brow arching slightly. "Are you sure you wouldn't like something real to drink? We can't have our guests sitting with plain water. Bad hospitality."
"I'm totally fine, really—"
Before I can finish declining, Joshua raises two fingers, signaling a waitress. And like magic, she materializes beside the booth, already carrying a silver tray. On it sits a crystal decanter of dark amber liquor. Not just any liquor, either....I recognize the label instantly. It's Bastian's Umbra.
I watch in silence as she pours two neat glasses.
"May I?" Joshua gestures to the empty leather space across from me.
My lips part. My instinct is to blurt out that I’m currently attached to a terrifyingly possessive guy who definitely wouldn't appreciate finding someone else hovering over my booth. But before I can finish the thought, Joshua's already made himself comfortable, sliding into the seat opposite mine.
He lifts his glass, tilting it in a silent toast.
I hesitate, still thoroughly confused, but I pick up my glass and clink it against his. I set it right back down on the table without taking a sip. It’s way too early for hard liquor, and I don't particularly feel like drinking right now anyway.
He takes a slow sip, his eyes never really leaving my face. "You bartend over at Orphic, don't you?"
Instead of confirming it, I narrow my eyes into a flat, suspicious stare.
He laughs quietly, holding his hands up defensively. "Relax. I've been there a few times... recognized you."
But I don't recognize him at all.
He sets his glass down and leans back against the cushions. "Do you like it?"
I swallow hard. "What?"
"The work. Bartending." He gestures down at his glass, offering an approving nod. "I suppose serving top-shelf alcohol under Bastian Steele has its perks." He pauses, a subtle glint entering his eyes. "Is it something you enjoy?"
I offer a small, neutral shrug, pulling my shoulders back. "It's fine. I can't complain."
Joshua makes a thoughtful sound in the back of his throat. Instinctively, I scoot an inch back into my corner of the booth. There's an energy to this guy...a slick, calculated charm that sets my internal alarm bells off.
He turns his head slightly, checking the closed office doors down the hall, before looking straight back at me. "So... do you accompany your boss to all of his off-site business meetings? Or are you secretly providing undercover security detail?"
I force a polite, empty smile and shake my head. "Neither."
I don't elaborate, and I certainly don't feel obligated to explain the complicated mess of my personal life to a stranger. I don't particularly like his vibe. Especially with the way he’s watching me right now. Unblinking and steady, like he's trying to figure out where I fit on the food chain.
"Not a fan of the whiskey?" He asks, nodding toward my untouched glass.
"I don't drink during the day," I say simply.
"Fair enough. Maybe I could stand to learn a thing or two about restraint from you." He twirls a finger in the air, gesturing around the sleek, velvet-lined interior of the venue. "What do you think of the space?"
I glance around the sprawling main room, acknowledging the massive lighting rigs and double-tiered bar setup. "It's really nice."
"Isn't it?" He smiles, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I’ve been managing Vesper for over a decade. Started at the bottom behind the bar, just like you, and worked my way up."
"Impressive."
"Well... it was a good run," he lets out an airy chuckle that sounds entirely staged. "I suppose that chapter's coming to a close with the upcoming change in ownership." He tilts his head, locking his gaze on mine. "You and Mr. Steele seem quite close, Kaden. Maybe you could put in a good word for me? Convince him to keep me on board?"
My brow furrows. Bastian's buying Vesper?
Before I can ask, the faint click of a heavy lock echoes down the hallway.
Both of us turn toward the noise. The double doors push open, and footsteps resonate against the hardwood floor. I immediately slide out of the booth, stepping into the open aisle, ready to leave.
Bastian steps into view.
It’s almost absurd how he operates, as if he possesses some radar whenever someone else is near me. The second he rounds the corner, his gaze locks directly onto me, before dropping straight down to Joshua and the two whiskey glasses resting on the table. His hands are tucked casually into the pockets of his tailored trousers as he approaches.
His eyes sweep over me, softening instantly with that quiet, intense warmth he normally reserves only for when we're alone. But the moment his attention shifts back to Joshua, his face hardens.
He’s alone. The men in suits are nowhere to be seen.
He stops right in front of me. "Are you alright?" he asks, his voice smooth.
"I'm fine," I nod.
Joshua slowly slides out of the booth, smoothing down the front of his jacket, and steps forward with an open palm. "Mr. Steele. I'm Joshua Maddox, general manager here at Vesper. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Bastian doesn't move a muscle. He doesn't offer his hand. He just stands there, his icy blue eyes systematically sizing Joshua up from head to toe.
"I see," he says flatly.
He tilts his head, his voice dropping. "Funnily enough, I just terminated the general manager over at the last venue I acquired. He had a habit of wasting operational hours socializing instead of overseeing his staff." Bastian pauses, his delivery terrifyingly calm. "I do hope your performance standards prove to be somewhat higher."
Joshua’s hand freezes in mid-air. Slowly, he pulls his hand back and tucks it into his pocket, his polite smile faltering for a fraction of a second.
Bastian turns back to me, the harsh edge in his expression melting away entirely as he looks at my face. It’s genuinely fascinating how fast he can flip that switch.
"Did I take too long?" He asks softly.
"No," I say, even though sitting through that interaction felt like an eternity.
"Let's go," he says, placing a protective hand against my back to guide me forward.
I offer Joshua one quick, minimal nod of goodbye before turning to follow Bastian toward the front exit. But as we walk, I can feel Joshua’s gaze pinned firmly to the back of my neck the entire way out.