Chapter 8

Allison POV

"I can believe you did it," her eyes glistened with enthusiasm, "I can't believe you signed the contract, and you called Venice a bitch, and forgive me I had a super long day, didn't get to clean the apartment, but I will... Promise," she explained "Neither can I, she had it coming," I muttered, and she did, my first year at Venn diner was a great one, I won the best waitress for three months in a row, and Venice adores my work ethics and my attitude, we grew close until...

Flashback "Good morning... Good morning," I smiled brightly scurrying through the bickering crowd, heading towards Venice's office, today is my day off, but I needed to speak with her. Knocking on the office door, I waited as I curled my fingers around belt loops, looking over my shoulders at my co-workers who were too busy to acknowledge me.

"Who is it?"

"It's me Venn, it's Allison,"

"Allison? Come on in, what on earth are you doing here on a Saturday?"

Turning the doorknob, I pushed the door, stepping inside the office,

"Gracious God, you look so different out of uniform," she added,

"You've seen me in normal clothing before, on the day you interview me remember?"

"That's a long time, forgive me if I can't do anything but imagine that you girls go to bed in your uniforms," she chuckled,

"I must admit, sometimes I am too tired to take a shower when I work a double," I chucked, observing Venice's office, admiring how clean it always is,

"So, tell me, what brings you here, I know it isn't to take about uniforms," she nudged the slipping eyewear up her nose bridge,

"May I?" I motioned towards the chair,

"Sure... Sure, have a seat,"

"So, I was thinking..." I pulled out the chair, shifting my ass against its hard cushion, "I notice that sales have been decreasing, and customers are complaining about entertainment, so I was thinking..."

"Whoa... Wait a minute, listen thank you for your concern but I got it ok,"

"It's because I always wanted my very own diner—"

"So, you think you walk in and take over? It's best if you leave Ms. Parker, go and enjoy your day off,"

"I am sorry, that wasn't my intent—"

"Close the door behind you,"

Raising to my feet, I headed towards the, glimpsing back at her over my shoulders.

Present day "Allison are you ok?"

"Yeah," I nodded, smiling faintly, "I am fine,"

"Oh, Lost you for a second,"

"We should celebrate," I added,

"That you signed the contract, or you quit your job,"

"Both," I grinned, " We should go clubbing,"

"Now that's what I am talking about, good thing I grabbed a few things from my flat on my way,"

Scanning through my closet for outfits was harder than I thought, when you spend your life, not living time fly’s by so fast, and you don't even realize it, so it's best to enjoy each moment, live, laugh, love. Pushing potential outfits aside, I unhook a skimpy black dress, admiring the leather material, hoping it still fits.

"Hey, look at this," I twirled around, hoisting it for Toniann to see it,

"It's cute, which reminds me to ask you, any club in mind?"

"I was hoping you could be of assistance; I don't have any in mind,"

"Funny, how did you say you met the guys... The one-night stands,"

"I don't remember saying how," I chuckled lowly, "but if you're asking, it was through Match-me."

"The dating app? You hooked up with strangers from a dating app?"

"Yes... And why is it sounding more like an accusation than a question,"

"It's still hard to believe that you are capable of doing such a thing," she chuckled closing the bathroom door behind her,

"Neither can I," I whispered, staring down at the dress, "I guess a broken heart can change anyone,"

Rolling my eyes stared at the wristwatch strapped around my hand, waiting on Toniann,

"Toni, it's been an hour, and you still not ready to go," I grumbled Walking up to me, Toniann wore denim skinny jeans and a white crop top, "Why the rush? It's not like you have work in the morning," she giggled, clutching onto her purse,

"True, but my new employer might request my service anytime, I am merely just a bed warmer,"

"You know what I am was thinking, has he ever done anything like this before, you know, assigned girlfriends or whatever he calls it," Toniann muttered as we left the apartment, walking towards her car,

"Trust me, he doesn't call it that, " I opened the passenger side of the door, "To him, I am just leisure time," I mumbled.

Starting up at the dancing bright lights, outside crammed with people trying to get, "Are you fucking kidding me? You had to choose this one," I glared at Toniann,

"You said to make a choice, so I made it... Welcome to dynasty," she grinned

"Plus, everyone come here,"

"Exactly Toniann, everyone, how the hell are we supposed to get in,"

"I have a lot of friends Allison," she stroller ahead of me, toward the club's entrance, "and stay close will you,"

Standing at the door, was a towering, muscular man, his face was grumpy, and he seemed unapproachable,

"I don't know about this Toniann, maybe we should—"

I watched as Toni's hand brushed against the security's, sliding him what seemed to be cash as we walked past him,

"As I said Allison, I have lots of friends."

Inside the club, was clustered with people, rubbing their bodies against each other, drinking, and smoking, thugs standing in corners with tattoos running up their arms like sleeves, and around their necks like scarfs "I-I think we should just go home, grab a bottle of wine at the liquor store and call it a night," I hopelessly try to pull down my dress, praying it would miraculously lengthen,

"Don't be a pussy Allison, you're the one that suggested that we go out, now you want to back out,"

"Yes, I know, but this place looks dangerous,"

"And that's what will make it fun," she smiled, tugging on my arm through the crowd, towards the bar,

"Two Henny on the rocks," Toniann nodded to the bartender, who tapped the counter as he walked away,

"Remind me to never put you in charge of choosing a club again, if we get robbed tonight, it's on you," I climbed up on a barstool, seated across from her,

"Relax, we can spend an hour or two and see how you like it, if you still feel uncomfortable we will leave," she mumbled,

Ogling at a man's naked torso, my eyes followed him as he smirked at me, disappearing to the crowd, "Or maybe we can stay a little longer, I think I'm liking the place already,"

"Careful now, you're under a contract remember," Toniann chuckled, sliding the bartender a twenty,

"Back there," I nudge my head towards the entrance, firmly holding my glass in my palm, bringing it to my lips, "You paid the security to let us in," I sipped the liquid, swallowing hard as its harshness stung the back of my throat,

"I have no clue what you're talking about Allison, you shouldn't get those eyes checked,"

"Whatever you say Toniann, whatever you say," I shook my head, chuckling under my breath,

Feeling the vibrations of my phone, I pulled it from my purse, staring at the unknown number,

"What is it?" Toniann asked

"I am not familiar with this number, but I have a pretty good guess who it might be," I bit down on my bottom lip, apprehensive about taking the call,

"You think it's Hussain,"

"Lower your voice," I looked over shoulders, hoping no one heard her, "but yes, he did say he was going to call me,"

"Turn it off,"

"What,"

"Your phone, turn it off,"

"No, I am under a contract, remember? I should maybe take it and tell him I can't talk now,"

"Or... You don't take it and leave him baffled,"

"Toniann I signed a contract with your boss, the man is the devil, do you think I perplex him in such a way?"

"You're probably right," she rolled her eyes,

Vibrating again, I looked down the screen, seeing the same number, "I will be right back, and please...don't go anywhere, with anyone," I looked around the room at the intimidating men.

Clasping my phone close to my chest, I bored through the crowd, making my way through the entrance and out in the open,

"Hello," I brought the phone to my ear, hearing nothing but silence I looked on the screen, seeing that the line is open,

"I called you five times in total," his voice sent shivers up my spine,

Pulling the phone from my ear, I turned around, facing him,

"Why didn't you take my call,"

"I didn't hear... Feel the phone, the network must be bad inside,"

Looking behind me, licked his lips, before meeting my gaze again,

"You're here with Toniann,"

Glancing over my shoulders, I realized he must have known Toniann's car because it was the only thing behind me,

"Yes," I nodded,

Driving up behind him was Aiden, he wasn't driving the car he picked me up in but a silver Honda civics, stepping aside Hussain opens the door, motioning his hands towards it,

"Get in the car, Ms. Parker,"

"I… can't, Toni—"

"Allison..." he cut me off, "Get in the car."