Chapter 4. Demanding

Malikha didn’t sleep that night. After Aidan left, she stared emptily, thinking about his apology—not because of the job offer. Aidan had changed in a click. The way he had looked at her before he left somehow made her blush, and she couldn’t stop. Her conscience told her to leave, but her heart asked her to wait. It was like he had already decided something she wasn’t part of, and she was only now being allowed to read it.

By morning, the silence felt heavier than exhaustion. The bill couldn’t wait until her landlord came to her door to remind her.

“You are one week late, Miss Swan.”

Malikha nodded right away. “I understand—” she breathed, then bit her lip. “I will pay the rent next week…”

The landlord shook his head. He did not want to hear it again. “Tomorrow is your last day; otherwise, you should leave.”

He warned her by pointing at her, then turned to leave without waiting for her response. Malikha let out a deep sigh and went back inside. She leaned her back against the door while staring emptily. The money she got from Aidan last night was meant for her mother’s hospital bill. If she used it to pay the rent, her mother’s hospital bill would remain unpaid. And if she didn’t pay the rent, she would be homeless.

She couldn’t cope with it anymore. The last thing she could bear now was being homeless. If she were homeless, she wouldn’t be able to rest and save her energy to work like a donkey.

Her eyes went back to the old little coffee table. On its surface lay a card—Aidan’s. She had no choice but to go back to him. Malikha swallowed her pride. She grabbed the card, then clutched it to her chest as she thought about seeing him. It might not be sweet, but she could rely on getting a job from Aidan.

So she went to the hotel with Aidan’s business card in her hand. Once her feet stepped into the lobby, the door was opened for her. A doorman smiled at her as if he knew who she was. A sweet, pleasant floral scent wafted into her nostrils, calming her mind. The lavish smell, as people said, might have clung to her dress because everything here was so sophisticated.

“Good morning. My name is Adrian White. I’m the chief butler. I’ve been told to interview you.”

A man in a white, neat uniform greeted Malikha. Malikha forced a smile and shook his hand. “I’m Malikha Swan. Nice to meet you, Sir.”

Adrian welcomed Malikha to the kitchen and introduced her to some colleagues at her station. He seemed to prefer chatting rather than interviewing. Everything felt strangely prepared, but Malikha was too overwhelmed to question it.

“Thank you for the job you’ve been offering me,” Malikha said with a smile as she thanked Adrian.

Adrian smiled back and nodded. “It’s on Mr Caesar, Miss.”

Malikha furrowed her eyebrows when she heard the family name. “Caesar?”

“Yes, Aidan Caesar, the owner of Pegasus Hotel.”

Malikha slightly opened her mouth in shock. “What about Brandon Caesar—”

“Oh, do you know Mr Brandon? They are family. He is Aidan’s father.”

Malikha gasped, then smiled awkwardly. She nodded quickly so as not to draw suspicion. Adrian then walked her to the employee room, where she could change her clothes and take a break. Malikha didn’t discuss anything other than her job. Her head was filled with questions, but she said nothing to him.

“You’ll be assigned to service rotation at the restaurant,” Adrian said calmly. “Starting as a waitress and also a bartender assistant.”

Malikha frowned slightly. “Bartender?” She curled her fingers into a fist while taking a deep breath.

Adrian calmly explained, “I received your information that you worked in a bar.”

The words didn’t hit like a slap. Aidan didn’t show mercy; he reminded her of her previous job. It wasn’t a bad one, but the things associated with it were horrible. Yet Malikha forced herself to smile. She nodded after a moment.

“Can I see Aidan before I start my work?” Malikha asked carefully.

Adrian slightly scoffed under his breath. He avoided answering by asking her another question.

“We have an overloaded amount of work for tonight and tomorrow. There’s a party with DJs in the club, and most of the guests will be there. Do you mind if I ask you to change your clothes so you can start sooner?”

Malikha gave a flat smile and nodded. She needed the job, so she had to take it. There weren’t many choices right now.

Across the hall, Glenn Matthews had been observing Malikha since she arrived. He had to report everything to Aidan on time. When he saw her enter, he left the employee room area and made his way to the CEO’s office.

“She took the job,” Glenn reported shortly after he entered the CEO’s room.

Aidan raised his head, smirked viciously, and scoffed bluntly. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers fidgeting before he placed them under his chin.

“I told you she would crawl back to me and stay at my feet.”

Aidan was blatantly arrogant as he spat out the insult. Glenn only nodded and stepped closer to Aidan’s exclusive wooden desk.

“What is your next plan, Sir?”

Aidan raised a finger at Glenn, then stood up proudly. He walked slowly, explaining his next move to trap a prey like Malikha.

“I’ll marry her.”