Birthday Party

Entering the cafe, Claire stormed into the changing room. She was late, and she needed to be ready before Jenna showered her with scoldings. To keep the wolf from the door, Claire used to work a part-time job at a cafe that unfortunately belonged to the Kingsleys. Her little stunt with Adrian had snatched all her opportunities to get a job in the city and left her with the only option for survival: to accept the job Adrian offered her. He had literally caged her in his world.

Tying the strings of the apron, Claire hurried to get to the counter when her eyes caught sight of something that snatched the ground beneath her feet.

"Happy Birthday, Adrian"

Claire stopped breathing.

"T-Today is his birthday?"

Her eyes slowly darted around the wall, only to find it draped with beautiful decorations.

"Doesn't it look good?"

Claire flinched and looked back to find Lara, her coworker, beaming at her.

"I did it myself. Where were you, by the way? Roman, Jenna, and I worked our asses off to make everything according to Mr Kingsley's taste." She continued ranting, but Claire's mind was filled with dread. She needed to leave asap.

Without a word, she ran inside only to collide with Jenna midway.

"Whoa! Easy, girl," Jenna held her shoulders, but a frown settled on her brow when she noticed her pale face.

"What's wrong?" She inquired.

"Jen, I just remembered that I have to deposit my fees today. It's the last day. I need to leave," Claire hurriedly spoke and tried walking past her when Jenna blocked her way.

"No way. Honey, today is an important day, and I have special instructions from Mr Kingsley to have my entire staff present for this event. Moreover, your presence is most required, as you will be the main server," She spoke sternly, adding to her fear as Claire had a hunch. After all, it was Adrian's birthday. There's no way he would let her miss his party.

"B-But, Jen."

"No excuses, Claire. I am shocked, to be honest. I didn't expect such unprofessional behaviour from you. You plan on getting me in trouble? Huh!" Jenna continued berating her when Lara intervened.

"Forgive her, Jen. I will make her understand," she didn't let Jenna finish and dragged Claire away, who simply followed her with slouched shoulders. Once they reached the kitchen, Lara turned around to face her.

Her eyes softened watching Claire looking down sadly.

"Don't worry. I know it's hard for you, but we all will be here. You just do your job." She tried cheering her up, but deep down she also knew that Adrian had indeed planned something for his prey.

Exhaling a dejected sigh, Claire jerked away from her hold and started preparing the dishes. Lara and Roman, who were busy baking the cake, shared concerned glances, but soon they both got engaged in their tasks, knowing very well that there was nothing they could do.

*****

Claire had her eyes pinned on the shining marbled floor. Jenna had especially instructed her to welcome Adrian, but as soon as she left, she begged Lara to do the honours, which she gladly accepted. And as if the stars were on her side, Jenna also didn't notice, and Claire locked herself in the kitchen.

With her back pressed against the door, she kept her eyes glued on the clock. Even a second felt like torture to her. She wasn't a pessimist, but right now, all sorts of negative thoughts and the worst possibilities of experiencing danger were swirling in her mind. Adrian was up to something. It wasn't even surprising for her, but the question was what it was.

Claire flinched hard at the sound of the bell, and soon whistles and screams followed. Clad in his favourite black clothes, Adrian entered the cafe with his friends trailing behind him.

"Welcome, Mr Kingsley", Jenna quipped and bowed at 90 degrees while Roman and Lara did the same.

"A very happy birthday to you. Hope you-" her words died midair as Adrian paid no heed and stormed inside while his friends watched him, confused.

On the other hand, Claire rested her head against the door, listening to the conversation going on outside, when suddenly there was a rapt the door. She promptly recoiled and looked at the door in fear.

He's here.

There was no doubt about it.

Claire tried to steady her breath, but her hand flew to stifle the scream as the pounding got louder. The knocking only turned aggressive, and before he could break the door, Claire rushed on her trembling legs and unlocked the door. She didn't even have time to open it as it was flung open, and the next moment the devil was looming over her, watching her with rage-filled eyes.

Her breathing got stuck in her throat. Claire wouldn't lie, but Adrian was a handsome beast. His angular jawline was set tight as he didn't appreciate her disobedience.

She knew she was fucked up. Despite knowing the consequences, she willingly signed her death certificate by disobeying his orders. But again, she wasn't his puppet. Right?

His eyes were piercing holes in her face, and it looked like he wanted to swallow her alive. Soon, rushed footsteps echoed as Jenna, Lara, Roman and others gathered outside the kitchen.

Jenna looked as if she would pass out at any second, "M-Mr. Kingsley,"

She immediately clamped up when Adrian raised his palm, indicating for her to shut her explanation.

"I think I made myself clear, Jenna," he growled while glowering at Claire, who didn't have the strength to look at him anymore.

"Seems like your staff is unprofessional, and so are you, Jenna. So, I think I should throw you all out-"

"No," Claire quickly interfered.

"It's all my fault. Actually, I came here to recheck the dishes before serving the guests; that's why I wasn't present to welcome you. I am extremely sorry. It's just that we are being extra cautious of the preparations." She tried being careful with her words and answered him as politely as possible. Her words instantly brought relief to Jenna, who also bobbed her head and stood beside Claire.

"Yeah, Mr Kingsley. It's your birthday, and we don't want to mess up anything."

Claire nodded along, but Adrian's predatory gaze wasn't helping her at all. He was analysing her face the whole time, looking for any signs of a lie and that made her squirm in unease.

"Fine," He clipped and suddenly stepped forward, making Claire immediately retreat as he invaded her personal space.

"But I think you know your purpose for tonight." He reminded her. Claire curled her fists in anger as she nodded stiffly.

"Yeah, I will be your main serv-"

"Personal escort"

She immediately shot her head up and threw him a death glare. Jenna's jaw dropped in utter shock as she couldn't believe what she just heard.

Escort.

Adrian deliberately spoke loudly for the others to hear it as his friends shamelessly burst into laughter while Lara and Roman dropped their gazes, swallowing their anger.

But Claire didn't back down. She stomped forward and glared at him with sheer disgust and hatred.

"I think you chose the wrong place to celebrate your birthday. This is a damn cafe, not a fucking stripper club." She spoke with gritted teeth. Adrian smirked in response as he enjoyed eliciting the reaction out of her.

"Oops, my bad. Yeah, you will be my server, but I think escort sounds better, doesn't it, Jen?" He mused and looked at Jenna, who looked troubled.

Letting out a nervous laugh, she schooled her expression and smiled at Adrian, "Mr Kingsley. I think we should get going. Lara, Roman, come on." Saying that, she didn't waste time and hurried to take the others to the dining area. Adrian continued staring at Claire, who was looking at him with murderous eyes. He could see how badly she wanted to curse at him, yell at him, but she was holding it back for the sake of her job. And that's what he enjoyed. Taking advantage of her weakness.

Once the area was cleared, he scoffed and turned on his heels to leave.

"Of course, it will sound better to you. After all, decency isn't in your blood."

He froze in his steps. Claire smirked in victory, proud of her comeback. Adrian didn't turn around, but the way his body was shaking, it was clear she had succeeded in offending him.

She wanted to say so many things to him, but kept quiet as she didn't want to lose her job. So, without any further reply, she padded to the counter, but she had hardly taken a few steps when her wrist was grabbed in a vice grip, and the next moment her soft body came crashing against his sturdy one.

"What the hell?" She yelled and looked at him in anger, but all her bravura flew out the window the moment her wide eyes clashed with his dark, feral orbs.

"Sassy enough? But too bad, I don't like this fierceness, kitten," he roared dangerously while twisting her wrist behind her back. Claire groaned as pain struck her, but she swallowed it and matched his glare.

"You started it first. You also disrespected me." She countered as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Do you even have any respect in the first place, bloody orphan?" He snubbed, his voice loud with disdain.

Claire fell silent. Her throat clogged up at his acidic remark. Tears of humiliation stung her eyes, and soon a drop leaked out of the corner of her left eye. First Noah, now Adrian, everyone kept hitting her below the belt, reminding her that she was alone, hopeless and therefore should succumb to his demands.

Adrian's gaze zeroed in on her tears that were freely flowing through her doe eyes. He observed her quietly, not realising that he had never seen her from this close.

Watching her cry stirred a weird feeling inside his chest. A feeling he couldn't explain. Couldn't understand. Couldn't decipher. But his reverie was broken when Claire shoved him away, making him stumble, as he didn't expect that.

"Yes, I am an orphan. So, what? At least I work my ass off to earn money, not live on my parents' wealth. You know what, Adrian? You might be rich and powerful, but the reality is, this name and fame aren't yours. You inherited it from your parents. Without them, you are nothing. So, next time, think twice before talking to me because, unlike you, I am not dependent on anyone."

Venting out, she harshly wiped her tears and walked past him.

Adrian, on the other hand, stayed rooted on the spot. Her every word was a brutal slap of reality. He tried insulting her, but what she said was far more insulting. Her words sliced his heart open.

His face was a mask of fury. With a misty gaze, he glared hard at the floor as the corner of his lips slowly tugged upwards.

"You aren't dependent on anyone, huh?" He seethed in a menacing tone while fabricating a nasty plan that would break her self-respect.

Turning his head to the exit, he stared in the direction from which she had just left. A psychotic glint entered his eyes as her crying face flashed in his mind.

"Tonight, I will break you so hard that from today onwards, you wouldn't have anyone else to depend on except me."

*****