Snakes and Stormcloud Eyes

CHAPTER 3 

Lexi's POV 

"Fuck I'm so late!" I mutter to myself as I hurry toward the venue's gate. It was already a struggle convincing Darren that I could make it, especially since I need every job I can get. Balancing two jobs is tough enough, and taking on this weekend gig is a lot. But the extra cash is worth it, and since it’s right after my shift at the restaurant, I’d rather not go home to sulk and lose sleep. This is definitely a better option, the more cash I earn the closer we get to being able to afford Aria's surgery.

As I approach the back entrance, I notice this event is much bigger than usual one's I've worked.I’m just grateful that I’m not handling the masses; the thing about being assigned to take care of your own guests is that, aside from the amazing tips, you only have one person to serve. Unfortunately, some of the guests behave as if the place is a hooker's club, thinking they can get away with anything. I know how to put those kinds of guests in their place, having dealt with them every day at the restaurant, so it’s not a big deal.

Still, I'm almost thirty minutes late. In my defense, I walked here because getting a cab is too expensive, and besides, it’s not that far from the restaurant. I quickly head toward the changing rooms when I bump into someone. "Ouch! Watch where you're going!" I exclaim as I look up to see Darren frowning at me.

"Darren!"

"I’m so sorry, Darren. I couldn’t find a cab. I literally had to walk and you know…."

"Lexi," he cuts me off, "you know I personally assigned you to one of the biggest guests here because I know how much you need the tips. I specifically told you to arrive at least an hour early so I could brief you on the guest. And look at the time—you’re thirty minutes late!"

"I know, I know. I’m really sorry. It won't happen again. I’m not usually this sluggish. Just let me change quickly, and we'll get to the briefing."

"No need," he replies, "he arrived earlier than expected. When there was no one to serve him, I had to assign Miley to take care of it and do your job. I already made him wait for almost twenty minutes for you."

"Miley? Really? Ugh, come on, Darren!"

"Lexi," he warns in a firm tone.

"Oh, come on!

 "I don't care about whatever beef you and Miley have going on don't just bring it to work; we've talked about this 

"Whatever as long as she doesn't cross me; I say 

"Lexi, he says, a note of finality in his voice,

“you’ll have to work the mass then."

"Please, Darren! You know there’s nothing to earn in the masses besides perverted old men who want to touch you at any chance, along with their handbag wives."

"Find something else for me, please! I really need this."

He sighs. "Fine, but only because I know how much you need it, and I’m a really good person."

"Yes, but we both know good people don’t call themselves good people."

“Don’t push it.”

“Sorry!” I say, holding back a smirk.

"Get changed quickly and meet me at the door. There's a VIP guest that we were just informed will be arriving, even though he didn’t RSVP. Apparently, he decided at the last minute."

“Got it! I’ll be quick,” I reply as I rush to change.

I quickly get dressed and am about to head out when the door swings open. Miley stands there, I roll my eyes, I attempt to walk past her. She blocks my way and touches my arm.

“You're finally here, Lexi, but it’s already late. When you didn’t show up on time, Darren had no choice but to tell me to take over. Of course, I asked him to wait a little longer because Lexi isn't the sluggish type, but I guess he couldn’t,” she says, forcing a doe-eyed smile. “I’m sorry, though; it’s to my benefit.”

“Get your hands off me, perra (bitch)”,I reply with a smile of my own. With that, she lets go of my arm and steps back.

“You’re right, I did come late and loose my guest, but I guess everything does always work out in the end. Sure, I lost one VIP guest, but I gained another who I hear is more… what’s the word? Oh yes—packed—and who knows, he may even be more generous!” I say, keeping my smile in place.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere important to be. I’m guessing you do as well, if I’m not mistaken,” I say while striding past her. “Oh, and just so you won’t waste any more time looking it up, ‘perra’ means ‘bitch.’ Yes, I called you a bitch. Bye…” I add as I walk away, my smile genuine this time.

Yes, I was rude and some people might even say bitchy too, but when you work with snakes, you learn to deal with them one way or another. Miley is the biggest snake who has always been a thorn in my flesh, No matter how much I try to get rid of her, she just won’t go away. “Le está bien empleado” (serves her right), I say to myself as I approach Darren.

“What's got you smiling? Wait, I don't even want to know. Anyway, here's all you need to know about your guest: His name is Brandon Wilson, billionaire, business mogul, heir to Wilson Holdings.”

“Sorry, excuse me, Darren—Wilson Holdings?

 “This is why briefings are usually a week before the event, so you can familiarize yourself better”, he says 

No, no, I know Wilson Holdings; I think everyone in New York City knows it. But you said he’s the heir, so I’m assuming he’s Bernard Wilson's son?”

“Yes, it's the son, but—”

“Okay, got it. Rich Spoiled daddy's boy who—”

“Can you stop cutting me off and just listen?”

“Sorry, my bad. Go on.”

“I've catered only two events that he's attended. He's not the public social type, so what I'll tell you is do not speak until spoken to. Serve exactly what he asked for. If he's with a guest, you know the drill, but your main priority is Mr. Wilson. He has a reputation for being cold and has an icy demeanor, so please don't be rude.”

“I’m not rude…”

“I'm not done… Sorry.”

“You know the rules and regulations by heart. You're not new to the game, so please, no drama.”

“Sir, yes sir…” Just then, Darren's assistant approaches us and tells him something.

“Okay, he's here. Let’s go.”

“Lead the way,” I say as I follow them. Just as we arrive, a car pulls up to the entrance. A man in a black suit steps out, and as I watch him move around the car, I realize he’s not my guest; he should be the driver or something. Just as he’s about to open the car door, it swings open from the inside and nearly hits him in the face. The man quickly holds the door, and I find myself surprised by what I see. He stood at the door like he owned the whole world around him—tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a suit that probably cost more than everything I own. But it wasn’t the expensive fabric that made me pause—it was his eyes.

Grey.

Not green, not blue—just pure, stormcloud grey. Cold and unreadable, like they’d seen too much and cared too little. The kind of eyes that looked through people, not at them.

His jawline could probably cut glass like literally, sharp and unfairly sculpted, like some Greek god had decided to try its luck at being rich in a modern century. And those shoulders? Made me feel like I was looking at a damn fortress. 

“M****a, ese hombre es muy guapo.” (Holy shit, that is one fine-looking man) I quietly say to myself. Just then, Mr. Anderson, the host of the event, interrupts my thoughts.

“Brandon Wilson! Welcome, welcome,” he exclaims, extending his hand to him. 

“Mr. Anderson, I know this was out of the blue since I didn’t RSVP,” he responds, accepting his hand. 

“No, no, nonsense! We are happy you could make it. This is my wife, Mrs. Susan Anderson.” 

“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wilson,” she says.

“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Anderson,” he replies as they shake hands. 

“And this is Darren Johnson, the man I put in charge of planning this event and all the others I’ve thrown. As you can see, he’s good at what he does.” 

“Hmmm,” he replies. 

Darren discreetly taps me, and I know that's my cue.

“Mr. Wilson, this is Alexis Torres. She will be personally catering to you tonight, so if you need anything at all, just ask her, sir.” 

“Good evening, Mr. Wilson,” I say. 

He glances at me but doesn’t acknowledge what Darren just said. Instead, he begins walking in, with Mr. Anderson following closely behind. 

Okay, he might be attractive with those grey eyes and all , but his character is definitely from the gutter.Got it “Arrogant Billionaire, Limited edition” then.They can never be perfect; there's always a flaw. I quickly shake off my thoughts and switch into work mode and follow behind.