Chapter 5

The knowledge I obtained as a result of my months-long stay in this city was the fruit of my efforts. I read them in some magazines and news, but most of them were from the mouths of my coworkers in this bar. They knew more than anyone because Collin and his friends were regulars here.

When the order was placed in front of me, I didn't even flinch and resolved to carry out my responsibilities. As I strolled out of the kitchen and slowly made my way towards the VIP room, I mentally listed all of the things I needed to do.

First and foremost, I would make an effort to become acquainted with him. No matter how icy and powerful his aura was, I should persevere and see this day through to its conclusion with a result.

After that, I should try to get his phone number. I needed to establish a situation where we could talk for a long time without interrupting one other.

I needed him to be the conduit through which I could meet his father.

After making a firm decision and keeping a clear head, I proceeded to the second floor. I was standing in front of the door that I recalled going out and in earlier, but when I saw Lane and the old waitress bowing their heads as they walked out of the next room's door, I began to question if I was in the correct doorway.

"Lane?" I decided to wait for them to walk in my direction before asking.

Lane's face was smiling from ear to ear. If he was worried sick earlier, now, he was smiling as if he won a lottery. However, the waitress behind him was rolling her eyes at me.

They walked towards me. Lane stopped in front of me. The waitress countied to walk but before she could even pass by my side, she bumped my shoulder and made me glare at her. I was about to irritatedly ask her but Lane's excited voice made me stop.

"Give me the tray, Av," he grabbed the tray in my hand.

"Isn't there room here? Why did you come out from there? And why are you taking that to me?" I curiously asked.

Lane winked at me. He opened the door in front of us and gently pushed my shoulder as if urging me to get inside.

"Don't ask too many questions, Av! This will be the best day of your life!"

At first, I didn't know why he was acting like that. When he succeeded in making me enter the room, my feet froze on the ground.

The room that was once lighted with a full light on from a small chandelier on the ceiling was now with only dim lights coming from the small lights stuck at the bottom of the couch and four lamps stuck on the four corners of the room. It gave off a sun kissed light.

And unlike the outside, the room was so quiet that I was afraid Collin would hear my breath.

I walked slowly to get a bit closer. I only stopped a few steps away from the table. My vision was directed at Collin who's looking straight at me.

He was sitting at the center of the couch. His composition was still the same as I left, wide legs open, elbows resting on his knees and chin on his palms. The only difference was he was alone in this room.

"U-uh..." I gulped once when I tried to search for a word to break the scary atmosphere, but I guessed I just made it scarier when Collin immediately asked me a thing I never would have thought he would ask.

"Have we met before, Avery Dela Cruz?" his question was like a bomb that had dropped on me.

But instead of giving him a shock reaction, I smirked. Even though I could hear my heart thumping so loud, I managed to think fast.

"I'm sorry, sir. But that pick up line is old. I will prefer it if you will come up with a new one. Do you need an order, sir?"

I blinked when I remembered what happened an hour ago. I couldn't help but to just hit my forehead on my locker door. How pathetic was I?

I guessed Collin was stunned at my answer and just laughed at my face. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't help but to blush! Thank God that the room was dimmed and he would never know that I blushed!

I sighed heavily and just consoled myself that I did a good job by leaving a first impression. I finished packing my things and slowly walked towards my unit. Thoughts filled my mind while walking. I had all these answerless questions and senseless ones that kept bothering me.

Tsk, what a waste. I didn’t have time and energy for this.

I entered my unit with a heavy body. Everything was fixed and cleaned. Although I saw a crawling cockroach that left my bed, I was still satisfied that this room was quiet and had thick walls. My body slowly walked towards the kitchen to prepare my meal.

Then, it just sunk in my mind. I did not have any food and my toiletries were also out of stock. With a heavy body, I got my keys and went out to buy some groceries near our building.

Inside the grocery store were a few people trying to buy things before the store closed. I got a pushcart and filled it in with what I needed. Bread, eggs, drinks, shampoos, detergents, and many more.

Fortunately, Lane was so pleased with whatever he talked with Collin that he gave me an extra hundred dollars for tonight.

I mean, being a waitress had a large tip along with the hourly rate. The pay was decent but because I needed to keep a low profile, I had to rent a small and rundown room.

As usual, some men who would have eye contact with me would try to hit on me, getting to know me by approaching me with a kind yet masked smile.

I really didn't care about them. I didn’t have time for them I have something far more important than entertaining these bunch of murderers.