CHAPTER EIGHT

NICK WALKER©

~ FIVE STAR CLUB AND BAR ~

“I had a great time with your service today. You should expect me next time.” The man’s words slurred together as he drunkenly smiled at me.

I walked by his side as I escorted him out of the club to the parking area.

This was normal.

Most of the customers here often come to the club for more than drinks. They came to talk and to pour their hearts out to strangers like me.

“I’ll be expecting you, sir,” I replied politely, lowering my head a little.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash.

“Here,” he said, pushing it into my hand.

“Thank you for today.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said and he pats my shoulder like we were friends.

“Whose car is this?” he asked suddenly, squinting ahead.

I followed his gaze and noticed a car parked right in front of his car, blocking the way and it looked… familiar.

I frowned and stepped closer.

“Where have I seen this before?” I wondered quietly to myself. The windows were tinted. I couldn’t see inside.

“I’ll get security,” I said quickly. “The owner should still be inside the club.”

I turned and rushed back toward the entrance. A few minutes later, security and I were already moving through the club, asking around.

“What kind of nonsense is this?” The man complained loudly when I returned.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I said calmly. “We’ll sort it out soon.”

But inside, I was getting frustrated. I should have been back at work by now.

I turned to speak to security again…then I heard a loud crack.

I froze on a spot before my head snapped back.

The man was holding an iron rod and before I could react, he slammed it against the front glass of the car again.

“Sir!” I rushed forward and grabbed him, trying to pull him back.

“What are you doing, sir?“

“Is this how you waste my time?” he shouted, his words breaking as he hiccups. “Bring the owner here! I’ll teach him a lesson!”

He staggered away and bent over, vomiting. I held him steady, my heart racing.

This was bad.

Very bad.

“Sir…” one of the security guards said suddenly and I turned my head their way.

Someone had opened the car door and stepped out.

Grayson.

It was Grayson.

I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. I knew I recognized the car somewhere.

He shut the door calmly, like nothing had happened. Then leaned against the car and lit a cigarette. His face showed no reaction.

Anger rose fast in my chest as I walked toward him.

“You were in there this whole time?” I asked. My voice came out sharper than I planned.

“That’s quite a damage,” he said, his eyes moving to the cracked glass as he took a drag from his smoke.

I clenched my jaw and tightened my fist to control my anger.

“We’ve been trying to get you, sir,” I said, forcing my tone to stay respectful.

“We’ve been trying to find the owner of the car,” I added.

The security guard stepped in and repeated the same.

I said nothing and turned back to the man, helping him stand straight.

“You’ll have to pay for the damage when you’re sober, sir.” I told him firmly. He barely responded.

By the time I got him to his car, he had already fallen asleep. I let out a tired sigh then I looked back.

Grayson stood with the security guards, handing them some money.

I frowned.

“What is going on?” I muttered to myself.

I lifted my head and saw Mr. Kyle standing at a distance with a few of his men, watching everything.

My stomach tightened at the sight of them.

“I hoped this wouldn’t cost me my job.“ I sadly muttered to myself.

“Ugh… I hate this man,” I whispered under my breath and walked up to one of the guards.

“Please help get him a cab or someone to drive him home. I need to go back to work.“ I said and the guard nodded.

I turned to leave.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

I stopped. My shoulders already tensed. I slowly turned back.

Grayson was walking toward me. One of the guards was moving his car, probably to park it properly.

“I’m going back to work, sir,” I said. He stopped in front of me.

“And my car?” he asked. “Who is going to fix it?”

I took a slow breath to calm down

“What do you mean?” I said calmly. “The man is right there. You can get your money from him. I had nothing to do with this.”

I tried to walk past him but he stepped in front of me.

“You were there,” he said. “You are responsible for your customer. Aren't you? Is this what Kyle pays you for?”

I froze.

“Get the compensation from him,” he continued. “And make sure this never happens again.” He turned and started to walk away.

Then he stopped.

“You know where to find me.” He added and just like that, he walked into the club.

I stood there speechless as I let out a breath I didn’t even know I had been holding.

When I got back inside, the manager was already waiting.

“Where have you been?” he snapped. “Why are you slacking?”

“I’m sorry. I was handling an issue outside.” I said quickly. He stared at me for a second then he sighed.

“Get back to work,” he said. “Unless you want to lose your job.”

He started to walk away.

“Wait,” I called after him.

“Can I see Mr. Kyle?” I asked. “There’s something I need to discuss with him.”

“You can’t just walk in to see the boss anytime you want,” he said sharply.

“Go back to work.” He added and left.

I stood there for a moment, biting my lower lip before I forced myself to move.

~ THE NEXT MORNING ~

“I don’t seem to understand you,” Avery said as we walked into school.

I rubbed my forehead in frustration.

“Trust me,” I said. “I didn't understand last night either.”

She shook her head.

“So let me get this straight,” she said. “The man damaged Grayson’s car. And now Grayson wants you to pay for it?”

“Exactly,” I said.

“That makes no sense.”

“Right?” I asked.

“And he’s close to your boss?” she asked and I nodded.

“That’s why I’m worried,” I said quietly. “I can’t afford to lose my job.“

Avery looked at me for a moment.

“Then let's start with the man from last night,” she said. “We should find him.”

“Together?“ I asked and she nodded.

“Okay.“ I nodded to her plan, not wanting to reject her offer.

Just then, a car drove into the school compound.

My eyes widened as they followed the car.

“That’s… that’s…” I struggled to speak.

“What?” Avery asked while I kept pointing.

“That’s the car from last night.”

We both watched as Grayson stepped out. The glass was fixed like nothing ever happened.

Students greeted him as he walked past, heading towards his office building.

Then his eyes met mine.

I didn’t think before I ran toward him.

“Did you settle it with the man from last night?” I asked and he stopped.

For a moment, he looked confused. Then his expression changed.

“Oh,” he said. “The windscreen?”

He let out a quiet scoff.

“I was just messing with you.“ He said and just like that, he walked away.

Leaving me standing again.