CHAPTER THREE

SERA'S POV:

By nightfall, I headed straight to my third job at a popular club.

The moment I opened the door, colorful lights immediately greeted me, constantly moving to the rhythm of the loud music.

Laughter, cheers, and the clinking of glasses filled the air.

While others were busy having fun...

I was busy walking around with a tray filled with expensive drinks.

"Excuse me, sir."

I politely placed the bottle they had ordered on the table before smiling again.

"Enjoy your drink."

I had already lost count of how many tables I had served that night.

My legs were already aching.

My arms were also sore from carrying bottles of alcohol.

Every hour I spent working here...

Meant a little more money for Liam's medicine.

So even though I didn't like how noisy this place was...

Even though I could feel countless eyes staring at me as I walked by...

I forced myself to ignore everything.

Because I had no other choice.

As I walked toward the counter to pick up another order, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Sera!"

I turned around.

It was Alex.

Alex had just entered the club, wearing her uniform as an escort, a fitted black top, a short black skirt, and high heels. Although her outfit was simple, her confidence was still noticeable as she walked through the colorful lights of the club.

The moment she saw me, she immediately smiled and quickly walked over.

I quickly walked over to her.

"How's Liam?" I immediately asked.

She gave me a small smile.

"Don't worry. I gave him his medicine before I left."

"Mrs. Nora is looking after him for now."

I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Alex..."

"If it weren't for you and Mrs. Nora, I don't know how I would manage all of this."

She smiled and gently squeezed my shoulder.

"Hey, don't thank me. Just do your job properly. We'll take care of Liam."

I swallowed hard and gave her a small smile.

"Thank you so much..." I replied softly before taking the tray of drinks again and continuing with my work.

I returned to work.

Quietly, I wiped down the empty tables while collecting the empty glasses one by one. A few moments later, I was once again delivering drink orders to different customers.

"Excuse me, sir."

I politely placed the bottle and glasses on the table before giving a slight bow.

"Enjoy your drink."

I had lost count of how many times I had repeated the same routine since my shift began.

Wipe the tables.

Take the orders.

Deliver the drinks.

Force a smile.

Then walk toward the next customer.

Even though I could already feel the pain in my feet from wearing high heels, I still forced myself to keep my chin up.

"Sera!"

I turned around when I heard our manager's deep voice.

I quickly approached him and politely bowed.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Are you done with the floor?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Take this order to VIP Room No. 3."

He handed me a bottle of expensive imported liquor.

I looked at it.

It was a bottle of Louis XIII Cognac, one of the most expensive and prestigious drinks served only to the club's VIP customers.

I carefully accepted the bottle with both hands.

"Yes, Sir."

The manager simply nodded.

"Be careful. The guest inside is important."

"Yes, Sir."

I carefully placed the bottle on a silver tray along with two crystal glasses and an ice bucket.

I took a deep breath before straightening my uniform.

Then, I slowly made my way to the second floor of the club, where the exclusive VIP rooms were located.

I had no idea...

That opening the door to VIP Room No. 3...

Would completely change the course of my life.

I gently pushed open the large wooden door.

Click...

The dim lighting of the private room immediately greeted me.

The room was quiet.

Only soft music could be heard in the background.

But what caught my attention the most...

Was the man sitting in the center of the luxurious leather sofa.

One leg was crossed over the other as he stared emotionlessly at the glass of whiskey in his hand.

Two beautiful women were clinging to either of his arms.

Both were smiling as they tried to capture his attention.

But he remained cold.

There was no smile on his lips and no sign of interest in his surroundings.

I did not know why, but the moment I saw him...My eyes seemed to fix on him on their own.

A strange sensation suddenly coursed through my entire body.

It was as if the air around me had suddenly grown heavier.

It was not fear.

Nor was it nervousness.

It was simply a feeling I could not explain, yet I could not immediately tear my eyes away from him.

There was something strangely captivating about that man, as if a powerful aura surrounded him.

When he finally looked up, our eyes met directly.

I froze in place.

There was something strange about his cold gaze. It was emotionless, yet somehow, it was enough to make me feel as though he could see through every secret I desperately tried to hide.

I quickly looked away.

I did not know why, but I felt like I could not bring myself to look directly at him.

I quietly approached the table and gave a slight bow out of respect, trying my best to calm my rapidly beating heart.

"Good evening, Sir... Good evening, Ma'am."

I greeted them politely.

I carefully placed the silver tray on the marble table.

One by one, I arranged the two crystal glasses.

Then I placed the ice bucket beside them.

And finally...

I gently set the bottle of Louis XIII Cognac in the center of the table.

"Here is the Louis XIII Cognac you ordered."

"Is there anything else you need?"

I asked softly but politely, keeping my head slightly bowed.

I could feel someone still watching me.

And even without looking, I knew it was him.

Before I could walk away...

One of the two women sitting beside the man suddenly spoke.

"Why don't you join us, baby?"

She gave me a suggestive smile as she slowly stood up from the sofa.

I took a step back.

But before I could completely move away...

She gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

I gasped.

I had already been feeling cold because of the strong air conditioning in the VIP room.

But her touch made me feel even colder.

"Uh... oh my..."

"N-No, ma'am..."

I stammered as I slightly pulled my shoulder away from her touch.

My entire body felt tense.

I did not know why... but all I wanted was to get out of that room as quickly as possible.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed the corner of the man's lips lift slightly.

As if he was simply amused by what was happening.

"Come on..." the other woman said with a laugh.

"Promise... you'll have fun with us."

I quickly shook my head.

"N-No, really..."

The second woman was about to move closer to me.

A moment later, they both grabbed my hands at the same time.

I gasped in surprise. "Oh... Ma'am! Please, don't..."

"I-I'm just a waitress!"

"I-I'm not an escort!"

My voice trembled as I tried to pull my hands away.

I slowly backed toward the door, feeling my heart pounding rapidly in my chest. I did not know what I should do. I did not want to disrespect a VIP customer, but I did not want to stay there either.

Something I could not explain was telling me that I needed to leave.

"I'm sorry..."

"I need to get back to work."

I pleaded softly, my voice trembling as I tried to free myself from their grasp.

And in the midst of my fear...

I once again felt the cold gaze of the man who had been silently watching me.

He said nothing.

He did not move.

He simply remained seated, his emotionless eyes following my every move.

That only made me feel more uncomfortable, and I couldn't help but grow nervous.