Chapter 15: Behind The Mask

“Your customers have been disturbing the boss with calls. One got drunk the day before yesterday and screamed your name continuously.” Ethan said as he rested his hands on the counter.

Luca dropped the glass on the counter carefully and smiled lightly. “He urged me to come back but I don't think I can.”

“What is the nature of the job that kept you away from us?” Ethan inquired while the other barman came forward. 

“Hey, Luca!” Hans called out as he leaned forward and shook Luca’s hand. He was a tall man with long hair reaching his shoulders. “It is great seeing you.”

“Hans, man. How are things going?” Luca asked as he withdrew his hand from Hans’s.

“Well, I think the new update you should know is that he is going to be a father soon.” Ethan let out in a low tone and chuckled.

Luca raised his brow in surprise as he took another sip of the alcoholic drink. “Is that true?”

“Yeah, man. I guess I'm going to have a baby sooner or later.” Hans replied wryly while Ethan nudged his shoulder. 

“That is great news, you…

“A Moscow mule and white Russian please!” A drunk lady called loudly as she stood beside Luca, resting her elbows on the counter. 

“Coming right up, ma’am!” Ethan replied then turned his back and took a few steps to the liquor shelf. 

The lady, clad in a short dark dress and heels, has a make up on her face and she turned her gaze to Luca swiftly. 

“Hiiii.” She said sheepishly.

Luca looked at her and wondered why she wanted more drinks if she was already too drunk. “Hi.”

“You are handsome.” She let out carelessly and leaned forward intently, her breath laced with tequila. “Wanna dance?”

“Nahh, I’m fine. Hope you're enjoying your night?” He asked and felt a poke at his back. Stunned, he turned his gaze to the back and was surprised to see Phillip, his boss staring at him. “Oh…hi, Philip.”

“Hi, Luca.” He retorted sternly and then stepped forward. The drunk lady shifted away from Luca while Philip stood beside him. “So you decide to come?”

“I came to see you and the others. You know I can't leave here with just a text.” He answered back softly. The music is blasting the walls loudly. 

“At least you know you can't do that.” He said as he took Luca’s drink then drank it all swiftly. 

“That was quick.”

“Well I am frustrated.” Philip replied loudly as he placed the glass on the counter. Dressed in jean pants and black shirt, Philip was older than Luca but he was the nicest man Luca ever met. 

“What could be frustrating my capable boss?”

“You have a new boss now, don't refer to me as your boss.” He let out calmly as he clasped his hands together. 

“You shouldn’t be jealous. You know you're always my first boss.” Luca retorted playfully while Philip glued his eyes on the shelf. “You look tense, what happened?” 

Philip took a deep breath then let out softly. “Your client is here.”

Luca wondered who it could be. He had many clients and they were always pleased with him. The client Philip could be referring to was the man who always chose him over others. 

“Which one of them? And if a client is around, why don't you send one of the others to him?” 

“It is not as easy as that, Luca,” Philip answered back and shifted his gaze to him then added. “It was the client who came the last time you were around.”

Luca narrowed his brow and suddenly remembered the client, Philip was talking about. It was the man that gave him a huge amount of money. “So he's around? You can assign Henry or Williams to him.”

Philip banged his hands on the table and frowned at Luca. “You think I've not done that? He asked specifically for you and only you, no one else! I had to keep him waiting while I walked around looking for options when I found out you were here.”

“You can just tell him I'm not working here anymore so he does not waste his time…

“Luca.” Philip let out calmly.

“Yes?”

“This client is not an ordinary client. He gave me bundles of dollars in cash the first time he came. He gave me when he arrived and gave me more bundles when he was leaving. Do you think I should chase such an important client away? Most of the other clients have never given half of the money he gave me.” He explained while Luca listened. 

“So what do you suggest now?”

“You tell me.” 

The music continued blasting loudly while Luca looked down at the glass before him. He knew what Philip meant, he wanted him to attend to the client so the client wouldn’t leave angrily. 

Philip loved money, there is no doubt. The new client was an achievement for him and Luca pondered if he should attend to the client. He already had a new job but that does not stop him from having a little fun and having a little fun won’t hurt. 

“I…

“Yes..yes. Will you change into your best outfit?” Philp inquired eagerly as his expression lit up with excitement. 

“No. I don't need the outfit just the mask. And I will leave early, I won’t stay late.”

“I understand. Because of grandma, I will inform the client you're coming soon. See you later.” 

Luca waved to him as he walked away happily. Ethan came forward, cleaning a glass cup gently. 

“I have never seen anyone more eager for money than him,” Ethan said wryly.

Luca smiled lightly. “He has always been that way. Pass me a chill Margarita, I will need it for the atmosphere.”

“That man must be eager to see you again. I envy you.” Hans chipped in as he handed a drink to a man. 

“There is nothing to envy.”

After drinking the margarita, a female stripper walked up to Luca in a bikini and handed him a mask. After she left, Luca stood up and headed to the suite he and the client had used days ago. The loud music became faint as he walked away. 

The suite was the most expensive suite and a private one. After a few minutes, he stood before the suite and took a deep breath. He just wanted to do this for the last time and give grandma the money. He swiped the door with his card and walked in quietly. 

Closing the door behind him, he stepped in and put on his mask swiftly. He raised his head and gazed at the beauty of the majestic room. He was in no mood to admire the beauty of the room that day but tonight was different. The scent of flowers filled the room and the light shone brightly. The huge bed gave him flashbacks and he swallowed a lump in his throat. The room was empty and he wondered if the client had left.

He removed his phone from his pants pocket to text Philip but he realized it was almost dead. He made up his mind to leave to inform Philip when the bathroom door opened carefully.

He stopped and turned to look at the person. He widened his eyes and his heart skipped a beat as he stared at the ‘client’. He could not believe his eyes as he froze. 

It could not be. 

Was Mr Micheal his client?