Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

ISABELLA’S POV

“Your mother’s condition is getting worse. She's going to need urgent surgery. We’re going to put her on the waitlist for now.” I blinked back the tears in my eyes as the doctor explained to me.

“Waitlist? You just said she needs urgent surgery. How can you put her on a waitlist? She needs to be treated now.” I tried to argue with him, my voice slightly cracked.

“I'm sorry but there’s nothing we can do. There are people with far worse conditions than hers.” He responded curtly.

My chest tightened.

“I can’t lose my mother, doctor.” I cried.

“I know. You can try out private hospitals. They would be able to give your mother the care she needs right away.”

The doctor sounded so nonchalant like we were just another name on a long list of tragedies he dealt with every day.

A low breath escaped my lips. “I can’t afford that.”

“I'm so sorry about that. Your mother will need to stay in the hospital for a while to make sure she’s stable. She will be discharged later.”

I took deep breaths to calm myself down. I thanked the doctor and went to check up on my mother.

Tears rolled down my face as I watched her on that bed lying on those white sheets. I wish I had the power to stop whatever pain she was going through.

I kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

As much as I wanted to be there with her, I had to work. After all, the bills wouldn’t pay themselves. I’d been saving up to get my mum better health care along with bills that also had to be paid.

I had to catch the bus really fast to get to work on time. I already got a text from my best friend saying the boss was asking for me. I told her that I would arrive soon. I missed the first bus so I had to wait for the second one. I got on it immediately it arrived.

I got off as soon as it stopped and had to run to the building. I went in through the back door and quickly changed into my work clothes. I went into the room and saw that the boss was addressing the rest of the girls.

“And where have you been, Isabella?” The boss asked as I was trying to sneak behind them.

“I had to see my mother at the hospital. I'm sorry, it won’t happen again.” I bowed my head in respect.

“You’ve been late throughout this week. This is your final warning. If you're late one more time, you’ll have to submit your uniform and never return.” He barked.

“Yes sir,” I said quietly.

“We’re done here. The other girls will fill you in.” He said before leaving the room.

I went to meet my best friend.

“Close call, girl.” She muttered. “I thought you would be fired. You're lucky.”

“Yeah, I am.”

“How’s your mum?” She asked.

“She needs surgery urgently but she's going to be put on the wait list. I need to take up more shifts and jobs to afford private health care for her.” I muttered.

“You’ve got this girl. I’ll help you if you want.” She offered.

“You don’t have to. I’ll do this by myself.” I replied, running my hand through my hair. “What was the meeting about?” I asked curiously.

“Oh. The boss basically informed us that some important guests would be coming today. We need to be on our best behavior.”

“Oh, that’s easy.” I shrugged.

We ended our conversation and went out to begin work. I’d been working at this club for over three years. That was when my mother's health deteriorated and I had to stop schooling so I could work and take care of her.

We were serving drinks to some of the regular customers when they walked in. We instantly knew it was them. The way my boss rushed to greet them was more than enough confirmation. He ushered them upstairs.

He needed someone to serve them and I was the only available one. I thought that he would find someone else because of my track record this week but surprisingly, he called me.

I went to the booth where they were sitting. “Good evening, what would you like me to get for you?” I asked.

Two men were sitting while about three men stood guard.

“A bottle of Hennessy XO, two glasses.” I wasn’t prepared to hear his voice. It took me aback.

“Yes, sir,” I said and left. I went to the storage room to get the drink. The boss handed me the keys to the storage room. I got the drink and went to the bartender.

“Haven’t seen anyone order this in a long time,” Gabriel said.

“I know.” I sighed. “They look expensive.”

“Oh, they are. Be careful not to drop anything. It could cost you your job.” He said and handed me the tray.

I took extra time going up the stairs. If I dropped the tray, I might as well kill myself. I walked cautiously to their booth and set the tray on the table.

“Here you go,” I said.

“Open it.” The man ordered me.

I nodded softly and opened the bottle. I had to be careful and I took a little bit of time because I hardly opened a drink like this. I smiled a bit when it finally opened. I looked over to him to confirm whether to pour the drinks and he gave me a small nod.

When I was done, I headed back downstairs with the tray in my hand. I dropped it back at the bar and headed into the room. My friend and some of the other girls were back there gossiping.

“What’s the chatter about?” I asked.

“Don't you know who that is?” One of the girls asked.

“No, who is he?”

They all gasped like I said something criminal.

“He's one of the richest men in this city. He has been in the US for a while now and he’s back now. Word has it that he’s part of the mafia.”

“Oh,” I murmured. I knew he was rich but I didn’t think he would be that rich.

The boss called my friend to serve those men again. A few minutes later, she ran back into the room.

“What is it?” I asked.

“He’s asking for you.” She breathed.

“Me?”

Why would he want me specifically to serve him again?