7. Testing His Patience

Lucy’s POV

"No! I'm not going with you. I'm here because this is where I work!” 

“Really?” Arman scoffed. 

“I refuse to follow your orders unless we get into a legally binding agreement that binds us to one another. I’ll wait for your lawyer to give me the f*cking copy of our agreement." I said with a firm voice.

He stepped forward with a dark expression, “You are really testing my patience, Lucy.” 

I didn’t budge when he leaned in to meet my eyes. “And now you give me the idea of owning you legally….” 

We heard a loud click on the door, and a man with blonde hair stood there, staring at me from head to toe. "Are you the new girl?"

Annie was behind him and answered, "Boss Leo, she's the one I was talking about. She's my friend..." 

The blonde man frowned at me as he asked, "So what are you doing here with our VIP customer?"

I bit my lower lip in shame, “Uh—” 

Arman interrupted me and turned around to face the owner, "I want to buy this club." 

Annie and the man called Leo were taken aback by Arman's statement. They were so shocked that they stood motionless, blinking with shock. 

"This club is not for sale, Mr. Romano." Leo replied.

"Name your price." Arman challenged him. 

“I’ve already told you—” 

“I said, name your price.”

Seeing Leo appear swayed by Arman's persuasiveness made my heart race. It looked like he was really giving Arman this club. Then Annie stared at me with eyes that were full of confusion. 

"Mr. Romano, let's talk about that in my office," Leo said. His eyes shifted to mine, and he spoke, "Get back to your work." 

Then Annie pulled me to the counter and looked at me wide-eyed. She sighed and asked, "Who was that? Do you know him?" 

"His name is Arman Romano," I said, biting my lower lip. The properties, failed businesses, and hospitals my dad owned now belong to him. Also... the place where I live." 

Annie was so shocked that her eyes got huge, her mouth dropped, and she quickly asked, "What?" He took everything from you; what an evil guy!" 

"The last thing my father stated in his last will was to find the man he owed several billion dollars and pay him whatever he had left."

I could feel Annie's palms become chilly as she gripped my hand tightly, and she said, "So, you're going to do what your father asked, aren't you? You paid him already, so you're no longer tied to him?" 

"He told me that my dad's payment wasn't enough," I ranted and shook my head. "That means I have to pay for it."

"What? How are you going to pay for it? How are you supposed to pay him when you're working at this ridiculous club and have bills to pay?"

“By marrying him.” 

"What? It is impossible to tie the knot with someone you do not love. What does getting married have to do with all the debt?" Annie let out a sigh and dried the table with the dry towel.

I sighed and said, "Well, you know that men are crazy these days. They only want the bodies and lust of women. That could be what he wants in the end. I'll work for him for a year and then I'm free."

"And you agreed to do it?" 

"I'm sorry, Annie, but I don't have a choice," I said as I sat down on the chair. "No matter how much I try, I will never be able to secure a good job—not even as an interior designer for a major New York City firm—because everyone seems to want at least a year of experience. I don't have anyone, though. They're all gone and won't help me!"

The bartender said. "Hey, stop talking to each other. A new customer is over there. You, new girl, work your ass off." 

I rolled my eyes, “I have a name. I’m not just a new girl.” 

“Come on, let’s get to work.” Annie smiled at me. 

I grabbed a pen and a little note, then when I arrived at table six. The group of friends stopped talking to each other and their eyes all landed on me. 

“Lucy Hansley?” Angela said. 

I stared at them blankly because I knew they would bully me for what happened to me. Then, now that I'm working here, they'll bully me more. So I chinned up and asked, "Can I take your order, please?" 

"Oh my god, do you work here? Where is the party-loving, rich girl we used to know? What happened to it?" Cristelle asked funnily, and her man laughed at me.

"How much for the night, Lucy?" asked Thomas, my ex-suitor.

While everyone was looking, Jane stood up and said, "Oh, too bad Peter isn't here to see how his ex-fiancee turned into a rat." 

"Well, well, well, you are such a loser, Lucy," Vianne said softly. Then, she clicked her tongue and added, "I used to wish I had your life, but now I'm glad that I didn't." 

I pursed my lips into thin lines and smiled at them sweetly, “Can I take your order?” 

Jane rolled her eyes at me, then got a pitcher of ice water and poured it all over my head. I took a deep breath as I froze, then stepped back and stared fiercely at my cousin. I walked up to her and hit her in the face twice. At first, she was shocked, but then she yelled at me and grabbed my hair roughly.

After that, everyone pushed me off the floor. My hateful eyes glared up at them, and then I felt a crushing sense of humiliation as I looked at myself.

"Dating a rich person doesn't mean you can act like you're rich. "No, Lucy! This is your place. This is where you belong, f*ck it! But what the f*ck is going on? If he's really into you, where is he now? Why isn't he inviting you to his massive home?" A nasty smirk spread across Jane's face. 

Angela agreed, "Maybe you are too good at one night stands. That's why no man would want you anymore. I mean, no rich man would want someone so lowly as you!"

Annie came to my rescue and helped me get up, “Are you alright?” 

“I–I’m fine.” 

Thomas grabbed my waist and pulled me so close to him, “So, how much for one night?” 

"Please don't touch me!" I tried to push him away, but everyone else seemed to enjoy what they saw. 

Then Annie asked the guard for help because Thomas was really stubborn.

Then, out of nowhere, a rough, deep voice yelled, "How much for your life, Mr. Thomas Davis?! If you don't take your hands off of my woman, I'll kill you right now!"