Chapter 6: The Velluto Bar

Annalyn’s POV

“You need to stop falling into my arms, one would think you’re stalking me” He said adjusting his suit

I felt my cheeks flush at the comment but decided not to retort

“By the way Rosa, she’s with me.”

Alex’s voice cut through the tension like a knife through silk. The receptionist’s face lightened up with a smile as she nodded at him.

My body was still humming from where he’d caught me, the warmth of his hands still burning into my arms.

“Also, clear my schedule for the next hour,” he added sharply.

“Yes, Mr. Quinn.”

He gestured for me to follow, then strode past the front desk with long, decisive steps. I scrambled after him, feeling the receptionist’s glare slice into my back.

We walked in silence through a corridor of glass-walled offices and minimalist decor. Every step I took echoed off marble floors, sounding louder than it should have. I felt like a stain in a clean white world.

I thought his office would be on the tenth Floor imagine the disappointment when he walked past the receptionist and down the hall way behind the reception desk.

Inside his office, he motioned to a chair. I sat, still feeling out of place. The room was expansive, lined with books, a towering window offering a panoramic view of the city, and a polished mahogany desk where he set down his phone and coffee.

He remained standing.

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon, I figured you have quite an enormous amount if pride, so I thought it would take more than just a few words to get you to agree,” he said, removing his jacket and draping it over a leather chair.

“I haven’t said i accept. I came for a more important purpose.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What other important purpose is there when you ain’t here to accept my offer?”

“I really need your help, you are the only person I know in this whole city.. I need a loan,” I said, voice barely above a whisper.

He studied me. “Already got yourself in trouble.”

“My mum is in the hospital. Her surgery was a success, but… they’re demanding full payment. One point five million. I don’t have that kind of money.” I swallowed, then added, “I came because you seemed kind and all…”

He nodded slowly. “And my offer?”

“I thought that was a joke? You really expect me to play mother to your son?.”

The silence stretched.

He walked to the window, his back to me. “That’s my condition.. take it or leave it.”

My chest tightened.

But I hesitated, then asked, “Why don’t you bring your wife back, no matter what she did, at least for the boys sake”

He turned halfway, brows knitting.

“If you want I can help you reach out to her ”

His entire body tensed.

“I mean… you said you needed a live-in nanny. That she’s gone. Is she dead? Or..”

“That’s none of your fucking business.” His voice was clipped.

“I just thought if the boy is missing his mother why not just bring his real mother back rather than hiring a mother for him…”

“You have no right to meddle in how I chose to raise my son,” he snapped, spinning fully to face me. “You don’t know me. You don’t know my family. And you have no right to poke your nose into what doesn’t concern you.”

My heart thudded in my chest.

What had I said that made him transition so fast like this.

But he wasn’t finished. “You sound just like the vultures in the press. Or my competitors who make their life’s worth to always trying to dig into my personal life. Waiting for a headline. ‘Tragic CEO with a hidden past.’ Or you’d like to offer them information on me for a few million bucks?”

I stood slowly, the sting of his words hitting harder than I expected. “I wasn’t trying to be nosy. I was trying to understand the job. Understand you. But I guess I don’t need to.”

“Wait…”

“No,” I said firmly, blinking back the burn behind my eyes. “You know what? Forget it. I’ll figure it out on my own.”

Then I walked out of his office, head high and fists clenched, ignoring the receptionist’s smug glance as I passed.

***

In the cab back to the hospital, I stared out the window, my mind a blur of shame and frustration. I had tried. I really had. But even kindness came with strings.

My phone buzzed.

Lila.

I picked up.

“Hey,” she said gently. “How did it go?”

“Terrible,” I murmured. “He yelled at me. called me nosy. Compared me to gossip reporters. all for what? I just walked out.”

“Damn…” Lila breathed. Then, after a pause, “Okay. Then lets try something else. There’s this club downtown… Velluto. One of the girls quit last week. They’re hiring waitresses.”

I scoffed. “A club? Lila…”

“Just hear me out. You’re pretty. Your smile is magical. Plus they pay a decent hourly wage plus tips. Some nights you walk out with almost a thousand . It’s not forever, Anna. It’s just to get on your feet.”

I hesitated, my pride wounded and dangling by a thread.

But I needed money more than I needed pride.

“…What’s the address?”

*****

Hours later, I stood in front of the restroom mirror inside Velluto, staring at my reflection like I didn’t recognize myself.

Short black skirt. Tight white blouse that pushed my breasts together, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. My hair framed my face in waves, and I’d dabbed gloss on my lips because the manager insisted on “presentation.”

I looked… like someone else.

“God,” I whispered, tugging at the hem of the skirt. “You’ve got this. Just take it one night at a time. Just get through one night.”

A knock on the door.

“New girl?” a muffled voice called. “Manager says you’re up. Table service. Now.”

I took a breath, smoothed my skirt, and stepped into the flashing, pulsing world beyond the bathroom door. The club was alive with music, laughter, bodies swaying under blue lights.

I weaved through the tables, offering smiles, trying to keep my tray steady. I was halfway through my second round of drinks when another waitress pulled me aside.

“Girl, that table over there…. Table fifteen,” she whispered, eyes darting. “They’re specifically asking for you.”

“Wait?” I blinked Confusion evident on my face. “Why?”

She just nodded toward the far corner.

I turned.

And my heart stopped.

Kristoff sat there, smug and casual, surrounded by three men in tailored suit…. one arm slung over the back of the booth, the other waving at me like we were old friends.

No.

No, no, no.

Not him.

Not here.

Not tonight.

And worst of all… he’s seeing me in this outfit working this disgusting job, this moment