Tencho delivered a curt message, commanding Serenity to join Octopus Tiger at his table without delay. Despite her misgivings, duty bound her to comply. Lavinia, a fellow Filipino talent, entered the room, her lighthearted remarks only adding to Serenity's growing unease. "You're lucky, Octopus Tiger wants you," Lavinia teased with a smirk. "I don't think so, Lavinia," Serenity replied nervously. "Alex said that man is dangerous. I need to be careful." Serenity stated. "But he'll give you big tips! He's rich," Lavinia countered.
"No, I'm scared," Serenity said, feeling helpless. Suddenly, Tencho burst into the room. "Serenity! It's time to go to Octopus Tiger's table. He can't wait to meet you," Tencho barked. Serenity hesitated, fear gripping her. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her, but Tencho signaled her to move. His look made it clear—there was no way out. She had to go to his table. Meanwhile, Lavinia stood silently, jealousy simmering beneath her composed exterior. She envied Serenity. But aside from Serenity being the star of the Paradise club, Alex clearly cared for her too. Lavinia's obsession with Alex made it impossible for her to see past her frustration, even though she had a current boyfriend. The Tencho (Manager) caught the shift in Lavinia's demeanor and narrowed his eyes. "You—what are you waiting for? Go back to your table," he commanded, his voice firm but laced with concern. Lavinia reluctantly obeyed, masking her emotions as she turned away. Lavinia, with her mischievous grin, turned to Tencho and teasingly replied, "Why don't you take me to Octopus Tiger's table instead? Serenity may look scared, but I'm not." Tencho's brow furrowed in confusion. "I can't. He's not requesting you. Go back to your table now," he ordered.
As Lavinia made her way back to her designated table in the pulsating hall, Lavinia couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy especially when she caught sight of Alex, stealing glances at Serenity. Octopus Tiger was aggressive the moment Serenity sat at his table. His hand moved to her leg, and she flinched. "Please don't touch me," Serenity pleaded helplessly, her voice barely above a whisper. Octopus Tiger ignored her, pulling her closer into an unwelcome hug. Serenity's discomfort was evident, but she was trapped. From across the room, Alex watched the scene unfold, his fists clenched in frustration. He felt powerless but couldn't stand idly by. Determined, he approached the manager, Tencho. "Tencho, Serenity has a lot of requests from other customers. She needs to switch tables now," Alex said, his eyes intense with worry. "I'm the manager here. I know what I'm doing. Let the other customers wait!" Tencho snapped, brushing Alex off as he returned to the counter. As Tencho sat down, memories of the past resurfaced. A year ago, Octopus Tiger's group had beaten him severely when Octopus Tiger was dissatisfied with another hostess that he recommended. The fear of reliving that nightmare paralyzed him. He didn't dare intervene. Meanwhile, Serenity struggled at Octopus Tiger's table, dread gripping her heart. Her mind raced for an escape, but none seemed within reach.
She had no idea that Alex was watching from the shadows, his fear for her safety growing with every passing moment. At another table, Lavinia found herself distracted. Though seated with a customer, her mind and eyes were fixed on Alex. She noticed his unease and the way he kept glancing toward Serenity. "Excuse me, Ota-san," Lavinia said to her customer. "I need to use the washroom." The customer looked at her, disappointed. "Sure, but I requested Serenity. Why hasn't she come yet?" Lavinia felt another sting of jealousy but ignored his comment. Standing, she made her way toward Alex, who was leaning against a wall. "Alex," she called softly. He glanced at her, immediately uncomfortable. "What do you want?" he asked curtly. "I can tell you're worried about Serenity," Lavinia said, her tone gentle but probing. Alex sighed heavily. "Of course I'm worried. I don't know how to help her. I just wish Octopus Tiger would leave already." A sly smile crossed Lavinia's face. "I can help her," she offered. "How?" Alex asked skeptically, narrowing his eyes. "Let me take her place," Lavinia said confidently. Alex's face darkened. "That's a terrible idea. He specifically asked for Serenity. If we do that, he'll get angry, and it'll only make things worse." He sighed. "Well, I can at least try, I'll sit there by myself" Lavinia said, starting to walk away. Alex grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "Wait! You don't have to do this," he said urgently. "You have no idea what he's capable of. Just go back to your table. I'll figure something out." Lavinia turned to face him, her eyes flashing with anger. "What's wrong with you? Do you think I'm ugly? Is Serenity the only one who's beautiful here?" she snapped. "No, that's not what I meant," Alex replied, his tone defensive but calm. "Then why don't you let me try? You have no idea what I can do!" Lavinia insisted, her voice growing sharper. Alex sighed, frustrated. "Okay, but why are you doing this? Aren't you afraid of him? Look at Serenity—she's struggling with him right now. Do you want that to happen to you?" he asked, his confusion evident. "So, are you worried about me?" Lavinia asked, her tone softening, a hint of something vulnerable slipping through. Alex frowned, shaking his head. "No, I'm just curious. Why would you want to go to his table, knowing what he's like?" he asked. "I need the money, Alex," Lavinia admitted with a slight grin. "I know he'll tip me big. I can handle him." Alex stared at her, "Oh I see!" exhaling heavily. "Fine," he relented. "If this is what you want, let's try it. But don't say I didn't warn you." Lavinia smiled, triumphant, and walked away with renewed confidence. Clinging possessively to Serenity, Octopus Tiger scowled as Lavinia and Alex approached. "Irashaimase! Watashi wa Lavinia desu!" Lavinia greeted with a bright smile. Octopus Tiger's sharp gaze turned to her, his expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "Who are you? I didn't request you?"
"All I want is Serenity!" he snapped, pulling Serenity closer. Alex stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. "Sir, may I borrow Serenity for just a few minutes? There are other customers waiting for her attention." Octopus Tiger chuckled darkly. "I don't care! Get out of my sight!" he growled. Lavinia stepped in boldly, her tone unwavering. "It's alright, Sir. Let her go for a while—I can take her place in the meantime," she offered, meeting his glare with quiet determination. The tension crackled as Octopus Tiger's eyes darted between them, his grip on Serenity unyielding. Octopus Tiger, suddenly amused by Lavinia's charm, agreed, curious to see what she could offer. Serenity felt relief when Octopus Tiger released her, but she still worried for Lavinia. Serenity got up from the table, "Sumimasen, excuse me Sir," Serenity said as she stood up, Octopus Tiger touched her butt once more, "Hayaku modotte ne, won't be long ok, I'll wait for you!" he chuckled. Serenity just went out and took a look back to Lavinia. "Thank you, Lavinia, but are you sure you want this?" she asked her worriedly. "I'm fine. Get out of here okay," Lavinia said as she stepped into the role seamlessly, using her skills to entertain Octopus Tiger. Alex guided Serenity to another table. "You'll be sitting here. The customer is kind and gentle; you'll be okay," Alex assured her as he gestured for her to sit. Serenity responded with a sweet smile. "Thank you," she said softly before turning to greet the customer and taking her seat. When the manager found out, he was confused. "What is happening here?" Tencho's voice boomed, "Lavinia wants to take her place, she insisted, so we tried, and I think Octopus Tiger is like her now," Alex replied. Tencho just shook his head. Octopus Tiger found himself intrigued by her allure. Unlike Serenity, who seemed aloof and unattainable, Lavinia was easy to touch. Rising up from his seat with his men, Octopus Tiger chuckled to himself, realizing that he had found someone. "I will request you for now, but it's not guaranteed how long it takes!" he quipped, a smirk playing on his lips. His men paid the bill generously, leaving a hefty tip for Lavinia as they followed Octopus Tiger out of the club. Tencho Takumi, the club manager, breathed a sigh of relief as he approached Lavinia. "I hope he will never come back, but it seems like you gave him good service," he said, glancing nervously towards the door. "It's okay for me if he will come back here every day, I got a big tip, I never have this before in my whole entire life," Lavinia replied, her eyes sparkling with delight as she counted the money in her hand. Tencho's eyes widened in astonishment at the size of the tip. "That is the biggest tip I've ever seen, but I don't want him here," he confessed, his voice tinged with fear. Lavinia, unfazed, waved a hand dismissively. "No worries, he will come for me, not for you. And besides, he paid a lot, you must be thankful," she scoffed playfully before disappearing into the dressing room. Tencho stood there, pondering Lavinia's words, realizing that she was right.