"I'm sorry sir, there's no reservation made in your name" Cindy apologized, sweeping through the reservation manual meant for vip customers as her fingers trembled.
"And what's that supposed to mean? I clearly placed a call and asked for a reservation" Levi replied, annoyance slice through his calm tone.
"Ohh.. yes sir. I.. I'm sorry.." Cindy stammered.
"You're sorry? how incompetent. Couldn't reserve a place for a VIP customer, how do you even manage regular customers" Levi said with a sharp and unreadable glare.
"Sorry sir, there must have been a mistake.." Cindy tried explaining but Levi cut her off, slamming the desk.
"A mistake?" He scoffed, "why are you being paid and if you can't do your job correctly, I'll have to visit your boss then"
Cindy tried speaking but fear pinned her in place, and a calm voice slid into the tension.
"That won't be necessary, sir" Leah stepped forward.
"No Leah.." Cindy whispered trying to stop her, but Leah was already there, standing straight and composed.
"There was probably a huge workload yesterday, which made her forget to make a reservation for you," Leah said her eyes locking unto Levi's without a flinch.
Levi stared at her sharp and assesing and Leah felt it immediately, the weight of his attention the one that could either make one stutter or shrink.
But she didn't.
"We currently have a space left to usher you into. But that's if you wish." Leah continued maintaining her tone.
For a moment Levi said nothing, and the silence stretched as all staffs darted around pretending not to listen but waiting for whatever Leah was slowly bringing upon herself.
"Could've said that earlier.. and save me my breathe" he said finally.
Leah nodded slightly as she led him to a VIP suite. She could feel his presence behind her controlling and intimidating as she led the way
"Here" she ushered him in with a smile, before turning to leave.
"Aren't you going to serve me?" he asked.
"Oh no.." she chuckled lightly, "I'll have someone do that for you." She bowed slightly.
"I want you to serve me" Levi said flatly and Leah paused mid-motion.
"My shift just ended and someone will take it up from where I stopped sir. I'm sorry, can't do extra duties"
Levi's brows knotted, "Can't do extra duties when you're being paid? Then why did you usher me in firstly?"
"That's because my colleague needed help. I couldn't watch that small issue escalate when I could help.. and besides we all have a life outside workspaces" Leah answered calm but firm, and met his gaze again.
For a brief moment, something unreadable flickered in Levi's eyes.
"Umm.. sorry sir, I really have to go" she said politely as she glanced at her wristwatch.
"Someone will attend to you.. thanks for your patronage sir" she gave a quick bow and left before he could say anything.
"Info?" he said, snapping his fingers at his bodyguard.
"I'll have that intel in twenty, Boss."
*
Leah dumped her apron into her locker, picking a few things and throwing them into her tote bag, hands moving faster than usual as Martin entered, staring intently at her.
"You love gossiping a lot. What now?" she sighed.
"That was Levi Parker" Martin said, his lips curling into a sly smile.
"So???" She asked raising her brows.
"Leah, what the fûck do you mean by 'So?', that's the customer I told you about" he said.
"What customer?" she paused, then frowned "Wait.. the one who got Mira fired? That's him?"
Martin nodded, "He fûcking hate mistakes, who know? You or Cindy might have to pay.. with your jobs"
"I clearly took care of it, I see no reason why he would go that far" Leah said as she exhaled slightly.
"You don't need to see a reason, 'cause as far as he does.. then that's it" Martin replied.
"Martin! I have somewhere to be..See you..tomorrow" she said, clearly tired of the boring story.
"Only if you don't loose your job" Martin shot back.
"Jerk!!" She muttered, followed by the buzzing sound of her phone.
"Hello? Miss McWilliams you need to hurry, your brother.."
"What?! Flynn?" she gasped, as she hurriedly picked her bag.
"Wait, I'll drop you off. No time to look for a taxi" Martin said as the both hurried to the garage
***
"Flynn? Where's Flynn" Leah screamed the moment she reached the hospital's reception.
"My brother.. I mean Flynn McWilliams.. he's a patient here, has umm.." she tried explaining but her breath choked her.
"Hey.. it's okay, he was moved to the ICU, he fell into coma" the nurse said gently and Leah felt the world spinning.
"What? Can.. can I see him?" she asked, voice mixing with hiccups.
"Yes, you can. He's stable now." The nurse nodded towards the direction.
Leah entered the ward as tears welled up in her eyes,she wrapped her hands tightly around Flynn's as her fingers shook.
She caressed his face slowly, as his chest rose and fell slowly with each labored breath.
"I'm sorry." she said, "I'm sorry Flynn. I'm working, I'll..l will make sure I raise the money for your surgery so you can get out of here"
"Hey.. " Martin's hand rubbed her back slowly, "Can we talk?"
"Yea.. sure" she wiped her tears as she walked out with him.
He exhaled heavily "It's about the job. I couldn't find any, aside from .."
"Don't" Leah cut in sharply, "I can't do that"
"But Leah you have no choice, we're talking about Flynn here"
"No.. no Martin you don't understand. I can't prostitute" she shook her head as her voice cracked.
"Leah, I know I'm not supposed to be suggesting this to you right now. But if you want to save Flynn. You have to do this" Martin said.
Her head moved in a slow, almost imperceptible shake, her eyes locking onto the floor as her jaw clenched, "No, I can't"
"Leah!.. Just once.. just a night and you'll have all the money you need" Martin leaned in, his voice taking on a gentle but insistent tone, his eyes locked onto hers as he reached for her hands.
"Just one night" he repeated softly, "For Flynn."
Her jaw clenched tighter in fear, her eyes flashing a mix of frustration and resignation, before her head dipped in a slow, begrudging nod.
Her shoulders sagged slightly, as if the weight of defeat had settled in, and a quiet "fine" escaped her lips, laced with a hint of rebellion.
"I'm sorry you have to do this, Leah" Martin said.
"It's fine.. I mean I'm doing it for Flynn" she said, "If you can connect with them, have them set it for tomorrow night, since I'll be off duty after my shift tomorrow morning,
I'll do it then take a rest the next day."
"Sure, I will. I'm really sorry you have to do this Leah" Martin tapped her shoulder.