Chapter 5
At 7:30 PM. Serena arrived at the Eternal Club.
The first floor of the place looked like a high–end nightclub, but upstairs was a whole different story–a mix of legitimate and shady dealings.
It was a complicated scene.
Before Serena started her gig, the manager gave her a specific warning. “Don’t go upstairs. Stay on the first floor, and you’ll be safe,” he assured her.
After that, he transferred her payment for the night–400 dollars–straight to her account.
Serena blinked in surprise. That much?”
The manager nodded. “That’s our standard rate, and you can keep all the tips, just don’t quit halfway through the night. If you play well, we’ll call you again.”
It was her first time being paid upfront for a part–time job, and the gesture filled her with gratitude.
Her designated spot was on the north side of the first floor, in a quieter lounge area with a relaxed atmosphere.
The setlist was simple–just a few familiar pieces she could play effortlessly.
About forty minutes later, she took a break to head to the restroom.
After washing her hands, she adjusted her makeup and hair. But as soon as she stepped out, two men blocked her path.
“Going somewhere, miss?” one of them whistled, his tone sleazy,
The two men exuded a cocky, careless energy that screamed trouble.
“Excise
me, please,” Serena said, trying to keep her voice calm.
One of them wagged his finger. “Not so fast. You took the money, didn’t you? Trying to back out now?”
Serena recognized the voice. It was Camron Brock–the man shed slapped at the Rose Garden after he groped her.
“I didn’t take your money, Serena snapped, glaring at him in disbelief.
Camron smirked, his expression cold and calculating. That 400 dollars–didn’t you just accept it?”
A chilling realization washed over Serena. From the moment the manager had called her for this job, it had all been a setup.
Now everything made sense–the overly generous pay, the upfront transfer. It was all part of their plan
Gathering her courage, she retorted, T’ll return the money. This is Pashew. If you try anything, I’ll call the police.”
She hoped her threat would scare them off, but these men weren’t easily intimidated.
Camron brushed his bodyguard aside and stepped closer to her, his gaze raking over her.
Disgusted, Serena instinctively backed away
Camron’s pudgy face twisted into a wicked grin. “You’re just too tempting. And you had the nerve to slap me… Did you think quitting your job at the Rose Garden would make me forget?”
1/5
14:24 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 5
He grabbed her arm roughly. “How about this–you spend the night with me, and I’ll forget the slap. Behave, and I might even pay you more!
“Let go of me!” Serena shouted, her voice echoing down the hallway. But before she could yell again, Camron clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Shut up! Damn–Camron cursed as Serena bit down on his hand, her teeth sinking into the fleshy part.
He pulled back with a grimace, but the sleazy grin quickly returned
“You little wild pussy, he sneered, licking his lips. Thike that. Makes things more thrilling”
Serena screamed again, but Camron grabbed her hands, holding her tightly.
Panic swelled in her chest as he moved closer.
Just as his hand reached toward her, one of his bodyguards leaned in and whispered urgently, “Sir, that guest is arriving at the club tonight. This is our first time in Pashew. We shouldn’t make a scene.”
Camron snorted, clearly annoyed, but he seemed to take the warning seriously.
Take her to my car, he ordered, turning to the men behind hin
“What if she struggles?” one of the bodyguards asked hesitantly, glancing at Serena’s defiant expression.
Camron gripped Serena’s neck tightly, his voice low and menacing. ‘Be a good girl and go with them, or Ill make sure you
suffer.”
As he spoke, a cold blade pressed against her waist.
Serena knew that these weren’t ordinary thugs.
If they could operate so freely in places like the Rose Garden and were bold enough to brandish a knife at the Eternal Cluby Serena realized they likely had connections to the underworld.
Her heart pounded wildly, but with the knife so close, she nodded, fear compelling her to comply.
Satisfied, Camron left quickly, leaving his two bodyguards to escort her.
They flanked her, one on each side, as they led her toward the exit.
As they moved through the club, Serena caught a glimpse of the manager, who seemed to be checking on her.
But when his eyes fell on the men beside her, he hesitated, then turned away as if nothing was wrong.
Instead of heading through the crowded areas, the bodyguards steered her down a narrow corridor.
Serena had chosen a simple white dress that day, and before going to the restroom, she’d slipped on a jacket.
In one pocket was a small canister of pepper spray–a gift from Amiya just the day before. She hadn’t thought she’d actually need it.
The corridor stretched dimly ahead when a sharp–looking man in a black suit approached from the other end. His aura was authoritative, his steps purposeful.
“Why aren’t you upstairs with Camron?” he asked curtly.
One of the bodyguards chuckled nervously. “He gave us some crands to run. Besides, with Mr. Harrington’s entourage up there, we’d just be in the way
2/3
14:24 Tue, Dec 24
Chapter 3
The suited man didn’t seem too interested and gave Serena a brief glance before continuing past them.
“Will Mr. Brock be line going up there alone?” one bodyguard asked after the man had left.
The other scoffed dismissively. “It’s just a business deal. Gabriel Harrington wouldn’t stir up trouble in Pashew, no matter how powerful he is.”
At the mention of “Gabriel,” Serena’s body stiffened.
Then, without hesitation, she gripped the pepper spray tightly. In one swift motion, she turned and sprayed it directly into the bodyguard’s faces.
The men recoiled instantly, clutching their eyes and yelling in pain.
You little bitch! What the hell is this?!” one shouted, his voice thick with rage.
The other, still slightly coherent, barked, “Don’t let her get away
But both were blinded, stumbling and unable to grab her.
Serena bolted. Her instinct was to head toward a crowded area, but the corridor was unfamiliar, its dimness broken only by the muffled bass of music in the distance.
She raced past a small doorway and spotted what looked like an exit ahead.
Relief surged through her–until a familiar figure appeared at the end of the passageway
Her heart sank.
It was Gabriel.
Behind him, a group of men in dark suits strode purposefully down the corridor, their presence exuding authority and control.
Serena’s breath caught. She remembered their brief encounter at Caffe Elysée, but there was no time to dwell on it. With the guards still pursuing her, she ducked her head and ran forward.
In the dimly lit corridor, her white dress stood out sharply against the shadows, a fleeting, desperate figure.
Under the solitary light above, Gabriel’s striking features were impossible to miss–cold, composed, and commanding
As they passed, his tall frame brushed hers lightly, the faint scent of wood and cold spice lingering in the air.
Her heart skipped a beat for a fleeting moment.
But the pounding footsteps behind her forced her focus back to survival. She kept running,
Her brief hope turned to despair when she reached the “exit, only to find it led to a dead end.
Her heart sank as she realized the lone door at the end was locked. There was no way out.
With no other options, Serena turned and retraced her steps.
The moment Camron’s men caught sight of Gabriel, they immediately bowed their heads in deference.
One of them stepped forward hastily, stammering, “M–Mr. Harrington, we’re chasing a woman. She… she hit Mr. Brock, and he’s just trying to teach her a lesson!”
14:24 Tue, Dec 24
Chapter 5
“A woman?” one of Gabriel’s men sneered. “Camron’s that pathetic?“
Another chuckled darkly. “Must have been eating away at him for days.”
Before anyone could say more, a sharp shout interrupted them. There she is!”
Serena had turned back and was walking cautiously toward the group, her steps slow and deliberate.
“This is one of Eternal Club’s hidden corridors, one of Camron’s guards muttered through clenched teeth, still blinking and wiping at his eyes.
Then he added, “Without a guide, she thought she could escape through here? What a joke.”
He gritted his teeth in frustration and barked, “Hurry up! You’re getting in Mr. Harrington’s way!”
Serena stopped behind Gabriel’s entourage, her movements halting as though testing the limits of her courage.
She didn’t dare meet Gabriel’s gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.
The bodyguards bowed even lower, practically groveling. “Mr. Harrington, please, go ahead.”
But Gabriel remained still, his imposing figure radiating an icy authority that made the air feel heavy.
He didn’t speak, nor did he move, his silence cutting deeper than words.
Left with no other option, the two bodyguards ignored him and stepped forward to seize Serena.
“Move! Don’t just stand there,” one of them barked, lunging toward her. “Keep struggling, and you’ll regret it!”
Serena backed away instinctively, her movements shaky and uncertain. As she retreated, her eyes lifted for just a moment- and locked with his.
The intensity of his gaze froze her in place. His dark eyes seemed to pierce straight through her, making her feel completely exposed.
Overwhelmed by shame and bitterness, she quickly looked down, the feeling of helplessness choking her.
She knew how she must appear: disheveled, desperate, cornered. And she hated that Gabriel, of all people, was witnessing it
One of the guards grabbed her shoulder roughly, his grip unyielding. She flinched in pain and tried to twist free, but it was useless.
“Stop struggling!” the guard growled, tightening his hold.
Serena’s thoughts raced wildly. She’d slapped Camron, blinded his men with pepper spray, and now she was at their mercy
It was clear they wouldn’t let her off without making her pay.
Meanwhile, Gabriel remained still, his expression unreadable, as though the scene before him was of no consequence.
The men flanking him didn’t move either, their presence silent but suffocating.
Trying to lighten the tension, one of the bodyguards pulled out premium cigar and extended it with a forced grin. “Our apologies, Mr. Harrington. Sorry for wasting your time.”
Gabriel didn’t even glance at the offering. He simply adjusted his sleeve, his face cold and detached, as if considering something far more important.
As Serena was dragged forward, the pain in her shoulder intensifying, she found herself once again passing by Gabriel
14:24 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 5
CH
Desperation surged within her, and in a shaky voice, she turned to him. “Mr. Harrington, I don’t want to go with them.”
Gabriel’s sharp gaze flicked to her, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he remained silent.
The guards froze at her words, shock flashing across their faces. They hadn’t expected her to know him.
Taking advantage of their hesitation, Serena twisted free from the guard’s grip and stepped quickly to Gabriel’s side.
Her voice trembled as she whispered, “Help me, please.”
Her plea hung in the air, fragile and raw.
