Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Spotting no sign of his boss in the living room, Horace couldn’t help but say, “Mr. McMillian, I came to pick up my boss..”
“She’s changing,” Romeo gestured for him to take a seat, “What’ll you have?”
“Nothing for me, thanks.” Horace swallowed hard, not daring to have Romeo wait on him. He quickly added, “I grabbed something on the way over.”
“You’re joining Bella on her job tonight?” Even so, Romeo poured him a cup of coffee.
Horace stood up quickly, taking the cup with both hands and profusely thanking him.
Oh man, this was coffee poured by Romeo himself, brought over by his own hands.
If it weren’t for his boss, he never would’ve believed he’d be treated like this.
“She was treading carefully, not wanting to spook anyone. So she only brought me along. But rest assured, Mr. McMillian, I’d lay down my life to protect her.”
“Both of you come back in one piece, you hear it?”
“Absolutely!” Horace replied and soon realized he’d started to think of Romeo as his boss, as he answered him with such ease.
Just then, Mirabella emerged, all dressed and ready. Romeo poured her a cup of coffee and handed it over.
“It’s nippy out there. Have some coffee to warm up before you go.”
Mirabella looked at Horace, who quickly mouthed ‘I didn’t spill anything!’
After she finished her coffee, Romeo added, “If you need anything while you’re out, just holler for me.”
“Will do.” Mirabella, not wanting him to wait up, said, “If I’m not back by midnight, don’t wait up. Just hit the hay.”
“Okay.” Romeo tousled her hair gently. “Be safe.”
With a nod to Horace, Mirabella indicated it was time to leave. Horace stood up immediately, “Mr.
McMillian, we should head out.”
As he caught Romeo’s worried and reluctant gaze, Horace reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ve got her back.”
With a nod, Romeo saw them to the door.
Down the long corridor, Mirabella’s cool and determined silhouette grew distant .Horace kept glancing back, and as they waited for the elevator, he could see Romeo still standing at the door and watching them.
“Boss, you sure you don’t want to have a word with Mr. McMillian? He seems kinda torn up about you leaving.”
Mirabella glanced back, only to see Romeo give a little wave before he dutifully went back inside.
“Let’s focus on the task at hand.”
They took the elevator down and got into the car. Remembering Romeo’s anxiousness throughout the day, Mirabella pulled out her phone and shot him a message on WhatsApp.
[Don’t worry.] It was short and sweet, typical Mirabella, but she ended it with a comforting ‘pat on the head’ emoji.
Romeo, who had been in a funk, instantly felt his spirits lift.
His Bella knew he was worried!
She was comforting him in return!
And she ‘patted’ his head!
Romeo was overjoyed, firing back a kiss emoji—a memento from a kiss they shared long ago, which he’d turned into a sticker.
Mirabella’s lips curved into a smile.
Horace didn’t park at the Gentlemen Club parking lot; instead, he parked on the street and helped Mirabella open the car door.”Boss, I left the car here. If things go south, we’ll take a route without surveillance. I’ve mapped out our escape plan.”
Mirabella was impressed by his efficiency—a promising talent worth nurturing.
Horace flashed a golden card at Mirabella, with an eyebrow raised.
“A club membership card? How’d you get this?”
“I got it from an old-timer member.”
Horace had pulled a lot of strings for Mirabella, and therefore got to know some folks who owed him favors. Scoring a card like this wasn’t a big deal.
“It’s just on loan, though. Gotta return it later.” With that, Horace led Mirabella towards the club.
The club’s entrance was manned by four male and four female staff, lined up to welcome guests.
As Horace and Mirabella ascended the steps, the staff exchanged curious glances; they were evidently unfamiliar with these new faces.
“Gentlemen Club extends a warm welcome to you both,” they greeted.
Though puzzlement lined the faces of the eight employees, they all bent over in a synchronized gesture of respect as the couple approached.
When Mirabella and Horace reached the bottom of the grand staircase, a massive golden archway blocked their path.
This club had a strict policy: only members were granted the access to enter. Newbies without an old member to vouch for them had no chance of getting through these doors.
Horace pulled out his premium card and swiped it before the door opened slowly, which dissolved the employees’ confusion.
So, they were indeed members.
It was their mistake for not recognizing them earlier. Luckily, the guests hadn’t noticed it.
Stepping inside, they found themselves in a dimly lit lobby, with six elevators ready to whisk patrons upstairs. The ambiance was reminiscent of a lounge bar, yet it was eerily quiet for such a space.
Under the influence of alcohol, some couples were scattered across the lobby, flirting and getting handsy with each other. Some men boldly touched their female companions, others were locked in passionate kisses, and a few were even starting to disrobe.
Horace quickly shielded Mirabella’s eyes without touching her, out of concern that the scene might soil her view of the world. His hands formed a barrier on either side of her.
The second floor housed the bar, while the third to sixth floors were reserved for private booths.
“Boss, let’s check out the second floor first.”Horace pressed the button for the second floor.
When they reached it, the elevator doors slid open, and a wall of rock music hit them. Horace couldn’t help but frown at the sheer volume.
It was deafening!
A band was giving their all on stage, and below them, the crowd was jumping and dancing, each person lost in their own world.
Horace guided Mirabella to a quieter corner with a table, concerned that she might be overwhelmed by the crowd. After a waiter approached, Horace ordered a couple of mojitos, and then signaled to his phone and texted Mirabella.
[Boss, it’s too noisy to talk here. I’m using WhatsApp. A buddy of mine hacked the club’s surveillance system. If ‘Viper’ shows up, he’ll let us know.]
Mirabella nodded and took a sip from the mojito the waiter had brought over.
Despite her casual attire and bun hairstyle, Mirabella’s beauty was undeniable, drawing the attention of many.
Soon, a man dancing his way toward Mirabella was met with Horace’s fierce glare, one that seemed ready to start a brawl. The man hurriedly backed off.
A while later, a scar-faced man flanked by his cronies approached, undeterred by Horace and seemingly looking to provoke him.
As the waiter served the fruits, Horace slammed his fist down, not just shattering the fruits but cracking the bowl itself.The scar-faced man and his lackeys swallowed hard, realizing they’d underestimated Horace’s strength.
After finishing his mojito, Horace stood up with the empty glass in hand, and the unwanted guests quickly scattered.
With the loud environment around them, Horace had to yell to Mirabella, “Those losers! They should take a good look in the mirror!”
Did they really think they stand a chance with his boss??
Did they think they’re even in her league??
Mirabella smiled, relieved to see the once timid and shy Horace had truly grown up.
Just then, one of Horace’s men reported, “Viper has arrived.”
Horace gave Mirabella a knowing look.
Both of them glanced occasionally towards the entrance, but one minute passed, then two.
Viper was still nowhere to be seen.
Horace messaged his man again, [Are you sure Viper came in?]
[Right, he went in like two minutes ago. Didn’t you catch that?]
Horace handed his phone to Mirabella, who stood up to leave the bustling pub. Horace scrambled to keep pace with her swift strides.
The second floor was a lively bar, but the floors above were a maze of private party rooms.
As they left the raucous atmosphere of the bar, Horace’s ears finally got some relief. He quickly asked Mirabella, “Do you reckon he might have slipped into one of the private rooms?”