Arie's eyes widen in sympathy, her hand tightening around mine. "Someone was looking for something," she says, her voice gentle. "What the hell was your dad up to?"

"I've no idea."

"What does he do for a living?"

"Used to work in finance. Then he lost his job and we ate through all our savings, Mom's life insurance too. Then he started making all these phone calls. Kept telling me everything would work out soon. That he had a plan."

"Wouldn't tell you what that plan was?"

I shake my head. "Only that it was all coming to a head in a month. Said we'd be rich or dead by then. By my calculation, whatever it is, it's happening about two weeks from now."

"Makes me wonder if it was something illegal. Robbing a bank, maybe?" Aeri asks, her voice curious.

"He doesn't own a gun, and why would there be a deadline for that kind of thing?""I don't know, I'm just spitballing here." She motions toward the door. "Mr. Yo has come to join us."

Mr. Yo has just walked in, his steps unsteady as he spots us and heads straight for our table. I tense instinctively, my grip tightening on the glass in my hand.

"Well, well, if it isn't my favorite chambermaids," he slurs, his voice loud enough to draw curious glances from nearby tables. "Thought I'd find you both in here. Busy, are we? Only I've still got those rules to run through with you, Y/N. You sure you don't want to join me for dinner?"Aeri shoots me a sympathetic glance, her posture subtly shifting into a protective stance. "Your wife joining us?" she asks, her voice cold.

Mr. Yo sinks into the empty chair opposite us, his gaze flickering between Aeri and me with an unsettling intensity. "She's home with the kids," he replies smoothly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Leaves me plenty of time to chat with you two lovely ladies about your promotion prospects."I resist the urge to roll my eyes, my patience wearing thin. I think of the job, of how quickly he could fire me if he wanted.

"Cut the crap," Aeri retorts, her voice tinged with thinly veiled frustration. "What do you want? You want both of us, is that it?" She sticks a flirtatious look on her face. "Think you could handle the two of us at once?"

His expression changes. "Sure I could." He leans forward conspiratorially, his breath reeking of alcohol. "I could help you both go far in this business," he adds in a low voice, his words dripping with insinuation. "I know all the top people."

My jaw clenches, my fingers curling into fists on the table. "I bet you could," Aeri replies in a husky voice. "Tell you what. Go back to your office and get undressed. We'll see what we can find to clean once we've finished our drinks, shall we?"

"Seriously?"

"Off you pop, big guy." She blows him a kiss, winking ostentatiously.

"Wow, shit, great. Okay." He looks like he can't believe his luck, sprinting for the door without looking back.

Aeri grins at me. "How long before he realizes we're not coming?"

I shake my head. "He could fire us both for this."

"He won't tell a soul. Too embarrassed to know we got one over him. That's how you handle men, Y/N. You manipulate them before they do it to you."

"Great life advice."

"Hell, it's dog eat dog out there."

"Aeri," I murmur, my voice betraying my anxiety. "What if he fires me?"

Aeri reaches across the table, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "He won't," she insists firmly, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering determination. "Trust me."

Before she can say more, movement catches my eye—a shadowed figure in the corner is leaning forward, watching me intently. It's him—the mysterious guest, his presence looming like a silent sentinel in the dimly lit bar.

"He's here," I say to Aeri, my voice tinged with unease as I meet his gaze across the crowded room.

Aeri looks, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Him?" she whispers, leaning closer. "That's the guy I saw in the lobby. Sexy motherfucker, isn't he?"

"That's the guy from the room. 1207."

-----

The updates may be delayed as I got admitted into college last week, and my classes are quite full. I need to attend practical sessions and focus on attendance. I got into the College of Agriculture with my state rank, so yeah!!