My Sweet Punishment by Amelia Brooks (best book club books of all time .TXT) 📕

Mia

       Now, I am standing in the hallway, still shaking and not because that German guy wanted to hit me. God, did I really meet HIM? I was almost one hundred percent sure that it was the same man. I’ve never seen eyes like that in my life. And there’s this smell… When I went into the room, I didn’t think much of it. Well, you never know who else can use the same perfume.

     There was enough light in the VIP room, and I was finally able to have a look at the owner of that mind-blowing, predatory gaze. I could see the color of his eyes clearly. They are dark blue, like a raging sea. Although back then in the gazebo, I was sure they were black.

     The whole man’s appearance is no less breathtaking than his eyes. He is very handsome. Such men are always surrounded by female attention.

       He looks to be in his early thirties. His dark thick hair is like touch-and-go ‘cause there’s nothing more should be done with it. It’s totally perfect. And his thick eyebrows are the same color as the hair. The high cheekbones, which looked like they could easily cut you by touch, are covered with light stubble. Straight nose and slightly full lips.

        I remembered how those lips kissed me and blushed immediately.

      The man is quite tall and very strongly built. He’s wearing an expensive steel-colored suit. And in the room, the stranger was surrounded by such a powerful aura. People like him are always used to taking what they want.

    By the way, I don’t regret spilling the drink on the German’s pants, even though it might have bad consequences for me. I fully realize it. I snapped, and it is not allowed here in the club. And particularly, with VIP guests.

       I still hope the man didn’t recognize me. After all, why should he care about some insignificant waitress? But today he saved me one more time, and it was again from being molested. God, what kind of karma do I have?!

        I think I should wait for him and at least thank or apologize…

     The door of the VIP room opened and the Germans came out, but the stranger was not with them. The German who had accosted me earlier, passing by, gave me such a malicious look as if something terrible is about to happen. I want to stick my tongue out at him, but I won’t do it. You have enough trouble for today, Mia.

       It's already been half an hour. I know the man is alone in the room, but I don’t dare go into it. Something tells me that I shouldn’t stay in private with him.

      Another five minutes passed, and I was about to leave when suddenly the door opened and my savior or… executioner came out. Don’t know yet. Perhaps he will complain about me to the club manager and I will be fired. I was prepared for the worst.

        “Thank you for...” I started to say but was taken aback by what happened next.

      The man approached me quickly and touched my head sharply. I felt my long hair falling down my back. I strained ‘cause I didn’t know what to expect from his strange behavior. And then the man said something that gave me the creeps.

       “Well, we met again, Mia.” He lifted my chin so I looked now straight into his eyes. I couldn’t say a word, and all I could do was gasping for air. “In ten minutes, I’ll wait for you at the club’s manager office.” And he went down the hall as if nothing had happened.

        It’s him… And he recognized me! I tried to catch my breath. Damn, he’ll still complain to the manager. The third time, my savior is the executioner. Apparently, he got tired of saving me all the time.

       I went to the staff room to change into my own clothes. I folded the waitress’s uniform carefully, since I probably wouldn’t need it anymore, and looked at myself in the mirror. Yeah, what a sight you are, Mia.

       My face is pale, and there are some terrible dark circles under my eyes. Might be from lack of sleep and constant fatigue. My cheeks are hollow. I think I’ve lost some weight during the past week. In general, “pretty woman.”

          I took another look at myself in the mirror and adjusted my old but beloved hoodie with a Minion picture on it. Olivia has already criticized this element of my clothing. She says it’s made only for children, not for an adult attractive girl. But I’m not going to attract someone. The main thing is, I like it, and it’s pretty and comfortable. And we have a lot in common with Mr. Minion, in fact. We both work day and night with my fellow sufferer.

        And now I am standing in front of the office door and have no guts to come in. I can only imagine what Laura is going to say. I promised to help her, but in the end, I messed up and let her down.

          I took a deep breath three times, then finally knocked on the office door and went in.

      Strangely, there is only the man inside. Was Laura already gone? And why is he sitting at her desk, sprawling in the chair?

      I stood right in front of the table, not daring to sit down, but the man didn’t invite me to, either. He just gave me a long, searching look, lingering on my hoodie. Apparently, he also appreciated it. I kept waiting for him to say something. But the man was stalling me. It seemed like an eternity before he finally spoke.