"Who was that?" As expected, my mother won't let this go easily.
"Um, a friend." I lie. I can't tell her the truth since I already told her I was working for Liana King, not Panda King.
"Since when have you been friends with the rich?" She says suspiciously.
I smile and pat her arm, "Come on Mum. Do you think your own daughter is incapable of making friends with the rich? I worked for Liana King so of course I've met other rich heirs."
She raises her eyebrows as I walk back up to get ready. I can't believe Panda King saw me looking like a homeless bum! Wait, why am I caring about how he sees me?! I shake my head. I can't worry about him.
The first thing I should do, is think of where I can get the money from. I can't bother my parents. They'll be suspicious and probably won't have enough.
Calling Hans, I wait for him to pick up.
"Hans, would you happen to know where I would be able to get £10,000 within the next two days?"
"That's a difficult question. No one would give you that much for two days. Let me think. I'll call you back."
"Thanks." I say.
Waiting all day, he still doesn't respond and nothing on the internet is helping. Sighing, I face dive into my pillow. I'll text Hans again.
Surprisingly, I get a reply in a few minutes. I click on the location. It's a night club. I shrug, right now, even serving drinks will be fine as long as I can get the money.
The first night, I am handed a costume which only consists of a corset and rabbit ears. Staring at it in confusion, I glance around.
"We're lacking a few girls so even though you are a man, we will need you to pretend to be a girl." The manager says and hands me a long wig.
"I only serve drinks right?" I ask unsurely as I stare at the wig.
He nods, "Yes, what else would a man like you be good at?"
I can't stand this manager but I have to hold in my anger. "I'm going."
"Good Luck. Don't forget to act like a sweet woman."
***
With the heavy makeup and wig, I am almost unrecognisable. Will I really get enough working like this?
I stumble in the sparkly heels and pull down my shiny dress but it is too short and barely covers my thighs.
"Here cutie!"
Ignoring the catcalls, I place the drinks down on the table. I can sense a lot of eyes on me as I serve other tables. They probably haven't seen a newbie stumbling around in heels like me.
"Why don't you stay and drink with us?" A man suddenly grabs my arm as I give the drinks.
Pulling away in disgust, I try not to punch him. "No thank you. My job is only to serve."
"Bitch! How dare you refuse a drink when our Young Master asks?!"
I turn to the man sitting opposite him. So this man who asked me is a rich guy?
"I told you, my job is only to serve customers drinks. Not to sit with you." I say sternly.
"Grab her." The man who is so eager to back his "Young Master" orders and I gulp as I see a few men hidden in the dark behind him who suddenly appear and grab my arms.
I could easily fight them off but I can't get fired so quickly before I get my pay.
What should I do?
***
An interesting scene on the other side of the night club piques Panda King's attention. He has been visiting bars and night clubs more often lately, mainly out of boredom. He frowns, is it because he no longer has a bodyguard that he is bored?
His ocean blue eyes follow the expressions of the customer and the bar girl. She looks annoyed and angry but she doesn't act out as a few men grab her.
Panda is too far away to hear exactly what they are saying but the expressions show him that there is a conflict between the woman and the men. He can only guess the reason.
As he squints to see clearer, the back of the side view of the woman seems familiar somehow. Should he help her or not? Panda knows he is seen as an arrogant, rude heir but deep down, he is often conflicted whether to be selfish or selfless.
As the men force her to drink, she doesn't struggle at all nor does the woman fight back. Panda watches curiously and wonders whether the woman is brave or just plain foolish.
After a few drinks, the woman is pushed to sit next to the rich man who doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her. It should be just another amusing and entertaining incident for the onlooker Panda King but a strange feeling develops in his chest as he continues to watch.
Maybe it is the alcohol which he has had which prompts him to stand up and walk towards them. He quickly grabs the woman's arm and pulls her away from the other man who has been touching her exposed legs.
As his eyes land on her face, a sense of familiarity resounds in him. She looks so alike to him. But of course she's a woman whereas he is a man.
"Stop or I will kill you!" She suddenly shouts loudly and stumbles drunkenly. How much did those guys force her to drink?
A small smile crawls onto Panda's face. She is really similar to him. Maybe they are related? All of a sudden, his arms feel heavy as she goes limp. It's best to take her somewhere safe.