Leah couldn't believe what Alex had said.
"You need makeup," he said, running his finger along Leah's face. Alex's eyes seemed to persuade the girl in front of him.
"At least buy a pretty brand of face wash!" Leah sighed heavily at Alex's words.
The few dollar bills in Alex's hand surprised Leah.
"Where did you get the money?" Leah asked. Alex answered only with a mysterious look.
That meant he would keep his mouth shut. Leah didn't want to insist. The midnight debate was a little annoying and was causing her insomnia.
"Then… buy medicine for your mom and take her to a check-up at the hospital!" Leah got up from the sofa, grabbed the book from the table, and left Alex. She had to go back to her room and get ready to rest for tomorrow's tiring routine. Alex just shrugged.
"All right, dear Leah!" he said as he leaned back on the sofa.
His hand touched the table, hoping for the water he had left there the night before. But what was this?
His hand found something else.
Alex caught a name tag, pulled the hard sheet in front of his face, and frowned as he read the name on the paper.
"Leah!" Alex immediately got up, losing his balance slightly since he was still drunk. But he managed to walk and catch up with Leah, who was already at the door of her room.
"What now?" Leah scowled. "Your voice could wake the neighbors!" Leah whispered, reminding him. She squinted as she saw Alex was still here.
"What's this?" Alex raised Leah's name tag, and Leah grabbed it quickly.
Her face showed surprise, and she smiled once the item was back in her hands.
"I almost forgot!" Leah tucked the name tag away.
Alex lightly pushed Leah's shoulder, making her wonder what else was going on.
"What does it mean?" Alex's eyes searched for answers as he walked into Leah's room with an irritated face.
"Why? Don't you always force me to go to that nightclub?" Leah replied casually.
Alex was confused about whether to nod or shake his head. The problem was different this time.
"What does the name tag mean?" Alex asked, wanting a clear answer from his cousin.
"You should be happy! Why does your face look like that?" Leah scrutinized Alex's cold expression.
"Explain!" Alex cut in impatiently.
It must have been the alcohol! Leah didn't want to get into heavy chatter tonight, she just wanted to rest.
"I work there!"
"WHAT?!" Leah sighed again at Alex's scream.
"I told you to lower your voice!"
"What do you mean you work there?" Alex pushed Leah's shoulder again.
"What's wrong with you?" Leah got annoyed.
"You don't like going to nightclubs; how can you work there?" Alex's accusation made her even more irritated. Leah shrugged.
"I need money, Alex... and they need extra help!" Leah replied, looking tired.
"You—" Alex was speechless.
"It's late. I have to memorize their menu and drinks, then get some sleep. You, too!" Leah pushed Alex out of her room.
Alex massaged his neck, which wasn't sore, trying to think while still feeling the effects of the alcohol.
Leah closed the bedroom door. Alex returned to the sofa with a confused look.
"The guy who gave me money will get mad if he sees Leah at the nightclub!" Alex couldn't stop thinking.
"It will be bad if he finds out. What if he thinks I sold Leah to work there?" His mind drifted. In the end, he was only thinking about money.
"What if he asks for the money back?" He bit his thumbnail, even though he was lying down, he was still restless. His eyes wandered, full of burden.
"I even spent half the money!" Alex shifted positions, but his thoughts remained the same.
"Come on, think of something, Alex!!"
***
Eduardo's fancy house.
The Edwardos' sumptuous breakfast was served, with waiters lined up neatly in lacy maid dresses. The dishes were arranged neatly on a two-meter-wide table, three times its length.
Mr. Edward sat at the head of the table, in the single seat.
Max had just come down from his room, grabbed a chair, and joined in.
Maria was already sitting there, her smile widening at the sight of her nephew's bright face this morning.
"Hey, Maxi, something good happened to you?" Maria teased, her eyes glowing.
"What?" Max raised an eyebrow, not understanding what his aunt meant.
"What's with that smile?" Max immediately retracted his lips, unaware he had been smiling.
"No need to hide it; I already saw it!" Max blushed.
"Is this handsome guy in love?" Maria's words made Maxi shake his head. He smiled a little, his face pink.
Ah... Maria seemed to understand.
"Ehm!" Edward cleared his throat, startling Maria and Max.
The two of them glanced briefly at Edward's smiling face, then quickly sat down and began to enjoy their morning meal.
"Maria, how's your business?" Edward asked in his deep voice.
Maria replied with a small smile. Discussing work at breakfast seemed to reduce her appetite.
"Not so good, brother-in-law. I think… the world economy is terrible!" Maria raised her hand in disbelief at the bad state of her business.
"Tell me if you need help or anything from me!" Edward brushed his lips with his thumb.
His gaze lingered on his sister-in-law, who today wore a crop tank top and shorts with a rough cut on her thigh.
"Thank you, brother," Maria smiled falsely. "I'll do that. But this time, I need your help!" Maria looked at Max, with purpose in her eyes.
Her nephew shrugged, understanding Maria's words.
"What?" Max asked, still confused about the meaning of Maria's gaze. His feelings suddenly felt strange.
"Can we talk after breakfast?" Max nodded.
Maria waited for Max to finish his meal, though she didn't take much for breakfast, as she was on a diet.
Edward didn't even look away. He kept his eyes on Maria's face, his heart whispering. But Edward tried to hold back, enduring the turmoil in his chest.
Sexy, seductive women... didn't they look attractive?
Three family servants glanced at Edward with annoyed expressions. The servants in this house changed frequently. No one lasted long except the butler. They took turns serving Mr. Edward, meeting the great master's personal needs. That was what was written in their work contract.
For new servants, serving Mr. Edward was a sign of success.
Max finally finished his breakfast, and he and Maria left for another room, leaving Edward behind.
Edward's sharp eyes followed Maria's movements, his gaze lingering on her as she walked away. He swallowed hard, enjoying the lustful thoughts.
From Maria's figure, his eyes shifted to the three young servants who had been watching him.
"You..." Edward pointed, "Hurry to my office!" He pointed to one of the three young girls.
Her smile grew as she felt proud that her master had chosen her. She left, leaving the other two disappointed.
Edward stepped away from the dining table, not even bothering to touch the fancy food. He was getting ready to work. Yes, work! He walked into his office.
In the Edwardo family room.
Maria leaned in close to Max's ear on tiptoe.
"Maxi, you have to come with me to the Merci nightclub this weekend!" Max pulled his head back.
He frowned at Maria's request.
"Why? Auntie can go with Daniel, right?"
"Shhh!!" Maria hissed, annoyed.
"Lower your voice!"
"You know my sister, right? She will be home this weekend! How could she let me date Daniel?" Max shrugged. He didn't want to get involved in his aunt's business, who seemed to be dating multiple men.
"You need to break up with that man!" Max joked.
"No way!" Maria responded.
"You have to help me!" she insisted.
"How?" Max asked, as expected, being the best nephew in the world. He had a warm heart and was always ready to help. Maria knew this.
"Tell your mom you need me for your evening course!" Max sneered, the idea sounding ridiculous.
"You don't want to!" Maria persuaded. How could Max refuse? He forced a big smile.
"OK!" he said reluctantly.
"You're the best!" Maria praised him.
She walked away cheerfully, leaving Max, who was preparing for campus in his noble-style Gucci suit.
Max shook his head softly. His aunt was still the same, no matter how old she was. They acted like best friends.
"Wait, Merci nightclub?" Max remembered something, his brows furrowing. He'd heard about that place a lot lately.
"Ah, she's not coming!" Max muttered to himself, his face disappointed.
"That girl doesn't like parties in nightclubs, and her cousin will never be able to bring her to Merci."
"Okay… at least I'll accompany my aunt and enjoy a long night there, then sleep it off," he murmured despondently.
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