Ilyana made her way to her velvet couch. She looked at the waitress who seemed to be hesitant about leaving Lev alone with Ilyana. Seeing this, she raised her sharp eyebrow. Does it look to the waitress that she will eat Lev?
"What's wrong?" Ilyana whispered to the waitress, "I don't remember asking for your companion as well."
The waitress who noticed the young lady was in an upset mood quickly blended her head forward. She shook her head, fearing that Ilyana will misunderstand, and explained in a rush, "Not at all, milady. I am just worried as Lev here has just come to work today. He doesn't know much about how to serve you and I fear that he would offend you."
"Offend me?" Ilyana covered her mouth and chuckle gently, "You are being silly. There is no way such a gorgeous man could ever offend me. Even if he tries, I want to see how far he could make me feel more upset than I already am."
"But.. milady," the waitress who always wants to make sure Ilyana was served with the best people doesn't feel Lev was suitable. But the moment she noticed Ilyana's eyebrows tightened, the waitress have no choice but to bend her head forward and agree, "I wish you a pleasant night."
Ilyana nodded her head and waited until the waitress had left and loosened the sheer red curtain to cover her private space for her to look at Lev who simply stood straight like a soldier.
In the dim room, Ilyana watched Lev's pretty face from the side. His eyes were greener than she thought and they shone even in such a dark room. It made her wonder how lovely it is for her to steal those eyes as they could accompany her every time she is in the darkness. More than she ever thought, she enjoy watching Lev's face.
Watching him as he was standing, she also noted how he was much taller than she expected. Perhaps he was over a hundred and eighty centimeters. His lean body made him appear even taller but she had seen clearly how there was taut muscle hidden under his shirt, meaning he wasn't weak.
Her fingers had begun to create the monotone tap as she continued to seize Lev's entire figure. Only when she break free from her daze did she speak, "You won't serve me?"
Lev's eyes flinched as his entire face looked flustered upon hearing her talk.
He looked around like a deer lost in the woods and she grinned, "I am talking to you, love. Is there anyone else around you in this private room of mine?"
Lev rubbed his hands that he had held tightly together in front of his waist. His long and pale fingers turned red as he squeezed them together. "Thank you for helping me, madam."
"Thank you?" Ilyana hummed, recalling that she had indeed saved Lev from having his life ruined by Blaire Zhuang. "That's all?" She then questioned for Lev to look at her like a lost child.
"That's all?" She repeated her question, wondering if he would say something but he didn't.
Lev wondered what else would Ilyana want from him other than his words of gratitude. He could tell with naked eyes how Ilyana is wealthy as she owned the entire clubhouse. Even those waiters who hate him for being a westerner immediately look up at him in admiration and jealousy after knowing Ilyana had chosen him to serve her.
He recalled the other times when the Chinese gangsters had bullied the westerners and there was one definite thing the westerners would do to avoid the problem. Thinking that was what Ilyana wanted, Lev took a step forward.
Ilyana who had yawned from how long Lev had taken his time in his sweet little head turned to him, smiling as she was looking forward to what he would do only to feel her lips parting in surprise as Lev lowered his legs one by one until his knee hit the floor. He settled his hand on his thigh and bent his body forward, kneeling at her like a slave.
Lev who was about to lower his head to the floor felt the vice grip on his shoulder that stopped his entire body from moving.
Turning his gaze over his shoulder, he found the small hand that was so powerful in holding him back. He then turned back forward to find Ilyana's face settling a hairbreadth away from his face along with her eyes that had narrowed sharply.
"What are you doing?" She demanded his explanation while Lev didn't know what to say.
"Kneeling?" He asked her back, unsure.
"Who told you to kneel?" Ilyana interrogated for him to reply. "Which bastard teaches you in this place that you have to serve your customers while kneeling?"
Somewhere the imagination runs through Ilyana's head. In that imagination, Lev was kneeling in front of Blaine Zhuang while serving her. The thought that someone had bullied such a precious person like him irked her to her core.
Lev noticed how her jaw had ticked and was even more confused by her reaction. "Isn't this what you want, milady?" He asked.
Scoffing, Ilyana shook her head. She doesn't know where this pretty man has the thought that she would love to be served while seeing someone prostrate in front of her. She said tenderly as Lev seem to be softhearted, "I don't have the fetish where I will feel satisfied to see such a pretty man serve me while kneeling. Stand up."
Hearing her order which he couldn't bring himself to refuse, Lev stood up. He then watched as Ilyana tapped the empty seat beside her. She instructed him again with her seductive voice, "Sit here and pour me my drinks. That is your entire purpose to be here, right?"
Lev realized that the only thing Ilyana wanted from him wasn't his words of gratitude but simply his company as she wanted to drink. As the idea sunk into his head, his cheeks burn in the color of red. He thought she wanted him to kneel for her! Realizing how dumb he had behaved, Lev wished for the ground to swallow him but when he locked eyes with Ilyana who was waiting patiently for her drink to be poured, he realize that leaving now will only disappoint Ilyana... and disappointing her didn't sit well with him.
He quickly walked toward the chair and sat down. Opening the wine bottle, he gently poured it over the cup in her hand. As he did so, his green eyes couldn't help but take a sneaky stare at Ilyana's face, wanting to see the beautiful lady who had helped him from a closer point of view.
Although she was indeed frightening with her sharp words and the murderous vibe, he couldn't stop himself from feeling attracted by her deadly charms. There was something about her that he couldn't resist nor deny. It's as if whatever she says the world will follow to abide by her wishes and he was one of those who couldn't resist her.
"So why are you here?" Ilyana spoke as she noticed how Lev kept on staring at her face from the reflection of the glass. He tried not to make it obvious but no one is dumb enough to ignore his blatant gaze. "I know most people work here because they have a debt they have to pay and only my club could offer them enough money for them to slowly pay off their debt."
"Debt? No no, I don't have debt," Lev quickly said to her. "I tried finding work ever since I arrived in Shanghai but because I'm a foreigner no one wanted to offer me work. Fortunately only this club accepts me."
"Where are you from then? I can hear your accent," Ilyana finished her drink in one gulp and Lev watched her in surprise.
"Russia," responded Lev as he could see the droplet of liquor on the corner of her lips which she quickly wipe with her tongue. Lev gulped down his throat again, wondering he felt so thirsty all of a sudden. "You... are someone important here, aren't you?"
"Define important," Ilyana raised her eyebrow to ask for his opinion.
"Someone who everyone here looks up to and someone who no one here could argue with?" Lev tilted his head as he couldn't understand why would she ask this. Isn't it clear how the club's atmosphere changed the moment she entered the club? Everyone looked at her as though they had just even a goddess landing on earth. She was the ruler of the club. "You own this club, don't you?"
"I thought I owned it. Until it is taken away from me that is," Ilyana recalled again how her mother had announced she wasn't the heir to Pandora and felt a sharp headache just by imagining how soon she would have to face even bigger problems from her uncles. "I have worked my soul off to make sure this place grows prosperous. I made sure that Pandora wouldn't be looked down upon by others because it hosts only ladies but my mother who I believed was my ally showed how she isn't on my side. It made me even more annoyed to think how after all this time, I still need her help and without her, I can't do anything."
Lev didn't think how he was a suitable person to be listening to this conversation of hers as it sounded important but he was curious about the problem that could plague such a beautiful strong woman like herself. He gently inquired while pouring her glass again with the drink, "Is that why you are upset?"
Ilyana tilted her glass that he has just refilled and shake it near his face. "Well when something that you think is yours has been taken away from you, wouldn't you be upset as well, Love?"
"Even if it is taken away from you, I am certain you will get it back in your hands," Lev found Ilyana's eyebrows raising as she listened to his words. Feeling the need to explain more, he added, "The people from this club, I can see how all of them look up to you. Even earlier…"
"Earlier?" Ilyana asked her, confused by what he meant as he seemed to be holding his words.
Rubbing his cheeks a little, Lev whispered, "The manager, she warned me not to do anything to offend you. Not because she wants to make sure you won't get angry if I accidentally offend you but because she wants you to enjoy your time as long as you are here. She knows that you come here to unwind."
"She says that much?" Ilyana placed her lips on the edge of the cup and chuckled again. "I can't imagine Manager Mao being so kind to you that she would speak more than three words to you. Usually, she won't even bother talking to her manager."
"I don't think she talked to me because she cares about me. I think instead, she cares so much about you that she wants to make sure I will not become a cloud that ruins your sunny day. That's why even if this club is owned by other people, these people in the club will remain to follow you and respect you as their only boss."
Ilyana didn't know what to say as she felt Lev's words touch her heart. Indeed… she had worked twenty years of her age in the club ever since she could remember. She had sacrificed everything she has for Pandoras, meeting new people and leaving old friends. She also made new relationships with people who care deeply for her and those who show loyalty to her.
Lev was right. Even though her uncles might steal her position, her effect on Pandora is long-lasting. Her people aren't blind and nor were they deaf. They also knew and would never support people like them who had stolen her rightful place.
"Do you want another glass?" Lev's green eyes were gentle despite how striking and bright it was, making her enjoy admiring them. "But I think you need to stop now. Drinking a lot will only ruin your health."
"I'm feeling better so I will drink more," Ilyana pushed her glass corner to the wine bottle he held and her index finger gently touched his pale skin that was smooth and felt warm. "Accompany me won't you, Love? I love your voice but I love the words rolling off that pretty mouth of yours even more."