The next night, Lily found herself standing outside The Velvet Room, nerves coiled tight in her stomach. The city was alive around her, the sounds of car horns and laughter echoing in the warm summer air. She glanced at her reflection in the club's polished glass doors. Her blonde hair was tied back neatly, her makeup applied with a careful hand to make her look older, more confident. She'd even borrowed a black dress from her mother's closet, a sleek number that hugged her slender figure and made her feel less like the college grad with empty pockets that she was.
Taking a deep breath, Lily pushed open the door and stepped inside. The club looked even more impressive than it had the day before. Soft golden light spilled from sconces on the walls, illuminating the rich dark wood paneling and the plush velvet seats. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and the murmur of conversation. Already, patrons were filling the tables, laughing and chatting over cocktails.
Rick, the manager, was behind the bar, mixing a drink with effortless grace. He looked up as she approached, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Right on time," he said, sliding a martini glass onto the counter for a waiting customer. "You ready for your first night?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Lily replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Rick nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit. Come on, I'll show you the ropes."
He led her behind the bar, showing her the various bottles of liquor, the mixers, the glasses. Lily listened intently, trying to memorize everything as quickly as she could. Rick was patient, walking her through the steps of making a basic cocktail, then letting her try her hand at a few. By the time the first wave of customers came to the bar, she felt a little more sure of herself.
"Just take it slow," Rick advised as he poured drinks alongside her. "Be polite, smile, and if you don't know how to make something, just ask."
Lily nodded, focusing on the orders as they came. She served a gin and tonic, a rum and coke, a few beers. She fumbled with the cash register at first, but Rick helped her through it, and soon she was handling orders on her own. As the night went on, she found herself getting into a rhythm. The customers were mostly kind, if a little flirty, and she managed to keep her smile in place even when her feet started to ache from standing.
"You're doing great," Rick said as he passed by her to grab a bottle of whiskey. "Keep it up."
Lily felt a swell of pride at his words. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. She'd earn the money she needed, pay for her father's treatment, and then she could figure out what to do next. For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to imagine a future beyond just scraping by.
The night wore on, and Lily continued to serve drinks, chatting with the customers, keeping an eye on the bar. It was nearing midnight when things took an unexpected turn. A man, well-dressed in a tailored suit that screamed money, sidled up to the bar. His eyes were a bit glazed, his movements slightly unsteady. Lily could tell he'd had a few too many.
"Hey, beautiful," he slurred, leaning closer than was comfortable. "How about a drink? On the house?"
"I'm sorry, sir," Lily said politely, taking a step back. "I can't give out free drinks."
The man scowled. "Come on, don't be like that. Just one. What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Lily," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. "And I really can't. It's the rules."
The man's expression darkened. "Rules, huh? I could buy this whole place if I wanted. Now, be a good girl and pour me a drink."
Lily's heart began to race. She looked around for Rick, but he was busy at the other end of the bar. The man reached out, grabbing her wrist, his grip tight and painful. Panic surged through her.
"Let go of me," she said firmly, trying to pull her hand away.
The man only tightened his hold, his eyes narrowing. "You're going to regret saying no to me, you little—"
"That's enough." The voice was cold, cutting through the air like a knife. A hand clamped down on the man's shoulder, yanking him back. Lily stumbled away, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up to see a new man standing there, his expression hard. He was tall, with dark hair and piercing brown eyes. He wore a suit that fit him perfectly, his presence commanding attention.
The drunk man looked up, blinking in surprise. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Michael Ramsey," the newcomer said coolly. "And I own this club. You're going to leave now, or I'll have security escort you out. Your choice."
The drunk man hesitated, then scowled, muttering under his breath as he turned and staggered toward the exit. Michael watched him go, then turned his gaze to Lily. His eyes softened slightly, but there was still an edge to his expression.
"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice low.
Lily nodded, her hands still trembling. "Yes, I—thank you."
Michael's lips twitched in a faint smile. "No need to thank me. You're new here, aren't you?"
"Yes," Lily said, trying to steady her breathing. "This is my first night."
Michael nodded thoughtfully. "Rick's usually good about keeping an eye on things, but I'll make sure he knows to watch out for you. If anyone else gives you trouble, let me know."
Lily nodded, still a bit shaken. "I will. Thank you, Mr. Ramsey."
"Michael," he corrected. "Mr. Ramsey makes me sound like my father. And what's your name?"
"Lily," she said. "Lily Robinson."
"Lily," he repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. "It suits you."
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a business card. "If you ever find yourself in a situation like that again, or if you have any problems at all, call me. My personal number's on there."
Lily took the card, glancing at it before slipping it into her pocket. "Thank you, Michael. I really appreciate it."
He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Lily watched him go, her heart still pounding. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before turning back to the bar. Rick had noticed the commotion and came over, concern in his eyes.
"You okay?" he asked.
Lily nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little shaken up. Michael helped me."
Rick nodded, looking relieved. "Good. He's a decent guy, despite what people say. You handled yourself well, Lily. Let me know if you need a break."
"I'm fine," she insisted, forcing a smile. "Really."
Rick gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before returning to his work. Lily went back to serving drinks, her hands still trembling slightly. The rest of the night passed in a blur, but Michael's card in her pocket felt like a lifeline. As the club finally began to empty and Rick closed up the bar, Lily couldn't help but wonder about the man who had come to her rescue.
As she left The Velvet Room and walked to her car, the city seemed a little less overwhelming. She had taken a step into the unknown tonight, faced a moment of fear, and come out the other side. Whatever tomorrow brought, she knew one thing for sure: she wasn't going to back down. Not now, not ever. Her father needed her, and she was going to fight for him, no matter what.