"Oh…I forgot to tell you," added Chandra sheepishly. "We took some group photos and it kind of looked uneven because you were missing from the front line. It seems Tristan is a bit of a perfectionist and likes to have things done a certain way. He even got more upset because the weather was too windy and kept ruining the shots. Thankfully Bane suggested retaking them on another day and Tristan reluctantly agreed."
Lisa cried, "What photo shoot? No one told me about a photo shoot."
His eyes narrowed and in his cold voice Bane uttered, "I was there and I distinctly heard Vivica say it. So you were told."
Chandra frowned, "That's true, everyone was told on the plane ride over from Los Angeles to Las Vegas but maybe it didn't sink in for Lisa because she was drowsy and sleeping on the plane."
Oh snap! Now she remembered.
She did remember Vivica going on about something before the plane took off.
Lisa just thought it was another of Vivica's play for attention when she spouts insipid brainless comments.
So Lisa had totally ignored Vivica's annoying voice that time.
Looking Bane in the eyes she murmured apologetically, "I'm really sorry."
"You should be," Bane said in a gentler tone. "Count your lucky stars that it was me and not my brother who's not so lenient."
"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry."
"Tsk…tsk. I can hear the sarcasm in your voice. Let me make it clear to Lisa, and listen really well. I have always been on your side no matter what."
Lisa felt she had no choice but to listen since the tone he used to speak to her sounded like an adult reprimanding a child.
She was fortunate that Bane remained calm when she had naively overstepped boundaries several times in his presence already.
"I'm listening," Lisa said encouragingly.
"I'll explain your absence from the photo shoot to Tristan and I'll tell him you took some pills for your hungover that made you sleepy or something to that effect…"
"Why would you do all of this for me?"
"There may come a time when you may need to return the favor."
"Don't do me any favors! It's not my fault that I missed the photo shoot, it was not done deliberately."
"May I remind you that everyone on the plane was told to be there for the photo shoot, intentional or not, that's not a valid excuse."
Another wave of embarrassment reached her and it was a tough pill to swallow.
"It's been a rough week for me and I felt drained, I didn't realize the seriousness of what Vivica was saying."
"Like it or not, Vivica is your superior and she also takes orders from us, he said flatly. He eyed her with a dark, moody gaze. "Remember that going forward and there will be no need to save yourself from unnecessary grief in the future. Have I made myself clear?"
Lisa nodded and wished that she didn't have an audience with Chandra and the stylists lingering in the background.
Her life was definitely turning into some soap opera and Bane Shadowhurst seemed to have a starring role.
"I hate to interrupt," said Chandra, "but we need to join the other girls now."
"Don't let me stand in your way," he said nonchalantly.
Heading towards she grumbled under her breath, "that's right, don't stand in my way."
Bane questioned darkly, "what do you mean?"
Lisa didn't know why she was so antagonistic towards him perhaps it was because everything that came out his mouth sounded conceited.
Was he trying to charm her because she had zero interest in him?
Lisa was probably the only woman brave enough to stand up and speak her mind to Bane.
She thought it best not to stir up an ants nest and provoke him further so she replied, "I promise you won't hear a peep out of me for the remainder of this work week."
Lisa gave him one of her most candid smiles and Bane simply nodded.
"I certainly hope so," responded Bane while exiting the room.
They went in opposite directions with Bane heading towards his office while Lisa and Chandra went to join the other girls to the main hall to deal with the VIP customers.
When they step through the doors, it was like entering another world.
Roulette wheels, poker and pool tables, pachinko and slot machines were everywhere.
There was even a giant replica of a stadium for miniature horse racing that was crowded with gamblers placing bold bets on their favorite horses.
Emotions ran rampant as wins and losses piled up, casino staff kept the food and beverages coming to entice patrons into spending more.
For those that wanted to take a break there was a section where you could dine and drink to your heart's content and there was also a huge dance floor with a stage for live performances.
"Where are you pulling me to," she asked Chandra.
"Come with me, you look like you're in need of a drink."
"But we haven't even started working yet."
Chandra laughed as they made their way through the crowd to what Lisa assumed was the main bar.
She was glad Chandra was holding her hand tightly as they filtered through the tight crowd.
The music was blasting from the loud speakers that surrounded them and the partygoers were dancing wildly.
None of it could compete with the noise coming from the slot machines.
This life of debauchery was a far cry from the demure debutante she had hoped to attend with her betrothed Lord Hearst after their engagement had been announced to the public.
Mesmerized Lisa couldn't help but stare as all around her patrons seemed to be losing their mind under the guise of having a good time.
The huge space of the main hall was separated into different levels with little to no seating outside of VIP booths.
Partly lights flickered over the crowd in a random fashion while slot machines like Cleopatra beckoned patrons to 'come closer' whenever they got too close.
Lisa handed her a pretty rainbow colored drink after Lisa took her first sip, she asked, "are you okay?"
"Feeling much better now that there is liquor in my system," yelled Lisa over the crowd. "I didn't expect the casino opening party to be so overcrowded."
"It's because…" Chandra paused, then she screamed out excitedly in unison with the crowd, "the Heartbreakers are here!"
"Is that a music band?" Lisa asked, amused.
"That's what they call the friends and family of the Shadowhurst Brothers, all rich, handsome and most importantly single bachelors in all of Las Vegas."
After Chandra got her drink she grabbed Lisa's hands and was pulling her towards a stairs hidden away in a corner.
The foot of the stairs was cordoned off with a thick velvet rope and guarding the entrance were two burly security guards dressed in full black and wearing dark shades.
Bulging muscles and scars on their faces, the men looked mean and deadly while strapped in the right places.
They stepped on a weirdly placed mat with a similar emblem to the hotel logo but instead this looked creepy almost like it was bleeding blood.
Stepping on the mat sent shivers down her spine.
Lisa was reacting strangely, different from the feeling of vodka running through the veins.
This uncomfortable feeling made all the hairs on her body stick out.
Lisa asked curiously, "What's up there?"
"That my dear is where we will be working tonight!" said Chandra dramatically as she pushed Lisa towards the giants.