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3 ALICIA

"Tonight you're only for me"

Those words left me completely off balance, tossing and turning in my bed unable to sleep, because the face of Mr. Elijah Morgan kept walking through my memories, and it's basically impossible to get him out of my system.

I sigh, grab my phone, and search for Elijah's name in the search bar. An infinite amount of information pops up about my boss, from his dates with many women to the alleged shady businesses of his family. I open an image where he's smiling, and a shiver runs down my spine. I've never in my life encountered a man as beautiful as Elijah Morgan, and the fact that I've spent time by his side terrifies me.

My phone vibrates in my hands, and a notification appears with a text from an unknown number. "Thanks for being my company, hope to see you more often." P.S.: Elijah Morgan. I simply go pale, turn off my phone, and bury my face in the pillow. How did he get my number?

...

The restaurant bell rang, announcing the arrival of new customers. I quickly grab my notepad and head to the table where I see the newcomers.

"Good morning, welcome to Garden. How can I... he... help... yo...u?" When I lift my gaze to look at the new customers, my words simply refuse to come out. He's right in front of me – Elijah Morgan with his characteristic flirtatious smile, his blue eyes.

"Hello, Alicia," he speaks. "I didn't know you also work here."

"Hello, Mr. Morgan." A strand of hair falls onto my forehead, and I tuck it behind my ear. "Yes, I work here in the mornings."

"Don't we pay you enough?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Don't think that, Mr. Morgan. It's just that I have some family dilemmas, and... well, it doesn't matter right now. What would you like for breakfast?"

"Surprise us," he smiles at me.

"Whatever you say."

I walk away and head to the kitchen.

"Chef, a special breakfast, please."

"Whatever you say, boss."

I let out a little laugh and go back to the restaurant floor.

"Come here." Monica grabs my arm and pulls me behind the counter. "Are you serving the table with Mr. Gatsby?"

"Yes," I reply. "Guess who he is."

"I don't know."

"He's my other boss, the owner of the GOTIC club."

"Wow," she exclaims in a whisper. "So, is he as handsome as they say?"

"Well... yes, he's handsome, but he's quite peculiar," I say, scratching my neck. "Yesterday, he decided that I'm the only one who's going to understand him, and today he shows up here."

"And?"

"What do you mean, 'And'?"

"Alicia, you're a beautiful, single, and most importantly, young girl, and that hunk hasn't stopped looking at you since we started talking."

I sneak a glance in Elijah's direction, and our gazes directly connect. He smiles at me, and I feel my cheeks heating up.

"God, Alicia, he's gorgeous," Monica pretends to swoon. "If you don't take advantage of him, I will."

"I'm not going to get involved with my boss, that's unethical."

"Don't be such a prude, Alicia. Enjoy that fine man who's giving you the opportunity to... well, you know."

"Monica!" I protest, feeling my cheeks burn even hotter.

"Special breakfast for Alicia!"

"Go catch your tiger," Monica playfully pats my rear.

I roll my eyes as I pick up the plates and carry them to the table where Elijah and his bodyguards were seated.

"I hope you enjoy your breakfast, and if you need anything else, feel free to call me, or if you want something more, I'll be at the bar as well."

"Thank you, Alicia," Elijah says, holding my gaze.

"Um... hi."

I turn around, and right behind me was one of the customers I had served.

"Hi!" I greet him with enthusiasm, and Elijah emits a low growl.

"Do you want anything else?" The guy scratches his head. "I'm sorry if I'm being forward, but I find you attractive, and I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me." He smiles. "Only if you want to, I won't insist if you say no."

I smile at the situation; the guy in front of me is really sweet. His hair is wavy, his eyes are a shade of amber I've never seen before, and his tan skin makes him stand out among the other customers.

"Of course, why not!" I respond, taking a cue from Monica, albeit not with my boss.

"Wow, I didn't think you'd say yes," his smile widens. "Give me your number." He hands me his phone, and I input my number, just as he requested. "I'll call you."

"I'll be waiting for your call," I reply, feeling a bit excited. The guy walks away from my view, and I glance back towards Elijah.

His face no longer displays a friendly smile; now it's cold and distant.

"I thought you didn't go out with customers," Elijah speaks while cutting a piece of waffle, then angrily chewing it.

"He didn't specifically harass me like the guy from last night," I remind him.

"Whatever," he waves his hand dismissively. "We won't need anything else."

"Okay," I simply shrug, not understanding why my boss is acting this way.

I approach Monica, and she looks at me as if I have a pimple on the tip of my nose.

"You messed up everything, Alicia Star."

"What? Why?" I ask, confused.

"You're definitely clueless," Monica rolls her eyes. "You gave your number to that guy right in front of the man who literally wants to sleep with you. You broke the blonde guy's heart."

"I told you, I won't get involved with my boss in any way other than professionally."

"Then step aside, because I'm definitely going to enjoy that treat."

I watch her adjust her cleavage in her uniform, touch up her makeup a bit, and walk away from me, heading straight to Elijah's table.

Monica smiles at everyone, but her gaze specifically lands on the elegant businessman Elijah Morgan, who without hesitation accepts my friend's number with a mischievous grin. Monica receives his acceptance with gratitude and then looks in my direction, wearing a triumphant smile.

"And that's how you succeed in life."

"Good for you. I'm also going to have a date with an adorable guy."

"You need to think bigger, Alicia. I'm sure that Italian hunk was your ticket to pay off all the debts, your father's chemotherapy, and especially fund your medical specialization. But you wasted it on conventional nonsense."

"I won't sell myself for money," I huff, a bit annoyed.

"Alicia, sometimes we have to make sacrifices in our lives. If that man is offering you the car of the year, you should accept it and give him what he wants, plain and simple."

"That goes against my beliefs and principles."

"Throw all that crap to the wind. They teach you in one place to be chaste and pure to find a husband who will love you, you never explore your femininity, and you end up sexually and emotionally frustrated, while you stay home taking care of babies. And principles can be built from scratch if you choose to."

"You just said something monumentally stupid."

"No, I didn't. I said something that's real and that I can assure you of," Monica insists. "But if life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade."

Confused, I glance in Elijah's direction. Since I moved away from his table, he hasn't looked at me again. Could he really be the opportunity I need to help my father?

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