Subterranean | H.S.

S08

I suggest you turn on the music mentioned in the chapter while reading. 

Hot In It - Tiesto, Charli XCX
Ferrari - James Hype, Miggy Dela Rosa
Under The Influence - Chris Brown

Persephone's pov

I can't stop having the impression that there's someone following me. 

I really don't know if I'm just being paranoid or if it's an actual instinct kicking in. I don't know why I'm expecting someone to pop up and drag me into the coroner of the club, trying to negotiate stuff with me. I'm looking behind myself every minute, even though I'm behind the bar.  

The loud music isn't loud enough to make me forget.

The crowd sings and jumps to the rhythm of Hot In It.

''Hey.'' Jade wraps her fingers around my wrist and squeezes it a little. ''Are you okay? You seem distracted.'' She frowns her eyebrows at me in an act of worry. 

I shake my head and close my eyes. ''I don't know, I feel like I'm losing my mind.'' 

''You want me to take you to Jeff or something?" Her hold turns into a soft touch. 

''No, no. I'm okay.'' I send her a fake smile. She smiles back and walks back to her spot. I'm grabbing her sleeve and she stops in her track. "Hey, um.. Don't you have a shift in the small bar area tonight?" 

"Actually, I do. I'm about to do another round there." She puts her notebook in her skirt and pen behind her ear.

"Would you mind if I- you know, just do a round?" I suggest, hoping for it to help me stop worrying constantly.

She shakes her head. "Go ahead. Let me know when you'll be back."

"Sure, thanks." 

Jade takes my place and starts taking orders. 

I smooth my hands over the material of the corset, making sure everything stays in its place. Riley helped me match it with a pair of long, blue jeans and black boots on platforms. 

I'm pushing myself through the crowd, keeping my hands to myself. The way isn't as bad as it was the last time. The club isn't as packed as it usually is during weekends. 

My mind comes back to the events of the last time I was here. They're playing in my head rent-free. 

How is it possible that in a few days I'm meeting the same guy, over and over again and I've never seen this man before? I can't believe he offered me that much money for silence. It's not like I'd say something. I don't want to remember it and I hope that if I won't speak with anyone about it, it'll just simply go away and I'd go back to my life. I need a break from all of this.

After I push myself through I'm stepping into the small bar area, taking my notebook and pen. I'm walking around the room, looking for people without any drinks. I'm slow enough to be caught, anyone who wants to stop me and order something else has a chance. 

Surprisingly, there's not a single man without a drink. I'm happily pacing back to the main bar when I hear a calm voice.

"Excuse me." 

Without stopping, I turn around and I'm trying to find where it came from. My eyes scan the space and wander around all the faces. After a short time, my gaze meets someone else's and a small sigh leaves my lungs. 

Pretty, brown irises.

I step closer and put my hands behind my back. I feel the black corset tightening on my breasts as I'm straightening my spine.