Mercy

Chapter Twelve

Ethan couldn't believe his ears.

Zyporrah was here? And working for a secret club at that?!

So many questions began to churn inside his head. Was this his chance to finally get the upper hand? What was she benefiting from working here? Did Joon know about this? Could he possibly make her submit to him with this new information? Was she even here?!

Tired of contemplating such questions to himself, Ethan immediately rose from the booth, tossing the leather notebook on the table and leaving Jason to explore and search for Zyporrah to put his mind at ease. 

"Fool," Jason said chuckling darkly as he watched Ethan search the crowd for his employee. "Pray that she goes easy on you."

Trying to remain calm, Ethan began to slowly survey his surroundings in order to spot that evil woman that pestered his every soul. 

As he began to look around the bar, he noticed some familiar beauracrats, oil mongers, and famous socialites conversing within the crowd. A list celebrities that were known famously for being enemies were snuggled up on each other while famous politicians were giggling with their rivals. Maybe this poor excuse of a restaurant was a good choice and had good sense to bring false normality and thwart any paparrazi in harrassing his associates and betters.

Looking around, Ethan saw that everyone wore wristbands of different colors. Some politicians wore yellow and orange on the right wrist, while some celebrities wore pink and white on their left wrist. The employees of Lock & Key all wore various colors but black and grey wristbands were worn amongst all of them. He had recalled even Mr. Kreuger wearing a few wristbands when he had left him and Jason at the booth, the colors of what they were and where had been a blur in his mind.

As Ethan continued to pace through the crowd, he received many shocked expressions in seeing him. Obviously, they had thought this was not something he would associate himself with. It was if that woman was indeed here. As he continued through the crowds, they either shied away from him or gave quick pleasantries before clinging to the employees of the club.

Ethan scoffed at their actions. To say they were afraid of him was an understatement; They were terrified of him and his family. But now was not the time to use his influence, he only had one goal and he was failing at reaching it.

Knowing he was probably intruding in their secret party, Ethan continued to quickly make his way closer towards the back of the restaurant.

Slowing his pace, Ethan reached towards the end of the restaurant where an outdoor patio was in view, screened off by a glass door. Slightly giving up, Ethan walked toward the bar stationed near the patio and ordered a gin and tonic where a bartender hastened with his order. Settling on the plush brown bar stools, Ethan hummed in content as his drink was promptly served to him and then savored his drink slowly until he heard a low sigh next to him.

"He's been talking to her since we got here." grumbled a soft voice.

After finishing up his drink, Ethan turned towards the soft voice to see a petite woman looking sadly at her glass of what seemed to be a watered down shirley temple.

Her short curly hair was a soft cotton candy pink, her skin was a light caramel that complemented the baggy cream sweater and pale ripped skinny jeans she wore. Her feet were as tiny as a child's and were adorned with pale pink ballerina flats. To Ethan, she looked like a forlorn little pixie, completely out of place sitting next to his foreboding stature.

As he motioned the bartender to make another drink for him, he pointed for a drink to be made for the petite woman next to him as well.

"Have you tried to get his attention?" Ethan asked as he leaned on the bar counter. "Because moping will get you no where."

The woman sighed as she slumped lower in her seat.

"He ordered me to stay seated and not to move."

Ethan quirked his eyebrow at her response. Ordered?

Looking at her, Ethan could tell she wasn't abused in any way so he discarded the fact that she had low self esteem or afraid. Her skin seemed soft and supple and not discolored or bruised in any way. Despite the fact that she was slouching, it wasn't in a form of cowering but pouting in a way.

'Well that's good then,' Ethan thought to himself.

Then thinking about her situation. . . What kind of asshat would bring a female companion and then leave to talk with another? Sure, he was a sexual deviant but he had enough manners to stay attentive to one woman who clung to his waist unless he had brought along two women to be with him. He remembered before he was vying to bed Zyporrah that he would either tire out one woman before he went to another or screw them together.

Looking at her, this woman was indeed attractive. A small buxom chest hidden underneath the big cream sweater with nice round hips hugging the pale ripped jeans, but his appetite was set on Zyporrah and her only. Still, it was such a waste to be attractive and sitting alone at a bar.

As he looked at the little lady, he had decided. He was going to help her make her date jealous, a good samaritan act if you will. At least that would take his attention off finding Zyporrah in this place and temporarily set his mind at ease. Finishing off his second drink, Ethan turned to the woman and extended his hand.

"I'm Ethan and you are?"

"Lillian," the cotton candy haired woman smiled as she shook Ethan's hand.

"Well Lillian, how would you like to have some fun and make your date a little jealous?"

Lily's eyes widen and made an uncertain nod, a tiny smile slowly etched across her lips. At that moment, it seemed that Ethan and Lillian knew that they would become fast friends.

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