CHAPTER 1

Slap!

An ear splitting slap landed on Venus Hilton Cheek.

"What gave you the guts to barge in without knocking.Your friend is the one i love, and you have no right to question my choice." Venus looked at her boyfriend and her best friend on the bed unbelievingly.

"I…I… I thought you were my boyfriend. and you,I thought you were my best friend." Venus said, gently rubbing the cheek that was slapped.

Venus had just come back home to the apartment she and her boyfriend shared,after a long day at work.Only to barge in to her best friend and boyfriend having hot sex.

She moved over to the girl she called her best friend, lying on the bed, holding the duvet tightly to her chest and head bowed down.I guess in shame.

Trying so hard to hold the tears threatening to come out. "How long have you been screwing my boyfriend?"

"How long?"

"Answer me!"

The confrontation earned her another slap from her boyfriend.

"Please Jason, don't hit her again." With an anxious look, Giselle, her best friend, said. "It's all my fault."

Jason quickly moved to her and held her shoulders. "No, don't blame yourself. I guess I should have dumped this piece of unfortunate thrash standing here,from the onset." His words came laced with no regret.

Venus held her chest,as though it would stop the rippling pain she was feeling.

The pain she was feeling was so excruciating that she could barely breathe.

"Venus?"

"Stop Giselle!"

"Don't call my name,you cheap slut."

Venus found her words, holding her head.

"If anyone is a slut here,then it is you."

Stupid of you to think I would still be with you after your parents death. Look at yourself,you have been a shadow of yourself since they died and you expect me to be with someone like you."

Venus trembled at Jason's words. She glanced at him,then Giselle.

That was the limit of what she could take.She found those words unbearable to harbor.

All of a sudden,she felt like a joke.

She walked swiftly to where her suitcase was.Wiped her tears,and subsequently stuffed her clothes into it.

Venus turned around and left without sparing them a glance.

Venus boarded a taxi to her apartment,she abandoned it after moving in with her boyfriend.And for a moment she was grateful,she didn't return the keys to the landlord.

She got down from the taxi and paid the driver. She walked up the stairs to her apartment and thrusted the key into the keyhole and opened the door with two swift turns.

Her apartment looked scary and strange,with dust filled everywhere.

She knew she wouldn't be able to stay here and with that she brought out her phone and texted a number.

"I am coming to New York by tomorrow."

She went in and managed to dust some areas in order for her to be able to pass the night here.

After taking a long shower.She laid on the camp bed and was pondering about everything that happened today, when her phone beeped, Indicating a new notification.

She checked it and saw a message.

Abbie- Are you serious about coming to New York? I can't wait to see you.

She replied and dropped the phone.

Venus felt Nervous considering she was about to move to New York. She has been avoiding there, since the death of her parents, because it held too many memories of them.

At this point of her life,she felt that's what she needed for a fresh start. To get away from here.

Nothing has been working out since her parents died.No one stays.Always unlucky with Friendships and Relationships.

What's more than being betrayed by the two people you thought loved you immensely.

She concluded she has nothing left for her here.A lot of questions kept running through her head while tears were streaming out of her eyes,it didn't take long before she dozed off.

She had a long day tomorrow and a flight she wouldn't want to miss.

•••••••

Venus felt light-headed,as she climbed down the stairs of the aircraft.

The rumbling sound her stomach made, reminded her she hasn't eaten since yesterday night.

Finally stepping out of the airport, Finding her Friend Abbie in the crowd was a tough task.

She brought out her phone and was about to dial her number,when she heard her name.

"Venus, Venus,I'm right here."

She turned in the direction of the voice and saw Abbie, holding a white cardboard paper with her name written on it,and a smile plastered on her face.

Venus ran towards her, dragging her suitcase with her and engaged Abbie in a tight hug.

"Please get me out of here,I am about to pass out." Venus whispered jokingly.

Venus and Abbie alighted from the taxi that brought them to Abbie's apartment.

Venus paid him and he zoomed off.

They were now inside Abbie's apartment.

"Nice place." Venus complimented looking around the place.

"Ooh drop that, don't behave like a stranger."

"So tell me, what changed your mind about coming back to New York.The last time we spoke you avoided the topic like a plague."

Abbie asked after they were now settled on the couch.

Seeing she wasn't getting any response from Venus,whose eyes were fixed on her phone.

She snatched the phone from Venus.

"Now I have your attention, Where's Jason?"

"He finally let you move.How surprising."Abbie asked giggling.

At the mention of Jason, Venus expression turned blank and it felt as if a knife was slicing her heart.

"He's ditched me for my best friend." Venus answered with her voice almost breaking.

Abbie gasped."What kind of people do you keep around you?"

"I am so sorry Vee, He's such a dick."

Abbie pulled her into a hug.

"Well, he's history now."

"I am famished,I need food." Venus Stated clutching her stomach dramatically.

They both moved to the kitchen and prepared noodles.

After eating,they retired to bed.

Venus was about sleeping when a thought entered her head.

"Abbie, is there a way I can start working tomorrow? I need something to take my mind off this." She said, trying to sound convincing.

"Are you sure you don't need a break to pull through?"

"You should recover before you start looking for a job." Abbie suggested with concern evident in her voice.

"No!"

Abbie raised her hand in surrender.

"You win! The club I work for will be hosting a big party tomorrow and are currently still in need of more people to serve."

"I can hire you as one of the Waitresses. Since I am managing the event,you can follow me to work tomorrow."

Venus squealed and hugged Abbie in excitement.

"Well we have to sleep, else we won't have energy for tomorrow.It is going to be hectic.By the weekend,we will catch up on the gists I have for you."

Abbie said and dragged the blanket to cover their bodies.

It didn't take long before they fell asleep.

•••••••

The dimly lit club with strobe lights and colored lights, accompanied with loud music buzzing from the speaker,was filled with girls in fur and designer silk swanning and preening like exotic birds, and men dressed predominantly in black and diamonds in their teeth.

You need no one to tell you this is a club for elites.

Venus stood close to the bar,skimpily dressed in a waitress outfit with high stilettos worn on her leg, making her appear like a professional waitress, even though she was feeling completely out of place.

She stood watching waiters and waitresses moving to and fro, with glowing trays of drinks and champagne glasses,waiting for her own turn to serve.

"Vee."

She knew who it was already.

"Table 6 in the VIP section needs champagne." Abbie said, flashing her a smile.

"Okk,i will take care of it." Venus walked into the drink section of the bar and picked up a gold tray and champagne glass as she made her way into the VIP section.

Her heels clicked on the glittering tiles as she walked into the VIP section.

Trying to calm herself from being nervous.She walked with shaky hands searching for table 6.

She spotted the table and walked towards it,her hands grew even more shaky as she noticed some men staring lustfully at her.She had never been in such an environment.

"Hello.I'm Venus, your waitress." Venus stated and placed the tray on the table, immediately she reached table 6.

A man and an exquisitely dressed lady were seated around the table.The man's attention was fully on his phone.

"Do you expect me to pour the wine myself?"

The blonde lady asked with disgust all over her face.

Venus opened the champagne bottle and was about to pour the champagne in the glasses, when the champagne spilled all over the blonde woman.

She looked up immediately with fear. "I'm very sor…."

She was cut short by the resounding slap that landed on her cheek.

"Who employed this animal?" The woman screamed, making everyone who heard her divert their attention to them.

Venus' head was bowed low, praying for the ground to swallow her.

She knew immediately when Abbie got to their table.

"What is the issue ma'am?"Abbie asked after reaching their table.

"Fire this fool immediately!"The woman spat out, causing Venus to quiver.

She had successfully ruined her first day at work, and she thought for a moment maybe Jason was right when he called her unfortunate.

"Look up!" Venus heard a deep masculine baritone commanding her.This time the voice wasn't from the woman but from the man, whose attention had shifted from his phone to her.

Venus looked up, and met a pair of piercing gray eyes looking at her intently.She couldn't read the expression on the man's face.

She could swear she had seen him before but she couldn't place it.His Stare was intimidating even in the dimly lit room.

It was for sure the most handsome gray eyes she has seen.His obsidian hair was perfectly styled to the back, perfectly chiseled cheekbones and designer stubble.

For a second,she felt her head spinning as a result of his peering gaze.

"Who is she?" His stern voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Sir, she is one of the new waitresses." Abbie answered, and with the expression on her face,she knew what was about coming isn't something good.

"Do whatever Sofia tells you to do with her." The man said, referring to the blonde woman, and briskly walked away in long strides out of the VIP section.

Venus' gaze shifted to the blonde woman who was now looking at her with scorn and a now ruined designer dress.

"Sack this nitwit!"

"But Ma,it was just a mistake." Abbie said, trying to defend Venus.

"If I have to say those words again,I will also have you fired!" The woman that was referred to as Sofia yelled with so much authority in her voice.

"I will do that, ma!" Abbie replied quickly,not wanting to lose her job.

"Now both of you get out of my sight!"

Venus and Abbie scurried away. Before they exit the VIP section, they heard a commanding voice.

"Stop!"

They turned and saw the blonde woman walking towards them.

"One more thing,you will pay for ruining my dress."

"It cost ten thousand dollars. I am giving you just seven days, else I will sue you for causing damage to property." The woman said without any emotions.

Venus eyes widened at the mention of ten thousand dollars.

She stood frozen in her spot trying to digest everything, when the woman pushed her out of the way, making her way out of the VIP section.