R E D E M P T I O N

Alexia:

I hate him.

I hate him with every fiber in my being.

I hate what he did to me- To us.

I hate that he broke my trust.

But most of all, I hate that I still love him.

You're probably wondering what the fuck I'm going on about, so I'm going to start from the beginning.

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Flashback:

April 18th, 2012.

"Lex. You're working VIP tonight." My manager, Julia told me, as I walked into the club that evening.

I groaned loudly. I absolutely hate working VIP. Men do not know how to keep their hands to themselves, especially when they're drunk. Also, they think just because they paid a little extra money, they're entitled to violate my personal space or touch me without my fucking permission. I'd rather work behind the bar. I felt safer there.

"But Jules, you know I hate working in VIP." I said.

"Yes hon, I know. But we're short-staffed tonight, so I need you out there, please? I'll make it worthwhile. I'll give you a week's paid vacation." She promised.

"Fine." I relented, heading in the back to place my bag in my locker.

I headed back to the front of the club, going behind the bar.

"Hey girl. You working back here with me tonight?" Jonathan, one of my best friends and one of the bartenders asked.

"Not tonight Jonny. I got stuck working in VIP." I pouted, and he patted my hand in sympathy.

"Hang in there, babe. I know you don't like working in VIP, but at least Maddox is working up there tonight." I perked up immediately, making him chuckle.

Maddox was my other friend. He was big, huge, and scary looking. Which is an advantage in being a bouncer.

But, he was a gentle giant and a little bit of a teddy bear. Unless you pissed him off, of course.

Then he was the scariest motherfucker on earth.

With him working tonight, I felt a little better about being in VIP, because I knew he would look out for me.

"Great! It's been a while since we've been on the same shift together." I said.

I checked my watch and sighed.

"I'll see you later. The place is starting to fill up. Movies after work though?" I asked hopefully.

"Yeah baby doll, I got you. Now go before the wicked bitch of the west comes back here." He said, referring to the owner's daughter, Nicki.

Nicki was your stereotypical blonde bimbo, who thought she ruled everyone and everything just because daddy is the owner of the club.

She didn't like me because I'm not the one to fuck with and I put her in her place every time she tries to start shit with me.

I remembered the first time I had done it, she had run to her father and complained, demanding that I be fired, while I just stood there and watched the both of them with my arms crossed.

"Was there a reason that you were rude to my daughter, Ms. Valentine?"

"Yes. I was trying to do my job, and she was obstructing me from doing so. When I told her politely that I needed to go do my job, she started to mouth off and throw her status around. I'm sorry, Mr. Stevens, but I don't allow anyone to disrespect me or treat me lower than them, no matter their status. So feel free to fire me if you want." I had stated calmly.

He seemed to measure me up for a moment, before nodding.

"I respect that, Ms. Valentine. You have a backbone. That's good. I apologize for my daughter's behavior. I tried to raise her right, but it seems that she's gotten her mother's worst qualities." Nicki's mouth dropped opened in shock.

It was no secret that Mr. Stevens held nothing but disdain for his ex wife, especially after she tried to take him for everything he had.

"Nicki. Apologize to Alexia, now." He glared at his daughter, and she sputtered.

"But daddy-"

"No buts. Don't forget that just because I agreed to let you stay here, doesn't mean that you run anything here, especially my employees. Now apologize."

Instead of apologizing, she let out a frustrated scream, storming past me, and bumping my shoulder roughly.

I was really fucking tempted to grab her back by the hair, and backhand her but I held onto my composure because I was still in front of her father, my boss.

That definitely would've been too far.

Ever since that day, she has made it a point to push my buttons, and I really don't want to go to jail for dragging a bitch.

I'm pulled out of my reminiscing when I heard her nasally ass voice coming closer in my direction, and I jetted.

"Talk later, Jonny." I called out as I walked away.

Let's get this horrible shift started.

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Two hours later:

I walked outside for my ten minute break, standing close to the entrance of the club with Maddox beside me.

I pulled a cigarette out of my pocket, taking my lighter and lighting it.

I took a slow drag, and Maddox watched me in disapproval.

"You know I hate to see you smoking." His deep voice rumbled and I rolled my eyes, slowly exhaling.

"Yes, I know Maddox, but I need it tonight. Especially after dealing with those pompous assholes in VIP." I took another pull, looking up at the dark starless night.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly, and I snorted.

"Yeah I'm fine. You know I'm a tough bitch." I gave him a smirk and he laughed.

"That you are."

"How's the girlfriend?" I asked, and he smiled.

"She's amazing. We're planning to move in together soon." I gave him a genuine smile as I threw the butt on to the ground and stepped on it.

"That's great, Madd. I'm happy for you two. You should drop by the apartment one day with her." I said, and he nodded.

"Yeah, I will. You ready to go back in?" He asked, and I nodded.

I walked back into the club with him behind me, going to my post.

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It was 11 now, and the club was packed as per usual on a Saturday Night. I've had to deal with a few assholes who got out of line, but for the most part it was an okay shift.

I was walking with a tray full of empty glasses when someone bumped into me hard from behind, making them fall out of my hands.

I spun around, and I saw Nicki standing there behind me with a smirk on her face.

"Oops." She feigned innocence.

It took all I had not to grab her by the hair and make her pick up the fucking glass with her bare hands.

"Can you watch where the fuck you're going?" I snapped and her eyes darkened.

"Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?" She screeched.

"A little girl who wants to play grown up with daddy's money. I don't have time for this shit." I muttered, already pissed because I know that the broken glasses will be coming out of my paycheck.

I picked up the tray and notified the closest cleaner about the glass, situation before continuing on with my shift.

"Lexi, babe. Boss wants to see you and he doesn't look happy." Jonathan told me and I sighed.

"Okay." I made my way to my boss' office, knocking on the door before going in.

"You wanted to see Mr. Stevens?"

"Yes. What the fuck happened out there?" He growled, glaring at me.

"Sir, I'd appreciate if you don't curse at me while talking to me, that's one. And two, the whole thing was your daughter's fault. I was minding my business, carrying the empty glasses back to the bar, when she literally pushed me and made me lose my balance. There was no one behind her, so I know she did it deliberately." I crossed my arms over my chest, meeting his stare head on.

I'm not going to allow him to intimidate me, boss or not.

He deflated, heaving out a loud sigh.

"That girl is more trouble than she's worth. I apologize on her behalf, Alexia. I'll ensure that it never happens again. I would give you the rest of your shift off, but we're short staffed tonight, and you're well liked by all the patrons. For putting up with my daughter, I'll double your pay for tonight. You deserve it."

My eyes widened in shock and a huge smile amost split my face in half.

"Thank you, Sir!" He returned my smile with a polite nod of his head.

"Of course. Tell Jonathan that I want him to bring my daughter to me please. You may go."

I squealed internally, leaving the room quickly and going in search of Jonathan.

The boss want you to find his pain in the ass kid." I told him and he groaned loudly.

"Why me?" He whined and I shrugged.

"Dunno. He just told me to tell you." He reluctantly walked off to go find Satan's concubine, while I returned to my post.

By the end of the night, my feet were hurting and I was ready to sleep.

"Are you ready to go, love?" Jonathan yawned as he stopped in front of me.

"Hell yeah. Let's get out of here." I said.

We headed into the back and I kicked off my heels, swapping them for my sneakers. I grabbed my backpack from my locker, not even bothering to change.

"Madd is waiting for us outside. He said he'd give us a ride home." Jonathan told me as he gathered our stuff.

We both walked out and met Madd and the front of the club, and he dropped us off at the apartment with promises to bring his girlfriend by the next day.

"Movie night?" I asked Jonathan and he nodded.

"Yeah, I'll meet you in your room after I shower." He said.

I made us some popcorn as he disappeared into his room, gathering some of our favorite snacks.

I placed all the snacks on my bed, before going to take a shower myself. We were fortunate enough to find a two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms within our budget and I couldn't be more grateful as I turned on the shower, taking off my clothes and jumping in to the shower.

I took a long one to wash the night off me, using my favorite body wash.

When I was done, I walked into my room, quickly throwing on a pair of shorts and one of Jonathan's tshirt. I hopped onto the bed, rolling into the corner, since it was my favorite space.

A few minutes later, Jonathan strolled in with our drinks, and he threw me a bottle of Pepsi.

"What movie are we watching?" I asked.

"I'm in the mood for romance. Titanic?"

"God no." I made a face at him and he rolled his eyes.

"The Notebook?" He asked.

"Meh. Why not?" I sighed and he squealed.

"Great!" He put the movie on and climbed onto the bed, both of us settling in to watch the movie.