THE HUMBLE BILLIONAIRE

Standing at the doorway, tired and sweaty from my crappy, underpaying job, I survey my crummy, congested apartment. I hated this place but didn’t have much of a choice. It didn’t help that I had a messy and untidy roommate that I constantly had to pick up after. dirty dishes in the sink, clothes everywhere, and an untidy bed. Sighing, I start trying to tidy up a little bit because if I don’t clean up, Olivia won’t bother to do so.

After what seems like hours of doing some cleaning here and there, my phone rings. I reach out and pick it up. "Hey Kathleen!" comes the cheery voice of Nadia Buchannan. Her voice is so cheery that it subconsciously brings a smile to my face.

"Hello, Nadia, who made you this cheery at this time of night?" I teased.

She chuckled. "Guess that’s for me to know and for you to find out." I could almost feel the smirk on her face when she responded.She then continued, "Anyway, that aside, how about we go out today?" "Like the old times," she pleaded.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "As much as I’d like to take you up on your offer, I really can’t." "I have to get into my second job in like an hour."

"Come on, these days you don’t even like to have some fun," she complained.

"Nadia, some of us have bills and responsibilities. "We can't all afford to live as carefree as you do," I replied.

Kathleen, you don’t have to struggle as much as you do. "I told you I could hook you up with my boss and you could do what I do," she said, seeming genuinely concerned.

"Which what exactly?" "You've never told me what you're up to."I quickly responded.

She giggled, "If I told you, I’d have to kill you." She responded playfully.

I breathed out, "This doesn’t really inspire much confidence in you or your job opportunity." I looked at my watch and realized that it’s time I start preparing for my other job. "Nadia, it was nice of you to invite me, but I really have to go." Have fun. Love you." I said it with finality.

"I love you too, girl." Nadia responded and hung up.

I got ready for my second job, which unfortunately was at a club. It required me to be in a pair of really skimpy shorts and an official shirt. But compared to my other job as a barista, this paid really well, and I pretty much survived with it. It helped that I was a redhead with blue eyes; it made me stand out, gaining me attention. I arrived just in time as Olivia walked through the door."Hey Liv, rent is almost due. When am I getting your half?" I asked her as I was double-checking I had everything I needed.

"I don’t know, really," she said with her don’t care attitude.

"Are you being serious right now?" I asked, starting to feel like she was getting on my nerves.

"Yeah." She responded as she lay on her bed.

I wasn't really prepared for this conversation right now; I needed all of my energy to get through my nights with all of the drunk guys I'd have to put up with tonight.I scoffed and just walked out of the door. I walked to the bus stop, connecting my headphones to my phone to listen to some music. It was a bit chilly, but I appreciated the breeze on my face, breathing in and trying to relax and release all the tension in my body. I reached the bus stop and waited as I kept listening to music. After a couple of minutes, the bus came, and off I went.

I reached the club, and considering it was a Friday night, it was fully packed. I walked towards the service door and was met by Pascal, the bouncer, who smiled at me. "Hey Kathleen, didn’t know you had a shift today?" he inquired.

"Hey, yes, I do," I replied, "the boss made a few changes to the work schedule."I answered him.

"Oh, I didn’t know that. Anyway, I hope you have a smooth shift, considering it’s a busy day. He told me.

"I hope so too, Pascal." "I really do." I concluded as I walked in. I went straight to the employee’s room to put my things in the locker. and went straight to the counter to relieve Shannon from her shift.

On busy days like these, two people must work the counter, usually a male and a female. Today I was working with the handsome Quincy, but everyone called him Quin. He was what people considered extremely handsome. He has beautiful brown eyes, the perfect jawline, a set of pearly white teeth, a really fit body, the perfect height, and a smile that would bring any lady to her knees. He didn’t talk much; he liked to keep to himself. He was an artist. Oh, the things he could do with his hands, I thought, and just smiled at myself.

"Hey Kat," his heavenly voice said.I loved how sweet my name sounded rolling out of his mouth.

I turned to face him and smiled, "Hey Quin," I said, trying to gather myself.

"I hope you brought your A game today; a busy night means amazing tips," he said while he continued to mix drinks.

"Yes," I replied. "God knows I need it." I said more to myself than anyone else.

and got busy serving drinks, while a few men asked that I personally serve their drinks to them. It was so busy that time flew by so fast. My shift was about to end when I got the final order from an old guy who wanted me to serve the drinks myself. This should be the last drunk guy I have to deal with; it shouldn’t be so bad, I thought.

I took the drink to him, and just as I reached their table, he whistled; you could literally feel the lust pouring out of him. "Hey, Red," he said, sitting up from his previously relaxed position. That’s not a good sign, I thought. "How about you give me a lap dance, baby?" he basically ordered.

"Sorry, I only serve the drinks." I politely yet sternly told him, and I turned to leave when he held on to my hand, making me lose my balance and fall on his lap. I quickly reacted by trying to push myself up, but he held on to me. I elbowed him in the eye and took advantage of the distraction to get on my feet.

"What the hell?" he hissed. "You have no idea who you just messed with, sweetheart," he said angrily as he stood up.

"Whoa! Mr. Wolfe. Let’s not do something we might regret. "Just take a minute to think about it," club manager Walter Myers advised.

"Are you sure you want to protect her?" Mr. Wolfe asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

He really intimidated me, but I put on a brave face and stood my ground.

"I have to stand up for my employees," Walter tried to reason. "Kat, how about you go to the employee’s locker room?" Walter told me with finality, meaning there’s no room for discussion. I turned around and saw that all eyes were on us. I pushed my way through the crowd and to the locker room.

What did I just do? I’m in so much trouble. I hope he doesn’t fire me; I need this job. I was pacing in there for a couple minutes when Walter came in. I rushed to him and said, "Walter, I’m so sorry for causing so much trouble." "I was just defending myself," I attempted to explain.

"Kat, relax. Caroline told me what happened." "I understand your actions." Walter said he was trying to calm me down. But he seemed uneasy.

"What?" I asked.

"I’m sorry, but Mr. Wolfe doesn’t take disrespect very lightly," he started. "He wants you to be fired," he blurted out.

"Wait what? Why? "I thought you understood my actions." I said it in shock.

"I do, I really do, but Mr. Wolfe is my biggest financial donor; without him, I’ll be unable to keep my club open. I really hope you understand. "You can come for your last paycheck in a week." He concluded and left me there.

Well, this night didn’t end like I had hoped, but I didn’t have much of a choice as I was clearly told. I took my things from my locker and left.

"I’m so sorry, Kathleen. I just heard. "Just know that you’ll always have a friend in me," Pascal told me on my way out.

"Thank you, Pascal. Bye." I said and walked away; I didn't feel like talking.Besides, I had to reach my other job at 10 p.m. in the morning.

I just got home and went straight to bed. Tomorrow is a new day, and we’ll try again.