Ch. 6: An Unexpected Invitation

“He bought you a building?!” Jubilee shrieked.

“He didn’t buy me a building. He bought the store,” Isaac grumbled.

“But he bought it for you,” she grinned.

“He was interested in the store,” Isaac tried to emphasize, but Jubilee wasn’t buying it. Pun intended.

“I’m pretty sure you left his imagination running wild at the club and he came back wanting more,” Jubilee chuckled, plopping on the living room beanie. She wore ripped jeans and a tank top that showed most of her cleavage.

‘I couldn’t get you off my mind since that night.’

Isaac quickly shooed away Lucien’s voice, and mumbled, “I’m sure he had other reasons.”

“You should be excited that you’ve caught the interest of one of the richest men in the city,” Jubilee pressed, holding the business card up to the dim light. “Lucien Royce,” she read aloud. “God damn, even his name is hot.”

Isaac wasn’t as excited as his best friend. How could he? He had just lost his job at the convenience store, leaving him with one less source of income to pay back his debt. Even if he managed to find another job, it would be weeks before he received his next paycheck.

More than that, Lucien’s presence would attract unwanted attention. What would a rich man like him be doing in this shady part of the city? Hound was definitely going to hear about this, and if he found out that Isaac somehow got involved with a man like Lucien, things would undoubtedly get messy. And what if Riley found out too? The thought sent a chill down Isaac’s spine.

“Did Lucien say anything to you?”

“He offered me a contract to work in one of his luxury stores.”

Jubilee’s mouth turned into an O shape, her eyes twinkling. “Did you accept?”

“Of course not. I’m going back tomorrow to tell him I can’t accept the position.”

“It’s obvious the man is interested in you,” Jubilee pointed out. “Anyone else would be over the moon if they were in your shoes! I bet Lucien would pay back your debt if you asked him.”

Isaac shook his head. “Everything comes with a price, Jubilee.”

“Not love.”

Isaac blinked blankly. “Love?”

“I’m a hopeless romantic,” she laughed proudly, her innocent smile contrasting with her outfit. “I believe in true love. Lucien might be your ticket out.”

“He might make things worse.”

“Hmph,” she huffed, staring at the ceiling.

‘You’re much prettier than I remembered, Isaac North.’

Isaac felt his face grow warm. He wrapped his arms around his waist to stop the funny feeling from spreading in his stomach. He needed to stop thinking about Lucien before his thoughts consumed him entirely.

Jubilee reached for the remote control and turned on the TV, filling the room with the faint glow of the screen.

“…Another murder has been reported in The Red District. A 19-year-old boy, whose name has not yet been revealed, was found on the streets. He was discovered in a dark alley near one of the dumpsters of a club. Someone reported a terrible rotting smell when the police found him. The police have disclosed the case as unsolved, and no further investigation will be held.”

Isaac frowned at the news anchor’s words, a heavy feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. Nobody looked for him, and in the end, it was the stench of death that lured the living. Would he end up like him too?

Jubilee noticed the look on Isaac’s face.

“How about we switch the channel to something else?” she suggested quickly, changing to the Disney Channel. “Oh, look! It’s Lilo and Stitch!”

Jubilee moved closer to the TV, completely submerged in the movie. Isaac smiled until his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Hound: Do you have my money?

Isaac’s smile dropped. He slowly texted back.

Isaac: Almost.

Hound: What am I going to do with almost?

Isaac: I just need two more days.

Hound: You’re testing my patience, Isaac.

Isaac: I know. I’m sorry.

Hound: You have another week. If you don’t have my money by then, I’ll have to punish you.

Hound: You remember what happened the last time, don’t you?

Isaac’s jaw tightened, and he felt a jolt of pain in his left leg.

Isaac: I’ll get your money by then.

Hound: Good boy.

“Is something the matter?” Jubilee asked. Isaac quickly put his phone down and forced a smile.

“No, everything is fine.”

---

Isaac’s mouth dropped open when he entered the store. The convenience store had changed into a luxury shop in one night.

Gone were the shelves with chips and junk food, replaced by gleaming glass display cases showcasing luxurious jewelry and designer bags. Isaac instinctively stepped aside as someone brushed past him, maneuvering a rack adorned with high-end clothing and coats. Everywhere he looked, shelves were adorned with beautiful and unique bags, each more exquisite than the last.

Movers brought furniture and boxes while employees Isaac had never seen running to and fro. They wore fancy black suits with a golden nametag pinned on their left. Isaac didn’t fail to notice the large red fabric hanging on the wall, resembling a tapestry. The initials “LR” were weaved in gold.

“Hey, you!” someone called out.

Isaac spun around, surprised when a sharp-looking lady with a clipboard under her armpit approached him.

“Why aren’t you dressed in your uniform?” she demanded.

Uniform?

“Um, I don’t work here.” But before he could explain, the manager was already ordering someone to bring him some clothes. An employee arrived and handed Isaac a pair of folded clothes. The fabric felt rich on his palms.

“Hurry up and change before the boss arrives,” the manager snapped.

“But–”

“Take him to the changing room.”

He was quickly ushered away to the changing area. Isaac had a feeling that nobody would listen to him unless he changed. With a resigned sigh, he slowly did.

Isaac was taken aback by the perfect fit of the uniform, as if it had been tailored specifically for him. Running his hand down the smooth fabric, he gazed at his reflection in the mirror. It had been so long since he had worn a suit, a luxury he couldn’t afford even for his father’s funeral.

Isaac didn’t know how to tie the necktie, so he slipped it into his pocket. When he stepped out, the employee looked surprised as he scanned Isaac from head to toe. Isaac felt self-conscious. Did the suit not look good on him?

“Does it look bad?”

“Quite the opposite,” the employee murmured, still in awe.

“Is it too late to tell you I don’t work here?” Isaac grumbled, rubbing the nape of his neck.

“The boss will be happy,” was all he replied.

As if on cue, a black van with tinted windows pulled up in front of the building. Lucien stepped out, looking both dangerously intimidating and beautiful all at once. Clad in a three-piece dark grey suit, he cut a striking figure, his tattoos peeking from beneath the fabric. Isaac had always imagined CEOs to be conservative and buttoned-up, but Lucien Royce defied expectations with his unapologetic display of ink. His tattoos seemed to enhance his air of power and authority.

“The boss is here! Everyone, get in line!” a voice boomed, prompting a flurry of activity among the employees. Isaac swept up in the tide of bodies, dragged along until he was sandwiched between two other employees in a perfectly formed line to greet Lucien.

“Good morning, Mr. Royce!” Everyone chorused in perfect harmony.

Lucien remained unfazed, his eyes briefly sweeping over his employees as he walked past them. Isaac lowered his gaze, hoping to avoid catching Lucien’s attention.

Lucien stopped in front of him, and the room seemed to grow tense. Isaac could feel his heart racing inside his chest when Lucien leaned closer.

“Where’s your tie, Isaac?”

Lucien’s strict tone made Isaac’s heart jump, and he felt his entire face flush red. Isaac tightly clenched his fists, frustrated by his own reaction, but he didn’t want to make a scene in front of everyone.

“I left it in the changing room.”

Isaac could feel everyone holding their breath. Lucien’s gaze lingered on Isaac for a moment longer, his expression inscrutable. Then, with a slight nod, he resumed scanning the rest of the employees. He stopped in front of a young woman.

“Why aren’t you wearing your name badge?” Lucien’s voice cut through the air, his tone colder than before.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the employee stammered, her words faltering under Lucien’s stern gaze. “I lost it this morning and–”

“I don’t pay you to hear excuses.”

She flinched. “Yes, I’m sorry, sir.”

“The next time you forget, don’t show up at work. It’s an eyesore.”

Isaac blinked in surprise, his mind racing with questions. Why hadn’t Lucien said anything to him? Lucien walked away to speak with the store manager. Playing along at first, Isaac assisted the other employees in moving items around the store, all the while attempting to find a moment to talk with Lucien. When it was lunchtime, Isaac finally seized the chance to talk to him. He turned to the manager, and asked, “Excuse me, do you know where Lucien is?”

“Mr. Royce? He just left.”

Isaac’s eyes widened. He glanced out the window and saw Lucien stepping into his car. Rushing out, Isaac managed to intercept Lucien’s car just before it could pull away. He knocked urgently on the tinted window. Slowly, the window rolled down, revealing Lucien’s handsome face.

“This is for you,” Isaac said, thrusting an envelope through the window.

Lucien lowered his gaze to his extended hand, unimpressed.

“Is this your poor attempt of giving me a love letter?”

Isaac’s eyes widened.

“It’s not a love letter!” He blurted, feeling his ears grow hot. “I wanted to give it to you earlier, but you were too busy being…” a CEO, is what he wanted to say, but Isaac didn’t want to boost his ego. “You.”

“I have another meeting. We can discuss this tomorrow.”

“I won’t be here tomorrow,” Isaac replied firmly.

Lucien’s gaze filled with intensity. He drummed his fingers on his thick lap, and the silence that stretched made Isaac nervous. Isaac jumped when he opened the door.

“Get in,” he commanded.