17. Chapter 17
Jade
“Where is he?” I chew at my thumb, checking the clock for the hundredth time. Fylis was supposed to be here forty minutes ago. My stomach churns, fearing that something bad has happened to him. I shoot off another text to the booking team, who texts him again, trying to follow protocol.
“Did your appointment no-show?” The cute pixie bartender asks through fluttering green lashes.
“He’s coming.” My confidence wavers, not sure who I’m trying to convince.
“Mhmm.” She slides a shimmery purple shot my way, winking before moving to another guest.
Tossing the fruity liquid back, a text lights up my phone, and my heart leaps.
Reception: No answer. His phone is off.
Ok, now I’m panicking. The best-case scenario is that he blew me off and is safe at home.
I try to think good thoughts, but even those make me nauseous.
Returning to my room, I recheck my schedule.
Fylis’s standing appointments are still there, bringing me some comfort.
Hearing a booming laugh next door, I recognize it as Burgess, Fylis’s friend.
I knock three times and wait. Nothing. Knocking again harder than before, I finally hear someone approaching. Serpahina, a siren, cracks the door open with an annoyed expression.
“Why are you interrupting my session, Jade?” Her scales make the light dance all over the dim space.
“I just need to talk to your client really quick, Burgess.” I shift between my feet nervously, trying to find him in the room.
“No.” She goes to slam the door in my face, but I stop it with my hand and push past her. I’m so getting written up for this. She hits the wall with a thud and screeches, “What the hell! Drogo!” before leaving the room.
“What the fuck, Jade?” Burgess grumbles from the corner, tied up in thick brown ropes with a gag draped around his neck.
“I’m so sorry, I just need to know where Fylis is. He didn’t show and-” His booming laugh cuts me off.
“Didn’t you kick him out last weekend? Poor guy left in tears, Jade. I thought you fired him.” He questions me with brows furrowed, eyes searching mine for answers.
“I didn’t fire him. I had another client, and” Stumbling over my words to find a valid excuse when in reality, I did kind of kick him out.
“Jade,” Drogo calls from the door, making me freeze. When I turn to face him, Seraphina is standing there, arms crossed with a smirk. “In my office. Now.”
Obeying, I walk to the door, mouthing an apology to Burgess over my shoulder before facing Seraphina. “I’m so sorry.” I rush out quickly before following Drogo out the door as it slams behind us.
“Sit.” The smoke tumbles out of his nostrils as I sit in the chair across from him. “I thought we sorted things out last week?” His tone is firm, but his face gives away his genuine concern about my behavior.
“Yes, but Fylis didn’t show, and I got worried…” My words tumble out like vomit as I plead my case. Drogo sighs.
“I’m putting you on leave.” His words cut me to the core.
“Leave? Like, I no longer work here or what? Drogo, please.” Tears sting at my eyes as I stand, my words growing sharper and more desperate.
“Temporarily. You were just assaulted at work, and I should have made you take a break then. Now this situation with the satyr,”
“Fylis. His name is Fylis.” I growl, and Drogo stands to match my posture. Showing his seniority in a wordless display.
“Go home. Handle your shit. Call Nicki when you’re ready to come back. Your room will stay yours.” His shoulder brushes mine as he leaves me standing alone in his office, and I sink to my knees and sob.
“FUCK!” I scream, my fist hitting the floor. When I compose myself enough, I walk back to my room, grabbing a duffel and filling it with a few things. Tossing my work tablet on top, I head towards the door to leave.
“Jade!” Someone calls after me, but I don’t stop.
“Jade, damn it!” Nicki catches up to me, her blue bob and tentacles bouncing about.
“Here.” She slips a piece of paper into my hand with an address scribbled on it.
“If you tell Drogo I gave you this, I will pack your schedule full of weird fetishes!” She pulls me into a quick hug before slinking off back to her desk.
Staring at the paper, I see Fylis’s name at the top and smile, turning back to mouth a thank you to her. Nicki winks at me as I leave the club. Goodbye, Whip’s End. For now.