Page 2 of The Bratva's Secret Twins

My jaw tightened, but I refused to let his condescending attitude get to me. “I apologize, sir—”

“Ah, ah,” he rudely interrupted me, gesturing with his hand that I should zip it.

You did not!

I frowned on the inside while maintaining a smile on the outside. I wanted to whack the idiot with my shoe.

He revealed his credit card and slammed it down on the counter.

“Just ring me up. I want that, that, and that,” he declared, pointing at the items: handbags and shoes he wanted to purchase. “And do that quickly. I have more important matters to attend to. My time is far too valuable to be wasted in places like this.”

He didn’t even bother asking the prices for each item, a classic move from a showoff. Well, he was in the right place because it was my job to help him spend his money how he wanted.

The lady he came in with caught my eye and muttered inaudibly, but I read her lips: “I’m so sorry.”

I smiled faintly at her and took his card, efficiently processing his purchase.

While attending to the couple, I couldn’t help but notice a man in the customer service area speaking frustratedly into his phone. He wasn’t causing a scene, but he caught my attention. He was good-looking and fashionable, wearing a white turtleneck over a pair of coffee-brown pants, complete with white sneakers. On his head was a nice hat, and a pair of sunglasses concealed his eyes. He seemed to be in his mid-forties, but he was quite the stylish one.

I scanned around for Lilian, who was supposed to be in the customer service area, but she was nowhere to be found. I watched the man take a seat as he continued over the phone. He seemed pissed, but this wasn't the right place for people to vent their anger. It was against our policy, and I didn’t want any trouble with the manager. If Lilian didn’t return soon, I’d be forced to intervene.

Once I’d processed the arrogant man’s purchase, I packed his merchandise into our branded bags and handed them over to him.

“Thank you for choosing Solenoir,” I said, grinning at him like he was the sweetest angel.

He accepted the bags without a word, but the lady spoke up. “You’re welcome…Vivian.” The slight pause came when she checked the name tag pinned to my shirt.

After the couple left, I let out a sigh and rubbed the bridge of my nose, eager for the day to come to an end. I really needed some rest, and I missed my bed.

I was about to take a seat when I heard the man in the customer service area exclaim loudly.

Oh. You’re still here.

He hadn’t gotten off the phone yet and was still upset, muttering as his lips continually pulled into a frown. Lilian still hadn’t returned.

“Great,” I mumbled to myself and headed toward him.

The closer I got to him, the more I heard the tight disappointment in his voice. I couldn’t make out what was going on, and honestly, it was none of my business, but he seemed to be in a tight spot.

As I got to where he was seated, he put the phone down and exhaled sharply.

“Excuse me, sir,” I called out in my usual working-hour politeness. “Is there anything I can help you with? Perhaps a purchase?”

“No, there isn’t,” he replied coldly, not even turning to look at me.

“Oh,” I said, my smile growing more forced. “I’m really sorry, sir, but you can’t stay in here if you’re not going to buy anything. It’s against store policy. Maybe I could show you to a coffee shop if you need somewhere to sit?”

That was enough to prompt him to look at me. He removed his sunglasses and examined me from head to toe, his brows raised and lips pursed, as though I was supposed to recognize him.

I didn’t.

“What’s going on here?” Mr. Smith’s voice made me turn my head.

Shit…he was already walking up to the scene.

He was the manager I was avoiding trouble with.

“What’s with the loitering? Where’s Lilian? And why haven’t you taken care of this earlier?” Mr. Smith looked slightly sour, but the moment the man faced him, his countenance changed.

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