Page 4 of Kaid's Empire

I shrug and smile, following them onto the bus, making sure I sit a little away from them, wanting to have a bit of peace and just enjoy the scenery as we make our way into Monaco.

Three

Theia

As I stand in the lobby of the hotel, I can’t stop looking around in awe at the opulence. The marble flooring, the huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling… “Miss Edwards?” the receptionist calls.

I shake my head and smile. “Sorry, it’s just… I don’t think I've seen a hotel as beautiful as this before.”

“Thank you, miss, I have you booked in for a double room. It is a lovely room.” He smiles, clicking away on the computer. “But I am just going to make sure you have an even better room, giving you a double with a terrace.” He looks up from the screen and winks.

“Oh, thank you, that would be wonderful.” I grin from ear to ear. I pull out my purse and take out some euros to tip him. “Here, take this, thank you so much.” I hand him the money.

“Thank you, madam. Our concierge will take your bags up to your room. Here is your card key, any problems at all then call down or come and see us here and we will be happy to help. I hope you enjoy your stay with us.” He smiles. I return his smile and take my key, following the concierge to my room.

Even the elevator and hallway to my room is grand. It may have cost me a small fortune to come here, but it is so worth it. I open the door to my room and gasp at how beautiful it is. A large luxurious bed in crisp white linens, dark walnut furniture, and then I spot the patio doors that lead to the small balcony. I move straight there and open the doors. I step out to the warm sun and the light cool sea breeze gently blowing across my face. The view of the marina is breath-taking. I tip the concierge, and as soon as the door is closed, I take a run and jump, landing on the bed. “Oh my God, this bed is freaking incredible!” I screech excitedly.

I grab my phone, sending Mum a quick message that I'm at the hotel safe and sound and that I will call her later. I don’t want to waste a moment; I get changed into my plain black bikini and step out onto the terrace with my book. “I swear I am in pure heaven right now.”

I read for a couple of hours before the sun starts to set, and I decide to treat myself to a nice expensive meal down in the restaurant. I can’t afford to do it every night but to hell with it. I get changed into my black halter-neck maxi dress, touch up my mascara, add some lip gloss and brush my long brown hair. I don’t wear a lot of make-up, I'm quite a simple girl like that. I don’t style my hair either, just leaving it to dry naturally. I grab my bag and head out, waiting patiently for the elevator which finally pings open, and I go no step in.

“No, get the next one,” a deep foreign voice states.

I look up to see four big men, all in suits, and their facial expressions are not warm or welcoming. “Oh,” I blurt. A deep voice from behind them barks something. I don’t know what language is spoken, maybe polish or Russian?

The big guy at the front answers him back before turning to me. “Our apologies, please step in,” he drawls.

“Oh, um, great, thanks.” I smile nervously and step into the elevator with them. All I can think of in my head is if my mum were here right now, she would be having a heart attack thinking these men would kidnap me. Finally, after what feels like the longest and most awkward elevator ride of my life, the doors open to the lobby. I turn, smiling, while focusing on their chests, too scared to look them in the face. “Thank you, I hope you have a lovely evening,” I rush out before walking briskly across the lobby to the restaurant.

I'm seated at my table, after assuring the waiter that yes, in fact it is a table for one, and no, I am not waiting for anyone to join me and that I am okay and not sad and lonely. I mean, maybe Monaco needs a lesson in female independence. I go all out ordering a starter, a main and a dessert. I don’t care if the blonde woman sat across from me is giving me daggers for eating my fillet steak while she's chosen to eat some kind of salad, and I may have moaned for emphasis just to piss her off more. I don’t care, I love my food. Do I have hips, a stomach and an arse that wobbles? Yes, I do, but you only live once, and I will not make myself miserable worrying over how I look to others.

“Excuse me, madam, there is a gentleman from the bar who has asked me to bring you this.” He places a glass of champagne on the table.

I smile and hand the champagne back to the waiter. “Could you please tell the gentleman that’s very kind of him, but I do not accept drinks from strangers, especially in foreign countries.” The waiter looks surprised by my answer but nods and returns to whoever the gentleman is. I don’t bother looking up to see who it is because I am not here for romance, I am here to enjoy myself, and I don’t need a guy to do that.

The following day, I decide to take a walk around and explore. It’s hard not to let my jaw drop and hit the floor, not just at the beautiful buildings and the views, but at the sheer wealth. There are yachts, expensive sports cars, and I think most people I've seen are carrying some kind of designer bag. And of course, I'm sure every piece of clothing they are wearing is designer too. It’s so luxurious and I feel a little out of place as I take a seat at a terraced restaurant.

“Excuse me, miss, my husband and I would like another glass of champagne,” a woman calls out. I don’t bother looking up from my kindle. “Miss, I said we would like another glass of champagne,” I hear her repeat. I feel for the waitress that is having to deal with her. “Unbelievable… Miss! I want champagne now, how dare you sit there reading and ignoring me. I should have you fired!” I snap my head up to see a pissed off woman standing over me. I look around the restaurant in confusion.

“Oh, you're talking to me?” I ask.

“Of course I am talking to you, stupid girl,” she snaps.

I straighten my back, ready to bite back at this snooty bitch. “I don’t work here,” I state coolly and calmly.

“Well, what kind of excuse is that? I don’t care if you're on break, I am a paying customer,” she rants on, causing a scene, and now everyone is staring at us.

Well, she is in for a surprise because I am from Bristol and one thing we can do is shut people down. I stand, smiling. “Listen here, my love, I do not work here. I am on my holiday; I––like you––am a paying customer, and if you continue to shout at me, I will take your champagne flute and shove it right up your arse. Am I clear?” I threaten without dropping my smile.

She blanches at my threat. “Well I nev––”

“Excuse me, miss, please follow me,” a waiter states, taking my elbow.

I yank my elbow from his grasp. “Get your hand off me. Why are you escorting me out when she was the one giving me shit?” I snap. He doesn’t answer me and just continues to drag me across the terrace. Everyone has stopped eating and drinking to stare at me, and I feel a mixture of embarrassment and anger. “Let go of my arm and I will happily leave this awful place,” I hiss, but he just continues to ignore me. He practically drags me down some steps, which is in the other direction of the exit. “Hey, where are you taking me?” I ask, now feeling a little fear. Maybe my mother was always right… maybe I am about to be taken and trafficked?

We come to a stop on what appears to be a private patio. We stand behind a table of men, their backs facing us as they look out to the ocean. “You like to make a scene in my restaurant?” the man sat in the centre asks, not turning around to face me.

I huff. “I am not the one to cause a scene, that… that snooty woman is the one that caused the scene. I am a paying customer, just trying to enjoy my lunch. Then I get man handled by this moron and brought here. Which I don’t understand why because as far as I'm concerned, your restaurant is the worst place I have ever visited. I was happy to leave and go somewhere better.” As I finish, I notice a few of the men sat around him tense at my words. I don’t know why, I'm sure that he can handle it.

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