Chapter Two: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Waking up on the couch that morning, Malik went upstairs where he found that Freya and Kat had already left for Freya's father's office. Using the opportunity to have a shower and get ready for the day, Malik then made his way downstairs where he found Dexter and Chantelle in the kitchen making breakfast.

"Hey, Malik," Dexter commented upon seeing Malik. "You're up early."

"Yeah, got a big day ahead," Malik responded.

"The date with Lauren, right?" Dexter recalled.

"Yeah, I don't want to mess this up." Malik nodded.

"You'll do fine. Just be yourself." Chantelle said as she handed Malik a cup of coffee. "You okay?"

"Just a bit nervous, that's all." Malik admitted as he took a sip of the coffee. "I want to take her somewhere special tonight."

"How about the new Italian place down the street? They have an outdoor patio that's pretty romantic."

"Yeah, La Dolce Vita. Great food and ambiance. We really liked it," Dexter nodded in agreement.

"That's a great idea. Thanks, guys,” Malik happily told them. “What about you two? What's the plan today?"

"Just teaching Audrey today. First day with the singing practice." Dexter shrugged.

"Oh, right," Malik said, remembering Dexter mentioning his ex-girlfriend, Audrey Barton whom he had parted on good terms with, needing help with learning a song for her parents' anniversary.

"How is she?" Malik asked as he took another sip.

"Audrey? She's good. Excited about the anniversary surprise she's planning." Dexter said as he leaned against the counter.

"That's great," Malik nodded. "Knowing her, she's been working hard on that."

"Yeah, it sounds like she has,” Dexter said in agreement. “Look, I know it might seem weird, but I just wanted to make sure you're okay with me helping her out."

"Dex, you don't have to explain. We're cool and Audrey and I ended on good terms." Malik reassured his best friend.

"Thanks, man. It's just that, well, you know how it can be." Dexter sighed.

"I do," Malik assured him. "It's all good.”

It was at that moment the pair’s conversation was interrupted by the sound of a buzzing phone and they looked up to see Chantelle looking at her phone with a smile plastered on her face.

"Who's that?" Dexter wondered.

"Oh, just a friend," Chantelle said. “They just want to meet up today.”

Walking across the Tower Hill area of the city that morning, Ashlyn made her way over and stepped into Club Ruby for the morning shift. With the neon lights all switched off, the nightclub's vibe was completely different in the morning in Ashlyn’s opinion.

Making her way in, her manager, David Smith, a young man in his early thirties with brown hair and blue eyes stepped out of his office, shaking his head, clearly frustrated by the way he slammed the door shut behind him while also swiping to decline the incoming call from his ringing phone.

"Not now," David murmured under his breath as he noticed Ashlyn.

"Everything okay?" Ashlyn asked, setting down her bag behind the bar.

"Yeah, just the usual," David said, waving a hand dismissively. "You know how the boss gets."

Knowing full-well the pressure David was under especially considering the way their bosses liked to ensure the club was successful and run smoothly every night, Ashlyn decided not to press the issue and instead focus on her own job and responsibilities, slipping into the rhythm of her morning routine, stocking the bar, checking the inventory, and preparing the fresh fruit and herbs for the night's specialty cocktails.

As she worked, Ashlyn couldn't help but cast glances at David as he often paced the floor, his phone still glued to his hand. Each time it rang, he declined the call and instead focused on every other task he had to do, directing the cleaning crew and occasionally taking his frustrations out on them.

It was after David ranted at one of the cleaners for spilling the mop bucket over the floor while Ashlyn restocked the bar and observed quietly. Storming over to the bar, David poured himself a more than generous amount of whiskey.

"You know we're not supposed to be drinking while we're on shift," Ashlyn said in concern, hoping it would ease the clearly frustrated manager however he instead glared at her annoyance.

"Look," David said, downing the drink in one gulp, "I don't need you telling me how to run the club. Just keep your head down and do your job." David said in anger. "In fact we've got a delivery coming in. Just make sure the stock is all there.”

Being escorted out of tube station with Freya by her side, Kat followed the blonde who led her towards a glass skyscraper located down the street from the tube station. Making their way into the high-rise building, Freya led Kat past the front door reception and to the elevators where they took the elevator to the fifty-seventh floor where Trident Group was based.

Navigating her way past the receptionist of the office who clearly seemed to recognise Freya but not Kat, Freya led Kat past the employees sat at their desks or gathered in the canteen to an office in the corner with a plaque on the door with the name of Freya's father, Charles Levesque.

"Daddy, I've brought someone to see you," Freya announced as she entered the office unannounced with Kat rather reluctantly following behind her.

The man behind the desk looked up, allowing Kat to get a good look at Freya's father who was a tall man with greying brown hair, crystal-blue eyes, a full beard with a muscular-body wrapped up in a three-piece suit.

"Ah, Freya," Charles Levesque said, getting up from his seat and giving Freya a peck on her cheek. "And who is this?"

"This is Kat. She's looking for a job, and I thought maybe you could help her out. She's brilliant, you know." Freya said complimenting the younger girl, something that surprised Kat.

"Is that so?” Charles said while looking at Kat before explaining. “Freya knows I'm always looking for new people to join the team."

"Kat Khan, sir,” Kat introduced herself, offering her hand. “I'm interested in the personal assistant position. Freya mentioned it might be available?"

"Indeed it is and please call me Charles. I'm looking for someone who can handle the pressure, keep my schedule tight, and not easily succumb to the pressure of the workload." Charles explained as he studied Kat for a moment before his gaze flicked to his daughter. "It seems you come highly recommended."

"Kat's the best, Daddy. She's organized, efficient, and she can handle anything you throw at her." Freya excitedly told her father.

"Is that right?" Charles asked Kat.

"I've had experience juggling multiple responsibilities and working under pressure. I'm confident I could handle the role effectively." Kat nodded in agreement.

"Good. I don't tolerate incompetence, Miss Khan. If you work for me, you'll need to be on your toes at all times." Charles told the young girl sternly.

"I understand, Mr. Levesque." Kat nodded.

"Very well. We'll start with a trial period. If you prove yourself capable, the position is yours. You can start from today if you like." Charles said with a smile.

"Thank you, Mr Levesque. I won't disappoint you." Kat happily said to the older man.

"Great, Daddy. I knew you'd see how amazing she is." Freya told him.

"Take a seat, Miss Khan. We'll go over the details,” Charles said as he gestured to the chair in front of his desk. “Freya, I believe you have somewhere else to be?"

"Oh, yes. I totally forgot. I have a cafe to promote." Freya said, glancing at the clock.

With a quick peck on her father's cheek, Freya turned to leave, her high heels clicking against the marble floor. As Freya stepped out of the office, she almost collided with a black man with short black hair, brown eyes and a lean, athletic-body showcased by the tight-fit shirt under a blazer and trousers he wore.

"Travis," Freya said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Is that any way to greet an old friend?" Freya's ex-boyfriend, Travis Sampson said as he leaned against the wall.

"We're not friends, Travis. What are you doing here?" Freya said coldly.

"I work here, darling. Didn't you know?" Travis grinned.

"Here? At Trident Group?" Freya said in disbelief.

"Indeed. It's a small world, isn't it? Who would have thought meeting your Dad at a conference two months ago would lead to him offering me a position here.” Travis said as he eyed up the blonde. “I've moved up in the world since you last saw me."

"Well, that's good for you," Freya said sarcastically. "Just stay away from me."

"Now, there's no need for that tone is there?” Travis told her. “Your father and I used to get along quite well, still do in fact so I'm sure we'll see more of each other."

Freya felt a shiver run down her spine at his words, knowing her father had a soft spot for the charming and bright minds and Travis had certainly played into that image perfectly when they were dating and the thought of him weaseling his way back into her life through her father was unbearable and so she turned on her heel and she stormed away from him.