Chapter 631: Saving Her Again
At the end of the gig, Juniper felt like she’d just danced her heart out, her whole body chillin’. Just as she was soaking in the good vibes, a tall dude suddenly rolled up and grabbed her hand.
“What the hell?” Juniper jumped.
“Hey gorgeous, you play the piano like a boss. I can play too. Wanna chat?” the guy smirked.
Juniper bit back her anger, “Sorry, I’m working.”
“How much you make? I’ll pay you ten times that.”
“I sell my art, not my body,” Juniper snapped. Jerks were everywhere, even in fancy joints, and she had the bad luck to bump into one.
“Did I say you had to sell your body? Just have a drink with us.”
“Show some respect, or I’ll call for help.”
“What’s the point? I own 10% of this place. I’m your boss. If I want you to hang with me, you gotta,” the guy said, dragging her to their table without giving her a chance to fight back.
Everyone else pretended not to see, not wanting any trouble.
There were a few other guys at the table, all with sleazy grins.
“What’s going on here? Sir, it’s Juniper’s first day. If there’s anything wrong, please go easy,” the manager rushed over.
“She didn’t do anything wrong. I just want her to have a drink with us,” the tall guy replied.
“I don’t drink,” Juniper said icily.
“Feisty, huh?” The guy sneered, “If I say you drink, you drink. Or you’re not leaving this place.”
Another dude poured a glass of wine.
“Drink this, and you’re free to go. Otherwise, we’ll keep at it,” the guy added.
“Juniper doesn’t get it. I’ll drink for her,” the manager quickly said.
“Get lost! This has nothing to do with you. I want her to drink. Will you or won’t you?”
Seeing the mess, the manager whispered, “Just drink it. It’ll be over after this.”
Juniper frowned. If she met this jerk anywhere else, she’d throw the drink in his face. But not now, she was on the clock.
She clenched her fingers, “If I drink it all, you’ll let me go?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” the guy said.
“A man should keep his word,” Juniper said, picking up the glass.
But just then, the glass was snatched away, and the whole drink was thrown in the guy’s face.
“Fuck!” The guy stood up angrily but then his face changed. “Mr. Eilish.”
Juniper looked at Anthony in shock. What was he doing here?
“Apologize to her,” Anthony ordered.
“I’m sorry, lady. I didn’t know you’re Mr. Eilish’s girl. I didn’t recognize you,” the once-cocky guy slapped his own face repeatedly. “I’m really sorry, please forgive us.”
Juniper’s heart raced. Anthony, who the hell is he? Why were they so scared of him?
While Juniper was still in a daze, Anthony had already left.
“Anthony, Anthony!” Juniper hurried to catch up, grabbing his arm. “I’m calling you, why are you walking faster?”
Hera glanced at her, “I’ll wait for you outside.”
“Why is it that woman again? Hey, are you cheating on me?” she grumbled.
“We have nothing to do with each other,” Anthony said.
“How can you say that? You’re my boyfriend. Otherwise, why did you save me just now?” Juniper felt her heart flutter.
It was the first time a guy had saved her like a hero. Compared to him, Douglas was just a coward, always the first to bail when things got tough.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized she’d been totally blind. What did she ever see in that loser Douglas? He couldn’t even hold a candle to Anthony. Comparing him to Anthony was just plain insulting to Anthony.
“Got nothing to say, huh? You care about me and wanna protect me,” Juniper said with a sweet smile. “You just don’t say it, but you’re really worried about me, right?”
“I just can’t stand guys bullying women, don’t get any ideas.”
“I’m not getting ideas. I nailed it, and you’re getting all flustered. Right?”
Anthony was speechless.
“I’m still working, we’ll talk later. I get off at ten, wait for me at home,” Juniper said.
“I’m not going home,” Anthony said.
“If you’re not going home, where are you gonna go? Don’t tell me you’re spending the night with that woman? Let me tell you, Anthony, that’s called cheating, and cheaters get what’s coming to them, you know?”
Anthony didn’t answer.
“Too late, we’ll talk at home. Bye,” Juniper said.
When Juniper got back, the manager was surprised, “Mr. Eilish is your boyfriend?”
“Yeah, is there a problem?” Juniper said proudly.
“If you’re Mr. Eilish’s girlfriend, why are you working part-time here?”
“I like it, is that a problem? Is Anthony’s status really that big?”
“More than big, don’t you know, he…”
“Forget it, don’t tell me. I’ll find out for myself!” Juniper waved her hand, “I’ll get back to work.”
After finishing her piano set, Juniper hummed a tune, heading home happily with six hundred bucks.
The manager wanted to give her a four hundred dollar tip, but she knew it was because of Anthony, so she didn’t take it.
By the time she got home, it was already ten-thirty, but Anthony hadn’t shown up yet. Juniper took a shower and slapped on a face mask. By eleven, he still wasn’t back.
She pouted, feeling bummed, “Could he really be spending the night with that woman?”
He shouldn’t be, he’s not that kind of guy.
But guys are dumb, and they might fall for a pretty face.
No, no, even her beauty didn’t make him fall, that woman isn’t half as good-looking as her.
Juniper couldn’t help but overthink and called him, but Anthony didn’t answer three times. She looked at the clock, it was already midnight.
Could he really not be coming back?
Damn it.
He can sleep with any woman he wants, it’s none of her business. They aren’t really dating anyway, she doesn’t care.
Juniper thought unhappily but didn’t go back to her room. She waited in the living room until she dozed off.
She suddenly woke up, seeing Anthony coming in from outside, “You’re finally back.”
Anthony didn’t expect her to be waiting for him. He was stunned for a moment, then indifferently headed to his room.
“Hold up, why are you coming back so late?” Juniper asked.
“This is my house. I don’t need to explain when I come back,” Anthony answered.
“You’re my boyfriend,” Juniper emphasized.
“That’s just what you say.”
“Even so, you’re still my boyfriend. You weren’t with that woman all this time, were you? What did you do?”
After dinner, Anthony had sent Hera back to the hotel, then went to the office, planning to stay all night and let her misunderstand, so she would back off.
But somehow, after staying at the office until after midnight, he came back. Was he afraid she would misunderstand? But wasn’t that his plan?
Anthony didn’t get himself.
“What do you mean by not saying anything? You didn’t really… Let me tell you, Anthony, being a jerk has no good end. If you betray me, I’ll… I’ll move out!” Juniper said angrily.