The next day, Kieran came a little late. The building was noisy, crowds moving in and out, music echoing faintly from one corner, women's laughter ringing through the smoky hall. But the moment he stepped inside, the lady noticed him.
She got up from her chair, smiling widely, ignoring everything else around her. She walked straight toward him, heels clicking on the floor.
"Ohh, my darling… welcome back."
Kieran smirked.
The lady tilted her head, eyes glinting. "Want the same girl? Or do you want to try a different one tonight?" She leaned forward, flaunting herself in front of him.
He smiled faintly. "Same girl. But today… three hours."
The lady's mouth opened wide, like she had just hit a jackpot.
Kieran took thirty dollars from his wallet and held it right in front of her face. The lady smirked, her gaze flicking down toward her cleavage, instructing him silently. Kieran smirked back and slipped the money right there.
"By the way," he asked casually, "what's your name?"
Rosa gave a playful smile. "Rosa. Madam Rosa."
He smiled, tilting his head. "Ahh… Madam Rosa." Then, stretching the words, he asked, "And what about her?"
Rosa's smile faded for a second, her face shrinking. But when Kieran flashed that sharp smile, she melted immediately.
"Well…" she said softly, "Alena."
Kieran's lips curved. "Thank you, Rosa. I mean… Madam Rosa."
Rosa smiled again and almost lifted her hand to touch his face, but before she could, Kieran had already walked past her toward the room he wanted, the same room.
The lock clicked open.
Alena was sitting on the bed, putting on her lace bra, her back facing him. Her body was sweaty, her hair was sticking to her forehead, and she was panting a little. She turned as soon as he entered, her eyes narrowing.
"Ohh… you again?"
Kieran shut the door behind him. His gaze dropped on her, sharp, her sweaty body, crumbled sheets, messy sticky hair. "Why are you naked? Did someone come here?"
She raised her brows. "What are you asking?"
His eyes didn't move away, waiting for the answer. She sighed.
"Well, yes," she admitted. "One of their clients came."
His jaw clenched, his eyes darkening immediately.
He said sharply, "Didn't I tell you yesterday I'll be the only client of yours? "
"You said it to me, not to them. I don't have control here. If their client asks for me, I have to do my job." She said, fighting back.
His face stayed blank, serious.
She leaned forward slightly, teasing. "Why do you look so upset? Like I'm your girlfriend and I slept with someone behind your back."
He kept staring at her, no smile this time.
"Relax, man," she said, shrugging. "I'm a sex worker. That's how my job is."
He exhaled, finally moving to sit on the chair nearby. She sat comfortably on the bed, watching him.
"So…" she asked, "how many hours today? And what information do you want this time?"
He looked straight at her. "From tomorrow onwards, I'm booking you for the full day, Alena."
Her eyes widened. "I didn't tell you my name."
For the first time that night, Kieran smiled. "I have my ways."
Suspicion flashed in her eyes. "Who told you?"
He leaned back. "Your madam. Rosa."
Alena blinked, amused. "She did?"
He nodded.
She sighed. "Well, tell me then, how long today?"
"Three hours."
She chuckled. "Each day you're increasing the hours. You like me that much?"
Kieran smirked. "Maybe. But I have an offer for you."
She narrowed her eyes. "Offer? What offer?"
He leaned forward. "I'll take you out of here."
Her heart skipped. She stared at him. "And how exactly?"
He smiled. "You don't have to know that."
She scoffed. "And why would you do that? Don't tell me you've fallen in love with me."
His smirk deepened. "If I have, will I get to taste your lips?"
Her heart flipped. She looked at him, amused but shaken.
"Well," he continued, "jokes apart. I'm serious. Do you want to get out of here or not?"
Her voice softened. "And what do you think?"
"Fine," he said, leaning back. "I'll do that for you."
She looked at him, suspicious. "And what do you want in return?"
His smile widened. "Smart."
"Come to the actual deal," she pressed.
He nodded. "I want you to be my spy here."
Her eyes widened. "What? Do you want me to get killed?"
"I'm serious," he said firmly.
She studied him carefully, her playful expression gone. "…What do you want me to do?"
"I'll tell you that tomorrow."
Her brows furrowed. "But why me?"
"For what?" he asked.
"For this spy plan of yours."
He smirked. "Because you seem less attached or bothered by these people. You're dead inside, no emotions, no fear, nothing to lose. You're perfect for my work."
She looked at him, unimpressed. "That's it?"
Kieran leaned closer, making her lean back against the bed. "Well… also, I'm interested in those untouchable lips of yours."
Her heart raced. She quickly pushed him away. He laughed, leaning back on the chair.
She steadied her breathing. "Fine. But what if you take advantage of me and betray me?"
He looked at her seriously. "I won't."
"How should I believe you?"
"You already do," he said softly. "Ask your heart."
Her chest tightened. For some reason, yes. Her heart was telling her to trust him.
He smirked when he saw her stunned face. "From now on, relax. Give your body rest. Use your brain."
She gave a bitter smile. "Ohh… for the first time in my life, someone has said to rest my body and use my brain."
Kieran caught the pain behind her words. His jaw clenched. He said, "I promise you, Alena, even if you fail this mission, I'll still take you out of this hell."
Her eyes stayed on him. For the first time, she felt like he was genuine.
A knock on the door broke the moment. Her expression immediately changed. Before she could react, Kieran pulled her closer, hiding his face in her neck. She moaned, pretending. The door cracked open, and the bouncer peeked in.
Alena shot him a sharp glare, yet pretended to be moaning.
The man muttered an apology and shut the door.
Kieran leaned back, smirking. "Good."
Alena stared at him, her heart still racing.
He stood up, pulled thirty dollars from his wallet, and handed it to her. She looked at the money and shook her head. "I don't need this. Just keep your promise and get me out of here."
He handed the money and closed her palm around the bills. "You'll need it. And I'll keep my promise."
For the first time in decades, Alena felt a flicker of hope. She smiled faintly.
"Take rest," Kieran said. "From tomorrow, you'll have work again. But this time… using your brain."
She smiled softly. He patted her cheek lightly, grabbed his jacket, and looked at her one last time before leaving the room.
She looked at him until he disappeared from the door, then slowly lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. For some reason, she felt different. like something new was about to happen. For the first time in ten years, she felt seen, cared for, and above all, hopeful. Slowly, her body relaxed, and she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
On the other hand, Kieran went to Rosa. She spotted him immediately and came closer, smiling brightly.
"Had a good time?"
He smiled nonchalantly. Then his voice hardened. "From now on, I want her only for myself. No other man is allowed to step into her room. I'll pay you one hundred dollars per day. She belongs fully to me whenever I come. Understand?"
Rosa's eyes went wide. One hundred dollars per day? Without thinking twice, she nodded eagerly.
Kieran smirked. "Here. A hundred for tomorrow's booking."
She snatched the bills and slid them inside her cleavage. Then, unable to resist, she asked: "But why only her? What's so special about her?"
Kieran stopped on his track, turned back slightly, and smirked. "Because she tastes good."
Rosa stood frozen, stunned, while Kieran disappeared into the night.