Never say never.
Life hears it as a challenge.
One year back, when Rhea left the job at my cafe and returned months later with a flat and her own car keys, I was shocked. When she told me what she did to earn it, I thought I could never do this.
And now… here I am.
Standing in front of the mirror in her place, wearing a black mask that hides half my face, leaving only my red-painted lips visible.
I never imagined myself as the woman staring at me through the mirror.
But some choices aren't born out of courage; they are born out of the corners life pushes us into.
A sharp knock pulled me out of my thoughts.
"You're on in five," the woman from backstage told me in a casual voice.
It's been five days since I started working here, but it still feels like selling my soul every time I step on the stage.
I adjusted the mask with my trembling hands and checked my outfit, making sure it wasn't revealing too much.
The music from the main floor reached my ears, and my heart started thumping in my chest.
I inhaled a deep breath and reminded myself why I was doing this.
To save my daughter.
After spending 3 years building the cafe and working day and night, I managed to save some amount, but that's not enough. I need more.
Five days in this club and I've earned a decent amount, more than any "respectable job" would give me in months.
I can't let Adrian sell his only property for me. He is already doing enough.
He doesn't know exactly what I am doing to earn money, or else he would have never let me come here.
I don't want anyone to find it out.
As I pushed the curtain aside, my world quickly changed.
The air was filled with cigarette smoke, a suffocating scent, and the smell of lust and money.
I felt completely out of place, yet I had to step on the stage for my desperate need.
I closed my eyes and tried to cut myself off as I let the music guide my body, shutting off my heart and brain for the time being.
I could hear men shouting, hooting, and passing lustful comments, but I just focused on the dance.
I was twenty-four when I gave birth to Aurora. My body didn't gain much even after the delivery.
All thanks to the responsibilities and stress.
A man from the crowd stepped closer to me and waved a few notes between his fingers. His eyes crawled over me like I was something he owned.
My stomach twisted in disgust.
This… this was the part I still hadn't learnt how to numb.
He held the money slightly away to test how low I could bend.
For a second, I froze as my fingers stopped midway. My pride screamed at me to turn away, but then Aurora's face flashed in my mind.
Saving her life was far more than this.
My throat tightened as I reached out for the note with trembling fingers. I kept my mask in place and made sure I wasn't showing too much.
The man whistled and stared down at me longer than I liked. He winked before giving me the money.
I felt embarrassed to the core. My insides were in ripples. I didn't think I would ever be able to meet my gaze in the mirror after what I had done.
The thought of saving my daughter was the only thing pushing me forward. I didn't know whether what I was doing was right or wrong anymore.
More men came forward with money, some trying to have a piece of my skin in the process, but I managed to escape their touch.
By the time I stepped down from the stage, I had had enough. I walked to the room, stuffed the money into my purse, and slipped on the overcoat that reached my knees.
I didn't want to waste my time changing clothes. I need to reach my baby and hug her to reduce the guilt of what I am doing.
The sound of my heels clicking against the floor echoed in the quiet surroundings as I walked down the back door of the place that I had never thought of visiting in the past.
I held the overcoat tightly against my chest as I walked without looking at my surroundings, trying to hide my face with my hair.
"Hey, fifth-number girl!"
I froze when suddenly a thick, manly voice boomed.
I turned my head slowly and saw an older man leaning against the wall. His eyes dragged down my body like I was nothing but a commodity for him to enjoy.
I inhaled a deep breath, clutched my coat even tighter, and walked ahead, only for him to step toward me, hold my elbow, and whirl me around with force.
A loud gasp passed my lips as my eyes widened. A playful smirk played across his lips as his eyes wandered on my unmasked face.
"You are far more beautiful than I imagined," he chuckled and licked his lips.
Disgusting!
"Leave my hand," I snapped, trying to break free, but he only tightened his hold.
"Come on now… Don't be shy. We can have a little fun. It'll be our secret, huh? I promise to pay you ..."
*Smack*
Before he could complete himself, I slapped him tightly. He was so surprised by my action that he lost his hold on me. Taking it as an opportunity, I tried to run, but he was too quick in grabbing a fistful of my hair and pulling me back.
"You two penny bitch!" He spat. "How dare you!"
My insides shuddered at the humiliation. My eyes burned with unshed tears.
"Let me show you your place."
He pulled my hair even tighter; my hands reached out to my scalp. His other hand came forward as he quickly unbuttoned my coat.
I can't! I can't take it anymore. Not even for money. Not for anything!
I twisted and, with all the strength in my body, elbowed him in the ribs. He screamed in pain and left me. I immediately ran towards my car with my coat half flapping.
These men just see us as a piece of meat. They never understand the helplessness that forces women into such places.
My heart was hammering in my chest, my breaths were ragged, my vision was blurry, and my only motive was to reach home safely.
Just when I thought I was about to reach my car, I collided with a strong chest that made me stumble back and almost lose my balance.
For a second, everything blurred, and my focus was to stay on my feet without any support to keep myself from further embarrassment.
I breathed, and my eyes quickly snapped up, only for my breath to hitch in my throat.
Lucien?