Chapter 1

The pungent aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirls in the air, filling my nostrils as I cross the threshold of the Café where I always bought breakfast for my co-workers. This is my daily routine, and I’m used to it.

My breathing was heavy as I stopped in front of our office. Thankfully, the things I had brought were not spilled because of the strenuous running I just did earlier.

I gave the coffee to my co-workers, and they happily thanked me. I am pleased because somehow, I am helping them.

"Scarlet, can you please throw away my garbage here?"

"Scarlet, please photocopy this document. Thanks!"

"Scarlet, can you please clean my desk?"

That's what I heard in the office. Sadly, they only remember me when they requested things from me.

"Scarlet, can you please throw this away?" one of my co-workers requested.

"Mine too, Scarlet."

"All right. " I smiled at them and then picked up their trashes. I heard some giggles, and then they thanked me.

As I was throwing the trash into the bin, someone suddenly hit my arm. I was suddenly pissed but when I looked at the culprit behind me it melted immediately.

"What are you doing? Why did you do all of these? Did you follow your co-workers' request again? Didn't I tell you not to do it anymore? You are so stubborn!"

She picked up the trash I was carrying and helped me unload all of it.

Her name is Aira, my gorgeous best friend. She is an office manager here in our department.

I heartily stared at her and gave her my genuine smile.

"Happy birthday, best friend!" I greeted her to alter the topic. She just looked at me and raised one eyebrow. I heaved a sigh then.

"I have to follow their request," I told her and averted my eyes.

"Didn't I tell you to refuse at least once?" she growled.

"But how? I can't do it. It was part of my habit," I looked down as if I was shy to her.

"God, Scarlet! Why are you so good?" she asked me, feeling disappointed.

"I don't even know why it's hard to refuse." I sighed.

"It's okay. Since it's my birthday, I have a bright idea! I DARE YOU! I dare you to refuse when someone asks for help from you today. Look at that vile woman in front of us. For sure, she will try to call for help again. You have to refuse, alright?" Aira said.

She was right! Anne approached us. She smiled at us sweetly.

"Hi, Scarlet! Are you doing something? Can you please make a copy of these documents? Pretty please," she requested.

"Too bad, I still have loads to do; I’m sorry, Anne, but I can't." I looked at my best friend to show that I refused and smirked at her.

She was delighted about what I did and whispered, "I'm proud of you!"

"Please, Scarlet... You know, my stomach was hurting; that's why I can't do it, have mercy on me," she begged.

I know she was pretending; it's visible on her face.

I shut my eyes tightly and restrained myself from saying yes to her.

"Okay, I understand. My goodness! I think I have to go to the hospital. This pain is killing me," she mumbled.

I sighed, realizing that I was lost, and immediately stopped her.

"Okay, give me your documents. I'll take it and make tons of copy of it, don't worry."

I took the papers she was carrying and smiled at her.

"Oh my God! Thank you, Scarlet! You are the best! Please put it on my desk after you make a copy of it, alright? Bye!"

I felt my best friend whack me in the back of my head.

"See! You lose! You lost to my dare, that's why you'll join me at the Club later! Join me to celebrate my birthday there. You are not allowed to refuse. I am your best friend so you couldn't decline. Moreover, you didn't have a choice," she exclaimed.

Yeah, I didn't have any option, so I just nodded at her. We bid goodbye to each other and went back to our work. I delivered Anne's papers to her desk, and I was shocked to see her just sitting and scrolling to her F******k. I trembled from what I saw, but I didn't talk.

It was six o'clock in the evening when I finished my work, and so was Aira. We went out together and went to the apartment.

"Do you have anything to wear later?" she asked me.

"Yes, I'm just wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Why?"

"WHAT?" she asked me unbelievably.

"What, what? You look like a fool, Aira," I told her.

"You can't wear jeans and a t-shirt to a fucking club! We will wear a fitted and sexy dress! You get that?" I winced at what she said.

"I don't have a fitted dress, Aira."

"Is that a problem? I'll lend a dress to you!" I nodded in agreement.

She handed me a fitted dress revealing my back. It was a bold and sexy black dress. Is she serious? I can't wear this!

"Oops, whatever was in your mind, don't do it! That's what you're going to wear, and you will do what I say because it's my birthday," she pouted.

"You're ugly when you're pouting," I jokingly told her, then ran to the comfort room to exchange.

"TF!"

She chased me, so I immediately closed the door in front of her face.

"SCARLET!" she burst out of anger, and I giggled.

I came out to the bathroom and showed Aira the dress I was wearing.

She clapped her hand and said, "Perfect!"

"Isn't it embarrassing for me to wear it? It's too short and revealing," I shyly told her.

"No, of course not! It looks good on you, though. Look at me. My dress is even shorter than yours."

I sighed when I saw her dress. She's right.

After we got ready, we went to the Club. Aira told me that this Club is a highly reputable and exclusive male strip club here in the Philippines. All the wealthy businesswomen are here. I'm wondering why Aira can afford such a high-class club.

When we arrived, I saw its name at the top of the building.

"Royal Night Club?" I mumbled.

"Yes! Let's go in." Aira pulled me inside.

I could see the dazzling lights and smokes above. Lil Jon's "Turn Down for What" is all in our ears. Everyone was dancing in awe, as was Aira. We sat at a table she had reserved and ordered drinks and food.

"Woohoo! Let's celebrate because it's my birthday!" she shouted at me, and I winced.

"Yes, Happy Birthday!" I shouted at her too.

"Thank you!" she yelled and danced again.

Eventually, the music stopped, and then the crowd shouted. The public was going crazy as if an artist was coming on stage.

"What's up?" I asked Aira.

"The main show is about to start!"

"Huh? What do you mean by the main show? Why do you know? Have you been here?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Sounds like that," she said flirtatiously to me.

I raised an eyebrow at her and stared intently at her. Is she serious?

"Kidding! The main show is where some guys strip on the dance floor seductively. For sure you will love their performance, especially their abs! It's like the movie we watched lately. I forgot the title. What was it?"

We shouted at the same time. "MAGIC MIKE!"

O.M.G.! As in? My ovary will blow up again. Even though I'm a modest girl, I'm flirtatious somehow. Especially if it's Magic Mike's the one we're talking about. Shit! I immediately sat up straight and focused on the stage.

Suddenly the stage lit up, and a naked man with a mike entered.

"ARE YOU READY… TO BE WORSHIPED?"

The people shouted.

"ARE YOU READY… TO BE EXHAUSTED?"

We shouted "YES!" again.

"HERE COMES THE ROYAL NIGHT!"

The people shouted, even more, especially the women. All of the women are going crazy.

"My Pony by Ginuwine" started playing, and suddenly ten men appeared on stage. They were oozingly dancing. It was sexy, and the crowd was getting crazier. A man came down the stage and approached us. OMG!

"A-Aira, he's coming," I told him nervously.

"Yes, best friend, I'm not blind," she exclaimed.

Suddenly the man pulled me, and I was stunned on stage. I didn't know what to do, and I was shaking.

"Relax," the man whispered.

He made me sit in a chair in the middle. The music changes from "My Pony" to "All the time by Jeremih."

"Go Scarlet!" my friend cheered.

I was engulfed with nervousness. The light started to flash yellow and white. I saw a man with a mask approaching me. He then smiled at me and smirked. He was undressing in front of me slowly.

Is this true? If this were true, I would not have woken up.

"Oh my God!" I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"Open your eyes, sweetheart," the man seductively whispered.

He's probably the group leader because he is the only one who is different. He's the only one wearing a mask. As I opened my eyes, I saw him crawl between my legs and start to move flirtatiously. I wanted to burst out my scream, but I couldn't. He pulled me up and kicked the chair out of the way. He laid me down on the floor and started dancing and grinding in front of me. I could hear the screams of the women in the background, especially Aira's scream.

"TF, Scarlet! What a lucky bitch!" she shouted.

This time he made me lie down and started grinding on me again. I don't know how I would feel. It was like my heart seemed to explode in excitement.

He helps me stand up and stares at him. He suddenly smiled and winked.

After that, the music stops.

A man took me, helped me down, and led me to our table.

"Oh, my goodness, Scarlet! You are so lucky!"

"Yes, I am luck bi—! What has just happened?"

"Bitch! Drink some water first so you will calm down."

She took a glass of water and gave it to me.

I suddenly felt thirsty.

"So, how are you? How's the feeling? Isn't it fun?"

"Yes," I told her and started looking for that man. I think I'm fascinated by him.

"Wait, I'll just go to the C.R," I said.

The truth is, I really need to find that masked man. I don't know what's going on with me, but I just found myself backstage. I hid in a corner and looked around to see him. I wanted to get to know him and at least know his name. I don't know, but I seem to be attracted to him. It was something magical. I do not understand!

"You only dance with him once, Scarlet, and now you're saying you're in love? Wow, just wow! Is it love at first dance?" I whispered to myself.

Minutes passed by I saw him arranging his bags. I knew it was him. I moved toward him so that I could see him better. I hid behind the hanging rack. I saw him put on his t-shirt, and he removed his mask slowly.

I was stunned upon staring at him.

"OMG!" I whispered to myself.

Am I hallucinating? I slapped my face, but indeed, it was him!

I'm not a dummy if I won't recognize him!

This is a big revelation!

I was about to leave when I slipped, and the hanging rack fell.

"What a stupid," I whispered to myself.

He suddenly turned in my direction and was surprised.

Shock was evident in his eyes.

He was stunned and could not move.

So, I grab the opportunity to escape. I ran as fast as I could and took a taxi.

Then I texted Aira that I was not feeling well, so I abruptly went home and apologized to her. When I got home, I looked for my wallet in the bag and pocket to pay the fare, but I could not find it.

Omg, I'm dead! Maybe I left it at the Club.

Fortunately, I had coins in my bag, which I gave to the driver. I entered our apartment and wondered why he was the man I saw behind that mask.

Is that true?

Am I just dreaming?

I pinched my shoulder, and I was hurt. Fuck, it's fucking true!

I was so overwhelmed by the thought that I fell asleep.

I wish everything were only a dream.