Caught in between

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This was no different from the first room, I told myself, but it felt different. Liam had at least made me feel like I belonged there. This man, on the other hand, made me feel like I didn’t matter.

The music played softly in the background, but my body felt stiff, unsure. I started to sway, trying to lose myself in the rhythm, but his eyes never left me. They were cold, calculating, as if every move I made was being scrutinized.

Halfway through the song, I noticed he wasn’t paying much attention to my dancing. His eyes kept drifting back to his laptop, as if I was a nuisance interrupting his work. My frustration started to build, but I pushed through, telling myself to keep going.

Finally, he stood up, closing his laptop with a sharp click. He walked over to me, standing just inches away, his gaze intense and unreadable. My heart pounded in my chest, my body freezing under his scrutiny.

“You’re not very good at following directions, are you?” he asked, his voice low and almost mocking.

I blinked, taken aback. “I… I’m doing what I was told,” I stammered.

He smirked, tilting his head as he looked at me. “Really? Because all I see is someone who’s not sure what they want.”

His words cut through me, and I didn’t know how to respond. He stepped closer, invading my space, his presence overwhelming. His hand brushed against my arm, sending a jolt through me.

“I don’t have time for amateurs,” he said coldly. “But… I can make an exception, if you’re willing to be useful.”

I tensed at his words, confused. “What do you mean?”

His smirk widened slightly, though his eyes remained cold. “I need someone to play a role. A temporary arrangement, let’s call it. You’re desperate for money, aren’t you? I can give you more than you’ll ever make in this place.”

I blinked, still reeling from his words. “How do you know?”

His smirk deepened. “Your friend told her boss about your situation. Your mother’s surgery, the overdue rent… they begged me to let you dance because you’re desperate. You wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

The truth hit me hard. So that’s why Lia had pushed me into this. I felt exposed, humiliated.

“I can help you,” he continued, his voice becoming more measured, more calculating. “But not in the way you think.”

I stood still, unsure of where this was going on.

“I need a wife,” he said bluntly, his words cutting through the air like a knife. “A temporary arrangement for a business deal I’m pursuing. You need money. I need someone who can fulfill this role for a short time. Do your part, and you’ll have more than enough to take care of your mother’s surgery in the best hospital in the world.”

My stomach twisted at his offer. “A wife?” I asked, disbelief coloring my voice. “Why would you need someone like me?”

He shrugged, his gaze unwavering. “You’re desperate, which makes you compliant. And unlike other girls in this club, you won’t be asking for more than I’m willing to give. It’s business. Pure and simple.”

I stared at him, my mind racing. This was a business transaction to him—nothing more. The thought of becoming his wife, even temporarily, made me feel small, like just another pawn in whatever game he was playing.

“And what happens after this… arrangement?” I asked carefully.

“You disappear,” he said smoothly, as if the answer were obvious. “No strings, no mess. You walk away with the money, and I get what I need.”

I didn’t know what to say. The offer was outrageous, yet… how could I refuse? My mother’s life hung in the balance, and I had no other options. My head kept spinning,trying to calculate…

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Think carefully. You’re not in a position to be picky. This is your way out.”

I bit my lip, torn between my pride and the reality of my situation. “Can you give me time to think?”

He stared at me blankly. “One hour. If I don’t hear from you by then, I’ll move on to someone else.” He pulled out a check for two thousand dollars and handed it to me. “For your time.”

I took the check, my fingers trembling as I gripped it. Without another word, I turned and rushed out to find Lia.

“ Lia !”I called out, rushing toward her from the corner of the hallway. She looked at me, her eyes wide with concern. “What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I shook my head, not even knowing how to explain it. “I… I don’t even know where to start.”

Lia pulled me closer… her eyes searching mine. “Talk to me. Did something go wrong?”

I stared at her, my heart pounding as I replayed the conversation with the second man in my head. “He wants me to marry him.”

Lia blinked, her expression frozen in shock. “Wait… what?”

“Not like that. It’s a business deal,” I said, my voice laced with bitterness. “He knows about my mom. He knows everything. And he said he’d help me… if I agreed to be his wife. Temporarily.”

Lia's mouth fell open, but no words came out for a long moment. “That’s insane. You barely know him! Why would he even ask something like that?”

I let out a frustrated laugh. “Because I’m desperate. And to him, desperate means willing to do anything.”

Lia’s face softened as she reached out to touch my arm. “Soph, you don’t have to do this. We’ll find another way to get the money. I didn’t know things would go this far.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “There isn’t another way. Not one that’s fast enough. The surgery is scheduled for next week. Without this money, it’s not happening.”

Lia’s eyes welled up with sympathy. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know—

“It’s not your fault,” I said, cutting her off. “You were just trying to help. I know that.”

I glanced down at the check in my hand, my mind spinning. This wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about my mom, her life, and the fact that I didn’t have many choices left. But could I really go through with this? Marry a man who saw me as nothing more than a tool in his business dealings?

Lia squeezed my hand, bringing me back to the present. “Do you want to talk to him? Maybe renegotiate?”

I shook my head again. “He’s not the type to negotiate. He gave me an hour to decide. If I don’t agree, he’ll find someone else.”

A silence fell between us, the gravity of the situation settling in. Lia didn’t push any further. She just stood there, offering silent support as I grappled with the impossible choice in front of me.

“Do you think I should do it?” I finally asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Lia hesitated. “I can’t answer that for you. But… if it’s a temporary arrangement and it gets you what you need, maybe it’s worth considering.”

I sighed , trying to weigh the risks against the potential outcome. Marrying him wouldn’t be permanent. I could walk away after the deal was done. But what would that do to me? Could I really handle being someone’s wife under these circumstances, even if it was just for a short while?

Before I could get lost in my thoughts, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. Both Lia and I turned, and my heart skipped a beat as the second man appeared in the doorway. He looked calm, composed—like he had all the time in the world, even though he had given me a strict deadline.

“I hope you’re using your time wisely,” he said, his voice cool as he approached us.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “I need more time to think.”

He shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Time is a luxury you don’t have, Sophia. You’re either in or you’re out.”

I felt Lia tense beside me, but I couldn’t look at her. My gaze remained locked on him, the weight of the decision pressing down on my shoulders.

“I’m in,” I heard myself say, my voice steady even though I didn’t feel steady at all.

The man’s smirk widened. “Good. I will send someone to come pick you up. For now, enjoy your evening.” He turned on his heel and left, leaving the air between us tense and suffocating.

Lia looked at me, her eyes full of concern. “Soph… are you sure about this?”

I nodded, though the knot in my stomach told me otherwise. “I don’t have a choice.”