Chapter 6

Isabella’s POV

(A few weeks later)

It had been a couple of weeks since I started working atClub Paradise.

But I still hadn’t danced on stage yet.

Dan had refused to put me out there.

In his exact words, “You’re not ready to perform in front of customers yet.”

Because of that, I wasn’t earning nearly as much as the other girls at the club.

Still, I practised every single day.

Every day after work, every free moment I had.

I pushed myself to become as good as the other dancers.

And honestly…

It hadn’t been easy.

Dancing in heels alone was a nightmare.

My feet constantly ached, my ankles throbbed, and learning how to keep my balance on the pole felt like one of the hardest things I had ever attempted in my life.

More than once, I had slipped or nearly fallen.

But I refused to give up.

This might not have been my dream job, but it was the only thing keeping me afloat right now.

Going back home was not an option.

I couldn’t return to the place where all my demons waited for me.

So the bruises, the sore muscles, and the aching ankles were proof that I wasn’t ready to give up yet.

Mia had been incredibly supportive through it all.

She trained me every chance she got, showing me how to move, how to control my body, how to keep my balance on the pole.

Without her help, I probably would have quit already.

But with time, I slowly began to improve.

I wasn’t perfect yet, but I was getting better.

However…

Aiden was a completely different story.

Ever since I told him about taking the job at Club Paradise, he had become distant.

Cold.

I barely saw him anymore.

And whenever I did run into him, he would only say a few quick words before disappearing again.

It hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I didn’t understand why he was acting like that. We had been close. Really close. I still didn’t know exactly what we were to each other.

Friends?

Something more?

But what I did know was that he was one of the only people I had in this city.

And losing that connection with him was slowly breaking something inside me.

---

That night, I got home from the club extremely late.

My body felt exhausted.

Every muscle ached.

The moment I stepped into the apartment, all I wanted was my bed.

Without even bothering to turn on the lights, I walked straight into my room and collapsed onto the mattress.

The second my head touched the pillow, sleep claimed me instantly.

I didn’t know how long I slept.

But eventually, a bright ray of sunlight streaming through my window pulled me back to consciousness.

I groaned softly, blinking several times as I tried to adjust to the light.

My head felt heavy, and my body was still tired.

Slowly, I pushed myself upright and swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

The moment my foot touched the floor.

A sharp pain shot through my ankle.

“Ah!” I screamed.

The pain raced up my leg so suddenly and violently that I lost my balance and collapsed onto the floor.

“Fuck!” I cried, clutching my ankle.

The pain was unbearable.

Tears instantly formed in my eyes as I tried to steady my breathing.

Then suddenly.

A strong pair of hands grabbed me.

“I got you… don’t worry.”

Aiden’s voice.

Before I could react, he lifted me effortlessly into his arms, carrying me bridal-style back to the bed.

He placed me down gently.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said softly.

His hands moved carefully over my ankle, examining it.

“Looks like a sprain,” he muttered.

He looked up at me reassuringly.

“I’ll grab some ice and a bandage.”

Before I could even respond, he rushed out of the room.

A few minutes later, he returned exactly as promised.

With careful movements, he wrapped the ice pack around my ankle and began bandaging it.

His touch was gentle.

Surprisingly gentle.

Within minutes, the pain began to ease.

“See?” he said softly. “Not too bad.”

He finished tying the bandage and leaned back slightly.

“You’ll need to rest it for a few days,” he said. “And it should heal just fine.”

I nodded slowly, watching him as he stood up.

He turned toward the door.

“Aiden…”

He stopped immediately and turned back toward me.

“Yes?”

“Thank you,” I said quietly, smiling at him.

He smiled back.

“I heard you screaming while I was on my way out,” he said. “I had to check if you were okay.”

Then he started to leave again.

“Aiden… wait.”

He turned again.

“Why?” I asked softly.

His brow furrowed.

“Why what?”

“Why the distance?” I asked.

My voice trembled slightly.

“You barely talk to me anymore. This is the longest conversation we’ve had in weeks.”

Aiden stood there silently for a moment.

It looked like he was fighting some kind of internal battle.

“Aiden…” I said again.

Finally, he walked back into the room and sat down beside me.

He gently took my hands in his.

“I’m sorry, Isabella,” he said quietly.

“I never meant to make you feel that way.”

He sighed heavily.

“I just couldn’t accept the fact that you decided to work at Club Paradise.”

His eyes met mine.

“You’re… different. And that place is not meant for someone like you.”

He paused.

“But when I saw the determination in your eyes, I realised something.”

He squeezed my hands gently.

“I was being selfish.”

“I don’t have the right to control your choices.”

His voice softened.

“I’m your friend. And as your friend, I should support you.”

He kissed the back of my hand gently.

“Please forgive me.”

My heart fluttered uncontrollably.

“I already forgave you,” I said with a small smile.

“I just missed my friend.”

He laughed softly and pulled me into a warm hug.

“Alright,” he said with a playful smirk.

“As part of my apology… I’m making you my world-famous breakfast.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Wait… I thought you were on your way out?”

He waved his hand dismissively.

“That can wait.”

He stood up.

“You just stay in bed and relax.”

“An amazing breakfast is coming your way.”

I smiled.

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed your cooking.”