Chapter 4: Afterglow

As they finished, Sophia felt a mix of emotions: relief, guilt, and a hint of satisfaction. Julian's chest heaved with exhaustion, his eyes closed in bliss.

The bed creaked beneath them, the sheets tangled and rumpled. Sophia's hair was spread across the pillow, her skin flushed from the intensity of their encounter.

Julian's hand trailed down Sophia's arm, his fingers intertwining with hers. She felt a spark of electricity at his touch, but didn't pull away.

As they laid there, the only sound was their ragged breathing. Sophia's eyes drifted shut, her body exhausted.

Julian's grip on her hand tightened, and he pulled her closer. Sophia felt his warmth, his heartbeat, and let herself relax in his embrace.

As the night wore on, they fell into a deep, exhausted sleep, their bodies entwined, their hearts still racing from the intensity of their encounter.

As morning dawned, Sophia stirred, feeling a sense of unease. She quickly sat up, rubbing her eyes. Julian lied beside her awake already.

“Good morning”, he said, his voice husky.

“Morning”, she said, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks.

Julian sat up, the sheets pooling around his waist. “How was your night?” he asked, his eyes sparkling.

Sophia shrugged, feeling awkward. “It was…..fine”.

Julian chuckled. “Just fine?” he teased.

Sophia hastily dressed, trying to gather her thoughts.

“So, you work at the club right?”

Sophia hesitated before nodding. “Yeah”.

Julian's eyes sparkled with amusement. “I'll have to visit you sometime”.

Sophia's heart skipped a beat at the thought. She didn't know if she was ready to face Julian again, especially after what had just happened.

“What's your name?”, Julian asked, his voice low.

Sophia hesitated, unsure if she wanted to reveal her Identity. “I’d rather not say”, she replied, trying to act nonchalant.

Julian chuckled. “Suit yourself. But I have to say, you're not like the other girls I've met”.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Julian's gaze locked onto hers. “You've got fire in you. A spark that sets you apart”.

Sophia felt a flutter in her chest at Julian's words. No one had ever described her like that before, not even her boyfriend, not her mom.

As they talked, Sophia found herself feeling more at ease with Julian. But she knew she couldn't let her guard down. She had to remember why she was there in the first place - for the money.

“I should go”, Sophia said, trying to sound firm.

Julian nodded, his expression understanding, “Yeah, I guess you should”.

“Take this”, he said. “It's for you”.

Sophia's eyes widened as she took the briefcase. It was heavy with cash - more money than she had ever seen in her life.

“That is $200,000, you have that all to yourself” Julian said with a smile.

“Thank you”, Sophia said, trying to sound grateful.

Julian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “No need to thank me. Just remember this is just the beginning, you're gonna see more of me as the time passes”.

Sophia felt a shiver run down her spine. The briefcase clutched tightly in her hand.

As Sophia reached for the door handle, Julian called out, “Hey, can I at least have your contact?”.

Sophia hesitated, unsure. “I….don't think that's a good idea”.

Julian raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”.

Sophia shook her head. “Just….no”.

With that, Sophia quickly exited the room, leaving Julian looking puzzled.

Sophia quickly made her way to her workplace, the strip club which was nearby. She locked the door behind her and hastily changed out of the revealing outfit, replacing it with her own clothes.

As she caught her breath, Sophia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had done it. She had gotten the money for her mother's surgery.

As Sophia walked into the main club after changing, Ma Rachel's eyes zeroed in on that briefcase in Sophia's hand. A calculating going appeared in her eyes, and she sauntered over to Sophia.

“Well, well, well”, Ma Rachel said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Look what we have here. You've had a goodnight, haven't you, Sophia?”.

Sophia didn't respond.

Ma Rachel's gaze locked onto the briefcase, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of greed and avarice. “Let me take that for you”, she said, her voice dripping with malice.

Sophia hesitated, feeling a sense of unease. But Ma Rachel's expression brooked no argument. Sophia reluctantly handed over the briefcase, watching Ma Rachel's fingers closed around it like a vice.

Ma Rachel opened the briefcase, revealing the stacks of cash inside. Her eyes widened in shock as she began to count the money, her fingers flying as she tallied up the amount.

“Two hundred thousand dollars?” she breathed. “You must have done something right girl, because no girl under me has ever made such amount of money here”

“He was just nice to me,” Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ma Rachel's expression quickly turned cold. “Well, I'm afraid you're not going to see much of this money,” she said.

Sophia's eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about”.

Ma Rachel sneered. “My cut of course. Seventy percent of this money belongs to me, that's the rule here, it's meant to be sixty percent but that's my man. $60,000 can still do a lot for you I guess”.

Sophia's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with terror. “No please , don't do this to me”, she begged. “My mother needs that money”.

Sophia tried dragging the briefcase with her. Ma Rachel snapped her fingers, and Ray, her hulking security guard, emerged from the shadows.

Ray immediately collected the briefcase and held it.

“You think you're the only one who needs something, Sophia?” Ma Rachel sneered. “That man you slept with, ….. he's someone I wanted for myself. I've been trying to get him to notice me for months now. But he chose you instead, you lowlife”.

Sophia's anger boiled over, her words spilling out in a torrent of frustration. “You're just bitter Rachel!, you're bitter because he can never like you!. You're a heartless, selfish bitch who only cares about one thing: herself!”.

Ma Rachel's face turned white with rage, her eyes blazing with fury. “How dare you!” she spat. “You're nothing but a cheap, dirty little whore! You're fired, Sophia!. Get out of my club and don't ever come back!”.

As Ray dragged Sophia away, Ma Rachel threw to her the rest of the money after taking her share. Sophia caught a glimpse of Ma Rachel's triumphant smile. But Sophia's parting words left Ma Rachel's smile faltering. “You'll pay for th

is……and it won't be just me who makes you pay”.

How will Ma Rachel pay for what she caused Sophia?.....