Chapter 4

(Carolina's POV)

When Lucy and I arrived at the second floor, she led me to the open boutique. A young woman was standing there, and she welcomed us before asking for our request.

"What would you like to shop for?" she asked us softly.

"Mmm, let me check," Lucy said, and showed the attendant her staff membership card. The young woman then allowed us entry to browse through the collection of female dresses that we wanted.

Lucy then picked out a stunning red mini dress that was too short and too exposing, and she handed it over to me.

"Here, wear this."

"What's this? I cannot put this on," I replied, swiftly rejecting the dress.

Lucy laughed and asked me, "What's wrong with you, Carolina? You have to wear something nice and revealing. So hurry up."

Lucy threw the red dress at me to change out of my old clothes, and I frowned. But I held it out with irritation, complaining again,

"Lucy, are you going to pay for this red dress? I do not have the money to pay for it, and I am also owing you," I reminded her of my debt, as I held the dress carefully so that it wouldn't get torn.

"Go and change your clothes, Carolina. You work here now, and the cost of this red dress will be deducted from your monthly salary," Lucy said, and I gasped.

"What? Lucy, I haven't even earned money, and I don't know how much I will be paid by month's end, and you are acquiring debt for me."

I pouted, wanting to reject the dress, and Lucy asked, "Do you want to exit the club? It's either you put this red dress on, or you leave this club. As my boss, Mr. Karen Walker, isn't as merciful as you think. He prioritizes looking good to make male clients happy and feel at home. So hurry up."

I gulped my protest, seeing Lucy's stern face, and I went into the fitting room to change my old clothes. As I wore the new red dress, it fitted me and accentuated my slender figure.

"Oh no! Why do I have to wear this? I am not comfortable wearing this revealing dress," I complained, but recalling my mother's blunt words and that I shouldn't come home again, I knew that I did not have any other choice than to do what Lucy suggested.

Taking one final look at myself in the mirror, I walked out of the fitting room, holding my old handbag that I stuffed my old clothes inside, along with my phone.

"Now you look attractive. Let's go," Lucy quickly dragged me away and led me back to the first floor of the club.

Tensely, I walked out of the elevator with Lucy, and she led me back to meet Mr. Karen.

"Excuse me, Boss, here's my friend, Joy," Lucy said, and we saw her boss discussing with another VIP client.

Mr. Karen looked at me in shock. His eyes widened as his gaze settled on my chest, and he nodded.

"It's fine. Show her how to entertain the men. I will see you both later," Mr. Karen dismissed us, and I was nervous about what he meant by "entertain the men."

Lucy led me away to the exclusive bar tables, and she asked the man seated there, "Hello, excuse me, sir? What would you like to order for tonight?"

I saw other waitresses serving drinks and appearing cheerful. However, my gaze shifted to the patron that Lucy and I wanted to attend to.

The man was handsome, exuding an air of wealth. He shifted his gaze away from his phone screen and peered at Lucy first, before his eyes lazily shifted to look at me.

His pupils widened in shock like Mr. Karen's had, and he sat up properly to face me.

However, I blamed myself for having a huge milk factory on the top of my chest.

"Hi, miss, can I get to know more about you?" the young man asked me, clearly ignoring Lucy, and I shook my head and looked at Lucy for her help.

"I'm sorry, sir. My friend is new here, and she cannot be at your service for tonight. Kindly let me know your orders?" Lucy asked politely, taking over the job. But the man's eyes narrowed at Lucy, and I didn't expect him to cause a scene as he stood up and said, "If you do not allow her to serve me, then I am out of here!"

"What?" My jaw hit the ground, seeing the man point at me.

Mr. Karen hastily hurried over and stopped at the man's table.

"Excuse me, sir. You do not have to get annoyed with my girls. What do you want them to do for you?" Mr. Karen asked, his voice gentle as he peered at the angry client's face, who calmed and looked at us.

A sly smile curled up his lips as he said, "I want her to serve me tonight. I am willing to have her tonight. I will pay 1 million," he said, and my jaw dropped in shock.

"What? I am not for sale!" I replied, before Mr. Karen could find words to reply to the arrogant man.

"You slùt! If you are not for sale, then why are you dressed like one?" the man replied, his voice cold, and my eyes welled up with tears.

I knew that I had graduated with first class, only that finding a job is tough.

Mr. Karen hastily chimed in, "Calm down, sir. My girl is new, and this is her first time working with us," he tried explaining to the arrogant client, who shook his head.

I hadn't expected my first client for tonight to be a rude man. 'What if he is a mafia?' I pondered as a wave of uneasiness washed over me.

"It's not like she is a virgin," the man said as his gaze met mine. "I will pay 1.2 million. What do you say?" He raised the price, clearly determined to have me.

Mr. Karen shifted his gaze to look at my face and asked, "What do you say, Joy?"

"What? I refuse!" I snapped, as I could not follow this ruthless man. 'What if he kills me on the way? No way. I cannot.'

"Hmmm… Then I am out of here!" The man walked away from the table. The loud sound of music filling the air in the club prevented the other patrons from realizing what had just happened.

I frowned, as I hadn't expected the man to be bad luck. Thankfully, Mr. Karen didn't try to call the arrogant client back, but the atmosphere thickened as Mr. Karen looked at me and said, "You're fired."

"What? No, sir. Please… you cannot fire me. Please, give me a second chance," I begged, following Mr. Karen, and Lucy looked at me pitifully.

"Do not follow me, young woman. This is a five-star clubhouse and hotel, and if you cannot work for the money, then take your leave now," Mr. Karen pointed at the exit door, but I refused.

"No, sir. Please don't fire me. That man was too scary, and I was afraid of going with him. It's not like I would not agree if he was nicer," I said, my voice choking with sobs, but Mr. Karen shook his head firmly.

"No. You are too beautiful for this job, and another patron will desire to have you. Kindly find another work to do. Please, take your leave before I call the security men to bounce you out," Mr. Karen ordered, his voice firm, and I lowered my head in embarrassment, knowing that pleading with him was a waste.

Turning to face my best friend, I said to her, "I am sorry, Lucy."

"It's fine, Caro," Lucy mumbled sadly, and I turned to walk back to the elevator to retrieve my brown bag and to change out of this revealing red dress that I was wearing.

However, Mr. Karen's cold voice stopped me before I could enter the elevator.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going? Get out of here!"

I stiffened and turned to look back at him.