Chapter 001

Yvette's POV

“The client is waiting, Yvette. Don't fucking mess this up!” My boss hissed into the phone.

“I'm almost there, sir,” I breathed, running as fast as my legs could carry.

For the past five years after a fatal accident from which I lost my father and had my membership as a gymnast terminated because of broken bones, I'd had to do everything to survive while schooling.

However, when I thought heaven would somehow smile on me and all my efforts, my mum discovered she had cancer. Since the last two years, life has proven that a nine to ten has nothing to offer. So I dropped out from school and used the day to work different shifts as a bartender, cleaner, retailer and child caregiver.

At night, I stripped.

The only ones who could guarantee I get money huge enough for my mum's surgery, got wasted here. They're cruel for overlooking youths desperate to work decently whereas they'd spend freely on a whore.

Don't get me wrong though.

I didn't fuck them.

I just strip for them.

However, while I dragged my tired body from all the shifts I did today, I couldn't help but consider what I could benefit from tonight. It was that thought that had me gathering my strength and running through the puddle until I arrived at the club.

I had only made it halfway when I saw other girls around my age who did the things I did glare at me.

“Oh my goodness, Yvette!” My boss whined. “You're soaking wet. Fucking soaking wet when you should be on that pole. Do you have any idea how tonight's offer could change both our lives? Isn't your mum on the verge of death or does your fried brain think I'd even lend you enough to get her surgery done?!”

“I'll change right now,” I lowered my gaze then walked past him.

His words, as harsh as they were, confirmed my previous instinct.

I smiled genuinely for the first time in a long time.

A new thought had me frowning again as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I unconsciously began to pick the stitches of the hem of my shirt until my hands started vibrating.

These cruel men never really offered help to anyone, not even people like me. Therefore, what could possibly be tied to my performance tonight—

“Yvette!!!!”

I jumped.

“You have 20 seconds to walk out of there or else I'll make sure you go up there naked!”

I sighed, quickly removed my clothes and picked the new lingerie set he left behind. That was just how he worked—he decided what we wore and didn't wear.

My hair was still damp, so was my skin. Still, I made a dash towards the door. If he was right and the offer tonight would save my mum, then I was ready and I was going to use all my imperfections tonight as a weapon. That included my messy wet hair and dripping skin.

I left.

At first, my boss eyed me from head to toe and I could swear, he was irritated by the mere sight of me.

“I don't know what anyone would see in you to make such an offer. But listen and listen carefully, Yvette. You won't just be entertaining these losers tonight. You'd be performing for my most valuable client and you must deliver a flawless performance,” his tone was serious and his eyes wide and boring into mine.

“You have nothing to worry about, boss,” I smirked. A little disappointed that all he cared about was his benefit. “You have no idea what this offer could do for me as well…” I left him mid sentence, buttoned his shirt slowly and walked out on him to the stage.

The light suddenly went out, I used the time to anchor myself.

‘…I wasn't just entertaining these fools, I was performing.’

That was all I needed to stimulate the best in me. Merging my flexibility from being a gymnast with charm and seduction, I moved around the pole like it was mine.

The light came on again, but this time it was directed on me. I looked around for who my target audience was… the devil who was saving me from hell… the cruel man who could be my undoing.

As the music came on, I gripped the pole, slowly shifting my weight so I could perform a split directly against the pole. The crowd cheered, most perverts only gazing between my legs.

Focus.

While pulling those stunts, I caught the attention of the audience, keeping them going and still searching until.

Grey eyes.

His laser sharp gaze was fixed on me, so much that I could feel the heat of his stare. His tightened and defined jaw and the way his arms folded in front of his chest… those things looked like my undoing, and for a second, I almost ran from it.

‘...Isn't your mum on the verge of death?’

‘Miss Yvette, you have just ten days to prepare for the surgery…’

I shut my eyes, breathing heavily, then pushed those voices to the back of my head.

“I have to do this,” I whispered to myself. “I have to save her.”

So without thinking, I let hell break loose, moving around the pole like some goddess with no bones to break. I felt every stare from him burn my skin, so I made sure I performed enough to burn his gaze.

Smirking.

I ran my fingers through my hair then pushed it to the side to expose my neck. I let my fingers travel from my temple all the way to my lips, my collar bone, then cleavage.

His eyes were locked to mine.

Perfect.

I stroked the zip in front of the lingerie before slowly zipping it down. I wasn't sure what I wanted to get out of him, or prove, by doing so, but the moment he shifted, I knew it. He had proven to be ice and I was going to prove it to him that ice breaks the hardest.

I kept going slowly, teasing, until he gulped and looked away.

“What the fuck, Yvette?!” My boss almost yelled at me from behind the stage. “Get out of there. Now!”

I did, leaving the crowd in suspense. I couldn't help but smile sheepishly when I met him.

“What was that for? Do you even know what you just got yourself into? Because I can assure you that if things go south tonight, you're fire—”

“Mr Eric,” a deep masculine voice chimed in from behind.

The man in black suit and a very mean demeanour walked in, file in his hand. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed he was different from the grey-eyed man. Had I done all that for the wrong person?

My cheeks burned.

“The boss requires the lady to sign them, now. He'll meet with you at the exit.”

He handed the file to my boss, who gave it to me urging me to sign. I sighed in relief. This man was just his minion. Still, had I performed for the right man?

I froze as my eyes met a few sentences in the conditions.

‘Henceforth, YOU are MINE.’

‘LOVE is FORBIDDEN.’

‘PREGNANCY is an ABOMINATION.’

My heart stopped as I read them.

‘You are to perform three rounds of tests, only after you've passed the test will you be eligible for the benefits below:’

Money.

More money.

Much money.

My hands shook at all the conditions and I could feel my boss's impatience overflow.

“Sign the damn papers,” he hissed.

‘I, Yvette Morgan, give up my mind, soul and body to be used by you, Knox Luther, as you entirely desire.’

I snapped the file shut and staggered backwards.

“Are you stupid, Yvette?!” He growled while the man in black suit simply watched. “Get the fucking amount and save your mother. You've always despised your job, right? This right here,” he snatched the file from my hand, opening the last page where I had to fill in my name and sign. “This is a bargain for your freedom. Sign it right now and leave as you've always wanted.”

I swallowed hard, weighing all the options over and over again. Nothing could outweigh my love for my mother. Nothing could outweigh my sacrifices for her even if it meant myself.

I took the pen from his hands, and filled in my name.

Tears fell from my eyes as I moved to sign my signature, but my boss pulled the document quickly so it wouldn't get ruined.

I sniffled.

Then with a vibrating hand, I endorsed my signature, officially selling myself to this man. Whoever he was.”