Chapter 1

Catalina

     I covered my ears as the banging on the door became louder, I prayed they wouldn't break down my door and barge in. 

     This has been my life since my father died, debt collectors always chasing after me. If I'm unlucky, they see me outside and chase me all around town but if I'm lucky, like today, they come when I'm inside and bang on my door till they get tired and leave.

     They left after a while and I crawled out from under my bed where I hid. I looked around the house my father left for me, I had sold everything valuable and I still hadn't paid even a quarter of the debt we owed. All my part time jobs barely raised enough money to even feed myself. I fell on my knees and let the tears flow from my eyes, this wasn't the life I wanted to live. If I had the choice, I wouldn't choose this life for myself. My phone rang and I recognized the caller.

“Hello, Catalina speaking.”

“Hello Miss Catalina, I'm calling in respect for the job you applied for at our club. Congratulations, you passed the interview. You can start tonight.”

I jumped around in excitement. I got the job!! I was going to be an exotic dancer at the nightclub. It wasn't really a decent job but it wasn't illegal and the pay was more than what I get from all my part time jobs. I got up on my feet and wiped my eyes dry. This wasn't the time to cry, I had a job to prepare for.

     The club was dimly lit and everyone there looked like they had not a single problem in the world. The instruction given to me was simple - make sure the audience is captivated.

The music changed and everyone's eyes were fixed on me as I stepped onto the stage. My heart beat faster with each step I took. Only for five minutes I told myself. I took a deep breath and swallowed hard. Dancing was my passion, my talent. You can do this Catalina. I told myself again.

Then it all came to me. I closed my eyes and let the music pulse through my veins, letting my body take over. I swayed my hips seductively, feeling the fabric of my dress clinging to my skin. I am a very sexy girl, I knew this and I decided to use it to my advantage.

I ran my hands over my body, slowly, lazily, all while moving to the rhythm of the song. Then I opened my eyes and immediately locked eyes with a man sitting at the far end corner and watching me closely, everyone was looking at me but somehow this man's stare made me so nervous, I reminded myself to focus.

I walked slowly to the pole in front of me, as the audience watched, I climbed the pole, spinning effortlessly before descending in a slow, controlled drop, all while staring at the man. Neither of us broke eye contact. Somehow, I wasn't dancing for the audience any longer, I was dancing for this man, this stranger that captivated my soul and made my insides burn just by staring at him. As the music reached its crescendo, I did my final dance and smiled at the crowd teasingly before walking away.

“Good job Catalina.” My boss met me backstage. “Your dance was captivating, even I couldn't take my eyes off you. Oh I'm so glad I hired you. Keep up the good work.”

“Thank you sir.” He tapped my shoulder and walked away. 

I went into the changing room to change to my normal clothes, my work here was done. This was the beauty of this work, I thought to myself, less stress and more pay.

     While changing, my mind couldn't help but think about the man earlier. He exuded so much power and authority even as he sat with his legs crossed. The way he looked at me was unlike anything. I wondered who he was, and surprisingly I wanted to know everything about him.

I was about to leave when my boss called out to me.

“I'm so glad you're still here Catalina. Someone wants to meet you.”

“Who?” I asked. 

“Someone very important. You can't say no to him. He's outside the parking lot. Black Limousine, the headlights are on.” And with that he left.

As I walked to the parking lot, I prayed silently. What if this was one of the debt collectors and they're finally here to take me? But my boss said it was someone very important.

I sighted the Black Limo with the headlights on and I walked towards it, I knocked on the window and it rolled down immediately.

“Enter.” A voice called out from inside.

The door opened and I entered immediately. 

It was him, I was very sure of it. The same man at the club. I couldn't see his face clearly at the club but I remembered his attire and I felt the same way I was feeling inside the club so it had to be him.

“What is your name?” The voice was so commanding that I blurted out immediately.

“Catalina Gomez!”

“You dance so well Catalina. I want to see you dance everyday.”

That was very direct. I said to myself. I tried to stop myself from blushing. I looked at him again. He was very handsome, his face looked rigid but I think that maybe it's because he didn't smile so often. His hair looked so soft that I wanted to reach out my hand and touch it. 

“I want you.” The words were like an electric shock that bolted me back to reality.

“What did you just say?” I asked him again.

“I do not like to repeat myself young lady. I'm very sure you heard me.” He answered rudely.

“I want you to be my slave. You will do anything I say without complaints. I will have control over your body and all that you do with it. Of course it's not for free, I will pay you. Do you understand?”

Bastard. Rich bastard. Ugh ..I began to feel hatred for this man. Who does he think he is to tell me such an abominable thing?

“Never!” I told him.

“I always have what I want.” 

“You will never have me!”

“It will only take time, but I must have you. I will own you.” 

I chuckled…. “That will be over my dead body.”