Chapter 1

The café smelled like burnt sugar and overbrewed coffee, a scent that had soaked so deeply into the walls that no amount of cleaning could ever remove it.

It lingered in the air like a stubborn memory, clinging to the wooden counters, the chipped ceramic mugs, and the faded curtains by the narrow windows.

The place was small, barely large enough for the six mismatched tables scattered across the tiled floor.

Dim yellow lights above the counter flickered occasionally, casting soft shadows that further aged the room.

Outside, the city moved on without noticing the little café tucked between a laundromat and a convenience store. Headlights from passing cars occasionally flashed through the window, briefly illuminating the dusty glass before disappearing again into the night.

At this late hour, the café was nearly empty.

Only one customer sat in the far corner, lazily stirring a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold.

The quiet hum of the refrigerator behind the counter filled the silence, accompanied by the soft ticking of the old wall clock.

Behind the counter, Aria wiped down the surface for the third time in ten minutes, even though it was already spotless.

She groaned softly, stretching her long graceful neck, an action that wasn’t missed by the leering eyes watching her.

Just then, the last customer stood up to leave and placed what Aria assumed to be the bill on the table.

Her feet ached, but she ignored the pain.

Every shift meant a little more money for medicine. Every hour meant her mother could breathe easier for another day.

“Aria.”

She stiffened, her hand pausing on the counter, the rag clenched a little tighter.

Mr. Danton’s voice always carried a greasy warmth that made her skin crawl. Usually, she was always good at handling it, if not for anything but for the sake of her mum's health, but at this moment the fatigue seemed to strip her of any strength to pretend.

She turned slowly, forcing a polite smile. “Yes, sir?”

The café owner leaned against the counter, his eyes lingering far too long. “You work too hard. You should relax more.”

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, reaching for a stack of cups.

He stepped closer, close enough for it to bother her, her smile slipping.

“You know,” he continued, lowering his voice, “girls like you shouldn’t be wasting themselves in a place like this.”

Aria’s fingers tightened around the cups. She had heard the tone before. The way his voice dragged over certain words.

“Sir, I still need to finish closing.”

But he didn’t move away.

Instead, his hand reached out, brushing against her wrist.

Her heart lurched. She swallowed the disgust and rage bubbling beneath the surface. A horrible combination.

But he didn’t seem to sense her mood before he continued “I could make things easier for you,” he said softly. “Your schedule… your salary… we could arrange something.”

At that moment, something seemed to have cracked. She pulled her hand back as if burned.

“No.”

The word came out sharper than she intended. At this point, she was completely unable to hold a smile, no matter how fake it was.

Mr. Danton’s expression darkened. “You should think carefully before refusing generosity.”

“I’m not interested.”

The simple answer seemed to push him into a spiral of rage. He grabbed Aria, gripping both her shoulders tightly. Then he laughed, the sound twisted.

“Fine,” “If that’s how you want it.”

At that moment, as if possessed he pounced on her, his actions hidden behind the counter, and began trying to tear off her clothes.

In a series of quick movements, she freed her right hand and grabbed her bag from under the counter, her pulse racing.

She quickly got out the pepper spray, and used it, spraying as much of the bottle as she could into the eyes of the pudgy man.

He screamed, the sound like a shrieking pig.

Taking the opportunity, she stood up and gathered her things.

“I quit.”

The words left her mouth before fear could stop them.

Mr. Danton scoffed. “You’ll regret that.”

She was already halfway out the door, when his words stopped her in her tracks.

She realized she couldn’t leave him like that. It was too easy.

Turning back to the man, who was covering his eyes in pain, she stepped down hard on what she assumed was his groin, although there was not much to tell by, putting all the strength her legs could muster into it.

A loud scream filled the café, before she turned to leave.

As she stepped out into the cool night air, Aria felt something she hadn’t felt in months.

Freedom.

It lasted exactly three seconds. Because the moment she checked her phone, the message from the pharmacy stared back at her.

Payment overdue.

Her stomach twisted as she stared up into the evening sky.

We’re going to be alright, I just have to get through this, she said to herself.

The words brought a bit of comfort to herself, this was a trick she’d learned from her mother when she was younger. It brought calm to her when things got tougher.

Her mother’s medication wasn’t optional, and she knew this. She just had to find a way to get it before time ran out.

Aria leaned against the cold brick wall. For the first time in a long time, helplessness began to settle in.

She had no job, no savings, and no idea how she would keep her mother alive.

“Hey!”

Aria looked up to see a familiar figure hurrying toward her.

Lena.

Her best friend stopped in front of her, slightly out of breath. “Why are you standing out here looking like the world just ended?”

Aria smiled self mockingly, saying with an exaggerated show of hands.

“I just quit my job.”

Lena’s eyes widened. “You what?”

Aria hesitated, but eventually decided to tell her what happened, from the roaming hands, leering attempts to the hidden threat.

By the time she finished, Lena’s expression had turned furious.

“That creep,” she snapped. “He’s not going to get away with this.”

Lena had already turned, heading in the direction of the café, before Aria quickly hugged her, dragging her back.

This had been the reason for her hesitation, Lena had always been the hot-blooded one between the two of them.

She never went looking for a fight, but never backed down from one. That was infact how they became friends, being bullied for her poliosis, Lena always stood up for her.

“You need to calm down, it won’t do us any good, besides I already took care of it”, she said

Lena seemed like she still wanted to put up a good fight, but she gave up eventually when she noticed the fatigue on her friend's face.

Aria sighed. “I need to find a new job, preferably one that pays the hospital bills.”

Lena studied her for a moment, then crossed her arms thoughtfully.

“Actually,” she said slowly, “I might know somewhere that does.”

Aria raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not exactly… traditional work.”

That didn’t sound promising.

“Where?” She asked nonetheless,

Lena hesitated for a second before answering.

“Sapphire Club.”

Aria blinked.

The name alone was enough to make anyone in the city pause.

The Sapphire Club wasn’t just a nightclub. It was the club. Where billionaires closed deals, celebrities disappeared for nights they’d never admit to, and rumors were born, mostly true.

“I can’t work somewhere like that,” Aria said immediately.

“You’d just be a server,” Lena replied. “The tips alone could cover your mom’s medication in one night.”

Aria looked away.

The thought lingered in her mind.

Just one night. It’ll be just that, and she may even be able to pay their bills.

It felt tempting, truly tempting.

It seemed like almost a dream, to have enough. Enough to keep her mother safe, to keep them both alive, and if possible happy, and provided with the most basic necessities.

Even though, it seemed to be risky. It truly seemed that she didn’t have a choice.

Slowly, she exhaled.

“Fine,” she said quietly. “I’ll, I’ll try it.”

Neither of them knew that a single decision would change Aria’s life forever.

Because somewhere across the city, Roman Knight, the most powerful man in the capital, was about to walk into Sapphire Club.