A game of survival

Lola’s POV

People say hitting rock bottom changes you. But they forgot something.

It doesn’t just change you. It strips you of everything you've ever had and hoped for.

Your identity, the wealth, the pride and the future you once imagined. Until all that is left is a version of yourself you never imagined becoming…..but must become to survive.

*********

I used to be the daughter of a mafia millionaire.

Untouchable, protected and envied. The kind of girl whose life looked like a fairy tale carved in gold.

But overnight, I became the girl who counted every single dollar. Who every penny and coin mattered to.

Dad…

Ever since his bankruptcy, he sits in silence, staring completely into nothing. A once powerful man reduced to a portrait of a pale, empty shell.

Liam…my boyfriend, the boy with the softness eyes, handed me his paper test results, diagnosed with stage two cancer with trembling fingers and tears he tried to hide.

A moment that still haunts my sleep.

There has always been a rule that long existed even before I was born: Mafias don’t forgive debts, no matter who it is.

Which made my father the most hunted prey of ruthless debt collectors in Italy.

A man who stands tall in boardrooms and interviews now dare not step outside.

And me?

My CV has been thrown on my face more times than I can count. Every company, afraid to hire the daughter of a man marked as a debtor.

So tonight, I've decided. If the world won’t let me survive cleanly, then I'll survive under neon lights.

---

A whore?

Is that what they’ll call me?

Maybe.

But a whore who feeds her family is still better than a princess who lets them starve.

I inhaled deeply as I approached the club.

The lights flashed wild colors. Mocking, daring, and welcoming all at once.

Just then, my phone buzzed. Ava.

Her name alone squeezed my chest.

“Hey.”

“Girl, where are you? Frank’s driving me over. Are you really going to do this?”

Worry, fear and pity. All tangled together.

“I’m already inside.”

I hung up before she could talk me out of it.

I couldn’t afford to be talked out of anything anymore.

---

The door opened, heads snapping toward me.

Slowly, I removed my long jacket, revealing the black lace beneath. Bra clinging, g-string cutting sharp lines against my skin.

A veil covering half my face like a sinner hoping God won’t recognize her.

Men stared.

Eyes hungry and predatory. Some pointing fingers at me. But I couldn't care less.

I had people who now depend on me to survive.

I tossed the jacket at a dude sitting in the corner. He caught it, clearly startled. I bit my lips, shot him a look and turned away. Cute… but I wasn't interested.

The cheers rose as I walked to the pole. The music thumped heavy in my chest. With one smooth move, I gripped the steel, spun, and let my body roll. Hips swaying, ass shaking, every move deliberate as I twirled sexily on the pole.

This wasn’t shameful at all. It was survival.

---

“Girl… please.”

Ava’s voice cracked behind me. Tear-filled and terrified.

“Just get down. Are you crazy?”

Instead of responding, I smiled sadly and kept dancing. If I stopped, I’d truly break apart.

I knew when she cursed under her breath before storming away in anger but I didn't stop her.

I honestly didn't blame her. But I couldn't afford to stop either.

Soon, cash flew towards me. Single notes slapping against my skin, bundles, different brands of liquor poured on me, every drop trailing from my spine down.

Men circled me, eyes devouring, wallets opening.

By the time I came down, the floor was buried in cash. I walked toward the guy I had given my jacket to earlier and snatched it back from him.

I bent over, picked up every bill, stuffed them into the pockets and walked out.

From inside, I could still hear voices calling for me to come again the next day.

After everything that had happened, I was finally satisfied. The money I had earned would go a long way. Or maybe I should come back tomorrow, as they wanted? Earn more, save more.

I was sure the crowd would only get bigger. Which meant more income.

While lost in thought, I felt someone behind me. It was Frank, Ava’s new crush.

“Hi, Lola, mind if I give you a ride home?” he asked, politely, with a small smile.

But I wouldn’t be going home tonight. I had lied to Dad, told him I was staying over at Ava’s place.

Ava lived alone, so my lie was believable.

“Never mind, I’ll just go with….” I was cut off when my best friend bumped her shoulder into mine hard, shoving past me to climb into Frank’s car and slammed the car door without a word.

I just sighed and gave Frank a small nod before sliding into the backseat.

The drive was silent, heavy and awkward. Ava didn’t look at me once, and I knew why.

She hated the idea of me stripping, no matter how desperate things had become. But I couldn’t expect her to feed or clothe me.

Finally, I gathered the courage and broke the silence after we got down. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

As if she had been waiting for me to speak first, Ava snapped, clenching her teeth. “Sorry? Oh, you can talk now? I thought you went mute back at the club when I kept asking if you were out of your mind. And now you just say ‘sorry’?”

Her words cut deep. Tears blurred my vision. Maybe it was seeing me about to cry, or maybe her anger had burned itself out, but she suddenly turned away, stormed into her apartment, and slammed the door.

I thought she had locked me out. But when I bent the handle, it opened. And there she was, standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed.

“Liam,” I muttered. My voice cracked. “He got diagnosed with stage two cancer. I need to make sure he gets his medication. And Dad… ever since the bankruptcy, he’s been drowning in debt and his own thoughts.

I can’t let him worry himself sick too. And you know no one would hire me”

Ava’s expression softened, guilt flickering in her eyes. “We could still figure things out. You really don't have to ruin your life” Her voice was firm, but gentle.

“Then who saves them? I can't stay holy while they suffer”

She pulled me into a hug, and I clung to her warmth. Maybe for now, that was all I needed.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. My mind spun with thoughts of everything that had been bothering me.

By morning, Ava was still asleep. I took a quick shower, dressed, and slipped out to buy groceries. When I got home, Dad was sitting on the couch, so I smiled and placed a thick stack of cash in his hands.

He stared at it, shocked. “Where did you…”

“Uhmm… a bet. I won a gamble,” I interrupted quickly, forcing a smile to hide the lie. “If you don’t want to take it from me, I’ll just put it in your study.” Before he could respond, I darted upstairs, heart racing in my chest. If I stayed for long, he would detect the lie in my eyes and I didn’t want that.

How could I let him know I went to strip at a club?. He would get so mad at me for that.

Later, I cooked breakfast, set the table, and left before giving room for talks or questions. But as I left, I could still feel his lingering gaze on me.

Since most of our properties were gone, including the cars, I boarded a taxi straight to Liam’s apartment.

The front door was closed, but not locked. I pushed it open and the living room was empty, clothes scattered across the floor.

Liam’s pants, and the shirt I’d given him last Valentine. My chest tightened.

Then I heard it. A muffled groan. I couldn’t be mistaken, it was his voice.

Was he in pain? Or has something happened? I rushed toward his bedroom. The door was slightly ajar so I pushed it open.

And what I saw inside made my body turn ice.