Chapter 1

Emilia's POV

I held the pole tightly as my body moved to the rhythm of the music. The spotlight was fixed on me, and the men's eyes stayed glued to my skin like I had cast a spell on them.

I wasn't uncomfortable despite being half naked. I loved the control I had over the so-called elite men; It gave me pleasure seeing them look helpless and thirsty with desire.

I was still performing when the crowd shifted. A man in a grey tuxedo walked in. His black hair was curled and bouncy, his dark shades prevented me from seeing his eyes. The entire room seemed to pivot around him.

He took off his glasses, and he raised his gaze to me. For the first time since I've been on the stage, I seemed vulnerable. He wasn't just looking at me— it felt like he was piercing my soul.

He sat at a front-row seat, his eyes still on me. A waiter poured him a drink which he sipped effortlessly.

At that moment, I lost control. Not wanting anyone to notice, I stepped down from the pole, and I fixed my mask. His cold stare made me think my mask had fallen off.

I walked into my dressing room, releasing a deep breath as the door shut close behind me. Damn.

A knock came on the door rather too fast.

“Who is it?” I called out.

“It's Justin.”

Justin!

I opened up the door for him. He walked in with a smug on his face.

“Ohh sweetie, I have something for you,” he said in his normal gayish manner.

“What's it again?” I asked in a nonchalant tone.

“Don't sound like that.”

I rolled my eyes at him.

“A VVIP wants you to give him a private show.”

“A VVIP?” I confirmed.

“Yes darling. He is willing to pay anything. This is his first time here, and I guess you hypnotized him,” Justin added.

“I thought we agreed that I won't do private shows.”

I didn't hesitate to show my discomfort.

“Baby, this is really important, you don't have to take off your mask. He just wants to see your sexy body.”

“No. I wouldn't do this, it was never part of our agreement.”

“Should I beg you Lina? This is really important… Please, pretty please,” Justin pleaded as he put his palms together to show his sincerity.

Oh God! He was really convincing.

“Fine, only 15 minutes,” I folded my hands across my chest.

“Cool. I'd let him know. Thank you. I will reward you nicely,” he said with a wink before leaving the room.

I wasn't in for the money, I do not strip generally for money either. It goes a long way back.

I stood before my dressing mirror, and I fixed my hair.

I'd just get this over with.

I proceeded to the private room. It was dark, gloomy and a bit confined.

The dim purple lights sparked on. It was the same man from earlier. He was seated on the couch like a prince.

I didn't speak, I moved to the mini stage at the center of the room. He also did not speak, he only watched me.

Anxiousness washed through me.

‘You’ve got this!’ I whispered inwardly.

My hands wrapped around the pole, and I started performing. Though he didn't say anything, I could feel his gaze burn me.

He watched my every move, in some way… calculative.

I leaned against the pole, my booty sticking out — a nice amount of skin on full display for him.

He stood up, and he slowly walked towards me. I gulped hard.

I couldn't twerk properly anymore. He moved a lot closer. I could see his face clearly now. His eyes were grey.

He still did not say anything, he just continued watching me. I became very uncomfortable.

I wanted to stop the show, but it was barely ten minutes, and the agreed time was fifteen minutes.

He lifted his hands to touch my legs. I shifted, and I leaned closer to him.

“No touching,” I muttered softly.

He grinned, an unknown emotion dancing in his eyes — amusement.

We were close now, too close.

“Name your price,” he whispered. His voice was low, and it sent a chill through me.

“I won't budge even if you give me a billion,” I replied. I didn't know where I was getting the courage from.

He scoffed. “Maybe you won't.”

He moved away from me with an absent smile on his face, and he retreated back to his seat.

Gosh! He was so creepy.

The fifteen minutes ended, and I stepped down from the pole.

“Finally,” I muttered under my breath.

“This isn't the last dance, my lady. A lot of shows are to come,” he said with a knowing smirk on his face.

What does that even mean? I stared at him for a few seconds before turning to leave. Lest I forget, I still had a husband to attend to.

I got changed into casual clothes swiftly, and I went out through the back door of the club like I always did. I couldn't risk anyone recognizing me.

I parked my borrowed car not too far away; it was a short walk. I got into the car, and I zoomed off rapidly.

Getting back to the mansion, I snuck into our room. Richard was fast asleep. The drug I had given him earlier was still effective.

I changed into a silk pink negligee, and I laid beside my husband on the bed. I couldn't fall asleep.

The man from the club’s last words were still ringing inside my head.

Who was that man exactly?