Esmerelda Sleuth «LA BOÎTE MAGIQUE» [Livre deux]

Lola’s POV

A whore. Is that what they'll call me?

Maybe.

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

I stood outside the club, staring at the flashing neon sign.

Music pulsed through the walls hard enough to shake the ground beneath my heels.

My stomach twisted.

Once I walked through those doors, there would be no turning back.

Just then, my phone vibrated. It was Ava.

I closed my eyes before answering.

"Lola!" she yelled. "Tell me you haven't gone inside."

"I'm already there."

She fell silent. Then whispered, her voice trembling lightly. "...Please don't do this. Okay? Just listen to me".

For a brief second, I hesitated.

But if there had been another way, I wouldn't be here.

No company would hire the daughter of a bankrupt mafia boss. And Liam, my boyfriend, needed cancer treatment.

My father couldn't even step outside without debt collectors waiting.

"I’m so sorry, Ava. But I have to." I answered resolutely.

"Lola!".

I ended the call before she could say more. Because if I listened to her for one more second, I'd walk away. And that won't save anything.

Taking one shaky breath, I pushed open the doors. The music swallowed me whole immediately.

Men laughed as women poured them drinks.

Slowly...I slipped my coat off. Watching every attention turn to me.

Black lace hugged every curve of my body. A silk veil covering half my face like a sinner hoping God won’t recognize her.

“Hey, wanna be my girl for the night?” A guy walked up to me, trying to wrap his arms around my waist.

“No, thanks”. I pushed him away.

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

Someone whistled and another guy cursed under his breath.

I ignored them all. Because none of these men mattered. Only the money in their wallets. did.

As I walked toward the stage, the DJ looked at me. "You new here?"

I nodded once and he smirked.

"Go make them empty their wallets."

The spotlight snapped on. Looking at the cold pole standing at the center, I wrapped one hand around it and closed my eyes.

Then I started to dance. Swaying to every rhythm of the music.

Cheers exploded almost instantly.

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

Men pushed closer to the stage.

—

Somewhere in the crowd, I heard someone scream my name.

"Lola!"

It was Ava. She had gotten here.

But my movement didn't pause at the slightest.

"Please!" Her voice cracked. "Get down! I'm begging you."

I smiled. If I stopped now, everything I'd been trying to hold together would fall apart.

By the time I was done, the floor was buried in cash. I picked up my jacket, stuffing every note into the pocket.

As I walked toward the exit, voices followed me.

"Come back tomorrow, bitch!"

"Shit. She's so fucking incredible!"

"I'll pay double next time!"

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

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

"Lola." Frank stood beside his car, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I can drive you home.”

I wasn't going home. I lied to Dad that I was spending the night with Ava.

I forced a smile. But before I could answer, Ava shoved past me, climbed into Frank’s car and slammed the door.

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

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

She hated the idea of me stripping, no matter how desperate things had become.

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, she snapped.

“Sorry? You ignored everything I told you and danced half-naked in front of strangers. And now you just say ‘sorry’?”

Her words cut deep. Tears blurred my vision. Maybe it was seeing me about to cry, she stormed into her apartment, slamming the door shut.

I thought she had locked me out. But when I bent the handle, it opened.

She stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed.

“Liam got diagnosed with stage two cancer and needs medication. Dad also hasn't been the same since his bankruptcy”. I confessed.

“And you know no one would hire me”.

Her 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 scolding but gentle.

“Then who saves them? I can't just stand and watch them suffer.”

She pulled me into a hug, gently patting my back. 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, she was still asleep. I took a quick shower, dressed, and slipped out.

When I got home, Dad was sitting on the couch.

I smiled, placing a thick stack of cash in his hands.

He stared at it, shocked. “Where did you get this?”

“I won a bet.” I interrupted quickly, forcing a smile to hide the lie.

“I’ll keep it in your study.” I darted upstairs, heart racing in my chest.

If I stayed longer, he would know I was lying and I didn’t want 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 on the floor.

His pants, and the shirt I’d bought for him.

My heart lurched instantly.

Then I heard a muffled groan. I couldn’t be mistaken, it was him.

I rushed toward the slightly ajar door of the bedroom and pushed it open.

And what I saw inside left me paralyzed.