Chapter 3

Liza

Liza pulled her beloved, worn-out Toyota into the cramped parking garage, her heart pounding as she noticed the time glaring back at her: 7.55. Frustration boiled within her as she cursed at the relentless traffic that had conspired against her. Hastily, she snatched her lunch box and laptop bag, determined to make up for lost time, and sprinted towards the elevator. But as she made her way across the dimly lit carpark, her path was abruptly halted by the unwelcome screech of brakes from an obnoxious, oversized SUV. The blinding headlights bore into Liza's soul, rendering her motionless, frozen in fear.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the now stationary vehicle. An attractive man bounded towards her, concern etched on his face like a painting of empathy. Instantly, Liza felt the jolt of reality pulling her back to life. Though faintly, she managed to utter an apology as she quickly resumed her dash towards the elevator, her pulse racing, desperately attempting to regain composure before reaching her destination.

With a mix of trepidation and exhaustion, she finally arrived on her designated floor. However, the disdainful glances she received from her fellow administrative colleagues pierced through her already vulnerable state. Liza approached her desk, hurriedly placing her belongings underneath, and hastily logged in. The time greeted her with a mocking smirk: 8.05, reprimanding her for her tardiness. Nevertheless, without wasting a single moment, Liza dove headfirst into her work, determined to compensate for her delayed arrival.

Suddenly, a familiar ding rang through the air, demanding her attention. An abrupt message from her demanding landlord materialized on her phone screen. The message was concise, but the underlying tone conveyed a stern order to submit the lease paperwork and meet the new security deposit requirement. The weight of her struggles threatened to engulf her; she longed to release the tears welling up in her eyes, only to be interrupted by an intrusive clearing of someone's throat.

Looking up, her gaze obscured by damp lashes, Liza found herself confronted by one of the executives, impatience radiating from every pore of his being. Offering a feeble apology, she inquired about how she could be of assistance. He carelessly dumped a towering stack of paperwork onto her desk, leaving her with strict instructions and a looming deadline by the end of the day. Grateful, yet shrinking back into her protective shell, Liza felt the weight of the world settle upon her trembling shoulders as she forced herself to focus and tackle the task at hand. Thoughts of her innocent little boy and the unrelenting need to provide for him tugged at her heart, fueling her determination to bridge the gap until tomorrow, payday.

Liza's heart raced with anticipation as the lunch hour approached. She delicately pulled out her apple and meager sandwich, adorned with a simple spread of creamy cheese, juicy tomatoes, and a sprinkle of seasoning.

Seated in the solitude of the kitchen, Liza indulged in her meager meal. Though she had been a part of this workplace for eight long months, she felt an overwhelming sense of alienation, disconnected from her colleagues. They seemed to belong to a different world, a world of higher education and sophistication, perfectly suited for the corporate realm. Lost deep in her thoughts, Liza absentmindedly traced her pencil skirt's hem, painfully aware of how her charity shop attire contrasted sharply with everyone else's designer labels and brands.

Just then, her phone pinged with another message, this time from her gas company threatening to disconnect her service if her account remained unpaid in full within a mere two weeks. A shiver ran down her spine; it felt like yet another cruel twist of fate conspiring against her.

As she absentmindedly scrolled through her social media feed, an advertisement flashed before her eyes. It called out to young women aged 19-26, promising them an opportunity for elegance and mystery, a chance to work at an exclusive and clandestine club. Intrigued, Liza dialed the provided number, her voice quivering with both eagerness and trepidation. A woman with a voice as tough as nails and as rugged as the wilderness answered on the other end: "BELLA B's, where fantasy becomes your reality. You're speaking with Gina - how can I help?"

Liza hesitated, unsure of whether to proceed. Finally, summoning her courage, she spoke softly, her voice trembling, "I saw the advertisement, and I was hoping I could apply." Gina wasted no time, providing Liza with an address and instructing her to be there by 5, ready to work until 11. If she proved successful, she would be able to start her first shift tonight. Though hesitant, Liza felt a stirring in the depths of her soul, a feeling that her life was on the precipice of transformation. Little did she know just how far-reaching this change would be...