Chapter 5: Lust & Lace

It was the same routine for the next days that followed. She helps Eli with his school work and mini projects, and she keeps herself busy with house chores. Luxe drops by from time to time.

But Rico still hasn't contacted her. She couldn't help but imagine different scenarios in her head. 'Does he still want me or not? Or did he die or something?'

She tried to get any information from Bruno, but he was tight-lipped. She gave up the questions.

Come to think of it, she should be glad he isn't here. At least, she's free from fucking anybody and just living like a normal person.

'Your life can never be normal, Lyra,' something reminded her. And it was true.

She's given up on having a dream, a good life, a boyfriend, or any of that stuff years ago. Now, all that mattered was her brother and his future.

She hated her dad for putting her in this position. Becoming a sex worker at a young age isn't something she had planned for her future, but there was nothing else she could do.

Work as an escort at Velvet Club or risk losing her only family left.

***

It has been a month and four days since she signed the contract. Rico still hasn't contacted her, and she couldn’t contact him either.

He's her boss and her services are to be fucked and to pleasure him. Not to call or worry about him.

The strange thing was that he still made the weekly deposits to her account. Why is he paying her when she hasn't rendered services yet?

She sighed and glanced at the wall clock; it was almost ten at night. Eli was sleeping peacefully on the couch, with his head on her thighs. They just finished watching a sci-fi movie as it is Friday.

She gently tapped his shoulders. "Wake up, buddy. It's time for bed," he groaned in protest, refusing to get up. "I know, I know... but you'll be more comfortable if you lie on your bed."

She would have carried him herself to his room, she always did it in the past. But he's bigger now, and weighs almost like her.

"No... I want to sleep... some more," he blabbered some more, and she chuckled.

Just then, a text popped up on her phone, and she grabbed it to check who it was from.

[Be ready by 11pm. You'll be attending a party with me.]

Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets. It's Rico. Rico De Romano finally contacted her.

"Okay, Eli. For real now, get up!" This time, she aggressively taps him to wake up, but not in a bad way.

He was fully awake now, sitting upright. He scratched his eyes with the back of his hand. "Go to your room. You'll sleep better there," she urged him.

She got up, typing 'noted' and hitting send. She hurriedly grabbed the empty bag of Cheetos and the plate of leftover popcorn, heading to the kitchen with them.

He squinted his eyes, his head tilted to the side. "Going somewhere?"

"Uh– yes. I just got called. And I really need to get ready," she trashed the Cheetos bag and dropped the plate of popcorn on the sink and rushed upstairs.

She stopped and held the railings of the stairs, turning back to her brother, "Don't wait up for me, okay?"

He nodded and she left to get changed.

***

She had a five-minute shower and now she was in her wardrobe. He didn’t tell her a dress code, or something he'd want to see her in.

But he did say it was a party, so she had an idea of what she should be wearing. She took out a silver sequins mini skirt, then paired it with a black deep V-neck spaghetti strap top. A black stiletto and a red glitter purse.

She did a quick makeup look, and applied the brightest shade of red she could find. Her hair was let down and she was good to go.

Eli was already asleep in his room. Calla left and Bruno was already waiting for her outside.

'Rico must have informed him about me,' she thought.

Without wasting more time, she hopped into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. Bruno started the car and they left

She glanced occasionally at Bruno, wanting to ask a question about the party and what it's about.

"Did he tell you what kind of party it is?" She asked, he looked at her but quickly looked back to focus on the road, "Your boss, I mean. What is the party about?"

Bruno only shrugged without saying anything. Calla sighed. It was obvious he didn't want to be talking to her. She must as well be talking to a statue.

She remained silent the rest of the ride until they reached.

It was a club. No no, the best club in the city. 'Lust & Lace' is well known in the country. Not just anyone is allowed entry, only the elites of the elites, the wealthy of the wealthiest.

Where she works at Velvet Club isn't half near Lust & Lace. This place was sinful with lots of open sexual activities, stripping, and public BDSM.

'Why did he ask to meet here?' She pondered.

She's never been here before, and she couldn’t wait to see what it looks like inside.

She stepped out of the car and walked to the entrance. A long line of people was waiting to get in, and she walked past them.

"Hey girl! Don't you see there's a line here?" Someone shouted, grabbing her attention. She ignored him and walked to the bouncer.

He was at least five inches taller than her, so she had to stretch her head to look her him.

With arms folded, he scrutinized her. "Go back to the line," his voice came in deep and scary.

'Shit! That was quite embarrassing,' something in her head said.

She swallowed her embarrassment, not knowing what to do. Bruno was trying to park the car, so he told her.

The guy who called her about the line let out a loud scoff, and others joined him to laugh.

She bit her lip and reached out for her phone in her purse. "Look, I was asked to–"

She didn't go far with her words before Bruno spoke behind her. "Let her in Marco."

The bouncer quickly straightened up as he saw Bruno. She thought Bruno was just a bodyguard, who knew he had this much power.

Calla's lip morphed into a proud smirk. She turned to the rude stranger and passed him a middle finger, flipped her hair, and walked into the club. With Bruno closely behind.

***

The rumors were true. Lust & Lace was exactly how people whispered it to be. From the outside, it looked like any other high-end club, but the moment Calla stepped through the black double doors, she entered a different world.

Red lights glowed low, casting shadows that danced across the dark walls. The air was warm and heavy with perfume, sweat, and something darker.

Music thumped through the floor, slow and deep, matching the rhythm of the bodies moving all around.

In the center, a glass stage held dancers who moved with confidence, slowly peeling off their clothes while the crowd watched without blinking.

Around them, people kissed, touched, fucked, and gave in to desire right in the open. Some were tied up, some giving orders, others begging for more – every act was on display, without shame.

Lust & Lace was honest in its madness.

"Go upstairs," Bruno's order brought Calla back from her high. She nodded and pushed her way through the crowd and made her way up the stairs.

Rico didn't tell her anything, only the time for the meeting, and it's almost eleven PM.

She wasn't sure which booth he was in, and Bruno didn't care to tell her. She only hoped she wouldn't walk into the wrong booth and see a stranger's naked body. Not that it bothered her.

She got to the top, and it was so obvious this was the VIP's booth. She walked majestically, not showing that she didn’t belong here.

She saw a bouncer, and surprisingly he didn't stop her. "The last booth on your left," he only said. Maybe Rico had informed him of her arrival.

Calla gave a quick nod and walked past him with her head high. She stood before the booth, and she didn't know what to do. 'Do I knock?'

She shook her head as she turned the doorknob, pushed it, and walked in.

Her eyes widened in shock. 'What. The. Fuck?'