Three

A DAY LATER

Lucy found herself shoved into a sleek, black car with tinted windows. She seethed inwardly but accepted her fate. After all, she had brought this upon herself.

Thankfully, Barry wasn't with her. Instead, one of his henchmen sat beside her in the back seat.

"Where are we going?" she asked. The man only grunted and turned away. She bit her lip, feeling like a puppet on strings. She hated it but knew she had no choice.

"Fine, don't tell me," she muttered, looking away.

Suddenly, the car stopped. She peered out, confused by the desolate surroundings. What was going on?

Before she could react, a bag was thrust over her head. She tried to scream but was silenced by the man's gruff voice. "Boss's orders. Don't struggle," he snarled.

Was this Barry's plan? To kill her?

"Relax," he warned. "If you don't, accidents might happen."

Lucy got the message, stay still or risk dying. She took deep breaths, trying to calm down as the car resumed its journey.

She lost track of time before the car stopped again. She was dragged out, unable to form any mental map of her surroundings. She focused on staying alive.

As she walked, she heard thumping club music. Was this her destination? Barry's club?

A new voice, British-accented, spoke as she was guided further. After a long walk, a door creaked open.

The bag was yanked off her head.

Lucy blinked, adjusting to the dim, red-lit room. It looked like a scene from the red light district. She wasn't alone; other girls stared at her curiously.

"Girls!" the British-accented man called out cheerfully. "Meet your new colleague! She'll be with us for a while. Play nice, no cat fights!"

He left, shutting the door behind him, leaving Lucy alone.

She surveyed the room. It was large, with multiple beds, vanities, and a divan. One girl eyed her as she approached an empty bed.

"Is this taken?" Lucy asked. The girl shook her head. Lucy sat down, noting the socket and small table beside each bed.

"Hi," the girl greeted. Her short bob framed her striking doe eyes. "I'm Vanessa."

"Lucy," she replied, grateful for the conversation. "You're a dancer too?"

"Yeah, we all are," Vanessa shrugged. "You must be new. Any questions?"

Lucy shook her head. People often underestimated her, thinking she was inexperienced. It worked to her advantage sometimes.

"I perform for a living," she said after a pause. "This is just another club."

"It’s not just another club," Vanessa corrected. "It’s the Mafia’s underground club. Hard to leave."

"Wait, underground?" Lucy asked, surprised when  nodded. "And what do you mean, hard to leave?"

Vanessa gestured around the room. "Most of us owe debts to the Mafia or their allies. Some, like Kristie," she pointed to a loud girl, "Are hiding from the law. We’re here because we have no other options."

Lucy pressed her lips together. "I guess you're right. I'm here because of a debt too."

Vanessa smiled warmly. "Don’t worry, you can pay it off. Maybe be out in a year. I’m hoping the same for myself."

Lucy returned the smile, feeling a rare sense of camaraderie.

"Hey, get the newbie over here!" a girl with a buzz cut and piercings called out. She was completely naked, her studded nipples gleaming even in the dim light.

Vanessa stood, motioning for Lucy to follow. Lucy hesitated, recognizing the type, the self-appointed boss.

Time to put her in her place.

As the blond approached Lucy, she rudely asked, "Can you dance at all?"

The way she spoke made it clear that she saw Lucy as nothing more than a piece of trash. 

Despite this insult, Lucy remained calm and collected. 

She knew that in this underground world, filled with heartless and cruel people, rebellion could have dire consequences. 

With a soft sniffle, she avoided making eye contact with the blond and responded firmly, "I will show you when it's time." Lucy said.

"Hmm!" She smirked, her confidence evident as she appointed Vanessa to assist her through the routines and steps ahead. With a nod of agreement, Vanessa stepped into her new role eagerly, ready to guide Lucy through the labyrinth of challenges.

Vanessa's guidance extended even to the most intimate details, such as selecting lingerie suitable for their activities in the underground realm. 

Lucy was unfamiliar with the nuances of this hidden world, relied on Vanessa's expertise not only for the routines but also for the attire that would distinguish them from the ordinary.

The dresses were not merely garments but expressions of power and allure. They were designed to captivate, to entice, and to command attention, unlike the mundane attire worn on the surface.

Lucy scrutinized herself in the mirror, her reflection, her breasts spilled out, barely contained by the small leather cut that covered her nipples. The corset hugged her curves, emphasizing her hips and sculpted stomach. As a novice stripper, Lucy felt exposed for the first time.

Her bare buttocks were on display, with the G-string nestled between them unabashedly, reminiscent of a scene from adult films.

"Isn't it absurd to strip like this?" Lucy questioned  sharply.

"Well, it's stunning! You look incredibly attractive!" Vanessa replied, stepping back to admire the scene before her.

Lucy wished Vanessa had acknowledged the shame she felt instead of praising her appearance.

She matched her silver leather lingerie with a six inches silhouette that added so much to her height.

Lucy almost lost her confidence in her new strippers' clothes. It's evening already and they are set to mount the  ground stage to please the mafia's and all their clientele that she would preferably call Snoop dogs.

The schmaltzy music filled the room solemnly and the coloured light buzz through the edges of the wall

The smell was horrific as several cologne buzzed in the air.

Lucy sniffed in sharply and brace herself to accept the cross bestowed to her.

Soon the ladies stepped out from the inside, each girl dazzling and beaming with smiles except Lucy looking awkward and embarrassed.

"Lucy, are you not a stripper anymore? " She questioned herself trying to put in the mood but it was hard for her in this kind of toxic environment where hard mens scattered all around either drinking and sniffing or gambling with guns and weapons beside them. 

Lucy wiped her forehead that was dripping with sweat to prevent the makeup Vanessa spent hours applying from getting ruined.

 "Lucy, are you okay ? Vanessa called out. She walked towards her and squeezed her cold palms.

Lucy fidgeted with the hems of her pants. Her heart thuds out loudly like she wants to pick a race. 

"What if I didn't do it well? Would I be killed? " Lucy let out her fears to  who took her in.

"Shhhh I believe you can do this! " Vanessa gave her a reassuring smile .

 "You will do well and serve the masters Ok! " She Added

"Masters? " Lucy demanded

“Yes, once you do well on your first night, you won't have to be bothered with the crowd anymore. You will only serve in the private room and serve the masters.

"Hmm! " Lucy breathed unevenly trying to digest  words.

 "You mean I will only strip for the crowds tonight and if I do well that's all? " She muttered slowly

 "Yes, so I believe you will do well and find your way to the top." Vanessa giggled at Lucy naiveness.

   

 Lucy looked a lot more relieved after the reassurance, ready to do as she was told and get a chance to meet with Barry.