Chapter 3

Lily

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I finish securing my hairstyle with a few hairpins, feeling the pressure of time on my shoulders since the club will open soon and my performance is the first one.

"I really don't understand why it's so damn difficult," I hear one of my coworkers complain nearby. "They denied my adoption application again because 'I don't have the right profile.' How can they put so many obstacles in the way of a woman who wants to be a mother?"

"I don't know, you should ask Lily. She's an orphan..." another one of the girls replies mockingly.

"Very funny..." I answer irritably before ignoring them.

I don't like talking about my past, but I don't deny it either. I know I came from nothing, abandoned by my alcoholic mother and raised in foster homes in Westlake. My past doesn't define me, and it doesn't give any of those bitches the right to speak badly about me. I know how hard I've had to fight to get what I have now. None of them are going to belittle my efforts.

After finishing getting ready, I walk toward the exit and shove the bitch who dared to make fun of me, hearing her yell behind my back, but I ignore her. My show is about to begin.

Honestly, I don't know where I got my talent for dancing. I never went to a dance school or had any kind of artistic background, unlike many of my coworkers. What I have is pure talent, so I can understand why they're so bothered by my success. Completely ready, I step onto the stage for my solo performance and the first show of the night, walking in front of the audience and smiling warmly. As applause erupts throughout the club because everyone has been eagerly waiting for my performance, I can't help but lose my smile when I look toward the center of the room. At a VIP table directly in front of the stage, there's no one there...

That's the seat Nicolae Moonridge occupied every night for three months after he discovered where I worked. He always watched me with those sharp golden eyes, a glass of wine in one hand and a playful smile on his face, devouring me with his gaze.

But now there's no one there. The VIP table reserved every night for Mr. Moonridge is empty, which is so strange... It's the first time he's missed my show in months.

Snapping back to reality when I hear the music for my performance begin, I force myself to smile and start dancing flirtatiously for the audience, while only one thought runs through my mind: Has Nicolae finally gotten tired of me?

***

My official job at the exclusive "Pink Flamingo" club isn't being a prostitute. I'm just an exotic dancer. I perform two or three shows every night, one solo and another with the other dancers. After dancing, I could go home, but as a "bonus," I'm allowed to approach the customers and have drinks with them since I get a percentage of every drink they buy.

Besides that, I get another "incentive": finding men for my second job as an escort.

"Wow, I think this is the first time I've had the chance to talk to you alone. You're always hanging around Mr. Moonridge at the club," one of the customers says as he approaches me.

"Really? I thought we'd already met, handsome," I reply flirtatiously. "Why don't you buy me a drink, and we can chat?"

The customer standing in front of me isn't my type. He's a man in his forties with tanned skin and black hair. His eyes are nice, but nothing out of the ordinary. Outside this club, I wouldn't give him a single chance.

However, when I look at him, I realize he has money. He's wearing an expensive watch and a luxurious designer suit. The perfect target if Nicolae has really gotten tired of me and I need a new "companion" to cover my expenses.

"I heard you spent every night clinging to Nicolae Moonridge. Don't you get bored having only one man between those pretty legs of yours?" the man asks, trying to sound sexy.

"I don't know. You seem pretty entertaining. Want to find out?" I reply, playing along.

"Of course, beautiful. I'm Alfred Montez. I love taming little bunnies like you," he assures me, wrapping an arm possessively around my waist.

"I'm not cheap..."

"I have money. I can pay whatever it takes."

Since this man isn't my type at all, I would have turned him down in the past. But after hearing his offer, I can't help but smile, deciding to accept, at least for tonight.

"Alright, handsome. I have a place nearby that can be rented. Let's go now and see just how entertaining you really are," I reply with a playful smile.

I suppose he has an average-sized cock, more than enough to give me an orgasm tonight. Even if he's ugly, he should at least know how to move well enough in bed to give me pleasure.

Even though my instincts are screaming at me not to do this because Alfred gives off a very strange vibe, without changing out of my performance outfit, I lead him out of the club. Crossing the neon-lit streets, we head toward an apartment complex where I have the place I usually use with my clients... This is where Nicolae used to make me his.

"You seem really turned on, sweetheart," Alfred says, placing his hands on me the moment we step into the elevator.

"Do you really think so, sir? Maybe we should wait..." I suggest, looking around uncomfortably since we were doing this in public.

The man with his hands on my ass beneath my performance outfit scowls and grabs me roughly by the hair, making me moan in pain.

"I wouldn't recommend refusing me. Not with me," he threatens.

"Of course, sir. I'll do whatever you want..."