Isabella's POV

"That's the dressing room," Mira said, pointing. Then she turned and headed the other way.

I loosened my grip on my bag. I hadn't even noticed I was holding it so tight.

"Where are you going?" I shouted after her. I didn't expect her to hear me over the blasting music from the club, but she did.

"I'll be right back."

Good. Now I was alone. I walked into the dressing room and swallowed hard. So many girls in lingerie. I had been nervous before, but it faded when I saw them. They were busy dressing up, and they didn't even notice I was new.

I didn't know how much time passed before I noticed Mira and an unfamiliar lady behind me. I thought she was Rosé. Mira had told me about her. Her gaze lingered between us, and my nervousness came back. I dropped my eyes.

"Go and dress up. I'll be right back," she muttered, and dragged Mira away.

I moved to the dressing corner and started changing. Soon Mira was dressing beside me. The others left the room one after another, until it was just me, Mira, and three other ladies.

Mira took off her dress, showing black lingerie and stockings.

"Remember, your first pay goes to the company. Rosé has already prepared some clients for you. I'll take you to them," she said. She patted my back and went to do her makeup.

My phone buzzed twice. It was my mom's nurse.

Mom had ASD. I didn't even know what it meant. All I knew was that it was a heart condition, and she needed a $12,000 surgery. I had given that money to my dad last month, but somehow he never paid for it, and now he was nowhere to be found. Now I was here, ready to dance for money, or she would die. I knew for sure he had gambled it all, and...

Mira pulled me back to my phone, which now showed two missed calls. My breath hitched. I picked up without batting an eye.

"Hi, Nurse Joy. I promise I'll get the money as soon as possible," I muttered, as she complained about my father. "I'll be home when I'm done." I said the last part so she would believe I wasn't running away.

When I looked up, Mira was waiting for me. She was looking anywhere but at my face. She didn't want me here. She had been trying to talk me out of it since I told her about the money and how I planned to find it, but I had no choice. I couldn't raise that kind of money from the café.

She walked to the table, her back to the mirror, and stared into my eyes as if looking for any tiny doubt.

"Are you sure about this, Isabella?" she asked, picking up the blush to get my attention.

"No," I said, and smiled.

Mira shook her head.

"I can't leave her to die. Please don't talk me out of it."

"It's just for today," I whispered to my reflection. I looked so good. If I weren't in this situation, I would have taken a bunch of pictures. The rules here said you had to look good and not look like your situation. Nails done, lashes on, hair neat.

Rosé came back in and stared at me for a good minute.

"She looks good, and she's got a butt," she said, making Mira and me giggle.

"Okay, Mira, go take your position. Follow me, Isabella." She clapped her hands to catch everyone's attention and gestured as she walked away.

I ran after her. She was saying something, and I didn't realize she was talking to me. She entered a VIP room and told me to stay outside. After a few minutes, she returned.

"Go in. I'll be around. Let me know when you're done," she said, and strutted away, leaving me looking around nervously.

I eventually entered. Two men were there, their eyes fixed on me. I honestly thought about running. They muttered something under their breath, and I would have heard it if I hadn't been so nervous.

I touched the pole. It was a little cold.

The music started abruptly, and the light turned red. I wasn't a pro at dancing, but with the pole, I would do my best. It's just five minutes, I told myself, and I started moving to the beat.

The music stopped. The light went back to normal. I moved as fast as my legs could carry me. One of the men finally spoke up.

"Can we ask for another dance?" He sipped his drink, locking eyes with me.

I swallowed hard. I didn't know what to say.

"No, Jolan. If you want another dance, I'll send someone else in," Rosé cut in. She grabbed my hand and dragged me out.

"You don't exchange words with them. You render the service and walk out. If they want another dance, they come to me."

After about five dances, Mira found me.

"It's midnight. We should leave, Isabella," she said, moving close to me. I nodded and went to change, but Rosé's voice cut in, amused.

"Well, well, well. Is today not your lucky day, newbie?"

"Twenty thousand dollars," she said, and I gasped. I didn't know what it was for, but she had my attention. Mira moved closer.

"She's not interested, Rosé," Mira said quickly.

"What?" I said. I barely recognized my own voice. "What do I have to do?" I looked from Mira to Rosé. Mira was shaking her head.

"A night with a man. Are you interested or not?" Rosé said casually.

I understood fast. Mira had told me about this, but she had never mentioned the pay was this good. I swallowed hard. Twelve thousand for Mom's surgery, and the extra eight for the house expenses.

My phone buzzed again. A message from the nurse.

I looked at Mira, and Rosé left, and I was left dumbfounded. Rosé gave me an impatient look.

"I'll be back," she said, and walked out, leaving me with Mira.

"You're not doing that," Mira said. It wasn't even a question. She said it so surely.

I picked up my phone. The nurse had sent a picture of Mom, looking so helpless on the hospital bed.

"I think I'll do it," I said, not taking my eyes off the screen.

"What? No, you won't."

I showed her the picture. She looked at it, then at me, defeated.

"It's just for a night," I said, convincing both of us.

"You know what? I'm interested." I smiled through my nerves.

Mira left to tell Rosé about my decision. When she came back, she dragged me to the dressing mirror. "Let's do your makeup."

I was still trying to process everything when Rosé returned and asked if I was ready.

I would never be ready.

I sighed deeply. Before I knew it, I was outside, waiting for the car that was coming to pick me up.

A black car stopped in front of me. I got in without thinking twice, before I could change my mind.

The ride was silent, just me and my thoughts. The driver occasionally asked if I was okay, if I was comfortable. He was so weird.

After a long, unbelievable drive, we reached a big building. To my surprise, it was a restaurant.

I was led to a table. I ate alone, and I enjoyed every bite. I hadn't realized I was that hungry.

A lady came to my table.

"You're Mr. Dawson's guest, right?"

It was the first time I had heard that name that night, but I said yes anyway.

"Please come with me."

I followed her to the elevator. On the wall, I noticed the same initials I had seen in the car, an S and a D in a circle. I loved the hospitality. Throughout the night I forgot why I was there, not until I stepped into the room.

I looked around nervously. The lady was gone. Everyone was gone. It was just me in the room, with red lingerie lying on the bed.

I moved carefully to the bed. The lady had said her master would be there any minute. My heart pounded so fast. I ran my hand over the lingerie anyway.

"This will be the longest night ever