**Isabella pov**

"That's the dressing room," Mira says, pointing. Then she turns and heads the other way.

I loosen my grip on my bag. I didn't even notice I was holding it so tight.

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

"I'll be right back."

Good. Now I'm alone. I walk into the dressing room and swallow hard. So many girls in lingerie. I was nervous before, but it fades when I see them. They're busy dressing up, and they don't even notice I'm new.

I don't know how much time passes before I notice Mira and an unfamiliar lady behind me. I think she's Rosé. Mira told me about her. Her gaze lingers between us, and my nervousness comes back. I drop my eyes.

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

I move to the dressing corner and start changing. Soon Mira is dressing beside me. The others leave the room one after another, until it's just me, Mira, and three other ladies.

Mira takes 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 says. She pats my back and goes to do her makeup.

My phone buzzes twice. It's my mom's nurse.

Mom has ASD. I don't even know what it means. All I know is it's a heart condition, and she needs a $12,000 surgery. I gave that money to my dad last month, but somehow he never paid for it, and now he's nowhere to be found. Now I'm here, ready to dance for money, or she dies. I know for sure he gambled it all, and...

Mira pulls me back to my phone, which now shows two missed calls. My breath hitches. I pick up without batting an eye.

"Hi, Nurse Joy. I promise I'll get the money as soon as possible," I mutter, as she complains about my father. "I'll be home when I'm done." I say the last part so she'll believe I'm not running away.

When I look up, Mira is waiting for me. She's looking anywhere but at my face. She doesn't want me here. She's been trying to talk me out of it since I told her about the money and how I plan to find it, but I have no choice. I can't raise that kind of money from the café.

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

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

"No," I say, and smile.

Mira shakes her head.

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

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

Rosé comes back in and stares at me for a good minute.

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

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

I run after her. She's saying something, and I don't realize she's talking to me. She enters a VIP room and tells me to stay outside. After a few minutes, she returns.

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

I eventually enter. Two men are there, their eyes fixed on me. I honestly think about running. They mutter something under their breath, and I'd have heard it if I weren't so nervous.

I touch the pole. It's a little cold.

The music starts abruptly, and the light turns red. I'm not a pro at dancing, but with the pole, I'll do my best. It's just five minutes, I tell myself, and I start moving to the beat.

The music stops. The light goes back to normal. I'm moving as fast as my legs can carry me. One of the men finally speaks up.

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

I swallow hard. I don't know what to say.

"No, Jolan. If you want another dance, I'll send someone else in," Rosé cuts in. She grabs my hand and drags 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 finds me.

"It's midnight. We should leave, Isabella," she says, moving close to me. I nod and go to change, but Rosé's voice cuts in, amused.

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

"Twenty thousand dollars," she says, and I gasp. I don't know what it's for, but she has my attention. Mira moves closer.

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

"What?" I say. I barely recognize my own voice. "What do I have to do?" I look from Mira to Rosé. Mira is shaking her head.

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

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

My phone buzzes again. A message from the nurse.

I look at Mira, and Rosé leaves, and I'm left dumbfounded. Rosé gives me an impatient look.

"I'll be back," she says, and walks out, leaving me with Mira.

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

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

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

"What? No, you won't."

I show her the picture. She looks at it, then at me, defeated.

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

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

Mira leaves to tell Rosé about my decision. When she comes back, she drags me to the dressing mirror. "Let's do your makeup."

I'm still trying to process everything when Rosé returns and asks if I'm ready.

I will never be ready.

I sigh deeply. Before I know it, I'm outside, waiting for the car that's coming to pick me up.

A black car stops in front of me. I get in without thinking twice, before I can change my mind.

The ride is silent, just me and my thoughts. The driver occasionally asks if I'm okay, if I'm comfortable. He's so weird.

After a long, unbelievable drive, we reach a big building. To my surprise, it's a restaurant.

I'm led to a table. I eat alone, and I enjoy every bite. I didn't realize I was that hungry.

A lady comes to my table.

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

It's the first time I'm hearing that name tonight, but I say yes anyway.

"Please come with me."

I follow her to the elevator. On the wall, I notice the same initials I saw in the car, a S and a D in a circle. I love the hospitality. Throughout the night I forget why I'm here, not until I step into the room.

I look around nervously. The lady is gone. Everyone is gone. It's just me in the room, with a red lingerie lying on the bed.

I move carefully to the bed. The lady said her master will be here any minute. My heart pounds so fast. I run my hand over the lingerie anyway.

“This will be the longest night ever.”