The encounter

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears like a drum. The club’s backstage room was dimly lit, the hum of music vibrating through the walls. I could hear the muffled voices of people outside, VIP guests filling the private rooms.

“Just breathe,” I whispered to myself, gripping the edge of the counter. I had to remind myself that this was only temporary—one night. One chance to get the money for my mom’s surgery. I couldn’t afford to think beyond that.

Lia stepped into the room, her face serious as she looked me up and down. “You ready?” she asked, but I could tell from her expression she already knew the answer.

“I guess,” I muttered, pulling at the hem of the short dress she had given me. It was tighter than anything I’d ever worn before, hugging my body in ways that made me feel exposed.

“You’ll be fine,” Lia said, her voice softening. “Just do what you always do when we dance around for fun. You’ve got this.”

I gave her a shaky smile. “What if I screw this up?”

“You won’t. Trust me.” Lia squeezed my shoulder. “Besides, the first VIP is usually laid-back. He’s one of our regulars, and he’s always generous.”

I nodded, trying to focus on her words instead of the knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.

Lia led me through the narrow hallway toward the VIP rooms, the music growing louder as we approached. My feet felt heavy, like I was walking through quicksand. I wasn’t sure if I was more afraid of messing up or facing what was waiting behind those doors. Either way, I didn’t have a choice.

“Okay, this is it,” Lia said, stopping in front of one of the private rooms. She gave me a reassuring nod. “Just be yourself. You’re going to be great.”

I swallowed hard and pushed the door open. Inside, the lights were dim, casting long shadows across the luxurious room. A man sat on the leather couch, his back to me. His posture was relaxed, one arm draped over the back of the couch as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Hi.”

The man—Liam, I think Lia had mentioned—turned slowly, his gaze locking onto mine. My breath caught in my throat. He was... gorgeous. Dark hair, sharp jawline, piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. The air in the room felt heavier under his gaze.

For a moment, I forgot why I was there.

Then, remembering Lia’s advice, I forced myself to move. I let the music guide me, swaying my hips in time with the slow rhythm. My heart raced with every step, my body moving automatically even though my mind was screaming at me to stop.

He watched me closely, his eyes never leaving mine. There was something intense in the way he looked at me, like he was seeing more than just a girl dancing. My skin prickled under the weight of his stare, but I kept moving, trying not to let my nerves show.

“You’re new,” he finally said, his voice low and smooth. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze still locked on me.

I nodded, unsure of what to say. The truth? A lie? I was too nervous to speak, so I just kept dancing, hoping that was enough.

After a few minutes, I slowed down, thinking I was done. The song was nearing its end, and relief started to wash over me. But as I turned to leave, he stood up and walked toward me.

“You did well,” he said, his voice steady. He was closer now, his eyes intense and dark. My body tensed as he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly across my arm. I flinched slightly, stepping back, but before I could react further, he moved closer.

Then, without warning, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine—soft but deliberate. My heart skipped a beat, and I immediately pulled away, my hands trembling.

“What are you doing?” I gasped, stepping back again.

He smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Don’t you know? It’s part of the experience.”

I froze, unsure of how to respond. This wasn’t what I had agreed to, but I needed the money. My mind raced, weighing my options. As if reading my thoughts, he took out his wallet and pulled out a crisp bill, his fingers flipping through it leisurely.

“You’ll get extra,” he said, holding the money out toward me. “If you want to take care of your mother, you should know how this works. Nothing is free.”

I froze for a minute. How did you….” Your friend told her boss about your situation. And I make research before I let anyone dance for me. He said cutting me off.

I stared at the money, my hands clenching at my sides. I hated how he made it sound so simple, so transactional. But I needed it. The thought of my mom lying in the hospital flashed through my mind again, and I felt a lump rise in my throat.

He took a step closer, pressing the money into my hand. “Good girl,” he murmured, leaning in once more to brush his lips against my cheek. “I’ll be seeing you again.”

Before I could react, he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

I stood there, staring at the cash in my hand, my body shaking with a mixture of relief, anger, and confusion. I had the money—more than enough to start—but what had I just agreed to?

I didn’t have time to process what had just happened. The cash still felt warm in my hand as I stuffed it into my bag. My heart was racing, and I could still feel Liam’s lips on mine, the way he’d looked at me like I was just another transaction.

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I had one more room to go. One more VIP.

As I left the room, Lia was waiting outside, her face bright with excitement. “How did it go? Did he like you?”

I hesitated, not sure how to explain what had just happened. “Yeah… he gave me extra,” I said, forcing a smile. I didn’t mention the kiss. Or the way it made me feel.

Lia’s eyes lit up. “I told you! You’re a natural. Now, the second guy is a bit different, but just do what you did in there, and you’ll be fine.”

I nodded, though a knot of anxiety was already forming in my stomach. I didn’t know what to expect from the second VIP, but I had no choice. I needed the money. For my mom.

Lia led me down the hallway again, stopping in front of another door. “Alright, this is the last one. Just breathe.”

I nodded and took a deep breath before stepping into the second VIP room. The air inside was thick with tension, and the moment I saw him, my breath caught in my throat.

There stood a man, He looked exactly like Liam. But this man, he felt different—colder, more distant. He sat behind a desk, typing away on his laptop, barely acknowledging my presence.

“Uh… hi,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t look up. “You’re late.”

I froze, unsure of what to say. “I… I’m sorry. I was just with—”

He raised a hand to cut me off, finally looking up from his screen. His gaze was sharp, cutting through me like ice. “I don’t care about your excuses. If you’re here to waste my time, you can leave.”

I swallowed hard, feeling my palms start to sweat. “I’m not. I’m here to dance.”

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning me as if assessing whether I was worth his time. The silence in the room felt suffocating.

“Go on then,” he said, his voice sharp, almost dismissive. “Dance.”