Chapter 1: A sad opportunity

Lexi's POV.

“Get your ass here, Lexi! A customer needs to be served!” I heard Brody's irritating voice through the loud booms of music.

I scoffed as I made my way to the counter to collect a tray of exotic alcohol, not forgetting to shoot the disgusting manager a glare.

“To the Exclusives. Mind you, these ones like ‘em slender.” Brody said with a snicker and I rolled my eyes.

I weaved myself through the crowd of drunk and lust driven people in a practiced manner. Even though it was still early in the night, this casino was already almost full to the brim.

One of the reasons why it was the best casino club in the city.

I went up to the Exclusive lounge, where the richest amongst the rich were. Contrary to the Gaming Hall, a fine serenade was being played, adding to its posh tranquillity.

I spotted a group of men sitting behind a grandiose ceramic table. They all oozed of power and dangerous authority.

However, my stomach churned the moment I saw him. They called him “Terrore de Luca”. Obviously to tell how fearful he was but, to me he was not. He was nothing but a sick rich pervert.

As I neared them, his gaze tore from the strippers in front of him. He was staring at me.

If I hadn't been trained well enough by Madame Wells, I would have stumbled in my tracks.

In a collected move, I lowered my head and placed the tray on the table, inwardly praying that he wouldn't do something rash today.

I took the corkscrew and used it to open the bottles when I felt a sharp smack on my ass.

A short gasp escaped me, synchronizing with a swift turnaround. I was met with brown eyes and a cocky smirk.

“Ah…my favourite waitress. What's your name again, cupcake?” Luca asked.

I interlocked my fingers and released a deep breath. Losing my temper would only cost me my job so I decided against that and instead put on a smile.

“Hannah, sir.” I lied. These kinds of men would most certainly forget my name before the end of the night anyway.

In a swift move, the man reached for my arm and in moments, I was above him, leaning so close to his face.

I gasped again. He still had the smirk on.

“I want you, Hannah.” He declared, his tone husky and dark.

A lump rolled down my throat. “A…actually, I don't serve in the stripping department, sir.” I politely stated.

He hummed, tilting his head but still holding my gaze. Irritation boiled in me.

Before he spoke again, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Seizing the opportunity, I pushed myself away from him and stepped back.

“I'm sorry, I have to take this.” I informed after seeing my Dad's name on the screen.

“I will have you, Hannah.” The man expressed just before I exited the lounge.

“Dad, I'm still at work…”

“Lexi…it's your mother…just…get to the hospital as fast as you can!”

I heeded to his words as there was panic heavily etched in them. I headed straight for my mother's ward, ignoring the receptionist.

“Dad! What's wrong?” I asked as soon as I stepped into what has been my mother's abode for the past month.

Father sighed, but I couldn't deny the fear in his eyes.

“She…the doctor said she had a seizure. He said it's a side effect of not treating her early.”

I walked over to the side of the bed and looked down at her. She was a total stranger compared to the mother I knew two months back. Her skin was pale and shrivel. Her eyes had sunk deep into her sockets and her veins could be seen vividly.

I sighed, tracing my hand gently on her head. I shuddered, willing tears away from my eyes.

“I thought they said they stabilized her.” I said without facing my father.

“He also mentioned that that could only help her for so long before the actual treatment is needed.” He said weakly.

I lowered my head as a mixed feeling of anger and despair rose in me. I knew that only meant money was needed. Urgently.

I heard footsteps behind and I turned.

“Miss Lexi, you're here. Good.” Said the doctor.

“We have run the test on your mother and examined her thoroughly. She needs that new bone marrow as soon as possible as her situation is worsening. I believe we have established the fact that Mr. Gabe’s bone marrow is the only one that matches hers?” My father and I nodded.

“How much would the bone marrow surgery cost again?” I asked.

“Like I've mentioned before, Lexi, the total amount would be seventy thousand dollars.” He announced.

Thick silence descended upon the ward as my head fell.

Oh…where do I get such an amount of money? My skin crawled with goosebumps and heat from nowhere enveloped me.

I heard sobs and I raised my head to see my father in tears. I frowned at him. He was supposed to be the strong one, but I have always been the one pulling the family together.

“Doctor…I've spent all the money I have on her for the past six weeks. I have even borrowed money from people…please isn't there anything you can do for us…I just don't want my wife to…” he couldn't complete his words and burst into tears.

He looked miserable and it made the corner of my eyes sting.

“I can help in a way.” The doctor voiced, piquing my attention.

“You can pay a deposit amount of thirty thousand so we can begin the treatment but you'll have to get the rest before the treatment is done.” He proposed.

As he spoke those words, an idea formed in my head and I told the doctor and Dad that I would be back before the end of the day.

I returned to the casino club with brisk steps. My mother mustn't die.

“Hey Brody, I need to speak with Madame Wells!” I said as I walked into the Manager's office.

The owner of the casino was a bit fond of me. If I could get a chance to speak with her, I am sure she would offer me some aid.

Brody shot me a scowl, “What for?* He growled.

“I need to speak with her, it's urgent.” I said, maintaining my vigour.

Brody and I engaged in a brief glaring contest before he finally spoke. Or more accurately, barked.

“Get out of my office, Gabe!”

The next minute, the door was shut at my face.

I sighed, gritting my teeth and fishing my hands. Crazy man! I should have known he wouldn't be of any help.

And there was no way I could get to Madame Wells directly, the last time I saw her in the casino was about a year ago.

I heaved a sigh and aimlessly in the club. I passed by a corridor and a voice caught my attention.

“What do you mean she can't do it?”

That was certainly Mrs. Kimberly’s voice. She was the one in charge of the strippers of the club.

I paused and decided to eavesdrop.

“She said she is sick,” another lady said. Certainly a stripper.

“Sick, who gets sick on a night like this? Gosh, you whores are so useless!” Mrs Kimberly complained.

“What am I to tell this man? He said he wants a slender but curvy girl for the night and unfortunately for me, Layla is the one that fits that description. Ugh, why are you all so fat?” Mrs Kimberly groaned in exhaustion.

“What pains the most is that he is ready to pay a huge sum just for one girl.” She added wearily.

Slender? Curvy?

I glanced down at my body and to my delight, it fitted the description that Mrs Kimberly listed.

I could serve the man. I would simply rid myself of a few clothes and dance on a pole right? That didn't sound so hard at all. That was my chance to save my mother.

Stepping into the corridor, “Mrs. Kimberly. I can do it. I will serve the man for the night.” I declared.