Chapter 4

Isabella’s POV

“What?!” I screamed in shock.

“Yeah, it’s a job, and it pays well,” Mia said casually, as if it were no big deal.

“What?!” I repeated.

Mia chuckled.

“Look, like I said before, it’s a job. And if you must know… I do it too,” she added with a smirk.

“But I thought you were a dancer and a musician,” I said, confused.

“Yeah… music doesn’t really pay the bills right now,” she replied, shrugging. “So I dance.”

Her raised eyebrow told me exactly what kind of dancing she meant.

“Wait… you’re a stripper?” I asked slowly.

Mia laughed.

“I prefer the term dancer or entertainer. Because technically we do dance and entertain people,” she said. “It’s just… with little or no clothes on.”

“But… but…” I stuttered, completely thrown off.

“So,” Mia continued casually, “what do you say? Want to join us? I can talk to Dan. He’d love the idea of a new girl at the club.”

“Uh…” I mumbled as I began pacing around the room.

A stripper.

That was definitelynoton my list of jobs when I came to this city.

But I needed money.

If I didn’t earn something soon, I would have to go back to my small town.

And that was something I absolutely could not do.

I couldn’t go back there.

Back to the memories.

Back to the demons waiting for me.

“No… I can’t do that,” I whispered to myself.

“So… am I getting an answer?” Mia asked.

I shook my head.

“No.”

“Thank you for trying to help me, Mia,” I said with a small smile. “But I can’t do it. I’ll just keep trying until I find something else.”

“Alright,” Mia said, shrugging. “But remember, the offer is always there. As I said, Dan would love to have you at the club.”

She left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

---

I continued searching for a job.

But as always, it led nowhere.

It felt like the universe itself was against me.

Everywhere I applied, the answer was always the same.

Rejection.

Another two months passed.

Two months of walking around this exhausting city, searching for something… anything.

But still nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

And that was when I finally had to face reality.

No one was going to hire me.

Not even as a waitress.

Which meant there was only one option left.

Mia’s offer.

I sighed heavily.

“Judith is going to kill me if she ever finds out about this,” I muttered as I walked into the living room.

“Hey, you.”

I turned to see Aiden standing in the kitchen.

He was wearing a tank top that showed off his toned arms and muscular chest.

I tried not to stare… but it was impossible.

“Come sit,” he said, motioning toward the counter. “I made you breakfast.”

“You know if you keep feeding me like this, I might never leave,” I joked as I sat down.

“Yeah… that’s actually the plan,” he smirked.

My face instantly turned red.

Okay, heart… calm down.

Aiden placed a plate of blueberry pancakes and eggs in front of me, along with a glass of juice.

“Dig in,” he said with a smile.

I took a bite.

And just like always… it was amazing.

“Wow,” I groaned. “This is so good.”

I kept eating bite after bite.

“Hey, slow down,” Aiden laughed. “I don’t want you choking.”

“That’s your fault for making it so delicious,” I complained.

He chuckled.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Then he took a sip of his coffee while watching me.

“So, Isa… any luck finding a job yet?”

My mood dropped instantly.

I shook my head.

“Nothing,” I sighed. “I’ve searched everywhere. Not even a waitressing job.”

“Don’t worry,” he said gently. “Something will come up.”

Just then, Mia’s bedroom door opened.

She walked out in her pyjamas, her hair completely messy.

“Good morning, roomies!” she announced loudly.

“I honestly thought it was already afternoon,” she groaned as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

Then she looked at my plate.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Aiden… tell me you didn’t make breakfast only for her.”

“Correct,” he replied smugly. “If you want some, make it yourself.”

“Wow,” Mia rolled her eyes. “Of course, you didn’t cook for me. I’m not the one you’re trying to sleep with.”

I nearly choked on my juice.

Mia ignored my reaction and opened the fridge.

After staring inside for a moment, she sighed dramatically.

“Okay, I’m too lazy to cook right now,” she declared. “Frozen waffles it is.”

She tossed them into the microwave.

Then she turned toward me.

“So, my little Bella… did you find a job yet?”

I lowered my gaze.

“No.”

She smirked slightly.

“Hmmm… interesting. You know my offer is still available.”

“What offer?” Aiden asked, confused.

“I offered her a job at the club with me,” Mia said casually. “As a dancer.”

Aiden’s reaction was immediate.

“Hell no, Mia! Why would you even suggest that?” he snapped.

“Tough luck,” Mia replied calmly. “You’re not her father. You don’t get to decide what she can or cannot do.”

She pointed at me.

“The decision belongs toour little Bella.”

Aiden looked furious.

Then he turned to me, his voice suddenly soft.

“Isa… don’t do it,” he said quietly. “That place isn’t for you. Dancing in front of a bunch of men…”

He shook his head.

“If you need a job that badly, come work for me at the gallery.”

His fingers gently brushed through my hair.

His eyes pleaded with me.

But deep down… I already knew my answer.

It was either find a job here…

Or go back home.

And going back home was not an option.

“Aiden…” I whispered.

“Thank you for the offer. Really. But I’ve already made up my mind.”

He looked hurt.

“I need to do this on my own. Working for you won’t help me prove that to myself.”

I took a deep breath.

“Don’t worry. It will only be temporary. Just until I earn enough money to start my own business.”

Then I turned toward Mia.

“So… Mia.”

“I accept.”

Her eyes widened instantly.

“Oh my God!” she squealed, jumping up.

“We’re going to have so much fun!”

She grabbed my hands excitedly.

“I’m going to teach you everything you need to know.”

Then she paused, thinking.

“Oh! You need a stage name.”

She grinned mischievously.

“Little Bella.”

“That’s perfect.”