Chapter 8

Isabella’s POV

“Get ready, Isabella. You have 10 minutes,” Dan ordered.

“Okay, Dan, you win. I’ll take her place. Just don’t make Isabella dance for The Draco,” Mia said quickly.

Dan shook his head.

“No. I want Isabella to do it.”

He smirked before walking out of the dressing room.

“But, ” Mia tried to protest.

The door slammed before she could finish.

Mia immediately grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look at her.

“Look at me, Isa.”

Her voice was serious now.

“I hate what Dan is doing to you, but it looks like you don’t have a choice.”

My heart was already racing.

“Listen to me carefully,” she continued.

“When you get there, avoid all eye contact with the Draco.” She emphasised every word.

“Just dance… and leave.”

I swallowed nervously.

“What is going on?” I finally managed to ask.

“I’m confused.”

Mia sighed deeply. “Oh, Isa…” she muttered.

“I’m so sorry this had to be your first debut here, because girl, you’re walking straight into the lion’s den.”

“The lion’s den?” I repeated.

My confusion only grew stronger.

“Who is the Draco?” I asked, my voice slightly shaking.

Mia hesitated.

Then she shook her head.

“Oh, sweetie… You really don’t want to know.”

She forced a small smile.

“Come on. Sit down. I’ll help you get ready.”

I nodded slowly and sat down as she began doing my makeup.

But my mind wouldn’t stop racing.

Who is this Draco?

And why did everyone seem terrified of him?

Soon Mia finished my makeup and handed me a black two-piece she had chosen for me.

It was shorter and more revealing than anything I had ever worn before.

My hands trembled slightly as I put it on.

Mia curled my hair into loose waves before adding the final touch to my lips. A red lipstick

“There,” she said softly.

“You’re ready.”

She stepped back and looked at me. She smiled.

But I could see the worry hidden behind it. It only made my anxiety grow stronger.

Mia then handed me something.

A red mask.

I frowned.

“What’s this for?”

She stared at me for a moment before taking a deep breath.

Then she leaned closer and whispered into my ear.

“No one dances for Draco without wearing a red mask.”

My stomach dropped.

“ Wait What? Why?”

“I don’t feel good about this anymore,” I whispered.

“Mia… I don’t want to do this.”

She looked at me with sympathy.

“I know,” she said quietly.

“And if I could take your place, I would.”

She placed her hands on my shoulders.

“But you can’t say no to Dan if you want to keep this job.”

I knew she was right.

This was my only source of income.

And I couldn’t afford to lose it. So I took a deep breath.

“Okay.”

Just as the word left my mouth, the dressing room door opened.

Dan stepped inside.

“Isabella,” he said impatiently. “It’s time. No one keeps Draco waiting.”

My heart pounded loudly.

Mia squeezed my hand.

“It’s going to be okay,” she whispered.

“Just dance and leave.”

Then she added quietly.

“And remember… avoid eye contact.”

I nodded slowly.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I placed the red mask over my face.

This was it.

My first debut.

---

The room was dimly lit when I walked in.

My legs trembled.

My heart was racing.

My palms were sweating so much it felt like I had dipped them in water.

The entire room was dark except for a faint light near the pole.

And somewhere in the shadows…

Someone was sitting.

A figure on the couch.

Is that him?

Before I could think further....

“Begin.”

The voice came from the darkness.

Deep. Rough. Commanding.

The sound alone sent a chill down my spine.

I took a slow breath.

Just dance and leave.'' Avoid eye contact. Mia’s words.

Nodding slightly, I signalled for the music.

The slow rhythm of the song filled the room.

I walked toward the pole.

My fingers wrapped around the cool steel as I slowly began moving.

My hips swayed with the beat.

Side to side.

Slow. Controlled.

The music wrapped around me like a spell.

Every movement came more naturally than I expected.

My body followed the rhythm instinctively. My hands slid along the pole as I spun gracefully.

For a moment, I forgot where I was.

The music pulled me deeper. My body moved without hesitation.

But even in that trance… I could feel it. His gaze. Watching me, Intensely

Then suddenly.

The lights brightened slightly.

And I saw him.

My breath caught.

He had snow-white hair. A perfectly sculpted face. Sharp jawline. Dark beard. His body was powerful and muscular beneath his shirt. But what shocked me the most… Were his eyes.

Red. Not just red.

They burned like flames. Like living fire.

They were terrifying. And mesmerising all at the same time.

My heart skipped violently. Those eyes held something dangerous.

Something dark.

Something impossible to describe.

For a moment, I was completely lost in them.

Then Mia’s warning echoed in my mind.

Avoid eye contact.

I immediately looked away.

And continued dancing.

The music finally ended.

My chest rose and fell quickly as the silence returned.

It’s over.

Relief washed through me.

I turned and began walking toward the door.

Then his voice stopped me.

“You’re not my usual dancer.”

I froze.

His footsteps approached. My heart pounded harder with every step he took.

He stopped directly in front of me. And now that he was closer…

I realised just how tall he was. He looked like something carved out of marble.

Like a Greek god.

“I’m filling in for Bambi,” I whispered nervously.

I kept my gaze on the floor.

Avoiding his eyes.

“Hmmm.”

He circled me slowly.

Like a predator studying its prey.

Then he stopped in front of me again.

“Tell me…”

His fingers suddenly lifted my chin.

Forcing me to look at him.

Those red eyes locked onto mine again.

“Who are you?” he asked.