CHAPTER 2: NOT AGAIN

I looked up at the man before me and froze. It was as if my breath hung in my throat, and the world around me disappeared momentarily. 

“Oh my gosh! He is handsome”. I said beneath my voice. His body looked like it had been sculpted from stone with every muscle perfectly defined beneath that tight, fitted shirt that left nothing to the imagination. 

His abs looked rock-hard, his chest broad and powerful, and his entire presence just screamed ‘Take me in,’ which made it hard to focus on anything else.

"My name’s Nathan," he said again, and I swear my mind almost went blank. He could’ve said his name was Thor, and I wouldn’t have been surprised.

My heart was racing like it was trying to break free from my chest, and for a split second, I could’ve sworn the whole mess with Carlos and Lisa faded away. But I forced myself to pull it together. Focus, Mel!

“I... I’m okay,” I said. I didn’t trust myself to say more. If I kept talking, I might’ve said something ridiculous.

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away. But as I walked away, I felt his eyes on me. I didn’t look back, but I could feel him there, his presence strong and unshakable.

As I walked home, I felt tired and drained. I couldn’t stand the disappointment. My chest tightened, and I knew I needed to do something, anything, to make sure I could escape this.

Without thinking, I pulled out my phone and dialed Pachi. 

"Hey, Pachi," I said, "I wanted to ask... do you have any more shifts or gigs available? Anything."

"Well, I do have another job at a club I run. But... I’m not sure if you’d want to do it."

"I’ll do anything, Pachi," I said. "Just tell me where and when."

He sighed, then finally gave me the address and a time slot for an interview. He didn’t say what the job was exactly, but I didn’t care.

"Thanks, Pachi," I said, hanging up. 

When I got home, the stench of stale beer was everywhere and my father was on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles. He was lost in a drunken stupor, completely oblivious to everything around him. 

Navigating through this mess, literally kicked aside the empty bottles as I made my way to my bed. I could feel the anger rising again, but this time it wasn’t just about Carlos or Lisa. It was about everything.

"I need to leave this place," I whispered into the darkness.

The tears flowed freely now, my body shaking with quiet sobs. The weight of it all shook me, my father, the betrayal, the never-ending fight to make ends meet. It was too much. I cried until I had no tears left until exhaustion overtook me and pulled me into a restless sleep.

The next morning, I woke up with a heaviness still weighing on my chest, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. As I stared at myself in the mirror, all I could see was the tiredness that was evident in the dark circles under my eyes, the sadness still lingering behind them. 

With each stroke of foundation, I tried to erase the exhaustion and the pain, masking it all behind a layer of makeup that would make me look more put together than I felt.

I headed to the club, feeling a knot of anxiety growing in my stomach. Pachi had been hesitant about this job, and I don't understand why.

When I arrived, the manager showed me to a private room. I thought I was to be trained or something. I tried to stay calm, but the feeling in my gut wouldn’t go away.

After a few minutes, the door opened, and in walked a group of guys. I could tell right away that they weren’t just any regular patrons as they were young, dressed in designer suits, and smelled of wealth.

The moment they saw me, their eyes lit up. “Wow, look at her,” one of them said, as his gaze traveled over me. “She’s the prettiest thing I’ve seen all night.”

“The hottest, no doubt,” another said, his voice low and suggestive.

I forced a smile, but inside, I was screaming. I didn’t want this. I didn’t sign up for this. I was here to work, to earn money for my tuition, not to be paraded around like some kind of prize.

“Come on, sweetheart,” one of them said, stepping closer. “What’s your name? You’re too beautiful to just stand there.”

My heart raced, but I swallowed the rising discomfort and took a deep breath. “I’m here to work,” I said, keeping my voice steady, but I could feel the tension rising inside me. “Not... entertain.”

They laughed, not cruelly but in a way that told me they didn’t care about my boundaries. To them, this was all just a game.

“Well, you’re certainly entertaining us just by being here,” one of them replied, his eyes gleaming as he leaned back, clearly enjoying the situation. 

I wanted to bolt out of that room and never look back. But, I stood there, enduring their compliments that felt more like insults. This wasn’t what I expected, yet I had to survive it.

My breath was caught in my throat as Nathan walked in. Yes, the same impossibly handsome man who had asked if I was okay the day before. The room instantly fell silent, as the air signaled the respect he commanded among them.

Nathan's sharp eyes surveyed the room before settling on me. "What's going on here?" he asked calmly.

One of the guys cleared his throat, looking a bit nervous. "We thought she was here as a... performer," he said, casting a sideways glance at me.

Nathan raised an eyebrow, his gaze returned to me. "Is that so?" He took a few steps closer, his presence both reassuring and intimidating.

I took a steadying breath. "I came for a job," I explained. "I thought I was being hired as a bartender."

"I see," he said, a hint of frustration in his tone. "Seems there was a misunderstanding."

He turned to the group of men. "Gentlemen, I think it's best you take your leave."

They didn't protest. Without a word, they filed out of the room, leaving just Nathan and me standing amidst the luxurious surroundings. 

Nathan approached me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. He reached out and gently lifted my chin, his touch surprisingly soft. My heart raced as he leaned in, his face mere inches from mine. I could feel the warmth of his breath, and a shiver ran down my spine.

"You must be furious," he murmured, his deep voice resonating in the quiet room.

I nodded slightly, trying to maintain my composure. "I can't believe someone would bring me here under false pretenses," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He gave a slight smile. "Unfortunately, not everyone is honest in their intentions."

There was a magnetic pull between us, something I couldn't quite explain. Unlike the others, his gaze didn't make me feel uncomfortable; it made me feel seen. His eyes held a mix of curiosity and something else, something that made my cheeks flush.

My throat was dry and itchy, my senses began to act on their own accord as my mind wondered what he would look like without the clothes. I noticed the wetness between my legs that seemed to ask him to come even closer.

"You know," he said softly, his eyes tracing the contours of my face, "you have a certain allure that's hard to ignore."

My breath hitched. "I... I'm just here to work," I managed to say, though my voice wavered.

"Work," he repeated as if considering the word carefully. "Perhaps there's something you'd be interested in."

A surge of conflicting emotions washed over me. Part of me wanted to step back, to put distance between us, but another part was captivated by his closeness. "What do you mean?" I asked hesitantly.

He leaned in just a fraction more, his lips curving into a subtle smile. "Something more exclusive," he said. "Just between you and me." his gaze confidently resting on my boobs. “You could be my stripper.”

His words hung in the air, filled with implications. My mind raced, and I felt a warmth spread through me that I hadn't expected. His confidence was intoxicating, and the way he looked at me made my heart flutter.

"I don't think that's appropriate," I replied, though even to my own ears, my protest sounded weak.

He chuckled softly. "Perhaps not, but life's too short for missed opportunities."

His gaze was intense, and I found myself momentarily lost in his eyes. There was a sincerity there, mingled with a boldness that was both alluring and dangerous.

"Nathan, I appreciate your help earlier," I began, trying to steady myself. "But I'm not sure this is—"

He placed a finger gently against my lips, silencing me. "No need for that, I want you to strip for me, now.”

His voice was low, soft but firm. I didn’t know whether it was a command of a plea or something in between both.