Chapter 10

Clarissa’s heels clicked against the marble floor of the club's hallway as she moved with purpose, her lips twisted into a sly smile.

Erica had dared to slap on of Raffael’s top client and now she had gotten the opportunity she was waiting for, the opportunity to remind Raffael that Erica was nothing but a liability.

Spotting Ray, the club manager, slumped against the bar, she approached him, voice dripping with practiced concern.

“Ray,” she said softly, touching his arm. He looked up, his face still flushed with embarrassment and anger. “I’m sorry for what happened not too long ago. Raffael will definitely think you are being incompetent in handling his club and his clients”

“Exactly. How can I tell Raffael that we just lost some of our top patronizers because of that new girl? I’d be done for! I’d loose my job” Ray groaned in frustration.

Clarissa replied with a dramatic sigh, “I warned Raffael about her lack of professionalism, but he didn’t listen. He actually seemed… fond of her.” She lied.

Ray’s eyes darkened. “Fond of her? After that mess? If he finds out she drove away our biggest clients…”

Clarissa let out a hollow laugh, leaning in closer. “Trust me, he will find out. And he will put the blame also on you. He might say you shouldn’t have let her perform for them in the first place since she’s new.

But if he thinks she did it deliberately” She allowed the words to hang in the air, letting Ray digest the implications.

Ray’s eyebrows furrowed. “Deliberately? What are you saying?”

“Oh, just a suspicion,” Clarissa said, tracing her finger along the edge of her glass as if deep in thought. “Did you notice how she seemed to… provoke them? She refused to dance closer to them right? Ignoring their advances also. It’s almost like she wanted to make a scene.”

Ray's mouth fell open, the seed of doubt taking root in his mind. “You think she wanted to embarrass us on purpose?”

“Who knows?” she said with a shrug, masking her satisfaction as she watched Ray’s expression shift from anger to disgust. “Some women… they enjoy playing the victim. And maybe she thought that if she created enough trouble, Raffael would come to her defense. He’s protective like that.”

Ray nodded slowly, his fists clenching. “If she’s trying to pull something like that, Raffael needs to know. He’s invested a lot in this club, and he doesn’t need someone like her stirring up drama. I need to make sure I am not blamed for any of this.”

Clarissa smirked inwardly, her face a picture of false sympathy. “You’re absolutely right. She’s already a problem—might as well stop it before it gets worse.”

She watched as Ray’s anger grew, knowing he’d go straight to Raffael with her carefully planted story. It was only a matter of time.

*********

ERICA

It had been a full day since the incident, but the tension was as thick as ever. Every time I passed by someone at the club, I could feel their eyes on me—judgmental, curious, or maybe just cold. Clarissa had made sure to spread her version of events, and by now, everyone seemed to believe I had deliberately caused trouble with Raffael’s precious clients.

I was in the middle of folding costumes backstage when the door swung open so hard it slammed against the wall, making me jump. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up to see him—Raffael, standing in the doorway, his gaze burning into me like wildfire.

“Get up!” he ordered, voice sharp and ice-cold. He didn’t wait for me to answer, just took a few steps closer, each one more menacing than the last.

I stood up, my hands slightly shaking as I tucked them behind me, trying to keep my composure. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off before I could say a word.

“So you think you can embarrass me,” he said, voice dripping with venom. “Think you can ruin my reputation with your little stunt?!”

“Raffael, I didn’t—” I started, but he stepped even closer, silencing me with a look so dark it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room.

“Did I ask you to speak?” His voice was low, almost a growl, and the harshness in his tone made my stomach twist. “You embarrassed my business, slapped one of my most valued clients, and then have the nerve to play the victim?”

“I’m not playing victim,” I replied, keeping my voice as steady as I could manage. “What happened wasn’t my fault. I told him to stop, and he didn’t. I had to defend myself.”

He scoffed, crossing his arms. “Defend yourself? I heard from multiple sources that you were provoking them, ignoring their requests, trying to create a scene. You’re here to make clients happy, Erica, not cause trouble.”

My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms. “You can’t expect me to let men like that put their hands on me. I’m not here to be treated like some… piece of property.”

He leaned in, his face so close I could see the storm in his eyes, feel the barely contained rage emanating off him. “That’s exactly what you are here, Erica. My property! You exist to serve the purpose I decide! And right now, you’re little more than a liability.”

The words struck me like a slap, each one sinking in deeper than the last. He was close enough that I could smell the faint scent of his cologne, a dark, heady blend that only made his presence more overwhelming. But I forced myself to look him in the eyes, refusing to let him intimidate me.

I swallowed, my voice steady as I replied, “I don’t care what lies Clarissa or Ray told you. I’m telling you the truth. That man touched me without permission, and I did what I had to do. I’m a dancer, not a toy. I didn’t intentionally cause trouble”

His hand shot out, gripping my chin and forcing my face up so I couldn’t look away. The pressure was a silent reminder of the power he held. I gritted my teeth in pain as his nails dug deeper into my skin. This man could crack my jaw any minute from now.

“Is that so?” His voice was soft now, dangerously calm, his eyes boring into mine. “You think you’re in a position to tell me what you will and won’t do? Maybe I haven’t made myself clear, Erica. You’re alive because I allow it. Every single thing you have right now—it’s mine to give, and mine to take away.”

My heart pounded, a mix of fear and anger surging through me. I wanted to pull away from his grip, to shove him back, but I knew better. He’d only see it as a challenge. And right now, I wasn’t sure I’d come out on the winning side.

His grip tightened just enough to make my pulse jump, a faint warning that he was slipping, loosing his control.

“You don’t get to decide what happens here,” he added, his voice low, threatening. “You’re under my roof, my control. Don’t test me, Erica.”

I forced myself to hold his gaze, swallowing back the flicker of fear that rose in my throat. My heart pounded and pain pounded in my head, but I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of looking away.

“If you want me to stay, then let me have my dignity. I’ll do my job, but I won’t be treated like an object. Not by them—and not by you.”

His expression shifted for a brief second, something unreadable crossing his eyes. Was it… respect? A flicker of something I hadn’t expected, like he was actually considering my words. But before I could be sure, his face hardened again, the cold mask snapping back into place.

“You don’t get to make demands,” he replied, each word laced with an edge sharp enough to cut. “Remember, I own everything here. Including you. One more stunt like that, and I’ll show you just how quickly I can take the very air you breathe.

The next time you lay that filthy finger on one of my clients, I’ll have it sliced off and gift-wrapped just for you. Don’t think for a second I’m bluffing.” He shoved my face away.

A chill crept down my spine at the menace in his tone.

Now I know I’ve made a deal with the devil. And there’s no saving me in his hell.