Four
I squinted my eyes tightly as the bright light pierced through them. I raised my palm to shield my face, trying to make sense of my surroundings.
I tried to sit up, but my body gave out and I sank weakly back onto the bed.
It was morning.
Then I flinched, the memory hitting me, I had sex with someone.
I snapped my head to the other side of the bed and frowned when I saw he was gone.
I sat up quickly, ignoring the throbbing in my head.
Sir Diego is gone?
A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind clouded with guilt and confusion.
How would my sister feel if she ever found out I slept with her husband?
I clutched the pillow beside me as flashes of last night came rushing back.
He was good, I won’t lie, but I just hope we never cross paths again.
I just hope I can forgive myself.
I really hope Ellie never finds out.
Fighting against the soreness in my body, I finally managed to sit up and wrapped the bedsheet around myself.
My eyes scanned the room, and there it was, my dress, crumpled and scattered on the floor.
Slowly, I tried to stand up, but my legs gave in weakly and I collapsed back onto the bed. They were literally shaking.
My whole body was sore, and so was my p*ssy. Once again, I limped toward the couch to grab my clothes, one hand placed on my throbbing abdomen.
I quickly threw on my clothes and shoes, then exited the room, heading toward Madam Silina’s quarters.
It was morning, and the hallway leading to her room was littered with empty bottles of alcohol and cigarettes.
I limped gently and knocked on her door.
Seconds later, she unlocked it, a bright smile spreading across her face when she saw me.
“Oh, my lovely Lyla! How are you? Did you enjoy the night?” she chuckled brightly.
I rolled my eyes at her words and cursed under my breath. “I curse the night.”
She held my hand and led me to sit on the sofa in her well-organized room.
“Gosh, Lyla, you smell like sex. Please go home soon,” she exclaimed, stroking her neatly combed short blonde hair.
Even though Madam Silina often acted like a psychopath, I couldn’t deny how beautiful she was. Her pure white skin matched perfectly with her thin lips and sculpted nose.
“Good morning, Madam Silina. Please, the client said he gave you $10 million. I’d like to receive my own share and head home. My mom needs her medication,” I said politely.
Her smile faded instantly as she sat up straighter.
“Well, he told you he gave $10 million, and you expect me to give you that amount?” she asked, her voice rising.
I shook my head. “No, I don’t expect the full amount, I’m just asking for my share,” I said softly.
She tilted her head, frowning slightly. “Well, I’ll send you one million by 1 p.m.”
I gasped. My jaw dropped.
One what?
Was she playing with me? It was my body on the line. And my sister’s husband.
I didn’t understand what Madam Silina was talking about.
My mom’s drugs and treatment cost about $500k or more.
What the hell was I supposed to do with the rest?
I hadn’t even paid off my debts, or the house rent.
My lips quivered. “Madam Silina… what am I supposed to do with one million? I have so many debts. It won’t even go far,” I said shakily, my voice breaking.
I couldn’t yell or snap at her, not if I didn’t want to get dismissed.
This job wasn’t legal, but it had kept me alive, and I couldn’t afford to lose it.
I sobbed, hot tears rolling down my cheeks.
She stared at me for a moment before snapping, “Girl, I’m paying the government for this place. I’m paying workers. What do you want, that I give you everything? Never. It’s not happening. The most I can do is make it 1.2. If you don’t want it, leave it.”
Tears kept pouring down my face as I sucked in a shaky breath. I nodded and inhaled deeply.
“Fine… I’m going up,” I said and stood up gently.
“Better. And please don’t forget to close the door,” she yelled behind me.
Ignoring her ranting, I exited and slammed the door shut, heading toward the road to get a taxi.
As I walked hastily down the corridor, a strong arm suddenly yanked me back.
I let out a yelp, hitting a hard chest. “What the—do you—”
I paused, raising my eyebrows when I saw it was Michael, the club’s bodyguard.
I pulled my arm away from his grip, clearly irritated. “What do you want?” I snapped, eyes narrowing.
“My Shayla, stop being so unnecessarily rude, will you? It doesn’t suit your beauty,” he said in his annoying Italian accent.
Ever since Michael started working at this club, he’d been a pain in the butt.
He once tried to force himself on me. I reported him to Madam Silina, but she brushed it off like it was nothing.
“Don’t ever stop me like that again,” I warned, almost poking my finger into his eyes.
He clenched his jaw tightly and immediately grabbed my finger, clutching it hard.
“Ouch!” I yelped in pain.
“Don’t ever point at me again,” he snapped, then shoved me off, slamming my back against the wall before striding away.
I stared at his fading figure and cursed under my breath. “Bastard.”
I quickly rushed out and flagged down a taxi.
“20 Voutet Street,” I said politely.
“Yes ma’am.”
The taxi stopped in front of a mini house. I paid the fare and stepped out. My hands trembled with cold sweat.
With every step I took, my heart pounded faster.
What if I found my mother lying lifeless on the floor?
What if she never woke up?
I shook off the evil thoughts and knocked gently on the door.
Seconds later, it opened, revealing my mom’s pale face.
I smiled warmly and threw myself into her arms. She chuckled softly.
“My lovely baby, I missed you too,” she said, hugging me tightly. Then she pulled back and held my chin gently. “Mom would have called you, but it turns out you forgot your phone at home,” she added, her voice trembling slightly from her illness.
“Yes, Mom. I don’t take my phone to work,” I replied.
“Okay, come in. I prepared your favorite food,” she said sweetly, wrapping her hand around mine.
Tears welled in my eyes.
Even though she was so sick, she still found the strength to cook for me?
I love my mom so much.
“Mom, you shouldn’t have done that!” I objected gently, and she giggled.
“Why wouldn’t I? My baby has been working so hard to keep me alive. I had to,” she said, pinching my cheek playfully.
I chuckled, following her to the dining table, immediately drawn in by the delicious aroma.
My mouth watered at the sight of fried chicken and broccoli cheese.
“Mom, if you don’t mind, let me take a quick bath first,” I said.
She chuckled. “Sure, dear. I’ll wait so we can eat together.”
I rushed to my room, stripped off my clothes, and took a refreshing shower.
Afterward, I changed into a simple top and skirt, tied my hair into a ponytail, and returned to the dining table, where Mom was patiently waiting.
I smiled and sat down, immediately grabbing a chicken leg and stuffing it into my mouth. I closed my eyes slightly as the flavor danced on my tongue.
“Mom, this is so good,” I said.
She smiled warmly. “Of course. I know it’s your favorite.”
Silence settled between us, broken only by the clatter of our spoons against the plates.
“The hospital called today,” she suddenly said.
I paused. “They called? What happened?”
She sighed. “They said your dad’s illness has gotten worse. He attacked a nurse who tried to attend to him.”
The food in my mouth stuck, my throat suddenly tight.
Dad’s illness had worsened.
What were we going to do now?
His condition was what had broken Mom in the first place.
I’ll have to warn the hospital not to call her anymore.
“Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll handle it. I’ll go check on Dad during the weekend,” I said gently, placing my hand over hers.
She nodded quietly.
“So… how’s work? Where was the party yesterday?”
“I…” My words were cut off by a notification buzz from my phone. I grabbed it and raised my eyebrows.
A credit alert.
$1.3 million?
I thought she said 1.2?
I scrolled down and saw the message:
“Be here by tomorrow, 6 p.m. Madam Silina.”
I rolled my eyes and tossed the phone aside.
Rubbish.
“Who was that?” Mom asked.
“It’s… from work. They said we’re going to another location tomorrow.”
For years, I’d been able to convince Mom that I worked as an usher at big events.
She couldn’t know the truth, that her daughter was a prostitute.
If she ever found out, she might kill herself.
“Yes, work’s fine. Yesterday’s event was at a big hall in the city,” I lied awkwardly.
She nodded.
I stood up, gulped down some water, and stretched. “Mom, I’m tired. I want to take a nap.”
She smiled. “Okay, dear.”
I walked into my room, opened my wardrobe, and pulled out a small pill container.
I popped one into my mouth and drank some water.
I couldn’t afford to get pregnant. Even if he pulled out, I didn’t trust the process.
I climbed into bed, pulled the sheet over my chest, and closed my eyes.
Meanwhile…
“Do you know the name of the club?” she asked coldly.
“Yes ma’am. It’s a popular but secret brothel.”
Her grip on the phone tightened, her jaw clenching.
“Take me there tomorrow,” she hissed.
“I want to see who Diego cheated on me with.”
