Chapter 3 Beneath The Glitter

• Pain shot through me as I felt a frozen ache lingering in each part of my body, unable to catch a proper breath as I lay on the bed. The night brought the echo of another long day filled with the weight of each word and gaze.
• I managed to sit up, resting my back against the wall as I released a sigh, trying to get a grip on myself. The last client's grasp was still stained on my skin, leaving me to question my existence in this job every day. The painful fact remained that I wasn't able to get any money today since it wasn't payday. I couldn't repeat my actions of drugging and stealing the customer's money like the last time, so what could I possibly do now?
• My only hope was in begging Nate and seeing if his cruel demeanour could show some mercy. I knew it wouldn't work as easily as I hoped, but the least I could do was try.
• I gently stood up, climbing each step as I walked into the bathroom, splashing some water on my face. I washed my face, leaving a glance in the mirror after. I noticed tiny bruises, I had to keep hidden from my mother's sight.
• Applying some touch of makeup to hide them, I stepped out of the room and walked down the stairs, my eyes scanning for Nate, intent on asking him if he could help out. To my dismay, I couldn't catch a glimpse of where he was, so I was left to wander around the club area.
• My gaze landed on Ruby walking by. I couldn't say she and I were on good terms. From the very day I started here, she'd had a look that spoke of jealousy, of hatred. I had no idea why, but all I knew was that she was known to be the best, taking each fun at the job as though it was her dream.
• But I had no intention of making enemies. I couldn't afford to have one; all I ever wanted was my mom's recovery, nothing more.
• "Ruby," I uttered, calling her, only to receive a frowning glance in return.
• "I just want to know if you know where Nate is," I said, trying to be polite.
• "It seems you just don't know the respect rule. That's 'boss' to you. You'd better address him with respect. If anyone catches you calling Nate 'sir,' I can't assure you how jaw-rolling your punishment would be. And next time you call me, it's best to address me as ' The Head Courtesan.'" She sneered.
• I had little time to argue with her. It was nighttime, and I had to return home soon. My mom must still be up waiting, but I couldn't leave without the money.
• "Alright, Ruby, please, can you tell me where the boss is?" I asked, swallowing my pride.
• She gave no response at first, her furrowed brows leaving a piercing gaze. "Check the last room up ahead. He's there." She finally said, turning to leave.
• I approached the room door after a few steps, my hands reaching for the door handle.
• My mind rethought my actions. What if Nate saw this the wrong way? I couldn't easily forget the warning he gave me last time, those narrowed eyes darkening with fury. Should I really be doing this? But if I don't, my mom—no, I have to.
• I whispered to myself, mustering some courage as I opened the room door and walked in. My eyes landed on Nate, seated with four other men. Their discussion came to a halt at my mere entrance, all eyes gazing at me with fury.
• "What are you doing here, Sierra?" Nate's voice came like a storm, jolting me and nearly making me stumble.
• "I'm really sorry for barging in like that. I'll leave now," I said, apologizing as I turned to shut the door behind me. I leaned against the wall on the other side, my heart aching. I was sure Ruby knew about the meeting, and yet she sent me here without mentioning it, knowing the outcome of the punishment for such defiance. Some weren't even considered for a second chance.
• Aiming to leave, I saw Nate stepping out, his grasp tight on me as he pushed me against the wall. "Why are you here, Sierra? Things were let to slide today, but next time, if such happens, I can't assure you what will happen."
• Nate's eyes and grip were like no other, those eyes showing a mix of anger and care that I couldn't understand. The men present weren't familiar to me, and for all I knew, they must have been discussing business matters they wanted hidden. I just hoped they didn't see me as a threat.
• "Sierra?" Nate's voice snapped me back to reality. "Why did you come here?"
• "I'm sorry. I just wanted to ask for a favour."
• "A favour?" he scoffed at the mention, retreating his grasp as his eyes weighed on me. "Speak."
• "Well, it's my mom."
• "Your mom? What is it with her again?"
• "I need some money for groceries. You can deduct it from my pay. I just need the money right now, please—"
• "Enough of this, Sierra. You know things don't work like this, and you've been here for quite a while. On the boss's order, nothing has been done to you unless you break the club's rules. I've tried helping you in the least possible way. If the bosses get a glimpse of all you've done so far, mostly with the part of you drugging and robbing the customer, I can't assure you that your mother's medical care will go as smoothly as it was set to go. And I can't assure your safety either."
• But something felt odd and different about him this time. Those cruel and merciless eyes of his seemed to soften for just this moment. But even with all he had said, I still needed the money.
• "You speak of my mother's bills, but not much has been done about that."
• "The hospital claims she will be alright, so now it's up to you to obey and work without any more questioning." He said
• "The hospital claims and my mom's state don't match. Her sickness hasn't yet been cured. I admit it had stopped once, but now it's worse than ever."
• I watched Nate glance to his right and left. "I know you're desperate for your mother to get better, and you want things to move along smoothly, but wake up from your dream. You agreed to the contract, and now you're bound to this club. Don't try to turn into a traitor. When the boss sees fit, he'll let you off the hook and—"
• "Let me off? And how many has he let off, huh?"
• I came here for some money to buy food, but one thing was staring me in the face: Was I ever going to be free from working here? My mind accepted that things wouldn't go as smoothly as expected when I wanted my freedom. I had never seen anyone who worked here leave. They were mostly disposed of when customers started complaining about them fading off and no longer being attractive. That's when they'd see them as trash and dispose of them. Return? I doubted it. None had been heard from after being dismissed from the club.
• I knew there were many secrets lurking around in every nook of this club, secrets I didn't want to get involved in.
• "Leave now, Sierra. Consider this a warning," Nate uttered, turning to leave, ignoring my words as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.