2025-04-10 22:55:25
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~166~
The streetlights buzzed faintly in the dim night as Dafne pushed the glass door open and slipped inside the tiny open store. Her stomach growled louder than her footsteps, and for a moment, she shut her eyes and inhaled the faint smell of fried dough wafting from behind the counter.Her throat was dry. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast.She grabbed two cans of instant noodles from the shelf, hugging them close like precious treasure. At the counter, she dropped a few crumpled bills and murmured, “Keep the change,” before darting outside.A shaky wooden table sat in the shadows just beside the store. Dafne sat there, shoulders hunched, legs folded close, keeping her face hidden beneath the loose strands of her dark hair. She quickly popped the lid of the can, chewing hungrily, tearing into the noodles like someone who had fought her own pride just to eat. She tilted her head low, almost burying her face, as if the world couldn’t see her if she couldn’t see them.The street bustled faint
~ 165 ~
Dafne turned sharply, eyes blazing. “Then give them someone else. I said I’m done.”His gaze flicked to the mask lying on the table. He picked it up between two fingers. “And this? Why do you dance with your face hidden? Who are you hiding from, Dafne?”Her patience snapped. “Enough, Marko! Just give me my payment and keep your questions.” Her voice echoed against the walls, raw with anger.For a beat, he only stared, then slipped a hand into his jacket. An envelope with a bundle of notes appeared, and he dropped it onto the vanity with a dull slap.“There,” he said evenly, his expression unreadable.Dafne’s fingers trembled slightly as she snatched the thick envelope from the vanity table. Her chest rose and fell in sharp bursts, the bass of the music still thudding faintly from the club outside. She tore open the flap and quickly flicked through the neatly stacked bills, her brows pulling together as she glanced at Markos.“How much is this?” she asked, her voice tight, as if she al
~ 164 ~
Dafne slipped into the dressing room, the heavy door shutting behind her with a muted thud that echoed in her chest. The faint scent of perfume, powder, and stale alcohol clung to the air, wrapping itself around her like a second skin. Rows of costumes hung on a rack by the mirror, shimmering under the fluorescent light, feathers, sequins, and lace in garish colors meant to dazzle under stage lights.Her hand trembled as she reached out and brushed a red sequin bra paired with a thin skirt of glittering tassels. The fabric scratched against her fingertips, alien and cold. She pulled it from the hanger, holding it against herself, and let out a breath that came out shakier than she intended. Sitting on the padded stool in front of the mirror, she let the costume slide into her lap.Her eyes followed the curve of her reflection. Her shoulders sagged, her back curved inward as if gravity itself pressed heavier tonight. She pressed the costume tighter against her knees, her jaw tightening
~ 163 ~
Less than an hour later, Dafne stood before a glowing neon sign: VELVET INFERNO. The upscale strip bar buzzed with life.Her breath slowed. She had performed here before, too many times to count. The familiar ache of humiliation pressed against her ribs as she scanned the crowd outside – young couples smooching shamelessly in corners, some half-hidden in parked cars, bodies tangled, moaning.Though it was just 6:30 p.m., the sky was a deep, heavy black, as though night had swallowed the city early.She drew in a sharp breath and pushed through the doors. Music thundered, bass rattling her chest. A stripper spun lazily around a pole on stage, glittering under spotlights as VIP clients leered from plush seats at the front, bills already tucked into waistbands.Dafne shut her eyes, inhaling the cocktail of perfume, sweat, and expensive liquor. Her heels clicked as she walked past the stage, straight down a dim hallway, until she stopped before a closed office door.Her knuckles tapped on
~ 162 ~
After almost an hour of sex, the room smelled of sweat and something older, faded perfume clinging to the thin curtains. The small bed creaked softly as Dafne lay flat on her back, her body warm but her face carved into stone. Her eyes stared at the cracked ceiling above them, expressionless, as though she hadn’t just spent almost an hour tangled with Rabiu.Beside her, Rabiu lay sprawled, chest heaving, beads of sweat glistening in the dim bulb’s light. His grin was wide, foolish, his teeth flashing in satisfaction as he gazed up at the same ceiling she did. He laughed breathlessly, the sound rumbling in his throat.“Damn…” he whispered, licking his lips. “That was… that was something else. Sweetest thing I’ve had all week. Your pussy, Dafne…” he chuckled again, turning his head toward her, “it’s like it was made to keep me alive.”Her lips didn’t move. Not a smile. Not a smirk. Just silence.He went on, still basking in his own thrill. “You hear me? Tight… wet… perfect. You wore me
~ 161 ~
The men exchanged quick glances, murmuring under their breath. Finally, one stepped forward. “Five thousand,” he said, his tone sharp.Zach’s lips tugged into something between a smirk and a sneer. Slowly, he slipped his hand into his jacket pocket. The men tensed, but instead of a weapon, he pulled out neat bundles of cash. Without ceremony, he tossed them onto the ground at their feet. The bundles landed with a heavy slap.“That’s twenty grand,” he said flatly. “Pick it up and get lost.”The men froze, staring at the money as though it had fallen from the heavens. One crouched, flipping through the notes quickly before his face lit with certainty.“It’s real,” he muttered.The others shoved Maya aside without hesitation, their rough hands releasing her arm. She stumbled back, clutching her wrist, her wide eyes darting between them and Zach.“Much appreciated, boss,” one of the men said with a crooked grin. They snatched the bundles, retreating toward their rusted truck.Zach’s voice
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