RAVENOUS HEARTS

CHAPTER 4

ELSA

After finishing my shower, I enveloped myself in a cozy bathrobe and strolled with damp hair, vigorously rubbing a towel against my head, toward my bedroom.
As I made my way, my phone, which I had left on the bed, began to ring.

"Mommy!" A familiar voice of a child came through the line. It was Karla, my daughter.

"Hey, sweetie," I replied, settling down on the edge of the bed.

"I miss you, mommy. When are you coming home?"

Those words echoed in my mind. It seemed that every time I spoke with her, she would ask me the same question.

"Very soon, darling," I reassured Karla over the phone.

"Do you want some ice cream, Karla?" Alice, my best friend, chimed in from the background.
Alice had kindly offered to look after Karla while I worked on finding a new job and sorting out some issues.

"Alice, are you giving her ice cream every day?" I inquired, the sounds of laughter between Alice and Karla filled the call. As the call ended, Karla said, "I love you, mommy. Now I'm going to have some ice cream."

Before I could finish my response, the call abruptly ended. Karla was truly the sweetest girl. With her green emerald eyes, blonde hair, and chubby cheeks, I felt incredibly blessed to have her in my life. She was the embodiment of all that was good in me.

Reluctantly, I wiped away a tear as I prepared to dress for work. As I selected my attire for the night, I settled on a striking red dress with a plunging neckline and a pair of golden stilettos. After tucking everything into my purse, I changed into more casual clothes—a simple shirt and a pair of jeans. On my way out, I waved to my sister and nephew, who were engrossed in a movie in the living room.

The night air was gentle and inviting as I made my way to the club where I worked. Upon arrival, I headed to the changing room, which was adorned with plush couches, dim lighting, and the pungent scent of alcohol. After donning my red dress and tidying my hair, I put on a blonde wig and a mask to conceal my identity.

"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Miranda!" a voice proclaimed, announcing my entrance. As I stepped onto the stage, I was met with a sea of lecherous gazes from men holding their drinks. With suggestive movements, I swayed and danced, occasionally revealing glimpses of my thighs.

I glided over to a group of men and danced provocatively, allowing them to tuck money into my panties. The performance was fleeting, and as it concluded, the crowd erupted into applause.

"Miranda, can I have a word with you?" my boss, Gino, beckoned. "There's a group of men looking for some extra fun. Go over there and entertain them. I'll double your pay for the night," he said, punctuating his words with a pat on my backside. I approached the men and began to slowly remove my dress, revealing my bra and panties.

However, as if under a dark spell, I caught a glimpse of a man seated on the other side of the couch.
It couldn't be. It was Daniel, clad in a black suit with an unbuttoned shirt, sipping on a sophisticated drink, his eyes scanning the room.

My heart skipped a beat, and I struggled to avert my gaze from him, but it was futile. What if he recognized me? What would he think? I checked to ensure my mask was still securely in place, but my legs trembled uncontrollably as I continued to entertain the man next to him.

As I moved gracefully, I pressed my face into his neck, attempting to conceal my identity.

His warm breath against my ear sent shivers down my spine.
It felt like a living nightmare from which I couldn't awaken.