The Sinner's Heart (SIN CITY Series: Book #1)

My alter ego

ALEXANDRINA'S POV

I trudged up the stairs to my room, exhausted from a long day at the café. My mind was still reeling from the mysterious stranger and the upcoming night shift at the club.

I pushed open the door to my room and was greeted by the familiar sight of canvases and paint-splattered easels. I had been putting off finishing these paintings for weeks, but tonight was not the night. I had to get ready for the club.

As I looked around the room, I saw a space that was both functional and cozy. The walls were painted a soft gray, and the floor was covered with a hand-me-down rug that had been passed down from my mother.

A sad smile crept up my cheeks at the thought of my mother. "It's been hard, mum."

But this was no time to reminisce. There was a twin-sized bed against one wall, with a makeshift headboard made from an old door. The bed was adorned with a vibrant patchwork quilt that I had made myself, using scraps of fabric from thrift stores.

In one corner, there was a small desk with a second-hand chair, where I spent hours studying, writing, and dreaming. The desk was cluttered with textbooks, notebooks, and a few favorite novels. On the wall above the desk, there was a shelf made from an old crate, holding a few framed photos, some sentimental trinkets, and a collection of dusty jars filled with buttons, safety pins, and other treasures.

The room was small, but it was mine, and I had made it my own. I remember spending countless hours in this room, reading, writing, and escaping the stresses of everyday life. It wasn't perfect, but it was home, and I was grateful for the sense of security and comfort it provided.

I hummed to the tune of a popular song. The whole harmony and rhythm calmed my wracking nerves.

As I began to tidy up my art supplies, I heard the front door open downstairs. My father was home. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the usual small talk.

"Drina, are you home?" he called out from the bottom of the stairs.

"Yeah, Dad, I'm here," I replied, trying to sound cheerful.

He walked up the stairs, his worn boots creaking on each step. He was a carpenter, and the smell of sawdust and wood stain always clung to him. His rugged hands were stained with wood oil, and his hair was flecked with sawdust.

"Hey, kiddo," he said, poking his head into my room. "How was your day?"

"It was fine, Dad," I said, putting away a tube of paint. "Just busy with work and stuff."

"Oh, yeah?" he said, eyeing the canvases. "You are working on some new art?"

I nodded, trying to downplay it. "Just some stuff I'm playing around with."

He nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You know, I was talking to my boss today, and he mentioned they might need someone to design some murals for the new development downtown."

My heart skipped a beat. This was exactly the kind of opportunity I had been waiting for.

"That sounds amazing, Dad," I said, trying to contain my excitement.

"Yeah, I thought of you right away," he said, smiling. "I'll put in a good word for you, okay?"

I smiled back, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Dad."

As we chatted, I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. I needed to get moving if I was going to make it to the club on time.

"Hey, Dad, I should get going," I said, picking up my bag. "I have a night shift at the warehouse."

"Oh, right," he said, his expression turning serious. "Be careful, okay? I don't like you working so late at night."

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "I'll be fine, Dad. I can take care of myself."

He nodded, but I could tell he was still worried. "Just be careful, okay? You know I wouldn't let you work two jobs under normal circumstances."

I nodded and gave him a quick hug. "I will be careful, Dad. Thanks for understanding."

I had saved up a considerable amount of money for us to move to a better apartment, but I wanted to take it slow. I had to make sure that my dad didn't ask me about the source of income.

*********

I pushed open the back door to the club, the pulsating music and dim lighting enveloping me like a warm embrace. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and smoke, and I could feel the bass thumping through my veins.

"Oh yeah! I'm back!" I squealed in excitement.

I made my way through the crowded hallway, nodding to familiar faces as I passed. My destination was Vic's office, where I knew I'd find him buried in paperwork.

I knocked on the door, and a gruff voice bade me enter. I pushed open the door and found Vic exactly as I'd expected - surrounded by stacks of documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. His office was a cramped, cluttered space, with papers and files spilling off every available surface.

"Hey, Vic," I said, trying to sound cheerful, but knowing Vic, he knew that that was a lie.

He looked up, his eyes lighting up with pleasure. "Drina! Right on time. Come on in."

I closed the door behind me and took a seat in the chair opposite his desk. Vic leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. His eyes, a piercing blue, which made him look ruggedly handsome, but alas, he wasn't my type.

I knew I was a beggar, but in this case, I had a choice.

"So, tonight's the big night," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "We've got a private party coming in, and I need you to make a good impression."

I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. "What's the theme?"

Vic grinned, his teeth flashing in the dim light. "Glamour and glitz. I want you to wear something that'll knock their socks off."

I nodded, already mentally scrolling through my wardrobe options. I had just the thing - a sleek black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places or maybe not. 

"Okay, got it," I said. "What time do I need to be ready?"

Vic glanced at his watch, a chunky silver thing that looked out of place on his wrist. "You've got about an hour. But don't worry, I've got everything under control. Just focus on getting ready and making a good impression."

I nodded, standing up to leave. "Got it."

Vic's voice stopped me at the door. "Drina?"

I turned back to him, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Just be yourself, okay? You're going to knock their socks off."

I smiled back. "Thanks, Vic."

As I left his office, my aura changed completely. Mentally, I pushed my usually bubbly and innocent personality to the back of my head.

It was time to let my alter ego out.