BEHIND THE FACADE R18

One night, One dance

*Starry nightclub*

Mia's POV

I stepped onto the stage, the blinding light enveloping me like a shroud. The music, a relentless beat that seemed to match the racing of my heart.

I took a deep breath trying to shake off the shame and fear. I had to do this for my mom.

As I began to dance, the crowd's faces blurred together, a sea of leering strangers who saw me as nothing more than a commodity.

Their hands reached out, grabbing at me, and I forced myself to smile, pretending I was enjoying this.

Between songs, I caught glimpses of the other girls, some flashing fake smiles my way and others engaging and flirting with the other men who seemed to be their target for the night.

As my eyes scanned the crowded room, my eyes locked onto a stranger's piercing gaze. He sat amidst
a group of imposing men, their faces stern and unyielding. I swayed my hips, approaching him. His expression was cold and calculating, and something about his intensity made my heart tremble.

His chiseled face was angular with sharp cheekbones and strong jawline. A scar above his left eyebrow added a hint of ruggedness. His eyes an unsettling shade of blue seemed to bore into my soul.

Long, dark braids cascaded down his back reaching his shoulders. A few loose strands framed his face softening his rugged features.

Intricate tattoos adorned his neck and arms. A black leather jacket accentuated his broad shoulders and a silver Pink ring gleamed in the dim light.

On his right, sat a sleekly dressed woman with piercing green eyes that watch me with interest.

But the stranger's icy gaze held mine as if stripping me bare to access my worth.

I tried to focus on the dance but his presence unnerved me.
"Closer" I hear his low and commanding voice.

I hesitated then leaned in, my face inches from his. The woman raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on her lips as I away my hips against the stranger's lap.

The stranger's hands clamped on my wrist holding me in place. "You're new here" he stated with disdain.

I give him no reply. The woman smiled amusingly as she took a sip from the wine glass in her hands. "It seems you found yourself a worthy distraction Malcolm."

I leaned in, my lips brushing his ear "you're not the only who command attention, Malcolm." I felt his hands tighten around my wrist. His eyes narrowed but I saw the spark of intrigue.

I find my way back to the stage, my heart racing. Soon the music stops and I return to the dressing room where Chloe and her boss Ruby waited.

"Good job" Ruby said. "A customer is waiting for you in room 2 in the VIP section upstairs." .

"Who is it" I asked

"No idea, all I know is that he is willing to pay top dollar for your exclusive attention"

My curiosity piqued. I made my way to room 2.

The door clicked shut behind me as I stepped into the room with anticipation. The VIP customer a middle aged man with sleek back hair looked me up and down.

"Ah, you are even more beautiful than in the pictures" he said, his voice dripping with lust.

I forced a smile as I walked to his side where he gestured for me to sit. He pours two glasses of champagne, handing me one.

As we sipped out drinks, he started to get handsy, his touch making my skin crawl. I felt like slapping his hands away and storming out of the room but mom's medical fees won't pay themselves.

He leaned in to kiss me but I placed a finger on his lips " Ahh Ahh slowly now, we don't want to rush things do we?" I stood up taking a sip from the glass before placing it gently on the table.

I sat across his laps straddling him, a seductive smile playing on my lips, then a commotion was heard outside and in a second, the door flung open revealing Malcolm, the lady from earlier and Ruby.

I quickly stood up while straightening my clothes, relief washing over me.

"Malcolm Reed" the VIP customer stuttered.

Malcolm ignores the cowering man and grabs my wrist "you're coming with me"

I stood firm "am going nowhere with you"

"Well, you don't have a choice, you're mine" he sneered.

The VIP customer cowered gathering his belongings"I didn't know she was ....yours"

"Leave" Malcolm ordered and the man fled leaving behind his drink and jacket.

"Am not a commodity you can just tag as yours whenever you please"I spat at Malcolm who only smirked at my words "you're mine now Mia" he says before leaving.

How did he know my name? "Natalie" he says and the woman with him nodded. She looks at me for while, then she smiled before leaving with him.

My phone chimes in the couch and I quickly receive the call from the hospital.

"Hello, how is my mom? Is she okay?" I ask my head spinning from all the thoughts that flooded my mind.

"Your mom is fine now and is in perfect condition. We just called to inform you that the surgery has been concluded and there some papers you need to sign as her guardian" the words of the person on the phone brought relief to my heart.

But the doctor strictly told me that the surgery couldn't take place without payment for the fees.

I pushed those thoughts aside and went out of the club after informing Chloe about my mom.

I met with the doctor on getting to the hospital. "An anonymous sender paid for your mom's surgery. Thankfully, it went well and your mom is in good shape now. She is currently unconscious but will regain consciousness soon so there is nothing to worry about"

The doctor's words surprised me but I wish I knew this anonymous sender so as to thank them. I thank the doctor before proceeding to see my mom.

By morning, I go out to get some food and fruits as the doctor advised for mom.

"Mom!" I smiled happily as my mom sat on the bed her beautiful smile on her face as I approached her dropping the stuff in my hands.

"Mom, am so glad you're fine" I say as I sobbed on her chest.

"Am fine now so don't shed those precious tears of yours" she said stroking my hair.

After few hours, the doctor came to examine mom again and declared she could return home by the next day. He also prescribed some medicines.

We returned home the next day, then I received a message from an unknown number.
"No 2, Selene street. 6pm"

What does this mean. I shrugged off the eery feeling in my chest but as the night wear on, I couldn't take my mind off the message so I called Chloe to come stay with mom while I went to the address.

I walked through the dark alley, the darkness enveloping me. Just as I decided that this was a bad idea and turn back to return home, a hand covered my mouth and another held both my hands and soon everything blurred away.

Hello people!

Just a follow would do.
Thanks for reading

Mimi💜