Dark Paradise

Chapter 1

ALEXANDRA

I arrived at work with my headphones on, humming a song that transported me to a completely different world than the one I lived in here. In that world, there were no obligations or responsibilities, just freedom and infinite possibilities. But reality hit me when I looked up and saw a terrifying scene.

—Let her go, don't hit her! —I shouted when I saw Sara lying on the ground, her clothes torn, while Leon held her by the hair with a baseball bat in his hand.

—Stay out of this, Alexandra! Or do you want to join her? —León shouted at me, with a psychopathic smile. At that precise moment, his cell phone started ringing and he abruptly released Sara.

—You got lucky, bitch, but remember that it's because of me you eat! — he shouted, spitting at her at the same time. Then he approached me. —Next time, it will be you. — he whispered in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. But I simply ignored him and ran to help the girl who was curled up, sobbing on the floor.

—Thank you so much for helping me. — Sara said, grabbing my hands. I gave her a sympathetic look.

—I'll get some towels and the first aid kit to treat those wounds, don't worry. — I told her to reassure her, and I left the room.

I went to my dressing room, and while grabbing what I needed to treat her wounds, my mind couldn't help but wander about the nature of our work. How far were we willing to go to survive? This club was not only a refuge but also a golden trap, a place where the lines between duty and desperation blurred.

I gathered what I needed and quickly went back.

—Why did he hit you? — I asked him as I wiped the cotton soaked in alcohol over the wounds on his back.

— He wanted me to sleep with him. He heard me talking to Rebecca about needing money to help my mother, and he wanted to take advantage of the situation. When I told him no, he yelled at me and started treating me badly. I slapped him so he would respect me, but he grabbed a bat, and I could no longer defend myself —says Sara, wiping away her tears.

—How old are you, Sara? — I asked, curious, as she always seemed very young to me.

—Seventeen... — she whispered. I was shocked, but at the same time, I felt powerless and angry; how could she be doing these things instead of enjoying her youth? But I couldn't judge her situation. Only she knew her own pain.

—Why don't you leave this place? — I asked cautiously, not wanting to upset her.

—I don't have any other close opportunities. My mother is very sick, I don't know who my father is, and my brothers... well, they're in jail... Please don't judge me — she added at the end, anguished.

I was about to respond, to tell her that I wasn't judging her for what she was going through, but I was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

—Alexa, you're on in 30 minutes! — Oscar said, interrupting the moment. I nodded, but before leaving, I turned to Sara and held her hands firmly.

—Sara, never lose hope. You're strong and brave, and I know you'll find a way out. You're not alone, you have me now. — I said with an encouraging smile. She nodded with tears in her eyes, and I felt that, even if just a small comfort, my words had given her some strength.

—I've disinfected the injured areas, take this pill to ease the pain — I added, and she hugged me. —Everything will be alright, I don't know when, but it will be okay. — I finished saying.

☻

I headed to my dressing room to get ready quickly. I was putting the final touches on my outfit: tonight, I would wear a beautiful short red sequin dress. My outfits had to be eye-catching, as I worked as a pole dancer at the renowned and famous nightclub in Miami called "DREAMERS NIGHT."