–Caia–
I didn’t sleep.
I went to the bank and deposited all the cash from last night.
Then I suddenly remembered the other card.
So, once I deposited the money, I went back to the bank with that same card, checked the balance, and my eyes widened.
Five hundred thousand?
Is this real?
I mean, I had seen and held that amount before.
My family, when I was a child, was well-off.
My father had a business.
But after the bankruptcy, my mother fell into a deep depression, and we moved into a smaller house.
My dad still works his ass off, trying to feed us and trying to maintain the lifestyle my mom missed.
I was already in my third year of college, but I had to stop because my father got into an accident that left him paralyzed.
The person who caused it paid us little and ran off.
But it was enough to cover the cost of my dad’s surgery.
Still, it was never the same.
He was bedridden 24/7.
I couldn’t take care of him because I had to move to a bigger city to look for jobs.
This became my last resort: the strip club.
I withdrew cash just in case of an emergency.
Then my phone rang again.
I answered immediately.
“Caia,” my mother was crying over the phone.
“Your dad…”
“Mom, what happened?” I asked.
“He needs to undergo surgery again.
It’ll cost more—one million.”
I froze.
“I’ll find the money.
Don’t worry, Mom, alright?”
“Okay, but for now, do you have more?
We need to pay for tonight in the hospital.”
“Isn’t thirty thousand enough to cover the initial expenses?”
“Caia!
The ambulance is expensive.
Also, we need to pay for utilities.”
“Okay,” I nodded.
“I’ll send twenty.”
“I’ll wait for it.”
She hung up.
I checked my account.
The last twenty.
I sent it to her, and the new balance was 5.78 pesos.
I slid my phone back into my bag as I started walking away.
My chest felt heavy.
I want to go home.
To my family.
I want to take care of Dad, but I just can’t.
Then I realized there’s another way.
A million?
I sat on the bench at the bus stop.
Then I opened the link my boss had sent me.
I didn’t hesitate to sign my name on it.
I’m going to sell my virginity.
One way to save Dad.
But still, my stomach clenched.
I’m terrified.
I’m terrified that whoever buys me might hurt me.
*****
–Aamon–
She had strawberry-blonde hair, a slender yet curvy body.
Her lips were luscious.
Her nose was slender, complementing her other features.
She looked like a doll.
This is why she became the star of the strip club.
A virgin.
Somehow, she reminded me of someone.
But anyway, the most interesting part was the way she danced and moved.
I had ED (erectile dysfunction) — that’s what my doctor said.
I never got hard with any woman.
I tried hiring different types of ladies to arouse me.
Even when they made out in front of me, nothing.
Men?
Fucking?
No, it was the worst.
It made me sick.
But when I saw her dance last night, she was the only one who gave me jitters down my navel.
Now, she dances in front of me, just for me.
It gave me a full hard-on.
Her scent?
I didn’t like it.
She was sprayed with cheap perfume.
But I already wondered how she smelled bare, between her legs.
Just her natural pheromones.
And when I removed that mask, I knew it.
Her beauty was the same as the girl from my childhood.
I followed her.
She might have that luscious, curvy body, but she was still too light.
Now I realize why.
She ate ready-to-eat food from a convenience store.
More instant noodles.
I chuckled and shook my head.
Just how broke is this girl?
I thought she had enough money to eat something decent.
I still followed her to where she lived.
My heart sank when I saw the place.
Tight, dirty… an old apartment building.
I followed the light trail there.
She was on the fifth floor.
“Sir,” I looked at Matt, my secretary.
“We need to head back.
There’s a big shipment coming, and also, this woman.” He showed me the name: Carolina Sergeev.
My grandparents pushed me to marry her after the Blackwood Empire fell.
“Block it.”
I watched him block that number.
But now that I found her — Caia Isabella Blackwood — I’m going to bring her back to our family.
I’m going to have her all for myself.
*****
Morning came.
Instead of working, I followed her to the bank, probably to deposit the money.
But it wasn’t just that—she looked lost.
As I pulled out the background investigation, I saw that her family was in another state.
Her father is paralyzed.
From the looks of it, Caia’s mother has been calling her for money.
That’s probably why she’s currently in a strip club.
Dancing for those filthy bastards who stripped her with their eyes.
Just like I did.
But last night?
I actually jacked off watching the footage in the VVIP room as she danced so seductively.
Damn it.
For six years of having ED, this was the first time I had to use my hand just to get off—twice that night—with that video.
Now, I am excited for her next performance.
At exactly 8 in the evening, I arrived at my spot above, in the middle, facing the stage.
The other dancers—someone who had worked here longer than Caia, who had only been working for days—performed first.
She already had a lot of supporters.
One guy even tried to climb onto the stage, crazy for that woman.
More money was thrown.
My phone notified me about the auction.
I smirked when I saw her stage name: Mariposa.
Selling their virginities.
Some just sell themselves for a night.
I waved at the manager, who bent down closer to me.
“Give me the list of the people who will participate.” He nodded.
Then, the next performer—Mariposa.
She danced slow, so fucking seductive.
Every movement she made, sent shivers down my spine.
My blood rushed to my manhood.
This was something the doctor could never explain.
I had erectile dysfunction, but now, seeing her dance like that made it hard.
I waved at the manager again.
“After every performance, in my room,” I told him, and he nodded.
She finished her performance as I stood.
I headed to my room, took out the gun from my coat, and placed it on the table.
After what seemed like ten minutes, the door opened.
This time, she was wearing pink lingerie with a tassel skirt and a corset.
She didn’t approach me; instead, she reached for the remote.
“Come,” I said.
“You don’t need to dance this time.”
She approached but stopped midway upon seeing my gun.
My damn stupidity.
I reached for it and slid it into the drawer.
I handed her a blanket, and she wrapped it around herself.
But she was still anxious.
I tapped my left lap, and she hesitated.
But she moved closer, and I pulled her to sit.
I handed her a sealed bottle of water.
Her eyes trembled as she opened it slightly and sipped.
I untied the mask from the back of her hair.
That’s when I saw how sullen her eyes were.
I rubbed her back as I moved my lips closer to her ear.
“How much do you need, Caia?” I asked.
Her eyes widened.
“You don’t have to do private dancing anymore.
No dirty men trying to touch you…” I whispered.
“And are you not one of them?” she sounded feisty.
I chuckled.
“You’ll know soon.”
Her scent was somehow different this time.
Or maybe it was her natural scent without perfume.
“You can rest on the other couch,” I said softly.
She stood and sat there, hugging the blanket around her.
I picked up the documents to sign a few papers.
She kept drinking the water, and I offered her snacks.
She shook her head and muttered a thank you.
Even though I was already aroused, it was still a good thing that kept me awake tonight.
She didn’t realize her time was over.
She was hugging herself on the sofa, sleeping.
I smiled as I stared at her, watching her.
She opened her eyes, met mine, quickly sat up, and checked the time.
“I’m leaving.” She picked up the mask, put it back on her face, and left fast without looking back.
Quick knocks on the door interrupted me.
The door opened as Matt entered.
“Tell her that I sent the payment to her card,” I said.
After learning that her tips had been cut by the past owner and manager on her first and second night, I sent my payment directly to her now.
Matt gestured to the papers.
“You really need to fill all of that.
Let’s not stalk her tonight, okay?”
I signed the last document I approved.
Then he left.
I stood, removed my coat, and put on my jacket and hood.
I also took out a face mask.
I just couldn’t help but watch her—and follow her.