Chapter 4 Dancing with the Millionaire

The busy morning in the slums had been going on since the sun had not yet risen. The sound of police sirens passed through the area repeatedly. Iris had heard from television that last night there was a war between gangs and there were about three children who were in their teens being victims.

Sometimes there are deep regrets. Her parents chose to leave Slovakia because they hoped for a better life, but now they are trapped in a much more terrible environment!

Iris was used to witnessing violence around her territory. Even last month, one of the residents of the apartment was found murdered and the police did nothing.

No one wants to take sides with poor people like them.

Iris looked up at the skyscraper from the window of the apartment on the second floor. How all her dreams faded. There is no hope that leaves a gap. She is increasingly immersed in life without a promising future.

Sherry, her friend at work, once offered her to become a porn star. But Iris says no. That's not what she wanted. Breaking away from one bad profession to plunge into a similar job is not a better choice.

"Are you working today?" asked her father in the wheelchair in a nasal voice. The European accent was still audible in his tone.

"Papa, I have no choice. But I might come back sooner today."

Zoran, her father, looked away with a bitter smile. Regret was evident on the old man's face.

"If you let me die, maybe your burden will be less, Iris."

His daughter choked on her coffee and stared at the man in shock.

"Jan and I only have you, Papa. Are you going to leave us too? After what I did to keep you alive?"

Zoran's shoulders shook violently. He wept bitterly. Iris closed her eyes and felt that this had always been the heaviest addition to her life.

"Don't bring up what I do all the time, please. We have no choice for now," Iris complained in a trembling voice.

"I'm ashamed, not because of your profession, Iris! But I should be the one to bear all that as the man in this family!" cried her brother out of the room with emotion.

Iris turned around and shook her head.

"You're still a kid and I don't mind doing all this. Please understand."

Jan clenched his fists and sat down with a thud on their old couch.

"One day, it's your turn who will make us happy," Iris said quietly, trying not to cry. Both, the father, and the younger brother were holding the tears. That morning, the debate about Iris' profession was again an unpleasant topic.

The three always end up crying and hurt by the fact that they have no other option than accept what it is.

***

Just as Iris appeared at the clinic, the assistant who had served her yesterday approached. After leading her into the waiting room, Mary held out the envelope.

"Miss Barcova, Doctor Marschall still has a patient, but it will be over soon. Could you wait a bit?"

"Sure, no problem. But why should I wait for him? Is there something wrong?" Iris suddenly looked worried, and her mind started to guess wildly.

"No ... no, nothing wrong. Only our delivery standards. The results of your blood test must be explained by the doctor concerned, in accordance with the procedures of our program," answered Mary quickly.

Iris nodded with a relieved face. Her eyes, which once had a hint of anxiety, now looked calm again.

Meanwhile, Mary realizes that Rene's words are true. The woman she thought was a wild prostitute, now showed an innocent attitude that touched her soul.

Iris Barcova is like diamonds in a puddle of mudd. Maybe what she has been living so far is the demands of her life. Conditions and the harshness of reality sometimes lead people to make difficult choices.

Not long after, Rene appeared, and the very charming and charismatic young doctor greeted Iris in a friendly manner.

After conveying about safe socialization of undergoing the process of intimacy in her profession, Rene reported that Iris was clean and did not suffer from any disease.

Immediately Iris burst into tears, her heart filled with relief.

"Thanks, Doc." The words came out of her mouth over and over again.

"Are there any plans to switch to another profession? Work for our institution for example?"

Iris choked and quickly wiped away the tears. The woman didn't think that Rene would say something she so avoided answering. Working by relying on a monthly salary is not enough to pay the entire bill. Iris had tried and ended up having to fall into debt due to a lack of income.

"Sorry, excuse me. Thanks again for everything." Iris got up and left Rene. The man regretted that he had missed his chance to dig deeper.

''Am I in too much of a hurry to offend her?' The man's mind was full of regret.

***

News of tonight's party became the talk of the town among Iris's co-workers. While they were in the prep room, Iris heard that a billionaire who was very wealthy, even ranked number two in Los Angeles, had booked their club tonight.

Only the rich can afford to spend so much money to reserve their special place for a closed party.

"Sherry, Lori, and Iris, Peter is calling you three!" shouted one of their companions.

With a pounding chest, Iris immediately retouches her makeup. It was only six o'clock in the afternoon, she and her two friends shouldn't have started work.

As she walked into Peter's office, Iris' heart throbbed with pain. Juarez was there too. The experience of being rotated by five unpaid guests passed by and it really traumatized her.

"You know that there's a special guest tonight?" asked Juarez with a happy smile. It seemed that the man was in a happy mood. The three nodded.

"Sherry, you have the honor of accompanying the billionaire boss, Mr. Thrane Pascale. As for Lori, you will entertain Mr. Lance. And, Iris, you accompany Mr. Marten Hernandez. Is everyone clear?!" Juarez exclaimed cheerfully.

Iris felt a roar of anger in her chest. Juarez ordered herself to accompany the man who had caused Iris to endure such anguish. Screams of joy erupted from Sherry and Lori's mouths, but Iris started to feel the destruction inside her getting worse.

Peter asked the three of them to be ready at eight o'clock in the evening exactly.

"Do not be late!" said Peter, breaking up the brief meeting.

With unsteady steps, Iris walked while her eyes started to lose focus. Several times he bumped into people and apologized.

Sherry squealed again with joy, showing off about herself being chosen to accompany the billionaire. Lori was also lucky to be with Lance, a nice guy who was actually Iris's favorite. Lance just needed company to chat and drink, nothing else.

But Marten Hernandez? That disgusting man would do things that sometimes make Iris nauseous and have nightmares.

For the next two hours, Iris just sat with a haggard look in front of the mirror. Lori's clap, reminding her to get ready, threw Iris back into her current situation.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror with a withered face and dim eyes. With a forced heart, Iris decided to dress modestly. She tied her long hair in a ponytail. A light purple dress with a floral pattern on the bottom became Iris' choice that night.

The dress with wide pleated bottoms did not show the sexy curves of her body. But the appearance without thick makeup, actually makes Iris look elegant. The hair that adorned her forehead as well as the nape of her neck impressed Iris like a charming innocent girl.

As soon as the trio stepped in, Lori immediately threw herself at Lance. Sherry walked gracefully, then sat next to the most handsome man whose face was completely sculpted.

Sherry felt so lucky that night!

Iris paid no attention to the others. She walked straight with her head down and sat silently, next to Marten who smiled triumphantly.

For some reason, when he saw the last girl in the purple dress with such a simple appearance, Thrane's expression was instantly stunned. He sipped his drink slowly while smoking a cigar without taking his eyes off Iris.

They sat at the same round table and Thrane was across.

The woman's face reminded him of a European noble's daughter. Her droopy eyes blinked with a depressed expression. The chin is perfectly oval in shape, equipped with a long neck. The girl was so charming in the dim light.

Music started humming softly. Juarez greeted all the rich men who were his guests that night and it was obvious he was trying to lure them in with sweet words.

"Juarez!" called Thrane suddenly.

"Yes, Mr. Pascale?" replied Juarez kindly.

"Why don't you give me that girl?" pointed Thrane at Iris, without hiding his interest in the slightest.

Sherry, who was busy rubbing Thrane's chest, was shocked, as was everyone at the table, including Iris.

"Be-because Sherry is our best girl, Mr. Pascale! Guaranteed, you won't be disappointed!" Juarez replied immediately, after a moment of nervousness.

"I want her! You don't mind, do you, Marten?" asked Thrane with a haughty face, puffing out the smoke from his cigar. Iris clenched her jaw at Thrane's impudent attitude. The man treated her similarly to merchandise that could be exchanged at will!

"Of-of course not, Thrane! I don't mind!" said Marten while inside he cursed.

Sherly is known to be great in bed, but Iris is much more challenging!

Lance laughed.

"Your eyes are very sharp, Thrane. Iris is such a lovely girl! Intelligent and an interlocutor with interesting qualities and insights. What's more, she is very good on the dance floor!" Lance replied with a friendly and warm smile.

Thrane stubbed out his cigar and took off his coat as he rose to his feet. Juarez looked motionless that night, while Iris looked down, continuing to stare at the floor. Her heart was deeply hurt by their game of treating her like a worthless human.

So despicable and low in dignity today, that people with money can choose themselves arbitrarily. Can she refuse? No!

"Dance with me!" Thrane extended his firm hand to Iris.

With slow-motion, and with no other choice, Iris accepted the invitation. The two then slid down the dance floor. Iris's graceful body was also flexible as if surrendering in Thrane's hands. The man was very good at dancing indeed.

"You shouldn't have chosen me!" Iris hissed furiously.

Thrane squinted in surprise. Iris had an annoyed look on her face.

"I think being my choice is an honor for the women of this place?" asked Thrane.

"For the women in this place? You're dreaming!!"

"But your friend was quite fascinated by me."

"Not with me. I have business with Marten!"

Thrane gasped even more, and his lips curled into a sinister smile.

"Oh, you seem to be Mr Hernandez's lover! Your taste buds are very interesting!"

Iris's body spun around and Thrane grabbed her gently. Iris secretly admired his shrewdness.

"You think I'm that contemptuous?! I need to give a lesson to that man! He tricked me!"

Thrane gasped. Turns out Lance was right. There is something attractive about this girl.

"What's your name?"

"Why are you asking my name?!"

"What should I call you? Unless you like my new name for you, Little Tiger."

Iris held back a lump of anger.

"Iris!"

Thrane turned Iris back with a smile, then pulled her into a hug.

"Iris, from this second on, you are mine!" Thrane's smile grew, while Iris glared in protest!