Chapter 2 A DESPERATE CHOICE

8:17 PM.

The office was nearly empty. The only sounds were the hum of the air conditioning and the distant clatter of a janitor emptying trash bins.

Sienna sighed as she finally shut down her computer. Her shift had ended at 6 PM, but Darren had dumped another pile of work on her desk at 5:55, demanding it be done before she left.

Typical.

Now she was exhausted, hungry, and frustrated.

She grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder, rubbing her temples as she made her way to the exit. Just as she stepped into the lobby, she spotted a familiar figure leaning against the receptionist's desk.

Tasha

Her best friend's arms were crossed, her hip cocked to the side, and she wore a sly smirk as she watched sienna approach.

"Took you long enough," Tasha teased, flicking her curly brown hair over her shoulder.

Sienna groaned. "Don't start. I've had a hell of a day."

"That's exactly why we need to talk."tasha straightened and linked her arm through sienna "Come on, I'll walk you out."

They stepped onto the darkened city sidewalk, the streets buzzing with life despite the late hour.

"I know things have been rough for you," Chloe started, her tone softer now. "That's why I wanted to ask again."

Sienna already knew where this was going.

"I told you, tasha I can't."

"You didn't even let me finish," tasha pouted.

Sienna gave her a knowing look. "You're going to ask me to work at the club again."

"And what's wrong with that?" tasha nudged her playfully. "It's good money, sienna You don't even have to strip. Just be a waitress. Serve drinks, smile, and walk away with tips that are better than what you make here in a week."

Sienna shook her head. "I don't know, Tasha . It just... feels like trouble."

Tasha rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. What's the worst that could happen? Some drunk guy gets handsy? That's what security is for. You'll be fine."

Sienna hesitated. She wanted to say no, but Tasha wasn't wrong. She needed the money badly.

Seeing the uncertainty on her face, Tasha pressed on. "Just one night. Try it. If you hate it, don't come back. But at least give yourself the chance to make some real cash."

Sienna let out a long breath.

"What if I get into trouble?" she murmured.

Tasha smirked. "Then you call me, and I'll kick someone's ass for you."

Despite herself, sienna laughed softly.

"I'll think about it," she finally said.

Tasha grinned. "That's all I needed to hear."

They hopped onto the next bus, sinking into the stiff seats as the city lights blurred past.

-

By the time sienna pushed open the front door of their tiny apartment, her body felt like it was running on fumes.

The living room was small, barely fitting their worn-out couch and a coffee table cluttered with papers.

Mia, her twelve-year-old sister, was sitting on the couch, flipping through an old book. She jumped up as soon as sienna walked in.

"sienna! You're home late."

Sienna mustered a tired smile. "Yeah, long day."

She set her bag down and was about to collapse onto the couch when she spotted an envelope sitting on the table.

Her breath hitched.

Rent.

Past due.

A lump formed in her throat as she stared at the notice.

She turned to Mia, her voice carefully even. "Did you guys eat?"

Mia hesitated.

Sienna's stomach twisted.

"Mia."

Her sister fidgeted. "We... were waiting for you."

Her heart sank.

Her mother, too weak to work, hadn't taken her medication in days because they couldn't afford a refill. And now, they hadn't eaten.

The weight on her shoulders felt crushing.

She couldn't keep doing this.

Without another word, she grabbed her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Tasha's number.

The moment her friend answered, sienna whispered the words she never thought she'd say.

"Send me the address."

-

Sienna stood in front of her closet, staring at her limited wardrobe.

She had never dressed to impress.

But tonight... she had to.

She settled on a short, black dress, tight in all the right places, hugging her curves. It was something Tasha had gifted her ages ago, saying she should wear it if she ever wanted to feel powerful.

She threw on a long coat, hiding the outfit beneath it.

Mia was watching her from the couch, curiosity shining in her eyes.

Sienna smiled. "What do you feel like eating?"

Mia's face lit up. "Anything?"

Sienna nodded. "Anything."

Mia squealed, jumping up excitedly.

Sienna grabbed her purse and led her outside, heading toward the fancy restaurant across the street.

They never got food from here, only when sienna wanted got her pay and wanted to treat them all to a fancy meal, this was all before her mums illness and other debts took over more than half of her salary.

The moment they stepped inside, the warm smell of freshly cooked food filled the air.

Sienna ordered two meals-something filling, something warm.

As she handed the cashier cash, she felt Mia's eyes on her.

"sienna ..." her voice was hesitant. "Where did you get the money?"

Sienna forced a carefree smile.

"Don't worry about it."

Mia didn't push. She was too excited about the food to question it further.

When they got back to the apartment, sienna set the bags down, kissed her mother on the cheek, and turned to leave.

"I'll be back later. Enjoy your luxurious meal."

Her mother's voice followed her. "Elena, where are you-"

She closed the door behind her before she had to answer.

-

The club was a world entirely different from the one sienna knew.

Loud music pounded through the walls, bass vibrating in her chest. The air was thick with smoke and expensive perfume, mingling with the scent of spilled liquor.

Lights flashed in neon colors-deep purples, electric blues, fiery reds.

The crowd was a blur of wealth and desire.

Men in tailored suits lounged in VIP sections, drinking from glasses that cost more than her monthly rent.

Women-some in dresses like hers, others in barely-there lingerie-moved confidently between them.

Sienna swallowed hard.

She had never been in a place like this before.

Tasha appeared beside her, a knowing smirk on her lips.

"Welcome to Club Eros."