Chapter 5 Caught in between 5

VALERIA'S POV

I watched in the mirror as Carlos expertly transformed my appearance to the extent that I couldn't recognize myself. He secured the mask and presented me with lingerie, from which I chose more modest options.

First, I applied a delicate lace adhesive cover around my nipple. It made me feel not too exposed at least, before securing my lingerie by slipping into a striking red lace set, complemented by bum shorts and a crop top. Black 7-inch boots on my legs added a touch of sophistication, while a hat and mask completed my ensemble. Finally, a knee-length jacket covered everything, adding an air of mystery.

I asked Carlos for some last-minute guidance, and he offered words of encouragement along with some final touches to my outfit. With renewed confidence, I practiced my walk and posed under his direction. After just a few minutes, Carlos applauded, and his smile became a testament to his satisfaction. "You are doing fantastically!" he exclaimed, his words boosting my self-confidence.

I approached the mirror, and the reflection staring back was almost unrecognizable which was all thanks to Carlos's skillful transformation. I couldn't help but smile at the mysterious figure before me. With a newfound sense of determination, I declared, "Let's do this!" and sashayed around the dressing room once more, ready to take on the stage.

I turned to Carlos for a final check, and he gave me a nod of approval. "You look stunning, and no one will know that it's my girl who is stepping onto the stage, not even Mr Luis. You can nail it, girl," he said, offering more words of encouragement.

With newfound confidence, I took a deep breath, and He applauded, "Go on and surprise them; you will hit it, my girl. Don't forget you owe me a drink for a special makeover," he winked at me with a smile.

I hugged him, appreciating his help, and prepared to step onto the stage as I sashayed out of the dressing room. The moment I emerged, the crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. A voice screamed, "She is hot". Another screamed, "That is a new one, so sexy, come on and shake it, babe." Some shouted words of admiration, while others encouraged me to perform.

Initially, the sudden surge of attention made me hesitant. I felt like retreating to the safety of the dressing room. However, Maria, sensing my uneasiness, rushed to my side. She grasped my hand firmly and whispered words of reassurance. "You have got this, babe," she said. "Just dance and enjoy the moment. Take their hype as fuel for your performance."

Her words of encouragement reignited my confidence. I followed her lead, allowing the music to guide my movements. Before long, I was fully immersed in the performance, lost in the rhythm and the applause.

As the performance reached its climax, the crowd's enthusiasm translated into a shower of money on stage. The bills started accumulating rapidly, and I found myself juggling, dancing, and scooping up the generous tips. The money piled up in one corner of the stage, though out of reach from the spectators. I didn't stop to count them with my eyes as I swung around the stage pole. The energy of the audience was all the motivation I needed. "Thank goodness I stepped out; the generous tips will go a long way to support my mama's treatment," I hissed happily.

Meanwhile, I caught the manager's gaze fixed intently on me, curiosity etched on his face. He leaned in to ask one of the staff members about my identity, but the staff member just shrugged, equally puzzled. A sly smile spread across my face as I chuckled to myself, "Guess you are in for a surprise, Mr. Manager."

Just then, Maria's voice pierced through the music, "Bestie, you are killing it!" Her enthusiastic shout boosted my confidence, and I fed off the audience's energy, letting it fuel my performance.

I was enjoying myself when all of a sudden, a bass voice boomed, "Come on, sweetheart, strip off the bum shorts; I want to see what is underneath."

"Oh dear" escaped my lips, as my heart skipped because I knew that voice was his. I gazed up at the VIP section where they were seated just to be sure, and it was indeed Mr Sanchez. "Did he know I'm the one on stage?" I struggled within myself. I guess Maria noticed that his scream bothered me so she played to my side. "Relax, if you strip, no one will know it's you; the makeover is awesome, so don't fret. Nonetheless, delay it so he will drop some cash. Tease them gradually. You can do this, okay?".

"As I prepared my mind for the next episode, I reminded myself that I could do this. I drew confidence from my movements, flipping and posing with precision, my body weaving to the rhythm of the music. To add a touch of flair, I mixed French and Italian phrases, a skill I had picked up from a colleague. With a bold smile, I declared, "Mon ami, you want a show, you pay, and I'm ready to deliver." I was still speaking as I spun around the stage pole, I felt a sense of liberation, my movements fluid and deliberate. The spotlight danced across my skin, highlighting the curves and contours of my body. I was in control, and the audience was captivated.

I felt a surge of confidence. But my poise was shattered when he stood up and strode down the stairs, his eyes fixed intently on me. The crowd erupted into cheers, parting to clear a path as he approached the stage. My heart sank, and my steps faltered, as he bellowed, "I wish my Val could do this. She would look just as sweet as you. Just look at that ass, it sure looks like my Val's" The words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt like punching his face. Spit caught in my throat as I struggled to process the unexpected twist.

Then I screamed within me, "You pervert, my ass has never been visible to you before". I decided that I would collect his money, keep him halfway, and leave. Not letting the smile on my face clear off, I said, "Mon ami, I'm sweeter than your Val, so are you ready for me?" To my surprise, he threw a bundle of money at my feet with his ugly smile. I smiled, picked it up, and threw it to where the other cash was lying.

Then gradually. I stripped off my crop top and threw it to the screaming crowd. They screamed, shouting, "Bum shorts, bum shorts....". With my dance, I pulled it off teasingly and started swirling it in the air. They started screaming, "Over here, over here," as some started throwing in money. Maria got close to me and said, "Tell them the highest bidder gets it. So I screamed, "Highest bidder gets it." To my surprise, he threw another bundle to my feet. "Oh my goodness" escaped my lips as I threw the bum short at him. He grabbed it happily as if he had won a lottery. I hissed within me, "These men are sick". That instant a voice screamed, "Baby strip all, you are s*xy".

At that moment, a familiar figure emerged from the crowd, his gaze locked intensely on me. My heart skipped a beat as fear coursed through my veins, and I watched in disbelief as his features came into full view. It was him again, the last person I wanted to see.