You are my sin

+OLIVIA+

"Destiny or life always take care of surprising you... Longing for something you can't have is a failure, because you have what you have because you choose to have it, and I don't say this because it bothers me, I say it because one has the power to have what they want and not what they dream of, since a dream vanishes at the same time as a puff of smoke or the ticking of a clock. The night is my sweet friend, darkness my loyal companion, and my destiny... my great enemy!

"Excuse me, ma'am," I stop just steps away from the exit of the nightclub. "Rest, because you'll need it, as in a few hours it will be the night of the games and... the secret guest's night." I glance at him, and his malicious smile doesn't surprise me.

"I don't see why you're so happy," I exclaim arrogantly.

Ponky is one of the workers at the club, a bootlicker, and even more so with the people he finds convenient. I despise people like him, but I have to tolerate him because he is respected when it comes to leading.

"But ma'am, it benefits us because the great secret guest is the right-hand man of our master, Lobreguez," he says, and I roll my eyes upon hearing the master's name.

"Ponky, don't be a blabbermouth, remember that we can't mention the master," I mutter under my breath, turning around to meet his gaze. "We can't name the master because he is darkness itself, and he knows everything; one of the things he abhors is being mentioned when we don't need to."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he softens his voice and lowers his gaze.

"Close the club, and don't forget that the girls have to come an hour earlier," I ordered, piercing him with my cold gaze. "Everything will be under your responsibility."

"I assure you they won't fail," he nods, and that ends the conversation for me as I decide to turn around and leave.

In this job, one cannot afford to have a flexible character because nobody will give you the respect you deserve. Arrogance is one of my hidden attributes, and it satisfies me when I put someone in their place. In this dark world, friends don't exist, and even less so do confidants. One guards and protects their own skin because whoever seeks trouble finds death.

Ah, exhaustion welcomes the dawn with open arms, and a wave of cold air makes me shiver. I walk through the streets of my beautiful city, Auckland, and I have no fear that something or someone will cross my path because I am the path. Over and over again, the endless whisper of the streets penetrates my mind, asking over and over again, who am I and what do I want.

I am Olivia Clark, a girl who leads a double life. One side of me presents the face of innocence to humanity and society, while the other is an arrogant, imposing, and controlling woman. My conscience reproaches me for the double life I lead, but my daytime personality is a façade to hide my true identity, which only a few should know about.

During the day, I am the unsuspecting girl who wants to survive with the sole purpose of making ends meet and paying the rent. The only way I can do that is by baking homemade cookies and selling them at nearby cafés. The only person who knows about my childhood and the innocent part of my life is my friend-sister.

Norma is my friend, sister, and ally. Yes, I can sleep peacefully with her, but always with the mask on, as I can't confess the other side of Olivia to her. My life is like Russian roulette, with danger lurking and fluctuating.

The first thing I do when I step into the building where my small apartment is located is go to the restroom near the entrance, the same restroom the security guard uses. It's all to change my clothes and put on a sports outfit.

Ah, I know this is tiring, but it's a way to maintain two lives in one. Everything can be difficult, but never impossible. The idea is for my friend to believe that I have a daily exercise routine.

At night, I open my eyes when she closes hers, and before proceeding with the change of mask and identity, I have to make sure she's in a deep sleep and that the sleeping pills will help until the next day.

While she sleeps, Olivia Clarke comes to life as an unruly lady. The security guard receives a monthly payment with the agreement that he won't say anything and certainly won't ask stupid questions.

Sometimes I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy an apartment where I could have everything that Norma can't see and thus hide my belongings, my attire, and the lady's mask.

My excuse for having elegant clothing in my closet is that it's borrowed and all I do is wash and iron it to earn some extra money. Norma buys the story and is happy because it's an additional income for the apartment.

Every day, when I enter the apartment at the same time, Norma gets up to get ready and go to work at the café two blocks away from here.

When she finishes her work shift, she comes straight home to have dinner, complain, dream, and take a pill to sleep like a good girl.

"Good morning!" I shouted after closing the door.

"Olivia... I need you," I dropped the bags I had in my hands and ran towards the source of the screams.

"Norma," I entered the room and stopped in my tracks as I saw her going through my closet.

"Why haven't you taken her clothes?" she said, pulling out one of the dresses I wore three days ago.

I took a deep breath and let go of my nervousness.

"Norma, ah," I slapped my forehead, "it's just that Mrs. Gabriela asked me to keep her fine clothes for a few days," I hesitated, and she looked me up and down.

"That old lady should pay you more because this apartment is not a dry cleaner," her annoyance was evident. "Besides, she doesn't pay you enough to have all her things in your closet," she ranted.

Oh, if only you knew that everything you see, and desire, is nothing more and nothing less than mine.

"Please, Norma," I softened my voice, and every word that came out of my mouth was one plea after another, "I can't afford to be arrogant and let go of this small job," I took a step forward. "It doesn't bother me to have Mrs. Gabriela's things," I made a sad face emoji, "besides, she just told me I can take whatever I want, and she might even raise the price of each item a little."

I just hit the jackpot, and I know she's drooling over wearing all those clothes in the closet.

"No... No, or rather, yes, but at the same time, no," she contradicted herself and struggled with her own thoughts.

"Come on, Norma, choose the dress you want to have," I pointed to the closet.

"No, Olivia, you know you can work on something better and also at the cafeteria," her paranoia surprises me. "Maybe after we left the convent, we weren't lucky enough to study, as both of us had to focus on surviving rather than preparing ourselves as every teenager would have wanted."

Sigh... And that's where my story begins, along with Norma's.

Norma is a charismatic girl, empathetic, and above all, she has a beautiful personality. For her, beauty is everything a woman should have. She's my blonde with green eyes, the one who has refused to have a serious relationship because she thinks I'll die in the process.

Norma insists that I'm the weak one, yes, the one who will die trying. She also claims that I don't have the character to live without her, although I believe that she can't live without me.

For her, loneliness is a bad companion and your enemy, no doubt.

"Norma, it's been eleven years since we left the orphanage, and honestly, it doesn't bother me that neither of us had the opportunity to pursue a career," I let out a sigh as I approach her and embrace her, "the most important thing is that we're together."

No... The only one who didn't study a career was Norma, and not because she didn't want to. It was all because we both had to go out into the world and find a job in order to have a roof over our heads and food for each day.

What Norma doesn't know is that someone came into my life and told me that I can fight even in the most difficult circumstances; one of them is finding a way to learn the basics of mathematics and the strategies that a career can offer you.

He suggested that I study an online degree and emphasized time and again that time is ours and that we're the only ones who can control it. So, I worked, and during breaks, I made sure to study and be a hundred percent efficient. I'm not one to give up, let alone resign myself.

Five years ago, I completed my finance degree while simultaneously becoming part of the clandestine club... The person who encouraged me is the same person who offered me the job of being the Lady of the Night while being the innocent girl during the day who doesn't break a single plate.

"We are together because we refuse to let a family separate us," she protested.

"We are together because we both love each other and have what no one else can have," I whispered near her ear before giving her a kiss on the cheek. "We are not the kind of women who get discouraged by not having a career. We are women who only look forward and not at what others have," a soft and sweet voice came out of me. "The cookies and what Mrs. pays me are enough," I emphasized after stepping away from her a bit. "Honey, I know you want one of those dresses that fit your perfect body," I pointed to the closet again.

"You're right, Olivia. The customers love the cookies, and let me tell you that in five hours." She extends her right hand and a huge smile appears on her face, "they want twice the usual order."

Wow... That means I'll be sleeping less than expected, but I can hurry up and make the usual quantity I make every day. Each café asks for a hundred cookies, and they're gone in less than twenty-four hours.

Challenges are my passion, especially when the results are good.

"I'll deliver, but first you have to pick a dress and finish getting ready because you only have an hour left," I warned her.

Aaahhh... It's five-thirty in the morning, and calculating the minutes, I think I have time to prepare breakfast. Plus, Norma starts working at six-thirty because she has to arrive early to open the store.

"I forgot it was my turn to work," she squealed like crazy, "but I'm not in a hurry."

"Don't worry, my love. While you get dressed, I'll go to the kitchen and prepare breakfast for you," I winked at her and decided to leave my room while Norma stayed behind choosing the dress she wanted so badly.

Outside the room, I headed toward where I had left the scattered bags, intending to prepare a delicious breakfast and wait for my friend to leave for work.

After what just happened, there's nothing else to think about. I need to find an apartment and come up with a decent job so that my friend can be happy and think that she doesn't need to be with me. Just a few steps away, I reached the kitchen, placed the bags on the wooden stool, hurried my steps, and rushed to the refrigerator to get fruits and everything else needed to make her an omelette.

"Olivia, don't bother making breakfast," I stop to take the fruits out of the refrigerator and then turn around to see Norma.

"Why?" I ask after closing the refrigerator door.

"Hmmm... It's just that I have," she hesitates. "Oh, well, Alejandro invited me to spend a whole day with his family," she bites her lower lip.

"Oh, I see," I circled the countertop and approached her. "That means it's your day off," I try to sound as excited as possible, so she doesn't notice any indifference.

I'm not bothered that she's going out; it's just that sometimes I feel paranoid that something bad might happen to her. But I'm also glad that she's not cooped up and that she's paying attention to what I do.

"What you don't know is that I won't be back until Monday," she covers her face with her hands. "I'll be away from home all weekend; I hope you don't mind."

"Sweetheart, you don't have to feel bad, let alone doubt," I move her hands away from her face to see those beautiful eyes. "I adore you, and you know that it makes me happy when you get out of these four walls and the daily routine," I give her a big smile.

"Yes... I feel happy because he's introducing me to his family," she jumps with excitement. "Sorry, Olivia, but they're waiting for me," she points to the exit door.

Our apartment is small but comfortable, well-equipped with furniture, two bedrooms each with its own bathroom, a small living room, and a kitchen.

I tell Norma she can leave and not waste any time since she seems to be in a hurry, and I wouldn't want her to regret it. She says goodbye and tells me to take care and not forget to deliver the cookies, or else they'll kill her since she promised double in exchange for her day off.

That sneaky little thing runs off, and the strangest part is that she's carrying a small suitcase, not her entire closet. I don't follow her because I'm really tired and need to sleep for a couple of hours to be productive at night, although I have a feeling, I'll have time after I deliver the cookies. After watching Norma leave, I decide to turn around and take out my mobile phone from one of the bags. I'm going to have a bubble bath, then sleep and set the alarm before I fall completely asleep.

"The master requests that you arrive one hour early."

I look at my phone, and I'm surprised when I see a message from the boss.

Why so much insistence? What importance could the guest have that he needs my presence? I roll my eyes and let out a snort, truth be told, I don't like this, and I have a feeling that this guest will bring me trouble.

Normally, the club opens four times throughout the week, but my presence has to be there every day because, on the days when the club is closed, another important business is taken care of, as much for the club as for the boss...

The club is the gateway to meetings, games, and pleasures.

+

It's ten o'clock at night, and punctually, I step inside the club. With a confident stride, I enter and greet the security men with a half-smile and a simple "good evening," enough to end the greeting.

"Welcome, Lady Clarke." Ponky makes an appearance and unsettles me with the nervousness in his voice.

I look around, and the strange thing is that everything is in its place; the girls getting ready for their show, and the games are on fire as they see the number of customers. The big guys are playing, gambling and winning at the casino, while others waiting for the girls to satisfy themselves with pleasure.

"What's going on?" I ask with a condescending tone.

"The guest," he stammers.

"Ponky, since when are you stuttering?" I feel like I'm going to lose my patience with him. "I don't tolerate beating around the bush, Ponky," I warn him.

"The guest arrived an hour early and..." he whispers, leaving me intrigued.

"Go to hell." I decide not to waste my energy and allow my feet to move forward.

"Wait... He requested a private room." I stop abruptly and, without waiting, turn around to look him in the eyes.

"A private room," I grit my teeth.

Now more than ever, I have to find out who the hell this guy is, and if he's a damn leech, he better not think I'll allow it. Oh, I don't know why Lobreguez wants that bastard here. I turn around and, in a fit of rage, I walk quickly to the place where I'll observe what the hell he's up to. Ponky follows my steps and says I can't do what I'm thinking.

With a single growl, I silence him because here, we do what I say. Everything around me is under my control, and if that bastard is here to work, he's here to work and not consume the merchandise.

Stealthily, I pass by the customers, trying to make my presence unnoticed. Entering the control room, I tell Soñador and Ponky to leave because the only one who needs to see that son of a bitch is me. I don't like guys who act all tough.

Is he here to work or take advantage of what's inside the club?

Both of them obey without uttering a single word, and as they leave, I take care of closing the door and locking it. I turn around and without wasting time, I approach the camera screens. I leave my wallet on the table and settle into the chair in front of the video controls, allowing intrigue and curiosity to flood me as I supervise and find out who the hell this guy is. My eyes desperately search for the camera that's right in the private room.

My eyes, filled with desperation like a pendulum, search through all the cameras until I see the stranger from behind, and one of my girls seduces him and begins to provoke him. She runs her tongue along the corner of her lips.

"You have a... Hmmm," his masculine voice makes my skin tingle and drives my girl crazy. "I'll be the first man to make you enjoy and feel pleasure."

Who is that man? I can't see his face because the camera's position only allows me to see from a distance, but what is evident is that both emanate pleasure and lust. I can even feel my body starting to feel a burning heat.

"Take off your clothes," he orders after distancing himself from her.

Within these four walls, I can hear what is being said in that room. Yes, the Dreamer was entertained listening to what that stranger was talking about.

The Dreamer knows that it is forbidden for the audio from each room to be played out loud, as the purpose of the cameras is solely to ensure that none of my girls suffer abuse. But both the Dreamer and I are breaking the rules because the only reason I'm here is that I have the need to see that damn womanizer.

My eyes are glued to the screen, and I can see how she takes off the mini-dress she's wearing, leaving only in underwear.

Wait... Wait... Wait...

Suddenly, I see him push her away as he hears his phone ring. Who could be the inconvenient person calling him? Ha, it's bad timing because now his bird must be completely flaccid, and that's the size of a bird's beak or the size of a horse.

Ah, and I wanted to know if it's big or small because if it's small, I could mock him and have him by the balls. But unfortunately, he's being called, and I don't know who it is because all I hear are whispers and more whispers.

Damn it! My body is heated up just by watching the tension between those two, but just as they entered, they will leave the same way.

No... No... No...

"What's wrong, Daddy?" she asks with a purr.

"I have to go," his annoyance is evident, but I don't understand why the change in mood.

Maybe because they ruined the moment!

I stand up abruptly because there's nothing left to see or hear here. It seems like his friend just gave him some bad news, yes, some distasteful news, as his change in mood says more than a word. I grab my purse, give one last look at the screen, and I'm pleased to see that the stranger has left the room.

Walking towards the exit with the sole intention of meeting that freeloader, I'm determined to find out for sure if he is the guest and what his reason is for being in the club. I open the door and to my surprise, both idiots are waiting for me, and from the expressions on their faces, I can tell that something is going on. There's no need to be a psychic or a fortune-teller to extract from this pair of idiots what their faces cannot hide.

"I'll give you two seconds to tell me what you're hiding from me," I exclaim, trying not to lose my patience.

"The boss," one of them says in a barely audible voice, "the boss is furious because you didn't answer his call and because the guest has arrived, and you haven't bothered to receive him." He takes a deep breath to gather the courage to tell me what is a delight for some and a problem for me.

Damn it, now what am I going to do? How is it possible that I wasn't paying attention to the boss's call? Ah, all of that was because I was busy observing that damn freeloader. Now I've earned the boss's anger, but I won't sit idly by because if I'm in trouble, it's because of that damn freeloader.

"Where is the freeloader?" I ask.

"Freeloader?!" they exclaim in unison.

"Take me to where the guest of the night is," I let out a sigh as I open my purse and take out my cell phone.

Indeed, I have two missed calls, and one is enough, as it's disrespectful to the boss to ignore the first ring.

"Let's go and not keep the gentleman waiting, as I can determine that the boss has just reprimanded him," I turn around and walk briskly down the hallway to enter the bar where I imagine the freeloader must be since I haven't invited him to my office.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Ponky following my steps, while the dreamer stays behind, as he needs to continue his work, while I have to control myself and be as courteous and hypocritical as possible. But if that idiot makes me lose my patience, I swear I won't be willing to submit and be the good Samaritan he expects to have at his feet.

A few steps away from the bar counter, I stop and for a few minutes, I observe the stranger who is comfortably seated on the wooden stool. In a couple of seconds, he senses my presence, and his eyes turn into scanners. He places his glass of whiskey on the gleaming granite counter and stands up to walk toward me.

The brown-haired man is just a few steps away. Despite the elegant suit he is wearing, which suggests at first glance that he is a mature and arrogant man, he approaches Ponky while ignoring me. "Um, excuse me... Ponky," the elegant, stranger addresses Ponky, completely disregarding my presence. "You can call the person in charge of this place, but not before letting the young lady know that a client is waiting for her," he says, pointing to one of the customers who are waiting for the show to begin.

One... two... three... The jerk wants to make me lose my composure, but intelligence is one of my attributes. I won't make it easy for him, allowing the master to side with him and treat me like a novice.

"I think you're mistaken, sir. The lady in front of you is..." I raise a finger, indicating for him to be silent. "Ponky, since when do you have to answer to this freeloader?"