Julian, a handsome young man who has never experienced the touch of love, unexpectedly finds himself falling for Anastasia, a prostitute he hires in an attempt to explore new experiences. What begins as a casual encounter soon turns into something much deeper as they discover that true love can emerge from the most unlikely places. Ana, who has long given up hope on love, feels her life change after meeting Julian. However, their love is far from easy. A ruthless pimp, unwilling to lose control over Ana, becomes a formidable obstacle in their path. Threats loom large, forcing them to make a desperate decision-to escape from the life that has held them captive for so long. In a harrowing flight filled with tension and danger, Julian and Anastasia race against time, trying to evade the clutches of the pimp who will stop at nothing to find them. As they hide from place to place, facing threats and fears, they also discover that true love is about fighting together against all odds. But how far can they run from a past that continues to haunt them? Amidst the chase and uncertainty, will their love be strong enough to survive and find the freedom they've always dreamed of? This is a story of courage, sacrifice, and a love tested in the fires of adversity.
"You're not gay, are you, Julian?"
Doni's voice sounded flat, as if his question was a regular one. But to Julian, those words felt like a small explosion inside his chest. He turned his face away from his phone screen, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Doni with irritation.
"What do you mean by saying something like that?" Julian growled, his voice trembling with restrained anger.
Doni just shrugged, as if he felt no guilt. "It's just that, in the ten years we've known you, not once have we seen you go out with a girl." Doni glanced at Rian, another friend, seeking approval.
Rian, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, suddenly pretended to shudder in horror. "Whoa, maybe you really don't like girls, Julian," he said with a small laugh, but that laugh felt like a stab.
"Damn you guys." Julian clenched his fists under the table, trying to hold back the heat rising in his chest. "I'm still normal, okay!" Julian replied quickly, though his voice sounded more defensive than he intended. "I can still get aroused and excited if I see a naked woman."
Doni let out a short laugh, as if Julian's statement was no more than a cheap joke. "It's easy to say that, Julian," he said, his tone full of mockery.
Julian felt his blood boil. "Whatever, I don't lose anything if you don't believe me," he retorted coldly, although deep inside, he felt cornered.
Rian, who had been quiet, suddenly leaned forward with a sly grin on his face. "How about this, why don't we prove it? Let's go to a brothel right now. You can show us if you're really into girls."
Rian's words were like a lightning bolt hitting Julian. His eyes widened, his face turned pale. "What?! Are you crazy? No way!" Julian quickly refused, his voice trembling between shock and anger. "I don't have to prove anything to you. I'm normal, and I'm not going to lose my virginity to a prostitute!"
Doni and Rian exchanged glances, then laughed. Their laughter echoed in Julian's ears, making him feel even smaller. "Virginity? Are you seriously still thinking about that, Julian? In this day and age, you're still worried about being a virgin? Guys aren't like girls, it doesn't make any difference whether you're a virgin or not," Doni said with a sneer.
"Yeah, Julian. If you're really into girls, it shouldn't be a problem for you to go there," Rian added, his tone provocative. "Or... are you scared?"
Those words felt like a whip on Julian's back. Insults, mockery, all swirled in his mind. Among the shame and anger, there was something that pushed him to prove something to them. Even though his heart was screaming 'no,' his mouth said something different.
"Fine," Julian said in a softer voice, almost whispering. "If that's what you want, let's go now. I'll prove to you I'm not gay."
Doni and Rian smiled, satisfied, but in Julian's mind, his thoughts were spinning wildly. It wasn't because he was afraid of being labeled gay, but because he feared something simpler and more humiliating: his inability to approach women. He had avoided women for a long time, not because he wasn't interested, but because of the extreme nervousness he felt whenever he was near them. A psychologist he once visited said he suffered from a phobia called gynophobia, an excessive fear of approaching women.
In the car, heading to the place they had agreed on, Julian's hands were sweaty. His chest was tight. In his mind, he imagined being in a room with a woman paid to have relations with him. And the worst part? He feared his body wouldn't respond. His "manhood" might not rise, and he would be the laughingstock, not only of his friends, but of the woman as well.
While Doni and Rian kept joking, laughing, and talking about what they would do at the brothel, Julian remained silent, drowning in his own fears.
"This is the biggest and most luxurious brothel in town," Rian said proudly as he parked the car in front of a grand building standing among a row of shops. The building looked more like a five-star hotel than a brothel. Neon lights glittered at the entrance, casting a soft glow on the bustling sidewalk.
Two sexy women stood at the front, smiling seductively, teasing anyone who passed by. Beside them, a security guard stood tall, looking relaxed but alert. They laughed softly as several men glanced at them, hesitated for a moment, then quickened their pace as if afraid of getting caught.
"Wow... the building is huge. It's like a hotel," Doni exclaimed in awe, his eyes glued to the sight in front of him.
Julian stood behind them, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. The building was too large and luxurious for something that, in his mind, should be hidden and dark. He had imagined something dingy, dirty, and filled with cigarette smoke-like what he often saw in movies. But this place... was far from what he expected. The walls gleamed, and the high ceilings were adorned with crystal chandeliers emitting an elegant glow.
"This is the most luxurious brothel in the city," Rian continued, with the pride of a tour guide. "Most of the girls are young and really beautiful. You won't regret it if you hang out here."
Julian squinted suspiciously. "You seem to know a lot about this place, Rian. Don't tell me you're a regular here?" he asked, half-joking, half-serious.
Rian just grinned, scratching his head even though it wasn't itchy. His nervous laugh was an unspoken confession. Julian eyed him sharply, toying with a threat on the tip of his tongue. "Should I tell your wife that you like to spend your time in places like this?"
"No... don't, Julian!" Rian panicked immediately, his eyes widening. "Don't tell my wife, she'll kill me if she finds out I come here often!" His tone grew serious, and the fear on his face was obvious. "Seriously, Julian. Don't joke about that."
Julian chuckled softly, feeling a small victory inside. "Afraid of your wife but still come to places like this," he teased, shrugging as he enjoyed watching Rian's panic. There was something oddly satisfying about seeing his arrogant friend in fear.
"Alright, alright! Why are you two bickering here?" Doni cut in, his voice irritated. "Are we going in or not? We've been standing here for ages, and there are mosquitoes, you know!" He glanced back and forth between them, eager to enjoy the night without drama.
Rian nodded quickly, trying to divert attention. "Let's go in. I'll introduce you to the owner of this place." With a casual yet eager stride, Rian walked ahead, followed by an impatient Doni.
Julian hesitated for a moment but eventually followed them inside. As soon as he stepped through the large glass doors, it felt like entering a completely different world.
The interior was far more luxurious than he had imagined. The walls were draped in deep red silk, and a massive crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, casting a soft light that created a warm and intimate atmosphere. The polished white marble floor gleamed under their shoes, while plush black leather sofas lined the walls. Well-dressed female attendants moved gracefully, carrying trays of drinks with thin smiles on their lips.
Julian swallowed hard, feeling more awkward than ever. This wasn't the dirty brothel he had always pictured-full of cigarette smoke and harsh laughter. There was no stench of alcohol or loud music. This place resembled the lobby of a high-end hotel that you'd only see in expensive movies.
Rian and Doni seemed relaxed, as if they were frequent visitors here. They joked, laughed, without a hint of awkwardness. Julian, on the other hand, felt his heart race. The more he looked around, the more out of place he felt.
"Come on, Julian, don't just stand there," Doni called from ahead, waving at him. "We'll pick the prettiest girl for you."
Julian snapped out of his daze and reluctantly stepped forward. But each step felt heavier than the last. In his mind, he could still picture the worst-case scenario: the girl would laugh at him if he got nervous. Or worse, he wouldn't be able to 'perform.' The thought of such embarrassment made his stomach churn, but in front of Doni and Rian, he didn't want to show any weakness.
"I just have to get through tonight. Just once. Then it's over," he told himself repeatedly, trying to convince himself. But deep down, a small voice kept nagging, wondering what would happen if everything went wrong.
"It's been a while, Rian. How have you been? Angel has been asking about you lately, said she misses you," said a middle-aged woman who suddenly approached them. She looked much younger than her age. Even though she was nearing fifty, her body was well-maintained, her skin smooth with a hint of makeup that enhanced her elegance. The red dress she wore showed off her still-alluring figure.
Rian smiled casually. "Yeah, Madam. I've been busy with work, so I haven't had the chance to stop by," he replied, half-joking, as if hinting that visiting this place was part of his routine. "Oh yeah, madam, where's Angel now?"
"Angel... she's upstairs, as usual... still with a client. Once she's done, I'll call her for you," the woman answered, glancing at her watch. Her gaze then shifted to Doni and Julian, who stood stiffly beside Rian. There was a hint of curiosity in her eyes, accompanied by a knowing smile. "Who are these two, Rian?"
"Oh, these, madam... they're my friends," Rian replied with a slightly mischievous grin. "This is Julian, and that's Doni. They're here for... well, I'm sure you know what they're here for since they've stepped into this place."
The woman, whom they called Madam, smiled widely and elegantly extended her hand towards Doni and Julian. "Nice to meet you, I'm Stella. But everyone prefers to call me Madam," she said, her voice filled with the kind of false warmth typical of places like this. "I own this place. You've come to the right spot because we're the best in town. The girls here aren't just beautiful; they know how to satisfy their clients."
Chapter 1 A dare to prove
11/09/2024
Chapter 2 Julian's First Step into the Unknown
11/09/2024
Chapter 3 Julian's First Step
12/09/2024
Chapter 4 Julian's First Intimate Experience
12/09/2024
Chapter 5 The Dangerous Deal
12/09/2024
Chapter 6 Unwelcome Encounter
12/09/2024
Chapter 7 Love and Danger
12/09/2024
Chapter 8 A Love Against the Odds
13/09/2024
Chapter 9 Dangerous Love
14/09/2024
Chapter 10 Julian Dillema
15/09/2024
Chapter 11 The Decision
15/09/2024
Chapter 12 The Unforgivable Night
17/09/2024
Chapter 13 Poor David
29/09/2024
Chapter 14 Shadows of Betrayal
30/09/2024
Chapter 15 A Dangerous Obsession
30/09/2024
Chapter 16 Risking Everything for Love
01/10/2024
Chapter 17 The Unforgiving Escape
03/10/2024
Chapter 18 Love and Betrayal
04/10/2024
Chapter 19 Julian's Vow
06/10/2024
Chapter 20 Shattered Dreams in the Brothel
08/10/2024
Chapter 21 A Love Against All Odds
10/10/2024
Chapter 22 The Price of Freedom
13/10/2024
Chapter 23 A Dangerous Game of Secrets
14/10/2024
Chapter 24 The Allure of Anastasia
14/10/2024
Chapter 25 The Secret Phone for freedom
18/10/2024
Chapter 26 A Glimmer of Freedom
22/10/2024
Chapter 27 Shadow of Deception
27/10/2024
Chapter 28 A Test of Loyalty
27/10/2024
Chapter 29 The Great Escape
27/10/2024
Chapter 30 Escape
27/10/2024
Chapter 31 The Unyielding Pursuit
29/10/2024
Chapter 32 Shelter in Monville
29/10/2024
Chapter 33 The Shadows of Trust
29/10/2024
Chapter 34 A Dangerous Bargain
29/10/2024
Chapter 35 Secrets, Power, and Love
29/10/2024
Chapter 36 The Illusion of Love
03/11/2024
Chapter 37 The Dark Scheme
03/11/2024