BEYOND THE CONTRACT.

loor of the strip club. She had been cleaning for hours, but t

her phone rang. She hesitated f

oice on the other end said. "I'

What is it?" she asked

o manage your mother's condition has reached its limi

s that mean?" she asked, tryin

advanced treatment. The new medication costs $8000, but it's the on

er for a long time, the surgery needs to be done

e hung up the phone and immediately

e, sipping a cup of coffee. She looke

nt, Sophia?" Ma

ep her voice steady. "My mother needs surgery, and

ey? Even if I lend you that kind of money, you c

tion wash over her. "Please m

eading across her face. "I'll think you'll find that y

ed what her boss was insinuating. "

But if you want to save your mom, you'll hav

She knew that she couldn't go thr

ffice, Sophia felt defeated.

ina, and explain the situation. Tina l

out your mom. If sleeping with another man for money w

o such, it's not that, I just have to dance for them p

r body to them afterwards?, my dear

ted, unsure o

to her office. "I knew you'd see things my way"

overed Sophia's underwear. Sophia felt a wave o

man approached her. "You're stunning," he said, his eyes scann

om. As she followed the man to the VIP room, she was i

hat seemed to dance across the walls. The air was th

eemed to sink into the floor. The walls were adorned with expensive artwork, and the

g a glass of champagne. He was even more handsome than Sophia had expected, with pie

nd his outfit seemed to have been mad

felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about Julian that seemed to

than I expected" Julian said

ood and walked towards her. He was taller than she

phia said, tryi

hia's hand, leading her to the c

champagne and handed it to her. Sophia took a s

ame?"Julian spoke

to know my name,

y I'm impressed. You're not what I expecte

ing a sense of trepidation. "W

"Someone.....less r

pushed it down. She was here for a rea

rise you", Sophia said

ed on Sophia's. "I think you'll find

read Julian's expression. "What do you mean by

n Sophia's spine. "Oh, I think you'll find that I'm a man

es. "Can we just get down to business?" she asked, trying to ke

were this naive and insensitive, do you think you're just going to dance?" he repeated, his voice dripp

g in the air. She felt a sense of forebod

erything went silent. Julian's laughter stopped,

oat adrift in a stormy sea. She had no idea what was