TWO YEARS AFTER LEAVING THE CONVENT

The lights in the club dimmed as the music thumped through the air, heavy bass reverberating through the floor. Seraphina stood backstage, adjusting her outfit, her fingers trembling slightly as she prepared for her next performance. It was a far cry from the quiet halls of the convent where she had once knelt in prayer, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight. Now, she was enveloped in neon lights, glittering costumes, and the heat of the crowd's gaze.

It had been two years since she left the life of a nun, two years since she had turned away from her vows and found herself lost in the city. In that time, Seraphina had reinvented herself—she had gone from a quiet, devout woman to a pole dancer at one of the busiest clubs in the city. The shift had been gradual at first, a slow descent into a world she never thought she would enter. But now, this was her life.

Her long hair, once hidden beneath a habit, now fell loose around her shoulders, and her toned body moved with a grace she never knew she possessed. Dancing had become her way of surviving, her way of making sense of the pain she had carried with her ever since she left St. Mary's and Father Charlie behind. The thrill of performing, the anonymity of the crowd, the way she could disappear into the music—it all helped her forget. At least for a little while.

The club's MC called her name over the loudspeaker, and Seraphina took a deep breath, stepping out onto the stage as the lights flared around her. She grasped the cool metal of the pole, her movements fluid and precise as the crowd's cheers echoed in her ears. Each spin, each twist, each arch of her body was a form of escape, a way to bury the memories that still haunted her.

The money was good—better than anything she had imagined. It had allowed her to live on her own, far from the suffocating expectations of her past. But no matter how many routines she perfected, no matter how many nights she performed, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was running from something she could never outrun.

The city had been her sanctuary for the last two years, a place where no one knew her past, where she could be anyone she wanted. But lately, a familiar unease had settled over her, a sense that the life she was living wasn't enough. That it wasn't real. The girl on stage was a far cry from the woman she used to be, and sometimes, she didn't know which version of herself was more true.

As the music swelled, Seraphina swung around the pole, her body twisting gracefully through the air. The crowd's cheers grew louder, but her mind was elsewhere, drifting back to the village she had left behind, to the quiet streets of St. Mary's and the man she had once cared for more than she should have.

Father Charlie.

Even now, after all this time, his name sent a pang through her chest. She had thought that leaving St. Mary's would free her from the memories of him, but it hadn't. It had only made the ache deeper. She had tried to forget, tried to bury the feelings she had for him beneath layers of new experiences and new people. But nothing had worked. No matter how far she ran, he was always there, a constant presence in her mind, reminding her of what she had left behind.

The music began to fade, signaling the end of her routine. Seraphina slowed her movements, gracefully sliding down the pole and landing softly on the stage. The crowd erupted in applause, but she barely heard it. Her thoughts were still miles away, back in the small village she had once called home.

She gathered her things after the performance, slipping back into the backstage dressing room where the other dancers were chatting and laughing, oblivious to the turmoil inside her. Seraphina stared at her reflection in the mirror, wiping away the sweat that glistened on her skin. The girl looking back at her was unrecognizable, a stranger with heavy makeup and an air of confidence that belied the sadness hidden beneath.

As Seraphina packed up her bag, the club's manager appeared at the door, a broad smile plastered across his face. He was a tall, imposing man, always dressed in a sharp suit, and his booming voice had a way of commanding attention no matter where he went. Tonight, though, there was something particularly eager in his expression, and Mae immediately knew what he was about to bring up.

"Mae," he said, leaning against the doorframe, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "You've had a few days to think about the transfer. Have you made your decision yet?"

Mae paused, tightening the strap on her bag. The transfer had been all she could think about since he'd first mentioned it. It wasn't just another move to a different club—it was an opportunity that came with a lot of promises. Promises that would be hard to pass up, even if the thought of leaving behind her life here was unsettling.

"I've been thinking about it," she admitted, her voice careful. "But I'm still not sure."

The manager nodded, stepping into the room with an air of confidence. "Look, I get it—change is a big deal. But I want you to really think about what we're offering here. This isn't just some lateral move; this is the club in Los Angeles. We're talking top-tier clientele, bigger tips, and a lot more visibility. Not to mention the benefits we're throwing in."

Mae raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. "Go on."

He grinned, sensing he had her attention. "We'll set you up with a penthouse apartment in downtown LA, fully furnished. Think luxury living—floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the skyline, the whole deal. You'll be right in the heart of the action. And, because I know how much of a pain it is to get around that city without wheels, we're throwing in a brand-new car. Something sleek. Something that fits the lifestyle."

Mae blinked, trying to process the enormity of the offer. A penthouse apartment? A new car? She hadn't expected the perks to be this good.

"That's... a lot," she said slowly, her mind racing. The idea of living in a penthouse, with a new car at her disposal, was almost too good to be true. She had gotten used to the chaos of New York City and the gritty nightlife that came with her job here, but this—this was a different world.

"And that's not all," the manager added, his voice smooth. "Your base pay goes up by 20 percent, on top of the tips you'll be pulling in. I'm talking A-listers, executives, the kind of crowd that drops hundreds—sometimes thousands—on a single night. You'll be raking it in. Plus, full health benefits, paid time off, the works."

Mae's heart raced. The offer was incredible—almost impossible to say no to. She had come a long way from where she'd been two years ago, and this seemed like the ultimate reward for everything she had endured. A part of her knew that this could be the fresh start she had been waiting for, a way to completely sever ties with her past and build a new life in one of the biggest cities in the world.

But then, there was the nagging thought at the back of her mind—the part of her that still felt tied to something deeper. Something she hadn't fully dealt with.

"Why me?" she asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Out of all the dancers, why are you offering this to me?"

The manager chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Mae, come on. You've been killing it here since day one. Clients love you. You know how to work a room better than anyone else, and you've got the kind of presence we need for this new spot. You're a natural, and I know you'll thrive in LA."

Mae chewed on her bottom lip, her thoughts spinning. It was everything she could ask for—the money, the lifestyle, the opportunity to reinvent herself yet again. But there was something holding her back, a hesitation she couldn't quite place. Maybe it was the fear of change, or maybe it was the unresolved part of her past that she hadn't been able to outrun.

She thought about the life she had built here, the nights spent behind the bar, the strange sense of belonging she had found in this city. Leaving it all behind, especially for something as glamorous as what the manager was offering, felt like a risk. But wasn't that what she had been waiting for?

"I need to know one thing," Mae said after a moment, her voice steady. "If I take this offer, what kind of expectations are there? I mean, this sounds too good to be true."

The manager smirked, shaking his head. "No catch, Mae. We just want the best, and we know you're it. The club is going to be the hottest spot in LA, and we need someone with your talent to set the tone. All you've gotta do is show up and do what you already do so well."

Mae nodded slowly, her mind still racing. The opportunity was staring her in the face, and it was everything she had dreamed of—and more. The money, the apartment, the car, the chance to leave behind her past and start fresh in one of the most glamorous cities in the world. But as she stood there, weighing her options, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was being left behind. Something she hadn't yet fully faced.

"I'll take the night to think it over," Mae finally said, forcing a smile. "But I have to admit, it's tempting."

The manager grinned, clapping her on the shoulder. "That's what I like to hear. Sleep on it, and let me know tomorrow. But trust me, Mae—this is your shot."

Mae nodded, watching him leave the room before turning back to her reflection in the mirror. She stared at herself for a long moment, trying to reconcile the girl she saw in the glass with the woman who had lived through so much. The offer was there, glittering and bright, but deep down, she wondered if she was really ready for it.

Los Angeles. A penthouse. A new car. And a whole new life.

But was it really what she wanted? Or was it just another way to escape?

As Mae gathered her things and left the club that night, her mind was still spinning with the possibilities. She had a decision to make—and it wasn't going to be easy.

-

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Mae's tiny New York apartment, casting soft light across the room. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the conversation she'd had with her manager the night before. The offer had been on her mind for days, but now that the deadline had arrived, the weight of the decision pressed down on her like a heavy blanket.

Los Angeles. A penthouse apartment, a new car, a hefty salary increase. The kind of opportunity that most people would jump at without hesitation. Mae had always considered herself someone who thrived on change, someone who could reinvent herself whenever the need arose. And yet, here she was, tangled in her thoughts, unsure if she was ready to take the leap.

She sighed, pulling herself out of bed and walking to the small kitchen. The coffee maker hummed to life as she filled it with water, her mind still swirling. This wasn't just about the money or the perks—although those were certainly tempting. This was about starting over, leaving behind the life she had built in New York and stepping into something completely new. And as exciting as that sounded, it also terrified her.

Mae poured herself a cup of coffee, her eyes drifting toward the window as she took a sip. The city was already bustling outside, the noise of honking cars and distant voices rising up from the street below. New York had been her refuge for two years, a place where she could disappear into the chaos and reinvent herself after walking away from her past. But there was a part of her that still felt unfinished, like there was something she hadn't fully dealt with yet.

Maybe that's why the thought of leaving felt so difficult.

She knew what Los Angeles represented—a chance to leave behind everything she had been trying to forget. The opportunity to escape the memories of St. Mary's, of Father Charlie, of the life she had walked away from. But she also knew that no matter how far she went, some things couldn't be outrun.

Her laptop buzzed on the counter, interrupting her thoughts. Mae glanced at the screen—it was an email from her manager, asking if she had made a decision. She stared at the message for a long moment, her stomach twisting in knots. This was it. She had to decide.

With a deep breath, Mae set her coffee down and moved to the small desk in the corner of the room, sitting down in front of her laptop. She opened the email her manager had sent a few days ago, the one with all the details of the transfer: the new club, the penthouse apartment in downtown LA, the car that would be waiting for her, the increased pay and benefits.

It all sounded so perfect on paper. Too perfect, really. And that's what unsettled her.

Mae leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she stared at the screen. She had spent the last two years trying to move forward, trying to create a new life for herself that had nothing to do with the person she used to be. But no matter how hard she tried, the past still lingered. St. Mary's, Father Charlie, the vows she had broken—they were all still there, just beneath the surface.

Her laptop buzzed again. Another message from her manager.

"Hey Mae, just checking in. We need an answer today. This is a huge opportunity for you. Don't let it slip through your fingers. Let me know as soon as you can."

Mae felt her chest tighten. She stood up, pacing the room, trying to clear her mind. She knew her manager was right—this was a huge opportunity. A chance to start fresh in a new city, with more money, more freedom, and a lifestyle most people could only dream of. But every time she thought about saying yes, something inside her held her back.

Los Angeles wasn't just any city. It was glamorous, full of opportunity, but it also represented another layer of detachment, another way to distance herself from who she truly was. It was another mask she could wear to hide from the truth.

She had run before. She had left St. Mary's when the weight of her feelings for Father Charlie had become too much to bear. She had escaped to New York, thinking that distance would help her forget. And for a while, it had. But as the years passed, the memories crept back in, slowly at first, and then with increasing intensity.

Mae stopped pacing and stood by the window, staring down at the street below. The people moving about their day, unaware of the turmoil she was feeling. It was strange how she had found a certain peace in the chaos of this city. It was loud, unpredictable, and filled with people who were always rushing somewhere. But it had become her home. And now, she was being asked to leave it behind.

She thought about what life would be like in Los Angeles. The penthouse apartment with views of the skyline. The sleek new car that would make getting around the sprawling city easier. The crowds at the club, where celebrities and high rollers would toss money her way. It was a life she had never imagined for herself, but here it was, within reach.

But what would happen when the music stopped? When the nights were quiet, and she was left alone with her thoughts?

Mae swallowed hard, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. She had run once before, thinking it would solve everything. But maybe, just maybe, she had learned something in these past two years. Maybe running wasn't the answer. Maybe it never had been.

She glanced back at her laptop, the email still open on the screen. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, the words forming in her mind. She could say yes. She could pack up her things, move to LA, and start fresh. It would be easy. But something inside her whispered that it wouldn't be enough.

Mae closed the laptop and picked up her phone. She dialed her manager's number, her heart pounding in her chest as the phone rang.

"Mae!" he answered, his voice bright and expectant. "You ready to give me the good news?"

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes drifting back to the window and the city below. "I've thought about it," she said slowly. "And I've decided... I'm going to stay."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "Stay?" the manager repeated, clearly surprised. "Mae, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," she said, her voice steady. "It's tempting, believe me. But I've realized that moving to LA won't fix what I've been trying to run from. I need to stay here and figure that out."

Her manager was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed. But I respect your decision. You know, the offer will be on the table for a little while longer if you change your mind."

"Thank you," Mae replied. "But I think I need to stop running."

After a few more words exchanged, Mae hung up the phone and stood in the middle of her apartment, a strange sense of relief washing over her. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she was making a decision that was true to herself.

The city outside continued its endless hum, and Mae took a deep breath. She had chosen to stay. And for now, that was enough.