Sophia
...

I ran a drenched palm over the steam clad mirror, my face coming into a clear view. From my reflection, I can see my heart thumping hard against my chest.

Tonight is the night.

The first night since I got here three weeks ago that I’m actually taking a client's call as the call girl I'm supposed to be. The first night it all becomes real.

I drag a towel down my skin, wiping the water droplets away slowly as if that will somehow slow down the time and my pounding heart at the same time.

My stomach knots, realizing that stalling won't get me out of this.

Thanks to my growing channel, people have finally started noticing me. People are… interested. They leave comments, send private messages.

But up until now, it’s all been online. The screen of my laptop separating us, making me feel safe in a weird way.

But now?

Now Dana says it’s time to meet these people in person. And it's not just everyone who thinks I'm cute, it's the people who actually pay to have me spend time with them.

That's the only way I can be of value to the cartel. The little videos I make hiding my face and bouncing my boobs, dancing or twerking to some silly music for their enjoyment will get me money for skin care products and bikinis but not the kind of money the cartel groomed me for.

I’ve been preparing for this, but no amount of preparation makes the fear in my tummy go away.

I let the towel drop to the floor, walking back into the bedroom to glance at the lingerie Dana left for me.

It’s lacy and red, soft against my fingertips, but it feels like a costume, like I’m dressing up to play someone else. I guess, in a way, I am.

I slowly slip it on, adjusting the thin straps over my shoulders before I catch my reflection again. I don’t recognize myself.

The girl staring back at me looks confident, her body perfect and outlined in red lace, her hair still damp and clinging to her skin. She looks like she knows exactly what she’s doing, but I don't.

The door opens behind me, and I jump, trying to find something to cover my body with.

Dana steps in before I do so I let her see, her eyes trailing down my body, lazily taking me in. She gets stuck on my ass before looking away.

It’s a strange feeling—her gaze was  both exciting and uncomfortable. I can’t decide if I like it or not.

Dana clears her throat.

“You look… good. Ready?” She doesn’t wait for me to answer before she walks out of the room, leaving me alone.

I exhale, trying to shake off the weird feeling she stirred up.

It's part of it, I remind myself. I’m here to do a job. She’s here to make sure I do it well.

I throw on the other skimpy black dress and inched heels.

When I walk out, Dana’s already waiting by the door. She gives me a nod, and I follow her out.

I’ve worn lingerie on camera before, but this feels different. This is.... someone's actually going to take it off of me and touch me and ...

I slide into the passenger seat, a second later the engine purrs to life. Dana doesn’t say much during the drive, she keeps her eyes on the road calmly and I wish I were her right now.

I stare out the window, watching people living their lives, completely unaware of the night I’m about to have.

I consider asking Dana to turn around, take me back to the apartment because I can’t do this. I'm not ready yet, but then I remember why I'm here.

I take a deep breath. I can do this.

“Okay,” Dana mumbles, pulling up to a building. It’s a lavish apartment complex, all glass and marble, even ten times better than my apartment.

It’s intimidating, to say the least, and my heart picks up speed again.

Dana turns off the car, and looks at me, her expression softer than I’ve seen before.

“You’re going to be fine,” she says, reaching over to give my arm a short pat. I can't tell she isn't the touchy type. “Remember, if you don’t feel safe at any point, you can call me. I’ll be here the whole time.”

I nod, swallowing. Her reassurance helps, but it doesn’t take away the fear. I’m stepping into new territory tonight, something I can’t control.

Dana walks me to the door, her hand brushing against my back gently. I'd feel weird about it but now it's steadying.

The door swings open, and a man steps out, his eyes sliding over me.

“You must be Sophia,” he says, his voice smooth.

He’s tall, in his late thirties or early forties, wearing a suit that probably costs a ton. “Come in.”

I glance at Dana, and she gives me a small nod.

“Lets stick to the rules,” she says, her eyes to the man.

He nods, willing me to follow him inside. The apartment is just as extravagant, cold and impersonal, like a showroom rather than a home.

The man leads me into the living room, and I sit down on the couch, my legs feeling like jelly. He sits across from me, his eyes never leaving me. Like I will disappear if he blinks.

“So, Sophia,” he says. “Let’s get to know each other.”

I force a smile. Every part of me wants to run, but I can’t.

He talks, asks me questions—the kind of small talk that feels hollow. I keep my voice steady even though my hands grip the edge of the couch to keep from shaking.

Eventually, the man stands up and walks over to the bar, pouring himself a drink. “You want one?” he asks, lifting the glass to his lips.

I shake my head. “No, thank you.”

That drink might be spikes with sex pills for all I know. If I'm doing this, I'd rather not be high on weird shit.

He takes a sip, his eyes sizing me up. It’s like I’m not even a person to him, just something to be consumed.

My stomach twists, but I keep my face warm. It's my job.

He comes back, sits down next to me this time, closer than I’m comfortable with. His hand rests on the back of the couch, his fingers brushing my shoulder lightly. It takes everything in me not to flinch.

“You’re nervous,” he whispers.

I force myself to laugh, shaking my head. “Why would I be?”

He smirks, clearly not buying it, but he doesn’t push. Instead, he leans back, taking another sip of his drink, his eyes still on me.

“You’re beautiful,” he muses after a long pause. “I can see why you’re so popular.”

I swallow, not sure how to respond. I’ve heard worse online, in the comments on my videos. But hearing it in person, from someone sitting this close, is different.

I smile, nodding, trying to keep the conversation light, but all I can think about is how much I want this to be over.

Minutes tick by, each one feeling like an hour, until finally, he stands up, draining the rest of his drink.

“I think that’s enough for tonight,” he says, an edge to his voice, like he’s bored.

"But w-we didn't---"

“Next time,” he says, his voice low again, “we’ll have more fun.”

Relief floods through me but I'm still worried.

Is he still going to pay if I did not please him?

The cartel wants money and what will happen if I don't show up with any?

But I force another smile, nodding as I step outside. I will just tell Dana the man changed his mind.

Dana is there, waiting by the car, and the second I see her, I feel like I can breathe again.

She makes a quick wave to the man before looking at me.

"Good?"

I nod, not trusting myself to speak as we get back into the car and drive away.

She will be more disappointed if I tell her now that I don't have any money.

💫