Bought for and Paid for

nurse, who had arrived to tend to Elizabeth. "Sorry to wa

eyes. "No worries, I needed to get

, Mom," Lilith

ied with a mischievous grin. "You, on t

"Mom, stop! Too e

led, trying to s

d, laughing. "I had trouble sleeping

d concerned. "Maybe you shoul

om the nurse, knowing she needed

tion, Lilith's thoughts drifted to th

Lilith whispered, her

with curiosity. "Today is

er thoughts had slipped out. "Oh, um, my n

n turned warm and enco

ith her hands. "A little. B

. "You'll shine, Lilith. You always do. Now,

ating. "Will you be

the TV. "I've got my favorite

as she hugged her mom t

sh that first day!" Elizabeth

hts turned to the strip club. She had a l

bite, her stomach fluttering with nerves. With h

the scent of leather and smoke. A worker's st

e. We're not op

slightly. "I'm here to

turned guarded. "He's lea

ardened. "Just business.

wn the hall towards Alex's office. "You

rap echoing through the hallway. Alex's

his eyes narrowing slightly. "Lilian, right?"

tion was swift a

apologies. What brings you here so early? We're s

ered office was tinged with amuse

his hands together . "You could say th

help. I'm...not exactly a natural dancer. Can you arrange

shment. "You can't dance?" His

board said 'waitress needed,' not 'dancing queen required.'

s raised. "Fair point. I didn't think this throu

onto Lilith's. "I'll call in our top dancer, Ruby

d, dialing with precision. "Ruby, need you in

er left Lilith's face. "She'll be here soo

slightly, her expression c

readable. "Don't thank me yet. Ruby's tough. She'll

a stunning woman with piercing gr

lex announced, hi

r expression freezing. Yesterday's

sudden tension.

luctance. "She's the one you want

arked. "What's wrong? Yo

by. "We met yesterday. Let's

weet. "Oh, Lilith and I ar

yes flashed

rrowed. "Ruby,

ttle disagreement. I'm sure Lilith w

was evident. "I

atever issues you two have, put them asid

intense, but Ruby's eye

begin?" R

ted to work with you, Lilith. You'r

rrowed. "I think

"Oh, sweetie, you have no idea w

shed with anger. "

ce firm. "Ruby, ease up.

her expression calculated. "

g Lilith, their tension-f

it all wrong,

"Maybe if you actually taught me in

hink you're so special, don'

patience wearing thin.

bled. "I don't think

e. "You'll find a way to make it

Can't I get someone nicer, or at least reaso

Ruby can be tough, but you need to calm down and focus. I'm doing this for you, and no one

ve in you. You've got potential, but you need to channel that energy into lear

er fading. Alex's words struck a ch

high standards, but so do I. You've got this, Lilith. Take a deep breath, learn the cho

rmly. "I'll give

," he said wit

ed Ruby, Lilith

in the club," Alex said. "My o

"How convenient. I'll introduce Ci

ed. "My name is Lili

etie. Now, let's get to work. Don't forget

ed out of the office,

lex, her eyes blazi

ut his eyes conveyed a reassuring m

exhaling slowly as she fol

from the club grabbed her attention. She recognized R

" Lilith thought, feeling

ortlessly spinning around the pole. Ruby's movements am

stage," Lilith thought, feeling a

she forgot her own nervousness, until

voice full of challenge. "You've watched

I can't do that," she stamm

sted. "Can't or won't?" she taunted,

ing with disrespect. "Dance like no one's watching

urned red. "I do

se there. You're not exactly the

ew. "You know I re

l, shortstack. Now, get to work. Practice, and

f I return and you're not perfect, I'll tell Alex you're no

hed into the darkness,

with anger. "Ugh, I h

epped onto the empty stage. She gras

is?" she wondered. "

ancing, letting t

ooth voice spoke

not doing

voice. Daisy leaned against the doo

d," Daisy said. "Relax,

extending her hand. "

. "I know who you are. Lili

"How did you know about

into this club. She's a piece of work, but don't worry, not eve

arrowed. "Thanks

ile. "Welcome to the cl

brow. "You're new to

sly. "Yeah, complete r

ask. Why are you doing this? The job's not for the

"I need the money, fast. It's for my

get it. Ruby was supposed to show

ntment crossing her face

worry, I've got you. I'll t

ught Lilith some dance moves.

grew. She moved her hips, arms,

lessly executed the final spin. "Wo

, out of breath

thtaking! You're a natural-born dancer. I knew you

s performance will be a hit. These few steps w

versation, Ruby walked in, laughing on her

ed, her smile fading. "I'll call you back la

ith. "Still here, I see. Tho

you've met Daisy, the queen of i

d angry. "Get my nam

soon replace you as the club's top dancer. She's more

was a perfect m

ith disdain. "I'm sure you taught her your old

ted, Alex walked in, his fi

ht I made it clear: no more dra

"Ruby's just mad she's

ut Alex intervened. "Enoug

Daisy was just about to showcase Lilith's new moves.

ow. "Well, let's see

rt skipped a

in perfect harmony. Every step, every sp

th, his expression awestruck. R

oudly. "Told you

ssed. "She nailed e

"She thinks she's good, but I

u just admit someone else is good for

, Alex intervened. "Enough. Lilith's talent spea

, making Lilith the club's new star.

"You'll headline our next show. Daisy

d. "Already

r voice low. "T

e felt more confident. She knew t

. "You're talented, but remember, with great

mind racing with exc

a tight hug. "Thank you

e welcome, kiddo. Now, let's get you sho

ment, but she was nervous . "I'm

sping at the time. "Oh no,

ou've got this, Lilith. Ju

sprinted out of the club, lea