Bought for and Paid for

c fading into the distance as she hurried ho

took a shower and hurried to th

ootsteps quiet on the ward's floor. "H

wing her mom needed rest. She grabbed a chair, positioned it beside Elizabeth's bed, an

ly, sweetie, are you sleeping? When did you get here?

didn't want to disturb you

rrowed. "Why so late

here now.""Mom, remember my new job? I had to get instructions, that's w

, sweetie. But don't overdo it, okay? You're doi

use I love you, Mom. I won't sit back and do nothing.

lly, you've finally found a f

r soon. But for now, Mom, you need to eat. I ma

d tightened. "What would I do wit

o be strong for me, Mom. I want things to go back to nor

ars as she hugged Lilith tightly. "

l love it," Lilith said, he

was comfortable before leaving. "Oh no!" she exclai

ern spiked. "What

gings. "It's already 7 pm. Mom, I have to go. I'll spend the whole d

. "Go, baby. I'll be fin

f the ward, calling

izabeth whispered, but her

hotograph lay hidden. She pulled it out, her eyes welling up with te

ever. I'm running out of time, and I fear leaving her alone." Tears streamed down her f

inally arrived at the club, her heart racing as she pushed through the heavy doors. A wave of relief washed

here Daisy is?" Lilith asked, s

m Levi. Daisy isn't here yet; you came a bit early. The boss hasn't arr

ze! Daisy told me to

ted, a hint of amusement in hi

ty and intrigue. "Guess I don't need to introduce my

"In this place, word travels fast. Let's just say,

ebrow. "Quite the legend, you s

your performance earlier. It was impressive-definitely better t

ve to flatter me like that! I'm really not that good. It was my first time

teasing. "You brought an energy to the stage that's hard to

fidence swelling. "Well, maybe I'll just have to keep ra

u already have. Just wait until the regulars

s," Lilith admitted, biting her lip. "It's my f

voice calm and encouraging. "Just dance like no one's wat

"Umm, okay, but you have to promise not

n. "I'll just be your supportive

, her heart racing in anticipation. The room felt charged, almost

enthusiasm infectious. "This track is p

her body moving with a fluid grace that seemed to enchant Levi. He watched, mesmerized, his mouth s

hint of anxiety in her voice. "I noticed you

his trance. "That was beautiful. The way you moved was so smo

e flooding her. "Thank you, Levi! That m

e, a frown creeping onto

Are you sure she's coming tonight?"

suggested, a hint of worry in his tone. "I

glancing around the empty club. "I've met you, Daisy,

the team. Aside from me-I'm the bartender-I work every night. The dance

s working tonight? I really d

be a real pain. Just rude for no reason. But don't worr

here, aside from the boss?" L

meet them all tonight," Levi said, a hint of excite

ut her words were cut off a

dy!" Daisy rushed over, he

M, and you waltz in at 8:03! But I'm just glad you ma

Levi, right? Just a heads-up-don't fall for his flirting. I fell for

ected, feigning innocence. "I have i

oor swung open again, and Ruby stru

nder her breath, a wry smile creeping onto her li

ifting as she spotted Lilith. "Oh, you're here too? Is s

one I was just telling you about," Dais

his is my twin sister, Angela," Alex

r tonight's performance!" Ruby declared, her tone b

lace. "Not you, newbie. Wait for the boss to arrive," she said, flipp

mpathetic smile. "Ruby can be tough on newcomers-she's the oldes

ared, Lilith's ex

. Let me get you a drink-my cocktails are legendary! You

rink right now. Let's just chat,"

to talk about?" Levi aske

's ever happened in this club," L

le of customers got into a huge fight, and let's just say someone ended up gett

do about this?" Lilith asked, her v

e they handle it, we close up for the night. This place isn't exactly on the up-

one tell me this?" Lili

the neighborhood knows how risky this club can be. I thought you'd know

me everything," Lilith pre

but I remember when certain guys would waltz in and head straight to his off

th echoed, her eyes w

something. The worst part is, no matter how hard he tries to erase his past, it clings to him like a shadow. The M

se," Lilith said, her voice trembling slig

I think. But I've only heard the stories," L

s widened. "I

ted to reassure her, but his words

Levi announced,

Levi said, his tone shi

follow me to my office for your outfit tonight. Wher

eady in the dressing room," Levi res

guys? The DJ and the bouncers?

't here yet," Levi answered, hi

ow," Alex commanded, striding

get ready for tonight too-it's a

cing as she made her way to Alex's of

ked, trying to sound mor

" came Alex's v

he outfit," she

get it for you," Alex said,

, taking a seat and try

tfit with a proud smile. "Here it is. This will be

blood stain on his shirt. "You have a stain on your shirt.

please leave now," Alex snapped, his an

quickly, sensing the shift in his mood. She

t am I going to do now? I can't zip this up by myself. I can't call Daisy-don't even have her

door. "Come in!" she called, hopeful

ise. "Oh my God, Levi! What are you doing in the ladies' dress

lass cup. I was counting them at the bar, and one went missing. I heard it might be in here. Sorry i

led, but Levi was a

d to the music, seemingly lost in thought. Gathering her courage, s

uncomfortable," he replie

. Hurry!" Lilith insisted, d

losed the door behind him. "What am I helping you with

zipper? That's all," Lilit

sphere shifted, the playful banter giving way to an unexpected tension. Lilith's heart raced-not ju

tight on you. Can you breathe in it?" Le

ably," Lilith replied, twirling to

can't take my eyes off you," Levi stammered, shaking his head as if tr

h said, feeling a warmth spread

leave when he suddenly reme

oor. I'll see you once I'm done," L

e Lilith's shoes lay untouched. "Wait, can I help you put o

could use a hand," she said, trying to sound

d on the first shoe. "You know, these really complete the look," h

o," she replied, feeling a mix

an necessary. "Alright, one more to go," he said, looking up at her w

for a moment, the world outside faded away. "You really

s expression softening. "You

ll at the closeness between them. She could sense

moment, their eyes locked in a charged silence. Lilith felt a surge o

spell. He stood, stepping back slightly to take

heeks warming. "I guess I'm read

orm-well, behind the bar serving drinks, but I promise to keep my ey

pened when I went to get my outfit," L

r words were cut off as Daisy, Ruby

re you two smooching or something?" Ruby

ing me with my dress," Lilith defe

. "Oh wow, this outfit looks fantastic on you!" s

id, rolling her eyes. "Levi, go. Lilith,

here," Lilith said, her heart ra

vi said, shooting her a reassu

elf of the thrill of being on stage. "It's showtime," she said

ont of the mirror, she could hear

nergy of the night. With a final glance in the mirror, she st

, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight

vi watched from afar, captivated by Lilith's mesmeri

bar caught his attention, their le

a night with her," one s

ve had my share of the other dancers,

lared. But he refused to let thei

exhausted. Two hours of non-stop dancing h

ushed open the slightly ajar dressing room

side her. "Lilith, are you alright? Yo

ak smile. "Yeah, just wiped out. I can'

p you up," L

f laughter in her voice. "Just give me a mom

y between them. "You were amazing out there," he said soft

t in her voice. "I actually enjoyed it. It felt li

ove it," Levi replied, a gri

we've known each other forever, but we just met toda

y around here; they think I'm just a joke," Lev

lirt with everyone," she t

didn't flirt with you, did I?" he ch

ocking her gaze with his,

ng. "I just like you, Lilly. It's strange, but it feel

ed, their eyes drawing them

t was cut off by a sud

e?" Lilith asked,

I hope it's not the boss," Levi said, rising to his feet

or. When he opened it, relief washed over him-it wasn't a staff m

returned, arms laden wit

r?" Lilith asked, her e

them," Levi explained, a touch of pride in his voice. "And I think there's a

lowers before," she said, gently taking th

ning. "I rushed out to get you a bigger bouquet. The one

ave this one for Daisy," Lilith said, her face li

and wrapped her arms around him

whispered, squee

h radiate between them as they stood enveloped in