" Kara! Wake the hell up! It's not even noon yet!"
A loud knock sounded on her desk and in no time the young woman was sitting up straight trying to work out what was happening to her. When she finally noticed her boss's angry face, the young woman swore inwardly...
" This is becoming more and more common, Kara. It just can't be. "
" Sorry, boss. I... I... very little sleep last night."
" Why didn't you?"
" Well, I... I...I...well...I... " The young woman stammered, obviously wanting to avoid answering his question.
" I'm not paying you to sleep, Miss Kaya Reyes. Tomorrow I'm retiring and with every day that passes you make me want to leave with you!"
" I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again."
" Oh no, my dear. I'm sure it won't. My successor is not as forgiving as I am so if...you want to keep your job, Stay awake! Is that clear?"
" Copy that, Mrs. Kara."
Kara lowered her gaze and endured another angry look from her old boss before he left the room... When she raised her head, she saw the curious eyes of a few other employees on her... She couldn't help feeling ashamed. It was the third time in a week that he had caught her sleeping...
She sighed and fixed a rebellious lock of hair before going back to her work with a yawn. That's what happened to a woman who decided to have two jobs, one during the day and the other at night.
It wasn't always like this. It used to be the good life. His parents were rich thanks to table games. However, her father, a great gambler, ended up betting his entire fortune on a card game that he lost on the first move... Following this incident, Kara's mother filed for divorce and left, never to return, and her father, even more eager to make his fortune back, racked up a ton of debts before dying of an overdose, leaving Kara an inheritance of a sick old cat and multiple casino debts...
She managed to find a job as a secretary in a small company, but... It wasn't enough to pay the rent and repay her father's debts. So she had to take a job in a strip club that paid well enough to make ends meet and make her life easier.
She didn't like the job, and what she hated most was that most of the club's customers were rich businessmen who indulged in the most horrific things they could do to women. Fortunately, she was spared. She was nicknamed the 'Barbie Stripper'. Not just because she was always in pink, but also because her striptease was a combination of ballet, ballet and gymnastics. All in a sexual mix. She was so popular with men that her sessions cost three times as much as those of other strippers, and what's more, she didn't need to undress... The only problem was the men's perverse stares at her...
She glanced up at the clock at the very top of the room and realised that she only had half an hour left before the end of the day... Just as well, she was terribly hungry.
When the clock struck 5pm, the young woman was the first to leave the office. She was exhausted and couldn't wait to get her hands on the famous burger at the fast food restaurant across the street...
***
"Same menu?"
"Yes, Angie Same menu."
Kara grinned at the waitress before she disappeared behind the counter. A few minutes later, she was served her meal... As she finished her soda, her phone vibrated in her pocket...
A new message...
She pulled out her phone and saw that the message was from her boss. Her boss at the club. She opened it and read it:
**I know today isn't your working day but we've got a very important new client and only you can fulfil his wishes... Tell me if you're in?
PS: He paid twice the price.
Kara couldn't help but sigh. The trouble with these men who pay much more than the money is that they think they're masters and will try to break the limits and the executioner who's there to look after you won't say anything as he's also been paid to play the blind man... Another message rang out as the young woman was lost in thought...
** You have to agree to this private dance and don't worry, it won't be like last time...**
Last time? The last time a customer literally jumped out at her in disappointment, she screamed and called for help but no one came, so she had to...take care of him, herself... From that day on, she always took a sharp object with her to defend herself if anything went wrong...
At least the rich kid's karate lessons that her father forced her to take were of some use to her.
Another message rang out...
** You have to accept... I could quadrupled the price if you like... You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And I need you to turn him into a VIP customer. **
She sighed. Was she going to accept? She didn't know. She didn't know. If she did this dance tonight, she probably wouldn't be on her feet when the new boss arrived tomorrow... And if she didn't, she'd miss out on a chance to win almost $1000 for a 30-minute session at most... She sighed and finished her soda before leaving the fast food restaurant and heading home...
In her letterbox, the bill for the week was already there. It was absurd, but she had the impression that she was paying much more than she should... She hasn't had electricity for a fortnight and yet she's being asked to pay... $100...
" 100$? No, that's impossible. "she said to herself.
She dropped off her things before leaving her flat and going downstairs to the owner's floor...
She knocked suddenly on the door in indignation and waited about ten seconds before the door opened on the old woman who managed the building...
" 100$? For the lighting? Mrs. Harrison, this is a mistake."
"It's not a mistake. My son is an accountant and he manages these things."
"Well...your son is ripping us off. I haven't had electricity for a fortnight."
"Ah...well? It's probably your appliances that are spoiled."
"Mrs. Harrison, last week I paid you $20 when I hardly had any electricity and you know it but now...you're asking me to pay $100?"
"Yes, you used $100 worth of electricity so you have to pay it tomorrow at the latest."
"No, I'm not paying anything. "
"Then get out of my building, we'll see who agrees to rent you such a nice flat at such a low price? You young people are so ungrateful these days..."
"Oh, no Mrs Harrison, don't start..."
"Get out of my front door, go away. Shoo..."
As she said these last words, she closed her door without the young woman having time to say another word. She took two steps backwards, even more indignant but powerless... She would have liked to go to the police and talk about everything she was going through here but... it was impossible. Mrs Harrisson's son has great connections in the police and every time, it's the one who complains who ends up being chased away. And she... she couldn't afford to lose her flat. The price was nothing compared to the others...
Once back in her flat, the young woman turned on the light switch. After a little sizzle, the bulb finally came on.
"That filthy magpie, she's probably turned the power on now. she said.
..
She grabbed the list of bills and glanced at it. 300 in bills in total. A sum she wouldn't have until the end of the month. She sighed and looked at her phone. It was in situations like this that she cursed her father with all her might...
She picked up her phone and reread the messages before activating the keypad...
** I'll do it... 2 000 $. Tell me what to do**.
After some thought, she finally sent the message and put the phone back down. However, the voicemail rang...
He had answered...
** I'll let you improvise, I trust you. 2,000 $. whatever you want. The driver will pick you up in 3 hours...**