Chapter 15
Christina’s fingers tightened around the black card, the smooth surface cold against her palm. I don’t trust him, she thought, the familiar walls of distrust closing in on her heart. She had been hurt before, and Nathaniel, despite his wealth and influence, was no exception. This card might be useful to keep up appearances, though, just in case.
Without another word, she slipped the card back into her bag and left the room, her footsteps echoing through the corridors of Scenic Garden Manor. Nathaniel wanted to call out, to stop her, but before he could, her figure had already disappeared into the distance, leaving him standing in the silence.
Once outside, Christina hailed a taxi and headed straight to her workplace—Seven Nights Bar. For years, she had worked tirelessly, all for her mother and to escape the constant humiliation from the Steeles. The bar, with its elegant décor and high-profile clientele, was a stark contrast to the rest of her life. The pay was high, the work demanding, but it was the price she had to pay to survive.
As soon as she arrived, she quickly made her way to the dressing room, changing into her black uniform. She tied her hair into a high ponytail, her delicate features framed by the mirror. Her porcelain skin gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and her eyes, though calm, held a depth of emotion that no one could see.
Tonight was the third anniversary of the bar, and the energy was electric. The venue buzzed with excitement as the customers poured in. It was the kind of night that would draw all eyes, and the anticipation was palpable. To make the night even more special, the bar manager had spared no expense. A renowned DJ had been hired, and the final performance was set to include a showstopping dance by Peacock, one of the most famous dancers in the country.
Christina was in full motion, running around serving drinks and greeting guests, her feet aching but her mind focused on the task at hand. She barely had time to breathe, let alone relax. She took a brief moment to duck into the dressing room for a quick sip of water.
But as soon as she stepped inside, the door burst open. Yasmine, her coworker, looked frantic, her face pale with worry.
“Christina, please, you have to help me tonight!” Yasmine gasped, her voice shaky.
Christina raised an eyebrow, confused. “What’s wrong, Yasmine?”
Yasmine’s panic was palpable as she moved closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “This is urgent! You need to put on a mask and take Peacock’s place on stage. Right now!”
Christina’s mind went blank. Replace Peacock? The famous dancer? She shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t. I barely know the basics! I’ll never compare to her. The audience will see right through me.”
Yasmine waved her hands in a frantic gesture. “No, no, it’s only temporary! Just a short dance. The audience won’t be able to see you clearly—the lights will be flickering, and you’ll have the mask on. You won’t be exposed.”
Christina hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to dance in front of a crowd, especially not under such circumstances. But Yasmine’s next words struck a chord with her.
“Peacock’s sick. She fainted after eating something bad. She’s at the hospital getting an IV drip. She’ll be back soon, but we need someone to fill in for her until then. If we don’t have a performance, the guests will riot, and our boss will fire me for sure.”
Christina’s mind raced. Yasmine had always been there for her, a kindred spirit in this chaotic world. Seeing the fear in her coworker’s eyes, Christina felt a twinge of guilt. Yasmine was a single mother, doing everything she could to keep her family afloat. I can’t let her lose this job, Christina thought. She was no stranger to hardship herself.
After a long moment of internal struggle, Christina let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping. “All right. I’ll do it. But only until she gets back.”
Yasmine’s face lit up with relief. “Thank you, Christina! I knew I could count on you.” She grabbed Christina’s hands and gave them a grateful squeeze.
Christina nodded but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stepping into a world she wasn’t ready for. Still, she knew there was no turning back now. As she put on the mask and made her way to the stage, her heart pounded in her chest. This is temporary, she reminded herself, but the weight of the performance ahead weighed heavily on her mind.