Kimberly
"Kim, what time are you leaving for work today?" asked Ella, my little sister.
"I leave by 6, Ella. Why do you ask?"
"I want you to help me with my homework," I asked Naomi, but she's busy and Victoria is not around to help me.
"Alright, I'll help you. Let me just be done with my hair.
Let's make a little introduction, shall we?"
My name is Kimberly—Kim for short—and the little girl is Ella, my younger sister, and my bestest friends are Naomi and Victoria. We all stay in our 3-bedroom apartment together.
I'm a night worker, if you know what I mean. I work with my friend Victoria and Naomi works as a salesperson in a company.
Ella is 6 years old. I'm 25 years old, same age as Victoria, while Naomi is 23 years old. We all met in a very unusual circumstance, and ever since then, we've been inseparable. They're all I've got.
So while we're at work at night, Ella stays home with Naomi. Then when I get back from work in the early hours of the morning, I drop her off to school and pick her up before going to work.
My mom had Ella when I was 19, and she died when Ella was 2. She and my dad died in an accident on their way back from the market while I was home with Ella.
It was a devastating period for me and my soul. It's been me and Ella till I met my best friends turned sisters.
I first met Victoria one fateful evening, when I went out to get things that Ella needed.
she was kind to me and we lived in the same neighborhood. We became close after that day and she later introduced me to Naomi, who she was Friends with.
They lived together at that time.
Then we decided to get an apartment for the three of us and it's been us against the world.
The moment I stepped out of the dressing room and onto the stage, I wasn't Kimberly anymore.
I became her—the woman who loved dancing, The fantasy wrapped in lace, heels, and just enough mystery to make them think they had a chance.
dancing was as the one thing I enjoyed doing. Before my parents died. I was part of a dance group. Which I had to stopped going to because o and to take care of myself and Ella since we had to move out of our apartment at that time.
The lights hit me like always—hot, blinding—but I moved through them like I owned them. Because on that stage, I did.
I walked slow, deliberate, letting the black lace of my dress hug every curve, teasing where it dipped too low and clung too tight. The music pulsed beneath my skin. I let it guide me.
I didn't look at the faces. I never did. Eye contact gave them the wrong idea. Made them think it was personal.
But tonight… tonight I felt it.
A stare.
Not the usual kind. Not the sloppy, hungry ones I was used to dodging like cigarette smoke. No—this was different. This one slid over my skin like silk and fire. Cold and hot. Sharp and intentional.
I spun slowly, gaze brushing over the crowd. Nothing. Just shadows and cheap suits.
But it was there. I knew it
It didn't make me nervous.
It made me curious.
After my set, I changed out of the lace and into something softer—a deep burgundy wrap dress, heels off, hair up. I wiped off the red lipstick but couldn't quite scrub the feeling that he was still there.
I felt the same gaze on me all night till I left the club.
Someone has paid in full but I was not given any location, just asked to go home.
Something told me it was Mr Mysterious.
Whoever he was, he hadn't approached. Hadn't booked for more.
Not yet.
But he would.
For the first time in the whole time I've been doing this.
I hoped he did.
Nicholas
Missed calls
Four of them
I don't plan on calling back, Zach is a leech to my life. He always wants to call me and be a nuisance that he is while I'm working.
I continue scanning through reports I should I have stopped reading an hour ago.
The light of my laptop being the only illumination now that the sun has long since disappeared behind the city skyline.
A knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts,
Nic are you in, I'm coming in.
I know it's Zach, I didn't answer his call to avoid his troubles and he brought the troubles to me.
I thought you had work to do Zach, I also relaxing in the arm of my chair.
He nods, I did have work, I was done already and I had already left the office, but I decided to come back knowing fully well you'd still be here as usual.
My gaze flicks to the perfectly stacked folders at the corner of my desk. I shake my head," I won't be staying behind, just need to sort this out Snd I'll head home."
Oh and dad call he said, giving me a pointed look.
I drag a hand down my face, exhaustion settling into my bones.
Of course he did.
Call him Nic, he misses you. go and see him.
Got it, I say voice tight thanks.
Zach looks at me for a while and says, alright so that aside. That's not what I'm here.
I gave him this suspicious look because Zach loves dragging me into doing stuffs with him and I have no choice but to accept.
I'm here to take you out today, we're going clubbing.
I look at him like he's gone mad, " Zach I have work to do, and this deal with Mr Micheal and his company, you know it's not been finalized yet. I don't want any loopholes or mistakes, you can go ahead and have fun
Not like you need my permission anyways".
I know Nic but you need to let loose a bit, you don't go out, you don't have friends you don't even have any company. If not you're my brother and I know you very well I'd start to think you're gay.
Since mom left you've always used work to escape and , but you need some fun in your life. I know it's your way to escape what happened and keep your mind busy so you don't think about her, I know abc I don't Judge you for that.
I'm doing none of that Zach, I just need to work.
We stare at each other, then he breaks the silence saying prove me wrong then, cone with me to the club and atleast take someone home for once, when was the last time you had sex, when you're not a priest, he says half smiling . I already booked the vip section, I know you hate crowded places.
I look at him angrily and he has a smug on his face, he was trying to bait me and I had no choice than to go with it.
And just so you know what I do with my sex life is none of your business Zach. He raises his hand up like he's surrendering.
Fine I'll go with you to the club but I'm not taking anyone home. Agreed
Agreed, he says with a mischievous look on his face.
Zach is 26 years old while I'm 31.
I'm older than him but we don't look nor act like that much age difference is between us.
He acts like I'm his twin not he's older brother.
I smile a little, memories coming to us playing with dad running around the house after I get back from college after which we go inside and eat the chocolate cookies that mom made.
Zach calling my name brought me back to reality, and I glance around the loud and busy club, our booth was above the main floor, and I saw the most stunning and beautiful woman I have ever seen.
She looked breathtaking , I couldn't keep my eyes off her.
She wasn't doing too much or trying too hard , That title probably went to the leggy blonde draped over the bar, or the redhead doing her best to catch every man's attention with a dress that should've come with a warning.
But she—the woman on stage.was something else entirely.
She didn't dance. She commanded. Every sway of her hips was calculated, deliberate, like she didn't need to prove anything.
Like we were the ones performing for her.
God, that mouth. Painted red like sin and shaped like it knew too many secrets. Her eyes scanned the crowd like she was bored of us already. And when they landed on me—just for a second—I felt like she saw straight through the suit, the name, the money… right into something no one's supposed to touch.
She moved like she had nothing to lose. Or maybe like she'd already lost it, and now she was just playing the game better than anyone else.
I should've looked away. Should've turned back to my drink and remembered what was my priority.
Business , not distractions.
But she was the distraction.
And I suddenly wanted to know how a woman like that ends up on a stage in a place like this, looking at a man like me like she's already decided I'm not worth her time.
Challenge accepted.
I signal to the guy who is the manager.
Who is the lady on the Black dress. The one who was just on the stage. I asked him.
Oh Mr Stone you mean Kim, she's one of our best, she's highly demanded but she doesn't just go with anyone. Should I call her for you sir .
No I said shrugging him off, you can leave.
Zach elbows me, I see you're interested in someone, all this time we've been frequenting this place I've been trying to get you to take someone home but you wouldn't budge, now it seems someone has caught your eye finally.
You know what, as your lovely brother I got this one for you, I'll book her and settle everything, my treat.
"No",I say looking at his smudged face, I don't need you to do that, I don't have time for that and I don't want her.
I lied because I still couldn't get my eyes off her, she has now changed into a very sexy night dress and is speaking to the bartender.
She moved through the crowd with her drink in her hand like she owns it. Smiling when she needs to, brushing against men whose hands are already twitching with the thought of paying for more.
I want to break every one of their fingers.
Instead, I slide my card across the table to the club's manager.
"Her shift's over," I say flatly.
He blinks. "Sir, she's already booked—"
"Not anymore. I'll take her whole night." My voice leaves no room for negotiation. "Triple her usual rate. And she doesn't know it came from me."
The man swallows, nods, and scurries off. Money talks. Mine shouts.
From the shadows, I watch him approach her, whisper something in her ear. She frowns, then shrugs, confusion flickering across her face. She won't work another minute tonight.
She won't be going home with anyone else.
I tell myself it's not jealousy. It's not obsession. It's just… necessary.
And maybe, for now, that lie is enough.