But we were together earlier today with Lavinia," she whispered, a sense of embarrassment creeping in. Tencho's next words confirmed her. "He requested Lavinia," he divulged, leaving Serenity stunned. She retreated to her table, her mind reeling with confusion. Returning to her table, Serenity's thoughts swirled with a mixture of emotions. Disappointment, and self-doubt. After a long night at the club, Lavinia, Candy and Serenity walked back to their apartment together, the city lights painting the streets in a soft glow. "I'm sorry, Serenity," Lavinia began, her voice heavy with remorse. "Akira requested me tonight, and I don't know why. I have nothing to do but to entertain him to do my job." Serenity smiled softly. "That's okay," she reassured. "You don't owe explanations to anyone, Lavinia." Candy, who had been walking alongside them, couldn't help but interject. "Serenity still has a lot of customers, she doesn't need Akira," she chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. Serenity shook her head, her gaze distant. "I just want to thank him again for what he did, that's all. But it's okay; at least he went with you rather than any other girls here."Lavinia just nodded. "Anyway, Akira asked me to go shopping with him tomorrow. Do you want to come, Serenity?" she offered. Serenity hesitated for a moment before responding, "No, but maybe Candy will accompany you." "I'm in!" Candy exclaimed enthusiastically, knowing Akira is rich and generous. After a few days, Akira became a frequent presence at the club, requesting Lavinia's company. One night, after the club closed, Lavinia mustered the courage to approach Tencho. She handed him again a beautifully wrapped gift with a shy smile. "This is for you," she said softly. Tencho's eyes lit up when he saw the branded wallet inside. Tencho's heart warmed at the gesture. "This is nice, Lavinia. No worries, we will go out for a date," he offered. But Lavinia's interest lay not in romantic pursuits but in becoming the star of the club, Tencho could help her, especially when Tencho was drawn to her. When Lavinia was about to wave goodbye to him, Tencho looked around, and when he saw everyone was gone out from the club "I will take you out on a date tonight," he murmured, his words sending a shiver down her spine. "Meet me at the hotel, room 708. But we must be discreet." Anxiety gripped Lavinia as conflicting emotions swirled within her. Tencho was older, too old for her liking, but she felt compelled to go along with his proposal. It was part of her plan to make him her boyfriend, to make her the star of the Paradise club. She also saw this as an opportunity to disparage Serenity, to speak ill of her behind her back. Urgently, she navigated the darkened streets towards the hotel where Tencho awaited. The lobby was hushed as she slipped inside, her senses on high alert. Room 708 loomed in front of her, and as she entered, she was met with Tencho's eager gaze. Before she could protest, Tencho's hands were on her, stripping away. Despite her inner turmoil, Lavinia allowed his touch, letting him consume her body to advance her hidden agenda.
His forceful grip and aggressive advances left her feeling compromised and vulnerable, but she continued to play her part. "You are so oh... Lavinia. But it's Serenity who haunts my dreams, but she is aloof and unattainable," he chuckled, a faint sense of yearning coloring his voice. Lavinia pulled the blanket around her, shielding herself from the aftermath of their shared intimacy. Her eyes flitted to his, a mask of indifference masking her turmoil. "Well, now that you're my boyfriend, you will make me the star of the club," she declared. Tencho, puzzled by Lavinia's sudden demand, voiced his concerns. "But how can I do that? I can't stop the customer's requests," he replied, his brow furrowed in confusion. Lavinia, undeterred, began her tale of Serenity.
"Serenity doesn't deserve to be a star, you know why?" Lavinia's words dripped with disdain. "She refuses to carry grocery bags whenever we are in the supermarket, she always says that she is the star," Lavinia narrated. "I can't believe that she is like that." Tencho replied. "She only went on dates with the rich customer and went to the hotel after they shopped her," Lavinia added. "I thought she was a decent woman," he murmured, his gaze reflecting the shattered illusions of love and admiration he held for Serenity. Lavinia, relentless in her pursuit of justice, revealed the final blow – "Serenity has an illicit affair with Alex," she stated deeply. That revelation ignited a fire of jealousy and anger within Tencho as he grappled with the betrayal unfolding before him. "That is forbidden. When the owner of this club finds out, they will face severe repercussions," Tencho revealed. Lavinia's words tumbled out in a rush. "Serenity let Alex into the apartment to sleep with her, and Alex saw me nude," she continued, Tencho eyes wide with disbelief. Urged on by Lavinia, Tencho grappled with the decision looming before him. "You may send her back to the Philippines even if her contract is not finished yet, right?" she asked, her voice tinged with a note of urgency. "I can do that, but I need to gather concrete evidence of Serenity's deception before taking that action," Tencho stated, his words measured and firm. "Once they are proven guilty, both of them will be sent home back to their country, I will show it to the owner," Tencho declared, his resolve hardening with each passing moment. "The two of us are also forbidden?' she asked. "Yes, but no one will reach the owner just to tell it, no worries," But amidst the turmoil Lavinia's worry for Alex surfaced. She didn't want Alex to go home yet, she is desiring to be with him. She couldn't let Tencho see the depth of her feelings for Alex. So, with a forced lightness in her tone, she echoed his words, "That's a good idea, Tencho," she chuckled. On a crisp Saturday night, the neon lights of the city illuminated the streets as Tencho dropped Lavinia near the Paradise club. They had just left the elegant hotel where they had shared a romantic escapade, their secret rendezvous becoming a regular occurrence after work. "Get off quickly, before someone sees us," Tencho urged in a hushed tone, glancing around warily. Lavinia peered through the car's rear view mirror, ensuring that no one was around.
Satisfied that the entrance was clear, she swiftly exited the vehicle and made her way towards the pulsating lights of the club. That night, in the club. The air was filled with the intoxicating mix of perfumes, laughter, and music. A staff member hurried towards her, whispering, "Lavinia, you have a request at table number 3." A mischievous smile played on Lavinia's lips; she knew tonight was going to be her night. Throughout the evening, Lavinia found herself inundated with requests from various customers, including Octopus Tiger and Akira. Candy looked at her in amazement. "Lavinia, I can't believe how many requests you're getting tonight," she exclaimed. Lavinia simply replied, "I need to work hard." However, Candy couldn't help but notice that most of Lavinia's customers were previously customers of Serenity. Unbeknownst to everyone, Lavinia had been secretly meeting these customers outside of work, subtly talking behind Serenity's back, like she did with Akira.
Meanwhile, Serenity sat alone in a dimly lit corner, watching as Lavinia stole the spotlight with her charm and allure. She waited patiently for a customer to request her, but the night seemed devoid of interest in her. When Lavinia spotted Serenity sitting idly, a devious plan formed in her mind. She excused herself from her current customer and glided over to Serenity's table. "Oh, Serenity, why are you sitting here all alone?" she inquired, feigning concern. Serenity sighed softly, "I'm waiting for Tencho to call me." Lavinia, with a sly grin, offered, "Why don't you join me at my table? I have a lot of requests tonight; I can't handle them all." Serenity, feeling uneasy, declined, "No, there are plenty of other girls who can assist you with your customers. I prefer to wait for my own clientele." With a polite nod, Lavinia returned to her table, inwardly reveling in her own cunning tactics. As the night progressed, Lavinia's web of deceit continued to entrap Serenity, with Tencho unwittingly aiding in her rise to be a star. He effortlessly introduced her to new clientele, further solidifying her position as the star of the club. The vibrant energy of the club ebbed and flowed, mirroring the intricate dance of deceit and manipulation that Lavinia orchestrated behind the scenes. Alex noticed Serenity sitting alone in a dimly lit corner. Her delicate features were etched with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty as she gazed around the room, her eyes searching for something or someone. Alex felt an inexplicable tug at his heart as he made his way towards her, his steps quickening despite the Tencho barking orders at him from across the room. JSerenity was still sitting alone in the corner, after a while, a familiar figure caught her eye, causing a flicker of hope to ignite within her. That customer was no other than Suyoshi, her estranged boyfriend. Her heart raced as she watched a staff member lead the man to the last vacant table, a surge of emotions swirling within her. She longed to talk to Suyoshi, to address the unspoken tensions that lingered between them. But her hopes were dashed as she witnessed the staff member guide Lavinia to sit at Suyoshi's table.
A sudden pang of jealousy twisted in Serenity's gut, Suyoshi had chosen Lavinia over her plunging her into a whirlpool of emotions. Tencho finally approached her, "Serenity, please go help. Go to Lavinia's customer, to Akira's Table, while she's with Suyoshi," the Tencho declared, his words ringing in her ears. Confusion clouded Serenity's features as she questioned Tencho's command. "But I'm supposed to be with Suyoshi, right?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "No, he requested Lavinia, not you," Tencho confirmed, his tone final. "No worries, you can sit with him later as help. Lavinia has many customers." Serenity obeyed Tencho's orders, her steps heavy as she made her way to Akira's table, even though he seemed to ignore her presence. Hours passed, the atmosphere of the club shifting as the lights dimmed and the DJ's voice boomed through the speakers, announcing the commencement of the night's entertainment. "Welcome to Paradise Club! And now it's showtime! Let's welcome the New Star of the Paradise Club, Lavinia! Give her a hand of applause!" The DJ's announcement echoed through the club. Serenity's eyes widened as she watched Lavinia emerge onto the stage, a vision of grace and allure. Alex, Leo, and Mel stood in silent disbelief, their expressions mirroring the confusion that rippled through the club. "How did it happen? Lavinia, the new star?" Leo questioned; his voice tinged with bewilderment. Alex was disappointed as he watched Lavinia begin to dance on the stage, his belief that she didn't deserve to be there evident in his gaze. Mel's words echoed his sentiments. However, their reverie was short-lived as the Tencho caught sight of their distraction and immediately reprimanded them. "Go back to your work, stop talking!" the Tencho commanded, his voice brooking no argument. Reluctantly, Alex, Leo, and Mel returned to their duties, taking orders from the patrons of the club as they tried to shake off the lingering sense of unease that had settled over them.
As Lavinia danced, a sense of disbelief washed over her. This was her moment, Lavinia had always dreamt of being the star of Paradise Club, and now, here she was, captivating the audience with her exotic performance. Her long, flowing hair whipped around her as she moved, the beads on her costume shimmering in the light. Every movement was deliberate, every step measured and precise. In the dimly lit corner of the club, Alex suddenly watched her with doubt. Their eyes met, and for a moment, Lavinia held his gaze, a small smile playing on her lips as she danced for him. Alex could see the desire in her eyes, but Alex hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as he shook his head. Disappointed but not discouraged, Lavinia continued her performance, her movements growing more intense and captivating. The music swirled around her, wrapping her in its embrace as she moved with fluidity and precision. As the final notes of the song faded away,
Lavinia struck a pose, her chest heaving with exertion and emotion. The audience erupted into applause, their cheers ringing through the air as they showed their appreciation for her stunning performance. As she busily began to change into her performance attire, Candy, swirled into the dressing room with a bright smile on her face. "Congratulations, Lavinia! You are now the star of the club. I can't believe you beat Serenity!" Candy's eyes gleamed with genuine admiration and happiness for her. Lavinia's face lit up with disbelief as she turned to Candy. Bragging shone in her eyes as she uttered, "Thank you, Candy." Candy, with a hint of sadness in her expression, replied, "I'm sure Tencho will request you to come back here, but I think only you and Serenity." Lavinia, with a confident chuckle, assured Candy, "I think only of myself, not her," "But why? She is the star here also?" Candy scoffed, unable to comprehend the situation. Lavinia, with a mischievous glint in her eye, chuckled softly. "Not anymore, definitely she will go home soon," she remarked cryptically. Curiosity piqued, Candy pressed further, mentioning the upcoming extension of their visas and the remaining contract. "But Tencho will extend our visa after 10 days, we still have 3 months contract left," she inquired, her voice tinged with concern. Lavinia, her tone serious, revealed the unsettling truth. "I think Tencho will not extend her, so she will go home within ten days," she disclosed, her words hanging heavy. Perplexed, Candy couldn't help but question the reason behind this. "But why?" she asked, a tinge of worry seeping into her voice. "Tencho already knew that Alex and Serenity have an affair," she revealed. Doubting Lavinia's claim, Candy scoffed, "I know Alex likes Serenity, but they don't have an affair." Irritated by Candy's skepticism, Lavinia locked eyes with her and bluntly asked, "Do you want to come back here?" The mention of returning to Japan stirred memories of the hardships they faced during auditions back in the Philippines, prompting Candy to flashback to those trying times. Candy vividly remembered being amidst of the thousand talented hopefuls in audition rooms, but always facing rejection after rejection, a vicious cycle that seemed never-ending. Two years of relentless effort culminated in yet another failure, leaving Candy on the brink of giving up her dream to work in Japan. It was in that moment of despair when she met Serenity. Candy stood nervously beside Serenity. She was a stranger to her, yet. As they awaited their turn, Candy couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled in her chest, strongly believing that she would get rejected again. The moment the promoter laid eyes on Serenity, there was an immediate spark of interest. His gaze lingered on her, and without a second thought, he hired her on the spot. Candy, on the other hand, experienced a familiar pang of disappointment as she was once again rejected. Heart sinking, Candy mustered the courage to approach the unyielding promoter. With desperation in her voice, she pleaded for a chance, recounting the two long years she had spent auditioning without success. But to her dismay, the promoter remained unmoved, dismissing her plea with a cold indifference.
Defeated and on the brink of giving up her dream of working in Japan, Candy retreated to the dressing room, her spirit crushed. It was in this moment of despair that Serenity stepped in. "My name is Serenity, you are Candy, right?" Serenity's voice was soft, laced with empathy. Candy could only nod silently, her eyes downcast in shame."You can come with me," Serenity offered, a glint of hope in her eyes. Perplexed, Candy looked up at Serenity, questioning her intentions. "In Japan, we will work together in Paradise club," Serenity announced with a radiant smile. "But the promoter rejected me…" Candy's voice trailed off, doubt clouding her features. "Don't worry, I've already spoken to him. I told him you are my package deal, and he had no choice but to agree," Serenity explained, her kindness shining through. A flicker of joy ignited in Candy's eyes as her gloom began to lift. "Really? But why would you do this for me? You barely know me," Candy couldn't comprehend the selfless gesture before her. "I heard about your struggles with auditions, and I wanted to help," Serenity replied with a gentle smile. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Candy embraced Serenity tightly, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks. "You are an angel that fell from the sky," she whispered. As the reality of her newfound opportunity sunk in, Candy's heart swelled with gratitude towards her unexpected savior. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated kindness that filled her with renewed hope. Just then, a voice broke the silence as Lavinia entered the room. "So, only the three of us made it out of thousands of auditions?" she remarked, joining the conversation. Serenity nodded in confirmation, and as the trio introduced themselves, a bond began to form. They forged a friendship that would carry them through the challenges ahead as they embarked on a journey to Tokyo, united by their shared dreams. Together, they practiced singing and dancing at the agency, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their visas that would pave the way for a new chapter in their lives. But things change, as jealousy and envy slowly crept into Lavinia's heart, twisting it into something dark and malevolent.