Ava Jordan got dressed for work that night and made her way to the bus stop down the street. She had become an expert in her two-faced lifestyle which supported her survival. Working as Ava, a barista during the day and as Tia Starr, a contracted club stripper at night- her full, curly, brown hair which extended past her shoulder and spread like an umbrella over the Venetian-styled masquerade mask which she usually wore at night.
The first rule of Seduction Eclipse was to never be caught unmasked, Ava thought she had mastered all the rules of her job description until that evening.
After her performance, a careless spill by a wealthy escapist who tried to have a conversation with her left her leotard with a huge bluish-purple stain. Her mask slipped off, partially exposing her face as she ran towards the corridor of the private rooms to clean up. Her job description did not permit her to be close to the private rooms except the night she wasn't contracted but she had no choice.
The light in the corridor was dim but it struck the marble floor and gave the corridor little glitter. Then, ahead, she froze. In the private alcove, two masked figures pressed together. Lips pressed against each other and hands roaming until one hand fell into the pants of the other, searching for his dick. The taller man, dressed in an expensive suit with the jacket thrown open. He had broad shoulder, a prominent posture that gave control and shelter to the other who clung to him as if seeking warmth and comfort.
Ava gasped and stumbled backwards.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry. I didn't see anything- I didn't mean to - I'm sorry"
The taller man's head snapped towards her, he could see her clearly as she had no mask on. Even with the mask covering his face, she could see him, not his identity but his defined angular jawline.
Ava turned around and ran away.
When she reached the main floor, the stage light was already waiting for her. The crowd cheered and the music boomed louder. Ava wore her mask firmly and forced herself into her routine, sweating profusely and panting heavily. But the scene she saw?? It did not leave her head.
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Far across the club hall, Ethan Miller, the handsome billionaire heir watched Ava from the shadows of the VIP balcony.
He was twenty-four, tall, had broad shoulder over his muscular athletic build.
Ethan wasn't a man who stared at women, they weren't his interest afterall even though he was every ladies interest in the city but there he was, staring at Ava. Not in admiration, but because he felt she knew too much at that moment.
"She works here" his body guard who stood beside him whispered in his ears, looking straight at Ava.
"Then get her for me. Find out her name" Ethan murmured and ran a thumb across his lower lips.
The body guard nodded and disappeared. Ethan did not look away from Ava. It was as though he was holding her hostage with his eyes.
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At 3 a.m, Ava left the club and headed home. She was exhausted and cold, still smelt of the cocktail that was spilled on her but she had to rest before the coffee shop will be opened that morning. Halfway to the bus stop her phone beeped with a text message from an unknown number.
"Miss Jordan, we want to offer you a contract. Reply if interested and we'll call"
She sighed and typed back "I don't accept jobs over the phone. If your client wants me, they meet me face-to-face"
She looked up at the bus approaching her and heaved a sigh of relief. As she stepped into the bus, her phone beeped again. It was a reply.
"Understood, a driver will pick you up tomorrow by 2p.m. Attach your address to this message"
As the bus rode home gently she wouldn't stop thinking of what she saw at the club and then this contract text. A secret contract? A private client? It always meant trouble but she needed the money anyways, desperately as well.
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Work ended by 1p.m, Ava ensured to be home early and get ready for her contract meeting. By 2:30 p.m, she found herself standing outside a mansion with its expensive silence. It looked like the ones she saw in movies, never expected to experience it's glory. She barely had time to admire it when someone came behind her and slid a hand around her waist.
"Jeez" she shouted in shock as she turned around "why are you touching me that…"
She froze, it was him. Or was she dreaming? He had the same broad shoulders and his defined angular jawline, the same one that caught her attention that night.
Ava swallowed hard, her throat went dry suddenly. He looked even more unreal than he had looked in the dim corner. His eyes, blue and icey, his look was deliberate but did not just look straight at her.
"Come inside, let's discuss your contract" he said leading the way "I'd have said you're late but my driver brought you, so I apologize"
"I can't work for you" she snapped. Her heart being swallowed into her stomach
"Why's that Miss Jordan"
"I can't work for a man who…" she paused, looking straight into his striking blue eyes.
"Who what?"
Who's gay
Her heart was racing but she dared not say that aloud.
"Never mind"
"I'm not hiring you to strip Miss"
"Then what do you want Sir?" She demanded, squeezing her fingers.
"I need your help actually, I wnat to hire you as a partner" he paused to watch her reaction "a fake one. That's the only way I'll inherit the Miller's Empire from my father"
Ava's eyebrows furrowed in confusion "why me?"
"Because I need you, I need it. I'm stuck here and that's my only way out of my family's cage" he moved closer and took her hand "can I trust you?"
Ava looked him straight in the eyes, his face pale.
"No" she muttered
That was the truth,she didn't trust him. She needed the money and he needed her. A flash of what she saw that night ran through her memory.
This deal would change everything.
Ethan moved his head closer to hers, as if to kiss her. Brushing a strand of hair from her cheek he said "I know who you are Ava and I know what you saw last night"
They both stared at each other, their eyes balls locked in, no blinking.