"Tell me you're joking."
Kelly stared at me in disbelief as we set the bar up for the night's chaos.
"Did you hit your head," she continued, "or are you drunk already?"
Kelly and I were around the same age — I thought. I'd never actually asked.
What I did know was that she'd been working here far longer than I had. That was why, during rush hours, Leo always sent her upstairs.
"You've been there before," I said quietly. "You've seen what happens. It's not all that bad, right? And… I need the money."
She shook her head immediately.
"Those are two completely different things. When it's crowded, Leo sends some guests upstairs to the lounge. I only go to take orders and make sure everything runs smoothly. Not to entertain them."
"I know," I said quickly. "But—"
"I could lend you some money," Kelly offered, her voice softening.
I shook my head. "No. I can't ask that of you. I haven't even finished paying back what you already lent me."
She exhaled sharply. "You don't have to do this, Arielle. There has to be another way. Leo has other girls — girls who wouldn't even hesitate."
"You don't understand," I said, my voice cracking despite my effort to stay calm. "The bills are piling up. Including the outstanding ones.
There's barely any food at home anymore. I know it won't cover everything, but it'll help — at least until the surgery."
Kelly looked at me for a long moment before finally nodding.
"Okay," she said. "When Leo gets back, we'll talk to him. Together. If this is what you want."
"Thank you," I whispered, pulling her into a hug. "You're the best."
Leo ran the bar with an ease that came from years of experience. He wasn't loud or intimidating, yet people listened when he spoke. He noticed things — who was drinking too much, who needed to be cut off, who was forcing a smile that didn't quite reach their eyes.
He joked when the moment allowed it, but beneath that was a man who took his business — and the people working under him — seriously. Which was why the look he gave me now made my stomach tighten. Leo didn't look at you like that unless something was wrong.
Leo leaned against the counter, arms folded as he studied me quietly. The usual playful glint in his eyes was gone.
"So," he said, voice calm but sharp enough to cut through the noise. "Kelly tells me you want upstairs."
I nodded. "Just for tonight."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You know I don't force anyone into that."
"I know."
"Then why?" he asked. "You've avoided it since you started here."
I hesitated. "Because I didn't need it then."
His gaze softened slightly. "And now?"
"My mom's sick," I said. "The bills are piling up."
Silence stretched between us.
Leo straightened. "I could lend you the money."
I blinked. "What?"
"I'm serious," he continued. "No interest. No pressure. You pay me back when you can."
I shook my head immediately. "I can't."
"Arielle—"
"I can't owe you that," I said firmly.
"Not this."
He studied me for a long moment. "You're proud."
"Stubborn," I corrected.
A small smile tugged at his lips, but it faded quickly. "You don't have to do this to prove anything."
"I know," I said softly. "But I have to do something."
He exhaled slowly. "If you go upstairs, it's on your terms. One client. No repeats unless you say so."
I looked at him, surprised.
"And if at any point you want out," he added, "you walk. No questions."
I nodded. "Thank you."
He paused, then said quietly, "I wish this world didn't corner people like this."
So did I.
The noise of the bar crept back in around us, glasses clinking and music humming like nothing had changed.
Leo gave a small nod, like a decision had been sealed. "The event's this weekend," he said. "If you change your mind, you tell me before then."
I nodded, even though my chest felt tight.
He stepped back, already slipping into his role again, but not before adding quietly, "Whatever happens up there… you're still you."
I watched him walk away, knowing that when the weekend came, there would be no turning back.