That evening, Liam returned from school while Eva began preparing to leave for Sensual Nights. Her displeasure couldn't be more clear on her face.
"Will you come back tonight?" Liam asked, a subtle crease settling between his brows as he watched his cousin mumble curses.
Eva didn't reply, too focused and angry, to even hear what he said.
"Eva," he called, his voice rising just a little, but she was startled. "I asked if you're coming back tonight," he repeated.
Eva bit her lip, her gaze turning apologetic. "I am not sure. I might though, since it's the first time I'll be working there."
"A new job?" Liam frowned. "But why is it still at night?"
"I will be fine, Liam. I had enough rest during the day. I can pull an all-nighter without a hitch," Eva replied, pressing a smile on her lips, but his frown didn't ease. She walked up to him, her thumb rubbing off the crease on his forehead. "Don't frown. You are too young to get wrinkles on your pretty face."
"You sound like an old woman," Liam commented, and she laughed. Her laughter, in turn, put him at ease.
"I will be back, okay? Take care of yourself and the house," she said before leaving.
Liam watched her leave, standing by the door, his gaze hardened, and his hands fisted beside him as his frustration grew once again. Once Eva was out of sight, he walked back inside and shut the door, and then he threw a punch on the wall beside it.
Eva finally reached Sensual Nights and exited the taxi. She stood staring at the neon coated sign with its name boldly written as if mocking her.
The music inside was already grating on her nerves, but she swallowed down her emotions and pride and took the first step in. This place was as much of a possibility as it was a nuisance. Inside those walls might be the ticket to her freedom from Ace Frost, and she couldn't let her emissions or foolish pride get in the way of that.
The faster she got in, found shadow and left the better it would be for everyone. Whatever happens after she is gone would be none of her business.
The inside wasn't much different from the places she'd been to in the past. Her eyes scanned the surroundings and finally settled on the girls on the pole. Ace's message through the messenger rang in her head,
"Are you good with the pole?"
Eva cringed, instinctively stepping back but then pausing when she felt a hot gaze fixed on her. She looked around but couldn't tell where it was coming from.
Soon, a man covered in tattoos approached her. He looked her over with a deep scowl on his face.
"Can I see your ID?" He asked, and she frowned.
"IDs should be checked outside the door, shouldn't they?" Eva asked, but the man didn't respond. Sighing, she dipped her hand into her bag and brought out the fake ID. "Sasha Stones," she said, placing the ID on his hand.
"So you're the newbie," he glanced at her and the photo on the ID. "Then you should have gone to the manager at once. Why are you in here instead and dressed like that?"
"I didn't come here to be a dancer," Eva forced the words out through gritted teeth.
The man snickered. "If you say so," he turned and gestured to her to follow him. Eva glared at him but still followed since she didn't know the way to the manager.
They reached a pub, and the tattooed man opened the door. The inside was not any better than the outside safe for the reduced noise from the blaring music outside of it. It still smelled like smoked alcohol and mixed with another repulsive smell that Eva couldn't yet identify.
"Jon," the man called to a dark skinned man. "The new girl is here."
Everyone inside turned, their eyes on the girl dressed in baggie and crop top. Some snickered, and others raised their brows. Jon rose from his seat, taking his steps towards Eva.
He stopped in front of her, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. He reached to touch her face, and Eva stepped back, avoiding his touch. "Are you sure she is the one?" Jon asked, looking at the tattooed man.
"Yes, Sasha Stones," he replied, giving the ID to Jon.
"Not too shabby, that's for sure," Jon said with a smirk. "Have you done this before?" He asked, now looking at Eva.
"No. This is my first time," Eva replied. The stares she was receiving started to get to her.
"Then there's much to learn," he said after giving it some thought. "Lucas, take her to Stacy," he instructed the tattooed man who had brought Eva into the pub.
"She's a pretty one," Eva heard a man comment inside before she could completely exit the door. She stopped, turned, and glared at him. "And feisty too," the man added when he met her glare. "When she's ready, I'd like to have her."
Jon stared at the man, already calculating his words and her worth.
"Don't waste my time. Let's go," Lucas said outside to Eva before she turned and followed him.
Inside the pub opposite the one Eva just left, a pair of steely gray orbs stared intensely at Eva's retreating figure, a deep crease on his forward.
"Is there something out there that interests you?" A man sitting next to him asked.
"Get Jon here," he said.
Though the order was unexpected, Jon was quickly summoned.
"Mr Smith," Jon called, a wide smile on his face. "I didn't know you were here, I would have…"
"The girl that just left that room, who is she?" Smith asked, his eyes still staring outside as if he could still see her.
"Ah…well, sir,"Jon stuttered, taken aback by the unexpected question. "She's the new girl who'll be starting today."
"I want her information." Smith said. Shifting his gaze to Jon, he added, "Make it quick."