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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

As I walk towards my building with my head held high, I clench my teeth so hard that I'm afraid they might break.

When I reach the apartment, I thank God that Eleanor is already asleep. After taking off my sandals, I check on the babies. Soraya and Silas are sleeping like angels, and that calms me enough to regain control of my emotions.

I retrieve a clean set of pajamas from under a cushion on the living room couch, which I know Eleanor left for me, and enter the only bathroom we have. There are only two bedrooms in the apartment; the babies' room is too small to fit a bed besides the cribs, so I sleep in the living room. My stepmother has a cervical problem that would worsen if she slept on the hard couch, so I gave up the double bed for her when we moved here.

Under the hot water spray, I close my eyes tightly, trying to erase what happened tonight. I have no intention of calling Zeus in forty-eight hours. I knew I would say no to his indecent proposal the moment he suggested it. Maybe in his world, women would thank him on their knees for the opportunity to parade alongside a man like him, but money and luxury don't impress me. I've always been poor, and I'm fine with that.

The worst part is that I know, in his mind, that proposal was something normal, like closing a deal. He genuinely believed I would give up my life and responsibilities to be at his beck and call wherever he is in the world? Yes, he believed that.

I lean my head against the cold shower wall, promising myself that I will never think about the arrogant Greek again. Satisfied with this decision, I turn off the water and wrap myself in a towel.

I defog the mirror above the sink and look at my tired face. I lied to him. When Zeus kissed me, he threw me off-balance. I wanted to believe in a fairy tale, even though I knew how dumb that desire was. But when he made his proposal, I quickly snapped back to reality.

Let him wait for my call over the next two days. It will be good for him to learn that not everything in life has a price.

What I have no idea of at this moment is that my world is about to spiral into despair.

SIN NIGHTCLUB

"Isn't it prostitution?"

"No, are you crazy? What do you think I am? He's my sugar daddy."

I'm entering the nightclub dressing room to change for the second performance of the night when I overhear two dancers talking. I feel awkward hearing something so intimate, as I have a rough idea of what that term means, "sugar daddy." I read a book a few months ago where a girl had one. It's not prostitution, as the author explained, but rather a consensual relationship with defined rules between an older man and a much younger girl. Basically, he provides his “sugar baby” with a certain lifestyle that she couldn't afford without his sponsorship, and in return, she gives him her time, affection, and attention.

I'm curious to know which of the girls has a sugar daddy, but I don't go over to where they are because it's none of my business.

I step into the dressing room and see that Adriel has set out a fluorescent green outfit for me to wear for this dance. God, the lingerie is so eye-catching that I wouldn't be surprised if they see me from the lunar platform. If the goal was for me to stand out on Earth, it will definitely be achieved.

After putting it on, I go to the mirror. It doesn't look too bad on my body, I think, and immediately the memory of last night and Zeus's eyes as I danced for him comes to mind.

I force myself to stop reminiscing and leave the dressing room, determined to give it my all tonight.

I haven't checked the tip he gave me because, somehow, it doesn't feel right to accept that money, even though I know how silly that thought is. He was in the role of the client, and I was the dancer. I did my job, and he paid for it. End of story.

Determined to focus on what I need to do, I clear my mind of everything except the music I'm about to dance to.

But as soon as I step onto the stage, my plans crumble because Zeus is sitting in the front row again.

I don't even pretend not to see him. As much as my rational side tells me I should ignore him, my eyes are treacherous.

I use the only weapon I have to combat the insane attraction he arouses in me: my body. He makes me tremble with the intensity of his gaze, but I'll leave him uncomfortable in his pants.

I allow the music to penetrate my consciousness, and I start moving against the pole, my back turned, sliding my behind and going down to the floor. I open and close my thighs, caressing the inside of them. When I lift my head, he's the only one I see.

My heart races. I'm aroused and forgetful of my determination to make him pay, as the desire I see in his face leaves me breathless.

The music ends, and I take longer than usual to leave. When I'm almost off the stage, I look back.

Disappointed, I realize he's gone.

It’s better that way. One of us had to break free from that sexual trance. It's a pity that despite everything I tried, I wasn't the one who woke up first.

Three and a half hours later, I leave the nightclub. Unlike yesterday, this time I danced six songs, and Adriel said I should check my tip jar tomorrow. I'll do that. I know they pay weekly, so I can pay the electricity bill and the phone bill, which is already two days overdue.

When the security guard opens the door for me to leave, I recognize Zeus's car parked outside and my heart starts racing again. This time, a driver steps out of the vehicle.

"Miss Foster, Mr. Kostanidis instructed me to take you home."

"He's already . . . gone?" I try to hide my disappointment but fail miserably.

"Yes, Miss, but he ordered me to wait for you to leave."

I'd really like to say no, but my back is in so much pain because I did some cleaning in a house this morning, and after dancing in high heels, I feel destroyed.

"Thank you for waiting, Mr. . . .”

"Larry West, Miss, at your service."

"Thank you, Mr. West. I'm very tired, and a ride sounds like a dream."

This time, when I get home, my stepmother is waiting for me.

"You're working at a club as a dancer," she says, holding a SIN business card that I probably dropped from my bag. There's no accusation in her voice, only disappointment. "You didn't need to lie to me."

"I was embarrassed."

"About what? Are you doing something wrong?"

"No, just dancing in an exclusive men's club, wearing very little clothing. Very little, in fact."

"Not naked, I hope."

"No. There was that option too, but I declined."

"God, Madison, still, it's not what I want for you."

"What's the alternative, Mom? How can I keep my promise to Brooklyn to take care of the babies if I don't have enough money?"

"I wish I could help."

"You already do so much by looking after the kids. I wouldn't dare leave my niece and nephew with anyone else."

She hugs me, and I know she's devastated that I'm working at the nightclub, but I can't be ashamed of trying everything legally possible to take care of my family.

"I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but the social worker called. She said she'll be coming by tomorrow morning for a routine visit."

"Oh my God. That woman has it out for us! Why? We've always taken good care of the babies, and despite being poor, they have everything kids need to grow up healthy."

"I get chills every time she threatens to take the kids away. Maybe it's time we look for a lawyer."

"I'll look into it," I reply, pretending I'm not terrified.

I can't lose temporary custody of my niece and nephew. I promised Brooklyn, and I'll die before breaking that promise.