Chapter 7: Chapter 7

677 words

<html><head></head><body>"Mom, I won't let anything happen to you!" Anna Ross bit her lip hard. She had to find a way to get inside. A woman in a black bunny costume walked past. Anna steeled herself and reached out to stop her. The woman looked at her curiously. "Yes?" Anna's lips were bitten until they bled. She spoke with difficulty. "Can I buy your costume from you?" She had worn more revealing clothes before. This was nothing. The bunny girl scoffed. "Why should I give it to you? You're crazy." She shook off Anna's hand and avoided her like the plague. Anna pulled out her phone. "I'll pay. Name your price." The woman's eyes lit up. She quickly showed her payment QR code. "You should have said so earlier! Five hundred!" Anna transferred the money in silence. The bunny girl beamed and pulled her into the restroom. Adrian Sinclair lounged on the sofa. The light outlined his cold, sharp profile. Chloe Valentine swayed over and pressed against him. Her fingers traced circles on his suit. "Adrian, it's so noisy here. Let's go back to my room?"  Her red lips pouted as she leaned closer. Adrian frowned and avoided her strong perfume. His voice was cold. "What's the hurry?" Chloe was persistent. She stood up and pulled him. "Let's go to a private room. I have something to tell you." She was determined to succeed tonight. She wouldn't let go. Adrian was about to push her away when a burst of whistles from the dance floor caught his attention. Chloe also looked over, momentarily forgetting her actions. In the center of the stage, a bunny girl wearing a lace mask made her entrance. Her fair skin looked even more tempting against the black fabric. The bodice barely contained her full curves. Her legs were long and straight under the short skirt. The mask covered half her face, adding mystery that made hearts itch. The men in the audience stared with wide eyes, whistling madly. Adrian's eyes turned cold.  His fingers tightened around his glass. "Anna Ross, you've got some nerve!" Chloe didn't hear him clearly, but she felt a sudden chill. Anna stood on stage, enduring the shame. The fabric was pitifully scarce. She scanned the crowd nervously but didn't see Adrian. She had to take the gamble. She swayed her hips to the music. The crowd cheered even louder. Anna's heart pounded like a drum. She prayed nothing would go wrong. As she danced, she felt her dignity being completely crushed. Suddenly, a fat man rushed onto the stage and danced close to her. Anna wanted to run. But she remembered the image of her mother vomiting blood. She gritted her teeth and kept dancing.  The man's sweat made her nauseous. His greasy hands touched her waist. Anna glared at him and moved forward to avoid him. The man was provoked and pressed closer. The crowd roared. "Get her!" The man leered and reached for her chest. Anna stumbled back in panic. She missed a step and fell off the stage. She closed her eyes and braced for impact. But the expected pain never came. She landed in a solid embrace. A familiar scent washed over her. She opened her eyes and met Adrian's furious gaze. Her breath caught. Adrian helped her stand.  He strode onto the stage. The fat man was about to complain. But he recognized Adrian and immediately fawned. "Mr. Sinclair!" Adrian's eyes were dark. "You think you can touch her?" Before anyone could react, he kicked the man hard between the legs. The fat man screamed and fell to the ground, writhing in pain. The entire room fell silent. Adrian's leather shoe stepped on the man's face, leaving a bright red mark. His gaze swept toward Anna. Even with the mask, she couldn't hide. He had recognized her. Adrian grabbed Anna's wrist. He pulled her away roughly. The crowd automatically parted. Chloe watched as Adrian left with the strange woman. She smashed her glass in anger. "Adrian! Where are you going!" No one answered.  </body></html>