Chapter 26 AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME 2
When I arrived at the exact location Mia had sent me, I instantly knew there was no way I'd get past the security. The hotel's online website clearly stated it was fully booked all week.
And to make matters worse, I hadn't been able to reach Mia since the night she called. I was literally losing my mind. I'd been stuck in my car for hours, trying to figure out how to get into the building. I needed to be inside-just to know if Mia was okay.
It was around 3 p.m., the sun already high in the sky, when a van pulled up in front of the hotel. In it were a group of girls. They looked so young... and confused. I could hear them asking where they were and why they'd been brought there.
Not long after, another van arrived, dropping off even more girls before driving off again.
Curious-and desperate-I decided to approach the small crowd, just to understand what was happening. But the moment I stepped in among them, the hotel gate suddenly opened. Two hefty men stepped out.
One had dyed blond hair, tattoos covering nearly every inch of his skin, and brown eyes that radiated danger. The other had long black hair, far fewer tattoos, and a calmer demeanor. His pair of grey eyes looked cold and distant, but not nearly as terrifying as the blond one. Both their gazes swept through the crowd like hawks.
"This way, girls," the blond man ordered, his voice firm.
The girls obeyed instantly, falling into line-and I followed. I didn't know where they were taking us, but I didn't care. I had to get inside. If there was even the smallest chance that Mia was somewhere beyond those walls, I needed to take it.
We were led through a back entrance, hidden from public view behind the main building. We climbed a narrow staircase to the first floor, where they ushered us into what looked like a large studio-or more accurately, a dressing room.
Racks of clothes were scattered everywhere, hangers strewn about like confetti. Mirrors lined the walls, and vanity tables crowded with makeup kits stood beneath them. Everything was chaotic and oddly theatrical.
What the hell is going on? Why are they bringing these girls here? And more importantly-what are they dressing them up for?
The questions spun wildly in my head as my eyes darted across the room.
Once we were all inside, the blond man stepped forward again.
"You have less than two hours to get ready. Find something nice to wear and get your makeup done. The party starts soon," he barked. "I want every single one of you dolled up. Our guests will be arriving shortly, and I expect you to be ready by then.
I'll have someone come get you in the next two hours, so get to work."
With that, the two men stepped out, and the door was locked behind them with a chilling click.
Did I just get trapped in a room with no way out?
"This is insane! First, we were taken away and kept from our families, and now we're supposed to get all dolled up and attend some party?!"
The girl with the long, bright red hair ranted in frustration, her voice raw with disbelief and fear.
"Well, we're all here because we owe the firm money we couldn't pay back. Let's just get it over with so we can get the hell out of here. I already feel so sick."
This came from a black girl-the only black girl in the room-her tone tired, resigned, and edged with bitterness.
They said they were owing a firm?
Then it hit me. These girls weren't here by choice. They were just like Mia-trapped. They either owed the firm themselves, or someone close to them did. And now, this was their punishment. Compliance was the only currency left.
They were here to obey. To pay their debts-not with money, but with submission.
I stood frozen, watching as the girls spread out and began picking out outfits. I didn't know what to do. I felt utterly helpless. No, not just helpless-paralyzed.
And I don't think I've ever felt this powerless in my entire life.
"Aren't you going to get ready?"
The red-haired girl's voice snapped me out of my spiral. I hadn't even noticed her approach. Only then did I realize-I was still standing by the door, completely lost.
"I... I'm just confused," I stammered, unable to form a real excuse.
"Well, why don't you start with your makeup? You heard them-we've got less than two hours. And the last thing any of us needs is getting on their bad side."
Her voice softened a bit, like she saw the fear in my eyes. "If we're going to survive this, we need to stick together. Watch each other's backs."
She turned to address the room. Her words weren't just for me anymore.
And we all nodded-quietly, solemnly. A silent pact formed in the tension-choked air.
I wandered toward the racks of clothing, and my heart sank.
They were all the same.
Tiny sleeveless gowns that left nothing to the imagination-the back, sides, and thighs fully exposed.
I picked one up with one hand and stared at it in disgust.
I'd rather walk out of here naked than wear this.
Who the hell is even supposed to fit into something this small?!
Just then, a light tap on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts.
Turning around, I found a girl with oversized glasses and a bright, genuine smile.
"Do you need help with your makeup? I'm really good at it. And... you have such beautiful eyes," she said, adjusting her glasses sweetly.
"Thank you. And yes... actually, I could really use the help. I have no idea what I'm doing," I replied with a smile, trying to match her warmth-grateful for a brief flicker of kindness in this nightmare.
"I'm Zoe, by the way," she said, already leading me toward a vanity.
"Call me Nancy," I answered. I didn't see the point in lying about my name-not here.
"Okay! Let's go make you look awesome, Nancy," she beamed, her enthusiasm oddly comforting.
I sighed deeply as I followed her.
If I was going to figure out what the hell was happening here, I had to play along-for now.
So, I let Zoe work her magic.
She talked nonstop while she applied my makeup, her hands steady, her chatter a strange distraction from the horror quietly building in the pit of my stomach.
I got to learn a little more about Zoe, especially the reason behind her constant talking. She had ASD-Autism Spectrum Disorder. A neurodevelopmental condition. One of its side effects, she explained, was high verbal ability, which often made her talk nonstop. But beyond that, she was just a sweet, kind-hearted soul who clearly didn't belong in a place like this.
It wasn't long before I found myself forcing my body into a dress that was obviously not my size. And when it finally slid into place, it felt like I was being squeezed within an inch of my life. The fabric clung to my skin in the most uncomfortable way. Zoe helped me style my hair while also trying to get herself ready. It amazed me how calm she remained, even as we were both scrambling under pressure.
Soon enough, the two-hour countdown ended. The door swung open with a loud creak, and two staff members-stone-faced and silent-ushered us out without a word. They led us through a narrow hallway into a more private section of the hotel.
The room we entered was already buzzing with energy. It was packed with men-men of every type and background-but everything about them, from their perfectly tailored suits to their designer shoes, screamed wealth and power.
And that was where our "assignment" began. The task of serving drinks.
As we pushed into the room, the music hit me like a wall-loud, thumping, and grating against every nerve in my body. I had to force my feet to move. The air was thick with smoke and tension. Each group of men sat at their own tables like they ruled their own worlds. I could see gambling in one corner, drug use in another-some men already halfway high, laughing like madmen. The whole place reeked of chaos disguised as elite entertainment.
I kept my head low and tried to stay invisible. After passing out the drinks from my tray, I made my way back toward the bar to refill. That's when I felt it.
A piercing sensation-like a set of eyes burning into my back.
I turned, slowly, instinctively-and then I saw him.
My heart dropped.
My eyes widened in pure disbelief.
What on earth was he doing here?
I mean, I knew the hotel belonged to his family, but I never expected to see him sitting among this crowd. A crowd that sent every fiber of my body into discomfort. A crowd that made my stomach twist in knots.
Yet there he was-calm, confident, and surrounded by everything that repulsed me.