Unlucky Lyla

Unlucky Lyla
I sat there frozen, my sweaty hands resting on my lap as my heart pounded heavily in my chest.

"Madam Silina, why didn't you tell me this before I signed the contract?" I asked, my throat tightening as I spoke.

She leaned back against the couch and cleared her throat.

"I didn't know you were going to leave before your contract expired."

I stared at her.

That answer didn't make me feel any better.

Just when I thought I had finally escaped that part of my life, she had found another reason to pull me back in.

I had spent five years working at that club, and every year had felt like a punishment. I had endured it because I needed the money and because my mother's situation had left me with very few choices.

Now that I had finally walked away, I thought I could start rebuilding my life.

Things were already difficult enough with Ellie. I was being blackmailed, threatened and forced to do things I didn't want to do, but at least I wasn't working at the club anymore.

Going back there was something I couldn't imagine doing.

"And besides," Madam Silina continued, bringing me out of my thoughts, "since you left, no girl has been able to attract the kind of high-paying customers you used to."

She looked at me expectantly.

"Please come back."

A scoff escaped my lips.

"Of course. Everything is about money to you, isn't it?" I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "You're asking me to return because you want more money, not because you care about what happens to me."

I swallowed hard, feeling my throat tighten again.

"You're not the one who has to do the job. You only sit here and collect the money."

Her expression changed immediately.

"Just because you've left and think you've moved on to some high-class life doesn't mean you can speak to me however you want," she snapped.

She pointed a finger at me.

"Don't you dare forget who you're talking to."

I could tell she was becoming angry, but I refused to let my own anger take control of the conversation.

Getting into an argument with her wouldn't solve anything.

I took a deep breath and lowered my gaze.

"I'm sorry, Madam Silina, if the way I spoke offended you."

I paused before continuing.

"But I would like to terminate the contract. If there's a penalty for leaving early, tell me how much it is. I'll pay it."

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then a small smile appeared on her lips.

She lowered her gaze to her perfectly polished nails and examined them as though my request wasn't particularly important.

"That's a very dangerous request, Lyla."

I frowned slightly. She raised her eyes toward me.

"Think about it. Someone like you came here with nothing. I fed you, gave you a place to work and helped you build a life for yourself. And now you're sitting in front of me offering money as though you can simply buy your way out of everything I've done for you?"

Her tone became increasingly bitter. "That's disrespectful."

I inhaled slowly. My hands were trembling beside me, but I kept them still. What exactly did she want from me?

I had apologized.

I had offered to pay whatever penalty was required.

I didn't understand why she was making this more difficult than it needed to be.

"I'm sorry if my offer offended you," I said carefully. "That wasn't my intention."

I finally looked up at her.

"But I really can't work for you anymore."

Madam Silina's smile disappeared.

"I've already made my decision," I continued. "I don't want to return to the club."

She stared at me for a long moment without saying anything.

I could feel the tension building between us, but I refused to take back what I had said.

For five years, I had allowed circumstances to decide my life for me.

"Okay, fine," Madam Silina leaned back against the couch and looked at me calmly, "you have one month to bring me two million dollars, once you pay it, I'll terminate your contract."

For a few seconds, I couldn't process what she had just said, "Two million... dollars?" My eyes widened, where on earth was I supposed to find two million dollars? I struggled to find enough money for everyday expenses, and she was asking me to produce two million dollars in just one month.

"Madam Silina, I..."

"That's enough," she cut me off before I could finish, "I've told you the conditions for terminating the agreement, you have one month to bring me the money, if you fail to do so, I'll take legal action against you."

Her expression hardened, "You signed the contract, Lyla, you knew what you were agreeing to."

I stared at her in disbelief, "And if I don't have the money?"

She didn't answer immediately, instead, she gave me a cold look, "Then you'll deal with the consequences."

Her voice carried a warning that made my stomach tighten, "Now get out."

I opened my mouth, but no words came, there was no point begging her, she had already made her decision, and arguing wasn't going to change anything.

I stood from the couch and walked toward the door, my mind was already racing, two million dollars, one month, how was I supposed to accomplish that?

I stepped out of her room and closed the door behind me, the moment I entered the hallway, I stopped for a second and tried to think, there had to be a solution, maybe I could find someone willing to help me, maybe I could borrow the money, but who would lend me two million dollars? The amount was ridiculous.

I started walking toward the exit, so distracted by my thoughts that I barely noticed where I was going, I turned a corner and suddenly walked straight into someone, my forehead nearly hit his chest.

"I'm so sorry," I said quickly, stepping back.

The first thing I noticed was his cologne, it was strong but pleasant, and it lingered in the air as I looked up at him, then I saw his face.

He was tall, with dark, slightly messy hair and striking blue eyes, his features were sharp, and there was something intimidating about the way he looked at me.

For a moment, I forgot what I had been thinking about, his eyes met mine, and he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"It wouldn't hurt to watch where you're going," he said coldly.

His voice was deep and carried easily through the quiet hallway, I immediately looked away.

"I'm sorry," I repeated.

He didn't respond, he simply walked past me, his tall figure disappearing farther down the hallway.

I stood there for a moment, watching him leave, who was he? And why did he have to be so rude?

I shook my head and pushed the thought away, I had more important problems to worry about than some handsome stranger.

I continued toward the entrance and stepped outside, fortunately, a taxi was approaching almost immediately, I raised my hand, and the driver stopped beside me.

I opened the door and got inside, "MSD Hutton Estate, please," I said.

The driver nodded and pulled away, I leaned back against the seat and stared through the window.

My thoughts returned to the same problem, two million dollars, one month, the more I thought about it, the more impossible it seemed.

Where was I supposed to get that kind of money?

I didn't have savings anywhere near that amount, I didn't have property I could sell, and I certainly didn't know anyone who could simply hand me two million dollars.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead, "Where am I going to get two million dollars?" I whispered.

My stomach twisted with anxiety, it felt like every time I managed to escape one problem, another one appeared in front of me.

First, Ellie was blackmailing me with my mother, then I discovered she might be involved in the fraudulent transactions against Diego's company, now Madam Silina was threatening me with a contract I hadn't even realized could become such a huge probl
em.

I opened my eyes and stared at the road ahead, I couldn't give up, there had to be something I could do, I just needed to figure out where to start.