Uno

Before

The smell of formaldehyde, the excessively white walls, and the bright light illuminating the place seemed like the perfect formula to cause a massive headache to anyone present. The students watched attentively as the anatomy professor removed the liver from the decomposing corpse, lying on the cold metal table, exposed as if it were merchandise. Even though the experience served educational purposes, it was hard not to imagine that this body was once a person. Someone who had dreams, goals, and even a family.

Victoria's deep reflections completely distracted her, making it difficult to focus on the extremely important class. Most students had a vacant look, paying attention to any action happening through the window overlooking the campus. However, Victoria couldn't afford that luxury.

As a scholarship student at a renowned university, one needs to put in at least three times more effort than most. And honestly, everyone knows that a privileged contact with the administration is enough to secure a scholarship, even if the lists are already filled. Nothing that a generous donation to the university can't solve.

Because of this, Victoria's parents were very proud of their daughter. They knew exactly how much effort it took for her to get into a university on her own. They did everything to gather the amount needed for the semester's tuition, even if it caused a significant dent in their finances.

It was for the greater good, as Victoria's father said all the time.

The young woman felt guilty spending all her parents' savings, as they worked diligently at the family factory from Sunday to Sunday. Deep down, she eagerly awaited the day when she could repay the entire investment they were making in her career.

It could be said that Victoria was one of the best students in the class, even though she faced some difficulty standing out with her education from the public school system, which unfortunately was inferior compared to the prep schools her competitors had the opportunity to attend. However, she loved the profession she had chosen.

Even though there was still a long time before she could apply her knowledge from medical school, she knew she would do the best she could. It was remarkable, considering the nights she spent studying, avoiding all the famous university parties on campus.

Her two roommates, Marina and Clara, knew very well that any invitation they made would be instantly declined.

However, for them, it didn't hurt to try.

At night, while sitting and flipping through a borrowed book about Anatomy, Victoria heard her friends whispering on the other side of the dorm as they looked in her direction.

It didn't take much effort to know what it was about.

It was the end of the semester, and all the fraternities were throwing countless parties before the holidays arrived. Everyone was eager to return to their luxurious homes or even planning trips with their friends. However, Victoria was frustrated about going back to Italy, even though she knew that the longing for her parents was growing every day.

The redhead always enjoyed being in a different environment and having contact with all kinds of people. In Luca, she didn't feel the same emotions she could experience currently, even though the province was lovely. Even the air was different, in an inexplicable way.

The high cost of living, coupled with the need to study twice as much as her classmates, was the biggest obstacle preventing her from enjoying everything London had to offer.

Living without money is not an option; it never was. So, Victoria was determined to get a job next semester. She was open to trying almost anything, except what a classmate suggested when she overheard her talking to Marina about the subject.

The blonde girl, tall with eyes as green as the sea, had the appearance of a Victoria's Secret model. No one could imagine that, in addition to her studies in medicine, her main activity was prostitution.

Not the common type that people stigmatize; it was something different.

As with everything in life since human creation, things evolve, and the same happened with this profession. There are virtual agencies that accept registrations, and after rigorous selection, the person is "hired" for certain services.

All in a disguised manner, of course.

What is not known is that the main client is not the husband bored with suburban life, but the CEO of some millionaire company who likes to have fun with luxury girls.

It's horrible, but people tend to demonize everything that doesn't involve "upper-class" people amid all the dirt. Typical.

Even though Victoria declined the offer immediately, her head almost exploded upon hearing the numbers that fell into Alexa's bank account.

The amount was unimaginable for the redhead, and seeing how the numbers didn't impress her classmates, made her realize the extent of social inequality that was included.

Always in her own world, she didn't notice that her friends were calling her name, still wrapped up in a web of her thoughts. Amid so many concerns, they were like an escape from the staggering reality.

"Victoria?" Clara approached, waving her hand in front of her face fixated on a painting on the opposite wall.

"Huh? Hi, what's up?" she replied, snapping out of her trance.

"I know you're going to say no, but I'm going to beg anyway. Will you come with us to Liz's party? It's the best party on campus, I swear there'll be way fewer annoying guys than last time!" Victoria tried to concentrate on the words coming out of her friend's mouth but failed upon noticing that there were tapes stuck in her face.

"What are these things on your eyebrow?" she asked, gently touching the round face of the blonde.

"Marina! You said you couldn't see," Clara shouted before running to the mirror. "It looks very weird; I'll have to take it off."

"Sorry, I don't have my glasses. I swear I didn't see." Reaching for her glasses on the nightstand next to the bunk bed, Marina joined Clara in front of the mirror, letting out a loud laugh when she noticed the visible tapes on her forehead.

"After all, what's the purpose of this?" Victoria asked again, curious, even though she knew it would be some silly idea.

"It's to contour the face; I saw that it works."

"She watches makeup tutorials and wants to replicate everything," Marina replied, receiving a slap on her arm.

"Don't expose my tricks," the brunette huffed, irritated, before turning her gaze to Victoria. "So, Mrs. Books. Yes or no?"

"No," she retorted.

"This time, I won't accept a no. If you go, I'll wash your clothes for a month." Marina offered, knowing it would be something that would make Victoria think, considering it was one of her least favorite activities.

Scratching her forehead, trapped in a cruel dilemma, Victoria didn't see a black dress approaching her face before hitting her right cheek harder than she expected.

"Damn! That hurt. Why did you do that?" She threw the dress back to Clara, trying to return the force with which she was hit.

"For you to change, beautiful. Are you going in this crazy cat lady outfit?"

"I haven't accepted yet," she retorted again.

"Stop being sweet; I'll sit here until you get ready." The brunette gathered her long, wavy hair into a bun, trying to fix the makeup that had gone wrong.

"You guys are unbearable," Victoria sighed before heading to the bathroom with the dress hanging over her shoulder.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she realized it had been months since she had dressed up like that. Her dark circles covered by the even foundation, along with the light eyeshadow spread reasonably well on her eyelids and her rosy blush gave her a better appearance than she had displayed in days. She would have to admit that her routine wasn't healthy. And it's a fact: nothing in excess is good.

Victoria decided to take advantage of her friends' coercion and have fun, at least for one night.

After all, what could go wrong?