Chapter 1

Lily’s POV

I stared at my reflection, trying to find some semblance of familiarity in the barely-there outfit. The sequined top hardly covered my chest, and the shorts were so tight I wondered if I'd grabbed the wrong size. I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

Everyone had their own unique method of earning a living, and what I did was just one among them. People always said I was smart—too smart to be wasting my potential like this. But intelligence doesn't always translate to opportunity, and a straightforward way to make money was still money.

Still, this wasn't how I'd planned my life.

"You coming, Chipmunk? Or you gonna stare at your ass all day?" Jade's voice echoed from across the dressing room, followed by her signature laugh.

"Coming," I mumbled, fixing my hair one last time. "Just thinking."

I'd been called "Chipmunk" since kindergarten because of my "fluffy" cheeks. The nickname had followed me for so many years it almost felt like my second name.

Jade and I had known each other for ages, but we only became real friends after we started working together at Skyline. We both had our stories, our scars. I'd bounced from one foster home to another before ending up back at the group home I'd lived in since I was a baby. I'd promised myself I'd make it—school, college, become a choreographer.

Look at me now. Twenty-one, taking my clothes off at a nightclub for money.

"I heard the Sullivan brothers are gonna be in the private VIP room today," Jade said, applying bright red lipstick to her full lips. "Even Nathan's coming." I stared at the girl suspiciously. I wondered if she knew the secret I'd been trying to hide. Her long, beautiful braids lay nicely on her shoulders. Jade was gorgeous and everyone knew it, including the Sullivan brothers.

The instant Nathan's name was mentioned, a rush of heat spread across my cheeks, turning them bright red. That was the same guy who had me screaming his name in his office two months ago. I don't usually do one-night stands, but I was drunk that night, and he took me to his office, and we ended up sleeping together. No tenderness, no promises, just the satisfaction of desire.

I still don't understand why I agreed. Maybe it was those irresistible green eyes, or the way his husky voice felt against my ear. I'm nervous and embarrassed about that night, worried about what would happen if the other girls or his father found out.

I couldn't help thinking about Richard Sullivan—our boss. He owned many businesses, the nightclub being just one of them. He was warm and kind, giving me a job the moment he laid eyes on me. He was like a father figure to all the girls, a businessman respected by many.

Surprisingly, his sons were nothing like him.

William was the oldest, completely detached, never interacting with any of us. Those cold green eyes of his always held disdain. We were all well aware of his low opinion of us.

Derek was the second son, friendly and outgoing but incredibly immature, good with women. He viewed everything as a challenge, hated losing. That million-dollar smile of his had many girls swooning.

Then there was Nathan, the youngest son, colder than William, heir to all Sullivan family businesses. He rarely showed up, making him more mysterious and intimidating.

While all the other girls went to great lengths, even embarrassing themselves, just to catch a moment of his attention, I made an effort to stay away from him. I remembered how, that night, he didn't even look at me after we finished, just led me out of his office. However, when he casually cast me aside, treating me like a worthless piece of meat, I couldn't help but feel a pang of shame. Still, deep down, I had a hunch that something like this might happen, and I had been prepared for it to some extent.

"We're waiting for you guys!" Olivia's voice came from the doorway, interrupting my thoughts. Besides Jade, Olivia was the only person I got along with. Most of the other girls exhibited either rudeness or a lack of interest in socializing. They were solely focused on themselves and regarded anyone standing in their way as a rival. Fortunately, Richard wasn't as strict. Even when we frequently arrived a little late, we didn't get reprimanded by him.

"Coming!" I shouted in reply and firmly grasped Jade's arm. I exerted all my strength, doing my utmost to drag her along, but she stubbornly kept applying her lip-gloss right up until the final moment.

Jade and I hurried out of the dressing room, joining the other girls lined up outside Richard's office. But my heart sank when I saw who was standing there. Not Richard, but Derek.

He was one of the people I always tried to avoid.

Derek scanned the girls, then his gaze landed on me. He walked up to me, and I immediately looked down at my feet.

"Are you always late?" I heard his question directed at me, and an involuntary shiver ran through my entire body. It seemed that today was truly an exceptionally unlucky day for me. Both Jade and I had arrived late, yet he chose to single out only one of us for criticism, and that happened to be me.

"I'm s-sorry, we were—" I stuttered, feeling like an idiot. I always stutter when I'm nervous.

"Look at me when you talk to me," he commanded.

I raised my head and met his eyes. I had expected him to shout at me, but he didn't. Derek had a bright smile on his face and tilted his head as he carefully examined every detail of my face. He reached out his hand towards my cheek and gave it a pinch, and then let out a soft chuckle. This chuckle wasn't exactly one of joy; it was more like a chuckle of disbelief. All the girls started laughing, while I gave him a puzzled look.

"I'm just kidding, Chipmunk, but I think messing with you might become my new hobby." He commented, and I couldn't help but take a few steps backward.

"You're so lucky," Jade whispered in my ear.

Lucky? I didn't understand why. For many, this might be an achievement, but I preferred staying behind the scenes, so I considered myself anything but lucky. Him saying he'd make teasing me his new hobby only made things worse.

"Ladies, today we're having a very important meeting with potential business partners," he looked around, making sure everyone was listening. "The meeting will be in the private room, and I need some of you. If I don't give you a call, just go downstairs and carry on with your work as normal, attending to our other guests. "

I remained calm, thinking I wouldn't be picked. I didn't want to be chosen; I just wanted to make my money downstairs and leave. I had no interest in attending those private meetings.

Dancing and serving drinks to strangers wasn't a problem for me. However, whenever I found myself in uncomfortable or awkward situations, I came to realize my actual lack of social skills, and Richard was well aware of it. There was a tacit understanding between us, and he could read my mind, so I had no reason to be worried.

"The girls I want with me are Olivia, Aubrey, Dawn, Jade..." Derek began naming.

I felt relieved. As expected, he'd probably finish with Lorena, then take the usual group of girls to the meeting.

"Oh, and Chipmunk!"

I looked up, stunned. "M-me?"

He could have picked anyone, but he decided to ruin my day. I had no interest in serving drinks to what might be a crime family, but I wouldn't argue with Derek. Despite his laid-back nature, he was still my boss.

"The people coming here tonight are difficult, but I trust each one of you not to screw up," Derek instructed us with his million-dollar smile. Even when he was serious, he still had the same face.

Then he turned to me. "Chipmunk, are you nervous?"

I nodded, feeling my throat too tight to speak. Olivia and Jade rested their heads against mine, trying to offer some comfort.

"Will you be there?" I finally managed to ask. Of all the people who made me uncomfortable, he definitely ranked last. Yet I still couldn’t understand why he chose me—why he seemed determined to single me out and make me uneasy.

Why me?

Derek laughed and pushed my shoulder. "No, but don't worry, Nathan will be there."

Nathan? Why would Derek mention him specifically? Oh god - did he see us together last time? My cheeks burned as if Derek could somehow see the images playing in my head.