Aliyah's p.o.v

“Congratulations Raven,” Emilia drew me in for a hug, her cheeks stretched in smile. I had seen her earlier when I got into the dressing room and I walked up to her, announcing I got the job.

But I didn't tell her what I did to get it. “Thanks,” I looked around, seeing as all the girls were dressing up and busy. “Do you know where the private VIP dressing room is?”

I asked and her mouth flew open in shock. “Why are you asking,”

“That's where i am told to work in.”

“What? This is nice,” she pulled me in for another hug. Her face lightened up but her eyes became glassy. “That place is for VIP, the elite. You will finally get money to treat your father.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I heard it's not usually crowded and a lot of this perverts don't go in there but it's old money, presidents, Mafia lords, The Faceless you name all the powerful people.”

“Who's Faceless,” I asked.

“The boss, owner of Raves and Jay.” She said matter of factly.

My heart skipped at the mention of him. The man who had so generously granted me my first waves of orgasm with just his fingers. I wondered what his cock would do. Heat crawled up my neck at his thought but then I had to pull myself out of it.

Confusion etched on my forehead why would I be assigned to the VIP, where I won't get crowded with men but in the middle of power.

“Don't look so sad,” she rubbed my arm affectionately and I flinched, hating being touched there. She had confused my worry for sadness. “Only five girls dance in there and with your hourglass body, I'm sure you will take no time to be a favourite.” She assured and I smiled at her.

She's too naive, which is a curse through and through. I stepped out of her touch. “Do you know the way to the dressing room, I need to get dressed.”

“Yes, three doors down the hallway.”

“Thank you,” I appreciated and turned to go.

“Raven, good luck with the other VIP girls.” She wished like it was a curse but nonetheless, I nodded and walked off.

****

I pushed open the door to the VIP dressing room, the heavy scent of expensive perfume and champagne hitting me instantly. The lights were softer here, gold-tinted, and the walls lined with velvet drapes. It screamed exclusivity.

Five girls were scattered around the room legs crossed, hair perfectly curled, bodies shimmering in glitter and satin. Every movement seemed deliberate, practiced, seductive.

When I stepped inside, the chatter died down.

“Uh… hi,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m new. I was told to report here.”

The redhead nearest the mirror slowly turned, eyeing me from head to toe like she was assessing a rival instead of greeting a colleague. “New?” Her lips curved in mock amusement. “Impossible.”

The blonde beside her let out a low laugh. “No one starts in VIP, sweetheart. You sure you didn’t get lost?”

Their laughter blended, sharp and cutting. I swallowed, standing my ground. “No. I was assigned here.”

The redhead leaned back, smirking. “Assigned, she says. Cute. Maybe you slept your way in, huh?”

My cheeks burned, but I didn’t reply. Silence was safer. My instincts screamed at me to keep calm. Drawing attention never ended well, not in this kind of world.

The last time I drew attention to myself, I ended up getting finger fucked by the boss.

As I moved toward an empty vanity, the blonde scoffed. “Who even recommended you? Because whoever it was must’ve made a hell of a call.”

I ignored her, setting down my bag and pretending to be absorbed in unpacking my things. Their voices dripped behind me, whispers meant to sting.

“Poor thing doesn’t even know what she’s gotten herself into.”

“She’ll last a week tops.”

Their words stabbed at the quiet part of me that still wondered what the hell I was doing here. If Emilia was right, if no one ever started in VIP then why was I here? Who made that decision?

My chest tightened at the sudden possibility of him.

Could it be him? The Faceless.

The thought made my pulse stutter. I could still remember his touch, his voice low and dangerous in the dark. But it made no sense. Why would he…

“Here.”

The voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see another girl, one who’d been silent until now. She sat at the far end of the room, long dark curls cascading over her shoulders, her expression calm but not unkind. She held out a clean makeup brush.

“You’ll need this,” she said simply. “They won’t lend you theirs.”

I blinked, surprised. “Thanks.”

“Don’t let them bother you,” she added, her tone quiet but firm. “They bark louder when they feel threatened.”

Her eyes met mine in the mirror, soft brown but carrying something sharper underneath,understanding.

I nodded slightly, picking up the brush and turning toward my reflection.

“Name’s Selina,” she said, reaching for her lipstick. “You?”

“Raven,” I replied.

She smiled faintly. “Welcome to the jungle, Raven.”

As she went back to her makeup, I caught my reflection again, the faint tremor in my hands, the uncertainty hiding behind my painted confidence.

“You are next to dance newbie,” Blonde,whose name I found out is Diva said as she sneered at me.

“Good luck,” Selina whispered as I stood up from my chair, I flashed her a smile. And walked towards the curtain as the officiator announced my presence.

“This one is new, sexy and fleshy…well in the right places of course.” The officiator praised. “Welcome Stripper Raven,”

My mind trembled, this isn't my first time doing this but I don't understand why I'm so nervous today. No, I do know why.

Emilia had insinuated Faceless might be among the VIP guests. Do I want to see him, the last time, his fingers were buried deep in my cunt…

“Raven,” the officiator called once again, jolting me out of my thoughts.

I inhaled sharply, forcing a smile as I stepped through the curtain. The lights hit me instantly: warm, golden, seductive. The room was way bigger than the main floor and far more intimidating. Men sat in private booths, shadows cloaking their faces, the faint scent of whiskey and cigars heavy in the air.

Heads turned almost in unison as I took my first step onto the stage.

Every movement I made drew eyes hungry, fascinated eyes. The crowd stilled. The clinking of glasses faded into silence as the music shifted to a slow, pulsing rhythm. I slid my hand down the pole, hips swaying in time with the beat, and the hush that followed was electric.

Their stares followed every arch of my back, every flick of my hair. Even the ones trying to act composed leaned forward, jaws tight, pupils dilated. The rich, the powerful, the untouchable men used to having everything were suddenly spellbound by me.

Confidence, the kind that came from nowhere and everywhere, filled my veins. I twirled, dropped low, rose again, letting my body move like smoke unpredictable, impossible to grasp. A few bills fluttered toward the stage, but none of them dared speak.

Then I felt it. That heavy, familiar stare cutting through the dimness, burning into me harder than the spotlight. I didn’t have to see him to know. My skin knew. My pulse knew.

Faceless.

When I turned, my gaze caught the faint glint of a mask in the far corner behind the tinted glass. He wasn’t moving, but the tension that rolled off him reached me like a whisper across the room.

The next sway of my hips wasn’t just for the audience anymore it was for him. Every motion became slower, more deliberate, drenched in something dangerous. The room seemed to breathe with me, eyes wide, lips parted, captivated.

When the music finally stilled, a beat of silence lingered before soft applause filled the air. Some men smiled; others just stared, as if I’d stolen their words along with their control.

I reached for my robe, slipping it over my bare shoulders, my heart pounding against my ribs. I didn’t look back at the audience but I felt his gaze linger long after I disappeared behind the curtain.

And deep down, I knew something more was coming.

I wasn't wrong, few minutes later, Redhead Silva walked in with a scowl on her face and a button necklace… The permission necklace… she slammed it on the vanity. Along with a card.

“Middle table to your right. No 3. Your attention is needed.” she said and walked off.

Here we go.