Unexpected Desire

Switching of identity

Nancy saw a few of Mr. Samonte's staff approached, and without hesitation, she grabbed Angela's hand and pulled her into her dressing room. "Quick, in here," she whispered urgently, closing the door behind them. Inside, Angela felt the tension in the air as Nancy turned to her, curiosity and uneasiness in her eyes.

"So, what's this offer you mentioned?" Nancy asked.

Angela took a deep breath, "I came here tonight to forget my problems. My father wants me to marry someone I don't love to save our business."

Nancy frowned, "That sounds awful. But what does it have to do with me?"

Angela looked at Nancy intently. "I'll give you a million dollars if you pretend to be me for a few days. Just long enough to make Andrew, the guy I'm supposed to marry, lose interest and call off the wedding."

Nancy was taken aback. "A million dollars? For pretending to be you? "Why can't you just do it yourself?"

Angela sighed, "I can't bear to disappoint my father directly. If I act out, he'll see through it and be devastated. But if you do it, someone doesn't know him well, you won't feel any pity for him, and you can do what's needed without feeling guilty."

Nancy considered Angela's words carefully. "So, all I have to do is act like a terrible match for this Andrew guy, right? Make him see I'm not worth marrying?"

Angela nodded eagerly. "Exactly. Just be someone he wouldn't want to marry. Be rude, unpleasant, anything that would turn him off. If Andrew decides to call off the wedding, it won't look bad on my father, and we can just ask for a loan instead."

Nancy hesitated. "But I couldn't leave the bar. The syndicate... they’ll come after me if I break my contract."

Angela smiled, a plan already forming in her mind. "Do you sleep with the customers?"

Nancy shook her head firmly. "No, I only dance. Nothing else."

"Great," Angela said with a grin. "Then I can take your place here." No one will know the difference. It's just for a few days, over the weekend. You come to my place, meet Andrew, and act like the worst potential wife ever. Meanwhile, I’ll be here, pretending to be you."

Nancy looked doubtful. "It sounded risky. What if they find out?"

Angela's smile widened. "They won't. Trust me, no one will know. I can handle dancing for a few nights. We just need to get through the weekend. On Friday, I'll come back here, and we'll switch places. You'll have my phone number, and I'll have yours. We'll keep in touch in case anything goes wrong."

Nancy thought for a moment, weighing her options. "Alright, but can you dance? They’ll know if you can’t."

Angela giggled, her confidence shining through. "Don’t worry. I’ll manage. No one will suspect a thing."

After a few more moments of hesitation, Nancy nodded. "Okay. I agree."

Angela's eyes lit up with excitement. "Perfect! On Friday, I'll be back, and we'll switch. Here, take my phone number."

Nancy took the piece of paper Angela handed her and nodded. "Got it. I hope this works."

Angela grinned, her heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement. "It will. Just remember, act like the worst version of me you can imagine.”

Nancy smiled faintly, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie with Angela. "Alright. I'll see you on Friday."

Angela put on her dark glasses again, feeling more self-conscious now that she knew some of the lusty customers might mistake her for the dancer, Star. She walked quickly, her eyes darting around nervously. As she picked up her pace, she stumbled, but before she could fall, strong arms caught her.

"Are you okay?" Leo's concerned voice brought her back to reality. Angela found herself enveloped in his muscular arms, her heart pounding. Her face flushed with unexpected warmth. Embarrassed, she quickly pushed him away and stammered, "Yes, I'm fine."

Leo looked at her intently. "Did you manage to talk to Nancy?"

Angela nodded, avoiding his gaze. "Yes, I did," she said hurriedly, then turned and almost ran out of the bar.

Once she reached her car, she leaned against the door, breathing heavily. Her mind raced, replaying the moment when Leo held her. She sighed deeply and shook her head, trying to dismiss the strange new feeling stirring within her. "Maybe it's just the wine," she muttered to herself as she got into the car and drove home.

Angela's thoughts wandered back to Leo as she navigated the quiet streets. She couldn't shake the memory of his strong embrace and the way her heart had reacted. It was the first time she had felt something like that, a mix of excitement and confusion. She sighed again, trying to focus on the road, but her mind kept drifting back to him.

By the time she reached home, the house was quiet, with her father already asleep. She tiptoed to her room, her thoughts still jumbled. As she changed into her pajamas, she couldn't help but smile slightly, recalling Leo's concerned expression. "What am I doing?" she whispered to herself, shaking her head as she climbed into bed.

The next morning, Angela woke up early, her mind clearer but still buzzing with the events of the previous night. She had to focus on the plan. Friday was just a few days away, and she needed to be ready to switch places with Nancy. As she prepared breakfast, her father entered the kitchen, looking tired but determined.

"Good morning, Angela," Franco said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Dad," Angela replied, trying to sound cheerful. "How are things going?"

Franco sighed heavily. "Still a mess, but we’re getting there. Have you thought anymore about meeting Andrew this weekend?"

Angela felt a pang of guilt but managed a smile. "Yes, I have. I’ll be ready."

Franco nodded, relief evident in his eyes. "Good. It means a lot to me, Angela."

She forced herself to maintain the smile, knowing what she was planning. "I know, Dad. I'll do my best."