Unexpected Desire

The Hidden Bar

In the far, secret, and secluded but enormous underground bar, the lights focused on a woman on stage. She was wearing a sexy nightie, dancing gracefully enough to make the men drool and throw cash onto the stage.

She was exceptionally pretty, sexy, and had an innocent look. When she smiled, all the men wanted to devour her. When her show ended, the men screamed for more, but she left the stage, and another woman began to dance.

However, the new dancer did not captivate the audience like the star of the bar, who had the code name "Star."

Mr. Belmont, an imposing figure with a red face and a loud, slurred voice, staggered to his feet. He had been watching Star intently throughout her performance, his eyes never leaving her lithe form. Now, as she vanished from sight, his expression turned dark.

"I want Star!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the noise of the bar. "Bring her to me now!"

The bartender, Leo, who had been nervously watching Mr. Belmont all night, shot a concerned glance towards the bouncers. The burly men at the door straightened, ready for trouble.

Mr. Belmont lurched forward, pushing aside patrons who were too slow to get out of his way. "You hear me?" he roared, his face contorted with drunken rage. "I want to take her home tonight!"

A hush fell over the bar as everyone turned to watch the unfolding scene. The bouncers moved quickly, intercepting Mr. Belmont before he could reach the backstage door. One of them, a towering man with a shaved head, stepped in front of him.

"Mr. Belmont, you need to calm down," the bouncer said firmly. "Star isn't available for that. You know the rules."

Mr. Belmont's face twisted with anger, and he took a swing at the bouncer, but his punch was slow and sloppy. The bouncer easily blocked it and pushed him back. "Get your hands off me!" Mr. Belmont snarled. "I pay good money here! I deserve what I want!"

Meanwhile, Star headed backstage and was immediately met by her boss, Mr. Samonte, who greeted her with a greedy grin. "Good job, Star. You never disappoint me. You bring in more money every night." He threw a pile of money at her feet, adding, "That's your tip for tonight."

Nancy, known as Star, collected the money and nodded curtly. "Thanks, Mr. Samonte."

Leaving the stage area, she walked to the staff room to change clothes. When she stepped out of the club's back entrance, Leo, the bartender and waiter, was waiting outside.

"Why are you here?" she asked, her frown deepening with concern.

Leo looked around nervously before replying, "Nancy, don't come out. It's Mr. Belmont. He's here again."

Nancy's face paled slightly. "Mr. Belmont? The rich old man with the casino?" she asked, dreading the answer she already knew.

Leo nodded. "Yeah, he keeps asking to take you home. We all know how persistent he can be, and I'm worried for you."

Nancy sighed heavily. "I only dance, Leo. You know that. I don't go home with anyone."

"I know, but he's getting more insistent. It’s safer if you stay in the staff room until he leaves."

Nancy considered her options and then nodded. "Alright, I'll stay. Thanks for looking out for me, Leo."

As Leo turned to leave, Nancy retreated back to the staff room, locking the door behind her. She sat on the worn-out couch, her mind racing. The room was small and cluttered, filled with costumes, makeup, and personal items of the dancers. She looked at herself in the mirror, the confident and alluring Star mask slipping away to reveal the vulnerable Nancy underneath.

She heard a knock on the door and tensed. "Who is it?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly.

"It's Leo. Just me," came the reassuring reply.

Nancy unlocked the door and let him in. "What's the situation out there?" she asked, her voice a bit steadier.

Leo sighed. "Mr. Belmont is at the bar, throwing his weight around as usual. He's asking for you again. I've told him you’re unavailable, but he's not buying it. He's making a scene."

Nancy rubbed her temples. "I can't keep hiding every time he shows up, Leo. This is getting out of hand."

"I know," Leo said softly. "But it's better than risking a confrontation with him. He's powerful, Nancy, and he doesn't take 'no' for an answer easily."

"Maybe I should talk to Mr. Samonte about it," Nancy suggested. "He needs to handle this. It's not fair to keep putting us in this situation."

Leo shook his head. "You know Mr. Samonte. As long as Belmont keeps spending money here, he's not going to do anything to upset him."

Nancy felt a wave of frustration wash over her. "I can't keep doing this, Leo. It's not just about the dancing. It's about my safety. I need to find a way out of this mess."

Leo looked at her with sympathy. "I understand, Nancy. But until then, you need to be careful. Stay here for now, and I'll keep an eye on things."

Nancy nodded, appreciating Leo's concern. "Thanks, Leo. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Leo looked at Nancy with concern etched across his face. "Nancy, if you ever get a chance to run away from this place, you need to take it. You deserve better than this."

Nancy sighed, her expression filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "I can't do that, Leo. Mr. Samonte has too many connections. If I try to run, they'll find me. And they'll kill me. I can't escape this hell."

Leo's face softened with pity as he regarded her. "As long as I'm here, I promise no one will hurt you. I'll do everything I can to protect you."

Nancy managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you for being a good friend, Leo. It means a lot."

Leo reached out and gently tapped Nancy's head. "Just stay here and don't leave. I'll talk to the bouncers and make sure Mr. Belmont is escorted out if he keeps insisting on taking you home."

As Leo left, Nancy pulled a jacket over her shoulders and lay down on the small, worn-out sofa. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over, tracing a path down her cheeks. She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Her mind was filled with a single, desperate wish: to start a new life, far away from the dangers and darkness that surrounded her now.