Unexpected Desire

The Offer

Angela walked up to the entrance of the bar and saw two huge male bouncers standing at the door. They gave her an once-over as she approached, and she quickly put on her black sunglasses, hoping to avoid any unnecessary attention. She gave them a curt nod and walked inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting.

As soon as she stepped in, Angela frowned. Almost all the customers were men, and she felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. Sighing, she decided to push forward. The inside of the bar was undeniably high-class, a far cry from the cheap joints she had imagined. It was almost crowded, but she managed to spot an empty table in the corner and made her way over, grateful for a moment of solitude.

She hadn't been seated long when a tall, muscular, and handsome waiter approached her table. He smiled at her, but the smile quickly vanished as he looked around the room. Leaning in slightly, he asked, "Are you alone?"

Angela frowned at the question. "Why does it matter? Do I need to have company to sit here?"

The waiter shook his head, his expression softening. "No, it's just that I worry. You're the only female guest here tonight."

Angela rolled her eyes, but because she was wearing dark glasses, the waiter didn't see it. "I'll be fine. Can I see the menu, please?"

The waiter handed her the menu and stood by as she looked through it. She was hungry, so she ordered a steak and a bottle of red wine. The waiter nodded and said, "Please wait for a few minutes. Your order will be ready soon."

Angela nodded, watching as he walked away. There was something about his concern that touched her, even if she didn't want to admit it. Half an hour later, the waiter returned with her order. Angela frowned when she saw a cup of coffee and a bowl of crab and corn soup along with her steak and wine.

"I didn't order these," she said, looking up at him.

The waiter smiled warmly. "I know. I asked the cook to prepare them for you. I thought you might need something to help balance out the wine, so you don't get too drunk."

Angela was surprised by his thoughtfulness. She looked down, feeling a bit touched but not wanting to show it. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"My name's Leo. If you need anything else, just call me," he said with a friendly smile before walking away.

Angela nodded and started eating. The food was delicious, and she found herself relaxing a bit more with each bite. She glanced around the room occasionally, noticing how the other patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves. The bar had a lively atmosphere, with soft music playing in the background and laughter echoing from various corners.

As she ate, Angela couldn't help but think about her situation. The pressure her father had put on her to marry Andrew Harrison was weighing heavily on her mind. She didn't want to marry someone she didn't love, no matter how good his family connections might be for their business. She sighed, taking a sip of the wine, appreciating how its rich flavor complemented the steak.

Suddenly, the bar lights turned darker, and a single spotlight illuminated the stage. The male customers erupted into loud cheers and whistles, their excitement clear. Angela frowned, confused by the sudden shift in atmosphere. She turned her attention to the stage, and her eyes widened in shock. A woman wearing a towel walked out and began to dance sensually.

Angela scratched her head, realization dawning on her. "So, it's an erotic bar," she muttered to herself. No wonder the waiter seemed so surprised to see her here.

She continued watching, her curiosity piqued despite herself. The dancer moved with grace and confidence, captivating the audience with every step. Angela took a sip of her wine, still processing the unexpected turn of events. As the dancer turned to face the audience, Angela nearly choked on her drink. The woman on stage looked exactly like her. It was as if she was staring at her own reflection.

"She looks like me! Like we're twins!" Angela whispered to herself, her heart racing.

Angela's mind raced with questions. Who was this woman? Why did she look so much like her? She couldn't take her eyes off the dancer, her curiosity and shock blending into one overwhelming feeling. The woman on stage seemed completely at ease, confident in her movements, while Angela felt a whirlwind of confusion and intrigue.

As the dance continued, Angela's thoughts kept circling back to the uncanny resemblance. She had to find out more about this woman. She needed answers.

The performance finally ended, and the woman on stage took a bow before disappearing behind the curtains. The bar returned to its previous state, the lights coming back up and the patrons settling down, though the atmosphere was still charged with excitement.

Angela quickly finished her wine, her mind made up. She had to talk to that dancer. She looked around for Leo, spotting him across the room. She waved him over, her urgency evident.

Leo approached, concern etched on his face. "Is everything alright?" he asked.

Angela nodded, though her expression was serious. "I need to talk to that dancer. The one who just performed."

Leo looked surprised. “Her name is Star. Why do you want to talk to her?"

Angela couldn't tell Leo that she and the woman named Star looked alike, so she quickly improvised. "I'm a friend of hers," she said, trying to sound convincing. "I really need to talk to her, even if it's just for a minute."

Leo looked at her, still hesitant and confused. After a moment, he nodded and whispered, "Okay, go to that door." He pointed to a door at the side of the room.

Angela nodded gratefully. Leo wanted to accompany her, but just then, a group of drunk customers started yelling, demanding to see Star again. Leo sighed and ran over to handle the commotion while Angela made her way to the door and walked inside.

In the backstage area, Angela saw Star walking away. "Wait!" she yelled.

Star looked back, frowning. She stopped walking, allowing Angela to catch up. "How did you get in here?" Star asked, her tone suspicious.

"Leo, the waiter, pointed me to the door," Angela replied.

Star's frown deepened. "What do you want?"

Angela took off her glasses, revealing her face fully. Star's eyes widened in shock. They both stood there, stunned, staring at each other. It was like looking into a mirror.

"Who are you?" Star asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"My name is Angela," she said, her voice shaking. "I saw you on stage, and I couldn't believe my eyes. We look exactly alike."

Star nodded slowly. "I'm Star. But that's just my stage name. My real name is Nancy."

Angela felt a surge of emotions. "Nancy, this is unbelievable. I've never seen anyone who looks so much like me."

Nancy nodded, her expression a mix of curiosity and confusion. "I feel the same way. It's like we're twins or something."

Angela took a deep breath. "I need to know more about you. Do you have any idea why we look so much alike?"

Nancy shook her head. "I was adopted when I was a baby. I don't know anything about my biological family."

Angela's heart raced. "I wasn't adopted, but my mother died when I was twelve. Since then, it's just been me and my dad. This is all so strange."

Nancy looked at her thoughtfully. "Maybe we are related somehow. It's the only explanation that makes sense."

Angela nodded. "We need to find out the truth. We could start by looking into your adoption records. Maybe there are clues there."

Nancy agreed. "But I don't even know where to start. The adoption agency closed down years ago."

Angela thought for a moment. "I have a friend who works in a law firm. Maybe she can help us find the records."

Angela grabbed Nancy’s hand firmly and said, "We need to get out of here, Nancy. This place is dangerous for you."

Nancy shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. "No, I can't leave. I’m under contract with the syndicate. If I run away, they’ll kill me."

Angela was stunned. She hadn’t expected this twist. "The syndicate? You're serious?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nancy nodded. "Yes, they control everything here. They own me until my debt is paid off."

Angela took a deep breath, a plan forming in her mind. She gave Nancy a reassuring smile. "You’re here because you need money, right?"

Nancy sighed and nodded. "Of course. I didn’t finish college, and I’m buried in debt. This was my only option."

Angela grinned, an idea sparking in her eyes. "What if I told you I have an offer for you?"

Nancy tilted her head, her confusion evident. "An offer? What kind of offer?"