DOUBLE LIFE
Alarm blaring like a drill into her skull—that was Camila's daily 6:30 AM wake-up call.
"Oh, s**t!"
She scrambled out of bed, nearly tangling herself in her duvet. A quick glance at the digital clock on her nightstand confirmed her worst fear: she had twenty minutes before her biochemistry lecture started.
Camila tossed her hair into a quick, messy bun, grabbed a plain white tee, pulled on a pair of comfortable blue jeans, and threw an oversized denim jacket over her shoulders. Slipping her signature wire-rimmed glasses onto her face, she grabbed her heavy backpack, shoved her feet into worn sneakers, and ran out the door.
She made it to the Houston University lecture hall just as the professor started writing on the chalkboard. Slid softly into the back row, chest heaving, she caught her breath and immediately pulled out her notebook.
After two hours of dense lectures, Camila headed straight down to the basement lab 4for her practical assignment.
The harsh fluorescent lighting reflected off stainless steel counters and rows of graduated cylinders. Camila pulled on a pair of nitrile gloves, her fingers steady despite only having three hours of sleep. She leaned over her microscope, adjusting the focus dial to analyze enzyme catalysts .
By noon, the lab was done, and Camila met up with her best friend, Levi, at the campus quad. They walked over to a nearby cafe to grab coffee and gelato, soaking in the afternoon sun before their 2:00 PM organic chemistry lecture.
As they sat on an outdoor bench, Levi laughing at Camila's endless coffee addiction, a loud voice called out across the grass.
"There she is! The ice cream to my gelato, the sole sun in my bleak galaxy!"
Anthony came sprinting down the path holding a dramatically oversized bouquet of red roses and a box of expensive chocolates. He skidded to a halt in front of their bench, dropping to one knee with a hand over his heart.
"Camila Hughes," Anthony declared loudly, reciting with grand theatrical flair, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely, more temperate, and frankly, the only reason I survive bio-stat!"
Levi rolled his eyes, though his eyes lingered on Anthony a second longer than usual as he stood up to pull Anthony into a casual, welcoming hug. "Give it a rest, Romeo. She's not falling for the Shakespeare routine today."
"Ah, Levi, my loyal foil!" Anthony laughed, stepping out of the hug to hand Camila the chocolates. "A man must try. One day, Camila, you'll accept my devotion."
Camila chuckled, accepting the chocolates with a smirk. "Keep dreaming, Anthony. But thanks for the free sugar."
She looked down at Anthony's dramatic posture, letting out a bright, clear laugh that rang across the lawn. "Yeah, you're definitely dreaming, Anthony. dreaming."
Anthony sat up on the grass, clutching his heart with exaggerated agony, but an irrepressible grin broke through his tragic expression. "I will never give up anyway! A true knight never retreats!"
Before Anthony could launch into another dramatic monologue, Levi swooped in from behind. He leaned down, playfully caught Anthony in a loose headlock, and began forcefully rubbing his knuckles against the top of Anthony's head with a grin.
"You little brat!" Levi teased, laughing as Anthony squirted out of his grip, whining and trying to fix his ruined hair. "Stop chasing her already! She does not want you, man!"
"Hey! Watch the hair, Levi!" Anthony protested playfully, dusting off his jeans while shooting Camila one last wink. "The lady appreciates quality drama, even if she won't admit it!"
Camila shook her head, still chuckling as she slung her heavy backpack over one shoulder. "Keep telling yourself that, Romeo. I've got to get to class."
She gave both of them a wave, turning her heel to walk down the concrete path toward the science building, leaving her two best friends bantering loudly on the quad behind her.
*Camila's pov*
Hi. I'm Camila Hughes. I'm nineteen years old, a straight-A biochemistry student at Houston University, and if you ask my friends or professors, I'm just the quiet girl who lives on caffeine and research.
They think my biggest thrill is surviving organic chemistry.
They have no idea.
College tuition in this city is a nightmare, and synthetic biotech research doesn't pay the bills. So, every night when the sun goes down, Camila Hughes vanishes. I swap the oversized jackets for silk, the sneakers for six-inch heels, and the glasses for dark makeup and scarlet lipstick.
By day, I analyze molecules. By night, I rule the stage at the most exclusive VIP lounge in Houston as 'Vixen.' I make thousands a night in pure cash, keep rich men wrapped around my finger, and play a game where I hold all the rules.
It's a dangerous double life. But I've never lost control. At least... not yet.
* AUTHOR'S POV*
The bass-heavy music thudded through the floorboards of The Velvet Lounge later that night. Crimson lights washed over the plush leather booths as Camila—now Vixen—stepped out in a daring red silk dress.
"Vixen, VIP booth four," her manager called out. "High roller. Spent twenty grand on champagne in twenty minutes. Go work your magic."
Camila walked over, her hips swaying with practiced elegance. But as she stepped into the shadow of VIP Booth Four, her heart slammed against her ribs.
Sitting in the plush leather seat, a glass of aged whiskey in hand, was a sharp, striking man in an expensive dark suit—Liam Lockwood. He looked up, his slate-gray eyes locking onto hers with a flicker of intense, dangerous curiosity.
Camila held her breath behind a sultry smile, realizing her quiet world was about to collide with something she couldn't control.
