Ruin Me, Mr X

Blackmail

SABLE

I stumbled backward, stunned by the words I heard. The door pushed open at the same time, and I quickly returned to my original spot, biting my tongue from the pain shooting through my ankle.

“What’s wrong?” I stared at Alaric and Manuel. Manuel flashed me a stiff smile that didn't reach his eyes, his hands digging into his pockets.

Alaric, on the other hand, simply walked over to his chair and sat down, leaning toward his laptop and typing something on it.

Did he forget he had a meeting or not?

“Mr. Leighton, your meeting starts soon...” Manuel tapped my shoulder, startling me. I didn't know when he had sneaked behind me.

He shook his head as if telling me it was a bad idea. Alaric continued typing on his keyboard while I sat there numbly, not knowing what to do next.

“Manuel, escort Miss Zhen out of the office,” he finally said, looking briefly at his cousin before turning back to me. “I’ll let you know if I’m attending the meeting.”

He returned to typing.

My lips pressed together, my mind still confused by the sudden change in behavior. I got up, picking up the clipboard with me. Manuel escorted me out, and I was shown my office.

It was opposite Mr. Leighton’s office, making it easier for me to attend to him if there were any emergencies. A sigh left my lips as I sank into the office chair, my legs tired from all the activity.

I hadn't even spent an hour on this job, and I was already exhausted physically and mentally.

At that moment, my phone buzzed, and a frown formed tightly on my forehead. I leaned forward and took my phone out of my purse. My thumb swiped across the screen, and the sender's name came into view.

My heart sank when I saw who it was, my palms growing sweaty as an itch crawled across my skin.

Madame Lior

My hands shook, beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I stared at her message.

[You have a returning client who booked you for a private strip dance. Come to the club at 10 PM tonight, and do not be late. Be clean down there too.]

My teeth clenched tightly, and I closed the screen, tossing my phone onto the table. Anger surged through me, and my eyes stung as the urge to cry overwhelmed me.

I went through all that trouble to sleep with a man I knew nothing about, and now she wants me to answer a booty call from some horny motherfucker!

I'm tired of all the s**t I go through because of her. The day I pay her everything I owe, I will burn her club down!

Still, even though these thoughts ran through my head at full speed, I still had to reply because this was my reality.

I picked up my phone and typed, [Okay], before clicking the send button. I leaned back against the chair, my hands covering my face.

I wanted to scream so badly. Maybe that would make whoever was up there, making my life a living mess, finally answer me.

I stood up and walked out of my office. It was best to put my mind on something else.

I turned toward the main floor when I saw Christina speaking with Manuel. She had a frown on her face, and suddenly her eyes moved behind him, landing on me.

She tapped Manuel before leaving. I quickly walked toward him, wondering what all that was about.

“Hey,” I called.

He turned, smiling. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Why do you think so?” He frowned.

I glanced at him, wondering if he was lying. I couldn't tell him about the mark I heard him mentioning to Mr. Leighton.

“Nothing. I was just asking,” I forced out.

He slowly nodded, then dug his hands into his pockets, his eyes studying me.

I cleared my throat, my eyes darting around. “I'll return to Mr. Leighton and see if he needs me for anything.”

I turned, but his next words made me freeze.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Alaric isn't in his office, so you're free to head home early today,” he said.

I turned sharply. “What? Why? Did I do something wrong?”

It couldn't be that he was pissed about the meaning behind the mark on my ear, right?

I didn't even do anything!

“Don't worry. It's not about you.” He sighed. “Just go home and return tomorrow.”

He patted my shoulder and walked past me, heading toward Alaric's office. I stood there in shock, unsure of what to do next.

My phone dinged at that moment, and I saw a reminder text from Madame Lior.

[Do not forget about the job tonight. Be in the clubhouse before 10 PM to warm up. This client is very specific with their needs. We might not see each other when you get to the clubhouse. Halen will fill you in on the details, so you don't have anything to worry about.]

Fuck. My day just keeps getting worse.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and returned to my office to get my key. After that, I walked out of the building and took a cab home.

“I'm so tired.” I yawned, taking off my dress.

I washed myself in the shower before stepping out and putting on a hoodie and baggy pants.

After that, I got into another cab. It didn't take long for me to get to the strip club.

I slipped through the back entrance where the girls were getting ready to entertain their clients. I entered the dressing room, pulled my hoodie over my head, and tossed it aside.

I opened my bag to take out my dress when the door suddenly burst open.

“Where is she?” Halen's voice rang loudly behind me.

I turned to see the fierceness in her eyes, and when they landed on me, she scoffed, giving me a disgusted look.

“Don't tell me it's that rag you want to show him.”

I glanced at the dress with the four-dollar tag on it.

“It's new,” I answered flatly.

I got it two weeks ago from a discount sale. It looked nice even though it wasn't expensive.

She gave me a deadpan look before throwing something at me. I grabbed it before it hit my face and examined it, realizing it was lingerie.

“Wear that.” She folded her arms. “I picked it specifically for you. It should be enough to have him pouring money out with every step you take.”

My brows pressed tightly together as I stared at it. “I can't wear this. It's too revealing.”

She eyed me before turning and walking out of the room. The other girls flashed me looks before returning to what they were doing.

God, I f*****g hate this!

I took off my remaining underwear, standing completely naked before slipping on the lingerie. I stared at my reflection in the small mirror while applying my makeup, then walked to the back room where most of the VVIPs were.

I'll dance and break his fingers if he tries to cross the line.

I held the door, ready to enter, when someone bumped into me.

My feet wobbled slightly, and I grabbed the door to steady myself.

“Are you okay?” a soft voice asked.

I glanced up to see Ara looking down at me with concern.

“Y-yeah, I am. What are you doing here?” I frowned, steadying myself.

“Nothing. I saw you coming this way, so I thought of saying hi.” She beamed.

That's weird.

I've always known her to be one of the bullies in this place. Still, since she came to say hi and didn't cause me any trouble, I'll just return the greeting.

“Oh, okay.” I turned. “Thanks for that. I'll take my leave now.”

She nodded frantically, waving with a big smile on her face.

I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me.

When I turned fully, I saw a huge curtain in the middle of the room, but I could tell someone was sitting behind it.

'Let's get this over with.’