Eva Ricci, a dance student from a modest studio in Milan, at 20, dreams of starring in a ballet musical.

Every day she leaves early to study, but her real work begins at dusk when she transforms into a stripper.

"I can't do what you're asking, I have a dance audition tomorrow and I need to pass to get out of this dump," Eva tells Mercedes, the nightclub owner.

"You know, Eva, you should be grateful this dump helps you get by. Riccardo just wants you to dance for him," Mercedes says.

"I understand, but I'm sorry, I can't," she says, appearing resolute.

"Eva, I'll give you thirty percent of everything he spends."

The girl ponders; she knows that every time he shows up, he spends a good amount of money there.

She's saving up because she has an audition for the top ballet school in the United States in fourteen months.

"I'll accept if you pay me fifty percent of the amount," she says, standing up and approaching the woman.

"I only pay the thirty percent."

"Thanks for the offer."

Eva says, grabbing her bag and heading for the exit, but before she can reach the door, Mercedes calls out to her.

"Fine, I'll pay what you asked for, now get ready, he's waiting for you in private room three."

Eva returns, sits in the chair, applies her makeup quickly, removes her coat, and heads to the room where he awaits.

Entering the room, Eva sees the man lying on a sofa with a redhead performing oral on him and another woman sitting on his face.

She enters, starting a song, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"Finish this some other time, I need to do my performance."

She states with a serious posture and heads to the pole to begin her act, while the man adjusts himself on the sofa to watch her dance.

Riccardo Ferrari, a mafioso of immense allure, is well aware of the desire he provokes in women. His cocaine trafficking cartel garners substantial wealth, yet his ambition constantly seeks more power and riches.

He met Eva a while ago and proposed a deal she refused. Despite his irresistible looks, she isn't overly impressed by them.

After her performance, he stands and approaches her.

"Darling, have you decided to accept my offer and give yourself to me?" he says close to her ear.

"Forget it, I'm not a prostitute. If I'm here, it's to earn money honestly, not to go to bed with a jerk like you," the girl says, turning her back to him.

"I could pay you well to take your virginity."

Riccardo had taken an interest in her the first night he saw her there, buying an hour of her dance every chance he got.

But one night he offered money to spend the night with her, offending her. She slapped him in the face and left him talking alone.

"As I said, I don't offer that kind of service, so would you mind stopping this nonsense?"

Eva says, provoking irritation in the man unschooled in handling rejection.

"Listen here, girl," he snaps, gripping her neck and lifting her off the ground. "I've been very patient with you, but don't test my temper, or you'll encounter my true nature."

Eva gazes at the man, her eyes wide, clutching his hand, attempting to ease the grip making her gasp for air.

He releases her, she falls seated, and he locks the door, pocketing the key.

Riccardo approaches and crouches to her level while she's still trying to catch her breath.

"You know, girl, I could take you by force, you're so vulnerable," he says, leaning in close.

"I despise you, you son of a bitch," she spits, and spits in his face.

Riccardo glares with dark rage, wipes his face, but before rising, he slaps her, turning her face and bringing her hands to the stinging spot.

"Look what you're missing out on by refusing me."

Riccardo says and moves towards the two women previously in the room.

He grabs the redhead by the neck and kisses her violently, a kiss devoid of care, filled with raw desire. He seats himself on the sofa, giving Eva a clear view.

He unzips his pants, reveals his arousal, and has the woman perform on him.

Eva is scared and enraged, unable to fathom the repugnance of the man before her.

"If you close your eyes, I'll have the pleasure of using your mouth," Riccardo says crudely.

Eva's eyes fill with tears, fearing what the monster might do to her.

Once he reaches climax, he tosses the key to Eva, who catches it and runs from the room in terror.

She locks herself in the bathroom, releasing the tears held back from the horrifying scene.

After nearly fifteen minutes, she washes her face, retouches her makeup, and looks for Mercedes. She bumps into her friend Lara.

"Have you seen Mercedes?" Eva asks in haste.

"I saw her at the bar," replies Lara, the friend who helped her get the job.

"I need to get my pay; wait for me, we'll go home soon."

She reaches the bar and sees the woman beside the man who gives her a malicious smile.

"We were just talking about you, darling."

"I came to claim my share," she said, gazing at the elderly woman while disregarding the man beside her.

"Is that any way to treat such an important man, girl?"

"I only see a disgusting man, nothing more. Now, where's my share of the money?" Eva asked, confronting Mercedes.

The older woman took out her cellphone and transferred the money into the girl's account. Upon receiving the notification, she felt satisfied.

"Thank you, have a good night."

With those words, she left, leaving the two behind sipping their drinks.

On her way out, Eva bumped into Lara, and they headed home. The night flew by; Eva barely rested, as she had to prepare for her upcoming performance. This could be her big break, potentially securing her spot in the dance auditions happening in the United States.

"Good morning," she said to the judges assessing her performance.

Eva's movements were graceful, her focus sharp and her determination unwavering. Despite the challenges of her nightlife, she managed to score top marks. After her performance, she was to await an email detailing her results.

Walking to the restaurant she had noticed on the way to the studio, Eva became aware that she was being followed by a man with a familial air about him.

"Why are you following me?" Eva asked.

"I saw you walking by and decided we're going to have lunch together," Riccardo said, a laugh in his voice.

"I don't recall inviting you for lunch," she replied, staring into his dark eyes.

"Girl, I'm not asking—I'm telling. You're going to have lunch with me, whether you like it or not."

"Who do you think you are?" she challenged, stepping closer. "Just say what you want from me," her patience wearing thin.

"I'm curious why you won't accept my offer," he said.

"You must have some kind of problem. I'm not one of those other girls you're used to devouring."

"I never thought you were because I know you're untouched. That's why I offered you a million dollars—to be your first and ensure a great experience."

"I've seen the kind of 'great experience' you can offer. You're disgusting. I would never accept your ridiculous proposal, even if I were starving," Eva retorted sharply, appalled by such an indecent proposition. Despite her need for money, she was not willing to sell herself.

She walked away, leaving the man standing on the sidewalk, watching her retreat. Riccardo admired Eva's boldness, but it sometimes irritated him.

Eva arrived at her modest home on the outskirts almost an hour later than expected, after walking more than a mile on foot.

"I thought you weren't coming back," Lara said upon seeing her enter.

"I know I'm late. I'm going to take a shower, and then we'll head out to work."

After getting ready, Eva met up with Lara, holding onto the hope that she would pass the auditions and wouldn't have to consider Riccardo's vile offer.

"Thanks, I haven't eaten all day. Let's go before we miss the bus," Eva said, grabbing a sandwich and her bag before heading out.

"Don't worry, we have a ride today. I have a bachelor party to dance at."

"You could help with these gigs, they pay more than overnight shifts in that dive."

"I know you need money, but you won't take the job on offer," Lara hinted at the prospect of going to bed with a client.

"I've told you, that's not work for me. I don't judge you for doing it, but I can't do that to my body."

"I didn't invite you because I knew you wouldn't agree, but if something more mellow comes up, I'll let you know. Now, let's go before we lose our ride."

They walked towards the avenue, a mile from their home, where Jaime was waiting for them.

"Good evening, Jaime," the girls greeted as they got into the car.

"Evening, girls. Ready for tonight?" he asked.

"I hope it's a busy night," Eva responded.

Chatting away, they arrived at the club. Eva went inside to work and Lara headed to her event.

After his encounter with Eva, Riccardo went to his headquarters to oversee some shipments that were set to be moved.

"Caleb, this cargo is worth millions. I need it to go smoothly and nothing can go wrong. If I lose even a dollar, heads will roll, and that includes yours," he threatened.

He had a meeting lined up with potential buyers and confirmed the time with his secretary before heading home to get ready.

The meeting was to be held at the same club where Eva worked. Upon arrival, he made his way to his usual room and awaited the young woman's performance.

Eva had received the email about her audition that morning; she had been accepted into the selection process and immediately called Lara to share the news.

While Eva was on the phone, Riccardo was listening intently until he positioned himself in front of her.

"Need money, sweetheart?" he asked, stroking her face.

"If you were eavesdropping on my call, you already know the answer," she said, turning to leave.

"I know of a business where you could make a lot of money," he said nonchalantly, hands in his pockets.

"I've already told you, I won't sell myself to you," Eva raised her voice, her anger flaring.

"Don't flatter yourself, girl. I do want you, but I'll wait for you to beg for it. I know people who'll pay a lot for a different kind of service."

Eva stared at him, waiting for him to continue, but he remained silent.

"Speak up, what do you know?" Eva demanded impatiently.

When it came to her dream, Eva was willing to consider almost anything to achieve her ultimate goal.

"I don't have all day for you to make me wait," her patience had all but evaporated.

"It's a serious proposition, being a surrogate mother. What do you think?"

"WHAT?" She exclaims, looking at him with wide eyes and a straight-set mouth. "Have you lost your mind? You can't be serious. What, are you on drugs?" She continues in shock.

Riccardo stares at the slight woman before him, not understanding her reaction.

"How can you be so foolish? If I didn't agree to sell my virginity to you, how could you think I'd agree to get pregnant?" She poses the question to him, but perhaps it's more a question for herself.

"That doesn't matter now. Tell me whether you'll accept this alternative or if you'd rather keep trying to scramble money together that you're not going to get." he says, giving the girl a jolt of reality.

"Shut up. You don't know me. I'll work and make the money without doing that."

Eva goes out and heads towards the private room where she would dance for him. Minutes later, he enters the room and sits on the usual couch.

Eva starts the music and begins to dance, but this time it's more sensual than her previous performances. She holds onto the pole, climbs to the top, flips upside down, and slides down only stopping when she draws close to the floor. Her gaze never wavers from him.

Riccardo feels a stirring just by watching her, his desire for her grows, his body craves her, but Eva doesn't capitulate to pleasure, not with this depraved man.

When the dance ends, Riccardo is aroused, his eagerness to have her is immense. He rises and approaches the young woman.

"I'll pay 1.5 million dollars for you to surrender to me tonight." He insists because his yearning to have her beneath him is overwhelming.

"Never in this lifetime, I've already said." She replies. But before she can approach the door, she stops and faces him.

Eva moistens her lips and returns to the man, who stands still in the same spot. She approaches, runs her hand over his chest, and bites her lower lip.

"Maybe you could help me out if I give you two dances every night?"

After she speaks, Eva surprises him with a kiss, a sensual exploration of his mouth with her tongue before she finishes with a bite on Riccardo's lips. He grasps her firmly against his body.

"Don't tempt fate, girl." He says, gripping her hair firmly.

"Darling, accept my dances?" Her voice is provocative and sexy.

"If each one includes you coming to my bed afterward."

"Fool, I'll never do that." She says and pulls away, leaving the man frustrated and desiring.

Riccardo yanks her back to him and kisses her again. Eva tries to break free, but he, taller and stronger, doesn't budge.

He throws her on the couch and lays on top of her. His kisses traverse from her mouth across her body, his hands craving every part of her.

"Let me go, you bastard!" Eva screams.

"Stop that, I know you're enjoying it."

Riccardo moves his hand up her small skirt, reaching her intimacy, finding it dry.

Eva is terrified, but she's not a helpless woman. As he touches her, she knees him in his private area, making him recoil in pain.

"You bastard, never touch me, you disgust me." Eva says and lands a slap on his face.

"Listen here, you little slut. You don't have much of a choice; you need the money. I'm giving you two options; think carefully and choose wisely, because being poor and stupid is hard, even for a hot one like you."

Eva storms out, vowing never to get close to him again.

A week passes and Eva rejects all the dances Riccardo attempts to book, though he offers three to four times more than the usual rate; she wants nothing to do with him.

But things change with a simple email.

"Why so nervous, Eva?" Lara asks.

"I got another email. They say that the costume and shoes will be on the student's expense. I wasn't expecting this extra cost. Damn it, how am I going to get that money?"

"There are Riccardo's proposals." Lara states, as it's impossible to get that much money quickly.

"You must be insane. I will never sleep with him." Eva says, clearly agitated.

"Eva, I'm giving you three options. The first is the easiest: give up all your hard work over the years. The second is to sleep with that Greek god. And the third is to become a surrogate mother."

Eva looks at her friend. She'd do anything to achieve her dream for good money. Maybe she could sleep with him.

"I don't know. I don't want to abandon my dream, and I don't want to confront that creep again."

"It's about your dream. It's your call."

Eva spends the day considering ways to get money, thinking about a bank loan, but she knows she won't be able to get the needed amount.

She writes a list of pros and cons for each of the man's proposals, but none give her a solid advantage. Her spite is enormous, the man was right; she doesn't have many options. Even if she refuses to sleep with him, it could be a sound choice, as it would be only one night as opposed to nine months of pregnancy.

"That jerk's got a point, but if he thinks I'll go to bed with him for free, he's mistaken." Eva muses aloud.

In one hand, she holds her cell phone, in the other, a card he had given her the first time he offered her money.

Gathering her courage, she calls him. On the fifth ring, he answers.

"I've made my decision."