The smoke that came from his mouth was hypnotic; every time that man smoked his cigar, it was a delight to the eyes. It was the only good thing about working at the club: seeing Mr. Seth. His name was very strange, so I knew that this man wasn't American. Hearing things from the other girls, I learned that he was half Egyptian. It's no wonder his appearance is so unusual: dark skin, soft hair, black as jet, and green eyes like bright emeralds. And that body looks so firm, perfect in every way, like a handmade statue. It is said that he is an oil tycoon, and that he frequents this club for the services that are offered. I've never been able to see him up close, because all the waitresses, when Mr. Seth comes, fight over serving him, but it's better that way, since they also say that his tastes are very unique, and I haven't even been with a boy, how can I do what those women do?

My name is Lilith, like the first woman created. My mother, who was from the bad life, gave me that name, not because she was religious, but because it meant, in some places it said, the name meant Bird of the Night, or belonging to the night. It's like a curse that has been following me since I was born. I never wanted to come to this kind of place, however, it's the only place where they hire a 20-year-old girl, and they pay her so much money. This is the Blue Moon Club, a place where there are many escorts, but it's a very exclusive place. Only men with a lot of money come here, and the women who work here are not normal prostitutes, they have to have certain special conditions. I read it all before starting to work here.

Requirements for escorts:

Good presence.

With studies.

With good manners.

With little or no cosmetic surgery.

Of legal age, but under 30 years old.

Among other things that I don't even want to remember. There are four classes of girls working at the club, these are:

Class A and B escorts.

Waitresses.

Cleaners.

Class A escorts have the best clients, like Mr. Seth. They can go out with clients outside the club, even go on vacation with them.

Class B escorts can only please clients inside the club, nothing more. I know they can go from class B to A or vice versa.

Then there are the waitresses. First, we all sign a confidentiality agreement that can be used for a civil lawsuit. Then, you can't have sexual contact with clients, neither inside nor outside the club. However, if the client is interested and the waitress agrees, they can make a service contract where the club will be the mediator and receive a percentage, but that waitress can only serve that client, no one else.

And finally, the cleaners, who take care of the mess left behind by the clients. The male staff are guards, bartenders, and security. Relationships between employees are prohibited, especially between escorts and security or guards.

Luckily for me, I'm in the safe area, and I earn enough to pay for my grandmother's medical expenses and live in a room in a not very safe neighborhood, but now I don't feel desperate. My life went downhill when my grandmother got sick. She is my only relative. My mother died of an overdose. I never knew who my father was. She had so many clients, but she knew who I was the daughter of, because she told me once while she was high, that she had me, from the only man she loved, but that that man didn't want me. Apparently, she told him about my existence, however, he didn't accept me. I don't blame him. A woman from the street, told him that she would have his son, I in his place, would not believe her either. It was my grandmother who raised and educated me. I was going to go to university, I was very happy, but when she got sick, I couldn't do it, so I ended up here, and paying expensive monthly medical bills. I don't regret anything, I'm returning the grace of being raised well, having a good childhood, never going hungry or naked, and most importantly, never having to live with my mother and her abusive boyfriends.

While serving the tables, I sometimes looked at the VIP area. Mr. Seth looked so handsome in light-colored suits. White seemed to be his favorite color, he always came dressed impeccably in white. While I was coming and going, something happened. Apparently, one of the waitresses spilled a glass of wine on Mr. Seth, so he took off his stained shirt, and was left only with white pants. I looked and saw that he had a broad and toned chest, just as I imagined. Susan, the girl who serves him most often, immediately brought another shirt for him, however, the waitress was fired, since she was making advances to Mr. Seth, and that's why she made that mistake, so the others were afraid to go to the private area on the second floor and serve Mr. Seth, then.

"Lilith, come here."

"Yes, Manager."

"Go up to the second floor and serve Mr. Sawiris, I can only trust you for this."

Mr. Jackson, the club manager said it, because I'm an apathetic person, with no interest in easy wealth, and who hasn't been involved in anything strange, in the 6 months that I've been working here, although I think Mr. Seth Sawiris is handsome, I won't lose my job for something I can't have.

I went up to the second floor immediately, and introduced myself to the man who seemed to be in a bad mood, because although Susan seemed to try to comfort him, he didn't change the furious expression on his face. You can tell that this name is terrible, besides beautiful.

"Hello Mr. Sawiris, I'm Lilith and I'll be serving you from now on, is there anything I can offer you?"

He didn't look at me, he just stayed there upset, I stood there like a statue, until he decided what he wanted, then he said,

"Bring me, a bottle of my favorite wine,"

"Yes, Sir,"

I hurried down the stairs, and went to Tony, the most experienced bartender, when the manager saw me coming down, he asked him to give me priority,

"Tony I need a Penfolds Block 42 2004."

"Isn't that Mr. Sawiris's favorite wine?"

"Yes, he just asked for it,"

"Do you want the bottles, uncorked or un-uncorked?"

"Uncorked, I think 🤔 Mr. Sawiris, likes new things."

Tony put two glasses on a tray, then I said,

"Only one glass."

He knew why, but he removed one glass, put the wine, they are cold, then I said,

"Give me a bottle at room temperature."

He did so, removed the bottle, and put one at room temperature, and a silver uncorked, it was fine, with the uncorked, I took the tray, and went up, as fast as I could, I put the tray on the table in front of Mr. Sawiris, took two steps back and asked him,

"Sir, do you uncork the bottle or do I do it?"

The man looked at me for the first time, and I could see up close his beautiful green eyes like two large bright emeralds, I stood very still, waiting for him to say something, however, it was Susan who spoke to me furiously.

"How useless you are, why didn't you bring the bottle open?, another thing, there is only one glass, where is mine?"

I took a deep breath and replied,

"Mr. Sawiris, only ordered me, to bring his favorite bottle of living, he never said anything about, uncorking it, or sharing it with someone else."

"You, wench...."

He raised a hand, as a signal for Susan to stop, then he said,

"You are the first who does just what you are told, and doesn't even try to do anything else, to get my attention, I like that."

Apparently his mood had improved, he gave me a very strange smile, then he told me,

"You can leave, now."

"Yes, sir."

I shot off to the first floor, I went back to serving the tables downstairs, today there were many clients, even though Mr. Seth Sawiris was the most important and richest of all, I felt that the night was passing slowly, because so many things have happened and it's barely ten o'clock, after going around many times, I placed myself in a place where I could clearly see the second floor, just in case, Mr. Seth needs something, I could see him from that place, not much time had passed, when Susan gave me a signal so I went up again.

I ran upstairs, like in a marathon, so I arrived immediately, I stood nearby, but not so much as to be uncomfortable, then Susan started asking me things,

"What's your name?"

"Lilith Smith."

"How old are you?"

"20 years old."

"How long have you been working here?"

"6 months."

"Why are you a waitress, you are pretty you can be an escort?"

"I just want to be a waitress."

For a moment she stopped, the man next to her, was attentive to my answers, there was something strange here, a woman like this is not so interested in someone else, unless her boss is interested, what madness, how can this man be interested in me.

She took the bottle of wine, poured wine into the glass, where Mr. Sawiris was drinking, raised the glass and said to me,

"Drink this wine."

I instantly replied,

"No."

"You refuse to please a client."

"It is not the client who offers me the wine, so I can refuse, and if the client offers it to me as I am a waitress and we are prohibited from, drinking and interacting intimately with clients, I can also refuse."

She lowered the glass of wine, she seemed angry, then Mr. Seth spoke,

"We made a bet, Susan just lost, I told her that you wouldn't drink the glass of wine, she insists that you would."

The only question that came to my mind was, what did they bet?, but it was too much on my part to ask him that, then without warning, the man got up from his seat, I took two steps back to give him more space, he walked around me twice, looking at me from top to bottom, I felt that those green eyes were devouring me, the growing interest he showed in me gave me chills, because it was noticeable, that was the kind of man, who always got what he wanted, no matter what.

Luckily, I'm not to his liking, Susan was a voluptuous woman, with long hair, tall, but not taller than him, she seemed exotic, in front of her I'm very common, so I can't even imagine that this man, is interested in me.

"You can go now."

"Yes, sir."

I turned around immediately to leave, then he said,

"Wait."

I stopped immediately, turned around and looked at him, I was waiting, for orders, he began to ask,

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No"

"Do you like someone?"

"No."

"You are...?"

He was going to ask me something else, but he didn't,

"You can leave,"

I left, the night passed very slowly, I left work, luckily I didn't have to work the next day, so I would sleep, a little and look for something to do at night.

I walked for a long time in the cold dawn, it was difficult to get from work to home, and more so because employees are forbidden to stay after their shift. The manager says that idle people tend to do stupid things, especially women who believe that if they get a man with money, they can change their lives. In that, he is wrong, a woman can change her life if she becomes the object of a man with money, but that only happens if the woman knows how to dominate that man; otherwise, she will be just another one on his list, something I want to avoid at all costs. Besides, the only thing that interests me is earning money for my grandmother's breast cancer treatment, nothing more. Soon the surgery can be done, I have been saving everything I have for that, which is why I live in a rat hole, in the worst neighborhood of Las Vegas. I don't take money home; since I got my first salary, I got a box at the bank. I wear the key around my neck, so I only handle a few dollars daily for transportation. I'm afraid of losing my money, especially now that I need it so much. The streets of Las Vegas are never empty; it doesn't matter the hour, night and day are almost the same.

When I arrived at the building where I lived, it was 5 in the morning. I walk an hour from the Club to the building; it's a bit tiring, but it's necessary. I save the bus money. It's incredible all that a person has to do to save a few dollars. Luckily, when I take off the waitress uniform used at the club, I don't wear shoes, but sneakers, they are more practical for walking long distances.

The cold of helplessness is the same as the cold of the streets in Las Vegas. When I'm at the Club, I realize the differences between the worlds of the rich and the poor, those who have nothing to eat and those who, on a whim, drink bottles of wine worth more than $100,000 in one night. It's sad to see the girls who let themselves be swept away by the illusion of money and then end up being destroyed by their own ambition. Arriving at my building, I climbed the noisy stairs until I reached the third floor, where my small apartment was.

I opened the door; I had placed many locks so that if someone tried to enter, at least, it would be more difficult for them to do so. Upon entering, I put all the locks on from the inside. The walls were very thin, and the floor was shared by 4 apartments. My neighbors are: in apartment 3A, Mrs. Stone, a friend of my grandmother, got me this place when I had to sell the house. That money was used for her hospitalization, in addition to other small things we did with that money.

In apartment 3B, I live. In 3C, a couple lives who fight every day and reconcile at night with sex, they don't let me sleep with their moans and screams. In apartment 3D, Monica lived. She got me the job at the club, but she doesn't live here anymore. After a while, she left with a guy she met at the club. I think it's a mistake, but I hope it goes well for her.

I opened the fridge and took a bottle of water. I hardly have anything here; I usually eat from the restaurant where I work on the days I don't go to the club. I work in one of the best restaurants in the city. I started washing dishes, but after months, I'm a probationary waitress. I go to the Club on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The rest of the week, Monday to Thursday, I work at the restaurant. Luckily, I only work at night; during the day, I can sleep. Today is already Monday. I set the alarm on my cell phone to wake up at two in the afternoon, and I threw myself on my bed. It was very uncomfortable, but with all the blankets I put on it, it was passable to sleep. I settled in as best I could and fell asleep with my clothes on.

I woke up when the phone was ringing madly. I moved in the bed and then took the phone from the rickety bedside table. I looked at the phone and had several missed calls. I looked at the time, and it was one in the afternoon. I still had an hour of sleep left. I checked all the calls; they were from the Club Manager. I was curious to know why he was calling me, but I didn't want to call him back. I was about to sleep when the phone rang again. I answered the call:

"Hello?"

"Lilith?"

"Yes, sir."

"I've called you many times. Can you come to work tonight?"

"No, sir, I have a job at a restaurant from Monday to Thursday, I can't go to the club, and I have a contract."

"I know, but it's important that you come, an important client wants only you to serve him, and he's coming today."

"I'm sorry, sir, I can't do it."

The manager seemed agitated, but I couldn't stop going to the restaurant, especially now that I'm going to be a waitress. If I manage to be a stable employee at the restaurant and can earn well from tips and salary, I can stop going to the club. That would be very good. How am I going to leave the restaurant to go to the Club where I entered out of necessity?

"I'll pay you double."

The offer is attractive, but as much as I need the money, I don't want to stay in that club; I just want to get out of there, so I won't commit myself more than I already am. Besides, he can't fire me even if I say no.

"Sir, it's not about the money, I really can't go, I'm sorry."

"Well, I can't force you, I hope the client understands."

He hung up on me. I wanted to sleep a little longer, but if I fall asleep, I'm afraid I'll be late. What surprises me a little is what the Manager said. Luckily, there are many girls there, so he'll surely find a suitable waitress for the client. I should have asked who the client was.

I got up, I already wanted to go to the hospital to see Grandma, I also had to pay several bills, luckily I have money, I keep it under a board behind the nightstand, it's a struggle to go to the bank every time, so when the medical bills are due, I bring the money here, and put it in the secret place. The hospital is a bit far, so I got up, took off my clothes, and threw them in the dirty clothes hamper, it's almost full, I should go wash clothes these days. I entered the small bathroom, it only had a cold water shower, a toilet and a mirror with a medicine cabinet and a tiny sink, it was like one from a dollhouse, sometimes I miss hot water for showering, but this is what there is, at 20 years old I didn't think I would be living a life like this, or struggling so much to survive. I took the two-in-one bath, it's shampoo and bath soap, I save on everything, because I don't want to have to sell myself to pay bills, I can't imagine being used by many men, just imagining it gives me chills.

I left the bathroom after showering and brushing my teeth, dried my hair with a towel, put on some pants, a sweater and a coat, although it was a hot month, during the day, but at night it's cold, also it was good, I use wide coats so I can strap a fanny pack under it where I keep the money, I put on some sneakers, took my cell phone, some money for the bus and left.

When leaving, I put all my locks on, and put the keys in my coat, I headed to the stairs and went down as fast as I could, apparently there were few people in the building, it was very quiet, I didn't meet anyone going down the stairs either, I hurried to walk to the bus station when I left the building, luckily I was able to arrive on time, I got on and paid the driver, then I sat down and observed the landscape of poverty and despair that was experienced in the neighborhood where I lived, and the giant difference when going out to the streets of Las Vegas where the casinos and hotels are, no one chooses to be born rich or poor, but it is too terrible to have to live a whole life, collecting pennies to be able to live, having two jobs, and bathing with cold water.

I was getting hungry, I had my body adapted to eating once a day, I only drink water, and drink vitamin supplements, I can't afford to eat three times a day, it's one of the things I like about the restaurant, they let the employees have dinner there and we can also take food, I always take when the dishes are good, and I give food to the Lady of 3A and the noisy couple of 3C.

The bus stopped at the stop where I had to get off, I walked two blocks until I reached the hospital, I went immediately to the administrative area, and paid the bills, then I went to see my grandmother, the doctor told me that she should have surgery soon, but that the cost is very high, I couldn't wait more than a month to do it, that it is better to get the money as soon as possible.

I entered the room and saw her very happy,

"Grandma."

"My child, how are you?"

"I should be asking that question."

"I am fine, the doctor says that after the operation and several chemotherapies I can be clean and live a normal life."

"That's good news."

"But there is something that worries me, the money for the surgery is a lot, how are you going to get it?"

"There is always a way."

She remained, thinking, then she told me,

"Don't do anything you might regret, you are still young, and I am already older, if you ruin your life because of me, even if I heal, there will be no turning back for you."

"Grandma, I have two jobs, in places that pay very well, also they give good tips, if everything goes well, I will soon have the money plus I have saved as much as possible, don't worry."

I couldn't tell her, that her surgery was very expensive, and that I didn't know where to get the money, the regrettable thing is that with one of the bottles of wine that Mr. Seth Sawiris drinks, the surgery and all the chemotherapies could be paid for, I thought I had more time, but it wasn't like that, what should I do? I hope to find a path, one that I don't have to regret later.

We chatted for a long time, I left her in peace, I told her that I would return on Wednesday, that she should call me on the cell phone, if anything happens, I left the hospital, and I was dizzy with hunger, it is logical, on Sunday night, I spent a lot of energy, going up and down stairs, I went to a cafeteria near the hospital, I bought a sandwich and a juice, I sat in a nearby park to eat, after eating the sandwich and drinking the juice I felt better, I put my head on the back of the bench and looked at the sky for a while, which was getting dark, I already had to walk to the restaurant, since I had spent the bus money, luckily it wasn't that far, I got up and started walking, an hour and a half later I had arrived, and luckily just in time.

I quickly changed into the waitress uniform, and went to where the restaurant manager was, I had arrived, 30 minutes early,

"You're early."

"Yes, sir."

"Today is your lucky day, you are going to the VIP area, we have many customers there, and there is a waiter per table, the one who attends table number 1 resigned today, very irresponsible of her."

The Manager looked annoyed, he gave me the menu, of the dishes and the wine list, he told me to go, since that table was reserved and the customer had arrived, I hurried to get to table number one in the private area, the customer was with his back to me, and he looked familiar, that back, he was with a young lady, I stood in front of them, and said.

"Welcome, tonight I will be attending you, my name is Lilith."

With that said, the man in front of me was Seth Sawiris, no wonder he looked familiar, it must be a coincidence, it is normal for a man like him to come to exclusive places like this.

"You also work here?"

"Yes, sir."

He was laughing, apparently he found something funny, I didn't know what it was, and the girl next to him, looked a bit like him, so it was possible that she was his family, I immediately gave him the menu and the wine list, I knew what his favorites were, he began to say.

"What do you like more, meats or seafood?"

I thought he was asking the girl next to him, so I didn't say anything, until he said.

"Lilith, Meat or seafood?"

"Were you asking me?"

"Of course, my little sister Sara knows what she likes, but it seems you don't."

"I don't have the opportunity to choose, so either option is good."

His little sister, I felt that they look alike, apparently she didn't like my answer, he ordered a Chevreuil Filet mignon, with a side of sauteed vegetables, a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, his little sister ordered a pasta a la napolitana, after they ordered I removed the menu and the wine list and went immediately to the kitchen to place the order, the chef quickly made the dishes and in a few minutes everything was delivered.

They ate and chatted very happily, I noticed that with his little sister he was sweet, but when he was in the club he seemed like a grumpy and dangerous man, I am close, after they finished dinner, his little sister left and he was left alone, drinking his wine, he called me and said,

"I want something sweet, what do you recommend?"

I mentally reviewed the desserts, it should be one that goes well with the wine he is drinking, that is sweet, but not too sweet, then I said to him,

"How about a Chocolate Brownie."

He nodded, I went straight to get it, luckily there were freshly made ones, I took one and took it to him, I put it on the table and took two steps back, and I stood still waiting for him to try it, he took the small spoon, took a little and put it in his mouth, then took a sip of wine.

"It's very good."

Apparently he liked it, I wondered, when was he going to leave? he has nothing to do, that he can be here, having dinner from so early, until now, since he arrived almost three hours have passed, and he is still here,

"What time do you get out of here?"

"What?"

I was so thoughtful that I didn't quite grasp the question,

"What time do you leave?"

"At the time the restaurant closes, sir."

He was thoughtful, then he said,

"Call your manager."

"Yes, sir."

Why does he want the manager? I don't think I've done anything wrong, I went immediately to find the manager, I couldn't let Mr. Seth Sawiris wait, I told the manager, and that man arrived so fast that I was surprised,

"Mr. Sawiris, I am the manager, how can I help you?"

"This girl, what time does she leave work?"

The man looked at me and said,

"At the time you say, she is here to attend your table, if you leave she can leave work."

"Good answer."

"Then let's go."

He passed his credit card to the manager, who went like a ball of smoke to collect the bill, I was still standing in front of the man without understanding,

"Why should I go with you?"

"Because I want to, and the customer is always right."

I must go, if I don't it is certain that I will be fired, who knows what goes through the minds of the rich, what I did know was that this man is very handsome and extremely rich, and a danger to me.