Chapter 11 Locked in

• I stood up immediately, took a deep breath, and tried to calm my nerves. I attempted to regain my confidence, reminding myself that I had come too far to give up now.
• I began swaying my hips and toying with the pole, locking eyes with Albert as I performed. His stare was so intense that it almost made me weak in the knees, but I pulled through and gave it my all.
• I swayed around the pole, toying with my body and seductively complimenting my figure, just like I had seen other strippers do in TV shows and movies.
• I was convinced that I was doing a good job, judging by the way other men of importance were watching me intensely and drooling over me.
• But I still didn't know if it was enough to impress Albert.
• As I continued to perform, I could hear Sarah cheering me on from backstage. I knew she had put in a lot of effort to help me get here, and I was determined to make her proud.
• She cared about my well-being and my family's, and I knew that this was my chance to repay her kindness. I had to hope that all her efforts wouldn't be in vain.
• With renewed determination, I poured my heart and soul into the performance, moving my body in ways I never thought possible.
• I could feel the music pulsing through my veins, and I let it guide me as I danced.
• I was no longer just performing for Albert; I was performing for myself, for Sarah, and for the chance to save my mum and secure a better future for my family.
• I moved my lips teasingly as I moved my body with all my effort, pouring every ounce of seduction into the performance.
• There was this stripping trick I had always wanted to try ever since I saw it on TV, and I figured now was the perfect time to attempt it.
• I moved my hands down to the inside of my panties, acting as if I wanted to take them off, but it was just a tease.
• Then, I got on all fours and crawled over to Albert, my eyes still fixated on him. I got down from the stage and turned over, lowering my body in a slow, sensual wiggle.
• With my butt pressed against his groin, I moved my hips in a circular motion, using my body to draw an imaginary letter O.
• The movement was deliberate and provocative, and I could feel the heat emanating from Albert's body.
• As I continued to grind against him, I could sense his growing arousal. But just as suddenly as I had started, I ended the movement, stylishly making my way back to the stage as my song came to an end.
• The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, and I knew I had given it my all. I had left everything on that stage, and now all I could do was wait and see if it had been enough to impress Albert.
• When I got backstage, all the other strippers were cheering and congratulating me. "I can't believe you did that!" they exclaimed in shock.
• "No one has ever gone that close to Albert before. He usually calls for his security to throw girls out for just looking at him wrong." The room was filled with a mix of amazement and envy.
• But as the initial shock wore off, the comments turned hateful.
• "Unbelievable, I can't believe she had the guts to do that. Maybe Albert was just in a good mood, that's why he didn't have his security men bounce her away from him." The other strippers started to whisper among themselves, clearly jealous of the attention I had just received.
• Just then, Sarah ran over to me, squealing in joy. "That move you pulled at the end is definitely enough to lock him in," she said, beaming with pride.
• "All we have to do now is hope that he calls you tonight." Sarah's enthusiasm was infectious. I had taken a risk by performing such a daring routine, but it seemed like it might just pay off.
• Even though I was really scared and worried, secretly I hoped that Albert would call for me. He was my chance to save my mom's life, and I had already steeled myself for this moment.
• I had prepared myself mentally, knowing that this was what I had to do. So, yes, this was what I was going to do.
• Sarah and I stayed backstage, waiting for Albert to call me to spend the night with him. Sarah told me that anytime Albert wanted to summon one of the ladies, he usually sent one of his security men backstage to do so.
• We waited and waited, our anticipation growing with each passing minute.
• Every time a large, imposing man walked by or approached us, we would stretch our necks in anticipation, hoping it was Albert's security guard coming to summon me.
• As the night wore on, it started to get late. People were already leaving, and the club was slowly emptying. Sarah and I decided to go and have a seat at the bar, still keeping a watchful eye out for any sign of Albert's security team.
• We chatted nervously, trying to distract ourselves from the wait, but our eyes kept darting towards the entrance, hoping to see the familiar sight of Albert's security guard coming to take me to him.
• "I can't believe it," I said to Sarah, shaking my head in disbelief.
• "After all the tricks and styles I showed him, he doesn't even want me. I should have just accepted the invitations from the other men and settled with them. At least Cindy said some of them would give one million for a night. I mean, that's a huge amount of money, right?"
• Sarah sighed in disappointment and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "If it was for any other reason, we would have settled for the one million a night," she said.
• "But have you forgotten that you now have less than a week to get the ten million to pay your debts? Your mom's life is at stake, Diana. We can't afford to settle for anything less."
• Her words struck a chord, and I felt a surge of determination. I scanned the room again, searching for Albert and his men, but they were nowhere to be found.
• It seemed they had taken another girl and left. I wondered if I had been foolish to think I had a chance with him.
• Feeling defeated, I was ready to give up and go home.
• I took my last sip of alcohol from my glass, tapped Sarah on the shoulder, and said, "Come on, Sarah, let's go. It's over."
• She was already half-drunk, slumped over on the counter, so she just shook her head and we gathered our bags to leave the club.
• Outside, we decided to head up to the strippers' accommodations to grab a drink, rest our heads, and wait for the sun to come up.
• We got into the elevator, and I pressed the button for the 20th floor.
• Just as the doors were closing, a huge, massive hand emerged from between them, holding them open and stopping the elevator from moving.
• When the doors opened again, Albert stepped in, one hand in his pocket and a smirk on his face. He walked in stylishly, making my heart beat fast.
• I moved away from him to the other end of the elevator, because he looked mad, and I worried that I had made him angry by pulling that stunt at the end of my dance routine.
• My anxiety crept in, and I couldn't stop overthinking it all.
• As the elevator doors closed, Albert's gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
• I tried to avoid eye contact, but I could sense him staring at me, his eyes burning with intensity. I wondered what he wanted, and why he had stopped the elevator.
• Was he going to confront me about my performance? Or was it something more? The uncertainty made my heart race even faster.
• As I stood there, lost in thought, the elevator came to a stop on our floor.
• The doors opened, and Albert turned to Sarah, saying calmly, "Get out." Sarah quickly exited, and I followed behind her, but Albert's security guard blocked the door, preventing me from leaving.
• Then, Albert turned to me and said, "You're coming with me, Sexy Ana." He gave a sly smirk as he used an intense gaze to scan my body, making me feel shy and exposed, even though I was fully clothed.
• I quietly stayed behind, without any argument, because this was the plan. I had wanted him to want me for the night, so he would pay me.
• Now, all I had to do was make him want to pay me by rocking his world. I told myself this with confidence, even though I couldn't even look him in the eye.
• I felt a mix of emotions: excitement, nerves, and a hint of fear. But I pushed those feelings aside, focusing on the task at hand. I was determined to see this through, no matter what.
• The elevator ride to the top of the building was an extremely awkward one. He didn't say a thing, and I couldn't say anything either.
• I just quietly watched him from the corner of my eyes, trying to avoid eye contact.
• Then, he finally broke the silence, saying, "You have an extremely sexy body, Sexy Ana." He spoke with seriousness in his face, his tone devoid of any playfulness.
• "Thank you," I replied almost under my breath, feeling a mix of emotions. Then, he asked, "Where's all that confidence I saw on stage, Sexy Ana?" I didn't have any reply, taken aback by his question.
• It felt weird hearing him call me Sexy Ana, so I summoned up the courage to correct him. "My name is Diana," I said, trying to sound confident.
• His face suddenly became very serious again. He didn't even respond; it was as if he didn't hear me. I just shamelessly kept quiet, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
• The silence between us grew thicker, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.
• Was he annoyed that I corrected him? Or was he just lost in thought? I couldn't read his expression, and it made me even more nervous.
• We finally arrived at his floor, which was the second to the last room in the hotel. I had heard that since he was a big investor, he owned the entire floor.
• When the elevator opened, the guard stepped out first, and Albert offered me his hand. I took it, and he led me to his room. I followed him from behind, quietly, my heart racing with anticipation.
• When we reached his door, which was the last room in the hallway, the guards opened it and then stood guard outside, allowing only Albert and me to enter.
• "Oh my God, it's time," I said to myself, taking a deep breath. I continued to talk to myself, affirming my determination.
• "I can do this, I will do this, it's all going to be worth it in the end."
• As I walked inside, I didn't know what to do with myself. Was I supposed to sit down or what? I wondered.
• Albert looked at me from the corner of his eyes, took off his jacket, and said, "I'm going to take a shower. Come take a shower with me." His voice was commanding, yet gentle, sending shivers down my spine.