Chapter 5
Evangelina
I honestly can’t believe I let Greer talk me into working at Club Greed, but as I get ready for my first night, nerves race through me. I can do this for Nate. I have to.
Devereaux was true to his word about keeping my identity hidden, and as Adele, the assistant manager, introduces me to a few of the girls, I breathe in a sense of relief. I’ve worn a short black bob wig and applied my makeup heavily.
I hardly recognize myself in the mirror. My natural hair, normally a soft baby-blonde, is completely hidden beneath the sleek, jet-black wig that frames my face in a chic, edgy style. My eyes, usually understated with minimal makeup, are now accentuated with dramatic smoky eyeshadow, bold eyeliner, and thick, voluminous lashes. The transformation is completed with deep red lipstick that makes my lips look fuller and more alluring.
My outfit is just as daring. I’ve squeezed into a form-fitting black dress that clings to my curves, ending just above the knee. The neckline plunges more than I’m used to, revealing a hint of cleavage, and the back is almost completely open, adding an extra touch of sensuality. Black stiletto heels add height, making my legs look longer and leaner. I’ve accessorized with a few pieces of statement jewelry—a pair of glittering chandelier earrings and a chunky bracelet that catches the light every time I move.
As I follow Adele through the club, I notice the opulent décor. The main floor is dimly lit, with plush velvet couches and low tables scattered throughout, creating intimate seating areas. The walls are lined with rich, dark fabrics that add to the sultry ambiance. Soft, pulsating music fills the air, mingling with the low hum of conversation and occasional bursts of laughter.
The girls I meet are friendly and welcoming, each one more glamorous than the next. Their outfits range from elegant cocktail dresses to more revealing lingerie, but all are impeccably styled and confident in their roles. Adele points out different areas of the club—the bar, the VIP lounge, the dance floor—and gives me a brief rundown of my duties for the night.
As the time to start my shift approaches, my nerves return, but I remind myself why I’m doing this. Taking a deep breath, I adjust my wig one last time and step out onto the floor, ready to embrace this new, daring persona.
I can do this.
Confidence bursts through me as I follow another server around tonight. She teaches me how to work the computer, showing me the intricate details of the ordering system and the club's unique procedures.
“Oh my God, Benedict is coming in tonight,” Flower says excitedly. She’s one of the more experienced servers, with bright blue hair and an infectious energy. “Lina, you’re going to lose your shit when you see him.”
I have everyone calling me Lina as my new name. I think it fits. “Who is he?” I ask, curious but still focused on the tasks at hand. Before Flower can even respond, the atmosphere in the club changes dramatically.
All eyes gravitate toward the front door, and I’m stunned by who I see. Father Carmichael?
“What is he doing here?” I whisper more to myself than anyone else, my mind racing.
The priest, dressed in casual yet sophisticated attire, walks in with an air of confidence. His presence is commanding, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. His usual calm demeanor is replaced with a relaxed, almost enigmatic aura, and it’s disconcerting to see him in such a different environment.
Flower, noticing my reaction, leans in. “You know him?” she asks, her eyes wide with curiosity.
I nod slowly. “He’s the priest at the church I’ve been attending. This is the last place I’d expect to see him.”
She chuckles. “Well, it’s Club Greed. You never know who you’ll run into here.”
As I try to process the sight of Father Carmichael in this setting, the club’s vibrant energy continues to swirl around me. The dim lighting casts a seductive glow over everything, and the deep bass of the music thrums in my chest. The air is thick with the mingling scents of expensive perfumes and colognes, adding to the intoxicating atmosphere.
He stalks toward us, and thankfully there’s no recognition on his part. Phew. I was so afraid he’d recognize me that I almost forgot to breathe.
He breezes past us, heading for the grand marble staircase near the edge of the club. With swift movements, he makes his way upstairs and out of eyesight.
Wow.
I continue working, settling into a steady rhythm as the night progresses, but my mind still races on what Father Carmichael is doing here.
How often does he come here?
“What’s upstairs?” I ask Flower.
She smiles, brushing her blue hair off her shoulder. “Offices, and a few VIP rooms.”
“Do you know what Father, I mean, Benedict does up there?”
Flower winks. “We’ve taken bets. Some think he’s watching cameras in a special room. Others think he’s having wild kinky sex with women. Who knows?”
I glance upstairs, and try to imagine Benedict with other women. He’s taken a vow, right? Aren’t priests celibate?
For the next few hours, I immerse myself in taking care of my customers. I focus on ensuring everyone’s drink needs are met, allowing myself to get lost in the rhythm of the job. The club is a whirlwind of activity, with people laughing, talking, and dancing. The lights flash in time with the pulsating music, creating an almost hypnotic effect.
I’m so busy that I forget all about the priest upstairs, until I catch sight of him on the staircase. He’s descending slowly, and for a moment, it’s as if time stands still.
Father Carmichael really is quite gorgeous. His blue eyes cast a spell on everyone in the club tonight, including me. They’re the kind of eyes that seem to look right through you, intense and captivating. His dark hair is perfectly styled, a bit longer than what you’d expect from a priest, adding to his striking appearance. His jawline is strong and chiseled, and there’s a certain ruggedness to his features that makes him undeniably attractive.
He’s dressed in a tailored black suit that fits him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean frame. The open collar of his crisp white shirt gives him a relaxed, approachable look.
People in the club glance his way, their conversations pausing momentarily as he passes by. There’s a subtle, almost magnetic pull that he seems to have over the room.
I try to shake off my surprise and return to my work, but it’s difficult to ignore the enigmatic figure now mingling with the patrons. His appearance here raises so many questions in my mind, but I push them aside for now. I need to stay focused on my job and the reason I’m here.
As the night continues, I find myself glancing toward him more often than I’d like to admit. Each time our eyes meet, a shiver runs down my spine, and I quickly look away, hoping he didn’t notice. It’s a strange, almost surreal experience seeing him in this setting, and it’s hard to reconcile the two very different images of him in my mind.
But no matter how distracting his presence might be, I remind myself of my purpose here. For Nate. He’s my everything, and I need to make this work for his sake. With renewed determination, I dive back into my tasks, ensuring every customer leaves satisfied and every drink is served with a smile.
“Will you make sure he’s okay?” Flower asks me, nodding toward Father Carmichael who sits at a table nearby.
“Um, sure.” On shaky legs, I make my way closer to him. My heart beats frantically in my chest, and I’m so nervous he might recognize me. “Hello,” I say to him, trying to speak a little lower than usual.
His eyes quickly scan over me. “A whiskey sour, please.”
I nod and head off toward the server’s area to ring in his drink. I blow out a deep breath, thankful this night is going so well, and that he doesn’t recognize me. I don’t know what I’d do if he did.
I wait for his drink at the bar, and Joey, the bartender smiles at me as he hands me Benedict’s drink. I walk it over to Benedict, and place it on a beverage napkin in front of him. “Here you are.”
“I’ve never seen you here before. Are you new?”
I nod. “I am. You must come here a lot.”
Now it’s his turn to nod. “I work in many areas of life. Sometimes God’s plan isn’t clear.”
My eyes widen as he mentions God in a sex club. It’s almost like it isn’t allowed.
“Life has a funny way of presenting itself.” I could go into details about all the things God has thrown my way. Like he wants me to suffer most of all. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Are you allowed to sit with me?” he asks me.
“Well, it’s my first night working here. I’m not sure if it’s really allowed.”
He nods, taking a sip of his drink. “I understand. I’m just looking for some company.”
My eyes widen at the implication, and Flower steps up behind me.
“I see you’ve met Lina,” she says to him.
His smile is infectious. “Lina,” he whispers the name more to himself. “I was just asking Lina if she wouldn’t mind keeping me company before I head home.”
Flower smiles wide. “Sure. She’d love to.” She nudges me into the seat next to Benedict.
I sit down, crossing my legs, and leaning my elbow along the table. “What do you do for work?” I ask him as soon as Flower’s left the table. I want to see if he’ll be honest about where he works.
He is. “I’m the priest over at St. Paul’s.”
I’m astonished he’s talking so openly about his job. “And as a priest do you think you should be visiting a sex club.”
He leans closer to me. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
I laugh lightly. “Okay.”
“You look familiar. Have we met before?”
I shake my head. “No, definitely not.” I can’t let him know he’s definitely met me before. I can’t let anyone know who I really am. I don’t even know how that would look in my court case.