Page 27 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

“My job? Oh, I’m afraid it’s nowhere near as exciting as dancing. I handle a lot of administrative work for my family’s company. I like immersing myself in things but for the most part, it’s just tons of paperwork with proofreading, organizing shipments and exports.”

“Sounds like a blast,” laughs Isla.

“The money is good but that’s about it. I don’t get a lot of fulfillment from it but then again, I didn’t have much of a choice when it came to my career. When you’re born into a family business, you’re expected to follow suit.”

“It beats being owned though.”

I nod, unsure of what to say to that.

“Well,” I mutter. “What do you like to do for fun, Isla?”

“There’s nothing here that’s fun for me. I know that sounds sad but it’s true. At least with my old job, I got to dance and let myself loose on the stage. There’s not much else I did outside of that, so coming here has been a shock.”

“I suppose you feel a bit exposed?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Maybe I’ll find a new hobby but for the time being, I’m just trying to get by.”

“I get that,” I say calmly. “Isla?”

“Yeah?” she asks, returning her gaze to me. She’s so beautiful that I almost forget what I’m about to tell her.

“If there’s anything I can do to make your stay here a little better, let me know. I can’t change how my brother is but maybe there’s other things I can do for you, even if it’s some food from your favorite spot in the city, I can do that no problem.”

“I, uh…” she stutters, her mouth forming into a smirk. “I appreciate that Aiken.”

Our eyes lock for a moment. A sparkle comes within the flicker of her pupils before she rises to her feet.

“I better get to bed. I’ve got another long day ahead tomorrow.”

“Oh yeah of course. I’ll walk you back.”

“Thanks for this,” she says, her tone heartfelt and genuine. “I needed it.”

10

ISLA

TEN.

I used to think that working in the club was difficult.

Now as I think back to those days when I spent hours exercising, to ensure that I was strong enough to vault myself in the air on a pole, and the way I thought that was difficult, I want to laugh.

Right now, I am on my knees in the small, outdoor courtyard of the Detlar’s manor, scrubbing the tiled floors.

I know that this job is meant for the groundskeeper that takes care of all the outdoor maintenance.

But Talara, in her hatred of me, has forced me to do it. It is just one thing on a very long list of chores that I do every day.

My knees are dry and hard and the skin on them is starting to break. Again, my thoughts are dragged back to the past.

Back to the club.

Thinking back now, I realize that Everin actually took really good care of me, even if it was only because I was his greatest commodity.

I sit up and look down at my hands. The hot water and disinfectant soap that I am forced to use has dried my hands out completely. The skin on my palms is an ugly, glaring red and sudden, hot tears well up in the corners of my eyes.

“Are you okay?” The voice is soft. It comes from the doorway that leads from the manor to the courtyard.

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