Chapitre 3: Chapter 3: The First Step
Saturday night arrived faster than Emma had anticipated. Throughout the week, her classes had passed in a sort of haze, and every time she looked at her phone, Ana's message seemed to glow with a strange intensity. "This Saturday, 8 pm. Here are the details for the bar." The $1,000 advance payment was already in her bank account, but instead of feeling relieved, the weight of that transaction had crushed her.
Now, standing in front of her mirror, Emma barely recognized herself. Carla had insisted on helping her pick an outfit. "You need to look casual but irresistible," she had said, tossing her a simple black dress that Emma didn't even remember buying. It wasn't too revealing, but it hugged her body just enough to make her feel like she was exposing a part of herself she wasn't ready to show.
She looked at herself again, touching her hair, which Carla had insisted on styling in soft waves. The makeup was subtle, but her lips, painted in a bold red, screamed a sensuality that wasn't hers. "It's just a mission," she told herself, trying to convince herself. "I only have to talk to him."
But despite her attempts to calm down, Emma couldn't shake the knot in her stomach. She was about to cross a line she never thought she would. And the worst part was that once crossed, there would be no going back.
She took a taxi to the bar, which, according to Ana's directions, was an upscale place where the clientele tended to be rich and exclusive. The kind of place people go to impress others or make deals, not to remain unnoticed.
When she arrived, the night's chill hit her as she stepped out of the car. The bar was exactly as she had imagined: dim lights, soft music, and tables filled with couples or groups who seemed to have much more money than she'd ever see. She took a deep breath before walking in, forcing a smile she didn't feel.
Inside, the air was thick with expensive perfume, which made her a bit dizzy. The clinking of glasses and the sound of laughter mingled with the background music, creating a seductive atmosphere that only added to her nerves. Emma made her way to the bar and ordered a glass of water, too nervous to drink anything stronger.
"Just relax, Emma," she thought, but every fiber of her being was tense. The plan was simple: find Carlos, strike up a conversation, and get him interested enough to fall for the trap. Ana hadn't given too many details about the man, only that he'd be easy to spot because he always wore a flashy luxury watch that he liked to show off.
Minutes passed, and each time someone entered the bar, Emma's anxiety grew. Finally, a tall, well-dressed man walked in. His appearance matched Ana's description perfectly. Standing at the bar, Emma couldn't help but notice the gleam of the gold watch on his wrist.
"That must be him." Her hands trembled slightly as she watched the man take a seat at a table near the bar. He was alone, distractedly scrolling through his phone. Emma knew what she had to do, but the very thought of approaching him paralyzed her.
"It's just a conversation, it's not that hard," she told herself, trying to gather her courage. She took a step forward, then another, until she found herself walking toward him, her heart pounding in her ears.
"Hi…" Her voice sounded weak, and she almost froze when Carlos's eyes lifted to meet hers.
The man looked at her for a moment, surprised at first, but then his expression shifted to a warm, charming smile.
"Hello, gorgeous," he replied, his smile sending a shiver down Emma's spine. "Do I know you?"
Emma struggled to keep her composure. Everything she had planned to say vanished from her mind in that instant.
"No, but I thought... I'd like to get to know you," she replied, cursing internally at how nervous she sounded.
Carlos chuckled softly and gestured for her to sit. "It's just flirting, that's all," she reminded herself. She sat down across from him, hyper-aware of her every move, feeling her pulse race more than she cared to admit.
The first minute was awkward. Emma could barely hold a coherent conversation, her words stumbling out awkwardly. But Carlos seemed to enjoy the situation, probably used to women far more experienced than her. That only made her feel even more out of place.
"What am I doing here?" she thought over and over.
As the conversation continued, Emma tried to relax. This wasn't the first time she had talked to a man, but this one was different. She knew what he represented, knew she was there not by chance, but because she was part of a calculated plan. A plan that made her feel dirty.
After a few minutes, Carlos ordered another drink and smiled.
"You know, you're very beautiful. Has anyone ever told you that?"
Emma felt a strange mix of discomfort and guilt. This man was complimenting her without knowing that she was nothing but a trap. But something in his tone, in his gaze, made the sense of control she had tried to maintain completely vanish.
"Thank you," she replied, unsure of what else to say. The guilt hit her again.
The conversation went on, but Emma could barely focus. The pressure of what she was doing was too much. She was there to seduce him, and although she hadn't crossed any line, she knew she was playing with fire.
"Would you like to go somewhere quieter?" Carlos asked, leaning in toward her with a smile that, under different circumstances, might have melted her.
Emma felt her throat tighten. She knew that's what she was supposed to achieve, but the idea of going somewhere more private with him terrified her.
"I'm sorry, I... I have to go," she said suddenly, standing up from the table before he could react.
Carlos looked perplexed as Emma hurried away, her heart pounding in her chest. She had failed. She couldn't go through with the plan, couldn't do what she was supposed to do. She rushed toward the exit, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes. Outside, the cold breeze hit her like a splash of ice water.
She had failed her first mission. Now what?
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Antoniorodo
Antoniorodo "Hi everyone! I hope you're enjoying Emma's journey so far. In this chapter, we see Emma's first real challenge, and things don't exactly go as planned... But don't worry, this is just the beginning of her transformation. The tension is only going to get higher from here!
What do you think about Emma’s first steps into this new world? Do you think she'll be able to handle what's coming next? Let me know in the comments! Your thoughts and feedback mean everything to me, and I'd love to hear what you think of the story so far.
Thanks so much for reading, and stay tuned for the next chapter! "
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone