The sun was setting as Emma arrived at the place where Ana had asked her to meet. It was a small, elegant restaurant, discreet, where the sophisticated atmosphere and dim lights seemed designed to conceal secrets. Emma had been mentally repeating to herself all afternoon that this was just the beginning, the first step on a new path she had consciously chosen. But despite her attempts to calm herself, the nervousness lingered, lurking in every corner of her mind.
When she entered, she spotted Ana at a table in the corner. She appeared comfortable and relaxed, checking her phone while sipping a glass of white wine. Her outfit was impeccable as always: a simple yet elegant suit that radiated power and control. As she looked up and saw Emma, she smiled in a way Emma hadn't expected. The smile was genuine, almost warm.
"Emma, dear, I'm glad to see you," she greeted, gesturing for her to sit across from her.
Emma, feeling uneasy, took a seat. She still wasn't sure how to behave around Ana. Was this woman her mentor, her boss, or something far more dangerous?
"Hi, Ana." Her voice sounded weaker than she had hoped. Was she ready for this?
Ana took another sip of wine before speaking.
"I know you must have a lot of doubts, and that's fine. It's normal to feel a bit... lost at first. But don't worry, I'll be with you every step of the way. I want you to learn well, to understand how this world works before you dive in on your own," Ana said, leaning her elbows on the table, her posture exuding both authority and closeness.
Emma nodded, though she wasn't quite sure where to begin.
"How... how does all of this really work?" Emma asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Ana smiled slightly, as if the question was a familiar one.
"The first thing you need to understand, Emma, is that this is a game. A game where you must always be one step ahead, and where you can't afford to doubt. You can't be the shy girl who runs from difficult situations. Here, you must take control. You have to be the one guiding others, even if they don't know it," Ana explained, her calm tone almost unnerving.
Emma frowned, trying to process everything. Although Ana spoke with such certainty, the idea of manipulating someone still felt difficult to accept. The sense of doing something morally wrong wouldn't leave her, but then she remembered her mother's debt and the weight of the pressure on her shoulders.
"And what if I'm not ready?" Emma asked, her voice betraying a hint of insecurity.
Ana leaned in, locking her eyes onto Emma's.
"You will be. Don't worry. This job takes practice and patience. It's not something you learn overnight, but that's why I'm here. I'm your teacher. And I assure you, if you follow my guidance, you'll learn to handle yourself as if you've always belonged in this world."
Emma felt a strange mix of fear and admiration for Ana. On the one hand, her calm confidence was intimidating, but on the other, there was something in her voice that gave Emma a sense of reassurance. Ana didn't see her as a novice. She saw her as someone capable.
Ana continued, gesturing gracefully as she spoke.
"The main objective of this business isn't just to catch husbands in the act. We're not simple seductresses. This is much more sophisticated. We are strategists. Yes, we work for the wives, but we do it by ensuring they get exactly what they need. Sometimes that means an innocent date, other times a compromising message. It all depends on the client and what's required to guarantee things turn out the way we want."
Emma listened intently. The way Ana described the work was much more complex than she had imagined. It wasn't just about seducing married men. It was about understanding people, reading their vulnerabilities, and acting accordingly. Everything seemed coldly calculated.
"Each man is different. Some will fall at the first touch, others will require time. But the most important thing is that you always remain in control," Ana continued, leaning in slightly as if sharing an important secret. "Never let them think they have power over you."
A chill ran down Emma's spine at those words. Control. That's what Ana was teaching her: how to control people, how to manipulate the situation so that things always went in her favor. The rational part of Emma still resisted the idea, but something about the way Ana spoke made it all seem... almost reasonable.
"I understand," Emma murmured, though she wasn't sure if she truly did.
Ana smiled again, this time with a hint of satisfaction.
"Don't worry if you don't fully grasp it at first. That's why we're here. Practice will give you the confidence you need." Ana paused, as if evaluating Emma. "And believe me, you have potential. It's just a matter of time before you realize it."
The way Ana said it made Emma begin to doubt herself less. Could she really do this? Ana seemed to think so, and her confidence was almost contagious.
"And how do we start?" Emma asked, surprised by how direct she sounded.
Ana leaned back slightly, crossing her arms with a satisfied expression.
"We'll start slowly. Don't worry, I won't throw you into the deep end without teaching you how to swim first. You'll have your first task soon, something simple to get you accustomed. I'll be close by the whole time, to make sure you don't feel lost," Ana said reassuringly.
Despite Ana's words, Emma couldn't shake the wave of nerves. The fact that she was now part of this, that she had committed to moving forward, made her feel as if she were walking a tightrope. But at the same time, Ana's confidence and her role as a mentor offered a strange sense of comfort. She wasn't alone.
"Thank you," Emma murmured, feeling that she meant it.
Ana nodded, taking her glass of wine and studying Emma for a moment before continuing.
"You don't need to thank me. Just remember, once you're fully in this world, there's no turning back. But that doesn't mean you'll be alone. I'll be here to guide you whenever you need. What's important is that you learn to trust yourself and your abilities. You're stronger than you think, Emma."
Emma absorbed those words, feeling a mix of unease and acceptance. Maybe Ana was right. Maybe she was stronger than she thought.
They rose from the table shortly after, and as they walked toward the exit, Emma felt that something inside her had changed. The doubts were still there, but they were smaller. More manageable. And although Ana remained someone who intimidated her, Emma had begun to see another side of her: a mentor.
A teacher.
"Hey everyone! In this chapter, we really start to see Ana take on the role of a mentor for Emma. It’s a complex relationship—on one hand, Ana is teaching Emma valuable survival skills, but on the other, she’s leading her deeper into a world where emotions are liabilities.
How do you feel about Ana? Do you think she genuinely cares for Emma, or is she just using her for her own benefit?
Emma’s learning curve is steep, and I think we’ll see her struggle more as she tries to balance her new knowledge with the remnants of her old self. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how Emma is evolving and whether you think she’s ready for what’s coming next.
As always, thank you for reading and for all your amazing support! Let’s see where Emma’s journey takes us next. "