The gnawing silence lingered between them lingered further as Denzel and Sophia stared at each other.

Sophia’s gaze trembled slightly as she looked at him, a flicker of shock passing through her eyes.

For a brief moment, she froze completely. Then, almost imperceptibly, she shook her head and forced a smile onto her face.

It was the same strained, artificial smile Antonia had given Denzel when he first walked into the massage parlor.

She lowered her head slightly, turning over to Antonia.

"Yes, Miss Antonia. How can I help you?"

Denzel stood motionless for a moment.

He subtly turned his face away, masking any hint of recognition.

’Shit....stay calm. Don’t let it show that you know her...it seems she’s hiding her true identity...that is the only way to explain why she is going by Karen here’

Slowly, he shifted his attention back toward Antonia instead.

’She’s my sister... but if I react now, everything falls apart...At least I know my ability will work on her without issue, aiding me to get the job, and probably some ass too... but why the hell is she here?’ 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Before he could think further, Antonia’s voice cut through the silence.

Her tone was calm, but observant.

"Do you two know each other?"

A brief pause followed.

Sophia answered immediately.

"No. We don’t."

Denzel’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’She’s lying...No question about it.’

But he said nothing.

Antonia studied them for a few seconds longer, then shrugged it off

"Alright. Never mind."

She turned her attention back to Sophia.

"Karen deat, this customer here claims he possesses what he calls ’well-rounded magical hands.’"

Her eyes briefly flicked toward Denzel.

"He says he can perform massages just as well as anyone here."

Arms crossing, she continued.

"I want you to test him. Determine whether he’s telling the truth... or just another man looking for an excuse to get close to our clients."

Denzel tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk forming.

"A bit harsh to say that right in front of me, isn’t it?" Denzel bluntly cut in as he exhaled softly.

Antonia’s expression remained unchanged.

"I’m simply being honest," she said evenly.

"I’ve dealt with enough types of men here."

Denzel’s smirk slowly faded.

His eyes narrowed as he glanced at her.

’This woman really acts like she’s seen it all.’

Under his breath, low and sharp, he muttered,

’Hmm...this bitch better watch her mouth.’

His gaze hardened.

’Or I might just add her to the list of people that’ll make their ass ache.’

Antonia then continued, "Well...Mr. Magic fingers, I suppose you’re prepared already, so it shouldn’t be a difficult task for you to handle..."

"...Karen, I just need complete honesty."

Sophia nodded slightly, giving Denzel one last brief glance.

"I can do that." she said.

Denzel stood quietly, watching.

’She really wants to keep going by Karen? This bitch got alot of explaining to do...although, I do gotta wonder, do I really need to use the skill? She’s my sister... she’ll probably cover for me...hmm, is that why she didn’t want Antonia to know we’re related?’

Antonia spoke again.

"Alright then. Take him to one of the massage rooms. Let’s get this done."

And so, that was what happened.

Denzel followed Sophia as she gestured for him to come with her.

They moved through the door she had just come from, entering a corridor lined with several rooms on both sides, each sealed with simple wooden doors.

Sophia walked ahead until she reached the far end of the corridor and stopped in front of one of the doors.

Her hand rested on the handle.

Then she paused.

Slowly, she turned her head to look back at Denzel.

Something in her expression had changed.

The polite, practiced smile she had worn moments ago faded, her eyes flickering with caution as she glanced around.

Antonia was no longer in sight.

In an instant, Sophia turned fully toward him.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Denzel frowned slightly, caught off guard.

"What do you mean, what am I doing here?"

Sophia’s eyes narrowed.

"The question speaks for itself. Why are you in a massage parlor of all places?"

Denzel exhaled through his nose, trying to stay calm.

"Isn’t it obvious? I’m looking for a job. I should be the one asking you questions."

Sophia squinted at him.

"It’s... complicated."

Denzel stepped a little closer.

"So complicated that you couldn’t tell us you were working here? We all thought you were out with friends or something."

His tone hardened slightly.

"Is this really what you do with your time? Working in a place like this?"

He paused briefly.

"Even if you did wanna work here, you could have helped with a few bills at home. Mom needed it, didn’t she?"

Sophia’s expression tightened. Her gaze dropped to the floor for a moment.

"I see.... it’s complicated."

Denzel’s eyes narrowed.

"It’s you. You just won’t understand, Denzel."

He stepped forward again.

"Then make me understand."

Silence stretched between them.

Sophia lowered her head, staring at the ground. Her expression was conflicted, as though she was fighting an internal battle.

After a long moment, she finally looked up again.

"You wouldn’t understand," she said quietly.

Then she shook her head.

"I’m sorry....but I’d really prefer if you kept this a secret."

Her voice softened further.

"I hope you won’t be upset with what I’m about to say, but I can’t have you involved in this part of my life."

A pause.

Then, more firmly

"I’m sorry....but I can’t let you take this job."

As he heard this, anyone else would have been shocked that they thought she was his sister.

To a normal person, hearing this coming from their sister, it could be seen as betrayal.

But for Denzel, standing there in that moment, his reaction was different.

His eyes slowly squinted as a thought formed in his mind.

’Huh? Is this bitch really trying to stand against me? Does she have any idea what I’m capable of? She really thinks she has the control gear in this situation?...’

His jaw tightened slightly as his expression darkened.

’Perhaps I should make her understand that bitches that wanna stand up to me, get nothing more than a proper ass fucking.’