C1 A Whole New World

Tatiana had always dreamed of leaving her small town behind and exploring the wider world. Growing up in Marimbu, a rural community in the heart of the Brazilian countryside, she had always felt restless, yearning for something more than the familiar routines and faces of her hometown. So when she received her acceptance letter from Mount Wall University, she knew that this was her chance to break free and pursue her ambitions.

As she packed her bags and said goodbye to her family, Tatiana felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She knew that life in The City of Neptune, the bustling metropolis where her university was located, would be very different from the quiet, slow-paced existence she had known in Marimbu. But she was determined to embrace this new chapter in her life and make the most of every opportunity that came her way.

Little did she know, however, that her journey to The City of Neptune would be fraught with danger and peril, as she became entangled in a shadowy underworld of club hosting and wealthy men who preyed on vulnerable young girls. Tatiana's dreams of a bright future would soon be replaced by a living nightmare, as she struggled to survive in a city that was far more treacherous than she could have ever imagined.

Tatiana stood on the dusty front porch of her family's small house in Marimbu, a backpack slung over her shoulder and a sense of anticipation and nervousness in her chest. Her parents and younger brother stood beside her, tears in their eyes as they hugged her tightly.

"I can't believe you're really going, mija," her mother said, her voice thick with emotion. "It seems like just yesterday you were a little girl running around the yard." Tatiana smiled, her heart full of love for her family. "I know, Mama. But I'm ready for a new adventure. And Mount Wall University is such a great opportunity for me."

Her father cleared his throat, trying to hide his own tears. "Just promise us you'll be careful, hija. The City of Neptune can be a dangerous place, especially for a young woman like you." Tatiana nodded, her mind filled with images of the bright lights and bustling streets of the big city. "I'll be careful, Papa. I promise." Her brother, Luka, hugged her fiercely. "I'm going to miss you so much, Tata," he whispered. "Who am I going to play soccer with now?"

Tatiana laughed, feeling a bittersweet ache in her chest. "Don't worry, little brother. We'll play again soon enough." As the final goodbye approached, Tatiana felt a lump in her throat. She hugged her family one last time, taking in the familiar smells and sounds of her childhood home.

"I love you all so much," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'll call as soon as I get to the city." And with that, she turned and walked down the dirt path that led away from her family's house, her heart heavy with both sorrow and excitement for the new chapter of her life that lay ahead.

Tatiana boarded the bus to The City of Neptune with a sense of excitement and anticipation bubbling in her chest. She had said her goodbyes to her family and was ready to embark on a new adventure at Mount Wall University. As she found her seat and settled in, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness. The City of Neptune was a big, bustling metropolis, and she had never been there before. But she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the opportunities and possibilities that lay ahead.

Just as she was starting to relax, she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Tatiana? Is that you?" She turned around to see her ex-boyfriend, Paulo, standing in the aisle with a surprised look on his face. They had dated briefly in high school, but things had ended badly between them. “Tatiana, I can't believe it's really you," Paulo said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "What are you doing on this bus?" Tatiana felt a rush of conflicting emotions. She wasn't sure she wanted to talk to Paulo, but at the same time, she didn't want to be rude. "I'm on my way to Mount Wall University," she said, trying to keep her tone polite but distant.

Paulo nodded. "Oh, cool. I'm actually headed to the city for a job interview. Maybe we'll run into each other again." Tatiana smiled weakly, feeling a sense of relief when Paulo took his seat a few rows behind her. She wasn't sure she wanted to reconnect with her ex, especially now that she was starting a new chapter of her life.

Instead, she leaned back in her seat and gazed out the window at the passing scenery. The fields and hills of Marimbu gave way to the urban landscape of the city, with its towering skyscrapers and endless traffic. Despite the bump in the road that was seeing Paulo again, Tatiana couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what lay ahead. She was ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the big city, and she knew that she was destined for great things.

After a long and tiring four-hour journey, Tatiana's bus finally pulled into the station in The City of Neptune. She grabbed her backpack and made her way off the bus, feeling a sense of relief and exhaustion wash over her. As she looked around, trying to get her bearings in the busy station, she saw a familiar face in the crowd. It was her cousin Ruth, whom she had spoken to on the phone a few days earlier. Ruth had lived in the city for several years, and Tatiana was grateful for her guidance and support.

"Tati! Over here!" Ruth called, waving her arm above her head. Tatiana made her way through the throngs of people, her heart lifting at the sight of her cousin's warm smile. Ruth was taller and thinner than Tatiana remembered, with stylish clothes and perfectly coiffed hair. “Ruth, it's so good to see you," Tatiana said, feeling a sense of gratitude for her cousin's presence. "Thanks for meeting me here."

Ruth hugged Tatiana tightly. "Of course, cousin. I wouldn't let you navigate this city alone. How was the trip?" Tatiana grinned, feeling a sense of relief at the familiar face. "Long, but I'm glad to be here. I can't wait to explore the city and start my classes at Mount Wall University." Ruth nodded, a glint of mischief in her eye. "Oh, you'll have plenty of time to explore, Tati. I've got some exciting plans for us this weekend." Tatiana raised an eyebrow, feeling a sense of curiosity and apprehension. "What kind of plans?" Ruth winked, her grin widening. "You'll just have to wait and see, cousin. Let's grab your bags and get out of here. The city is waiting for us."

As Ruth led Tatiana out of the bustling station and into the warm evening air, Tatiana couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. The city was alive with energy, the streets crowded with people and the air thick with the scent of food and smoke. As they made their way to Ruth's apartment, Tatiana couldn't help but notice the impressive buildings and high-end shops that lined the streets. She had never seen so much wealth and luxury in her small town of Marimbu.

When they finally arrived at Ruth's apartment building, Tatiana was struck by its grandeur and elegance. The lobby was decorated with marble floors and plush furniture, and the walls were adorned with elaborate paintings and sculptures. As they made their way up to Ruth's apartment, Tatiana couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise and awe at her cousin's seemingly endless wealth and luxury. When Ruth opened the door to her apartment, Tatiana's eyes widened in amazement.

The apartment was massive, with high ceilings, sleek modern furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city. Tatiana couldn't help but feel a sense of envy as she looked around the spacious living room and gourmet kitchen. “Wow, Ruth," Tatiana breathed, feeling a sense of awe at the opulence of her cousin's home. "This is amazing. How did you afford all of this?". Ruth shrugged, a coy smile playing on her lips. "I do some freelance work, and I've been lucky with a few investments. Plus, I've got a few connections in high places." Tatiana nodded, feeling a sense of admiration and envy. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have such wealth and luxury at her fingertips. As Ruth gave her a quick tour of the apartment and showed her to her guest room, Tatiana couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the weekend ahead. She had a feeling that Ruth's plans for them were going to be wild and unforgettable.

After settling in, Tatiana and Ruth sat down on the plush living room sofa with glasses of red wine in hand. The city skyline glittered outside the window, and the sound of music and laughter echoed through the streets below. “So, what do you think of the city so far?" Ruth asked, taking a sip of her wine.

Tatiana smiled, feeling a sense of excitement at the prospect of exploring the city. "It's amazing, Ruth. I've never seen anything like it. The energy, the people, everything is just so different from Marimbu." Ruth chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, just wait until you see what the city has to offer. I've got some plans for us this weekend that will blow your mind."

Tatiana's heart skipped a beat at the thought of what Ruth had in store for them. She had a feeling that it was going to be wild and unforgettable. The conversation turned to love life, and Ruth leaned in, her eyes dancing with mischief. "So, any cute boys catch your eye on the bus ride over?". Tatiana blushed, feeling a sense of embarrassment at the thought of her ex-boyfriend. "Well, actually, I bumped into my ex on the bus ride over. It was awkward, but I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life." Ruth nodded, a sympathetic expression on her face. "Yeah, sometimes you just have to move on and leave the past behind. You never know what kind of bad boys you'll meet in the city."

Tatiana's heart raced at the thought of the kind of men she might meet in the city. She had a feeling that things were going to get exciting, and she was ready for whatever adventure lay ahead.

The next morning, Tatiana awoke to find herself alone in the apartment. She stretched, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face as she sat up and glanced around the room. To her surprise, she noticed a few girls scattered around the living room, looking like they had just woken up. Confused and slightly alarmed, Tatiana got out of bed and walked over to the living room. "Uh, Ruth, who are these girls?" she asked, gesturing towards them.

Ruth emerged from her bedroom, a sly smile on her face. "Oh, they're just a few of my friends from work. We had a wild night out, and they crashed here." Tatiana raised an eyebrow, feeling skeptical. "Work? What kind of work?". Ruth hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Oh, just some club hosting. You know, the usual. But don't worry, Tatiana, I'm not involved in anything shady. We're just having some fun." Tatiana nodded, feeling unsure about the situation but not wanting to press the issue. She went to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in her stomach.

As the morning progressed, Tatiana couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. She noticed that Ruth kept sneaking off to the bathroom to take phone calls, and the girls in the living room seemed to be on edge, avoiding her gaze. Finally, Tatiana decided to confront Ruth about what was really going on. "Ruth, I can tell something's not right. Why were those girls really here?".

Ruth looked uncomfortable, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "Okay, I'll level with you, Tatiana. Those girls are working girls, and I sometimes help them out by providing a safe place to crash." Tatiana's heart sank as she realized what Ruth was involved in. She felt a sense of disappointment and betrayal, but at the same time, she couldn't help feeling drawn to the dangerous and exciting world that Ruth was a part of.

As they sat on the couch, Ruth began to talk about her job as a club hostess. "It's such a fun job, Tati. You get to meet so many interesting people, and the money is great too." Tatiana listened with a critical ear, already sensing that there was more to the story than Ruth was letting on. "What kind of people do you meet?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Ruth shrugged. "Oh, just wealthy businessmen, celebrities, that kind of thing. They come to the club to have a good time, and we make sure they do." Tatiana couldn't help but feel skeptical. "And how do you make sure they have a good time?". Ruth's eyes darted around the room, and Tatiana could see her cousin growing uncomfortable. "We just chat with them, get them drinks, make them feel welcome. It's all innocent, I promise."

Tatiana could tell that Ruth was lying, but she didn't want to push the issue. Instead, she decided to do some investigating on her own. That night, when Ruth headed out to work at the club, Tatiana decided to follow her. As she entered the club, Tatiana was hit by a wave of noise and excitement. The club was packed with people, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and perfume. Tatiana quickly spotted Ruth, dressed in a tight, revealing outfit, chatting with a group of men at the bar.

Sweet Tatiana has just stepped into a whole new world .. .