CHAPTER FORTY THREE – THE ELITE EXPERIENCE

The sun was high in the sky as Cassie sat across from Jenna at their favorite café. It had been weeks since they'd last caught up, and Cassie found herself both eager and hesitant to share her experiences at the Grey Room. "So, spill," Jenna said, stirring her latte. "How's life in the lap of luxury?" Cassie laughed, but it sounded hollow even to her own ears. "It's... complicated." Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how? I thought this was your dream job." Cassie sighed, absently pushing her salad around her plate. "It is, in many ways. The money's great, the clients are interesting, and I'm learning so much. But..." "But?" Jenna prompted. "There's more going on there than I initially realized," Cassie said carefully. "It's not just a high-end club. There are all these undercurrents, power plays, secrets. Sometimes I feel like I'm in way over my head." Jenna frowned. "That sounds intense. Are you sure it's safe?" Cassie thought about the confrontation between Mr. Holloway a