A cool evening descended on the city, draping the streets in a thin veil of dampness. Nadezhda Levitskaya, or simply Nadia, a successful businesswoman running her own software development company, received an invitation that promised more than just a regular business meeting. After leaving her previous company, where she had climbed to the top of career privileges using every lever of influence, Nadia founded her own business. A new contract became a real breakthrough for her company, allowing her to hire professional managers and focus on strategic issues. But success didn’t fill the inner void that craved new, unexplored sensations.
“Come to the address I’ll provide through a courier,” a cold, commanding voice said over the phone.
Upon arrival, she was greeted with formal politeness.
“Hello, please show your invitation,” said the guard at the entrance to a building hidden behind an unremarkable facade.
Nadia handed over the envelope, and they escorted her inside, where the atmosphere shifted instantly. The air was thick with a strange mix of scents—leather, metal, and something faintly stirring. Dim lamplight reflected off dark walls, creating the feeling of stepping into another world where the rules of ordinary life no longer applied.
“Hello, I’m Maxim, Maxim Orlov, the owner of this club. If you’ve made it here, you’ve passed the first test. Who vetted you?” The tall, fit man looked at her with cold confidence.
“Igor,” Nadia replied curtly, trying to hide her nerves.
“Got it. He always sends us vibrant personalities. You understand that here, you’re paid, not the other way around? Those who pass the tests aren’t clients; they work according to a pre-written script. You must follow the hierarchy,” his voice was an order, leaving no room for objection.
“Yes, my lord,” she replied, lowering her gaze.
“Stop it. We’re not in the office yet, though if you wish, you can call me that anytime. But the second test is conducted by me personally. Only after it can you work with clients,” he continued, pointing down a long corridor.
“Understood, my lord,” Nadia repeated, feeling a strange mix of fear and anticipation growing inside her.
“Have you eaten today? If so, preparation will be needed. It’s not an issue; everything will be arranged. The key is not to lie. If asked, answer truthfully, or you’ll be dismissed. Though I doubt it’ll come to that. You can also become a client, but at double the price. Everything you do, say, and especially what you don’t do or say, matters. Silence and inaction are also actions,” his words sounded like the rules of a game she was just beginning to grasp.
“Understood, my lord,” she nodded.
“You’ll be escorted. Go further down the corridor,” Maxim directed.
A girl in a white coat met her, her smile too mechanical. She led Nadia to a procedural room, sterile and cold, like an operating theater. After the necessary preparations, she was pointed further along.
“Now exit and follow the corridor with the green light,” the girl said.
Nadia entered the room, and the light behind her switched to red. The doors closed with a metallic click, reminiscent of a car lock snapping shut. Her heart raced, but curiosity overpowered fear, keeping her mind afloat despite the storm of emotions within.
“Stand. Now show yourself as you’d like to be seen. I need a presentation of your essence,” Maxim’s voice came from the shadows, commanding and demanding.
“Understood, my lord,” Nadia replied, striving to remain calm.
Maxim sat in a leather chair by a window covered with heavy blinds, making the room feel even more enclosed. Light fell in narrow strips, casting shadows across his face, rendering his expression unreadable. Nadia shed the last of her clothes—a black T-shirt left after the wardrobe—and stepped onto a circular platform. It began to rotate slowly, as if showcasing her from all angles. Maxim controlled the speed and angle with a small remote in his hand.