Lexa lay in her bed, the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through her curtains. The clock on her nightstand read 11:37 PM, a silent reminder of the late hour. She held her phone to her ear, listening to Clarke's steady breathing on the other end of the line. The familiar warmth in Clarke's voice had become a comforting presence in Lexa's otherwise structured and predictable life.
"So, how was your day?" Clarke's voice broke through the quiet, casual yet tinged with genuine interest.
Lexa smiled faintly, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling. "The usual corporate chaos. But it's better now, hearing from you."
There was a brief pause, and then Clarke chuckled softly. "I'm glad I can be your post-chaos solace."
Lexa's heart fluttered at the comment, a mix of affection and curiosity swelling within her. She had been pondering over a question for weeks, one that lingered on the edges of her thoughts every time she spoke to Clarke. But hesitation held her back, a fear of overstepping boundaries they hadn't clearly defined.
"Clarke," she began tentatively, "can I ask you something? It's... personal, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
There was a moment of silence, and Lexa could almost picture Clarke raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "Sure, ask away."
Lexa took a deep breath, her heart racing. "How did you... I mean, what led you to start your escort business?" She cringed slightly at her own bluntness, worrying she might have crossed a line.
Clarke was quiet for a moment, and Lexa braced herself for a change in the mood. But when Clarke spoke, her voice was calm, reflective. "You know, no one's really asked me that before. Not in the way you're asking, at least."
Lexa's grip on the phone tightened, her interest piqued. She could hear Clarke taking a deep breath, as if preparing to dive into a story long kept just beneath the surface.
"It's a long story, Lexa. But I think you deserve to know," Clarke began, her voice a blend of vulnerability and strength. "It all started a few years ago..."
Lexa listened intently, a sense of privilege washing over her. She was about to hear a part of Clarke's life that few knew, a story that perhaps even Clarke hadn't fully revisited until now. It was a chance to understand Clarke beyond the facade of their professional arrangement, to see the person behind the poised, confident exterior.











