For a long moment after Vanessa finished speaking, the room remained silent.
Stephanie felt like the air had suddenly become heavier.
Her mind replayed Vanessa's words again and again.
Rich men… paying for the company of young women.
This was not the future she had imagined when they left the eatery behind.
Across from her, Maya looked confused, her brows slightly furrowed as she tried to process everything.
Vanessa noticed the silence and gave a small, calm smile.
"You don't have to answer right now," she said gently.
"This is not a decision people make in five minutes."
Stephanie finally found her voice.
"This… isn't what we came here for."
Vanessa nodded as if she had expected that response.
"I know," she replied.
"That's why I'm asking you to think about it carefully."
She walked slowly toward the door.
"Take your time," she added. "We'll talk again tomorrow."
Then she left the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, Maya exhaled deeply.
"Well…" she said softly.
Stephanie turned to her immediately.
"Well?"
Maya rubbed her hands together nervously.
"I mean… I didn't expect that."
Stephanie stood up and began pacing slowly across the room.
"This is crazy."
Maya hesitated.
"Is it?"
Stephanie stopped and stared at her.
"You can't be serious."
"I'm just saying…" Maya continued carefully, "maybe we should think about it before we reject it completely."
Stephanie looked shocked.
"Maya."
"I know how it sounds," Maya said quickly. "But think about everything she's done for us already."
Stephanie folded her arms.
"That doesn't make it right."
Maya looked down at the floor.
"You heard what she said. She came from nothing too."
Stephanie sighed, frustrated.
"That doesn't mean we have to follow the same path."
The room grew quiet again.
Maya finally spoke in a softer voice.
"Stephanie… we didn't exactly come here with a plan."
Stephanie didn't answer.
Deep down, she knew Maya was right about one thing.
They had come here hoping life would somehow fix itself.
And now the reality of that decision was standing right in front of them.
A few minutes later, Stephanie stepped out of the living room to get some fresh air.
As she walked down the hallway, she noticed a door slightly open.
Inside the room sat another young woman.
She looked about their age.
The girl glanced up when she saw Stephanie.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
The girl didn't smile.
Instead, she gave Stephanie a quiet, serious look.
Then she said something very softly.
"Be careful."
Stephanie froze.
Before she could ask anything else, the girl quickly stood up and closed the door.
Stephanie stood in the hallway, her heart beating faster.
For the first time since arriving in France…
Something felt very wrong.