Mafia Don's Baby Mama

Hermione Hudson. "Pearl, it is almost show time." My only friend here, and a colleague said, peeking into the dressing room, her gaze falling on me. She is all dressed in in a black lingerie that hugged her curves like a second skin, barely covering any of her skin aside from her n*****s and down there, but that is her signature 'devil' look which all the men seem to love. Apparently, it drives them crazy. And it does, the heavy tips she gets from it is evident enough. "You are on in five minutes." She added, her fingers drumming the door she is leaned against. I swallowed down a lump, my heart hammering behind my ribcage. "Alright, Vixen." I offered her a nod, forcing a small smile on my face though I wanted nothing more than to stay in here in possible, and not go out there. Vixen, as always was able to see through my facade, one of the many reasons why she and get along well enough in here. "Are you okay?" She asked, her voice softening, her expression matching her tone despite the bold make up that fit her show name, 'Vixen'. Her real name is actually Sarah, but in here, we all have show names that we go by to protect our real identities. It is the one of the few priviledges we have that makes us feel human too. And one of the few benefits of working at Club Euphoria. "Yeah, I am fine." I lied straight through my teeth, putting up a smile, hoping it would be enough to shield my worries. But Sarah saw right through it, fron the worried look she gave me. She looked over her shoulder, making sure there is no one else there aside from us, all other strippers are either performing, or entertaining other clients so we are alone. She then closed the door behind her, before making her way over to where I stood. "You know, Hermione..." She started, as she came to a stop in front of me, her voice lowering to a whisper so only I coud hear. "...I have a few grands I could lend you if you want to take care of your current emergency." She said, her brows drawn in worry. My eyes widened as I shook my head. "No, no, Sarah, I cannot borrow any more money from you." She has already borrowed me more than enough, which I still yet to pay back, I cannot take any more from her. Exhaling a breath, I then added. "Besides, you need that money to pay for your tuition as well. At least one of us needs to get a decent job and get out of this slump." I added, offering her a small smile. Sarah gave me a pointed look, her usual sass showing before she then said. "I can always take out more student loan." She is studying to become a nurse during her daytime, and at night, working as a stripper to earn money for her tutition. We all have reasons for being here really. "But, the little one's life matter. Tell me, how is the little Princess doing? How is she feeling recently?" My mind instantly went back to my sick daughter, the main reason why I am working here, and my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach at the thought of the girl and her situation. "She's okay for now," I said, my shoulders slumping. "Nick is at home with her and Rafa, but the doctor said she will need surgery as soon as possible." My voice cracked at the thought of how much money I would need to gather in order for my daughter to get her surgery, and it is a lot. Sarah reached out and gave my shoulders a squeeze, "She will get better. We will raise the money, okay?" I nodded, holding up my smile, forcing myself to remain strong as I blinked back my tears. "We would." I breathed out in agreement. Sarah's smile was encouraging as ever. "Good. Now it's show time. I will see you out there." "Alright..." I watched as she walked out, leaving me alone. With her gone, I turned around, my gaze falling on the mirror in front of me as I stared at myself, all dressed in a white lingerie, a contrast to Sarah's. Mine barely covered my body as well, and as much as it was uncomfortable, it was one of the many side jobs I had picked up in order to raise money for my daughter's surgery. "It'll be worth it, for Belle..." I convinced myself with a light mutter each time I am about to go out there. "...she will get better." I guess if there is one thing that works for me in this club, then it is some of the Latina genes I got from my body that gave me a great body, but my curves seemed to have become more prominent after giving birth. That was five years ago, but the changes were still there. I used to hate it, and they were my biggest insecurities until I started working here three months ago, and somehow, the men seemed to love it. I stared at the picture of my five-year-old twins, Rafael and Annabelle whom were on the lockscreen of my phone, using it as a motivation before I nodded to myself and then made my way out after putting on my mask. The sound of cheers reached my ears as the announcement was made for my entrance. "And now, a show from our new star, everyone's favorite, Pearl!!" And the cheers got louder, my hands suddenly becoming clammy but I did not allow it to hold me back. I pushed my feet forward, stepping onto the stage as the spotlight came to be on me, my gaze falling on the filled up club. Euphoria is an exclusive club where only the richest and most elite could get access to, and even then, it is strictly on membership. And yet, on a daily average, there tends to be over a hundred guest to entertain. Tonight, it seemed more packed, and I could spot some intimidating new faces. I did not allow it to get to me. Instead, I did what I always do, I pretended as if there was only one person in the room--the one person I used to dance for back in the day, years ago. The one person that has been my lifeline for the longest time. As my hands wrapped around the pole, and the music came to life, I closed my eyes, a pair of green eyes appearing in my mind, easing some of the tension on my shoulders. I began to dance, wrapping my body around the pole, swaying according to teh sultry beat of the music, the cheers in the background becoming louder. I could feel some throwing money at me, and I flinched internally but I kept those pair of green eyes in mind, and I felt as though it was all nothing, that he was the only one in the room, as I always do to get me through the long nights. But something about tonight felt different. I felt as though there was a piercing gaze on me, one I could not shake off. I peeled my eyes open as I continued to dance, wrapping my body around the pole and humping on it like I would to someone, a move that made to men go crazy. But the feeling of that piercing gaze did not go away. I discreetly looked through the crowd as I danced, giving them the illusion of drawing them into my act but in reality, I was just looking for the source of that piercing gaze I could not shake off. And then, just as my danced reached the end, my gaze moved upwards to the VVIP section of the club, and through the dimly light room, I caught the sight of a familiar green orbs I could recognize anywhere. Except this time around, it was not in my head, because the longer I stared the more I realized it is real. It is truly him. Alex. My ex-boyfriend.