The Cat O'Nine Tales: learning to love

CHAPTER 5.

The blonde girl froze at the sound of Maxx calling out to her, and met her gaze.

            She looked surprised to see Maxx, but she didn’t hang around to see what she wanted. The cab door slammed and the driver all but burnt rubber as he peeled off down the street. The f**k? I thought she had strep throat.

            Normally, this sort of thing wouldn’t have phased her. But she’d been forced to entertain the VIP lounge the night before because of Trixie’s supposed illness. Not, that it had been all that bad. An image of the dark haired man from the VIP lounge flickered across her brain. She could still feel how his grey eyes had pierced her and if she really concentrated, she could still remember the smell of his cologne—fresh, yet manly. Sensual. Ugh.  

The thought of seeing him again tonight sent shivers down her spine and she had to cross her legs in the back of the limo as heat began to pool between her thighs, and dirty images raced through her mind. That’s twice in one morning she had to control herself. First with Jaston in his bed and again just now at the mere memory of her Trixie’s client.

            The sound of her cellphone ringing pulled her from her reverie and she dug around in her purse until she located the device. To her surprise, the battery read 12%. She’d assumed it would have been dead by now, but apparently not. The contact name Kingsville Rehab Center lit up the screen and Maxx took a deep breath and answered.

            “Hi mom.” She said simply. There was silence. Then a sniffle. And then Rose McVey finally answered.

            “I need more money.”

            “Well hello to you too, mom.” Maxx said, unable to hide her sarcasm as she went on. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” This was such a typical Rose move. To ignore her only daughter for weeks on end until she needed more money. Maxx had basically been supporting herself and her mother for the last couple of years. Paying for her mortgage on the old house. Buying her groceries and paying any medical bills she’d racked up. More recently, Rose had checked in to the local rehab center after a particularly bad overdose that had nearly been fatal. It was an expensive center that was more like a resort, with a waiting list a mile long. 

Maxx had been waiting for nearly a year before she’d received a call that a space had opened up in their drug and alcohol recovery department. It was one of the highest rated D&A centers in the state. The co-pay on Rose’s insurance to stay in the rehab was still more than either of them could afford. But Maxx was determined more than ever to ensure her mom could finally get clean. 

Then maybe Rose would be able to hold down a job and start paying her own bills again. And Maxx could focus on paying her way through grad school. Until then, she’d have to keep her job, stripping for rich men at the p***y Cat.

            Rose sniffled again. She didn’t sound too well. Her daughter’s voice softened.

            “I know it’s almost the end of the month, but I already put next month’s payment into your bank account. Remember?”

Again there was silence on the line.

            “Mom. Riiight?” Maxx said again. A bad feeling began to take up residence in her gut and her heart sank. “What happened to the money mom?” She tried again.

Still no answer.

            “ROSE!” Maxx hissed into the receiver, thankful for the privacy divider that shielded her from the limo driver’s view.

            “I gave it to Frank!” Rose shouted into the phone. The blood drained out of Maxx’s face and she saw red.

            “How could you?! Why are you even talking to that good for nothing piece of s**t mom?! He’s bad news and you know it! I thought you were done with him.”

            “Don’t talk about him like that! He’s changed! He’s different!” Rose insisted, her tone becoming desperate as she jumped to defend her ex.  

It was Maxx’s turn to be silent. She was at a complete loss for words, not able to fully comprehend the situation. All she knew was that, her own rent, and the next payment for her student loans was coming up, on top of the fact that she still had to buy textbooks for the upcoming semester. And now, she had to somehow come up with the money for her mom to stay at the rehab center? Again?

            “They’re gonna kick me out if I don’t pay up…” Rose was whining. “They already gave me a warning for being late last month…”

            “I’ll figure something out.” Maxx said, cutting her off. And she would. Even if it meant selling every piece of clothing in her closet. She wanted her mom to get clean. Needed her to get clean.

            “Oh fantastic. Alright. Talk to you later Maxxlee!” Rose chirped. Maxx didn’t miss the triumphant tone in her mom’s voice and winced.

            “Talk to you—” The line went dead.  “—later.”

***

It was a quarter to eight when Maxx finally hurried through the back door of the strip club. She was running a bit late and made a beeline for the girl’s dressing room back stage.

            After Troy had dropped her off at the apartment. She’d checked to make sure Carina had gotten home safely and found her roommate sleeping soundly in her bed. Some breakfast and a quick shower later. Maxx had just enough time to squeeze in a quick nap before throwing herself into batch of homework assignments she’d been putting off. Hence, the reason she was now sneaking into work moments before she was needed in the VIP lounge.

            “MAXX! There you are!” Brinda barked upon catching sight of her.

“I’m almost ready!” Maxx lied, and sidestepped a sound technician in order to avoid her, before ducking into the dressing room. As usual, Cherry and Mimi were lounging around in skimpy costumes waiting for their set.

“What do you think of this?” Mimi asked, immediately after the door closed. Maxx surveyed her outfit. She was wearing a frilly gingham patterned two-piece the color of sunflowers and had actual fake sunflowers woven into her hair.

“Umm…”

“I’m going for an innocent farm girl vibe tonight! See? That’s why I did braids.” She informed her after Maxx had hesitated.

“Farm girl?” Maxx paused. “Well if anyone can make that sexy, it would be you Mimi.” She said after a moment’s contemplation and the younger girl’s face lit up. There was a knock at the door and Peter stuck his head in.

“Mimi, you’re on deck.” He said and then angled his head toward Maxx. “Brinda’s looking for you.” He smirked and Maxx rolled her eyes. “I know I’m running late. Just tell her I’ll be out in a few.”

Peter nodded, and disappeared

            “Have fun with Mr. Sexy VIP,” Mimi cooed as she did a final once over in the mirror and adjusted her top. Maxx blushed at the reminder of her first client of the night.

Him.

Buchanan, is what one of the men had called him. She still didn’t know his first name. But men like him usually paid handsomely for identity discretion. That’s what the VIP lounge was all about. Special treatment, and secrecy.

            “I’ll try.” She said with a half-smile, and pulled on the same blonde Temptation wig she’d worn the night before.

***

The music was already playing when she entered the VIP lounge moments later and she had to pause to let her eyes adjust.

The lights had been dimmed lower than usual, but she didn’t need to see her client to know he was there.  His presence overwhelmed her the moment she set foot in the room. So much so, that she was surprised she hadn’t noticed him right away last night.

Her eyes finally settled on the lounge in the corner with the private pole, and she lifted her chin and assumed her role.

I am Temptation. Men want me. Women want to look like me. I will fulfill every man’s fantasy. Uh…well not every fantasy…but like most of them. Maxx’s inner dialogue fueled her movements and she launched into one of her various floor routines.

A song later, she was about to approach the pole but was stopped. Up until that moment, her client had remained seated, and silent. He hadn’t offered her any bills, but he also didn’t seem put off by her performance either. In fact it was quite the opposite. Maxx had purposefully been avoiding eye-contact afraid of melting into a puddle under his heated gaze—a gaze that seemed extra intense tonight.

Now he stood in front of her, about half a foot taller, even in her platform heels. She moved to get out of his way, but he again stopped her by reaching for her face. Smooth fingers grasped her jaw and she was forced to tilt her head back to look him fully in the eyes.

“Look at me when you dance, Kitten.” He ordered, his voice full of heat. His accent, caressing her skin. The client dropped his hand and Maxx, still in character, fixed him with her best defiant stare.  

The hell was his problem? Like what did he want from her? His entire demeanor had done a complete 180 since she’d last seen him. The night before, he’d been appreciative and charming. But tonight? He came off so aloof. He even smelled different. Something crisper & darker. [Not that men weren’t allowed to own more than one kind of cologne.] Maxx couldn’t help but chew her lip. Had she imagined their entire exchange the night before? She’d reveled at the chemistry they’d shared. He’d made her feel so confident, and in control. But now, she was barely able to catch her breath out of fear he might tell her she’d inhaled incorrectly.

The man’s eyes blazed as he returned her defiance with a dismissive expression.

“That’s better.” He affirmed. But instead of taking his seat again. He slipped his hand into the inner pocket of his ebony suit, and handed her a thick white envelope.

“Don’t be late.” He stated evenly, and then left the lounge.

Maxx was still standing dumbfounded, when Brinda burst into the room with an accusatory glare.

“What happened this time?” She hissed. “I saw him leave. Why?”

“I…I don’t…know…” Maxx stammered. Her confidence was completely shaken. What was wrong with her? What was wrong with him?

“Wait!” Brinda started.  “Is that what I think it is?“ And before she could stop her, Brinda had snatched the envelope from Maxx’s hand and hurried over to the nearest light.

“You did it!” She exclaimed, whirling around on her employee. Maxx raised her brows. “I did what, exactly?”

“Look!” Brinda said and motioned for her to look at the envelope. “Look closely.”

Maxx peered down at the paper in her hand.

“I don’t see anything,” she scoffed. “Now can I have my money back please?” Brinda glared.

“Now, look.” Her boss tilted the envelope back and forth, holding it closer to the black light. Maxx watched as a white image appeared against the paper in the center of the envelope. It glowed brighter, but only under direct black light. Invisible ink?

“What is that?” She asked, amazed.

“It’s your invitation to the YGC.” Brinda informed her as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Maxx blinked.

“Umm…what exactly is ‘YGC’ supposed to be?” She asked, puzzled. She was lost as to why Brinda was holding the envelope with such reverence.

“It’s a club.” Brinda explained. “The Young Gentleman’s Club. It’s an elite club for filthy rich men [ooh big shocker there]. They never meet in the same place twice and only a certain people get invited. YG events are almost always exclusive—invitation only.”

Maxx nodded her head thoughtfully. Okay, cool. Makes sense. But why was Brinda so excited? It wasn’t like the invitation had been for her boss.

“Ten thousand dollars!” Ah. There was the answer.

“Sorry. Come again? Ten grand for what?”

“They pay you ten thousand dollars just to show up. So as I am your boss, a grand of that is for me. And remember 10% of whatever else they pay you.” Brinda’s eyes were glinting greedily as she reached into the envelope and pulled out a wad of cash. Maxx’s eyes bugged out of her head. Holy fat stack of bills!

“Wait!” She blurted out. “I can’t take that. I don’t even know what it’s for. This could be a set up!”

“It’s not!” Brinda assured her. “Don’t be silly. And don’t worry. Trixie will be there too.”

“Trixie?” An image of the blonde girl leaving the mansion this morning fluttered to the forefront of her brain. She’d been carrying her heels and…and a seemingly plain white envelope!

“Oh c’mon.” Brinda said rolling her eyes. “You didn’t really think she had strep did you?” Maxx frowned.

Come to think of it. This had been the third case of strep throat Trixie had come down with in the span of five months. .obviously, it had just been an excuse for all the nights she’d missed her set. Among other excuses. Her dog died. Her parrot died. Her fish died. She had a doctor’s appointment. It was her great aunt’s 90th birthday. But no doubt, all of them were lies. Had she even owned a parrot? Did Great Aunt Marlene even exist? And who over the age of seven gets heart-broken about a dead fish, so much to the point where they couldn’t come in to work?  

“So I’m confused. What exactly are they paying us to do anyway?”      

“To show up.”

“And?”

“And to do whatever else they want you to.” Brinda’s voice softened and she shrugged. “Don’t tell me you couldn’t use the money.”

She has a point. Maxx thought.

Hadn’t she just been stressing about money only hours ago? Brinda went on.

“All I know, is that if you accept the initial $10 grand. Then your next steps will be revealed from there. Once you sign the contract, there’s no backing out. No one, except members of the YGC and their special guests know what goes on at the gatherings. Not even I do. That’s why they pay you to sign the contract. You only get invited if you’re deemed “worthy” and the money ensures your discretion.”

Brinda looked at Maxx expectantly, as if willing her employee to say yes. Maxx noted that there didn’t appear to be any jealousy in the woman’s eyes at the fact that she herself had not been invited. Only thirst for monetary gain. But that wasn’t anything new.

  Maxx, felt backed into a corner. Forced to decide under pressure. But she already stripped for a living, so how much worse could it be? A lot worse. She pushed the thought down. This money could pay for the next two months of her mom’s rehab, and she’d still have a little bit left over to pay her own bills.

“Okay. Fine. What’s my next step?”