Crimson vows

Chapter 3

Victor Spears wanted to see me? I thought a billionaire like him was not like the other elite rascals that come here asking for private shows. Victor Spears owned the most successful enterprise here in New York.

He had never been involved in s*x scandals or had hundreds of females at his call as other billionaires did. I thought he was different, but he wasn't. And then an apple doesn't fall too far from its true, a famous thing they say and yes Victor's father had been involved in various s*x scandals and we aren't even sure the number of concubines he had.... for a maid and a stripper I know too much about these billionaires, well I guess working in the Russon mansion had minor benefits.

"Why are you giggling about bird brains?" Matilda interrupted my thoughts

.

Oh now, a new word unlocked, bird brain, I wonder if that meant I had the brain of a bird or I had birds for brains…

"I ask again Athena, why are you giggling " she asked again.

"Nothing ma.." I responded.

"Scrap that..... Why do you look like you haven't had a bath in weeks?

"Uhm.. I don't quite get your Matilda' I said

’

"Firstly it is not Matilda to you, it is ma or ma'am, next time it'd be coming out of your paycheck. Also, you stink badly, " she said holding her nose.

"Uhmm....I had no idea, I'm sorry Mal...ma" I pleaded.

"I do not blame you, you're not wealthy, I wonder how tough life must be....that's why I can only wonder," she said letting out a callous laugh.

"Laugh with me Athena... laugh with me now or it's coming out of your paycheck" she ordered as she held my cheekbones so tightly.

"It...it hurts" I begged.

"Oh does it now?" she answered sarcastically.

"Now get to cleaning...the halls are dirty, remember I need to see them shine," she said as she pushed me away.

Sometimes I think of hitting her, hitting her so badly she never wants to come near me again but then Ken's tuition, Jake's debts, I still had a lot of bills to pay.

**********

Another night to leave the not-so-nice fairytale of being a maid to the Russon to being the most anticipated dancer of the night.

The intro never gets old, the showman says it every time I go on stage, but with each performance, the intro adds another layer of complexity.

"Am I to go on now sir?" I asked my manager.

"You know I could lose my Job and my business with that stunt you pulled on Mr Victor right?" My manager said, his tone harsh and eyes full of fury.

"I'm sorry sir, but I told you earlier on that I would never take any private show or meeting" I responded.

"But Athena, this isn't just a meeting, it's with Victor Spears, the most important billionaire in the business world" my manager responded.

"I'm up now sir... I have to go" I said

"Get that money and dance like your life depends on it," the manager said as he walked away.

Dancing was going on just fine, my body moved with the music, my identity still a secret, everything was good for now at least. But with every movement I made, every step I took, I could feel someone's eyes on me, his eyes were fixed on my body, so fixed it made me uncomfortable.

There he was, I located him in the audience the man who wouldn't take his eyes off me, his aura was attractive, his eyes fierce without fear or hesitation, he had come here every day since the last Friday's show .. the man stood up for applause, but then he seemed oddly familiar. Uhhhh it was Victor Spears...I went backstage.

It was time to get changed and go home, it was already dawn so I had to go to the Russon's mansion from here.

My phone rang, it was Jake.... my heart dropped.

"Where are you? And why didn't you come home last night" Jake shouted as I picked up the phone

"I was at the club, and I'm still there," I said, my hands sweaty.

"You prostitute, you're off doing private shows for old men aren't you?" Jake asked rudely.

I have had enough, my heart tightened, my heart broken.

"Why do you always feel like I'm out hosting private shows for old men... Jake I'm only doing this Job to pay for the debts you've incurred.... your unhealthy drug addiction has made your life mis…’’

"You're having too much of that club wine, aren't you... I might have to teach you a lesson when you get back home" Jack interrupted as he disconnected the call.

Jack had gone nuts. I wouldn't be doing this if not for me and now he calls me a prostitute?!!.

'Athena, this is not what you're made for, you deserve better, Scarlet Veil isn't you and you aren't her' I said to myself looking at the mirror in front of me with my mask still on.

Someone was here with me, I heard footsteps. The club is supposed to be empty... who could it be?

"Who's there?" I shouted as I grabbed an empty bottle of wine to arm myself.

"Show yourself now" I called out again…

"I'm sorry if I startled you, I was just looking for someone, " a masculine voice said from the shadows.

"No one is here ... now leave " I shouted trying to locate where the voice was firm.

"I'm here for you, Scarlet Veil...." The figure moved closer.

" I am not interested in seeing anybody" I shouted trying to see who the person was.

Uhhhh...it was Victor Spears. Doesn't he know when to give it up.....

"What do you want and who are you?" I asked, trying to play dumb.

"Oh don't play with me like that woman, you know exactly who I am, what you might not know is what I want " he continued.

"I do not know who you are and what you're doing here....so again who are you and what do you want" I shouted.

" I am Victor Spears, the most articulate and talked about billionaire in the world"

"You mean New York," I said letting out a laugh.

"I want to know who's behind the mask Scarlet Veil, I want to see you, I want a private show with you and I'm ready to pay you $10000…”