My Billionaire Boss On His Knees

ESTELLE “You’ve got to be f*****g kidding me.” I stared at my manager, waiting for the punchline. There wasn’t one. Mr. Davis stood beside the booth with his arms folded looking at me like I had personally ruined his night. While the client behind him lounged against the leather seat with the smug satisfaction of a man who has never been told no and actually meant to hear it. “You refused a private request from one of our biggest clients,” Davis said, his voice grumbling with irritation. “After everything he’s spent here.” “I refused to sleep with him. That’s not part of the dance.” I corrected, pulling the strap of my costume back onto my shoulder to close my breast. The stupid client laughed as if he didn’t try to force himself on me. “Please. You’re a stripper.” He commented with a crooked smile I wish I could knock off his face. “And you’re apparently illiterate because I said no loud enough for everyone in this f*****g club.” I narrowed my eyes, trying to show him the Polish girl in me ready to break his jaw. “Enough, Estelle. You should’ve taken the offer. Men like him don’t make offers twice.” Davis’s expression hardened to almost murderous one that used to scare me. “I’m not a whore.” I gritted out, my fists clenching in irritation. That made both of them laugh. The sound burned worse than I wanted it to because I know what they are going to say next. I have heard it countless times that I thought I was immune but I’m not. “A stripper saying she isn’t a w***e? What exactly do you think is the difference, dear?” The client (I didn’t bother with his name because f**k him) asked, shaking his head. I felt my fingers curl against my palm but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose it. I could have argued. God knew my mouth was capable of carrying me into trouble all by itself. But I knew when an argument was worth having, and this wasn’t one of those times. I reached behind me, untied the strings of my costume and stepped out of it until I’m wearing only my lace bra and panties which I refused to use the club’s. Davis’s eyes widened then narrowed into slits with threat. “What the hell are you doing?” He gritted out, pushing from his chair and knocking his pot belly against the table. “Making your job easier.” I gave him a sarcastic smile as I walked towards the hanger. I grabbed my robe and pulled it around myself, refusing to look at either of them again. My pride was the only thing I was walking out with and I wasn’t about to leave that behind too. “Estelle, don’t be stupid. You’ll regret this the second you step out. Nobody is going to hire you after I blacklist you.” Davis called out, hitting the table. “I probably will but I’m done being a stripper.” I stopped at the door and glanced over my shoulder then I walked out. My best friend, Maya, caught me before I made it to the dressing room. One look at my face and hers fell. “What happened?” Maya has always been the meek one and I always try to protect her from the predators here. I don’t know how she’d be without me. “I’m unemployed.” “What?” Her mouth dropped open. “Apparently saying no is bad for business.” “Then I’m quitting too.” Maya immediately started pulling her clothes from her locker. “Don’t.” I grabbed her wrist fast. “But they just –” “You have bills. I have bills. You quitting because I got fired won’t magically put money in either of our accounts.” I forced a smile even though my throat was already tightening. “Keep your job, Maya. I’ll figure something out.” “You always say that.” “Because I always do.” She didn’t look convinced but eventually she stopped packing. I hugged her before leaving, holding on for a second longer than usual because I knew if I stayed, I might cry. I refuse to cry. The second I stepped outside, reality hit me so hard I almost stopped walking. My phone buzzed while I was halfway down the street. I pulled it out, expecting Maya to report how Davis has painted me black but it was Noelle, my younger sister. Noooeee: Estelle, I’m out of my medicine. If you don’t have it, Don’t worry. I’ll be fine tonight. “No, you won’t!” I whispered to myself angrily, chiding myself to leaving the job that is sustaining me. I almost turned back to the club but stopped. Davis won’t have me back no matter what. I opened my banking app with shaking fingers. The balance appeared on the screen and for a few seconds, I simply stared at it hoping the number would somehow change if I blinked. I calculated what I have left after rent, food and the medicine. Then I calculated it again because surely I had missed something. There wasn’t enough. A tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away immediately and kept walking. I made it another few steps before another tear came. “Don’t start,” I muttered, angrily wiping my face. “Not here.” But my eyes burned, my chest tightened and suddenly I was standing in the middle of the pavement trying not to completely fall apart while people walked past me as though they couldn’t see me drowning. I hated crying in public. I hated feeling helpless even more so I swallowed it. I took myself to the pharmacy. The pharmacist recognized the prescription and disappeared behind the counter while I stood there counting the money in my head one last time. When she returned with the medicine, I paid without hesitation. My account balance dropped again but at least Noelle would have what she needed tonight. I walked outside with the small paper bag clutched against my chest. One problem solved. My phone rang with an Unknown number. I almost ignored it but something made me answer. “Hello?” “Is this Ms. Estelle?” “Yes.” “I’m calling regarding an application you submitted to Campbell Empire. We’d like to invite you for an interview tomorrow morning.” “Campbell Empire?” I almost dropped my phone. “Yes. Nine a.m.” I looked through the pharmacy window at my reflection. My makeup was smudged, my hair was a mess and my eyes are still red from crying. I look nothing like someone who belonged anywhere near the Campbell Empire but I need a job so badly. “Okay. I’ll be there” I said, tightening my grip on the medicine. The call ended. I stood there for another second, staring at my reflection. I was fired less than an hour ago. My rent was due, my sister is sick and my daughter was waiting for me at home. And in all, I got an interview at the biggest company in the city tomorrow morning. I wiped the last tear from my cheek and straightened my shoulders. Go Estelle