His Personal Dancer

      Her hips swayed side to side, sliding her hands up from her thighs to her recently augmented breasts. The woman gave her breasts a squeeze which made the men around her lean forward in amazement. She gripped the golden pole and wrapped her legs around it, she then dropped down in a squatting position, and shook her perfect bum in the faces of men who held her source of income in their hands. It would soon come raining down around her, as she dragged her tongue against the pole. The men seated around her, looked up at the show that pleasured the beast inside their pants. Henna, I loved how she was able to control the audience without saying a word. As she snaked her body around the pole, more dollar bills poured down. Her ending move was twirling around the pole, and finally the music stopped. The men that watched her performance cheered at the woman who took their cashed paychecks with little to no effort. She walked off the stage, only for another woman to take her place, and the process to repeat all over again. I was twenty feet away watching the scene unravel in front of me. "Raina!" My body jumped at the sudden name call, my grip tightened around the rag that I had in my palm "Yes Zeke!" I exclaimed, scared and surprised. Zeke was the manager of the girls, he had purple hair that was cut pixie style, he always dressed in tight spandex metallic clothes with extravagant dress shoes, and always a fur coat that topped his outfit. He had blue eyeliner on with glittered up cheekbones. "I didn't hire you to stand there and look pretty" He crossed his arms over the metallic blue catsuit he wore. My head nodded vigorously and began to wipe down the bar top with the rag in my hands. "Now, look pretty and take eight bourbon on the rocks to room nine" Zeke demanded, having already prepared the drinks, he slowly put the glasses on a tray. "Isn't that the VIP room? Wouldn't you want one of the dancers to serve them?" My curiosity peaked wondering why he would have me serve the VIP guests? A girl wearing tight jeans, a pair of low top converses, and a simple black short sleeved v-neck. Normally Zeke would try to hide me away from any formal guests. "Yes, normally I would send in one of the dancers. But we are short staffed tonight. They already have three dancers in there-" Zeke said picking up the tray of drinks, I held out my palms and he set the circular tray in my palms. "Don't get all nervous, all you are to do is set two drinks on a table that is in between two men. It's a simple in and out job" I nodded at his slight reassurance. I made my way out from behind the bar, and walked out of the main performance room. I carefully walked down a few steps.      The floors were tiled to be glossy black marble. Red chandeliers  hung from the ceiling with black extravagant velvet curtains hanging from the ceiling down to the floors. Downstairs were for the high paying clients who desired more of their senses to be pleased rather than just their sight. I walked down the hall to the last room on the right 'Room 9' the nameplate read above the red door. "Hurry up, I need you to get some things out of storage" Zeke's emerged from behind me as a soft whisper. I looked over my shoulder and he stood there hovering over me motioning for me to go in. I sighed turning around pushing the door open with my back and bum. Once fully opened I turned around and walked into the room. The room was filled with black furniture with no source of sunlight, only lit by the chandeliers and lamps that occupied the room. Three little platforms with poles stood in the back of the room for the dancers, but the girls weren't on the poles but on the laps of three out of eight men that were in the room. "We have to London on board with the deal" a man said, obviously I intruded on a conversation.        They didn't seem to notice I was in the room. I walked down a few steps to the sitting area, their backs were faced towards me. The men were spaced out evenly with a little table in between each pair. I took a deep sigh before approaching the tables. "London won't be getting on board anytime soon. I was thinking about a branch in Asia" Another voice blurted out, I put two drinks on a table in between the pair of men. They automatically took the drinks without acknowledging me, I did the same thing with the next two tables. I had two more drinks on the tray, I just wanted to set them down and get out of here. Being around these men made me sick as they made sick and sadistic jokes about women. I could tell the dancers were uncomfortable. "Aren't you a little young to be working at a strip club?" I felt all eyes land on me after the question was asked so obviously it was directed towards me. I stood in front of the little table and smiled. One thing Zeke taught me was 'Never give up your age, and always play nice' I let out a soft chuckle and shrugged coyly "Well I'm old enough to be here legally" the men let out soft laughs. They all wore black suits, with shiny dress shoes and slicked back hair. I bent down and grabbed a glass off the tray that's when I was jerked forward by a sudden force colliding with my bum. My entire body shook with fear as the remaining drinks in my hand and on the tray landed in the lap of a gentleman. My bottom lip trembled as the liquid of the two drinks collided with the fabric of his seemingly expensive suit.        He sat there for a while and I immediately stood back up putting my hands over my mouth "I'm so sorry mister" His tattooed covered hand gripped onto the armrest, my eyes widened with shock. He stood up from the black armrest chair causing the ice cubes in this lap to fall down onto the ground. With his back turned towards me he gently brushed his thighs off before turning around to face me.I dropped my head down to look at the floor before his eyes met mine. "I'll get you a towel and a new drink mister" my voice was weak and faint, I felt my whole body tremble as he came out from in front of his chair and walked up to me. I stared at my reflection in his shiny black leather shoes. "Look at me" his voice was taunting and sent shivers down my spine I looked up from the ground "I apologize mister, someone-" he cut me off "Stupid b***h" his hand met my cheek and I crashed down onto the floor. The painful sting came roaring in and I held my cheek as the tears came flooding in "Mr. Ace, excuse me! I am dreadfully sorry, she is young and just started working here a few weeks ago-" Zeke came rushing in, and bent down picking me back up from my underarms "Your stay here will be free of charge for the rest of the week. I sincerely apologize. I'll get you a drink, and more girls!" Zeke's voice trembled as he practically dragged me out of the room. My eyes were still wide with shock and my body was frozen with fright.       "I told you to do one simple thing!" Zeke screamed into my ear as he dragged me into the dressing room. The dancers who were having casual conversation were shocked once they got a full view of me. "Oh my God!" One dancer gasped, Zeke sat me in a director's chair facing a mirror that had huge lights on the border of it. I brought my attention up to my reflection in the mirror. My cheek was bruised, and my bottom lip was cut. Tears dropped down from my eyes and I looked away from my face that kept reminding me of the recent scary event. "What the hell happened to her?!" Henna exclaimed as she gently took my face in her palms and examined the bruise. Zeke sighed deeply rubbing the bridge of his nose and leaned against the vanity "She spilled drinks on Mr. Ace" he groaned without looking at me as if disgusted. The room was filled with whispers and disappointment from the women I looked up to.  "Ray, why would you do that?" Henna said as she lifted up my face to meet her brown eyes, she gently patted the tears on my cheeks. I looked around the room and all the girls had their arms crossed shaking their heads at me. As if Mr. Ace was a known and a respected man around here. I looked back at Henna and began to cry once again "I didn't do it on purpose!-" I pleaded, I coughed tears and shook my head wanting her to believe me "A guy from behind me smacked my bum, hard! It caused me to jump and I felt so uncomfortable and-" Henna brought my head to her chest and caressed the back of my head "What the hell Zeke? Why would you send her in there? And why the hell did they touch her? She isn't a f*****g dancer" The dancers in the room nodded with Henna, she pulled away from me as another dancer named Sugar brought an ice pack to my face. The other girls surrounded me and wrapped their arms around me as I cried gently. My body warmed up and the pain I felt was drowned in the love they showered me in. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths relaxing against their touch. "She is eighteen Zeke, she is a baby! What pervert would put their hands on her?!" Another dancer shouted, Zeke stood there shocked at the sudden animosity in the room that was turned towards him. He crossed his arms and shook his head "Ladies-" Cherry another dancer stepped up to him and cut him off "Ladies nothing!Ray is a little sister around here. They touched her without her consent. Then they put their filthy hands on her blaming her for something that was their fault!? What are you going to do about it, Zeke??" Cherry asked and everyone else nodded away agreeing with Cherry and started putting their own inputs on the matter at hand. While Henna tended to the cut on my lip and smiled at me reassuringly.        "LISTEN UP-" Zeke shouted, causing everyone to be quiet. I looked at him and he stared back at me crossing his arms over his chest "I am in charge here, Raina shouldn't have spilled the drink on our most paying and most honorable customer. She made me look bad resulting in this entire place looking bad. If she can't handle it here, then she needs to go" Zeke said before turning away from all of us and leaving the room. I swallowed hard, and looked back into the mirror nodding softly "Its okay girls, I shouldn't have reacted so unprofessionally" I forced a smile on my face and looked at the girls with their extravagant makeup, colorful and endless styles of wigs, and sparkly costumes. I felt their reassuring hands on me "No, don't ever blame yourself for a man's reckless actions. Zeke doesn't want to admit it, but you aren't to blame here. We'll make sure that you get your justice" I smiled at Cherry's words, she grabbed my hand and gave it a tight squeeze. All the girls around me held me and I laid my head on Henna's chest and I cried a bit because I was so great to have these women in my life. They showered me in their love and affection for as long as they can. Before they started to get called to perform or do private dances, they told me that they loved me and that I could come to them if I needed anything. One by one they all left me until I was alone staring into my reflection, I put my head on the vanity and took deep breaths wanting for the scary event to disappear into nothingness.      A few hours passed and it was closing time, all the girls already left. "Goodnight Zeke," I said, walking past Zeke who stood at the bar with a pile of paperwork and a calculator. He didn't even budge at my words, I bit my lip and shoved my hands into my trench coat. I threw my hoodie over my head before exiting the club. The neon light that usually has a girl twirling around a pole was now dim and still. New York City 'The city that never sleeps', city lights lit up the night sky, head and tail lights lit up the streets, the people kept the air filled with endless conversations. The club is called 'The Velvet Room' and we were on the near Times Square, the club was extremely popular not only for the dancers but the dance club that was connected to the club underground but in the building next door. Getting the job was not easy, I have no experience in working in bars. I just graduated high school and I have no way of paying for college in the fall. I met Zeke a few months before I graduated and I begged him for a job, he said yes but only after I turned eighteen. The women at the club were my idols, they were so fierce and sexy. I loved working there, and I planned on coming back. I hope I didn't ruin my chances. I walked down the lively street smiling at the exciting energy, it made me feel better. I stared up at the night sky and closed my eyes breathing in the fresh air. I opened my eyes feeling a fool after a while, I laughed at myself and walked down the street clinging onto my backpack. I halted at a traffic filled street waiting for the crosswalk light to signal me to walk. I looked up at the digital billboards advertising makeup, food, and clothing. I scanned the area in front of me then over my shoulder, curiosity left my mind as a man dressed in all black stood there eyeing me down a few feet away from me. People moved all around him walking in all directions, he stuck out like a sore thumb.        He was a caucasian male, who seemed to be about in his middle ages, the top of his head was hairless, and he was built like a professional weightlifter. He just stood there piercing through my soul inflicting fright to rise within me. The crosswalk light let out a beep which grabbed my attention. I stepped off the sidewalk hurriedly, I looked over my shoulder to find no man standing there. I scanned the crowd and he was nowhere in sight. I took a deep breath trying to relax my heartbeat  and ran off the street and made it to the sidewalk. My instincts told me to hurry home, I no longer felt safe in these streets at this time. I felt eyes on me, maybe it was my paranoia speaking but I just wanted to be in the comfort of my own home. I had a slight jog to my walk, I looked back every few seconds. Finally, what felt like forever I reached my apartment building. I dug through my bag searching for my keys, I pulled them out and stuck the key in the keyhole of the entrance door. I opened the door and looked both ways making sure no one was following me. I stepped into the building and forced the door shut behind me. A deep breath escaped my lips and relief consumed me as I walked up the stairs of the seven story apartment building. It wasn't luxurious, it was dingy. Fights constantly broke out, there was leakage in the main lobby, cockroaches and rats had their daily gathering here. A lot of health violations were broken, this place wasn't ideal to the eye but it was my home and I was grateful.        I reached my apartment on the fifth floor, I pushed the key into the lock and the door clicked open. I pulled the key out of the hole before shutting the door behind me. A groan escaped my lips. I tossed my keys onto the kitchen counter, kicked off my sneakers, and slipped off my jacket hanging it up on the coat hanger that stood near the door. I also hung my bag up, I dug through it and pulled out my phone. I just moved in a few weeks ago, I've been saving up for my own apartment since I was fifteen. I finally found a place that was one thousand five thousand dollars each month. I only had a few things in my possession, I bought my first couch one week ago and I was so ecstatic. It was a coffee brown and it faced the television which I bought a few days ago. I felt like my own adult and my own sense of independence made me smile at the future. I walked into the kitchen and rummaged through the refrigerator until I finally decided to eat last night's pizza. I put three slices into the microwave. I leaned against the counter and stared into the living room. The windows were probably the only luxurious part of this apartment. They were floor to ceiling and gave me a delightful view of the roaring city. I stretched out my body and ran my fingers through my shoulder length brown wavy hair.        I walked into my bedroom and collapsed onto my bed once it came into reach. I buried my face in the white duvet, the softest of the comforter caressed my bruised cheek and the cut on my lip. I sighed deeply before sitting up, I got up from the bed and grabbed my towel that hung from the closet door. I made my way into the bathroom and began to peel off my clothes. I stared at reflection, blue eyes stared back at me, a wide playfully smile appeared and I shook my head. Once naked I pulled the shower curtain to the side and then pulled it back once I stepped inside. The warm water danced on my skin, I scrubbed my body down with a loofah drowned in vanilla honey body wash. I gently ran the loofah over my face wanting to wash away the dreadful event that happened. Mr. Ace? I didn't even have the guts to look him straight in the eyes. He didn't even give me a chance to explain when it was one of his men that stood in the corner of the room who slapped my bum. He violated me so harshly, I got a good look at him though when Zeke dragged me out of the room. I was so embarrassed and ashamed. But I listened to what the girls told me, I shouldn't blame myself for a man's actions. I just wish Mr. Ace listened to me and he would've known that it was a huge misunderstanding. I shook my head at the thought of that dreadful man and sighed deeply trying to bring serenity into my mind.        After a well needed shower, I dried off my body, put my wet hair into a high messy bun and put on a pair of gray sweatpants and a black tank top. I put my cute cat face slippers before making my way into the kitchen the smell of pizza made my mouth drool. I yanked the pizza out from the microwave and immediately lifted up a slice and took a big bite. My eyes rolled back at the delicious cheesiness, I turned away from the microwave with the plate in my hands and I froze. A whiskey glass sat in the middle of the counter. It was filled up halfway with a brown liquor, I could smell the alcohol and ice floated in the liquid. I took a step forward raising my eyebrow and put my plate down. Did I make this? I lifted up the cup and I shivered at the daunting familiarity of the scent and dropped the cup down onto the floor. The glass shattered as it met the tiled floor. Bourbon on the rocks.