His Personal Dancer

6

      I clenched my phone which was pre dialed to 911. Mr. Ace hadn't spoken a word, his attention was focused on the passing buildings and the twinkling lights. At last he pried his eyes away from the window and landed them on me. "Ms. Dazzle-'' He started, leaning over to reach into a pocket that was behind the driver's seat. Immediately I leaned back against the window weary of what he was reaching for. He pulled out a manilla folder and motioned it over to me. Although my body relaxed at the sight of a non lethal weapon hesitantly, I looked at him then slowly pulled the folder from his fingertips. "This will be a mutual beneficial opportunity-" he said as  I set the folder in my lap and opened it up. The car stopped at a traffic light, the red light gave me a light source to eye the papers within the folder. There were a bunch of words, too much for me to comprehend. "I would like for you to become my personal dancer" Mr. Ace said, I closed the folder and turned my head to look at him, the green traffic light luminated his features making them stand out more. "Mr. Ace, I'm not a dancer-'' I responded, his eyebrows popped up and he looked away from me staring back out the window. "But, you performed Ms. Dazzle. That contradicts your latest statement" His tone was smooth and sly, he extended his arm out on the door clenching his fist and relaxing it. "Yes, I danced. But only to get your attention!" I raised my voice slightly, a sense of irritation washed over me. I hated how this man could bring out the worst in me. The car took a sharp right turn, my body slid against the leather seats bringing myself closer to Mr. Ace unwillingly. "And you certainly have…" His voice was deep and raspy, some might even say seductive. He turned to face me, I opened my mouth but his green eyes rendered me speechless.

      The passing colorful lights glided down his face, emerging his face from the darkness. As a woman, I couldn't help myself but to search his face. I got a closer look, there was a healed scar right along his hairline, he had faded freckles that littered his cheeks, and fuller pink lips than I anticipated. "I was just trying to prove a point Mr. Ace-" I said, he smirked, shaking his head gently. His eyes decided to go on an adventure searching my face, then my whole body. He shook his head as if unsatisfied and looked away from me "You pranced around on stage in a whorish outfit to prove a point Ms. Dazzle? That's absurd-" He chuckled, I pressed my lips together. Hearing it out loud, I was embarrassed and disgusted at my illogical thinking, but in the end it did work.. "You said the only way to get your attention was to twirl around on a pole. I got your attention, and you doubled your investment in the club. How was that absurd if my plan worked ?!" The car came to a stop. I turned around, and looked out the window. 

      A sense of relief came over me as my apartment building came into view. "I said to twirl around on a pole and dance on my c**k-" I snapped my head at his comment, his voice was in a sadistic dark tone. He slowly looked back at me and smirked "Who's to say that I won't pull my investment because you forgot to please me-" I was fed up and disgusted. I knew all too well that he was an outright prick. He was exactly who I thought he was and I refuse to put up with this any longer. I opened the car door and before I stepped out and leaned in close to Mr. Ace gathered up the lingering saliva I had in my mouth and forced it out of my mouth.  He jerked back against the window, quickly I turned away from him and stepped out of the car door "You sick disgusting man!" I screamed, I threw the folder into the car causing the papers to scatter the seat and car floor mat. Mr. Ace wiped his face of my spit, rage was written all over his face "I'm pretty sure if you go around the block there will be prostitutes to fulfill your sick fantasies!" Mr. Ace's eyes widened with shock and but mostly disbelief that I assaulted him with nothing but my DNA. Mr. Ace clenched his jaw tightly and then the car sped away, the car door slammed as the car sped down the road then turned out of sight. My heart pumped out of my chest as I stood there, I crossed my arms over my chest sighing deeply. "Shit.." I said softly to myself.

      I ran my fingers through my hair as I cleansed the day away. The cool water streamed down my face, through my hair, and down my body. I loved taking cold showers after a long stressful day. My emotions were put on a roller coaster, just up and down, and all around. I turned off the water and pushed the shower curtain open. Why me? What was so special about me? He could have any dancer in that club. I dried myself off before slipping into my pajamas. I didn't sleep that night, my mind was too occupied creating endless scenarios of how Mr. Ace could kill me.

      Two whole weeks have passed and not a sign or even a peep from Mr. Ace. After our not so good encounter, I assumed that he would pull his money out from the club and I would be out of a job. But I was wrong, business was on the rise. The dancers and Zeke were so happy with the rising success of the club. Zeke already started making plans to open up a second location in Boston, and as the dancers began to get paid more they started to dream big. I knew some of the dancers had kids they had to take care of, and with the recent boost in their paychecks it gave them peace with being away from their children for so long. Although the girls were getting so much attention from the customers, a few gentlemen would still ask for the dancer Dazzle. Zeke was still having to turn down huge money offers that these men were offering just to see Dazzle, me. I was flattered but I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable dancing in front of a large group of men, or even one. It was the end of the day, I wiped down the bar top one last time, took out the trash, and mopped behind the bar. A huge sigh escaped my lips glad that I completed another work day. 

      Suddenly Zeke appeared along with a few other dancers including Henna, Sugar, and Cherry. They were all smiling and laughing. I grabbed my things from underneath the bar top and approached them. "Hey guys", their conversations dimmed at my greeting, they turned and smiled at me "Hey Ray, going home?" Sugar asked, the other dancers walked past me giving me a faint nod and a smile before leaving the club. The only people that remained are Zeke and Henna. I clenched onto my bag and nodded "Yeah, probably going to cuddle up on the couch and watch some television" Zeke laughed at my words, I raised my eyebrow and looked at him "What?" I asked innocently I turned towards Zeke and he sighed, wrapping his arm around my shoulder leading me towards the exit. "You don't know what you're missing darling, but don't worry.." He had a cheek to cheek smile and I looked at him wearily before looking over my shoulder and Henna and Sugar had the same smile on their faces.

      The music was astronomically loud. The energy was at an all time high. The drinking was dangerously consistent. You had to be at least twenty-one to get into the dance club, but Zeke had connections. The dance bar was next door from the strip club and all the dancers and Zeke would come here after they closed up. I could see why they thrived in this kind of environment. Dancing to music, drinking their favorite alcoholic beverages, clinging onto the people they loved. It was honestly riveting. I was the only person sitting down, and the only person who was drinking soda. After a long dance session with the girls and Zeke I decided to take a break.lAfter a while Zeke and the other dancers had joined me in the VIP section that was a level above the dance floor that had sheer curtains covering the perimeter of it for some kind of privacy. "Raina! You have to get out there on the dance floor! It's amazing!" Henna said loudly over the music, she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me in close. The liquor in her breath was strong. I looked around and everyone seemed to be drinking passed their limit. "Say cheese!!!" Henna said, she brought out her phone and raised it up in the air. It seemed to be bait because everyone else including Sugar and Zeke squeezed in close to get into the picture. She took multiple, maybe even hundreds. The stench of alcohol drowned me and it looks like I would be on water duty tonight. I pried away from the group and stood up "I'm gonna get some water for you guys okay?" I said trying to be louder than the music, it wasn't successful. The dancers and Zeke continued to be preoccupied with taking photos and letting their minds be poisoned by alcohol. I turned away, walked down the steps onto the main level of the club, and through a velvet rope that was unclipped for me by a security guard and out of the VIP section. 

      A sigh escaped my lips, the sea of drunken dancing people made me feel intimidated. Nevertheless I pushed through them, apologizing if I had used any brute force. "Excuse me.." I said, but my voice drowned in the music. At last, out of breath, I reached the bar. My whole body leaned against it and my body melted in the heat. I swallowed hard, wiping the sweat on my forehead. The bar was crowded filled with singles trying to get their mingle on. "Excuse me!?" I yelled trying to get the attention of a bartender. I was so used to a quiet setting I didn't know how to approach another person in this loud chaotic atmosphere. My voice was completely ignored, I tried waving my hand to get the bartender's attention but he completely disregarded me. I sighed, the only thing I  could do was wait.

      "Yes!" I exclaimed as a bartender finally approached me asking me what I wanted after a long fifteen minutes. "Can i just get a few bottles of water please?" The bartender nodded and walked off presumably to the back to get me bottled water. I bit the inside of my lip looking around the club, the bright flashing lights lip up the club causing people to be even more energetic. The music seemed to be getting louder and the people even more wasted. I scanned the club looking at all kinds of different people, how they interacted with their friends and complete strangers. It made me laugh how two could become best friends in the matter of seconds because of the amount of alcohol that's in their system. Speaking of best friends, I smiled at the thought of Zeke and the dancers. I had friends in highschool and even a boyfriend but all that disappeared, they changed their phone numbers. I was erased just like that out of their lives the minute we graduated high school. When thinking about it, Zeke and the girls were my only friends and my only family that I had left. I looked back at the VIP section wanting to get a view of their drunken selves up to, and I didn't see anyone that I recognized. I raised my eyebrow and looked at the neighboring sections and they were nowhere to be found. I got up from the stool I had been sitting in and scanned the dance floor, I didn't see any of the girls in sight, not one. "Here are your bottles of water" I looked over my shoulder and the bartender set down a few bottles of water on the bar. I shook my head looking away from him "Nevermind, I'm sorry!" I screamed over the music. 

      My heart began to race as I ran through the dance floor not caring about who I bumped into. I reached the VIP section and the two gentlemen that were guarding the velvet rope looked at me as I breathed frantically. "Miss, the ladies and Zeke thought you went home" I groaned gently and sighed. I specially told those drunkards that I was going to get water. Frustration drowned my emotions. I stood there not knowing where to go from here "Do you know if they grabbed my stuff at least?" I asked desperately. All of my belongings were in my bag including my phone and house keys. If it wasn't here then I would have to go to each and every single one of their houses until I reclaimed my items, the thought made me nauseous. Both of the guards looked at each other then back at me shrugging. I took a deep breath as I felt my heart fall out of my chest and down onto the ground. I became worried and as a result I began to hyperventilate. ``C-Can I at least look?" I asked, gripping onto my chest. The guards looked up the stairs, passed the velvet rope and had fear written all over their faces. They stood there looking at each other as if having a couple through their eyes. Finally they looked back at me "There are some important businessmen in the VIP section, the last thing you want to do is interrupt them" The guard on my left said, I shook my head vigorously and I felt my face become hot with nervousness and fright "No! Please, I'll be quick. I promise I won't do anything to bother them. My bag has all of my things in it, including my phone and house keys please!-" I whined putting my hands together, I looked between the two guards who groaned gently and nodded reluctantly and let me pass through the velvet rope.

      I didn't think the guards were serious. Six men who were dressed in fancy black suits and shiny dress shoes sat in the section looking extremely stressed and tired. One of the guards went up to the section with me to make sure I didn't cause any trouble. "I'm sorry to interrupt gentleman.." The guard said, I stood slightly behind him for a sense of protection. The gentlemen who sat there in the section turned away from their conversation at hand and at the guard. The music in the club seemed to ease, people receded back to the lounging area and enjoyed the slow dimmed music. "This young lady was here before you guys and she-" I hadn't realized him before, standing with his back towards us. Standing at the railing, looking down at the club. He held up his hand which immediately silenced the guard. Mr. Ace slowly turned around, immediately I felt shame and regret knowing our last encounter concluded terribly. I held my breath and stared down at the ground wanting more for this moment to pass so I could go home. "Thank you sir, but this young lady has a mouth on her and she can speak for herself. You're dismissed" His words were quick, slick, and dominant. He spoke with so much ease and confidence that was scary. It made goosebumps rise from my skin. The guard who stood next to me, looked at me before nodding his head, turning away from me, and disappearing down the stairs. Once again I was alone with a bunch of men.

      "Speak" Mr. Ace demanded. I looked up at him with disgust written all over my face. The men surrounding us broke soft chuckles. They enjoyed this, belittling women for their own sadistic pleasures. It was like they were in a fraternity for grown narcissistic men. "I don't need your permission to speak" I spat, I tried controlling my attitude but Mr. Ace brought out the absolute worst in me, and he knew it. Mr. Ace walked away from the railing and raised his eyebrow at his colleagues, smirking at them finding my latest comment amusing. He had a drink in his hands but I couldn't tell what he was drinking. "Well, if I didn't tell you to speak little one, you would've stood there not saying anything, like a complete fool" He sat down in an armrest that was probably 10 feet away from me, his friends sat on sofas that faced each other, on both sides of the arm rest. Everyone's eyes were on me. Mr. Ace tightened his jaw. He rendered me speechless, I pressed my lips together hating how he could drive my extensive vocabulary into nonexistence.

       "I j-just need my things" I felt so inferior, and less than compared to these men. I absolutely hated it. I began to search the room for my messenger bag not wanting to take up anymore time here in this room with them. My eyes widened and a slight smile came to my lips as I found my bag peacefully resting underneath the sofa. Without waiting for a response I got down on my all fours and stuck my arm underneath the couch gripping onto the strap of my bag. "Holy s**t, you're that girl from the strip joint-" one of the guys said as I stood up. It's a possibility that I served these guys while I was there or they witnessed me spilling drinks into Mr. Ace's lap. I settled the strap of my messenger bag onto my shoulder and nodded at the gentleman's statement "You're the Dazzle girl.." He said, causing me to choke, I wanted to leave that persona behind, the name Dazzle kept on following me everywhere. The only good part about it, is that they didn't know who I really was and I wanted it to stay that way. "You mind doing a little encore?" Another gentleman asked, but the way his eyes wandered up my body and the hardness in his voice made it more of a demand rather than a request. The gentlemen around him all agreed with daunting smirks on their faces that made me shift uncomfortably where I stood. Mr. Ace was slowly sipping on his drink letting his eyes venture down my body, not having any kind of protest to what his friends are asking me to do.