His Personal Dancer

5

      "Raina where are you?! You need to come now! I just gave you your job back and a day later you are two hours late?!" Zeke screamed into the phone partially damaging my sense of hearing. My alarm clock didn't go off and I was woken up by the police sirens ringing through the street. I had quickly taken a shower, slipped on a black short sleeved v neck, a black skater skirt, and a pair of black low top converses. Now I was running up the stairs from the subway running through the streets of New York like a madman. "Zeke I'm so sorry! I'm right down the block I promise!" I pleaded into the phone as I ran across the street causing a few people in their cars to honk at me. "You better! WE NEED YOU NOW!" Zeke hung up the phone and I whined hoping that he wasn't thinking he made a mistake by giving me my job back. I didn't know why he was making such a fuss about me being there, he had other servers, if anything I was just there for an extra applause in the audience.

      "I'm here! I'm here!-" I ran into Zeke's office completely out of breath. I dropped my stuff down onto the floor before collapsing onto the couch. Zeke stood up from behind his desk and hurried over to me. He grabbed a hold of my wrist and tried lifting my limp body off of the couch I resisted. "Raina, you are going to be the death of me. Get up!" He pleaded forcefully, I sighed softly before sitting up. Zeke handed me a bottle of water, which I uncapped quickly and drank the cold liquid replenishing my dehydrated soul. "He wants a private dance from you" The words fell from Zeke's lips quickly hoping that I didn't hear him but I did. Slowly I peeled my lips away from the rim of the water bottle and raised my eyebrows at him "Who?" I asked sternly, although I had an idea of who but I wanted  him to confirm that terrifying thought "Mr. Ace" He said slowly, as if ripping off a bandaid slowly which didn't work. A laugh escaped my lips and I shook my head vigorously "No Zeke, No! I don't want to be in the same room with him! You can't just pimp me out to whomever Zeke!" Zeke rolled his eyes at my plea and turned away from me heading towards the door. I stood up from the couch and grabbed my things off of the ground following him. "Raina you pimped yourself out the minute you got out on that stage-" I trailed behind Zeke as we got to the bottom of the stairs I followed behind him trying to reason him out of this private dance. Dancing in front of a whole group of men in an open area is very different from a private dance, it's behind closed doors and I hear that girls do more than just dance. "I have declined every single perverted man who wanted to see the dancer Dazzle. I turned down huge sums of money because I was protecting you. Mr. Ace said if he gets a single dance from you, he'll invest-" Zeke stopped and turned around to face me causing me to halt abruptly "one million dollars into the club, think about what I can do with that money. Think about what the dancers could do with that money Raina, this club could be the talk of the f*****g town and we could run New York. Raina-" Zeke placed his hands onto my forearms and squeezed them as he looked at me with wide pleading eyes. "Please, you don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with. All you have to do is dance.." I bit my bottom lip and sighed nodding my head faintly at Zeke, he beamed with joy and wrapped his arm around my shoulders leading me towards the velvet rooms once again. "You'll just have to go in looking like that, he's been waiting for too long now" Zeke said, giving my shoulders a reassuring squeeze which didn't help at all.

      I stood in front of the door for a while now. After Zeke had shoved me in and shut the door behind me. The room was lit by a red chandelier. The entire room had a red interior down to the door knob. I walked over to the mini bar and set my stuff down onto the bar top. I took deep steady breaths as I walked down a few steps into the sitting area where the chairs faced a small stage with a single role which was also red. A nervous sigh escaped my lips as countless men in black suits and white button downs stood along the velveted walls, all but one. He sat in a red armchair, his arm hung off the side as his hand dangled over an empty whiskey glass. I stepped onto a loose floorboard which creaked alive my attempted quiet entrance. I stopped as he slightly looked over his shoulder, I took in a deep breath as he turned back forward. I bit the inside of my mouth and slowly made my through the armrests of chairs towards the stage. "Ms. Dazzle, I do not want a performance. A simple dialogue is all I desire" his voice sent shivers down my spine. I stopped and let out a deep sigh before turning around. Mr. Ace was slumped down in his chair in a 4 figure sitting position. His eyes pierced through mine causing me to shift uncomfortably where I stood. He caught wind of that and looked away from me, he took a bottle of bourbon and poured it into two glasses with ice in them. Bourbon on the rocks, how ironic. "Please take a seat.." His tone was gentle, it was unfamiliar to my ears. Mr. Ace motioned to the arm rest that faced him. Everything inside of me wanted to run right out of this room, but I didn't have the guts to. I let out a deep breath, I moved suddenly to the chair in front of him and sat down. I just wanted to get this over with and leave. I hated being around this man. Mr. Ace grabbed a newly made drink off of the table that separated the two of us and motioned for me to take the other one. I guess he overlooked the fact that I threw a drink in his face not too long ago, the same drink I might add. My back relaxed against the chair, I looked around feeling intimidated being the only girl in a room full of men. 

      Ultimately I focused my attention back onto Mr. Ace, who had been staring me down while his lips were attached to the rim of the glass, wearing a black button down along with a black tie to match. He had his jacket draped on the back of the chair. I traced my finger over the rim of the glass and watched him lower his glass back onto the table. "I wanted to formally apologize to you, my week has been unbearable, and I took that out on you as soon as the tiniest mishap occurred. What I did to you and how I spoke to you was uncalled for, disrespectful, and barbaric" His apologetic voice made me hold in my breath too nervous to breathe, although I was nodding away in my head agreeing with him a hundred percent.. Why did he sound so sincere? He  couldn't be, after everything he has made himself to be now he wants to change his self image? I hated it because it was working. "Why did you put that drink on my kitchen counter? I know it was you" I asked him gripping onto the glass, I sat up straight somewhat gathering particles of confidence. He looked at me before nodding his head gently and looking away from me "I wanted to show you the kind of man I was, to scare you" I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as he locked his eyes with mine. A nod came to my head looking away from him, I leaned forward to put the drink down onto the table. "Okay.." I said faintly, my eyes met his once again. I pressed a faintly smile to my lips just wanting to close this horrific chapter. "I forgive you, things happen and people have bad days" He looked at me smirking at my words and shook his head at me "You don't believe that.You despise me don't you?" He asked, he leaned forward staring me down with his green golden fleck filled eyes. I swallowed hard and nodded softly "Yes, I'm completely terrified and disgusted by you.." His head gently nodded at my words and he leaned back into his chair looking away from me. "Was that before or after you danced for me?" He said, hiding his smirk underneath his hand, I felt my face heat up and immediately I grabbed the drink off of the table and took a sip trying to conceal my blush. Sadistic prick.

       "One last thing before we conclude'' he asked as the smirk fell from his lips and he turned back to face me "The man who touched you inappropriately , causing you to spill a drink on me which one is he?" He asked, his threatening demeanor started to arise once again. I put my drink down one last time before turning slowly in my chair scanning the room looking for the man who smacked my bum. My eyes stopped abruptly on a man who stood with his hands folded in front of him, he stood there frozen and emotionless like a statue. I looked down at his hands and I immediately felt the sting on my bum taking me back to that dreadful day. I motioned to him with my finger before turning back to face Mr. Ace. He nodded, before standing up slowly. He was a tall built scary man, "Alright Ms. Dazzle, again I do apologize for my actions. It was nice speaking to you, but it's time we part ways" he said. He didn't have to tell me twice, I shot up from my seat and darted towards the door "May we never meet again" He said as I picked my things up from the bar top. I turned around and nodded my head giving Mr. Ace a formal farewell "Never again. Goodbye Mr. Ace'' I said with a slight smirk on my lips. I was actually enjoying saying goodbye to him. Knowing I never have to see this man again brought me pure joy. Mr. Ace gave me a slight nod and with that I pulled open the door and left. After this everything will go back to normal, I just feel it.

      "Alright, it's ten o'clock!" I screamed announcing to the whole club. I waited to hear the distant goodbyes from the dancers"We love you Raina!" I looked up and saw Zeke standing at the window waving at me with a smile "Don't be late tomorrow! Get home safe you rascal!". I sent him an air kiss before leaving the club. I pulled the hoodie of my cardigan over my head as the cold breeze danced on my bare legs. Everything was fixed, and back to normal. I never have to see Mr. Ace again. I still get to keep my job. Everything came out to the way I wanted it to be. I clenched onto the strap of my bag as I smiled wildly to myself. As I walked down the steps of the subway my mind was preoccupied with my celebrating thoughts to realize that the subway was completely cleared out. It was nightfall and people started coming and going from work and other destinations. "Is the apocalypse starting?" I whispered to myself, although curious the train came riding on the tracks at full speed. I looked around at the sight before stepping into the train car as its doors opened for me. I took a seat, the train car was somewhat empty. Along with me, two other men and a woman sat a fair distance away from each other. As I looked around the train car my heart dropped meeting a pair of eyes, the same green golden fleck filled eyes. My heart relaxed as it was only an advertisement. 'Ace Industries' the poster said. I titled my head to the side eyeing the poster, why is it I have never heard of this man until a few days ago? Who was he, truly? A ruthless sadistic ill-tempered man? A  genuine business man who had a stressful week? I don't know, and I don't care to find out. I looked away from the poster and took a deep breath closing my eyes in an attempt to ease my mind.

      Once I stepped off the subway, it would be another fifteen minute walk to my apartment. I lived in a fairly rough neighborhood but it was home for me. I opened up my messenger bag searching for my keys, I stopped abruptly pulling out my phone digging into my bag trying to search for an object that was obviously not in my possession. A deep sigh left my lips, I dropped my arms down to my sides rolling my eyes slightly "Crap" I groaned to myself, I looked at the lock screen on my phone and the clock read to be 10:36. Zeke closes the club at 11:00 o'clock, I wouldn't get there in time. I unlocked my phone, turning around as I started to begin to walk back to the subway. I went to Zeke's text messages and started to type out a message pleading for him to leave the club open. "Ms. Dazzle?" I stopped in my tracks abruptly and looked up from my phone. I swallowed hard, slowly taking a step back. He looked out of place, standing there with an all black tailored suit with shiny black dress shoes, slicked back hair. Mr. Ace eyed me, he took a step towards me causing me to take another step back. He had one hand in his pocket and the fixated on his tie. His golden rings shined as the street lights hit it.  He was going to kill me. He followed me out here to slaughter me in an alleyway. I knew that apology was bullshit. "Why are you following me?!" I shouted, a good ten feet stood between us. I could make a run for it.

       I did track my freshman year of high school, never went back to the sport though. "Ms. Dazzle, I'm not following you" Mr. Ace said shaking his head with a smirk. I scoffed through my lips as he took another step closer to me, immediately I dialed 911 on my phone and hovered my thumb of the green button "Then how did you know where I lived!?" I shouted over the ten feet that stood between us. It was probably eight by now with the minor steps he has been taking towards me. "Ms. Dazzle, I do not know where you live.  And quite frankly the two of us talking in the street with this amount of distance between us is ridiculous!" He shouted, the smirk from his lips fell as he began storming towards me. My heart began to race with fear, I held my arm out in front of me "IF YOU COME ANY CLOSER YOU MISOGYNISTIC PRICK I WILL CALL THE COPS!" I screamed from the top of my lungs. My throat burned after the fact, I breathed heavily as I looked up at Mr. Ace who had reduced the space between us to two feet. Mr. Ace stood there, he shoved his hands into his pockets. He looked away from me clenching his diamond cutting jaw. "I asked Zeke to point me in the direction of the route you would normally take to get home-" he looked back at me with cold dead eyes and pulled his hand out of his pocket, I flinched slightly "Because you left these on the bar top" Mr. Ace said as my keys dangled in his fingertips. My mouth dropped immediately regretting how I composed myself. I turned off my phone and swallowed hard before reaching out and grabbing my fuzzy kitty key chain from his grasp. 

      As soon as I reclaimed my possession he turned away from me sharply, maybe I was wrong about him. "Mr. Ace!-" I yelled, he stopped. I ran to catch up to him and he turned around to meet my face "I'm sorry, I am. I just-" Mr. Ace crossed his arms over his chest and c****d his head to the side waiting for my explanation, I had no words to give him. I pressed my lips together and looked down at his dress shoes. "How you perceive me to be is incorrect-" he started, his tone was gentle and somewhat soothing. I looked up to him clutching onto my keys holding them close to my chest. "I am ashamed of my actions, I deeply regret them and wish that I could erase them from time. That is why I apologized to you. That is why I doubled my investment in the club . That is why I kil-!" His voice began to rise, he cut himself off by taking a deep breath. What was he going to say? "Have a good evening Ms. Dazzle"  Once again he turned away from me. He didn't finish his sentence, I was curious about what he was going to say. "Wait!-" I screamed, he turned around sharply dragging his hand down his face, it was quite apparent that he was irritated. "I'm sorry, but what did you expect me to think about you when our first encounter was horrid?" I said, a sigh escaped his lips and he forced his eyes to meet mime "I accepted your apology, thinking that I would never have to see or speak to you again. Now here you are following me in the streets of night time New York, how else was I supposed to react?" His face softened at my words, he nodded faintly and let out a deep breath. He didn't say anything for a while. We just stood there silently staring at each other, until he looked over his shoulder and nodded his head. I looked past him, raising my eyebrows and saw two men with identical black suits standing there. 

      Speeding around the corner was a black SUV, approaching where we stood. He was going to kidnap me, holy s**t. "Before you create foolish scenarios in that head of yours. I wanted to ask you something when we conversed, but I didn't have the courage to" I shook my head at his words and stepped back with a disgusted expression on my face "I'm not going to marry you!" I screamed, Mr. Ace blinked looking around to see where I got the idea from. As the SUV pulled up beside us, the two men who had been yards away from us were now beside the car, one had opened the door "Marriage? What? I guess I was too late on you creating nonsensical scenarios in your mind" He said with a chuckle lingering in his voice. My face heated up, I looked away from him biting the inside of my mind "It's a business proposition. Regarding...yourself and the club. I would like to discuss it further with you as we take you home" I looked back at him, then the inside of the car,and finally back at him. "The club? Will it benefit the club?" I asked taking a step toward him, he looked past me and popped his eyebrows up slightly swaying his head side to side as if trying to perfectly arrange his words "Indirectly, yes" He said finally looking back down at me. If this business proposition was going to help the club then I had to take it. Zeke and the girls have done so much for me, it's the least I could do. "Then who will benefit directly?" I asked him. His lips curled into a discreet smirk, he took another step towards me leaving less than a foot between us "You" he said sternly. I searched his eyes for any kind of deception, and there was nothing. I hesitated though, getting into a car with a man I barely knew wasn't at all smart. "Okay-" I said he nodded and turned towards the car without letting me finish. "

      We are only talking business" I said taking a step off of the sidewalk toward the car, Mr. Ace stopped in front of the opened car and turned around to face me "I need reassurance that you aren't going to kidnap me!" Mr. Ace raised his eyebrow at me already tired of me being hesitant. He looked around and sighing softly before he stopped abruptly looking up to the sky "Right there is your reasurrance-" he said pointing up, I turned around then looked up to what he was directing to. "Security cameras, have my face on it. The license plate of the vehicle. Then you. If I were to take you, they would find you in at least 48 hours, and you'll have your phone already pre dialed to the police I assume" I looked down and turned back around to face him. "Is that enough reasurrance for you Ms. Dazzle?" He didn't wait for my response, he simply turned around and stepped into the back of the car. I exhaled sharply gripping onto my phone and keys. This was probably the stupidest thing I am ever going to do, and I was probably going to end up dead in a ditch in a few hours. Nevertheless, I took in a deep breath and climbed into the car.