Girl Wears Those Shoes

A REAL ESTATE AGENT WANNA BE

A REAL ESTATE AGENT WANNA BE

Suddenly, there was a chime that dragged Gigi out of her fleeting reverie. The elevator doors opened on the second floor. Gigi jumped out in denim mini-skirt and bright red top. She looked to her left and right, clueless about which direction to go. A few people passing by threw glances at her. Gigi shrugged. Good or bad, she was used to the attention.

“Ha, the reception desk is right in front of me. Duh!” She walked up to the front desk.

“Hi, there!” Gigi flashed a big smile. “I’m here to see Eddie Johnson.” She let out her half-native Texan and half Chinese accent.

“Welcome to Galaxy Realty.” The lady with dark hair looked at her puzzled. The expression reminded Gigi of her coarse accent. But maybe not. She didn’t give too much thought to that. “Who should I say is visiting?”

“Happy Panda in the Galaxy!” Gigi replied, looking around the room she was standing in.

“Ha . . .” A blush color ran on her pale complexion. “Eddie, there is a Happy Panda just arrived at our Galaxy here!” She pressed the speaker. “You are funny!”

“So what’s your name, babe? I’m Gigi—Gigi O. I’m joining today!”

“Awesome! I’m Ava Stanton. This way, please.” Ava got up and came out from behind her desk. The moment she gestured at Gigi to follow her, she couldn’t help staring at Gigi’s stripper platform shoes. “Girl, where did you get those shoes?” Ava gasped. She felt instantly refreshed around this newcomer whom she thought looked way too young to mingle here. To Ava, it was a senior citizens occupied office. Almost all the agents had been in the business for at least 20 years and their various shades of gray hair demonstrated experience. Real estate was an old industry. She looked at Happy Panda again. Perhaps it’s time to shake it up. Eddie must have known better!

Strolling in the hallway, Gigi’s platform pumps attracted a couple of more stares. “They don’t like my shoes?”

“Who cares? I like them!” Ava said, c*****g her head. “He’s in there, waiting for you.” She gave Gigi a thumb up. “Those heels rock!” Her face was no longer pale.

“Thank you, Eva! I can’t wait to rock this Galaxy in them!”

The light was always dim and the music was always loud when the entertainers, actually strippers, performed on the stage. Babe’s Gentlemen’s Club was a posh place where a stripper was called dancer and the dancer was formally referred to as an entertainer, in which the title might have made her seem like working undercover, it did sound a little more respectful and a little less vulgar, and defined the job better in this upscale establishment. The top maker girls were the ones who not only knew how to sell lap dances but also knew how to pick up conversations. Believe it or not, it took a lot of chitchat to entertain, especially when it came to those who would stay for hours with deeper wallets. There was no doubt that this place was well-known and popular in Houston. Not only were the dancers Playboy level gorgeous, but they also were skilled performers on stage, for there wasn’t stripper pole to climb up and down. They had to know a few things to carry out a show, whether it was a dance or a skit. Babe believed that it was a much classier way to present sexiness. And sure enough, they had a long list of wealthy clients from all over the world.

On this mid-afternoon, Gigi dried her tears and dusted some powder under her eyes. She was determined to move on.

“Are you sure you are okay to get on the stage, doll? Any of us can do it for you, babe.” Candy helped her wrapping up the clear straps of the platform pumps around her ankles.

Gigi gave her a faint smile and nodded, saying, “It’s my turn.”

The DJ started the soft melody of Sade. Gigi swiveled slowly in the multi-colored lights. At the pitch of the song, she dropped on her knees, bent over her back and covered the floor with her long hair. The floor of the stage took millions of hits from spiked heels day after day, though it remained incredibly smooth. It cooled her skin yet warmed her heart with strength. She felt coming back onto earth somehow. She turned her head to the audience. Through the smoky air, she met her eyes, like the bluest sky. Gigi smiled.

Laya entered the dressing room and said, “China Doll. You are requested. Girl, this one is huge! And by the way, ladies, y’all need to get out there to work the floor! There are quite a few tables.”

“Who is it wants our China Doll? Can I sit with her?” Candy asked.

“No. That woman wants her only.”

“I know who she is, Hanna Hampton, the owner of the Silhouette! Girl, she’s famous, like a gay celebrity or something.” Cherry was squeezing herself into a glitter Corset.

“And she’s so fine . . .”

“Let’s go, ladies! Rock-n-Roll!”

Gigi walked up to the table. Hanna, with a champion blonde bob, and sporting a dark Armani blazer, opened her arms. Gigi saw those sky-blues again. The world stood still for a second. The air was diffused with the thick smoke of cigarettes, and the scent was mixed with fancy perfumes and cocktails. Sade’s voice continued:

“I gave you all the love I got

I gave you more than I could give

Gave you love . . .”

Gigi wrapped her arms around Hanna and slid her body down her lap to the sultry melody. None of the five men sitting at the table made any sound.

After Gigi finished her lap dance, everybody at the table tried to catch a breath.

“I’m obsessed with you,” Hanna said, between sips of her wine. “You’re out of this world beautiful, sweetheart . . . so sensual.”

Gigi giggled at her daring eyes. She was enamored by Hanna’s polished British accent. “So . . . you are?”

“I’m in the fashion business.”

One of the men announced in an effeminate voice, “She’s our boss, gorgeous. We are the house of Silhouette Boutique, headquartered in London.”

“Yeah, you read Forbes? She was on the cover a few months ago,” another man said.

“Oh, bloody hell!” Hanna gave them a nonchalant wave.

Gigi noticed her long arm and exquisite hand.

Laya promptly poured a glass of Champagne for Gigi.

“Wow! What a pleasure! Your Poppy Martini there is insane! But it’s much too fancy a place for me to visit often. I mean, expensive! I’ll probably have to work something extra to earn the entrance, like, may I shine your shoes, Mademoiselle?”

Hanna threw her head back and laughed. She said, “You’re funny. Yes, Poppy Martini is delicious, isn’t it? You’ve earned your VIP pass today, darling, that dance . . .” Her blue eyes gazed at Gigi in the flickering lights. “You are insanely stuning.” She ran her hands through her hair. “I’m in love. I want to see you again—away from here, I mean.”

“All right . . . I think you are nice too . . . but . . . um . . .” Gigi wasn’t sure how to put it. She lowered her head. Her hair fell on Hanna’s shoulder.

“Oh, not that. I’m dating someone already. I meant . . . how about be really great friends? I’d love to hang out with you while I’m here in Texas . . . like have a lovely time together. Is that acceptable, sweetheart?”

Gigi smiled. Was it those sky-blue eyes, the slight dimple or the British accent? Gigi found herself talking and laughing with Hanna and her peeps. As the party went on, Gigi even shared with Hanna her interest in investing in the stock and mutual fund markets. Hanna was impressed. With that dark hair and those red lips, she didn’t expect to include Wall Street in the conversation.

“I was born and raised in a little town, outside Beijing, China,” Gigi said. “We moved here when I was about 10.”

“What made you become an exotic dancer?” Hanna sounded inquisitive.

“An exotic dancer? Right. I need cash and I have the looks. That’s how simple it is. Didn’t you know that all the good looking girls in Texas danced?”

Hanna was listening with immense interest.

“Some girls I know talked me into working in the club because of the money and everything.” Gigi tried to explain her profession in the simplest of words. “Cash is great. I’ve been studying how to invest and stuff . . . and . . .” She bit her lips, let out a breath, and smiled. It seemed she smiled plenty around Hanna. “And, as a matter of fact, today is my last day here!”

“What? Lucky me! Where will you be going?”

“Well . . .” Gigi couldn’t believe how much she already spilled to her new friend. She felt she had known her all her present and previous life. “Surprise! I’m going to be a real estate agent!”

“Wow, how lovely! Congratulations! That calls for another round and a toast for sure!” Hanna waved Laya over again but kept her eyes on Gigi. “You know what? How about dinner with me on Friday? There is this brilliant restaurant I’d like to take you to. How fascinating I’ve just met the most gorgeous upcoming real estate woman in town!”

Working in this facility, Gigi constantly received offers and proposals every day. She never permitted herself going out with just any customer. She wanted to keep the theory of What happened in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But what was it about this expensive-looking blonde? She couldn’t help smiling. She forgot her last tears. And never mind her Vegas theory. What would it be like to be her friend and really get out of this place? Perhaps by tomorrow.

Gigi blunted out, “All right . . .” She batted her lashes. What’s it like to be totally out there, as a regular woman? No, like her, a powerful professional woman? She was itchy with anticipation.

Hanna’s dimple was deepened. “You are safe with me, sweetheart.”

“Whoo . . . how fancy! Love your boots!” Gigi pointed at Hanna’s black Louboutin ankle boots. “What a scream!”

“They’re my favorite too.”

“The red sole gives away that love at first sight kind of vibe, I must say,” She blew a kiss.

Hanna grew extremely hot. She needed to remove her jacket. She needed some air.