HIS AFRICAN QUEEN (DSD SERIES SPINOFF)

Happy Birthday

Tanya moves to the beat as Jumpin' by Destiny’s Child plays. The lounge is full today and the girls are giving it their all to bring in their dinero.

Friday the second busiest day, since it is the start of the weekend and Saturday is when the lounge really is packed.

These days are hectic for the girls and stressful. If a woman is not familiar with the way things work around the lounge, she’d go insane with the amount of work that needed to be put in.

It may look like an easy job but it is quite the opposite.

Tanya moves to the left towards Becky, a brunette. They jump two times before dancing a little routine that draws the attention to them while the others move around seductively but slowly.

Most times these are done to give the dancers a break. The choreography sometimes wears them out so a few pauses or slow movements are placed in the dance to help them catch their breaths.

Left, right, dip, right, left and drop.

Tanya breathes heavily as they finish their number. Her skin is sweaty and sticky. Her 'kiss' mini-top clings to her body and the black leggings she sports feel uncomfortable against her skin.

The curtains close and the dancers get off the floor walking backstage as another group comes on.

"You did great T," Carmen says to Tanya as she runs on stage with the other group.

"Thanks, Car. Good luck!" Tanya replies before she moves through the halls pushing through sweaty bodies.

She makes her way to the gym with a sigh. It was her last performance for the day, she had been doing an early shift so she could get the rest of the day to celebrate her birthday.

Yes, today she is officially twenty. She hasn't received a happy birthday as yet but she isn't crossing her fingers.

It's okay if no one remembered, she hadn't told anyone what day it is. Only bad things occurred on her birthday it isn't something to celebrate.

She opens the door to the grey room filled with gym equipment. It has one louvered window on the external wall which faces a residing bar.

The gym is empty at the moment to Tanya's relief.

A fit body is a key component to being a dancer so it is advised that if any of the girls had free time they should hit the gym and work on their physique. That was Tomás' rule.

He is the boss and unlike most club owners actually cared about their wellbeing but he isn't a pushover. Some things he just won't accept and that includes skipping out on a performance when you're in good state of health.

Tanya walks over to the corner of the room where there is a table with a small stereo and she turns it on choosing a radio station.

Lizzo sings the lyrics of Good as Hell from the speakers as Tanya starts her work out.

It consists of squatting and tipping with weights on her shoulders, working her legs with the weights machine, doing some abdominals exercises and finishing off with a small routine.

Reggaeton lento plays out across the vacant room as Tanya dances with a smile upon her face and laughing in glee.

Spinning, twirling and gliding across the room adding a little contemporary dancing within the routine. It's a bit odd to dance this song alone but Tanya moves around regardless of the lack of a partner.

She runs towards the corner of the room going into a cartwheel and landing in a split before twisting her body around like a breakdancer. She stops laying on her back, one leg bent and the other atop that one.

A series of giggles escape her lips as the exhilarating feeling courses through her body. It has been a while since she danced something that doesn’t always consist of looking seductive.

Sweat trickles down her body soaking her body as if she had recently taken a dip in a river or body of water. Her hair is wet and the strands are spangled out on the floor around her head.

She smiles as she remembers the days she used to dance around with her mom and dad. They were awful at dancing but their dancing sessions were always fun and she would always end up laughing. One such moment was when her mother tried to learn how to do a cartwheel and ended up on her ass.

Tanya and her dad would just laugh causing her mom to smack him upside the head before chasing Tanya around the house for an apology.

Tanya’s parents weren't perfect but they loved and cared for her… and she missed them.

Someone clears their throat and Tanya snaps out of her thoughts, looking into a pair of green eyes.

"Tomás," she says noticing his presence above her.

His eyes play over the swell of her breasts watching as it glistens in sweat before falling to her stomach. He watches the fall and rise of her abdomen and the glittering navel ring with gems of yellow, black and green; captivated by her small yet sexy physique.

She raises a brow at him noticing his lack of response and eye contact. He clears his throat getting his head out of the gutters and focuses on the task at hand.

Typical men, she mentally grumbles. They see a pair of boobs and they lose focus.

She rises from her lying position to a sitting one before turning to face him. "Hey, can you pass me a bottle of water from the cooler?"

"Sure," he states walking over to the cooler in a corner of the room and takes a bottle of mineral water tossing it to her.

"Thanks," she says bringing the bottle to her lips.

She drinks the water greedily a few drops spilling from her lips and running down her throat.

You would have thought that Tomás would be used to being in a room with a woman in little or no clothing, but that didn't stop him from lusting after any of his employees.

…and Tanya, well she is just a f*****g tease for him. Young, fit, sexy and single- or so he thought.

"What's up Tommy?" she asks as she rises to her feet walking over to the stereo to turn it down.

"Well, I'm here to tell you I have to let you go," he says casually and Tanya freezes after turning down the stereo.

She spins around facing him with wild eyes and uneven breaths. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you."

"I'm letting you go."

"Why?" she rushes out staring at him like he's grown two more heads.

"I've been advi-"

"I don't understand. I'm one of your best dancers, I help with costume designs and even choreography! I take extra shifts, I dance my butt off for my keep and you're firing me?!"

She couldn't believe her ears what could have driven him to make such a foolish decision?

"Tanya calm down. That’s no-"

"Are you done here?" A voice calls out and Tanya glares at the person who enters the room.

He stands at the door in a button-up, light blue shirt, khaki shorts and a pair of vans; his wild blonde hair falling onto his forehead and his blue eyes wide as they look at her.

She can feel his eyes burning her skin and the adoration in them makes her heart flutter for a while. She momentarily stares back at him with the same look of adoration before something clicked.

She shakes her head as it dawns on her. Alexander, he's the reason why she's getting fired. He wants her to go to Atlanta so he gets her fired… but how would he be able to get Tomás to agree? Wait, he was stinking rich... Of course!

"I'm afraid not Mr. Blake, she hasn't allowed me to explain," Tomás answers sweetly.

She rolls her eyes.

"Well it's understandable she does have a mouth on her," Alexander pipes in.

Tanya glares at him. "You did this! You made Tomás let me go!"

Alexander looks a bit taken back by her anger. Why is she angry? This is best for both of them.

"What's the matter with you? Why are you so angry about it?" he asks with a puzzled look.

"Isn't it bad enough I'm married to you?! Why did you have to go and get me fired?" she hisses. "This is all I have to pay my bills! I don't have a rich father like you, I can't make a call and money will appear! You're such an inconsiderate ass-"

"Fire you?" Tomás asks in surprise cutting Tanya's rant short. "Hell no, I couldn't do that. You're one of my best dancers."

Tanya's heart slows its rapid beating and she relaxes as Tomás' words dawned on her. She isn't getting fired... But what does he mean by letting her go?

"If you're not firing me what are you mean by 'letting me go'?" she asks as she looks at him questioningly.

Tomás runs his hand through his fiery red hair before replying. "I'm allowing you a leave. Think of it as a vacation."

"Vacation?" she asks like it's the strangest thing she's ever heard.

Tomás never gives vacations, the girls worked all year with a few days off. Never had Tomás mention the word vacation, it was like a swear word in his world.

"Yes, Mr. Blake here has informed me that you've recently been married and would like to request a month for you two to 'break-in' your new status as newlyweds." Tomás gestures to Alexander who looks at her blankly.

"So, I get to return after the month is up and I'll receive the same pay as I do now?" she asks and he nods.

"I won't be demoted?" he shakes his head. "I'll remain where I am right now no changes?"

"Yes," he replies getting a little annoyed. "Can’t you take my word for it? Do you want me to write it up in a contract for you?"

"Please?"

He glares at her and she holds her hands up in surrender. "I'm kidding."

Tomás shakes his head and walks towards the door with a dismissive shrug. "I'm going to get back to the office. Tanya your vacation starts today so I don't want to see you around here any longer. Pack your s**t and leave with that husband of yours."

With that, he leaves the room leaving Tanya and Alexander alone in the gym. An awkward silence takes over as they stare at everything in the room except for each other.

"So," Alexander starts. "We leave tomorrow at nine and we're driving."

Tanya nods stiffly before turning off the radio and grabbing her bottle of water. "I'll be ready. Just pick me up at my apartment. You do remember where it is right?"

Alexander nods pushing his hands in his pockets.

"Good. Tomorrow then," Tanya says as she walks towards the door.

"Um Tanya," he calls out.

"Yes?"

"Happy birthday," he says so softly she almost misses it. “You mentioned it the night we got married…”

"Thank you," she replies after a few seconds, blinking it surprise… he remembered her birthday.

She grips the water bottle tighter with a smile on her lips. "Thank you for remembering Alexander and I’ll see you tomorrow."

"You’re welcome…and tomorrow gazelle."

Her smile gets bigger as she steps out of the gym, leaving him behind. Gazelle.

She walks towards the dressing room with her smile intact, noticing the halls are strangely empty. A few girls are dancing on the stage at this moment but the halls aren't usually this empty.

Tanya raises a brow. Where is everyone?

She wipes the sweat from her forehead before opening the door to the dressing room. Screams and confetti assault her and Tanya looks around surprised at the scene before her.

"Happy Birthday!"

The girls are all gathered together singing the birthday song for her and Tanya's heart thuds loudly in happiness.

Oh my god, she thinks in excitement.

She covers her mouth and laughs tears streaming down her face. They remembered her birthday. They weren't obligated to but it warms her heart that they did.

They aren't her real family but they are family, her dancer family and the fact that they remembered touched her.

"Happy birthday to you dear Tanya..."

She longs to hear her mom singing this song to her, her father hugging her and scolding her mother for cooking so much food for just the three of them.

"It's our little girl's birthday she deserves the best," mom would always say. She wondered if they would still do that if they see her now.

The girls bring out a cake and Tanya finds herself sobbing. Carmen steps out of the crowd and hugs her laughing.

"Don't go soft on me T," she says as she wipes away her tears.

"Ew, you're sweaty," Carmen points out as she pulls away from Tanya.

They bring the cake forward and Carmen gently pushes her towards it. Tanya smiles as she looks at the circular cake with white icing and Happy birthday TaTa written on it.

"It was James's idea," Carmen says and Tanya's heart flutters. That little rascal. "Come on Tanya make a wish."

She nods her head, blowing out the lit golden '20' candle on top of the cake. The girls cheer and approach her with arms outstretched. They wish her happy birthday before crowding around the cake, each waiting for their share.

"So what did you wish for?" Carmen asks as she hands Tanya her slice of the chocolate cake.

Her eyes drift over to Alexander who is at the door watching the scene. He waves goodbye to her with a charming smile and Tanya can't help but smile back.

"For this s**t to resolve itself," she answers.

Slowly, she mentally added. I want to explore this marriage for a little while longer.

"Well, I say cheers to that," Carmen says holding up her plastic fork to Tanya.

Tanya stares at her best friend with a genuine smile. Carmen is a wonderful person and Tanya holds her dearly in her heart. She's like an older sister and she loves her as such.

"Cheers," she says as she clinks her fork with Carmen's.

Maybe her birthday isn't so bad after all.