Fighting for Peace

Shake it off

Adult Content ❗❗ Adult language ❗❗

"AADDIRAAAA" *gasp* *vigorous breathing *gasp My head was filled with cold sweat, and I could feel it. I attempt to control my breathing. Inhale in before exhaling out. Yet another absurd dream. This is the third occurrence this week. *The rapid breathing begins to calm. I can never manage to get away from my past, despite how hard I try. It's eating me alive from the inside.

In an anxious but quiet voice, "Adira." I put my hand on my chest and glanced up. It was Kelsey, my roommate. Since I arrived here six months ago, she has only seen me like this twice. I whispered "yeah" in a trembling voice.

"We're going to be running late." She answered in a vague tone, "It's four o'clock. I yanked the sheet off of me and raced to the restroom, saying, "s**t, I'm sorry," i said in a panicked tone.

"Girl, are you okay? This is the second time I have seen you like this." I'm here for you, so you know you can tell me anything. She captivated me with an emerald-green gaze that had a dash of gold.

I paused for a moment and smiled warmly at her. At least until I was certain of my ability to trust her, I couldn't tell her. She reached out and embraced me. She laughed as she motioned for me to hurry to the bathroom and get my toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup, and hair accessories so I could prepare my bag.

I yelled from the bathroom, "Kelsey, what are you wearing? She shouted, "My black Fringe Hem Backless Halter Top and shorts!" When I entered the room, I discovered that she had already picked out an outfit for me.

I walk towards the bed. "I had this in my closet and never wore it. I figured you could wear it today." said Kelsey. A white bra and panties decorated with Rhinestones and Crystals. Two thin straps with rhinestones on both right and left side crossed over the hip to the

"Is it not a bit revealing for a bartender?" I remarked erratically. She grinned "No, it's not. "Plus, some very important people are coming, and we need to look our best" . She exclaimed it joyously. I nodded and threw it in my bag with my chosen attire of shorts and a crop top.

I hopped into the car with Kelsey, and we sped off. Thankfully, it was only a 15-minute drive to the club. Kelsey always manages to arrive in under eight minutes.

I observed there were more vehicles than normal as we parked. Kelsey abruptly turned to face me as she parked. She continued in a serious voice, "I need you to swear to me you're genuinely going to wear the attire I picked out for you. I answered, staring down at my feet, "I don't know; it feels like it's too much, especially since I'm just a bartender."

Kelsey rolled her eyes and got out of the car. We started to make our way through the lane to the back entrance. I was startled by her sharp gasp. She smiled mischievously and added, "How about a bet?" I let myself in after opening the door. Okay, I'm listening, I said inquisitively. She held out her hand and said, "You have to change into the outfit I chose and do one dance, if I make 4 grand by 10:30." The time, which I noticed was around 5:30 p.m. I raised one brow and muttered, "Make it 9:00," with my arms crossed across my chest. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone to check the time. She said, "Deal," and shook my hand before rushing away in her seven-inch heels. I giggled to myself. Never in my life have I seen her earn that much in three hours. I don't believe there is anything for me to worry about.

The majority of the dancers were doing their hair and make-up as I entered the dressing area, where they were all getting ready. They were truly rather stunning. I sat down at the counter and began applying some eye makeup. I applied my red lip color to my lips first, then I grabbed my mascara and applied it to my lashes. An eyeliner with a little wing wouldn't hurt.

I was applying my wing eyeliner. Jessica moves closer to me. She was yet another stripper. She said, "Josh wants to talk to you, Adria." I answered, "Yeah, that's fine," as I finished applying my liner. "Let him know I'll be down in ten. I must first change." Then, she turned and walked away.

I removed the tinted lip stick with a tissue and then applied a glossy lip gloss over it. My long hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. Fortunately, I had curly hair that gave the impression that it had curled. I changed into the crop top and shorts, adding a gold chain and some earrings to complete the look. I reached for my black strappy sandals, which ended an inch above my knee.

I couldn't help but feel nervous as I made my way to Josh's office. Since giving me the position, he hasn't spoken to me at all. Although he was exceedingly gorgeous, he was also very reserved.

After approaching the door and knocking three times, I stepped back. My cheeks were getting warm and my heart was beating more quickly by the second. I have waited here for what seems like five minutes now. When I heard him, I had already taken a stride and was about to knock again. "Come in, Adria." My spine tingled from the depth of his words.

His office was exactly the same when I walked in as it had been four months prior. Clean, perscise, and neat. I took a closer look at the room. He said in his deep, husky voice, "Please sit. I turned my head in his direction, a bit uncomfortable. He was looking through some documents in a yellow folder as I took a seat. I spoke in a low voice, "Jessica said you needed me, sir." He replied, "Ah, yes," with some curiosity. He gave me a long, hard stare. He leaned back in his black leather seat and asked, "Would you mind standing, please?" "Of course, sir." I got to my feet and backed away a bit. "Turn slowly." I grew increasingly anxious and apprehensive as he continued to study me. "You may be seated." I walked slowly back to the chair, anxiously fumbling with my fingers. "It says here you're a bartender, correct?" "Yes, sir, I am." "Do you have any experience in pole dancing?" I was shocked by what he said. "No, sir, I don't," I said, trying to seem assured. "And why is that, Adria?" "Well, sir, I never really thought about it," I responded. I'm so anxious that I can feel the room heating up. He crosses his right leg over his left and utters the word "interesting." I greeted the man with "Well, sir," knock* knock*. As I awaited his next move, I paused my conversation. In a soft but audible voice he says, "Come in."

When I turn to check who it is, a man wearing a black suit enters. He is exceptionally well-built and has a terrifying appearance. I fidget around a bit in my seat. He said in a thick, raspy voice, "Mr. Alvarez is here to meet you, Mr. Cutler. Josh aligns his button-up shirt, stands up, and turns to face me. He answered calmly with a stern look, "You will have to excuse me, Adria; we will resume our conversation at a later time." "Yes, sir," I stood up and was about to leave when another man opened the door.

He was tall and incredibly attractive. His blue-green eyes, light brown skin, and jet-black hair all stood out. The gods worked very hard on this man. Compared to Josh and the terrifying dude, he possessed a better physique. I am 5'5", thus I was able to touch his mid-chest despite his height. He must be at least 6'1" tall. His black button-up dress shirt wonderfully defines his waist and enhances his abs and pecks.

He moved a bit too close to my comfort zone by taking a step forward. In a questioning tone, he asked, "And who is this?" "Ah, this is Adria, Mr. Alvarez." When he slid in front of me, I offered him a short smile and made an effort to get around him. "Let me guess another one of you whores, I suspect," he replied. I grinned sarcastically. He was very attractive, but he was also a d**k. I looked at Josh. "May I leave, sir?" I uttered it in a harsh manner. Josh responded, "You may, yes. When I turned around once more, he was still unresponsive. I said, trying not to sound irritated, "Excuse me.

"If you knew who I was, you wouldn't talk to me in that tone," he whispered into my ear as he knelt down by the side of my neck. I had chills as his hot breath touched my flesh. Was he really FUCKEN serious.a I answered sharply, "Well, quite honestly, I couldn't care less. as I rolled my eyes. "If you would excuse me, I have things to do," I replied. He soon moved aside so I could pass. Who does he think he is, anyway? I take a few steps toward the bar before pulling out my phone to check the time. thirty six. Gemma is going to murder me for sure.

I strolled over to the bar, and as usual, it was crowded. In fact, I regretted leaving Gemma there unattended. "Hey Gemma, sorry I'm late." She wiggled her brows and replied, "It's okay, I heard you had a conversation with Josh. I smirked humorously, "Well, you don't see a hot guy every day." Josh is Gemma's ultimate crush. Sincerely, I've always believed they would make a cute couple. gasp* "I'm so hurt." I turned around to look at Jasper. He was a regular. Every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. he would arrive. "My heart breaks with you", I whispered as I placed my palm on my chest just over my heart. I winked as I said it. "Do you want the usual jasper?" "Actually, no, give me one bourbon on the rocks and one neat." I looked at Gemma and said, "Okay, coming right up," she seemed hesitant.

She seems interested in finding out who the other drink is for. "So, who is the lucky girl?" I commented as I placed the two glasses on the surface. He grinned warmly and laughed as he did. "There is no girl; it's for my brother." While making other people's beverages, I noticed Gemma taking a little time to unwind. Is she really f*****g him? I enquired, "Oh, I didn't know you had a brother." "Well, we aren't exactly similar; on the contrary, we are polar opposites." How different could you guys possibly be, then? Unless, of course, he's an asshole, that is. I raised my brow at him. He laughed and replied, "Don't let him hear you say that." He said, "Well, speaking of the devil, here he comes," as I was making another drink for a customer. "Adria, this is my brother, Nicolás." When I see him, I'm about to look up and extend my hand. Mr. Alvarez, that d**k from before I lowered my hand once again. "Oh, we've previously met," I remark with a bitter expression. "indeed we did" he said with a blank expression. I turned to Jasper and smiled, "I stand corrected; he is the exact opposite of you. "I see," he chuckled.

"ADRIAA! ADRIAA!" When I heard and looked around, I was shocked to see Kelsey running in my direction with joy. I said, "f**k," beneath my breath. It is now 8:40 when I looked at the clock. I forced a hard swallow as I saw Kelsey draw near. She threw the cash onto the desk. "Count it." I was stunned. I am unable to count everything by myself. Kelsey jumped up and down, "Let's split it in two so we can count it faster." We began counting when Jasper remarked, "Make it three." I might have missed a couple of bills. wink* wink*.

To count it, we needed around eight minutes. Jasper answered, "I got 1,349. Kelsey said, "I got 1,325" I said, "I got 1,299." All done. Let me check. I took a calculator and entered the amount. "That's only $3,973, ha!" You are short $27. The transaction is off, I remarked with pride. "what deal?" asked by Jasper. "If my good dear friend Kelsey can make it four grand by 9:00, then I would wear the outfit she chose the rest of the night and do one dance," I replied as he glanced at his wristwatch. "Well, technically, it's 8:52." "You have eight minutes to make $27," he continued, turning to Kelsey. He made a smug shrug. "Give me a 5-minute lap dance, and I'll give you $100." When I turned to see who had said it, I saw that it was Mr. Alvarez. I yelled, "That isn't fair," furious. Kelsey ecstatically exclaimed, "A deal is a deal.

I simply kept giving everyone drinks as Kelsey gave him a lap dance. Well, crap, I didn't believe she would bring in $4k in just three hours. She placed the $100 bill on the pile of cash and stated, "8:58." "Now go get change, and I'll help Gemma while you're gone" . I sighed and got up to go to the dressing room. I instantly changed and it's actually more revealing than it appears to be. I've always felt self-conscious about my appearance. In middle and high school, I experienced a lot of bullying due to my weight. I feel like the room is getting darker, and it's getting harder to breathe. My cheeks started to burn, and my stomach plummeted.

I'm struck by a memory of my daughter. Her hair is dark brown, almost black, yet you can see a flash of red when the sun shines on it. Her magnificent brown eyes are even more lovely in the sun, almost as if they were made of gold. I work to keep my breathing steady. I have to emanate confidence. I must possess mental fortitude. All of this is intended for her.