Louise

by Diana Nixon

  “Oh, no. I wasn’t going to…”

  Her laughter stopped me mid-sentence. “Don’t worry, Chérie. I know you are here to dance only. Here we go — the room for you.” She opened the door to what looked like a changing room. There were costumes, all sorts of makeup and mirrors everywhere. “You have about two hours to get ready. We wanted to include you into one of the main shows, but the time for dancing is limited for tonight. So there will be only a solo dance from you, if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” I was actually more than happy that I didn’t have to participate in any other show but my own. I knew the dances the other girls were about to perform, they didn’t change as often as ours did in Le Papillon; so, I could watch a video from one of their trainings and learn the moves without anyone showing me them in person. Besides, Kate had already trained me the morning of my flight to Paris, that’s why I was ready for anything they threw at me here. Outside of having sex with the clients that is.

  Julia left, saying she would come back a few minutes before my show began, so I finally got a chance to look around. There was a huge screen in the room, demonstrating everything that was going on in the show room. I came closer and flinched at the thought of being a part of the local dancing team. Obviously, dancing was just a minor detail of the real work that the girls needed to do here.

  Someone knocked at my door.

  “Yes?” I asked cautiously. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and I sure as hell didn’t want one of the clients to take me for another local ‘star’.

  “Hey,” a dark-haired girl, maybe just a few years older than me said, stepping inside the room. “I’m Carrie. I was supposed to help you with your makeup and hair.”

  “Oh, thanks. I didn’t know I would have a makeup artist. Do all the girls have them here?”

  “No, but you are a foreign guest, which means you should have privileges.”

  “How very nice of you. Where are you from? Britain?” I asked, taking a seat in front of one of the illuminated mirrors.

  “Yes, how did you know?” Carrie came to stand behind me and started combing my hair.

  “Your accent. It doesn’t sound American, so I thought you were a Brit.”

  She smiled. “I speak French as well, but talking to someone who knows English as well as you do, is always a great pleasure.”

  “What about Julia?”

  “She’s the only other English speaking person here. But we don’t talk much. She’s the boss and I’m just a part of the personnel that she likes chewing out a lot. So if you care about your job and good mood, you’d better stay away from her.”

  “Oh, I see. Thank God, my boss back home is a great person. She’s more like a friend than the boss.”

  “You work in Le Papillon, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know the lady named Kate?”

  “Um … yes. Why?”

  “Julia hates her. I don’t know why, but she always says awful things about her.”

  “Things like what?” I asked, curious. Obviously, a woman like Julia had enough things to think about other than gossiping about someone who lived and worked in a different country.

  “Did you know that Kate used to work here?”

  “You mean she trained girls, right?”

  Carrie shook her head, looking at me through the mirror. “She was one of the … entertainers.”

  “What?” Of course I knew Kate used to dance in Pierre’s club, but I would have never imagined her doing anything but that…

  “Don’t tell anyone I told you that,” Carrie said.

  “I’ll keep my mouth shut. How long ago was it?”

  “Um, I’m not sure. About seven years ago, maybe. I didn’t work here back then. But Julia did. And as far as I know, she was afraid of Kate would take her place. Because Kate had always been one of Pierre’s favorites… If you know what I mean.”

  Is that why Kate got so nervous when she found out I was supposed to go to Paris with Pierre?

  “Was there anything between Julia and Pierre?”

  “No, and that’s where the problem lies. She’s still trying to get into his pants, but it’s all for nothing. Pierre hates her. Once I heard a conversation between them. They were shouting at each other, and Julia said that Kate would never betray Drew, your boss, right?” I nodded. “So Pierre hit her, like really hit her. She didn’t cry or anything, she just left saying she would destroy Kate, one way or another.”

  “So she hates her for stealing Pierre’s heart?”

  “This is why Pierre likes going to Le Papillon so much. He knows that Kate doesn’t participate in the shows anymore, but at least he can see her again.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I said thoughtfully. “Who would have thought that hate has no boundaries between countries, even when they are oceans apart?”

  “My point exactly. I still don’t know why Julia keeps working here. She could have found a different job, a long time ago. But she hates the idea of leaving. Once she said she would only leave when she was toes up.”

  I laughed. “The woman must be totally crazy about Pierre.”

  Carrie giggled. “I don’t think that ‘crazy’ is a strong enough word to describe her obsession with him. Now, what do you think?”

  I looked at my hair and I really liked the job Carrie did.

  “Looks amazing. Thanks.”

  “You are most welcome. What colors and shades would you like your makeup to consist of?”

  “I think gray and silver would be perfect to match my dress.”

  “Okay, whatever you wish.”

  In less than half an hour, I was ready for my solo, and I still had plenty of time to do, well, nothing. So I called William.

  “Louise?” He answered the call, sounding a little worried. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, why would you think different?”

  “It’s the first time you have ever called me...”

  “I have some free time before my show begins. I thought I would tell you more about the dress that I’m going to dance in tonight.”

  He cleared his throat, obviously trying not to laugh into the handset. “I’m getting more and more impatient to see it.”

  “Wait until you see me on the stage.”

  “What are you wearing now?”

  I looked down at myself, but there was not much to talk about…

  “Just a robe.”

  “Is there anything under it?”

  “What would you like to see under there?”

  “Nothing...”

  I smiled. “So I thought.”

  “You know me too well, Louise.”

  “No, I don’t. But you know how much I would like to know more.”

  “Hmm… You have a little more than an hour before the shows start, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then how about we play a round of ten-questions?”

  “Aren’t you afraid of the questions I might ask?”

  “Go ahead, try me.”

  Okay… So, what shall I start with? There were way too many questions I wanted to ask.

  “Are you going to wear a mask tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you take it off when we make love?”

  “Yes.”

  “But you will tell me to close my eyes, right?”

  “Maybe...”

  “What does that mean?”

  “There are many ways to make love without looking at each other...”

  Oh God, I shouldn’t have asked that question. But I couldn’t help myself.

  “Ways like what?”

  “I would rather show you than tell you about them.”

  “This is not fair. You have just ruined my fifth question!”

  He laughed. “Then think really hard before you ask the next one.”

  “Okay. Is there anything that you like women… to do… to you most?” I think I blushed from head to toe while asking that question. Thank God,
Will couldn’t see me now. ‘Cause there was no way I was gonna ask him about that without the phone separating us.

  “Yes. But I don’t think it matters. When I’m with you, it all happens naturally.”

  He was right. Whenever we were together, no words were needed. It was as if he knew exactly what I wanted him to do, as well as I knew what he wanted me to do.

  “Will you join me in the shower again? After we eat and dance…”

  “With pleasure.”

  “Will you be waiting for me in my room when I get back from the club?”

  “Yes. I’ll be waiting for you there. I like it more than mine.”

  I laughed. “I already figured that much.”

  “Two more questions, Louise.”

  Right…

  “So… Is this night going to be the only one that you will spend in my room?”

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to spend at least one more night without you.”

  His answer made my heart hurt. I didn’t know if he was going to keep seeing me after we were back to New York, I didn’t even want to think about it...

  “I know what you are thinking,” he said suddenly.

  “You do?”

  “I’ll find a way to spend as much time as I can with you, no matter where we are.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. So this unexpected vacation was not going to be a good-bye couple of days.

  “One more question,” Will reminded me.

  “You’ve just answered the only one I had on my mind. But can I save my last question for later?”

  “Okay.”

  His answer humored me. “You are unbelievably obliging today.”

  “It’s because I know I will get a reward.”

  I shook my head. “You will never change, will you?”

  “At least not in my attitude toward you.”

  There was one more thing I wanted to tell Will.

  “Thank you,” I said, reaching for my dress. It was time to put it on, but I had no desire to finish this conversation.

  “For what?”

  “For the Tower trip.” It was not the first time that Will and I spent together, but it still felt very special, not to mention the kiss that I could still feel burning on my lips.

  “You are welcome. Maybe one day, we will go there again. With no secrets hiding us from each other.”

  “I’d love that.” You mean secrets hiding you from me...

  “I think it’s time for you to go,” Will said. Did I just imagine it, or was he really upset about saying good-bye to me?

  “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  “I can’t wait for that moment to happen.”

  “Me too...” I hung up the phone, leaving the conversation unfinished. I thought it would be better to leave it like that, with no final point. Just as if we were still talking to each other, even if it was happening in our minds only.

  A few moments later, I got a new message from Will.

  “There will be a room for you and me, with nothing and no one standing between us, except for our hearts beating in sync together, and our breath mixing with each other. I’ll dance with you and I’ll drive you wild… Drive you crazy through the night. I will make sure your body and mind remember it forever… And when the dawn comes, I’ll awake you with a kiss, and then I’ll make love to you again, until you can no longer feel where the reality ends and a new dream begins…”

  Oh my…

  I shut my eyes for a moment, trying to stop the images drawn by his words from running through my mind. I used to think that men who still knew how to turn on a woman with the words alone, didn't exist anymore. Obviously, I was wrong. I didn’t dare to read the message one more time, because I was sure if I did, I wouldn’t be able to take a step out of the changing room. And I couldn’t miss my chance to dance for Will again, even though I knew I wouldn’t see him in the show room. But knowing that he would be there, watching me, was more than enough to bring my thoughts back to reality.

  I’ll have plenty of time to think about his message later, and hopefully, not just think, but experience his words and the meaning behind them…

  I took a deep breath and got up to get changed into my costume. This time there was not going to be any flying in the air, which was a relief. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to repeat my debut dance ever again, and definitely not in a place like The Crimson Moon.

  When the time for my show came, Julia told me to go to the foyer where other dancers had been waiting for their shows. On my way there, someone called my name. I turned around and saw a tall, elegant man in his mid forties coming to me. I didn’t know him. But judging by the glances others were giving him, he was an important person here.

  “Can I help you, Sir?” I didn’t know if he could speak English. Even my name said by him, sounded very French.

  “Louise,” he said again, taking my hand in his and kissing it. “I couldn’t wait to see you here, I hope your flight was all right?

  “Oh, I guess you are Mr. Pierre? I’m sorry I don’t know your last name.”

  “Not a big deal. Seeing you here is a great honor to me.”

  I smiled sheepishly. I was not used to receiving compliments from men like Pierre. Will didn’t count, I loved everything about being with him. As for Pierre… I was a little afraid of him, even though his greeting seemed polite and decent.

  “I can’t wait to see your dance,” he said. “I loved the one I saw in Le Papillon. I wanted to invite you to work for me for a while, but Will was very generous making an offer that I couldn’t resist, so I agreed to become a part of his small game. You must be very special to him, if he risked his head to bring you here.”

  “He’s very kind. And his invitation meant a lot to me.”

  Pierre looked at me, smiling mischievously. “No doubt. But I don’t want to take any more of your time, Louise. Go get ready for your show, and good luck.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  Pierre smiled at the girl standing a few feet away from me and headed in the opposite direction. Julia gave me a curious look.

  “Were you not invited by Pierre? I thought it was his idea to bring you here.”

  “It was his idea,” I said, as if I didn’t know what she was talking about. Apparently, she had heard a part of my conversation with her boss, and now she was trying to understand whether or not I was a new threat to her precious career.

  “Louise!” Carrie called, waving. “It’s time!”

  “Excuse me.” I put my best smile on my face, and went to the stage.

  There were so many lights illuminating the stage, the effect was almost the same as dancing in complete darkness, because I couldn’t see anyone sitting in the show room. My eyes found the table and the chair that I was supposed to use for my dance, I counted to three and the show began.

  The entire time my dance lasted, I was imagining Will watching me, and I was dancing for him…

  Did he like my dance? Did he like my dress, made of black and silver? Did he know I was thinking about him while performing the show? Did he know how much I wanted the show to end?..

  Chapter 15

  I didn’t remember much about my dance. I tried my best to make it look good, but I didn’t care about what people might say about it. There was only one person whose opinion really mattered to me. And I was sure he loved every move I made on that stage.

  My thoughts were so far away from the club now. I was sitting in the backseat of the car while Patrick, the driver, navigated the streets of Paris to take me back to my hotel. I was as nervous as ever.

  “Would you like to see the pictures, Miss?”

  I frowned, puzzled. “What pictures?”

  “The pictures of your dance.”

  I didn’t see anyone photographing me, I thought to myself.

  “Yes, sure.”

  Patrick reached back to where I was sitting, holding out an envelope. I carefully took the envelope in my hands, surprised by how heavy it was. There
must be no less than two dozen pictures inside. The first picture was of me standing on the stage. My face was hardly visible, but I loved the way the train of my dress looked… It appeared to glide, as if it were swaying in the air with my every move. The next picture was taken from a very close distance. It showed my face, I could clearly see the look in my eyes — searching. Was I trying to find Will, hoping I would recognize him if I saw him? I hadn’t realized that I was actively looking for him among the men watching me. Did I see him? Did he realize at one point or another our eyes had probably met? The other pictures depicted me doing all of the dance moves that Kate had helped me learn before I left the country. To my delight, they were all outstandingly beautiful; I could probably just sit and study them for hours; when I looked at myself in those pictures, for the first time in my life I saw beauty and grace… I didn’t even know I possessed those qualities.

  “Patrick, do you know who took these pictures?”

  “Mr. William did.”

  What? I couldn’t believe he was so close to me, and I didn’t even know it! I almost screamed in frustration.

  “I didn’t know he was a photographer as well,” I muttered, admiring the pictures in my hands.

  “He took photography classes here, in Paris.”

  “Really?” So he likes photography… I will have to remember that for later.

  I put the pictures back into the envelope and tucked it in my bag. Now I had even more proof that I was in Paris, just in case Drew or anyone else tried to question it. Of course, no picture could be as amazing as the real memories I had made there, especially those I had from my date with Will at the top of the Eiffel Tower. It inspired me like anything else. I felt like I could do anything I wanted to at the moment, absolutely anything… Well, except for one thing, the one thing I wanted to do most of all… I still wasn’t allowed to look at Will.

  Less than ten minutes later, Patrick pulled up to the entrance of the hotel.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I said, getting out.

  “Miss Louise, wait! Let me help you with your bag.”

  “No need, don’t worry, I can get it.” I smiled at him, and rushed away.

  I looked impatiently at my watch, counting seconds until I would finally be able to see, or rather hear Will again. He said he would be waiting for me in my room. I put the keycard into the lock and the door opened with a click.