by Layla Arts
“Why didn't you?”
“Because I just did it on my own.” I shrugged. “I don't know, Kent. I just don't know it. He has something that pisses me off, but I like to argue with him. There is this tension between the two of us that is noticeable every time,” I explained. “I don't understand myself right now.” I breathed out and lifted myself on the bar chair.
Kent shook his head; he didn’t agree with my words. “You can argue a lot if you want, but he doesn't treat you properly. He is trying to get inside your pants, and that is the only thing he keeps thinking about. He doesn’t care nor see you as a human being, and that is wrong.”
“I care about you as a person and what you go through.” I looked up at Kent with wide eyes.
“Kent–”
“Look, I just care, okay?“ He said to me. I remained silent. “I just don't want someone to get hurt right now, and I hate to see one of my friends like this.”
A loud sigh of relief came out of my mouth. For one moment I was guessing he went to a different direction other than being friends.
“Thanks, Kent. I know I can depend on you,” I told him and held his hand. At that exact same time, his eyes widen. I stared at him in confusion. “Kent?” I asked him and waved in front of his eyes. “Earth to Kent?” But he didn’t do anything. He muttered something towards me, but I couldn't hear it, neither had I the ability to read his lips. As I frowned, I scratched the back of my neck confusingly and leaned further toward Kent. I needed to lift myself up a bit, to get across the counter to make sure that I could hear what he was saying.
“Don't turn around,” Kent told me in a whisper.
“Why shouldn't I turn around?”
“Because of me, I think.” A strong manly voice was heard throughout the café.
I just felt myself sliding off the counter in slow motion. This was not a good moment because I was bending over the counter, which meant my bum was right up in his face.
I adjusted my dress and apron. I bit my lip and spun around quickly. There he stood. He wasn't wearing a suit, but a button up shirt. He was predominantly in dark colors, but this one was red. Still, he was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans. His hair was freshly cut.
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“I am sorry sir, but there aren't any tables free,” I informed Hadrian sympathetically.
Avoiding what just occurred.
“That is why I made a reservation,” Hadrian notified me contentedly.
“Oh, how –” I wanted to be callous toward Hadrian, but at work, I had to pretend everything was fine. Customers were the reasons for us being able to pay our rent. ”How lovely,” I said sarcastically.
I turned around and told Kent to see which table he made a reservation for. I took my pen and paper and escorted Hadrian towards the table he had chosen. I secretly wished that table was on fire, so I had to run away and leave him behind. Hadrian took a seat in the booth. He folded his hands on the table and looked at me playfully.
“Do you want to order already?” I asked Hadrian with a hint of irritation in my voice.
“Yes, a coffee please.” I wrote it down on my paper. “Black,” Hadrian added quickly.
“Everything for you, sir.” I lied, as I rolled my eyes.
I walked over to Kent, and he was practically watching me the entire time with Hadrian Smith. I placed the paper on the counter harshly. Kent read the order aloud, as he shook his head.
“How original. Black coffee,” Kent said while rolling his eyes. ”Very aesthetic. Wouldn’t surprise me if he is your common white girl.”
I groaned. “He annoys me so much,” I complained truthfully while I grabbing a napkin.
“Slow down, girl,” Kent said. He was busy preparing Hadrian Smith's coffee. I felt like I was his maid at this moment. I drew a couple of doodles with the pen on the receipt from table 4. I didn't want him here. It was one of the places that forever could be Hadrian–free, yet he thought he would please me with showing up. “Just bring his coffee. You can come back and forget about serving him. He shouldn’t even get your full–attention.”
I held the tray while I walked over to Hadrian. He was holding his phone in his hand, but when he saw me coming closer, he sat up and put his phone away. I gave him a quick, friendly fake smile, and placed the black coffee on his table and shoved it towards him. Trying to keep as much distance as possible.
“Enjoy your coffee. Anything else, sir?” I asked.
The corners of his mouth turned into a pleasant smirk. “Sit,” he told me, this time friendlier.
For one time he looked kind and inviting despite his harsh appearance.
“I'm working, Hadrian,” I whispered seriously.
“Just a minute.”
I gave in – After he had asked me for another five times. I placed the empty tray on the table, shoved it towards the window, and sat in front of him. I crossed my legs. I protected myself, so he wasn’t able to get to places he wanted to feel.
“Please, let's get this over with and just tell me why you are here,“ I instructed Hadrian. I was done with playing mind games at this moment of the day.
“What the fuck, Vicks.”
“It's Vicky.” I corrected him. “You should quit with being so vulgar towards me constantly. You should be taught how you need to think about women and behave towards them.”
“It’s just who I am. You have to deal with it.”
“That is what I mean!” My voice was full of judgment. “You only think about yourself. You don’t want to reflect on how rude you are towards me. I don't want that while I am working for you, I want proper work. I want to dance in front of people, entertain them. I want them to have a good time by seeing me perform, and not be annoyed by the things you say to me continuously. That is not what I signed up for,” I declared, staring at him.
Hadrian couldn’t employ me, and then disrespect me since I was incapable of giving him what he desired.
“That is why I want to apologize,” Hadrian spoke.
“For being an asshole, having a cocky attitude, almost touching me inappropriately, and thinking I’d somehow like that?” I was slightly out of breath, but I finished my sentence with ease. “Apology not accepted.” I made it clear, and I was ready to stand up to leave him
Hadrian grabbed my wrist, and he instructed me to sit back.
“Fair point,” Hadrian spoke, showing a hint of humiliation. “You are completely right, and I shouldn’t have done any of those things.” He apologized. “I just need you back at the Empire.” He brought his coffee toward his lips and drank from it.
“So I can be a useless understudy?” I asked him angrily with one raised eyebrow.
A heavy breath left his mouth.
“Tomorrow, there is a show rehearsal for the main group at nine am. I’ll let you decide if you want to come, yes or no.“ Hadrian stood up and placed a few dollars on the table. I saw that his cup was empty. I looked at the money – It was more than what we should actually get for a black cup of coffee.
“This is too much, the coffee is cheaper,” I informed Hadrian.
“You gave up your work time to talk, so you get extra.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled weakly.
“Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow. Good evening, Vicky.”
”You too, Hadrian,” I spoke honestly.
I didn't know if I was supposed to be content right now or still be mad? He apologized decently, and he gave me the opportunity to come back. Still, he was probably not going to stop with being cheeky. I just hoped he wouldn't make me this angry anymore and ask me to give myself to him because I wouldn't keep coming back to the Empire.
***
Kent would probably have dragged me personally out of the Empire right now. He wouldn't accept me being here and watching the main group. But I couldn't just not show up. I wanted this for a long time and coming here without paying anything wasn't that big of a deal. So I just pushed the door open from the Empire and took a s
eat at the same wooden chair I had claimed another time.
“From the top!” The woman yelled.
I looked at how the dancers were performing. They weren't in their outfits for the show, but they gave an overwhelming performance. When the music stopped everyone was silent, but they deserved to be blissful and feel proud – So I stood up and clapped for them.
All of them looked at me while I was standing here as a complete moron. But it made them smile, so I was glad I could brighten their moods.
“Who are you, and why are you interrupting this private practice?“ The woman asked me from the stage.
I looked at her confusingly and opened my mouth to speak. “I was calle–”
“She is joining the practice today.” I heard Hadrian announce next to me. “She is dancing, no questions.”
The woman on the stage looked baffled that Hadrian had walked into the room so promptly. She turned her head towards me and gestured me with her hand to come closer. “Come on stage then, if you want,” She said.
I gave Hadrian a gentle smile and muttered a small thank you to him. It felt like he, at long last, understood that being an asshole wouldn't bring him anyplace further, and with being a proper individual, he would make things better for most of the people.
So I got up to the stage and saw Red standing there between the groups of girls.
“How did you get into the main group?” She asked me in a whisper.
“I told you that was a joke about the clothing. I asked him like you said.” I lied.
”Fantastic,” she breathed out merrily.
Three hours practice without any break was devastating. I could cry. I was drained in sweat. I smelled like a pig that had rolled into the filthy water for the last couple of hours. I was licking my lips repeatedly, I desperately needed some water. I was so glad that we finally had an hour to ourselves. I bet everyone thought I looked lifeless, while I was laying with my head on the table. My face was buried in my bag, and I could hear Red talking to girls around us.
I made a mental note to work-out more. But that was probably not going to happen. After the practice, I was going to induce myself. I had already done too much.
“Someone is not handling the practice very well,” Red said playfully.
“Oh shut it,“ I told her. “This is physical suicide.”
“We have gone through worse,” Red informed me, and I groaned out of frustration. “Judy is a witch, whether we like it or not. But we need to admit that she makes overwhelming routines,” she spoke honestly.
I nodded my head in agreement. She may not be the nicest person, but she had talent.
“Vicky West?” I looked up and saw Hadrian standing there.
“Yes, what is wrong?” I questioned.
“Can we talk for a second?” Hadrian spoke. I stood up, and Red wanted to join me when he interrupted us “Privately?”
I assured Red I would be right back after a quick chat with Hadrian.
I stood up and took my phone with me just in case. I was indubitably going to call Kent if something bad happened.
I felt myself getting unexpectedly nervous when we walked up the metal spiral stair before he opened the door.
I gasped and saw how huge this room was. His desk was at the end of the room, and the office was covered from the outside. His working area was surprisingly dark, but lights made it cozier.
There was a brown leather couch in front of a salon table and a glass case filled with different kind of beverage. My fingers moved over the couch I was standing next to.
“Friday is our first show.” Hadrian positioned himself on the edge of his desk. “The theme is Black Friday.”
“That sounds adventurous?” I stated uncertainly. I didn't know how I should respond to this news.
Why did I have to be the only one informed about the theme? Privately? Red had the privilege to know what the plan was this upcoming Friday, too. Perchance, she already knew?
“All we need to do now is one thing.”
Hadrian’s eyes were raking down my body.
“What?” I asked him bewilderedly.
“Strip down.”
My eyes widen. Suddenly my blood-pressure rose.
“Excuse me?!”
His words were beyond unsophisticated.
“We need to get a costume for you. Andrea is here to find out what your sizes are.” And at that exact moment, I saw it again – that devilish smirk. He knew he had achieved something again without doing anything wrong – so cruel.
03
Hadrian Smith
I saw that look on her face – she wasn't delighted. But no one can be filled with joy all the time. I, in fact, would take pleasure in this show. I walked over to the glass case and took a bottle of old scotch out of it that I bought back in England. With two blocks of ice and scotch in my glass, I strolled back to my desk and sat down. She wore tight black yoga pants that highlighted her bum perfectly. I hadn't acknowledged her ass in detail. Still, I wouldn't mind doing that right now. She folded her arms against her chest and pushed her breast up high. I bit on the inside of my cheek as I stared at her in admiration.
“You had this all planned out!” Vicky growled at me.
I couldn't really say she was amused with me right now.
Vicky was telling the truth. It was simply my duty to make it seem it was an innocuous idea. She fell for it, and I wasn’t bothered about how mad she was at me. I was a step closer to completely admiring her.
“Me? Come on Vicky, I would never do such thing!” I lied to her.
I would always make time to see her body.
Since I got this wonderful idea yesterday, I could, by no means, let it go. When I had any type of thought about Vicky, it didn't leave my head. I wasn't distressed about it.
“Of course, you would. You're Hadrian Smith.”
I saw her licking her dry lips, and I instantaneously wanted to press my lips onto hers. She has been doing that since the day I saw her performing on that damned stage. I wanted to pull her off and do whatever I desired. However, that would be somehow strange considering she hadn't taken my acts of flirting very well so far.
Even so, if she didn't mind, I'd gladly do it.
“Yes, you're right.” I shrugged.
“Why is it only me since the audition day? Or are there more girls suffering from your mental ideas?”
If I had to explain everything to her, that would take way too long. I just wanted to have her. She was attractive, I was hot, and we could have good sex.
But for some reason, she didn't want to have me near her even for a short amount of time. I was not giving up, and I was confident enough she knew that too. Sooner or later, I would get her. She just hadn’t given in yet.
“Because I don't want anyone else.”
“You're so annoying when it comes to answering questions.” She groaned and rolled her eyes.
Vicky didn't even need to try she always looked hot. She made me crave her a lot even when she’s not near me. Every time I was back at my house, I would think of the outrageously seductive performance she gave – I’d feel euphoria building up in my body. Even so, it was not the right time to think about that right now.
Look, I haven't had intercourse with an employee in a very long time.
With the new dancers now, I had to choose who would make me feel good for an afternoon, or evening – depending on their schedule. Still, I was overwhelmed when I saw Vicky's audition. She stared at me so strenuously even when I was seated in the dark.
Luckily I have filmed her performance.
I brought the tasty scotch to my mouth.
“I have ideas for your costume.”
“What?” Vicky mouthed at me. “Why are you going to make my costume? I can easily make sure this woman makes it how I want to have it.”
“But as long as it is my club, I decide what you're wearing.”
A few knocks were heard on the door, and I knew the designer had arrived. “Come in!”
I yelled. The door from the office opened, and a familiar old lady walked in.
Andrea was Russian, she barely had a clue what we were chatting about, which made it easier for Vicky and I to talk here in my office.
“Vicky, I want you to meet Andrea.” I escorted Andrea to Vicky, and they both shook each other’s hand. “She is Russian, so don't bother talking to her.”
“So when are you going to return back to the dancers?” Vicky asked me seriously.
I started to laugh loudly, and she shot me a confused look. I walked over to her, still holding my glass of scotch. “Drink up, Vicky. You need this.” I warned her politely.
She took the glass and still didn't understand what I was doing.
“I am staying in this room, and I don't want to hear a word against me,” I demanded her dangerously.
She immediately threw the burning liquor down her throat and swallowed it.
“As you probably already know, you're not going further with the rehearsals for today. Everyone already has their costumes, but you weren't in the main group, so you do not own a costume. So Andrea is going to design one for you, I only needed you to be here,” I explained earnestly.
Vicky was standing there with her arms up high while Andrea was getting her sizes.
“You’ll come back tomorrow, earlier than the others. You will get a private lesson. I am going to observe it for a while too,” I said while smirking mischievously.
Andrea told Vicky that she needed to strip down. She gave me a resentful look, but I didn't mind.
After all, I was going to like this a lot.
She grabbed the hem of her shirt, and pulled it over her body and threw it on the leather couch. I glanced at her with contentment, she had a marvelous body I admired at all times.
My mouth had become hydrated.
I had already seen her breath-taking features, but now it was for my eyes only. Although, Andrea was here too.
Nevertheless, she didn't count.
Vicky started with slipping her yoga pants off, and I was satisfied to see her pink underwear. I smirked as I observed the gorgeous woman in front of me.
“You have an amazing ass.” I complimented Vicky.
