by Brie Paisley
She returns carrying a bowl and sets it in front of me. I watch her in the mirror while she moves over to roll a cart with drawers on it. She gets out some foil and I turn around.
“Are you going to color my hair?”
Cara looks at me like she’s confused before she says, “I thought your ticket said you wanted highlights?”
“Uh … can I see this ticket?”
She hands me the ticket and as I look it over she says, “I was given very specific instructions on what to do. If you don’t agree, we can do something else.”
“No, it’s fine. I just had no idea he wanted all this done.”
“Oh, you mean Viktor? Yeah, he can be quite demanding.”
“No kidding,” I say as I give her back the ticket.
I turn back around in my chair and I let Cara get back to her job. Viktor really went all out. I’m supposed to have highlights, lowlights, a haircut, and not to mention styling afterwards. Apparently, Viktor wanted me to have the full work up. The only problem is, did he think I needed this, or was he just trying to do something nice? I hate I don’t know which of these is true.
Five hours later, I’m finally on my way back home. I have to admit, I feel so much better after my time at the salon and the spa. My hair looks totally different from before. Gone is the dirty blonde color and now I have beautiful platinum blonde highlights and lowlights. I never realized how much a little bit of color would change my whole appearance. Cara left my hair long, but added tons of layers making it look fuller and healthier. I mean it still looks like me, and not some overdone Barbie doll. And the spa, I over reacted for no reason. My nails, and toes look amazing with their dark red polish. My face feels silky and actually looks healthier. Even the waxing part didn’t go as bad as I thought it would. Every inch of my body is now hairless. It feels different for sure, but I think I can get used to this. Funny how a day of pampering can lift your confidence up. I think I needed this more than I thought I did. Damn, I’ll have to thank Viktor for sure. He did pay for it all. Every time I tried to pay for anything, the receptionist told me my money wasn’t any good there. The salon and spa told me Viktor took care of it all, and when I came back in the future, it would be the same.
I wonder if he does that for all his girls. But then again, what makes me the special one?
I shake those thoughts out of my head, not liking the sudden anger I feel when I think about it. Why do I care so much about what Viktor does with the other girls? It’s not like him and I are a thing. That’s why I signed the contract three months early. Maybe I did rush it, but I have to remember nothing can come of Viktor. He has to stay my boss. He’s a great babysitter and I know Gabbie loves all the attention he showers on her. But that’s as far as it goes. He has to stay firmly in the friend zone. I trust him with Gabbie completely, but I don’t trust myself around him. I’m not ready for anything other than friendship or him being a boss at this point in my life.
I pull in my driveway and quickly get out, ready to see my little girl. Even though I enjoyed my little day of pampering, I’ve missed Gabbie like crazy. I walk into the house and I can hear Gabbie giggling upstairs. I set my bag down and I follow the sound of her giggling. I look in her nursery and in my room before I find her and Viktor. They’re in the bathroom. Viktor is giving her a bath and from what I can tell, he’s making faces at her. I can’t really see the faces, but the way Gabbie reaches her little hands up to his face makes me think he’s doing something hilarious.
I watch them from the door way as Viktor continues to make her laugh. Seeing them interact makes me smile and makes my heart flutter. I try to stop the feelings that come seeing them together. Viktor doesn’t know how hard it’s becoming to keep my feelings out of our arrangement. Every time I see him with Gabbie, my feelings toward him get stronger. I can’t help that it just feels right. I know I have to work even harder not to act on these unwanted feelings he brings out of me.
Viktor grabs a towel and the wraps Gabbie up. He still hasn’t noticed me as he talks to Gabbie while drying her off. Gabbie hasn’t noticed me either and she’s hanging on to Viktor’s every word. It’s crazy how enamored she is. I still don’t know why she loves Viktor as much as she does. Even when she was an infant, she did things for him that she never did for me.
Viktor gets up and he turns around. He looks up and takes a step back, like I scared him. It’s funny actually to see the surprise look on his face. I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Gabbie sees me too, and she squeals and starts kicking her legs wanting me to hold her. I walk over and grab her from Viktor. I kiss her chubby cheeks and take in her baby smell.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.
He shakes his head and clears his throat as he says, “Like what? Did you enjoy the spa?”
“I did actually. Thank you. You know, for paying. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to. No need to thank me. It’s my job to pay for those things.”
My stomach drops when I realize what he means by that. I should’ve known he not only would pay for my makeover, but for the other dancers as well. I don’t know why I’m making such a big deal out of it. He’s my boss. That’s all that he’ll ever be.
“Either way, thank you.” I tell him and I take Gabbie to her nursery and put her clothes on. I try not to think about Viktor and how jealous I’m feeling. Why would I be jealous? I quickly put Gabbie’s clothes on her and I pick her up again. Viktor is standing by the door and I don’t say anything as I pass him and walk down stairs. I put Gabbie in her swing and I sit down to catch up on some reading. I figure now since Viktor isn’t needed anymore he’ll just leave.
“What time are your parents coming tomorrow?”
Guess not. “They’re coming around lunch. They want to spend time with me before they take Gabbie back with them. Why do you ask?”
“I need to know what time you’ll be back. I want you at the club early tomorrow so Margo can show you around and introduce you to the other girls. Plus there’s a few other things you and I need to go over before you take the stage.”
“What time do you need me to be back? I don’t think we’d be gone all day. And who’s Margo? What other things do we need to go over? Can’t we talk about that now and get it over with?” I hate the way my voice sounds so weak. I want to sound strong, and not like the shy girl he thinks I am. I know I have to start being stronger than I am. I cannot let him know he’s my weakness. My temptation.
“I’ll be here at five to pick you up. Margo is the manager over the girls. She takes care of everything you’ll need and will show you how things work. We can talk more about this tomorrow. I have to go. Be ready at five.”
“Whatever.”
“Ava.”
“What, Viktor? Just go. I want to spend time with Gabbie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The slamming of the door tells me when he leaves. The sound makes me jump and I want to smack myself for being such a bitch about nothing. I sigh and I slam my book down. There’s no way I’ll be reading anything tonight. There’s only one thing on my mind. The one man that’s driving me mad.
Time seems to stand still while I sit and wait for Viktor to arrive. Mom and dad came earlier, and it was great to see them. But now that they left and took Gabbie with them, I really have nothing to do to pass the time. The more I sit here, the more time I have to think about what I’ll be doing in a few hours. The more I think about Viktor coming to take me to the club, knowing what I’ll be walking into, is making me almost feel like I’m going crazy. My hands are sweating, my legs are bouncing, and my heart is racing. I can hear the loud thump, thump, thump of my heart beat in my ears. I shouldn’t be this nervous. I’ve performed in front of strangers before. But I can’t help thinking about what will happen when I go up on that center stage in Viktor’s club. What if I freeze? What if I fall because I cannot even walk in heels? So many what ifs, and doubt takes a hold of my thoughts. I nervously tuck my hair behind my ear. I
decided not to do anything with it, since I’ll be getting ready at the club soon. My new found confidence I had yesterday is absent, and I’m really trying to bring it back.
I wonder if Viktor will just forget about that stupid contract and let me serve drinks or something. I would clean the damn bathrooms at this point. Anything to make this nervous and twitching feeling go away. Maybe I’m so nervous because I know I’ll be taking my clothes off for men. Only one other person has seen me naked, but I’m not even going to count him. Malcolm is an ass, and I’m trying very hard to block him and anything to do with him out. Yes, that’s hard since Gabbie is his, and the fact that she has his eyes. God, if only he could see me now. His mother would be so proud.
I glance at the clock, wishing time would just stop. I thought maybe it wouldn’t go by so fast, but that’s the funny thing about waiting for something you don’t want to happen. It seems the more I don’t want to go with Viktor, the faster the time goes by. I start to bite my nails but I quickly stop as I don’t want to mess up the beautiful manicure as I continue to wait and think about tonight. I haven’t been this nervous in, well never actually. Fuck, I don’t think I can do this.
I startle, jumping off the couch when the doorbell chimes. I know exactly who’s at the door. Why Viktor didn’t just walk in like he normally does is beyond me. I wipe my hands on my jeans and run my hand through my hair. I take a deep breath, still trying to calm my nerves as I make my way to the door. My breath catches in my throat and my mouth goes dry as I crack open the door and see him. Damn him for looking sexy in his signature white button down, dark jacket, and his black slacks. This man is nothing but sin and temptation. I bite my lip as I check him out, but when he clears his throat, I instantly stop. I have to get my mind out of the gutter. He looks professional. Yes, very professional. I’m confused to why he’s the one picking me up. I try not to think much of it, and hopefully he’s just being nice and caring since this is my first night.
“Are you ready to go?” He asks and I nod since I’ve suddenly lost my voice. He waits for me as I grab my bag and walk out the door. I feel as though my feet weigh a ton each. I keep telling myself I can do this and I have to do this. For Gabbie. I have to give her the best life. I can do this for two years and I’ll have enough money set aside for us.
Viktor opens the car door for me and I get into the back seat. I don’t question when he gets in the back with me, or about the unknown driver that sits up front. I try to make my mind go blank. I try not to let my nerves get the best of me, but it’s extremely hard. When the driver pulls out of the driveway, I think I might get sick. I lean back against the head rest and I close my eyes as I take deep breaths. I try to think of anything other than what I’ll be doing later tonight.
Viktor’s hand grabs my bouncing leg, and I open my eyes to see what he’s up to. He’s staring at me intently, almost as if he wants to say or do something. And even though I don’t know if he should be touching me, I welcome his comfort. His touch actually starts to calm me, and I slowly start to relax. All I need now is for him to talk to me and I’ll be good to go.
I can hear his words in my head when we were at the hospital and his talking comforted me. I can’t help but smile knowing he helped me push through the unbearable pain. It’s still crazy to me how he found me that day. Either luck was on my side, or it was one hell of a coincidence. Whatever the reason, I’ll be forever grateful to him for taking care of me. If he hadn’t come when he did, I might have given birth on the damn sidewalk.
The whole way to the club, Viktor’s hand never leaves my knee. Neither of us speak, and my nerves have all but disappeared now. I don’t think about what I’m going to do tonight. Instead, I think of Gabbie. I see her smiling at me and giggling. I see her kicking her little chubby legs and how she makes me unbelievably happy. I never, in a million years, thought that having her would make me feel this complete. In a way, I should thank Malcolm for doing what he did. I couldn’t imagine my life now without her.
All too soon we stop and I look out the window to see that red door that leads into the club. Viktor’s hand leaves my leg, and as if someone dumped ice all over me, the nerves come back. I miss his touch. The calm has vanished and I try to shake the nerves off, telling myself this is it. There’s no going back now, and I have to do what I need to. Viktor opens the car door for me and I get out. He places his hand on my lower back, and just knowing he’s right next to me makes it easier to walk through that red door. Just like before, as soon as I’m inside, the music, smells, and the bright lights overwhelm me. Only this time, there isn’t a beautiful woman dancing. There isn’t a soul in sight.
Viktor leads me towards his office, but we turn left just before we reach it. He stops at a purple door this time, one I didn’t see last time I was here.
“Margo is waiting inside for you. She’ll show you around and introduce you to everyone. Once she’s done, and you’re ready, come see me.” Viktor tells me and then walks away from me. I want to call him back, wanting him to go with me. But I know he can’t. This is the part I have to do alone.
With a heavy sigh, I open the door and walk inside.
The first thing I notice, are the other dancers walking around. Some walk around topless, and the others are sitting at their vanities putting on makeup. The room is huge and there’s at least ten vanities lined up against the walls. Racks full of clothes, and shelves lined with shoes cover another side of the wall. I see lockers on one side and dark purple colored walls and black title floors make the room seem erotic. I also notice a full length mirror and a very beautiful woman standing in front of it. I watch her as she twists and turns looking at the outfit she’s wearing. I stand close by the door in case I decide to bolt. The thought is comforting, but I know I can’t leave now.
“You must be the new girl. I’m Margo. Come, I’ll introduce you to the other girls. Have you picked a stage name? Viktor told me you wanted to pick a name for yourself.”
I’m bombarded with questions from Margo, and it takes me a few minutes before I can answer her. “I … uh.”
“Oh, honey, don’t be nervous. Everyone here is very sweet and they will welcome you with open arms.”
I nod and say, “I want to be called Scarlet Rose. It’s nice to meet you, Margo.”
“Nicely chosen. I like that.”
I smile at Margo. I think I’ll like this lady. She seems nice enough and she reminds me a lot of my mom for some reason. She looks older than everyone in the room and she has a motherly feel. She’s taller than me, but is super skinny. Her hair is tightly pulled back into a bun, and she reminds me of a school teacher with her black rimmed glasses. But it’s her bright green eyes and her friendly nature that make me like her the most.
Margo takes me by the arm and brings me further into the room. She claps her hands as she gets everyone in the room to listen to her. “Girls, this is Scarlet Rose. I want you all to welcome her tonight and make her feel right at home. We all remember the first night and I want each of you to help her in any way she might need.”
I’m surprised when I hear every one of them say yes ma’am to her, and they come up to greet me. I already know I’ll never remember all of their names tonight, but I smile and say hello to each of them. They all seem very welcoming, and I relax a little more knowing I feel so at ease with them.
“Alright ladies, finish getting ready. Star, you’re up in twenty minutes for your practice run. Everyone else, you know what to do,” Margo tells them and they instantly go back to what they were doing.
“Practice run?” I ask Margo when she takes me out of the room to show me around some more.
“Every night before we open, each dancer gets a practice run with their three songs for the night. It helps the DJ and the dancer to be sure everything is set for when it’s their turn to perform. I want to show you around really quick. I want to make sure you have a chance to get up there before we open. I think it’ll be easier on you knowing somewhat of what you’re g
oing to do tonight,” she tells me with a sweet smile.
I nod, secretly thanking her for that. I honestly have no clue what routine I’ll do. I have my three songs, but I never practiced to them.
I follow Margo around the club again, still shocked that I’m here. Shocked that I’m actually going to do this. She shows me the rooms I longed to see the first night Viktor brought me here. The rooms with the red doors along the long hallway. Once she opens one of them, I realize what they are used for. They’re for the private dances. The rooms aren’t very big. There’s a recliner against the wall, a small table beside it, and a pole. The walls are a deep red color and the floors are that same shiny grey tile. Margo tells me that these rooms are for the clients who request special dances from the girls. She also tells me, that the clients have to pay a minimum of five grand for these dances and the time limit for the rooms use is thirty minutes. She laughs at the expression on my face. It seems a bit ridiculous to me that someone would pay that much money for thirty minutes. Margo tells me, that the rooms are the second most popular requests in the club.
She leads me out of the private room and she takes me up the stairs close by Viktor’s office. I stare longer than I probably should at his dark green door.
“Scarlet? Come on, I need you to keep up.”
“Sorry.”
Crap. Margo saw me staring at Viktor’s door like some lost puppy begging to come inside. I’ll have to be more careful, knowing the contract I signed. I can’t afford to be fired, or do anything that would terminate my contract. No matter how tempting it is to run and find him, begging him to comfort me.
I follow right behind Margo up the winding staircase. She pulls out a key once we get in front yet another red door.
