by Brie Paisley
Knowing Viktor isn’t close with his parents makes me sad for him. I couldn’t imagine my life without my mom and dad. They’ve always wanted what was best for me and have always been so supportive. I touch his arm and I lean my head on his shoulder. I don’t say anything, but I know he knows I’m here for him. He raises his hand and places it over the side of my face. He leans over and kisses me on the forehead. I hate feeling, I don’t know what to say. I didn’t want to bring up hard memories for him. Now I understand why he wasn’t so forthcoming with talking about his past. Then knowing how Sebastian slept with his girlfriend. Damn, I want nothing more than to wrap him in my arms and hold him.
I sigh and raise my head. I kiss him on his cheek and say, “I’m sorry, Viktor. I hate that you’re not close with your parents anymore. Maybe one day they’ll be able to forgive you and see what a great man you’ve become.”
I see him smirk and I know he’s trying not to smile. “Thank you, moya lyubov'. It’s been a long time since I’ve talked with them, but having you and Gabbie in my life make up for it.”
I kiss him again thanking him for being so sweet to me. I sit back in my seat as I see the club and I wish we had taken the night off. I’d love nothing more than to spend the night showing Viktor how much I care about him. Viktor parks the car and gets out. I unbuckle my seat belt as he walks to my side and opens my door. I get out and grab my bag from the back seat and we walk hand in hand into complete madness.
We don’t get more than five feet into the door when Margo appears out of nowhere and it obvious she’s on the war path already.
“Where have you two been? You know what? Never mind. Scarlet, you’re off the stage tonight. I need you for the VIP party in an hour.” Viktor and look at each other, dumbfounded by Margo. She walks away from us still ranting about how late we are and how she can’t depend on anyone.
“Looks like I just lost a dancer,” Viktor says.
“Probably for the best. Candy, er, Glitter, whatever her name is, hasn’t been at work for almost a week.”
“You’re right. You better go and get changed. Margo’s coming back this way.”
Viktor leans down and kisses me and smacks my ass as I walk away. I spot Tony as I start walking towards the dressing room and he follows me as I make my way to the dressing room. I duck my head as I pass Margo. She’s on her headset, barking out orders. I feel sorry for whoever’s on the receiving end. I open the door to the dressing room and put my bag in my locker. Trixie waves at me as she gets ready and I start doing the same.
I hate that I have to work the VIP party tonight. I have no idea what type of party it’ll be and since I’ve only worked six since being here, I hope it’s not crazy like the others. I really don’t want to deal with a big group of men, too drunk to follow the rules. Plus, it seems they get louder, and want to party harder when they book the VIP room. I pick out my outfit for the party and sit down to start putting on my makeup. I sigh, wishing Viktor and I had just stayed home. Tonight is already busy and I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.
I sit on my chair in the middle of the stage as I wait for my song to start. I have my chair placed with the back facing the clients, and I push my shoulders back to ease some of the tension I’m feeling. The lights are off, per my request. I’m doing a new performance tonight and I want the VIP’s to be shocked. I always hate going on first for a party, but I’m also glad I can get my turn on stage over with. I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves. I’ve no idea who’s at this party. I didn’t have a chance to look over the list of names required to book this section of the club. I wipe the sweat off my forehead and I shake out my hands.
I hate VIP parties. Viktor isn’t here to ground me and not knowing anything about this party makes everything seem worse. My leg starts to shake as I continue to wait for the DJ to start my first song. I can hear voices and laughter behind me, but they soon dissipate as I finally hear In the Night by The Weeknd.
The spotlight hits my back with the first words of the song and I start to dance. I move my arms outward as I whip my hair back. I kick both legs up into the air and as they drop I get up and move my chair. I can’t see the clients for the bright light. I ignore it, looking away as I push my chair so I’m facing to the side of them. I seductively grind on the chair, and I sit down on the chair backwards. I move my hips, while I touch my body running my hands through my hair. As the song says I don’t mind, I fall back and catch myself on my hands. I kick my legs over my head and as I get up I kick the chair off the stage. I quickly walk to the pole and grab a hold of it. I grip on it tightly as I swing my body around it as I climb up the pole using only my hands. Once I’m high enough, I wrap my legs around the pole and release my hands. I lean backwards running my hands up my body and through my hair again. I bend back up, taking a hold of the pole again. I straighten my body up right and I grind my hips onto the pole. I let my legs go and swing them around as I slowly let myself slide down.
I hit the floor on the stage and I drop down to my knees. I can hear the clients yelling for more, and I can feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. As they cheer me on, I continue to dance. The lights finally change from that bright spotlight, to dark blue and I quickly jump spreading my legs while I’m in the air. I drop back down and kick my leg up. I turn again, and once more before going back to the pole. I work the pole again and I cross my ankle over one side as I move my body around it. I move my hips in circles as I squat down.
And that’s when I see him.
I stare into his sky blue eyes, shocked and confused to why he’s here. This can’t be happening. Not now! I lick my lips and try to dance more. I can’t do it. I know I’m supposed to be taking my clothes off soon, and I can’t make myself. My stomach is in knots, and I have no idea if he’s recognized me. I slowly walk around the pole while one arm is holding onto it, and I look at Malcolm again. He’s smiling right at me. He looks like he’s having the best night of his life.
I can’t do this.
Right before I leave the stage, he stops smiling. He stops laughing, and he gets up from the couch. He steps once and I turn away. Instead of gracefully walking off stage, I run. Fuck this VIP party. I cannot strip in front of the very man that broke me. I can’t face him, take my clothes off, knowing what he did to Gabbie and me. Why is this happening? Things were going perfectly, and now he’s here. I shouldn’t feel ashamed that he saw me stripping. I shouldn’t feel all the buried hurt he’s caused. I just know I have to get away. Far away from this VIP party.
I pass by the other girls waiting for their turn. I ignore Margo yelling at me to get back out there. I walk away from it all. I don’t care if I lose my job over this. Let Viktor fire me. I cannot see Malcolm right now. All the pain and the regret from my past hits me like a ton of bricks. I wipe away a tear as I run down the stairs. I can’t help but wonder why fate hates me so much. Out of all the places in the world for him to be, why where I work? And now, I wonder if he’s going to try and take Gabbie away from me? I didn’t even know he was back, but then again, how would I know something like that?
I get to the bottom of the stairs, wondering how I managed to do so without falling. I take off my heels and I run to Viktor’s office. He’s the only one that will be able to calm me down. To tell me everything will be fine and he’ll be here for me. I get to his door and I burst inside.
Only to find he’s not here.
I’m panting heavily and I wipe another tear seeing he’s nowhere to be found. I don’t even shut his door as I slowly walk back to the dressing room. I just want to go home and forget this night ever happened. I still cannot believe Malcolm’s here. Where I fucking work. I walk inside the dressing room thankful no one is in here for once. At least one thing is looking up. I toss my shoes in a corner, and I sit down hard on my chair in front of my vanity. I put my hands over my face trying like hell to get my shit together. So many emotions are running through my mind and I have no idea how to feel right now.
<
br /> Angry, check.
Confused, check.
Shocked, check.
The list could go on and on. I don’t know how to deal with all this. I let my hands fall from my face and I lay my head down on my vanity. I look at the floor blinking away more tears. I thought once Malcolm left me pregnant with no money and nowhere to go was it. I thought I’d never see him again and I’d eventually get over it. Now he’s back. I have no clue what this means, or if this means anything. I can only hope he’ll do what he does best and stays the hell away from me and in turn, from Gabbie.
I snap my head up when I hear the dressing room door open. I quickly look away seeing Margo walk in. Damn, this isn’t going to be good. She stands in front of me, hands on her hips, staring at me. I don’t know what she wants me to say. I’m not about to explain anything to her, because it’s none of her business. I hear her take a deep breath and when I turn back to her, she has two fingers on her forehead with her eyes closed.
“I have no idea what happened out there. And I frankly don’t care.” She drops her fingers and looks at me. “You have a job to do. Dance. That’s it. That’s all you’re paid to do. Whatever made you leave the stage the way you did, is inexcusable. If you have a problem, leave that shit at the door before you come to work.” She blows out a breath and continues to lecture me. “Now, I have room four with the main client from the VIP party. I should send you home for the night, but the client was very adamant about seeing you privately. I swear, Scarlet, if you weren’t my best dancer I’d fire you myself. Get cleaned up and you better make up for leaving.” Margo leaves and slams the door behind her.
I sigh and turn to the mirror. I wipe the mascara tracks under my eyes. I reapply some eyeliner and run my fingers through my hair. I know Margo has a point. I see her side, but what other choice did I have? I have no idea who the main client is from the party. Why he would want to see me is just as confusing. I wish I knew where Viktor was. It’s strange he wasn’t in his office, but I can’t dwell on that right now. I have enough to worry about.
I look myself over once more as I get up. I grab another pair of heels as I walk to the door and I take a deep breath as I walk out of the dressing room. I see Tony leaning on the wall and he stands up straight when he sees me.
“Everything alright?” he asks.
I put on a fake smile and tell him, “Yeah, everything’s great. Just a misunderstanding.” I turn my head and wipe my running nose. I glance back at him, giving him another fake reassuring smile.
He nods, but I can tell he doesn’t believe me. He looks at me for a moment longer and I turn to walk to room four. I slowly walk to my room wishing I didn’t have to dance again so quickly. I wish I had time to think through some of these thoughts. And then the memory of Viktor and me in my room starts to play in my mind. I hate knowing I’m about to dance for someone else knowing Viktor and I shared something in the same room.
I push those thoughts away as I face the door. I see Tony in my peripheral vision and I open the door. I don’t get all the way in the room when I stop. Tony runs into my back and I hear him apologizing. Tony’s words blur as I make eye contact with those stupid sky blue eyes again.
You have got to be shitting me!
Malcolm stands up and I turn to leave again, but Tony’s already in the room and has shut the door. I sigh, thinking tonight just isn’t my night.
“Ava, don’t go.”
I close my eyes when I hear his voice. Even after all this time of not seeing him, he has all the power. I open my eyes and look at Tony. He doesn’t say anything and I’m glad he’s here with me. I know if Malcolm tries anything, Tony will take care of him. The thought is very comforting.
I turn around and stare at the one man that I want to hate. I tried before, but I realized I can’t hate anyone. No matter how much I despise him, I cannot hate him. “What are you doing here?”
He starts to walk to me but I hold up my hand. I watch him as he shoves his hands in his slacks. Fuck, he’s changed since I last saw him last. If anything, he looks better. His hair is cut short in the back, but long in the front. He has it styled with a little gel and it makes him look older. He’s working his five o’clock shadow and I find that I like the rugged look on him. He even looks like he’s put on more muscle. Dammit, I look away, feeling like crap for checking him out.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
I huff and cross my arms over my chest. “Don’t you dare judge me, you have no right.”
“I know.” He takes his hands out of his pockets and moves towards me. I back up and Tony, bless his heart, steps in.
“Sir, you need to sit back down.” Malcolm stares at Tony and looks up and down at his size. Thinking better of it, Malcolm does as he’s told and sits down. He doesn’t seem happy about it, but I’m glad for the space.
“Look, Ava, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
I cut him off. “Of course you didn’t! You left without a word. How would you know where I work, or what I’m doing?” I step forward, raising my finger to point at him. “You shouldn’t be here. Why couldn’t you just stay wherever the hell you were? Why come back now?” I lower my finger, seeing Malcolm glaring at me. He has no right to be pissed off.
“I didn’t want to, but I’m engaged so my buddies from work dragged me back.” He stands up ignoring Tony as he says, “Sorry to burst your bubble here, but just because you work here and take your clothes off, doesn’t mean shit to me. Who the fuck do you think you are?” He runs a hand through his hair and looks back to me. “I’m sorry. I’m just shocked to see you again and seeing you so angry, pisses me off.”
I choose not to bring up him being engaged. I play it off as if it doesn’t bother me, but on the inside, it’s tearing me apart. He went and started a whole new life, as if Gabbie and I meant nothing to him. I can’t look at him anymore. Knowing he never cared at all about us makes me feel sick.
“Ava, I’m sorry, okay? I know you don’t want to hear any excuses as to why I left, but just know I had a good reason.”
I snap my head up and without thinking, I walk to him and slap him hard across his face. His head slowly turns back to me and I don’t care if he’s angry with me. “How dare you? Are you that fucking selfish? I was eight months pregnant when you left! You left me all alone when you promised to be there. Oh and by the way your daughter is doing great.”
“My daughter?”
Fuck, why did I have to bring up Gabbie?
“You had a little girl? You kept her?” He asks and I don’t want to talk to him about my baby girl. I don’t respond back. I can’t. He has no right to her. “Ava, please tell me something about her. I know I fucked up, but she’s mine too.”
I almost lose my temper. I clench my jaw, and take a deep breath. “You lost that right to her a long time ago. You didn’t even know what I was having! And of course I kept her. She already had a father that left her, I’d never leave her. She is not yours. Why don’t you do me a huge favor and forget you ever saw me.”
I turn to leave and Malcolm grabs my hand. Which in turn, gets Tony involved. I quickly get out of the way as Tony takes Malcolm by the collar of his shirt and pushes him far away from me. Malcolm makes a horrible choice when he punches Tony in the face. I cover my hands over my mouth as they start to fight. I stand still, not sure what I need to do. There’s no way they are going to listen to me and stop fighting. I watch as Tony hits Malcolm on the nose, and when the blood starts going everywhere, I run out the door. I look down the hall hoping to see someone that could possibly help me. When I don’t, I run down to Viktor’s office praying he’s in there.
His door is shut as I reach it, and knowing he’s in there I open it wide. “Viktor, you have to come right now!” I watch him jump out of his chair, seeing Sebastian doing the same from the couch and we all run back to room four. I let Viktor and Sebastian go in as I stand in the doorway. There’s so much chaos going on in one small room. Viktor and Sebastian try to pull M
alcolm and Tony apart, but they aren’t doing a good job at it. Sebastian gets a punch to the head and falls down. Viktor ends up pushing Tony off Malcolm, and thankfully, Sebastian gets up to grab Tony and pulls him out of the room. Then something strange happens.
Viktor and Malcolm stare at each other for a long time before anyone moves. Malcolm slowly gets off the floor, his eyes never leaving Viktor’s. I want to go in and make sure Viktor didn’t get hurt, but I don’t when I hear him say something in Russian. Malcolm wipes the blood from his nose and Viktor turns to me.
“Get out of here, Ava. Go find Sebastian and tell him to come back here.”
I frown as his tone. He’s never spoken to me like this before. “What the fuck? What’s going on, Viktor?”
“Dammit, Ava! Do what I tell you,” Viktor snaps back at me. I take a step back not liking how Viktor is acting.
I look over at Malcolm and he looks like he’s seen a ghost. He turns to me and asks, “You know this guy?”
I shrug my shoulders and say, “He’s my boss.”
“Ava, go!” Viktor cuts me off and instead of fighting with him over whatever has his tempter flared, I flinch and slowly back away. I’ve never seen him so angry before and seeing him so out of control, scares me. I jump when I hear the door slam. I can’t help but wonder what Viktor’s so pissed off about. I look down the hallway again, wondering which way Sebastian went.
I see Sebastian coming around the corner, and I run up to him. He glances at me but doesn’t stop walking towards Viktor’s office. “Viktor said he needs you.” He ignores me and walks in the office. “Sebastian? Didn’t you hear me? Viktor said he needs you to come back to the room with him.”
I watch as he opens a drawer, and pulls out a bottle of whiskey. He takes a long gulp and sets the bottle down on the desk. I shake my head at him. “How are you still here knowing Viktor needs you? What kind of brother are you to him?”
That gets his attention. He stalks over to me, and stops inches from me. I can smell the whiskey on his breath, and I take a step back. He seems just as angry as Viktor and I have the urge to run back to the dressing room.
