Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Tatum
I’m nervous as all hell, as I walk into Haze. The club doesn’t officially open until ten thirty in the evening, so I don’t expect to see many people here at noon, but there are actually a crap ton of employees already walking around when I arrive.
Inside the club, different areas are sectioned off with shiny red tape, and I have to stare for a long moment to figure out what I’m seeing.
“New hires to the south stage with Bubblegum. Experts, you know what to do!” a tall, cherry scented Omega male shouts.
I don’t know who the heck Bubblegum is.
Thankfully, there’s a sign on a stage that says, “New hires-south stage,” beside a pink haired Alpha female. I duck under the red tape and approach the stage.
Appearance wise, she looks rather Omega-like. She’s taller than I am by maybe three inches, has pink hair that flows around her down to her waist, and light brown eyes. And she looks giddy.
Alphas, even the women, tend to be more stoic.
On the floor in front of me, I place my small, ragged gym bag that I’ve had since freshman year of high school and glance around me. There only seem to be ten or so new hires, while there are… I don’t even know. Maybe forty or fifty experts.
“Hello!” Bubblegum coos as she addresses us, a megawatt smile on her lips. Another pink haired woman joins her on the stage, but there’s no doubt this one is Omega. Her scent is all sugar. “I’m Bubblegum, and this is Dream.”
Dream waves, looking just as chipper as Bubbles does. I’m calling her Bubbles, at least in my head, because Bubblegum is too long. Their smiles and happy vibes infect me with a nervous excitement, and I wave back at the two women.
“You’ll be considered a new hire for six months. Typically, the bosses hire in batches, helps keep training simple as well as weed out the weak faster. I am proud to say that we rarely lose anyone for negative reasons. Declan only hires the best candidates, and once hired, we’re well cared for. I’ve been the new hire team manager for eight years now!” Bubbles grins, and you can tell she’s very proud of herself. As she should be. Eight years is a long time to hold the same job.
“And I’ve been her assistant for two years,” Dream adds, but Bubbles gives her a stern look.
“Dream is not my assistant. She is also your manager. You’ll show her just as much respect as you show me,” Bubbles growls, her Alpha side showing for the first time. Me, and the three other Omegas in the new hire section, snap to attention.
“Yes Alpha!” the only male Omega amongst us four says. She gives him a wink, making him blush furiously.
Judging from the scents surrounding me, there aren’t many mated employees walking around here. Seeing this many unbonded, older Omegas is something that's less common. Instincts often drive both Omegas and Alphas to find compatible mates.
I wonder what the bonded employees do here. They’re certainly not Heat Mistresses. Their bonds would lose their shit. I can’t even imagine what a horror show that would be. Unless their bonds also participated, I suppose? Clearly, I need to ask questions.
“I’ll be working with all of you, but you’ll each be assigned an expert to work with directly in the same position you were hired for. When I call your name, raise your hand,” Bubbles explains, and I notice several of the experts have moved closer to the stage.
Bubbles calls the names of everyone else until I’m the last one left without a mentor.
“You must be Tatum,” Dream says, as she walks off the stage and approaches me. “You’ll be my victim, I mean mentee,” she teases, and I smile. “Declan said you’re on a time crunch, and basically need the accelerated training. You’ll still be considered a new hire for the next six months, but he requested I get you ready for working the floor by Friday.”
“He said that?” I ask, as she leads me under the red tape, and around to the locker rooms. Several of the other pairs are headed back this way as well. I notice a security room sign further down the same hall. I hear one of the other experts telling their new hire that during working hours, one of the guards will always be down here to prevent customers from passing.
She opens the black door into a large room that looks more like an upscale gym or spa changing room. The surrounding lockers are a mint green with name tags on the front while nearby benches are cushioned with white leather. Along the far wall, makeup vanities with good lighting are covered in products for both hair and make up. I notice a doorway that looks like it leads to showers based on the white tile visible through the entrance.
“He did. After training ends today, you’ll have about three hours to yourself before you need to be back here to shadow me. We open at ten thirty, but make sure to arrive by nine to start setting up. Theme nights and routine changes will change our timing occasionally. Sometimes earlier, it just depends. Now, let's start with the basics.”
“Theme nights?” I ask, as we approach a locker that doesn’t have a name tag. It’s the one I left my stuff in yesterday. Dream hands me a lock, and magnetic name tag.
“Yep, they’re great fun. You’ll see. Now, basics. The lockers are random, so if at some point you decide you wanna switch, you can, just make sure it’s not already being used. Some of us use locks, others don’t. Depends on what you’re putting in there, I suppose,” Dream shrugs, having me stuff my old gym bag inside the empty bottom locker and place my name tag on the outside.
“About theme night…” I try again, but Dream snorts.
“I’ll get there! Jeez, woman, be patient. We have a lot to go over.” Dream leads me over to the doorway I had seen earlier, and I see several stalls with floor to ceiling doors. “Private shower stalls, communal shower stalls,” she nods to a nearby area I hadn’t noticed right away, with a bunch of shower heads in the walls. I follow her toward the wall-to-wall vanities. “We share these. Only Bubblegum, and a few of the other managers, don’t. This one’s mine. I was sharing with Crystal, but she quit three days ago.”
“Oh,” I frown, and she smiles, shaking her head.
“She’s pregnant.”
“Oh…” I’m not sure that isn’t a reason to frown too, though. Dream leads me back out into the hall, and then knocks on the door that I’d clocked as security earlier.
“Hey Trev.” She smiles sweetly as a beastly sized fellow opens the door. I notice a distinct lack of scents coming from this room.
“Dream.” The intense frown on his face softens as he looks down at the Omega beside me. I sniff, trying to get a sense of his mood, but there’s not an ounce of scent coming off him. Dream’s scent, however, is like a beacon calling out to nearby Alphas. I can’t scent this big guy, but I’d assume he’s Alpha, just based on size alone.
“Security are the only employees who use scent blocking sprays. Well, they’re the only ones required to. We can use them if we want to, for whatever reason, but security needs to be able to move through the club undetected. Trev here being the exception. He’s a little too big to hide,” Dream teases, and the big guy blushes. I get the sense he’s a gentle giant. At least when he’s around Dream.
“Nice to meet you.” He nods, glancing at me only for a second, before looking back at Dream.
“You too,” I murmur, but I don’t think he actually cares what I have to say.
I follow Dream back into the main area and pause in the center of the room with her. “North, south, east, west,” she says, pointing in their respective directions. “North bar, and north stage. South bar, south stage, west stage–”
“East stage?” I offer, and she chuckles.
“Yeah. You’d be surprised how often new hires get confused. We have maps. I always remembered because the north stage is under the VIP balcony, and the south stage has the cages. If you can remember one of those, you’ll find the rest. Now, over here, this hall leads to the back rooms.”
“The rooms for private dances?”
“Correct. There’s ten. Eight themed, and two that are dubbed ultra, by us employees. They’re the big rooms, multiple stages. It’s best to learn all that on the job, though.
“Upstairs there are a bunch of private bedrooms. They’re a little past the office, and there are two guards walking them at all times. You won’t be eligible to apply for a spot up there until three months. Then you can sign your contract. Declan handles the full details of that, because each one looks different. What I can tell you is that you shouldn’t sign up for more than you’re comfortable with. There’s plenty of opportunity to earn in all aspects of this club.” She blushes, tucking a bit of pink hair behind her ear. “I make a lot by dressing up as a fairy, because of my pink hair.” She shrugs, and my jaw drops open, even as I smile.
“Theme nights?” I ask, and she snorts, blush gone now.
“That, and theme rooms. Also, Declan and the managers aren’t picky about the uniforms. As long as you’re wearing something provided by us, you can wear whatever you want at any time. We have access to some incredible lingerie thanks to the boutique. The only exceptions are specific theme nights, parties, and certain performances.”
“Wow. Declan hired me as a Fantasy Muse. That title makes more sense now,” I giggle nervously. “He said base pay is two hundred and fifty per eight-hour shift. Tips not included?”
“Yep. We of course are permitted to use Heat Leave if we need to, either as the Omega or for the Bonded Mates, but most tend to either use suppressants or work as a Heat Mistress or Master. We also get two days of PTO for every month of employment. I have like sixty saved up. You can cash them out, if you need to. Typically, once an employee saves up two or three weeks worth, they cash out half the days. Declan doesn’t care.” Dream leans in, lowering her voice. “One time I needed twenty grand… That's a long story, but anyway, they gave me an advance, and didn’t use any of my PTO to pay it back. Of course, I made that back in three nights…but still. It’s the thought that counts.”
“Wow, that's… Wow,” I murmur, and she giggles.
“I know. He’s kind of the best boss I’ve ever had. I never want to leave,” she sighs, and I nod in understanding.
“About the mated employees…” I start, as someone with clear bond marks around their neck walks by.
“Everyone has a kink. Sometimes the kinks are simple. Like being spanked. Sometimes they’re more complicated and harder to fulfill. Like wanting to fuck a bonded Omega while her mates watch.” Dream speaks softly, but even still, the bonded Omega overhears her.
“What can I say, my mates have their own kinks.” She winks, and my mouth drops open.
“Fair enough,” I nod, feeling a bit of admiration for the Omega. She’s not terribly older than I am. Maybe early thirties at the oldest. She’s got long brown hair and bright silvery eyes. Her body is slender, and it’s clear she works out.
“I go by Mary,” she says, offering me her hand. As she shakes it firmly, I wonder if maybe she was an Alpha in another life. “And you are?” she asks, when I never offer her my name.
“Oh, Tatum.”
“We haven’t covered stage names yet,” Dream chuckles.
“Ah, well, it’s nice to meet you, babygirl.” She winks and walks off. I’m hypnotized by her as she goes. She’s spellbinding, and I can’t help but wonder how much money she makes on a nightly basis. Almost like she can read my mind, Dream leans in, whispering in my ear.
“A fucking fuck ton.”
I shiver. Maybe I could fuck strangers for the right price. I’ve considered fucking them for pleasure… So, why not money?
Because you’ve only ever had sex once, and that was years ago, and it ended so badly you now avoid Alphas at all costs…
Right. Betas and Omegas?
I’ll consider it.
By the time six o’clock rolls around, I’m dead on my feet and have been ordered to make use of the gym located beside the boutique or else.
I spend a lot of time on my feet at the diner, but nothing could have prepared me for the full body workout of dancing in heels. So much dancing. So many different styles of dancing. We settled on two dances. One for the stage, and one for laps.
I’m sitting on the bench in the locker room, staring at my red feet, as Dream walks out of the showers. She takes one look at me and giggles. “You’ll get used to it faster than you think.”
“I think maybe this was a mistake. I can’t feel my toes. I should have applied for bouncer…” I joke, and Dream snorts a laugh.
“Ice bath, then soak them in warm water with Epsom salt. You’ll thank me later.” I don’t turn to face her, because I don’t think I’ll move from this spot for the next several days.
“Noted. I live close enough that I can walk home… But the thought of taking a single step right now, makes me want to evaporate into the air.”
“Here, I use this spray when my feet are screaming at me in pain. They should at least get you home!” Someone steps out from behind the lockers, holding a can of something I can’t identify. I let her spray my poor screaming toesies, and I sigh loudly in relief.
“Right? It’s heavenly, but super expensive. I tried convincing Declan to supply them, but it’s also kind of hard to get your hands on.” Once she’s done tending my tootsies, she stands and offers me her hand. “I’m Madison, but you can call me Apple when we’re here.”
“Tatum,” I say, nodding my head. “I read the paperwork Declan sent me home with yesterday, but I seriously couldn’t think of a nickname…” I admit, and both Dream and Apple chuckle.
“My real name is Dream, if that helps. No one ever believes that, though. Tatum is hot. If you don’t go with a nickname, then just keep in mind that not all our customers are always going to be a ten out of ten. A creep or two sneaks their way in from time to time. The bosses will keep you safe, but you never know.” Dream shudders like she’s imagining said creeps, and I nod my understanding.
“Babygirl?” I ask, cringing slightly. “I don’t know, this is actually so hard.”
“Baby could work! We don’t have a baby working your position, so you’ll be good there.” Apple says as she manages to apply another layer of red lipstick. I can’t even manage that level of precision without speaking… She catches me staring, and winks. “You’ll get good at a lot of things while working here.”
“Baby it is then,” I decide, and Dream pouts.
“I would have stuck with Tatum.”
After six hours learning the basics of the club, I manage to make it home so I can check on Mom, before starting the second half of my training tonight. Meg told me that Mom was able to eat most of her food before she fell asleep earlier today. Thankfully, my new schedule works well with hers so that my mom isn’t alone all day.
The good news is that every penny made after midnight is overtime. I didn’t get the vibe that I could ask any of the girls about meds, though. At least not yet. The closer I get to the end of my current supply, the worse the anxiety is going to get.
I need to find someone who can give me what I need, and I need to find them fast.
Because of the neutralizers worked into the air system at Haze, scents don’t become overwhelming, but an Omega in heat, is an Omega in heat. I want to avoid that possibility at all costs. For so many reasons.
Just the thought of going into heat at a time like this turns my stomach. I’ll be down for no less than three days, but it could be longer. I’ve missed three years worth of heats.
I make it into the bathtub, and I’m resting with my head on my arm that's draped over the edge of the tub, when my phone beeps. I dry my hand and grab my phone, unable to resist a little smile when I see who messaged me.
Declan: How was training?
Tatum: Exhausting. I’m having to search my soul deeply for the willpower to get out of this tub. I’ve refilled it three times already.
Declan: Thanks for letting me know you’re naked and wet. It’s making it so much easier to keep this professional.
Ahh. Right. I hadn’t meant for my reply to come across as suggestive or sexual, but I suppose he’s got a decent point.
Tatum: If it makes you feel better, it’s not a sexy bath. I am wet, but I look more like a drowned rat than anything else. Everything aches, and my toes need emergency intervention, or they might perish.
I’m being wildly dramatic, but…better than letting him get all hot and bothered for his new employee. That, and I don’t know that I would be all that great at ignoring his attempts for very long. I struggle to type my next reply for a moment, unsure how to word what I want to say.
Tatum: Thanks for accelerating my training. I really do need the money.
Declan: I can think of a few ways you could earn some extra money.
Declan: Shit, that sounded suspicious. Ignore that message. I only meant there are a lot of events at the club coming up. Not that you could do things for me… You know what? I’m making it worse, aren’t I?
Tatum: Riiiight. Well, I’m going to extract my weakened body from this tub now. Try not to think of me, naked, dripping wet…
Declan: Cruel.
I chuckle, and consider sending him a picture. I let my mind imagine how that might go. How he’d respond.
Would he ask me to meet him in his office when I arrived? Would he bend me over his desk, like he keeps telling me he wishes he could?
I picture it, for just a moment, and then I shake the thought away and climb out of the tub.