Chapter 3
Chapter Three
After Luna left, I followed the tiny chatter down the hallway, finding Amity in a sea of her dolls. It was impossible to not join her as I allowed myself to indulge in the childhood throwback.
The day seemed to fly by then as we went through our regular Saturday routine. I didn’t notice it at first but as the sun began to set, a feeling of nervousness started to settle in my stomach.
I know I shouldn’t be anxious about returning to work.
I have no doubt in my mind that those Alphas got rid of the CEO—the man's name something I never bothered to remember—but the unsettling feeling still lingers as I begin getting ready for work.
I try to replay my mantra over and over in my head.
I am okay. I am safe. No one can hurt me anymore.
Yet, it doesn’t seem to give me that comforting edge that it normally does. I don’t stop repeating it though. It took months for it to catch when I first escaped.
I hate thinking about that time.
The time where I was the most vulnerable.
Newly pregnant and on the run in a city that I had never been in before.
I startle when I hear the knock at the door, gasping and clutching at my chest. I give myself a moment to breathe through my panic before checking my watch. I berate myself as I realize that it's just Mrs. Perry coming to start looking after Amity.
I knew I shouldn’t have gotten caught up in my head thinking about my old life. It has never done me any good before. But since Mr. CEO got too handsy, it has been creeping in on me more than I would like.
Maybe it's time to finally speak to a therapist. Yet, as the thought comes to mind, I banish it, knowing that I won’t ever spend that kind of money on myself. I can barely buy myself new clothes—even if they are only from the thrift store.
Putting down the mascara I am lucky I didn’t stab my eye with, I take a breath, making my way to the front door and greet my babysitter.
Instantly, the older woman can see the stress on my face. She doesn’t say a single word, folding me into her arms and holds me for a moment before letting me go.
“Is the rugrat in her room?” she questions, putting her bag down on the kitchen bench.
I nod, not able to say anything with the threat of tears spilling thanks to the motherly gesture.
Grabbing a hold of my shoulder, she gives me a slight squeeze. “Go finish getting ready, I’ve got her from here.”
Swallowing back more tears that threaten to fall, I head back into my room. Rummaging through my draws I try to find the right outfit to wear. Just as I am about to pick the more modest set that I used to wear when I first started stripping, my phone buzzes.
Lulu:
You better not be wearing that granny set tonight, V. Fuck those creeps. They don’t own you. Remember exactly who the fuck you are.
Me:
I swear you are a mind reader.
Lulu:
I FUCKING KNEW IT!!!!
If you wear that horrific shit that you should have burnt years ago, I will disown you.
I roll my eyes, snorting at the girl I consider my best friend. The worst part is, I know that she would do something extreme like that.
Me:
Fine. What should I wear?
Lulu:
The red set. You know the one.
Me:
Lu…
Lulu:
Do it, Val. It’s the best fuck you to those fuckers!
Eyeing off said outfit I look at it for a minute before looking back down at the texts Luna sent.
She is right. I do need to give them a big fuck you. I need to remind myself of who the fuck I am. I shouldn’t be hiding or cowering away from these men.
They want me to cower to them. To submit to them.
Its so fucking typical of Alphas. They see other designations as below them. That to not be an Alpha is a stain on humanity.
I feel my jaw tick, the anger I try to keep hidden day in and day out threatening to burst from me.
Fuck Alphas. Fuck men who think that they can get away with controlling others.
Grabbing the scraps of red lace from my drawer, I stuff them into my bag.
I won’t cower.
I won’t be that weak, whimpering Omega that I have withdrawn myself from.
Fuck that.
Pulling the scraps of red lace onto my body, I instantly feel more powerful.
I know that we have another full house tonight, something that I am grateful for.
Having what will no doubt be my choice in high-rollers and successful businessmen ready to throw their money around will give me the best opportunity to take back that bit of me that was stolen last night.
Not allowing myself to get dragged back down into those negative thoughts, I shake my head, grabbing up my belongings before making my way back to my station.
Whistles, hoots and hollers greet me from the girls in the room.
“Hot damn, Sweet Cherry Pie! Way to ensure none of us get paid tonight!”
I laugh at Candy who is looking at me with a proud glint in her smokey lined eyes. The blonde should know that is a lie, especially judging by the stack of cash she is already counting.
“Don’t be jealous, C. Our girl needs to send a message tonight,” Luna pipes up, walking over to me and taking my stuff from my arms and shoving it into my locker.
Crystal narrows her eyes. “What do you mean?”
My fiery best friend turns towards the other girl, “Did you know that slime bag Ivan sold Cherry last night without her knowledge?”
Not a single noise apart from the distant thump of the club music is muttered. The girls all look at me with a mixture of horror and anger.
The latter are the ones that I know have also seen some shit in their lives.
“That motherfucker,” Crystal finally mutters. Each of the girls echo their agreement with her.
“I know that some of you girls are okay being a part of the extra deals that Ivan offers, but not all of us have signed up for that.”
Both Misty and Diamond at least have the audacity to look sheepish.
“Just because we are apart of the sex work industry, does not mean that we have consented to everything,” Luna continues as more of the girls agree with her. “So tonight, our girl is going to say fuck you to those that can’t take the word no as final.”
Cheers from the girls instantly boost me as I brace myself to talk out the door.
I pull each of my walls up, cementing them as best as I can.
It's the same ritual that I do every night.
Taking a final breath in, I open my eyes.
I am ready.
The sounds of rowdy men celebrating the end of the current dancer’s set are near-deafening.
It's hardly a surprise considering not a single scrap of fabric is currently covering her body. She is a newer dancer—one that I haven’t had the chance to get to know yet— so it's no surprise to me to see her grinning at the attention she is receiving.
It is a little bit like that at the start. The attention becomes addicting. The thrill of men lusting after you is an amazing boost to the ego.
And having them throw their entire paycheck at you just to see a bit of extra skin? Yeah, that keeps you coming back for more.
But once all of that wears off, it simply just becomes a job.
The new girl beams at me carrying her overflowing money bag in her arms. “They are hungry out there tonight! Have fun out there!”
I give her a small smile and a nod before turning back to the runway.
The Cherry persona that I have perfected over the years slides easily into place as the DJ introduces me with his regular speech.
The sounds of the guitar riff from the late eighties hit causes an uproar of the patrons just like I knew it would. I can’t help the devious smile that brightens my face knowing that I already have these men in the palm of my hand. They are begging for it and I haven’t even stepped on stage.
Turning my head, I find Luna grinning at me. Giving her a wink, I turn and walk out onto the stage.
I don’t know how, but the roaring gets impossibly louder. I swing my hips to the beat, taking slow steps towards the pole.
Dollar bills are thrown at me with each step that I take. I have to be careful to not slip on any of the bills. While the black strappy heels are comfortable to walk in, I refuse to make a fool of myself; especially when I am on my redemption dance.
I slide my hands up my body, teasing my fingers over the straps of the top. I spot an Alpha gripping his crotch as he hollers at me. I wink at him, giving him a saucy smile that he goes wild over. My false bravado wins in the end as I watch him throw me a fifty dollar note.
I turn away from him quickly, as I continue to eye off the rest of the crowd gathered around the stage. Reaching out, I grab onto the pole, taking slow steps around it before hooking my leg and giving a slow spin. It gives me another perfect chance to work the crowd over.
The smile remains on my face as I spin a second time. That is until a familiar set of eyes catch mine.
I gasp, my smile drops as the eyes of the man that all but saved me last night look back at me.
His piercing blue eyes feel like they can see straight through me, able to analyze every single one of my secrets from a single glance.
The orbs are filled with a hunger that makes the single hand gripping the pole, shake.
My stomach does flips as I finally lose eye contact, having spun past the Alpha.
Never in my life have I reacted this way to anyone. Never has a single glance both unsettled and aroused me.
Even though my back is now to him, I can still feel his eyes on me as I come to a stop.
With my back to both the crowd and the pole, I am able to give myself a moment to regather myself. With one hand above my head gripping the pole, I slowly slide down until I am on my knees on the stage.
Whipping my loose curls, I slowly begin to crawl and to the front of the stage.
I don’t allow myself to meet the eyes of the Alpha again.
Instead, I find a younger guy at least a few years younger than my twenty-eight.
He is sitting amongst a few of his friends who are nudging and teasing him.
Judging by his attire and demeanor, he is clearly on his bachelor night.
His eyes meet mine from where they were locked on my tits that are threatening to spill out of the skimpy bra.
His smile widens as I make my way over to him.
The moment I reach the end of the stage, I slowly throw my legs off the end of the catwalk.
Money from each of his friends is quickly slapped to the man's chest.
He doesn’t lose eye contact with me as I reach him and sit down on his lap. It’s a much bolder move from what I thought I would be able to manage tonight but I don’t dare stop. Especially not when I get a hit of his scent.
Beta.
Thank fuck.
Getting the extra dose of confidence that I need, I spend a good majority of my first song giving the groom-to-be the best lap dance of my career. Once I have well and truly earnt the money safely tucked under my garter, I slip off his lap, giving him one last grin.
The guys around him cheer and I hear slaps on the back and plenty of ‘fuck yeah, that was so hot’ remarks as I step back onto the stage.
The rest of my set goes off without a hitch. With only a glance, I know that I have well and truly made more money than I ever have in a single night.
Ben helps me to collect my earnings with the help of a velvet sack. It is practically a pillow case, not that anyone seems to care. He hands it over, along with my discarded bra.
Making my way back to the dressing room, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Tonight was exactly what I needed. I feel like I am me again.
Well, the new me at least. The me that I want to be. Even with that Alpha from last night's presence that unnerved me for a moment, I feel more powerful. More in control.
After stuffing my money into my locker, I redress and finish reapplying my makeup just as Ben comes through the door of the dressing room.
“Hey, Cherry. You have been booked for a private. Are you ready?”
I snicker under my breath. Hook, line and sinker.
“Sure am.” I fix a final strand of my hair before following him into the private rooms.
Ben is one of the only guys I have been able to give an ounce of my trust to since working here.
I know it has a lot to do with the fact that not only is Ben a Beta, but also the fact that he is in a very committed marriage.
It was a comfort that was cemented even further when I watched the pair get married to each other a few months after I started here.
With a smile and a promise of a catch up when the night is over, Ben opens the door to room five.