How to get fired (or not?)
I have always hated men. Not because of my father or the man making my life a living hell before I was able to run away. Rather because of the men harassing me, and the constant whistling wherever I go. Today, for example the security of the Red Velvet, the elite club I work in has already had to throw out six men, begore I even finished my first solo. I know that it is normal to be catcalled as an erotic dancer but men trying to literally kidnap me because they're drunk and I said no to their flirting are regularly pissing me off. I am on my way to the changing room, I am finished for today, when I notice this little prick trying to touch Julia. Julia is a shy waitress and I can see that she already gave up trying to tell him that she's not interested. I only realize that I am walking towards them when I am already halfway there. Where in hell are the security? They are meant to protect the dancers from this exact situation, and even tho Julia isn't a dancer that prick does not have the right to touch her. My patience to wait for the security team snaps when I see him shove his hand under her skirt. "Hey asshole, do you genuinely not understand that she's not interested or are you just a little cunt who doesn't get any woman willingly?" I approach him, knowing that what is going to happen next is probably gonna get me fired. He acts as if he doesn't hear me and I'm not sure if it's because he is an ignorant piece of shit or because he's drunk. I see his gaze sweeping hungrily over my body and signal Julia to go get the security. "Now you are even more beautiful, how much do I need to pay you so that my cock gets to know you without the Barkeeper finding out?" The second his hand touches the hem of my bra I make fast and hit him his nose on full speed. There is an ugly cracking sound and his head slams back after I break his nose. He gets back up and angrily tries to grab my hair but I already saw it coming so I position my knee at the exact place his favorite parts are, making him cry out in pain. He only gets to hit me once on my left cheek before the security guard assigned to me finally comes back from a smoking break and shoves him into the office of our manager.
Seconds later Franco, our manager, appears in the doorway, furious. I will never understand how he got the job. The Red Velvet is an elite club with a lot of rich customers and they are the first club I ever worked in with security for the strippers. Franco is more of 'the everything to make the costumer happy' type manager. I know I fucked up. "Do you have any idea who that is? Mr. Salome is one of our best clients and a business partner of Mr. Santos and you little cunt just broke his nose!" He grabbed my wrist, but before he could drag me into the office a hand on my shoulder stopped him. Damien, the best friend and second in comand of Mr. Santos. "I would try and find excuses for why I went outside and smoked with the security guard of our best dancer if I was you." Damien warned Franco. "Not to talk about the fact that you have been stealing money from Mr. Santos for the past eight months. I guess it was a good thing that He decided to come and see what's going on in here for himself. That way he can talk to Mr. Salome in person. You should in fact probably wait for him outside, he'll be here every second. " The cold in his voice surprises me. Damien visits regularly to check on the club and sometimes make business deals for Mr. Santos. He has always been the charming guy with too many one-night-stands. I am not the only one noticing it, Franco actually does what he's been told for once and hurries to the backdoor.
His voice is warm again, even tho I can see the rage in his eyes when he turns me towards him to check me out for injuries. His eyes narrow at the sight of my cheek - where a bruise is undoubtedly already forming judging the frobbing where this pricks fist collided with me. "Where else did he touch you?" His voice is s soft but he does a bad job trying to conceil his rage. "It looks worse than it is. I broke his nose after he touched my bra. " I try to convince him with a smile. "Trust me Damien, the asshole looks worse. Our lovely little dancer has a strong hand. " Gus, the Barkeeper comes over to us, handing me an icepack and a satin coat to wear over my stripping outfit. I guess I won't get to the changing room soon. "Thanks, Gus. Breaking little man-whores noses is just my favorite activity. " I joke making Gus smile in relieve that I'm not going to cry and have a complete meltdown. "Is Julia okay?" I nearly flinch as I put the icepack on my bruise. "I don't know, didn't see her but I'll check. " Gus assured me before walking out to search for her. "I'm sorry that you have to stay after your shift. I guess you will have to take a free day tomorrow anyway. " I nearly forgot Damien still standing next to me. "This won't happen again, you will get a new security guard and I'm hopeful that Jax will fire Franco. " Jax, Mr. Santos first name. "I'll rather just hope not to get fired myself. " I ignore Damiens snort and let him lead me towards Franco's office. Mr. Santos isn't just the owner of a few clubs and a CEO. Everyone whith the Attention span of a four year old realizes that he has illegal businesses. That the men he makes deals with are scared of him, flinch whenever they hear his name. I know that there are dead men whenever someone's not doing what he told them. Honestly, I don't care. Yes, I'm an erotic dancer for a mobster, who cares. He pays good and in the one month I've been working here I have never really seen anyone do something illegal. Not that I could tell the police with my fake name and fake past and the fact that I need the money. I'm also not dumb enough to be a snitch. I know that the police couldn't prove anything and that he'd kill me if he found out. I simply act as if I have no idea of what is happening. Dumb, blonde strategy.
We reach the door to the office and I can hear shouting before Damien even opens the door. Jason Salome, the little prick who's nose I broke is standing there, holding the sleeve of his suit to his nose to stop the bleeding. He's screaming at a completely calm Mr. Santos. With an expression on his face that makes me think that perhaps I'm not the only one with a nerving Monday. That is when Mr. Salome notices me behind Damien and his eyes get so big that I'm starting to think they'll plop out. "That little cunt hit me without a reason! I was simply trying to protect myself and the other girl from her. Of course I will think about visiting your establishment again if she gives me a free dance and gets fired afterwards." That little prick did not actually just say that, did he? I am already thinking about with what to hit him this time when Damien speaks. "Well, gladly our security cameras where able to catch you trying to convince one of our waitresses to become your personal protestute and then touching Scarlett inappropriately. When she was defending yourself you hit her."
I sit down in the chair Damien assigned to me and ignore Mr. Santos gaze sweeping over me. Not hungrily like the man whore standing on the other side of the desk and not like Franco, trying to make as much profit as possible. Rather interested. I haven't looked him directly into the face since we entered the office and I'm not planning to very soon. I strictly keep my eyes on Mr. Salome. Let him think that this whole situation is boring me. Natasha, who's leaning against the wall behind him grins at me. She's Mr. Santos's head of security and I have only ever met her once. I like her, she's prove that you can be pretty and lethal at the same time and I nervee see her not playing with a knife.
"Mr. Salome, I believe we are having this conversation regularly. Only that this time you didn't only touch some if my female staff inappropriately, you also hurt my best dancer willingly." Mr. Santos' voice is dark, and even tho I know that the coldness in his voice isn't directed at me I cant help but to invisibly shiver. "Didn't you promise me two months ago, quote: 'This won't ever happen again Mr. Santos, I swear. I would never risk not being able to visit your establishment.'?" Mr. Salome is now visibly shocked. "I reserve myself the right to ban people from my establishment if they persistently endanger the safety of my staff as well as costumers. Should you dare to return regardless of what I just told you Natasha will ensure you are no longer capable of threatening anyone's safety. Any matters regarding our businesses and still standing contractos will be handled by my lawyer." Mr. Salome is escorted outside by Natasha and Damien - protesting loudly - leaving behind me, Mr. Santos and a nervously sweating Franco.
"Sir, I can explain this-" Mr. Santos interrupts Franco:" You have been stealing money for the past eight months, fired staff because they weren't interested in you and now you deliberately kept Mrs. Juareź's security guard from his work to do what, exactly? Chat with him about the latest break up? You are fured, effective immediately! Damien will take care of the Red Velvet until further notice. "
"Mr. Santos-"
"Leave!"
Franco hurries out and I wouldn't blame him. Mr. Santos is scary as shit when he gets angry. He closes the door, leaving behind only me and Mr. Santos.
"I am going to assign a new security guard to you. Only if you choose to keep working for me." Those hypnotic green eyes are burning themselves into me, as he gently moves my hand with the ice away to examine the bruise already forming on my cheek. "It wasn't his fault. He couldn't really do anything against Franco making him leave his position. Nothing happened. " I can see the surprise in his eyes for me defending the security. " Well, I'd say that this bruise is something. Also I'm pretty sure he didn't know you could defend yourself. As far as I can see my best dancer should not be protected by someone who can't even follow basic commands. Your security guard was never working for Franco, so he did not have to do what he said." I don't really have an argument against that.
He tilts my head to the right, to have better acess to my cheek whilst continuing to cool it with ice. "You haven't answered my question, Scarlett." Scarlett Juareź, the fake identity I've been working on for the past six months. I'm honestly surprised that no one made a background check good enough to find out about my past.
I must've looked confused, because Mr. Santos explains to me:"I asked you if you're planning on keeping to work for me. I would increase your salary and give you better security. And if you choose to quit your job just remember that I can be very persistent when it comes to convincing my best dancer to stay." I raise one eyebrow at the last part.
"Persistent? Maybe I should try to find out how far you are willing to go to keep your best dancer. " It is way too easy to flirt with him if I think about the fact that I know damn well about his illegal businesses. "I wouldn't test me if I was you. " His finger gentle caresses my chin. "I am willing to continue to work for you Mr. Santos." He lays the icepack down on the desk. His eyes find mine again and they seem to know something I don't.
"Jax. You can call me by my name, love. " I smile at him, standing up. "Well Jax, I should go home. My Boss told me I would get a day off and I don't want to sleep the whole day. "
Right when I'm about to leave, the door opens and a man comes in. Covered in tattoos and wearing a suit that brings out his muscles. I would guess Italian.
"Natasha told me you wanted to see me Boss." He explains to Jax. "Scarlett, this is Marco, your personal security from now on." Jax explains with a nearly invisible grin. "You planned to give me peesonal security, before I even accepted to continue working for you? Thats a bit arrogant, don't you think. " He crosses his arms, the grin getting bigger now. "I told you, I am persistent when it comes to keeping you working for me. Marco, you will drive Mrs. Juareź home and ensure her safety while she works." He turns to Marco, who has an unreadable expression on his face. He opens the door for me and I can hear Jax right before I leave, murmur:"Goodnight, love." Marco closes the door behind me before I can answer anything.
