Chapter 1
"Where is it? Where is it?" Liana frantically searches through her drawers, side table; all the places she would hide her money from her scheming father. "Goddamnit, where is it?" she practically screamed through tears. Giving up the search, the answer became clear. "Fuck," she whispered through gritted teeth.
Rather than dwell on it, Liana changes her clothes to get ready for her morning shift at the coffee shop. She brushes a little powder on her face to hide the exhaustion, puts on her shoes and walks down the five floors of the dingy apartment building out onto the street.
"At least the weather is nice today." She looks up to the clear blue sky, smiling a little.
Letting the breeze pass through her hair, Liana walked the ten blocks to her day job, as inconspicuously as possible. Keeping her head down and simply going from one place to another.
The bell dings overhead when she arrives and immediately, the kindly owner, Lillian greets her. "Good morning, dear." Her smile was sweet. A welcome reprieve from her usual dealings. "How are you this morning?" The question seemed innocent enough, but put Liana on edge.
She tried to play it off, but her expression faltered. "Same as everyday." Lillian's shoulders dropped hearing that. "Don't worry about me. I'll manage." A small smile graced her lips, trying to assuage the older woman's worries. "Really, I'm okay," and she took both Lillian's hands, squeezing gently. "I'll get started."
The small cafe became slightly busier than usual and almost unmanageable for Liana and Lillian to handle.
Lillian wiped her brow as she ran back and forth trying to complete orders. "What on Earth...why is it so busy today?" she asked, hoping Liana would know.
In the middle of making a cappuccino, Liana remembered something. "Four blocks down there's a road closure and of course, that's where the Starbucks is." Lillian rolls her eyes, making Liana chuckle. "We could just call Brent if you think we need the extra help."
"That may be a good idea before the lunch rush, especially if Starbucks is off-limits to every person this side of town who drinks coffee." Lillian already sounded tired and it was only nine in the morning.
"Then...after this order, I'll call him quick and have him come in." She finished the Americano order in front of her with the egg and cheese sandwich and ran to the back to call Brent. "Hey, can you come in today?"
Brent yawned over the phone, no doubt still hungover from the night before. "That bad today?" His gravelly voice sounded tired. "Yeah, I'll be there. Give me an hour, cupcake."
Cupcake? Blowing a frustrated raspberry, Liana shakes her head. "Gotta talk him about that nickname." Heading back out to the front of the store, the line vanished but one man in very dark sunglasses and dressed completely in black stood at the register, waiting rather impatiently. He tapped his finger incessantly on the counter, looking like he was ready to murder. "I am so sorry, sir. What can I get for you?"
"Which is the best blend of coffee you have in this....tiny, cramped establishment?" His voice was a mix of bored and annoyed like asking the question made him want to gag from even stepping foot in the cafe.
Liana cleared her throat, keeping what she truly wanted to say buried. Plastering a fake smile on her face, she answered, "Well, we have an Ethiopian blend that has some fruity notes, but we also have an excellent Blonde Roast which has more floral flavor. Personally, I like to add one pump of caramel and a toasted croissant."
He listened to Liana's explanation with a blank expression. "I'll take the first one, and make it quick. Large."
Taken aback at his rudeness, Liana rang up his total and started making his order so she didn't have to stand in his presence anymore. What a jackass. She poured his coffee, leaving room at the top, then for some reason, she decided to grab the last croissant, and put it in the warmer. "May as well." Going back to the counter, she slides the coffee and croissant to the man. "Your order, sir." Without a word, he takes it, and puts down a hundred dollar bill. "This is way too much." He leaves without a word. What the hell?
Lillian comes up front, seeing Liana stare at the bill as if it would bite her. "Oh my, did someone overpay?"
Liana laughed mirthlessly, putting the bill in the register. "Indeed he did. And let me tell you, I could do with never seeing that asshole again."
"Language, dear," Lillian scolded.
Just then, Brent came in the front door, not a speck of the previous night on him. "Good morning, my most favorite ladies."
They both chuckled.
"You are such a charmer." Lillian blushed like a school-girl.
Liana shakes her head good-naturedly. "Try another line. That one is kinda old," she teased.
From nowhere, he produced a beautifully bloomed daisy, presenting it to Liana. "Anything to make you smile, sweetheart."
Though touched at his action, Liana couldn't reciprocate. "You should save your suave moves for someone better." Putting the flower in a large plastic cup of water, she resumes working.
"Give him a chance," Lillian whispered. "He's always liked you." She tried to be encouraging of their relationship but her efforts were in vain.
"Brent deserves someone better. Someone who isn't stuck in the same bull--stupid nonsense I am. I can't do that to him." Liana's eyes filled with tears but they didn't fall. "He should be happy with someone. Not have to deal with my baggage."
With Brent coming in to help, the lunch rush went off without a hitch. The conversation between Liana and him stalled; neither of them knowing what to say. Lillian would try to push them together but Liana always evaded. A strange cold feeling erupted on her skin at some point, almost like someone was watching her.
Liana shivers, and tries to shake it off. Why am I cold? She keeps working, ignoring the feeling building up inside. Next time her eyes find the clock, she has to leave. "Lillian, are you guys going to be all right without me? I have to get to my next job."
"Go on, dear. The biggest task we have to do is shut down, but that won't be for a couple hours." Lillian's face grows concerned for a second. "Take care of yourself, please," she pleads, rubbing Liana's arms as if trying to impart some of her strength.
"Don't worry about me, Boss." Liana smiled as best she could to hearten up the older woman. "I'll be okay."
Picking up her bag and slinging it over her shoulder, Liana leaves the cafe and heads to her second job. On the way out, she catches Brent's eye and waves. He waves back half-heartedly. I am such a bitch.
Heading out into the evening air, the shivers from earlier came on stronger. Am I getting sick or something? Ignoring it, she sighed realizing she had to walk fifteen blocks, passing her house to get to her second job. "Damn bastard. Stealing my money," she whispers. She takes a few steps, when Brent calls out to her from behind.
"Wait up!" Liana turns around to see him running up.
"What's up?" she asks, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.
He grabs her hand, slapping something into it. "Take this."
Opening her hand, Liana sees at least one hundred dollars. "No, no. I can't take your money. I can just walk--"
"Please," he presses it firmly into her hand, "just take it. I don't want to see you struggle."
Sighing out her nose, Liana conceded. "Fine. Just this one time." Putting it in her pocket, she smiles at him. "Thank you." Brent hails her a cab and she thanks him again. "See you in a couple days."
On her way to her second job, a strange feeling welled up inside. Almost as though someone was watching her. But oddly, it didn't feel wrong. All her life she felt that way.
Get your head on. You need money.
Arriving in front of the club, she pays the driver and runs in the back door to the changing room.
"Hey, girl," a woman calls, pausing her full-make-up routine. "Long day? You look exhausted."
Liana snorts. "I just came from my day job, right to my night job," she says, putting her bag on the floor. "Anything interesting happening yet?"
Before she can answer, the boss comes from the main floor. "Oh, good. You're here, Liana. Both Summer and Mindy called out tonight. You'll have to do some VIP service tonight."
"Huh? Me?" she asked, dumbfounded, pointing at herself. "No way."
The boss came up behind her, their eyes meeting in the mirror. "I'll give you an extra 5K."
Eyes wide, Liana can't resist. Shoulders drooped, she agreed. "Okay, I'll do it."
"That's my girl." The boss gave her a thank you kiss in her hair. "Both of you get changed, the others will be here a little later."
The other girl stared for a moment before breaking into a huge smile. "I think the boss likes you," she teased, twirling side to side in her chair.
"Come on, be real, Teagan. He's just buttering me up so I can work more." She played it off, but the truth was she felt uncomfortable at times when her boss would do things like that.
After putting her make-up and letting Teagan put on some special touches, Liana dresses in a black lace body cage, all her assets sitting just right.
"Damn girl, work it." Teagan snapped her fingers in approval. "Black isn't usually your thing. It looks amazing on you."
Giving herself a once-over in the mirror, Liana can't help but agree. "Guess I wanted a change of pace." Or I wanted to hide.
A little while later, three more girls came in for their shift. They all got ready, regaling each other with previous night's customers and how much they made.
"What about you, Liana?" Melody asks, gliding on her lipstick.
"No one interesting. Just the usual," she responded, thinking back. Then something occurred to her. A few nights before a man caught her eye. He appeared to see straight through her, peeling away the layers as though they were nothing.
Snapping fingers appeared in front of her face. "Girl, you good? You're up," Teagan said, pulling her toward the door.
"Uh, right." Composing herself, Liana walks to the stage after her introduction by the boss.
Sauntering forward, salacious eyes raked over her body. Whoops and hollers filled the air as she moved along the pole, swaying her hips to the sensual music. Letting go completely, Liana let the beat flow. Gyrating her hips in large circles, she hops up onto the pole, hooking one leg around, slowly spinning downward to the floor, money flying as she goes. The song blessedly ends and she blows a kiss to the crowd making them go more wild.
Going backstage, she takes off her heels and takes a breather. "Hot crowd tonight," she remarks.
Teagan powders her nose. "You were on fire, girl. I don't think I've ever seen you that good."
Melody comes up from behind her. "Boss is looking for you. He's behind the bar."
Grudgingly sliding her heels back on, she goes out onto the main floor where Melody just started her first set.
Finding a corner of the bar, the boss notices her and comes over. "There's a request for you in the main VIP room."
"How many?"
"Just one guy," the boss says, holding up one finger. "He said he'd pay quite a bit to get you alone."
Alarm bells screamed in her head. "I have two more sets though."
"Not anymore you don't. This guy plunked down one hundred thousand dollars just to have you tonight." A slimy smile creeped across the boss's face. "Do what you gotta to earn it."
"Are you suggesting--" Liana recoiled at the thought.
The boss backpedaled. "Oh, no. Of course not. Just make him happy." Puffing out her cheeks, Liana agreed to the arrangement. "He asked you wear something red."
Picky bastard. "I'll go change then." Hopping off the bar stool, she heads back to the changing room to see Teagan head on stage for her second set. She gives her a good luck sign and goes to change.
"Where you been?" Melody asks in the middle of changing her outfit.
"The boss needed to talk to me. Apparently, there's a high paying client in the main VIP room and he wants me for the whole night."
Melody's eyes widened. "The entire night? Isn't that kinda...." She waves her hand side-to-side."
"Regardless, I have to find something red." Liana went over to the rack of outfits to find something appealing. Melody helped pick through. "What do you think?" Liana asked, pulling out a simple lace negligee.
"Pair that with....this!" Melody thumbs through the clothes rack and pulls out a red push-up bra with a thong.
Raising an eyebrow, Liana hated thongs. "Butt-floss....my favorite."
Melody throws the set at her, chuckling. "Listen, sweetie. You're spending the whole night with an apparent high-roller. Look your best." Her voice became shrill with excitement. "Besides, you got booty, flaunt it." To punctuate her point, she smack Liana's backside.
Liana yelped. "All right, all right. I'll put this little number on." When she was done and dressed, she modeled for Melody.
A whistle of approval came from the changing room door. "Damn, you are smokin'." He fanned himself with his hand. "Get going, the client is waiting."
Liana escapes the room, feeling dirty at the lecherous stare her boss gave her. She goes down the dark hallway of the VIP rooms to get to the end, where the largest was.
Deep breaths.
Gathering her courage for the long night, Liana walks into the dimly lit VIP room.
"You're finally here," a deep voice said from across the room.
Liana jumped a little but regained herself quickly. She steps onto the small stage, grabbing the pole and swaying her hips to the right to come around to the front, her client sitting on the couch below her.
"What can I do for you, sir?" Liana asked, an air of sensuality about her.
"Come here," he commanded, beckoning her with his finger. She steps down off the stage and walks cautiously toward the customer. Once close enough, he yanks her by the wrist and she lands on his lap. His fingers go into her hair, and he inhales her scent. "Red suits you."
Feeling his hot breath in her ear makes Liana shudder. "You called for me, sir. Is there anything--"
He puts his finger to her lips, lightly pulling her lower lip. "Just listen." The demanding tone of voice immediately shut Liana's mouth. "You are going to do whatever I say, no questions asked. Got it?" She nods once. "You're mine then."
