Chapter 1
The cold air nip at my skin. I didn't think it would be this chilly in New York. I walk fast, trying to catch the city bus to the Bronx. Work was hard today. My feet are sore, even burning, to be precise.
All I do is serve CEO of the stock markets who cheat on their wives and do coke in the bathrooms of clubs. I work for a bunch of spoiled housewives who spend money and have secret affairs in the booths. Everything about my job is hectic work but, my co-workers are the best. Some of them have told me about who owns the place be careful around them, which gives me a very great sense to be tedious around my job.
I started this job about a couple of days ago and could already tell the kind of people I would be working for. It's different than people from the West coast.
I moved from home a week ago, live in a small apartment which isn't too bad. The only downfall was the landlord's kid. When I got my key, he held my hand for a good minute and told me about his own copy.
It didn't sit right with me but, this is the only place I can afford. It's bare, with one fridge and stove, with little space for food. I only have 400 in the bank, which won't be 400 for long. I get paid a regular check and tips, which helps me with bus fare and having emergency cash on the side.
It was already 6 in the evening when I get on the bus, it was packed with tired workers. I won't be home until about 8 o'clock, which means I have enough time to walk to the corner store, pick up dinner, eat, shower, and go to bed. While I'm riding, I might as well start making a list of things I need.
I make sure to add the prices and which items are the most important, and which ones can be bought later on. The list is as cheap as I can make it, soon as the list is complete, I turn some music on and watch the other riders depart.
Once it was my time to get off, I head straight to the corner store. I grab a basket and grab tonight's meal. This store has everything you need for one person. I know I'm gonna grab two boxes of cereal, a small carton of milk, three packs of ramen, chips, and some of the best chocolate milk.
I have to grab some supplies since I'm not going to have any food for a couple of days after ordering some blankets online. When I turn around, my body collides with a mysterious figure. The aroma of cologne floods my nose with a very calming scent of wood and pine.
I stare at him before realizing I felt a sheer pain of embarrassment, "Sor-Sorry, excuse me." I quickly shuffle around him until he calls for me, "Hey, you dropped something." His voice stopped me in my tracks. I turn around, looking at him to see he has my chocolate milk. His hair is brushed back with no product but, I can tell it's a little curly.
"Thank you." He's a foot taller than me and makes me seem small. His stature makes me feel uncomfortable. I grab the milk quickly and turn around, heading to the clerk. Who is this guy?
I planned out how I would leave the store in my head. Can't let this guy know where I live or which way I'm heading. Turning around, the guy is still there looking at some of the items. Before I give him the chance to spot me, I grab the bag and walk out.
Turning the corner and running, my eyes spot my place. Whoever that guy was, he seemed to be a serious man. I breathe out a sigh of relief, reaching my door until the smell of cheap cologne clogged my nostrils. "Hey there, just getting off of work, I see? Is that your dinner for tonight, you know, if you want, I cant take you to this nice place I know."
This is something I knew I wasn't going to get used to simply for the fact that he knows when I get off and that his mother is the reason I got this job. "No thanks, this is all I need for tonight. I am absolutely exhausted. Thanks for the offer. Before he speaks, I open my door quickly and close the door.
I unpack everything and settle into my place. I prepare dinner and lay on my sloppy and pathetic air mattress. Sipping my milk, all I can think of is when I have time to find a bed frame and where I can get one. Before I decided to change scenery, I sold every item I owned, which meant furniture.
My phone buzzes. I see it's my favorite person.
Claire: Are you working tomorrow????
Claire is the best co-worker anyone can ask for. She helped me out on the first day on the job. We exchanged numbers to keep in touch if we don't work the same shift.
Me: Yeah, apparently we have to be at work early to set everything up for that even tomorrow night. Do you?
Claire: I won't come in until late. Have to get my hair done and new nails. Make sure to be ready. I'll be by early in the morning to drive you.
Me: It's alright. I have to do something before work. Don't want to make you late for your appointment.
I didn't want her to be late for me, besides I don't have to be there till about 9.
Claire: Okay, well, I'll see you tomorrow.
It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I finish up eating and clean before heading to bed.
Setting the alarm for 5:30 a.m. I doze off.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ
Yawning, I grab the phone and switch off the alarm. I get up quickly and head to the bathroom, letting the water heat up. I undress quickly and step into the shower. The water felt good on my skin, the thought of the guy came up.
He's attractive but wouldn't I don't think I would see him ever again. I didn't know why I thought he was scary. He didn't seem frightening he didn't seem to fit in there either. I thought about how good his cologne smelt. Very grown-up and fancy, had made me think of a serious businessman. Sexy sent, I do want to say he seemed to look as if he was going to a party or club.
I feel myself breathing heavily, all hot and bothered at the thought of the stranger. I push the urge away and finish up in the shower. When I get out, a breeze of cold air hit me. I quickly get dressed. The time was only 6:30 a.m. I had t be at work by 9. I should probably leave around 7.
While getting ready, the thought of the mysterious man enters my mind. His body wasn't built. It was a semi muscular type. He was tall, pale, had a nice and neat beard that made me throb.
I can feel myself become hot and sensitive.
It's not the time to think about that. I grab my bag and jacket and head out to the bus stop. I walk steadily down the sidewalk, trying to keep myself warm. I look around, smelling the trash, alcohol spilled from the homeless guy on the corner. As I walk, I put on my headphone, turning on some soft rock.
My eyes set on the bus stop ahead. No one is there, which is a godsend to me. I sit on the bench, feeling the cold metal makes my skin seize up. I check the phone to see it was only 7:50. The bus should be here in about 20 minutes.
Since I won't really be working, being on time won't matter. Once the bus comes, I quickly find my seat and sit.
The building usually is packed with dancers, drunks, and some escorts. Today it's empty and spacious, with some of the girls setting up tables and setting up the stages for the dancers. I put all my things in my locker and head to one of the girls.
"Hey Clarissa, the supplies for the tables and booths are over at the bar. Make sure to make enough for each of the tables. Once you finish, help the other with any of the decorations."
Sam has everyone getting ready for the party tonight. It isn't going to take long. maybe an hour or two. Some of the singers and dancers aren't coming until later to practice their routines. I can see the materials. which consist of flowers, beads, light strips, and jars. "How am I supposed to decorate with these?"
The directions said to wrap the lights around the flowers and put the beat at the bottom. This is going to be fun. One hour rolls by. More workers come in and start to clean and decorate the walls with streamers.
Some of the tables have glitter and goody bags on them. Once I finish getting all the decorations set up, I go to one of the girls, "Hey, is there anything you need help with?" She's putting items all over the chairs.
"One of the VIP areas has a pole that needs to be polished, the area needs to be vacuumed out, one of the dancers spilled glitter everywhere last night." I start to walk away but, she continues talking. "Also, Claire is going to bring more supplies after her appointment. Sam says to be here by 5 and to grab the evening's uniform in the back."
"Okay, thanks." Once I get the supplies to clean the area, the VIP area had been trashed. Whoever worked the last shift didn't do their damn job, it shows. The trash is stuck on the table, the pole is filthy with god knows what kind of oil. It takes 30 minutes just to get everything fixed, cleaned and thrown away. Once I start getting everything set, the area is beginning to smell and look better. The pole is something that is going to take longer.
I get it disinfected and shining brand new. Once the building is set up and is finished, most of us leave to go home and get ready. It's only 12:30, which gives me enough tie to go home, eat something, and make myself look sexy but also decent enough to get tips. This party should pay me a good amount of cash for savings. Hopefully, tonight will go smoothly, with no problems.
