Dolly my night version

Another version of myself came at night.

The club was like a different kind of universe. Neon lights shone in the darkness as music pulsed through the floor. The air smelled strongly of sweat, perfume, alcohol, and cigarettes.

But I was already used to this life.

Once I’m in the dressing room, I pull off my hoodie and become another version of myself. I’d make sure to take the backdoor to avoid answering all unnecessary questions.

Dolly was my club name.

I wear a silver mask, glitter along my collarbone, and a costume that shimmered under light every night.

I took this job because, as a twenty-year-old aspiring to go to college, this was the only job I could get that actually paid high.

Anna was busy reapplying lipstick in the mirror beside me, swaying her hips like she was born for this.

I hadn’t seen Gigi since I arrived.

“You look pale,” Anna said as she turned slightly toward me before moving back to the mirror.

“Rough day?” she added, smacking her lips.

I ignored her.

"Must've been. Half your regulars asked for me while you were gone.”

“Why do you care?” I snapped at her, my insides turning at her awful attempt to make it look like she liked me because I knew she didn’t from my first day.

But she kept pretending every time, even when I noticed her glare and her subtle snide remarks when I bagged a customer more wealthy than hers.

Anna smirked. “Smile, Dolly. Men tip better when you look like you enjoy letting them touch and f**k you,” she said, ignoring my earlier choice like she always did.

I rolled my eyes and placed my mask over my face. The silver covered everything except my mouth.

And in that moment, I became Dolly, who didn’t have a mother who hated her.

I still didn’t see Gigi till it was my time to go on stage. I wasn’t supposed to perform on stage tonight since I had a private customer, but Gigi wasn’t present to confirm, so I had no choice.

“Let’s give it up for Dolly.” The crowd went wild at the sound of my stage name.

The curtains opened to reveal the stage in front of me with a pole in the middle.

I took slow strides to the pole, ensuring that I looked confident. The men present were plenty as usual because I was the most wanted stripper and hooker. Except that I'm not into hooking up anymore.

Things like this were bound to draw men’s attention, even those that had wives at home.

I grabbed the pole and started dancing.

I moved my hips according to the song. My fingers moved to my belly and down my legs in a seductive manner. I bit my lower lip and swung my hair back, positioning my ass to face the hungry stares in front of me.

That was when I noticed him.

The first thing that captivated me was his eyes. They were intense and dark.

He was sipping a drink and his eyes roamed around my body as I moved sexually, wobbling my ass, shaking my hips, and twisting my body on the pole like a serpent.

He was sitting far back under the dim light where I couldn’t make out his face clearly. The light for the audience was dim blue while I stood in the harsh bright lights. But I could see a tattoo peeking from his collar

But there was something familiar about the way he watched me, like he knew me from somewhere. I could feel it.

He wasn't shouting like the others.

He wasn't throwing money.

He simply watched.

I held the pole tight and threw one leg behind it before spinning my body.

My gaze stayed firmly on his. His shirt was unbuttoned at the first two buttons, and his muscles flexed inside his shirt. I could see it.

He licked his lips and I bit mine. He folded his arm under his chest, making his muscles more defined than before.

I finished my dance and the men cheered loudly. It filled my ears as I walked away. But I looked back, wanting to catch a glimpse of the stranger once more, but I didn’t.

I shook my head and left the stage.

I slapped my head repeatedly as I walked to the changing room, my legs wobbling a little.

The money the men paid to watch me dance was always split into three. One belonged to me while two belonged to Madam Lulu. She was the owner of the club.

I knew it wasn’t fair, but who was I to argue with her?

Just then, Gigi walked into the changing room. When I saw her, I threw myself on her and held her close, like I needed physical emotional support.

“Where have you been all night, Gigi?” I asked as I pulled away from her.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” She kissed my cheek and went on to pull off her clothes. “Traffic nearly killed me alive.”

I sat on the vanity table and watched as she took off her panties and wore a feathered short.

“The message you sent…”

“Oh yeah,” she suddenly turned to me and her boobs moved with her. She was still holding the bra she wanted to wear. “About the message, Madam Lulu wants to see you.”

My expression faltered and I exhaled.

“I wish we all had rights to our own money,” I let my shoulders fall. “I’m tired of the half payment she gives me.”

“Hey,” Gigi placed a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, okay? One day you won’t have to do this again, okay?”

I nodded and hugged her once more before leaving to meet Madam Lulu.

I knocked on her office and waited for a reply.

“Come in,” Madam Lulu’s famous cold voice rang out.

I pushed the door slightly and walked into the room. Madam Lulu’s office was nothing out of the ordinary. Black and red dominated the office, while dim lights cast shadows across the room.

Her desk was at the other side of the room and behind it was a floor-to-ceiling window. Two couches were seated in the middle of the room facing a TV that was never really on.

I walked to her table to pick up the envelope placed on it and counted the money.

Eleven thousand dollars.

But my brows furrowed in confusion. Madam Lulu had never given me full pay before because I remember Gigi said he had paid ten thousand dollars for an exclusive night. One thousand dollars had to be my pay for tonight. So how?

It was a lot of money, but not nearly half of what I needed. My mother owed Victor nearly fifty thousand, and I would need extra if I wanted to leave this city.

“Did Gigi deliver my message to you?” she asked, not even bothering to look up at me.

“Yes,” I nodded, slipping the money back into the envelope.

“A man asked for you for the night,” she said and I suddenly paused and looked at her.

“I don’t do that anymore, Madam. We already talked about this.” My face squeezed into a frown.

She stopped typing and raised her head.

“You think I didn’t tell him that?”

“So…”

“He offered ten thousand dollars last night for you to personally strip for him and offered an extra ten grand to have you this night. So you owe him two jobs,” she cut me off.

My eyes widened in shock. Who the hell was this man? And who wastes such money just for what? Sex?

“Tell him to pick someone else,” I finally said, placing the envelope back on the table.

“He said he wants you personally,” Madam Lulu replied, leaning back in her chair.