Pamela;
"I know it's you. I'd recognise those arrogant eyes anywhere." He replies, and my heart dies in my chest.
Oh, heavens. I'm screwed!
My eyes instantly seek Judy, and I find her looking at me from another table across the room with a raised brow. However, she's too far away to help me.
I take a deep breath before turning to the man, and I find his almost mystic eyes piercing through me.
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know what you're talking about. It's my first time on this floor. I've never seen you before." I lie, and he smiles at me. A calm… Calculative smile as he lets go of me and leans into his seat.
"So this is where you work." He says, and I clench my jaw and silently pray for a miracle… or even a fire. Anything to get me out of this mess.
"After our encounter this morning, I assumed you were some spoiled little tramp. Probably some rich man's mannerless offspring… But here you are. Nothing but a common waitress at a strip club." He says, and the words sting like spirit on open wound as I glare at him.
"What gave you the audacity to be so arrogant?" He then demands, and my grip on my tray tighten as I fight the ridicule in his words.
I should stay quiet. Or apologize. But Lord knows patience and a cool head are not virtues he blessed me with.
"I wasn't being arrogant. You were the one with no manners!" I rage, and he blinks at me.
"I bumped into you by accident and you started hurling insults at me. Over a $35 dollar box of chocolates! If you can afford the S floor of this club, don't you think it was a little shrewd of you to cause such a scene over chocolate without stopping to think that maybe… Just maybe the world doesn't revolve around you, and people have different things on their minds other than jerks who stand in the way in malls!" I add, and just then Judy shows up beside me.
"Good evening, Mr. Taziel. Is something the matter?" She says, and… Time. Goes. Still.
Mr. Taziel?! THE Mr. Taziel!???
I turn back to him with eyes as wide as headlamps and he smirks at me.
Mr. Taziel isn't just a regular customer. He's the most important customer of this club, and a shareholder too!
Every worker in this club knows his name. Many server girls and dancers have curshes on him, and dreams to warm his bed or be in his lap just once. But he only ever comes here to drink, or discuss business with a few clients.
He never pays heed to any of the girls and he never smiles. Only those privileged to work on this floor know what he looks like. And that is exactly why I just screwed myself over and mouthed off to a man who could literally ruin me in seconds.
Where's the fire I prayed for earlier??
I blink at him in horror, and he turns to Judy.
"Is this what your customer service has become?" He questions Judy, and I gulp.
"M-Mr. Taziel, I-" I begin but he holds up a finger to me with a scowl that pins me in place.
"Sir… I promise you we have the best customer service. You know this. Pamela is just new here, and… She's not exactly been having a good day." Judy says, and Mr. Tanziel raises a brow.
"Really?" He questions, and Judy nods.
"Yes, sir. She usually is such a sweetheart. She just lost a job offer this morning, and some arrogant dick mouthed her off at a mall this Mo-" She continues, and I quickly grab her arm while Mr. Tanziel turns back to me.
"An arrogant dick." He repeats, and I swallow why Judy looks between us.
"That's an interesting description." He adds, and I shut my eyes.
Oh, I'm dead.
Judy leans closer and whispers, "Please don't tell me he's the chocolate guy."
I nod, and hear her take a deep breath.
"Oh, shit…" She whispers, and the next words he speaks causes me to go numb.
"Fetch me your manager."
I look up at Pamela first, and I see the same horror in her eyes. Gerald might like me, but if the clubs highest paying customer has an issue with me, he won't hesitate to kick me out.
"Mr. Tanziel, please. I'm sorry I… I spoke out of turn, I… I was rude. I… I should have done better. I'm in no place to talk to you like I did. I'm sorry. I really am." I start apologizing frantically as I move closer to him, and he stares at in silence for a few seconds.
"You're sorry?" He questions, and I nod desperately with Judy nodding along.
"Hmm… You seem pretty remorseful too." He says, and I bite my tongue at how condesending he sounds.
"Somehow it feels fake though. I need you to prove that you truly are sorry. Then you can keep your job." He says, and I blink at him.
"Prove… That I'm sorry?" I repeat and he nods.
"Yes. Get on the table, and dance." He replies, and my eyes nearly pop. My heart plummets into my stomach, and my knees nearly give out.
"Don't worry. I'll tip you. How does $35 sound?" He adds, and my jaw drops.
I look over at Judy, and then back at him.
I shake my head slowly first… And then down right defiantly.
"I-I can't do that. I'm not a performer and… The tables aren't for dancing." I reply, and he smirks.
"Would you prefer the pole then? We can tell the dancers to excuse you for just a few minutes." He says as he points at the stage in the middle of the room, and I stare at him with my mouth agape in utter dumbfoundment.
"Mr. Taziel…" Judy begins, but he snaps his head in her direction with a scowl that makes my skin prickle.
"Do you want to join her?" He demands, and Judy falls silent.
"What's it gonna be… Pamela? You look like you need the $35 you dramatically tossed away this morning." He adds, and I swallow.
Dance in front of all these men, or lose my job?