Even though it had been three days, the shame and embarrassment didn't easily go. The strippers and pole dancers had to work most of the time, but normal dancers were only needed when there were any performances. For the remaining days, we were supposed to work on whatever we were assigned to, from cleaning to serving.
I was informed my next dance would be happening tomorrow, and somehow, it frightened me.
As I was lost in my thoughts, Matthew's call pulled me out from whatever emotion I was feeling. A big smile appeared on my lips, and excitedly, I picked up his call, speaking, "Hey, what's up?"
"Hey! Are you free tonight?"
"Tonight? I have work, Matt."
"Oh, yeah! Serving at your restaurant."
I felt so bad and guilty as I heard him. I kept lying to him about the place and the work. I could not muster up the courage to tell him I worked at a nightclub, and that too in a strip section.
"I thought we could meet tonight…" He sounded disappointed.
"If possible, we can meet for lunch. I am free from morning to evening." I suggested.
Then I remembered he'd be teaching his students.
I said, "We'll meet this Sunday for lunch. Is it fine?"
"We'll meet for lunch today. I will text you the address."
We both decided to meet, and my heart started pounding in excitement. Even though it was not a date, it felt like one because it was our first time going out together.
I jumped off the bed to look at the dresses in my small wardrobe. I didn't have any expensive outfits, which kind of saddened me.
Then I wore a long floral frock, which I bought many years ago. It still fit me. It hugged my curves perfectly. I didn't have any branded items or jewelry to wear, so I only wore the cute chains and rings I bought from the small shops. Even though they were duplicates, they enhanced my look.
Straightening my hair and applying my regular lip balm, I sat on the bed, waiting for his message. In a minute, I received his text and the location of the restaurant.
When I walked to the bus stop, I saw the landlord walking from the opposite direction. Our gazes met, but she didn't say anything. I paid some of the money I received from Hydes, so she was keeping quiet. But I had to pay the remaining money soon; otherwise, she would throw my belongings away.
Taking the bus, I reached the restaurant and saw Matthew already waiting for me. He was in his formals, and his perfect hairstyle gave him the gentleman vibes.
"For you." He gave me the flower bouquet, which erupted butterflies in my stomach. Even though it was a bare minimum, it felt special to receive them from my first crush.
"What's special?" I asked, confused.
He led me to the restaurant, which was not massive but not small either. It was something middle-class people normally would go to. But for me, it was expensive enough.
We both sat on the chairs, looking at each other and smiling. I knew he was feeling as nervous as me.
"Order whatever you want. It's my treat."
I crossed my arms over my chest, raising my eyebrows. "Why? What's today? It doesn't feel like a normal lunch."
"It's… my birthday." He shrugged. "I just wanted to spend some time with you."
Fuck! I cursed myself for not remembering his birthday. I didn't even get the doubt when he pestered me to meet him today itself.
"Oh, I am so sorry. I forgot." I looked at him with my apologetic eyes.
"How could you even remember? It's been years, after all." He simply smiled.
"Happy birthday, Matt. I wish you all the love and happiness this year."
"Thanks!" He smiled.
Then I ordered the less expensive item from the menu, and we both had our lunch while talking casually. He kept talking about his job and students, while I kept lying about the non-existent restaurant I worked at.
That was when I started to feel it again. Someone was watching me. My gut feeling was so real that it made me look to my left and out of the glass window, but there was only a parked car. Nothing else.
"Elira?"
His voice brought me back to reality. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay? You are distracted."
"Um, nothing." I flashed a smile.
Then we finished our lunch and walked on the road, silently.
"How's your family?" I started the conversation.
"As usual. But now I got a job, we are kind of financially stable."
Then my gaze fell on a small gift shop, and the sudden urge to buy him anything hit me so hard. It was his birthday, after all.
"Matt! Come with me." I took him to the gift store.
"Select anything. I'll buy it for you."
He smiled at me and shook his head. "I am not a kid. I don't want anything."
"Come on, it's your birthday. I'll feel really bad if I don't give you anything."
He held my hands and looked into my eyes, deeply, saying, "Just spend some time with me like this. It's enough for me."
My cheeks reddened, but I didn't want to leave. I looked around the store and took a showpiece of a boy and girl on the swing. They were in their uniforms, which reminded me of our school days.
"Do you like it?" I asked, looking at him.
"I love it." He let out a big smile.
I went to the cashier, but it was expensive. I noticed Matthew's stare on me, and I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of him, so I took all the money that I had in my wallet, which I saved for my personal expenses.
When I was about to pay him, Matthew stopped me, saying, "But I don't want it."
I narrowed my eyebrows at him.
He continued, "Even though this is cute, it's cheap. I only love expensive things, so let's go."
He held my hand and dragged me out of the shop. I was not a kid to not understand what he was doing. He didn't want me to spend all the money I had on a gift.
Then we both took a bus ride to my house. He insisted on dropping me even though I hesitated.
"Come in." I invited him.
"Next time. I took permission for half a day. I should hurry now."
"Oh! Sure."
When he was about to leave, I held his hand, stopping him.
"Thank you for today." I smiled. Then I stood on my tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Not only mine, but also his face turned red. "I could not give you any gift, so consider this kiss as your birthday gift. Happy birthday."
I didn't know from where I got the courage to kiss him. In just a moment, my heart thumped so much that I literally felt it in my ears. Shyness swallowed me whole and ran away.
It was the happiest moment I had felt in years. Only after I kissed him did I realize my feelings for him never faded. They were still with me. As fresh as the first time I saw him.
With the same happiness, I reached the club in the evening. I wanted to finish my cleaning duty as soon as possible and text Matthew the whole night. As soon as I reached the staff room, the manager said, "Elira, you need to get ready for the performance."
His words confused me. "The performance is tomorrow, isn't it?"
"This will be your private performance. One of our VIPs asked for it."
"No…" I shook my head, scared.
"It will be the same as what you did before, except there'll be only one person."
Before I spoke anything, he said in a serious tone, "You don't have any choice. You should know it before becoming a dancer here."
Sweat formed on my forehead as he took me to a VIP room. My entire body started shivering while all the negative thoughts entered my head. The manager pushed the door open of the VIP room, and I saw the person who tried to grope me during my first performance.
My steps halted as I looked at him. Even though the manager assured me he wouldn't do anything to me, I could not believe him. There were only two choices before me. Run away and lose my job or enter inside and lose myself. I was unable to choose.
And, as if the god sent an angel to save me, he came. Except he was not an angel but the devil himself. Him again and again. Mr. Wolfe.