Chapter 2 Ava

• Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I never thought I would be back in this outfit, black two-piece mesh lingerie that has ropes attaching the bottom to the top.
• The bottom is made of ropes with only a small material covering my pussy, with the net sock my feet are in 6-inch red heels that are strapped to my ankle.
• My dark hair that’s normally middle back length is now hanging below my neck as I put it into a high bun
• Gordon had dragged me out of my studio and taken me to the outskirts of the city. I sat still in the car with him beside me. He only came with his driver.
• As the evening wind blew into my hair, all I could think about was when I thought Gordon was an angel.
• He had offered to sponsor me through college to study theatre Art. I didn’t get to finish high school because I left the system and got stranded with nowhere to go for days, Gordon almost ran me over, and missed by little chance.
• I had fainted cause I hadn’t eaten or slept well for days, so he took me to the club and fed me.
• Since I didn’t have a place to go I begged him to allow me to work as a waitress to repay him and begged him to let me stay.
• At a young age, I knew nobody did anything for free in this world but he looked at me and laughed.
• I can imagine how I looked to him then, 14 years old, frail and young, what could I offer?
• I told him I would learn the ropes and do a good job as long as did not take me back. He looked at me and said, "In moments like this as a kid, you should just say thank you."
• I had looked at him as if he had grown an extra head, people were never nice for no reason and I wondered what he wanted in exchange for this thank-you.
• Looking back I see how scared and naïve I was.
• “Do you still know how to dance?” his voice had brought me back to the present.
• “No,” I said as I sank deeper into the seat and folded my hands around my elbows.
• “That can be worked on” He said removing his gloves and placing them in the centre console.
• When we got here, the outside had a subtle bar theme just like before, the parking lot was empty at that time but for a few expensive cars. The bodyguards had opened the doors for us, and stepping in it looked different. The air was humid
• A couple sat at the edge of the glass wall and laughed quietly at each other, the waitress walked around attending to everyone _that used to be my job until.._
• “Ava?” I turned around looking at the person who called me before being engulfed in an embrace.
• “Anna” I hugged her tight.
• The little friend I made during my time here, _she's still with him?_I thought as my eyes watered. I finally took my first relieved breath after encountering Gordon.
• “It's so good to see you, what are you still doing here?” I smiled, cleaning my eyes.
• “I got a promotion, I'm a manager,” she said gushing and shaking my hand and whole body as she squealed.
• “That's great, congratulations."
• That was a big move, she was no longer the cleaning girl from back then, she looked great now too.
• We were still talking when Gordon called me and I excused myself, hugging her once again promising to find her so we could catch up.
• It was nice seeing a familiar face here.
• Following him to the elevator, it hadn’t opened to the club but to his office instead, an open space with a very long sofa, in the middle, a mahogany red table with chairs for meetings and a mini bar with a shelf full of expensive liquor. He sat on his chair behind a huge desk.
• Taking in my surroundings I saw a large painting portrait at the far end, turning to him, his green eyes on me, he answered my unspoken question
• “You were leaving, I didn’t want to miss you too much” Picking an apple from the tray of fruits, he drew out a Swiss knife and cut it, eating while staring at me.
• _I don’t have time for this_
• ”What were the terms of our deal,” I asked trying to act like I had forgotten.
• “We will talk about that later, for now, I want you cleaned up and ready for the night,” he told me, and as if on cue, one of his men entered the office. His name was Gregory, tall and lean also dressed in a black suit.
• Gordon had told him to take me to my room to change and here I was, changed already.
• I used concealer to cover the tattoo on the back of my left shoulder, a scar from being burnt when I was young.
• The door opens as Gordon walks in, blowing a low whistle, I'm guessing in appreciation of what he sees,
• “You looked lean, I didn’t know this was hiding under all those funny clothes you wore”
• “Stop acting like you haven’t seen me in this before” I scoff at his half-baked compliment.
• “That was only once and it was a long time ago, I'm getting old you know,” he says as he sits in a chair beside me.
• Turning to face him, ”I'm not going out like this.”
• “Too bad you have no option,” he tells me crossing his leg over the other.
• “I can't go out like this, you found me on TV, there could be someone who would recognize me, I'm not that famous but I can't tarnish an image I’m trying to build,” I fold my hands and stare at him down.
• “Down my feisty little one,” as if he's considering what I just said.
• “What do you propose, there's no backing out of this, a deal is a deal," he tells me arcing his brows at me.
• Looking to the side as I think of what I could do to keep my image and still hold my end of this deal, when I finally look at him he chuckles, knowing I have concluded.
• “I need a mask," he blows out a laugh and stands.
• “You want to hide your highest selling point?" he tells me but stand my ground.
• “Isn't it about my body, my face is just a bonus, plus the leaving something for the imagination plays well into this character, a little mystery, don’t you think?” mirroring his expression.
• “My little one has indeed grown up, hasn’t she? Ever the smart one,” he says bobbing his head in agreement.
• "Alright, I'll have a mask ready for you, aren’t you forgetting something though?”
• “What?” as I can't think of anything I missed.
• “You want to hide your face little one, you need a stage name,” he tells me turning to leave.
• “Masked girl fits just fine,” I replied turning to him.
• He stops and looks at me then nods.
• “So be it,” he closes the door leaving me to myself again.
• 20 minutes later a box is delivered to me with a message on it.
• “You wanted to be a star, tonight shine like you are one.”
• I open the box and see the most beautiful mask, it's black and glittering and it fits just half my face, definitely fits my outfit, this might not be a bad night after all, my lips tainted red smile at my reflection in the mirror.
• I learnt how to dance here, I was working upstairs and told not to ever go downstairs but I sneaked in one night and saw the ladies own the stage, the pole and the people.
• A knock on the door tells me that’s my cue and I move to the back door that leads into the club, it's already midnight and the club is full from the noise coming from there.
• The guards open the door for me, as I hear the name, taking a deep breath, I strut in taking slow and definite steps owning my walk like the sensual being I have come to play, obvious eyes on me as I climb the dais, taking hold of the pole.
• I begin my movements as I remember them like it was just yesterday, sex, sweat and alcohol fills the air, as the men watch mesmerized, the nerves start to kick in.
• Swinging my body around the pole to the slow music, immersed in the moves.
• "No one recognises me” I repeat the mantra in my head.
• There are a lot of eyes on me but I catch one in the corner, he's seated with Gordon, a glass in his hands taking slow sips as his eyes drink me in.
• A black suit, navy blue? _can't tell with these lights_ that doesn't look ruffled by a day job. His features are faint from this distance.
• I bet he's one of the high and mighty since Gordon is entertaining him himself.
• Money sprays and fill the dais as drunk men try to get my attention, some who could reach spanked my ass, But I won't be doing more than this tonight, as I do a back hook spin finally settling my feet.
• Turning my attention back to the corner, it's empty, no sight of them, goes without saying our guest left early. He didn't get to see the end of the show or didn't enjoy it.
• Already done with my performance, I leave the dias, as other dancers take the spotlight, heading to get changed and get out of there, Greg blocks my path and directs me to another room.
• “Gordon says to entertain a VVIP guest.”
• That's all I get from him as he keeps his face straight and unmoving, motioning with his head to follow him.
• “I'm supposed to see him, I already did what was asked of me today” standing my ground and refusing to move, what the hell is Gordon playing at thought to myself, I need to redefine the terms of our agreement before leaving.
• “That's the order, ma'am” gesturing to the direction of the room with his hands, what a gentleman I scoff.
• Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly.
• _Who could I possibly need to entertain?
• Gordon can't keep having me do this_.
• Following Greg till he stops in front of a door and opens it, but doesn't step in. He gives me space, I step into the room and Greg closes the door.
• My heart slams against my chest as the door shuts behind me because I'm face-to-face with the guy from earlier.
• Now he's in his vest, suit jacket by the edge of the large sofa he sits on, and a pole standing tall in the middle of the room.