I sit and stare as I think about the night we could have had if he wasn’t such an asshole. Eventually, I click into Facebook and scroll through my feed. A message pops up from ‘Mechanic’.
I narrow my eyes and open it.
Why don’t you want to see me?
I roll my eyes and I reply.
For a smart man, you really are quite stupid.
He responds.
I want a night with you.
I shake my head and drink my drink as I think of something to reply with. Who the hell does he think he is? I text back.
And I want respect.
A reply arrives quickly.
I do respect you.
What are you talking about?
I shake my head and reply.
No. You demanded I leave my job.
AND
You told me that you couldn’t stop thinking about me, and then you went to a strip club to sleep with someone else!
I imagine him reading my response, and the angry look no doubt on his face.
You told me you were having dinner with your mother…
And then I find you working half naked at the same strip club.
You’re not exactly innocent here.
GIVE ME A BETTER ARGUMENT!
I smirk. He is kind of cute when he’s throwing a tantrum. I bite my thumbnail as I think, what will I write. I text.
Why haven’t you called me?
I wait for his reply.
I don’t have your phone number.
Your file is kept in Jameson’s office.
I can’t exactly go and ask him for it.
I sip my drink and write back.
Whose fault is that?
Oh, that’s right. Yours. You lost your phone.
Oopsie.
I laugh into my glass as I imagine his face.
Don’t make me come over there.
I am so angry with you right now.
Stop fucking with my head.
I think for a moment. He is making an effort, so what should I do? I write back.
I’ve been thinking about you.
“Would you like another drink?” the bartender asks.
I nod. “Yes, please.”
A reply comes in.
I can guarantee you that you haven’t been thinking about me as much as I’ve been thinking about you.
Spend the night with me, Ashley.
My breath catches and I frown as I write back.
I’m not a prostitute, Cameron.
You can’t buy me.
A reply comes in.
I know that.
If I could take you out for dinner, I would.
I can’t, so… think of this as a date in a protected environment.
I smile. A date in a protected environment. I think on it for a while, This could either be really, really stupid, or it could be really, really good. I don’t know what to do. I sip my drink while I sit and think. He messages me again.
So… I will meet you in the Exotic lounge at 9pm?
I inhale sharply as nerves flutter in my stomach. Why am I even contemplating this? I take out my phone and ring Eliza.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Eliza. It’s Ashley…” I murmur.
“Hey, Ashley.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’ve been thinking about your offer.”
“Yes.”
“Is it too late to accept?”
“I’ll call him back right away and let him know you’ve changed your mind.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
“Come in two hours earlier tonight and I’ll be here. We can go through everything then.”
I nod. “That would be great. I’m very nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous, dear. He clearly had his heart set on you. He’ll be a very happy man.”
I smile as I imagine the night we’re going to have together. “Thank you. See you tonight.”
“Just turn right there, darling.”
I close my eyes in horror and turn to face Eliza. “I don’t think I can do this.”
Why in the hell didn’t I remember the stupid fashion parade? I’ve been walking up and down this damn catwalk for twenty minutes now and I still can’t get it. I’m wobbling all over the place in these ridiculously high shoes.
“Of course you can. You’re a natural.” She smiles calmly.
I look at her, deadpan.
“We’re just perfecting the delivery, that’s all.”
It’s 9. 30 and the Escape Lounge is just about to open. Quite clearly, I didn’t think this through at all. I have to do a fashion parade before I get to see him, and now I wish I’d paid more attention to what the girls do in this stupid line up.
“Ashley, come with me.” Eliza holds her hand out. I nervously take it and follow her out the back where she takes me into a room filled with mirrors. She stands behind me and smiles. “Look at yourself. Take a good look at yourself.”
My eyes rise to the mirror and I stare at my reflection. My honey colored hair is loose and full from my earlier hair appointment. They applied my makeup model style, and because I was so early to arrive here, I got to choose my dress first. It’s amazing-white spaghetti strapped, fitted with tiny crystals that are embedded around the neckline, before it then drops softly to the floor with crystals scattered all over.
It’s super sexy without being cheap. In fact, it kind of looks like a dress you’d see at The Grammy Awards. I have sky-high, silver, strappy heels on. Underneath, I’m wearing a white, lace suspender belt and sheer white stockings with a sexy, matching strapless bra.
“Look at how beautiful you look?” Eliza smiles. “Do you know how blessed the man is going to be who gets you tonight?”
I smile.
“Now, as this is your first night, the men may be quite aggressive in securing your company. I want you to prepare yourself for that.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“New blood-new beautiful blood-means the men will be circling and competing against one another. This is a power game to them, but it’s you who gets to chose who you want.”
I frown.
“You don’t have to pick the man who invited you here. You can choose anyone you want.”
My eyes hold hers. I only want him.
“So, how does it work?” I ask.
“Well, you now can go in and have a few cocktails with the girls, half strength cocktails, of course. You’re not permitted to get drunk while working, but you are expected to drink for pleasure and to relax. Then the fashion show will begin.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“Once that’s finished, the Escape men are invited into the private lounge area for cocktails and that’s when it becomes interesting.”
“What do you mean?”
“You get to choose, and they know that, so they will be asserting their power over you.”
I feel a nervous flutter in my stomach.
“Some men won’t compete for you at all because they have their favorite girl and will be too busy pursuing her. Some men will be breaking their neck to be with you on your first night.”
I blow out a deep breath. This is hectic. What if nobody competes for me at all?
Oh my God. Horror dawns. What if Cameron doesn’t show up at all and I have to choose someone else?
Holy fuck.
“I don’t want you to be rattled. Just take your time and choose who you want.” She smiles calmly. Is she kidding? This is just a walk in the park for her.
“What happens then?” I ask nervously. The thought that Cameron might not be here sets my heart into overdrive.
“It happens quite quickly from there. You will leave alone with him and go to your room.”
I swallow the lump in my throat.
“You will have champagne and canapés, and you may order dinner, cocktails, or anything you want from room service. We have butlers at your service.”
I watch her intently as my mind goes wild.
“You don’t have to have sex with him. You don’t even have to kiss him, but you are expected to be good company, make him laugh, make him feel sexy. Give him intelligent conversation.”
“How many of the women end up having sex with the clients?” I ask.
Her eyes hold mine. “To be honest… all of them. The men are gorgeous and powerful. This is a gift that our girls are given-a night with a beautiful man without consequence or judgement. A night where they can leave their morals at the door and enjoy being a virile woman and have their sexual fantasies met for a change. But, Ashley, beware and listen to this very carefully: these men, if you let them, will have you under their spell in a minute. Don’t ever fall in love. It’s dangerous to your sanity.”