Chapter 4 The Club

Wave was one of the biggest and coolest clubs in the city. It had a section for everyone, but the rich folks were given preferential treatment in a reserved area just for them. And that was where Lexi worked.

Her job was relatively simple: dance and pretend to enjoy it. She danced on a pole while she watched rich men make shady deals, get aroused, drink, laugh, and, offcourse, watch her dance as well.

She hated this job. The idea of dancing in front of the worst kinds of men while dressed in the most revealing outfit was so irritating. But she didn't have a choice-the pay at the end of every night was good. And she needed the money... really needed it.

However, the job did have its merits. For one, the men weren't allowed to touch the strippers, so she was safe from any unwanted advances. And all she had to do was follow the music and move as sensually as her body could allow her. Sometimes she just closed her eyes and got lost in herself as she danced, forgetting everything and, for a couple of moments, finding inner peace.

Well, at least for a couple of minutes before some asshat would whistle at her or shout out, "So freaking hot!" or some other vulgar comment from their rotten mouths.

As Lexi arrived at the club, she took a deep breath, got out of the cab, and made her way to the staff entrance, heading for the dressing room where the other strippers got ready. The familiar mix of perfume, hairspray, and anticipation filled the air, creating a heady, almost intoxicating atmosphere. She could hear the bass thumping from the main floor, vibrating through the walls.

"Look who's here... Antonio's little baby girl."

Carmen, a gorgeous Latina, announced to the other ladies in the dressing room as Lexi walked in.

Lexi's face turned bright red with embarrassment and anger as all eyes landed on her. Judging her.

"My, my, isn't she gorgeous," Carmen drooled with a sarcastic smile as she clapped her hands. "Better than all of us, isn't she? So beautiful... more than me and you all... at least in Antonio's eyes." Carmen added with a smirk, and the ladies in the room began to laugh.

Lexi felt a surge of irritation but tried to keep her cool. "Can you just stop, Carmen? This isn't a competition. I'm just here to work," she said softly, standing her ground and staring directly into Carmen's eyes.

Carmen scoffed. "You little pest. We see you for what you are, and your little good innocent girl act ain't gonna work on us."

Lexi rolled her eyes as she placed her bag on her vanity dresser. "Good thing I'm not a good innocent girl then," Lexi replied dismissively without sparing Carmen another glance. The woman wasn't worth her time. None of them were.

The other strippers continued to giggle and murmur amongst themselves, but Lexi tuned them out. She focused on her reflection in the mirror, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She applied her makeup with practiced precision, transforming herself into the persona she needed to be for the night. The glittering eyeshadow, the bold red lipstick-each stroke was a piece of armor against the judgments and the leering eyes.

"Just another night in paradise," she muttered to herself, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. She couldn't help but feel a pang of irony as she looked at the tired but determined woman staring back at her from the mirror.

Her first set was about to start, and soon Antonio would come to check on all the ladies to make sure they were good to go. Antonio was, in a sense, the club's manager and overseer, a sort of pimp who managed all the ladies at Wave.

For some reason, Antonio always favored Lexi over the others. Normally, if someone wanted to work at the club, they would start at the bottom and slowly work their way to the top. But Lexi's case was different-barely a month in, and she was already dancing for the richest men in the city.

No one knew why Antonio treated her differently. But surely, Lexi's gorgeous face and perfect body had nothing to do with it. And it definitely wasn't because his wealthiest clients always requested her personally, nor was it the small fortune she made him every night. Nope, none of that had anything to do with it.

Lexi couldn't help but laugh a little at the absurdity of it all. She knew exactly why Antonio favored her, and it had everything to do with business. She was his golden goose, the one who brought in the high rollers. And as long as she kept doing that, he'd keep treating her like a star.

As Lexi finished applying her lipstick, Antonio's familiar silhouette appeared in the doorway. He was a tall man with a slicked-back mane of hair and a sharp suit that screamed "mobster chic." He glanced around the room, his eyes finally landing on Lexi.

"Ah, my baby girl," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "Looking as stunning as ever. Ready for your set?"

"Always, Antonio," she replied with a practiced smile, even as she felt a pang of irritation at his overly familiar tone.

Antonio nodded approvingly. "Good. Remember, our VIPs are in tonight. They're looking forward to your performance."

"Of course they are," Lexi thought wryly, but she nodded and said, "I won't disappoint."

He chuckled, patting her on the shoulder.

"That's my girl. Now go out there and make me proud."

Lexi stood up, adjusting her outfit one last time. She could feel the other strippers' envious glances, but she ignored them. This was her job, and she was good at it. She had learned to shut out the noise and focus on her own rhythm.

Antonio gave her one last lingering look before turning to the other strippers.

"Alright, ladies, showtime," he announced, his voice smooth but firm. The room buzzed with a mix of excitement and tension as the strippers prepared for another night under the neon lights.