An angel for rent

Celeste walked through the bars of the large, gray, sad building. The guards at the entrance greeted her with a nod of the head, they didn't need to ask for her ID, all the employees of the prison were used to seeing the young girl sometimes more than once a month.

"Hello, beautiful!" greeted one of the oldest employees of the place.

"Mari..." the young woman smiled brightly, bringing a large plastic tupperware to the counter. "This time they are lemon, I know that the chocolate ones from last time didn't sit very well with you."

"You are an angel, darling, come in, your father is already anxiously waiting in the visiting room."

The young woman went through the second bar, allowed herself to be searched as per protocol by the guards who smiled at her and entered the visiting room. There were many small tables with a chair on each side. There were many families visiting the prisoners. Wives, mothers, entire families with their children.

Celeste looked for her father with her big eyes painted like the sky, she smiled even more when she saw him sitting near the window, with his gray hair combed neatly back and his shirt well ironed.

"Dad!" she shouted, running towards him and hugging him tightly. The guards did not prevent the physical contact that was forbidden. They all knew that they only had each other and had grown fond of the young woman, they had seen her grow into a woman.

"My little one. How have you been?"

Although it hurt, they both released the hug and sat facing each other.

"Good! Look, I brought you some of your favorites," she exclaimed, sliding a brown paper wrapper with vanilla and chocolate pastries across the table.

The man smiled fondly as he smelled the exquisite aroma. He took the pastries that his daughter always brought him on each visit in his old hands. He watched her in silence, his little girl had grown so much and he had missed everything, his smile suddenly disappeared.

-What happened dad? Don't you like them anymore?

-I love everything you cook, little one- he smiled melancholy- You know you don't have to come visit me every month, right?

-But I want to do it- she protested- We already talked about this dad.

-I don't want you to use your money on me, okay? Promise me that.

Celeste crossed her arms angrily.

"There it is again" she thought with annoyance.

-A good lawyer can get you out of here! Let me pay for it!

-I want you to use that money for yourself, for whatever you want, I don't know, study something, have a better apartment, a better life than your father.

Celeste stood up suddenly from her seat, swallowing her tears of helplessness.

-You're going to get out of here no matter what it costs me, it wasn't your fault. You're locked up for a crime that someone else committed! - she protested, unable to hold back her tears any longer.

Her father wanted to continue arguing, but it was always the same and this time he didn't want the visit to end with both of them angry. His beloved daughter was just like his late wife, when an idea got into her head, she fought until she got it, no matter what. The man just wanted her to use that same energy for herself and not be stuck with him on something that wasn't his fault.

The man sighed heavily - Promise me that you're going to take better care of yourself, little one, that you're going to study or maybe even find someone to share your life with. I dream that one day you'll show up with a man to visit me!

Celeste laughed more relaxed. -They're all the same, dad, when I talk to them about dating or living together, they always run away scared - she pouted.

-He'll be here soon, darling, you have to be patient- she exclaimed, caressing his cheek- now go- Don't you have to go to work?

The young woman kissed her father's cheek as she always did before leaving- I love you dad, take care, okay?

-You too, say hello to your friends and tell them thank you for taking care of you-

-I always tell them- she exclaimed, winking.

---

Celeste walked quickly through the narrow hallway of the locker rooms, looking with a wide smile at the old and worn door that had a sky-blue sign with silver glitter that said in gold letters "Angel."

She entered her small dressing room, the one that had been hers since she was 18, every corner shouted her name, the mirror full of photos with her friends and her father, and just one with her mother when she was just a baby. Her indoor plants, her coat rack with hundreds of white outfits with glitter and feathers and her small table with her hundreds of makeups that she had accumulated in the last 10 years. Many were expired, broken or old, but she was not able to throw them away, they all reminded her of something.

-How was your dad?

-Tati! - the young woman shrieked, clutching her shirt at her heart- You scared me. I told you not to hide in my locker room.

A 19-year-old boy came out from between his clothes with a white boa around his neck and a top hat of the same color, doing a theatrical act that made his foster aunt laugh.

-Sorry- he said embarrassedly taking off his costume. - I was hiding from my sister, today she got up on the wrong foot.

Celeste began to take off her clothes without being ashamed of the boy. He simply turned his back to give her privacy.

-It's just that it's final exam dates and Kristal wants you to show her your grades. She just wants to see that her money was worth it- she said amused.

The boy snorted- She treats me like her son. She's...- He couldn't finish speaking because a hoarse and painful cough invaded him.

Celeste turned around alarmed taking her foster nephew by the shoulders and sat him on her stool, massaging his back in circles. The coughing didn't stop and the boy's eyes began to water and his skin turned red.

Celeste began to check the pockets of the boy's sweatshirt. "And the inhaler?" she asked when she couldn't find it. The young man shook his head without stopping coughing.

Celeste took a bottle of water from her small cooler and brought it to him. Little by little she drank the entire contents until she was able to calm down and breathe deeply, filling her lungs with air again.

"Are you okay, Tati?" She asked worriedly. It had been months since she had coughed like that and she had come to believe that the illness was never going to return.

"Yes, better," she said with a hoarse voice.

"And your medicine? Why don't you have it on you? You know that in case of any emergency..."

"I couldn't buy a new one," he exclaimed embarrassed, biting his lower lip.

"But what about the money I gave you from my last paycheck?"

-Don't tell my sister, but they raised my college tuition and I also had to buy some new notes.

Celeste combed his dark hair lovingly. -Why didn't you tell me? You know I could have bought it for you, if something had happened to you, I would...

-I didn't want you to spend more on me, you already help me too much with the other medications.

-You know I would give a kidney for you, silly. - she said, tapping his nose lovingly. -Don't worry, I'll get the money for your medicine. Okay? - The young man nodded embarrassed. -Just don't tell Kristal, you know she doesn't like me to pay for things. It's our secret. Okay? - he said, extending his little finger in conspiracy.

The boy intertwined his little finger with his foster aunt's, sealing the promise.

-Our secret.

Celeste smiled widely. To her, the boy was like a little brother. She had changed his diapers, heard his first words, and been there on his graduation day. If anything happened to him, she would never forgive herself.

-Okay, now go to your sister and show her the grades.

-But...

-It's part of the deal- she exclaimed, pushing him towards the door and giving him a slap on the buttock.

The boy rolled his eyes and walked out of there with his head down, knowing that his sister wasn't going to take kindly to his failed exam that he had been trying to hide.

Celeste laughed at the young man's pouting, but when the door closed her smile disappeared and she fell heavily on the stool, covering her face with her hands.

How was she going to get that money?

Her salary wasn't bad, but with the rent for her small apartment, the cats of her life, the monthly help to Tati and the savings for her father's lawyer, she had almost nothing left for emergencies. Sometimes the tips she earned at work at night were what saved her from having to borrow from her boss or her friend if she needed extra money.

She finished dressing without much enthusiasm and walked out into the hallway. She greeted the other dancers who had already finished their shows and crossed the private section that in her 10 years she had never set foot in on the other side of the doors.

That exclusive area where the wealthiest men could indulge themselves by receiving a private dance from the most beautiful women in the bar or rather in the entire city.

Of course she was not one of the lucky ones. Every Saturday night she hoped that this time it would be her lucky night, a man would see her and point her out. But that never happened. The eyes drawn with dollar signs of those old businessmen always rested on the beautiful bodies of her companions. Celeste felt like the graceless shadow that grew older and older and the opportunity to be selected felt more and more impossible.

A silly and cloying giggle took her out of her thoughts. The young woman saw how the new dancer laughed at some unfunny joke from the man next to her and from whom she was hanging like a koala.

Scarlet? Ruby? Diamond? She didn't remember his nickname, but she did remember his youthful beauty, his high cheekbones, his feline gaze and his long, waist-length red hair that made his dull, graceless blonde hair a joke. The redhead opened the door to one of the private rooms and let in the man in a suit who didn't have to be very smart to know was loaded with money.

The redhead sent Celeste a victorious smile and closed the door behind her.

The blonde felt envy and jealousy flush her white face.

"She's a..."

She couldn't finish insulting her when her boss's voice behind her made her jump in fright.

"Are you ready yet?"

"For God's sake Dany, if someone else scares me today..."

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly as he noticed her tense face. He always worried about her and knew her perfectly.

-You know, money problems- she exclaimed as she walked with her boss down the hall.

-You know that if you need money I can give it to you without you having to pay it back.

-I know Dany, but what if you get me a private dance? You know... from some new client, you could convince him that I...

-No- she interrupted her curtly.

-But Dany...

-If you need the money, my offer is available- she said with annoyance, ending the conversation.

Before Celeste could protest she turned around and disappeared down the hall. The young woman sighed heavily, arguing with Dany was like talking to a wall, he was so closed that it was difficult to change his mind and convince him that he was wrong.

-If only someone saw me...- She whispered to herself, knowing that her problems would end if she could earn a few hundred dollars for a night with some old man in need.

Thomas de Anchorena's black hair could barely be seen over the pile of files that were accumulating on his desk. He had spent the whole day until the sun went down checking the profits for the month of the new automotive branch that he had opened in Argentina of his company "AM" and that his parents had entrusted him 100 percent so that he could take charge and prove that he was a born leader. Therefore, everything had to be perfect.

Hearing the knocks on his door only increased his nervousness and his desire to send everything to hell.

He ignored the knock, perhaps the person on the other end would understand the hint and leave without insisting.

The door swung open, ruining his peace.

-I'm sorry, Mr. de Anchorena! Try to stop him! - shouted his secretary.

Thomas didn't have to look over the papers to know that Bruno had been the brazen person who had entered his office without permission.

-It's okay Nancy, don't worry, but next time call security- he said calmly and without taking his eyes off the papers.

-Yes sir- he exclaimed looking angrily at Bruno, who raised his hands innocently.

-Dear friend...- he exclaimed approaching Thomas carefully surrounding the pile of papers.

-I told you a thousand times that I'm not your friend, Mr. De Anchorena for you- he said without looking up-

-Sorry boss- Bruno frowned in annoyance- Are you going to stop looking at those boring papers and pay me a little attention?

-I bet my company that what you're going to say is not so relevant that I'll stop reading these papers.

-You're so cruel.

-Thanks...

-Thomas...

-Didn't work hours end?- he exclaimed in annoyance, finally raising his green eyes to his employee and according to Bruno, his friend.- Why aren't you going to do whatever it is you do after work?

-That's what I came for!- he yelled exasperatedly, sitting down on some papers without a care.

-Be careful with that! It's important- he growled, removing the papers from Bruno's butt.

-Aren't you going to ask what I came for?- he said, pouting.

-If I ask you, are you going to leave?

-Not without you, honey.

Thomas rolled his eyes, sometimes he wondered when he had been so crazy as to hire someone as shameless as Bruno and why he hadn't kicked him out yet.

-You, me, alcohol, people desperate for our attention. How are you?

-Go away already.

-Thomas!- He screamed like a little kid, all he needed to do was throw himself on the floor and kick his feet.

-I have to finish closing the month to make sure the profits are higher than CC Motors'.

-Again with that, why don't you just measure your penises? I'm sick of hearing CC Motors this... CC Motors that.

-They're the competition- He growled.

-Okay, that's enough- exclaimed Bruno, closing his boss's notebook on his fingers.

-Hey!

-Either you come with me or I'll hand your files over to the competition!

-You wouldn't be able to...

-Honey, you have no idea- he said winking shamelessly.

Thomas was about to give him a good punch in his mocking face, but he breathed through his nose three times and finally got up from his seat. Maybe a drink and a rest for his eyes wouldn't hurt, then he would get back to business in the morning.

--

-I can't believe you brought me to a strip club- complained Thomas for the umpteenth time that night.

-Please! It's what's trendy! It's obvious that you haven't been out for years. Besides, it's a very exclusive place, you should be grateful that I got a free table on a Saturday night.

Thomas rolled his eyes in annoyance. His ears were ringing, the noise of the music was unbearable and everyone was screaming louder to be heard over the music. He had stopped listening to Bruno half an hour ago, he didn't seem to care either, he just talked and talked about him as if nothing else mattered and he was the center of the world.

He was about to get up and leave when the lights went out, the music stopped and everyone remained expectantly silent.

"What's going on?" he whispered curiously.

"The show is starting." Bruno smiled enthusiastically.

Thomas settled into his seat, he didn't want to leave without knowing what he meant by "the show," although he could imagine what it could be. Some grotesque spectacle, naked women or something like that. It's not that he didn't like women, but in his mind there was only room for numbers, statistics and beating that damn Cesar Caceres owner of CC Motors. Every second he spent inside that seedy bar with very bad taste in decoration was an advantage for his enemy.

The dimness of the bar was replaced by a soft blue light that illuminated a small stage that ran across the bar. In the middle was a silver pipe that was eagerly waiting to be used and that he hadn't noticed until that moment.

Thomas' ears were filled with soft music that could be described as classical, sweet and fantasy style. The dark curtains at the end of the long stage caught his attention when they moved as if they were dancing and from between the folds of the fabric a moon-white leg dressed in a soft, transparent stocking with diamond-like inlays danced delicately.

The raven-haired man had never felt such a desire to know the identity of a woman as at that moment. He wanted to see the full body of the owner of that delicate and slender leg. He stared intently at that meaty, juicy thigh, not noticing that Bruno was looking at him with an amused expression. He was dying to take a photo of his boss to forever save his distraught expression, but he knew he would kill him if he did.

The music increased its rhythm, invading and mesmerizing his senses, but neither the music nor the alcohol in his blood were as aphrodisiac as the woman who owned those legs. From behind the curtain came an angel fallen from heaven.

He was not surprised when the speakers asked for applause for "Angel," the young woman with golden blonde hair, a wide smile with pearly teeth and blue eyes like the sky itself, who walked towards the pole as if she were sliding down soft, fluffy clouds.

She took the thick pole in her delicate, small hands and Thomas felt his body tense up. He couldn't help but wonder how those soft fingers would feel on his body and he felt envious of that pole.

He had never seen anyone dance like that, it was as if she were flying and the white wings that opened behind her back moved gracefully as she spun around the pole in complicated but delicate and provocative positions.

He heard male sighs around him, although he thought he felt his mouth also release a hungry and desirous exclamation.

"Look at me" he said to himself, fixing his black eyes with dilated pupils on the small face of the angel. He begged again and again for her to look at him, and as if the young dancer had felt his hungry gaze, her sapphires crossed with his onyx in an explosive encounter.

It was only a millisecond, but for Thomas it was enough for his heart to beat strongly, coming back to life after years of being asleep, dull and cold as an ice cube. Now in his chest there was heat and even fear for what that angel could do to his perfect and controlled life.

Suddenly the music stopped. So fast? He needed more, it couldn't be just that, the show had been too short and he didn't feel satisfied.

She saw out of the corner of her eye that her drinking companion was greeting some friends she had no interest in meeting and saw in that her opportunity to escape.

"Thomas, do you mind if..."

"Go with them," she exclaimed with disinterest as she stood up, still keeping her green eyes fixed on the Angel who was bowing gratefully at the applause of the men who were watching her just like him. She felt jealous, that Angel had to be his and no one else's.

Thomas moved through the tables without stopping to watch her like a hungry animal, she hadn't noticed him yet, but he would make her do it and make those eyes not look at anyone else.

Bruno watched the scene with curiosity, he had never seen his boss so focused on something other than his work.

"I can't miss this," he thought, still watching him from afar.

The Angel greeted his audience from afar, throwing kisses and winks. Many of them were familiar faces, single men or men with problems in paradise who attended without fail every Saturday to watch his dance with their eyes full of desire or perversion. But not enough to choose her for a private dance!

She was about to turn around and leave the stage for the next dancer when her eyes moved on their own with an uncontrollable magnetism towards the front, meeting a man she had never seen before in the bar and who seemed determined to go to where she was.

Celeste froze in place, unable to avoid those almond-shaped jade eyes that made her tremble from head to toe as if she were a schoolgirl about to have her first sexual encounter.

That man was not like those who usually went to the bar, they were usually men with a lot of money but not very attractive, and most of them were over 60 years old. Celeste was sure that the man was not more than forty years old and did not understand what he was doing there, he could make any woman dance for him and for free.

When the mysterious and handsome young man approached the edge of the stage as if the angel was the most beautiful thing to admire in the room, the young woman bent down delicately, raising her artificial wings to the cuts of her body with the blue light shining around her like a mystical and idyllic aura.

For Thomas that image was a dream, it could not be real, that woman could not be from this world.

-Angel... How much for a private message with you?

The young woman's breath caught and her blue eyes trembled. At last what she had longed for had arrived.

"How much for a private?"

"I really hadn't thought about it, I never really thought I would go this far." The blonde thought.

"How about $500, doll?" the mysterious man asked softly, who hadn't taken his jade eyes off the angel.

The young woman couldn't help but twist her face into an expression of disbelief upon hearing that amount, she was sure that her companions didn't charge that much for an hour of private dancing.

She felt like she was ripping him off if she accepted that offer, maybe he was a naive or even desperate guy, but the man's face showed confidence, as if for him it was just change and maybe she was the naive one.

"What do you say?" Thomas insisted, extending his hand towards the blonde, wanting to grab her and not let go, fearing receiving a "no" for an answer.

Celeste looked at the palm extended towards her and could only think of Tati and her medicines. She slowly moved her small hand towards the hand of the one who would be her first client, but her fingers did not reach it, because an unexpected grip on her wrist prevented her from doing so.

-You will not do it-

Both young men turned towards the hoarse and angry voice of the intruder.

-Dany...- exclaimed Celeste when she saw her boss looking at the man as if he wanted to eat him alive.

-She will not go with you- he said, placing her behind him but without letting go of her wrist.

Thomas felt like he was going to lose all control of his emotions at that very moment. He had always been a sensible man, who chose diplomacy over violence, but at that moment he felt that he had lost his words and that the only way to win was by crushing that vermin that separated him from his Angel.

He was about to kick him and run away with the young woman, but seeing her face full of surprise and her blue eyes so soft and loving, he held back and swallowed his anger. She knew the idiot, she had called him by his name, so turning against him would only be worse.

She only prayed that he wasn't her boyfriend, she couldn't stand that woman already being someone else's.

"Excuse me..." he began to say hiding his anger, "But the young lady can decide for herself."

"I'm your boss and the owner of this place and I can kick you out with a snap of my fingers, so why don't you leave by yourself? Before my men do. They're not very affectionate."

Thomas was about to answer with his sharp tongue, when Celeste came out from behind her boss and released herself from his grip in a quick tug.

-Let's go- he exclaimed, taking the unknown man by the wrist and dragging him through a golden curtain that led to the private rooms.

Dany was stunned and frozen by what had just happened, but he was not the only one, Bruno had witnessed the whole scene from afar with curiosity, the end left him with his jaw on the floor, he did not recognize his boss, he was out of his mind. Without wasting any more time he took his cell phone and dialed a number.

-Hi...- he whispered looking around- What do you think? I have news of your dear rival. Yes, I'm on my way.

-

Thomas was stunned and even more so when the angel put him inside a private room and he stumbled towards one of the soft armchairs, standing with his legs open and looking at the blonde who hovered in front of him as if she were his owner and mistress. At that moment he felt that he would be able to say "Yes" to everything she asked him.

The young woman extended her open hand and he looked at her in confusion.

-The money you promised- he exclaimed seriously- Otherwise, there is no dance.

Celeste could be naive in many things, but when it came to business she was the opposite, until she saw the 500 dollars in his hand and could smell them to know that they were real she could not trust him. Maybe he was simply a scammer who was playing on her desperation.

Thomas felt his pants desperately until he took out his wallet and handed her several 100 dollar bills that Celeste examined with suspicion. Yes, they were genuine, she had gotten 500 dollars in just one hour.

She couldn't believe it!

She put them inside her dress and walked away from the man, still looking at him.

For a moment, Thomas thought she would leave and leave him looking like a needy fool, but the young woman slid gracefully towards the pipe that was in the middle of a platform that crossed the room and began to do her trick to the rhythm of the song that came from a speaker in a corner of the ceiling.

Thomas settled himself in the chair, leaning his broad back against the backrest, but he didn't feel comfortable, the itching in his hands was unbearable, his whole body wanted to be close to that blonde who seemed to fly like a sparrow escaping from its bonds. Her dance was magical, exotic and he couldn't believe that she was wasting herself in that horrible place. She deserved more than that.

Unable to resist it any longer, the black-haired man got up from his seat, still staring at her.

The young woman's blue eyes never took their eyes off him, not even when she was spinning around the pipe. She didn't tell him to move away, she let him approach like a carnivore carefully sliding towards its prey, but unlike an animal frightened by death, she wanted to be devoured, as if her body had taken control of her mind.

"Fuck everything" she thought to herself.

...

Kristel was cleaning the bar because of a clumsy customer who had spilled his beer when she saw her boss walk through the golden curtain, steaming, and that wasn't good at all.

"Can you cover me for a moment? I have to go to the bathroom," she said to her bar partner and hurriedly followed her boss.

"Hey Dany," she exclaimed, crossing the curtain, "What's going on?"

The boss stopped suddenly and turned to Kristel, his face was red and his jaw clenched. The woman didn't have to ask anything else to deduce that it had something to do with Celeste, she always got that way when something happened with the blonde.

-An idiot took her to the private room- he exclaimed between his teeth.

Kristel raised an eyebrow and put her arms on her waist.

-And what about that Dany? That's good for Celeste, she's been needing the money and...

-She knows very well that I could give it to her!

-But she wants to earn it on her own and you know it well- she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, but she knew that her boss wouldn't agree with her- Dany... leave her.- She pleaded.

For a moment the man seemed to come to his senses, but he still turned around and walked towards the private room where that idiot who had come out of nowhere had taken her Angel.

Kristel sighed exhausted and turned around, knowing that getting in wouldn't be a good idea. In addition to being her boss, she and Dany had been great friends for years, but she had always been like a third wheel in the relationship, even though they were a great blended family together with her younger brother, Celeste had always been Dany's priority, the last thing she wanted was to end up without a job because of a stupid argument with the owner of the bar, although she pretended that everything was fine in her life and she had everything resolved, the truth was that the debts had been crushing her for months. If she lost her job she was sure that Tati would insist on looking for a job to help her. Kristel would never forgive herself if her brother had the same miserable life as her, he was up for more.

-Let's keep working- she murmured as she returned to the bar.

-

Celeste gracefully turned around the pole, surrounding it with one of her legs and one of her hands while gracefully extending her entire body. A shy but sinful smile appeared on her face as she saw Thomas getting closer and closer. She turned and rubbed herself with class but eroticism like she had never done before and before she knew it, the man's body pressed against hers when she finished turning.

Thomas held her waist as if he was afraid she would fall, but when the blonde put both feet on the firm ground, he didn't let go, instead he began to back away taking his angel with him towards the padded chair and seeing that his angel did nothing to prevent it, with a quick turn he left her with her back to the furniture, with him on top.

He did nothing else, his firm grip was still on the Angel's narrow waist, as if he had frozen, he could feel the young woman's chest rise and fall against his and her legs brush the sides of his with modesty but desire. He was about to eat her mouth right there, taste those fleshy lips that surely tasted like cherry, when an evil force abruptly pulled him away from the angel as if his heart was being torn out by the roots.

From the ground he saw his Angel get up from the chair with an expression between indignation and terror. -No touching allowed! - growled the man who was beginning to be a thorn in her side.

-Dany! - protested the young woman trying to get closer to her client. If he were to get offended he would lose his money and even worse, he would never choose her again. -Are you crazy?!

-You know the rules very well- he exclaimed furiously, watching Thomas' movements, waiting for his chance to hit him if he even tried to get close to the young woman. -Get the hell out of here before I kick you out myself.

Celeste was about to say something, but Thomas got ahead of her, getting up from the ground and calmly shaking his clothes, then he took out his wallet and the blonde feared that he would ask for his 500 dollars back, but instead he took out a white card from the wallet.

Carefully, the dark-haired man walked towards Celeste but not so much that the boss attacked him at the jugular and extended his hand.

Before Dany could take the paper from her fingers, Celeste took it and held it against her chest.

"I'm going back to finish what we started," she exclaimed with a half smile and walked out of the room with her head held high, but not before bumping her shoulder against the other man's.