I LOOKED UP at the five-star hotel that Cindy told me about.
"Are you sure this is the venue?" I asked as we walked down the hallway.
"Yes, they're in the function room."
Before we entered she first took me to one of the suites to get dressed.
I have seen some models smile at me. They are wearing the work that Cindy herself did.
I looked down at the black corset dress I was wearing. Its chest contour was a bit low so my chest almost popped out when it tightened the ribbon on my back.
"Perfect!" Her wide smile commented on me.
I glanced again at the model next to me who was wearing far away from me.
"Ahm, is this really what I'm going to wear? Isn't it too sexy?" I hesitate to ask.
"It's the groom's request. You're the main guest tonight so you're great because he'll give you a big tip to make sure." She re-adjusted my make-up and sprayed my exposed leg.
"Okay girls, you only come one at a time, you're already rehearsing, aren't you? You already know what you're going to do."
I swallowed hard, I didn't rehearse. Cindy did not inform me of the rehearsal.
"Ah, is it okay that I didn't rehearse?" I ask timidly.
"Of course, you're professional enough to rehearse," she said.
I frowned at him. I wanted to laugh at what she said but I just didn't say anything. After all, I was just a rampage even though I knew there were only men inside.
"Okay guys, ready?!"
Ten models came out first before Cindy confronted me. She touched my two shoulders and smiled.
"Here are the rules. Don't come out until you're he tells you, alright?"
I nodded again and again. My heart skipped on its beat, I was suddenly very nervous because of her order.
"Ready?" she asks with a wide smile on her face.
"Yes, I'm ready!"
We crossed to the function room. She opened the door for me. The moment I step into the room, my heart starts pounding hard. My whole body also got cold because of the power of the air con.
"Miss. Cindy?" I speak in a low voice. But I heard her close the door.
I looked around. Where I could barely see who was inside. All the curtains are dark and black, even the chairs are deliberately black. The only white one there was the long stage where I ramped up.
There seemed to be no one in the whole room. Only one chair was there.
I was startled when the spotlight suddenly opened and focused on me. Even though my eyes were used to it, I still closed my eyes due to the shock.
At the same time the faint ringing around.
"Please take a walk, Miss. Cherry." The baritone voice of a man roared me back to life. He uses voice effects so I'm not sure of his true voice.
I filled my lungs with heavy air and blew it all out before I step onto the platform.
I chin up straight and start walking gracefully. Even though I knew I only had one audience I still gave it my all.
When I reached the center stage, there I noticed a man in all fours sitting in the wingback chair. His arms are rested in the armchair while his right hand was on his chin.
Because it was so dark I couldn't see him. Only the lower part of his body and the table beside his with a bottle of liquor and rock glass can be seen from where I stand.
When I stopped at the end I posted a few times and turned to turn around but he spoke again into the mic.
"It's that all you can do, Miss Cherry?" His voice was rasping and tired.
I stopped attempting to step and circled towards him again. Cindy told me don't leave until he tells me so.
"No, sir!" I make a turn again, I continued walking back to the beginning and faced him again. I filled the chest with air again before walking towards the end where he was facing me.
"I'm still not satisfied, Miss. Cherry. I paid too much for tonight, then that's all you're going to show?"
I swallowed and remained standing at the middle-end of the stage. Immediately my heart pounded loudly. I can't be embarrassed especially Cindy just because I didn’t give him what he wanted.
"I'm sorry, mister, I'll just repeat," I said lowly.
"No, why don't you give a little spice to your performance? Give me something hot, Miss Cherry," a voice said to me.
My forehead furrowed and my gaze quickly dropped to the corset dress I was wearing.
"That's exactly what I've been thinking," he muttered.
My eyes widened and backed away.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do what you're asking me," I said in my shaking voice.
I heard him laugh a bit, I saw him pull out the glass with wine, shaken slightly before drinking.
"Why don't you give me a dance, instead," he said after lowering the glass to his side.
I shook my head, "Excuse me, Sir. But I'm not a dancer." I refused.
Again he laughed at the mic, I saw him straighten up and return to his former position on the left side of his leg and hand.
"Come on, you're a performer, right? I pay half a million because I hope something good happens tonight, but you're disappointing me Cherry."
I looked down at my clasped hands. I never thought he paid so much to Cindy for this kind of shit. I think this is a business tycoon, politician? or maybe a drug lord? Or maybe he's a member of a syndicate?
Maybe if I didn’t do what he wanted I wouldn’t be able to get out of life here.
"This is harassment, mister," I said it loud and clearer. I smiled because I think I fight.
I was so bitten on the lip when he laughed into the mic again. It suddenly stood up but remained in the position.
"I haven't done anything yet, Cherry. What if I do something to you? But sorry to say, I'm already engaged." I was momentarily taken aback by what he said.
"I mean, I'm not happy with your performance." His voice sounding more po-faced now.
I swallowed and took another step back. Gradually I was being consumed by nervousness. Should I leave? But why can't I do that?
"Just like that, dance with me, Cherry." The low rumble of his voice made my breath hitched.
I blew out a breath, I think this is the only way to end it this – to dance with him.
"O-Okay, Sir." I nodded in response.
Suddenly the melody of sweet music changed which made my two cheeks heat up even more in shame. The spotlight that focused on me died. A few small lights turned on to fill the dark surroundings.
"Stay where you are and turn around, please. I don't want you to see me while we were dancing. I am a behind-the-scenes person, I hope it's okay with you."
I slowly shook my head and turned away from him. I held my breath when I heard his heavy footsteps approaching me.
Also praying that it would not make me feel bad.
When he stood right at my back, I almost forgot how to breathe. He's too close and too hot to contain.
"Ready?" he whispered right through my ear.
I was stunned for a moment, his mic was now off and he was using his real voice.
Before I could answer one of his hands crawled down my exposed arm. While one hugged my stomach. Our body moves to the rhythm of the music.
I could feel his hot breath buried at the top of my shoulder. Several times I noticed he sniffed my neck before releasing heavy breaths.
"You're so beautiful, Sweetheart," he said huskily and with a lace of raspiness.
My bitten lips got worse. I closed my eyes firmly and tried to face him but he immediately stopped me.
"I said, stay where you are, baby," he whispered.
I dared not to move and I dared not even breathe when I felt his delicate kiss on my shoulder as we slowly danced.
"Now tell me, do I hurt you? Is this what you called harassment, huh?" he asks the question smoothly.
I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. I could feel my heartbeat every single pound in my chest.
"Rex..." I couldn't help but say.