3. The performance

The five-star hotel room was the epitome of luxury and comfort. It was spacious, elegantly designed, and meticulously furnished. The bedding was plush with high-end amenities like an air-conditioner and a fridge.

A well-stocked mini bar was positioned in a convenient location in the room, and a fancy marble bathroom with a rain shower.

What Stephano loved about his room in this five-star hotel was the stunning view of the city skyline.

He poured himself a glass of champagne as he fixed his gaze on the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Stephano’s POV-

I love my business trips, they take me far away from home, as I tend to explore other dynamics of the world.

As an artist, I was a popular figure in Italy, I designed artwork for brands and top politicians, and I worked with models (the part I loved most).

Every woman wanted to be associated with me, but I love older women, they are cooperative and mature in reasoning, and they don't stress me at all.

I would do justice to the women of Cape Town, South Africa. Pedro had told me all about them on our way to the hotel and I could not wait to get started.

I was glad all I had to do was attend the art exhibition of “The Paint Project” and receive my award, I had two nominations as Best Artist of the Year, and my company “Artistry Warm” was nominated as the Best Art Company of the Year.

There was a slight knock on the door and I thought it was room service, I had requested a pack of cigarettes.

I opened the door and it was my best friend, Pedro, he giggled from ear to ear and I knew for a fact that he had come with good news.

“Still haven't unpacked yet?”, Pedro looked at my king-sized bed as I let him in.

“You know this is not your mansion in Italy where you have the maids who do this kind of thing for you”, he teased, as he grabbed a glass and poured himself some champagne.

“Oh please, I'll do it myself”

“You need to get ready, we leave in fifteen minutes”, Pedro said as he glanced at his wristwatch.

“You found a lady for me?” I smiled.

“Not really, we are hitting the club tonight, you will make your choice, you know how selective you can be” Pedro smiled too as he picked up the bottle of champagne, took a good look at it, and nodded his head in satisfaction.

“This is good”

Pedro had been my best friend since high school and I could boldly say he was the only one that knew what I wanted and how I wanted it.

“I say we leave now”, I went to the mirror to take a good look at myself and I was satisfied with what I saw.

“That’s the vibes man”, he was so excited.

We left the room and I swiped my card and it locked automatically. All eyes were on me when we got to the lobby, I didn't mind the stare, I got that a lot, especially from the ladies.

A clean silver SUV was packed in the parking lot, it belonged to Pedro, he took his car keys from a Chauffeur who works at the hotel and we drove off to the “ENCLAVE” clubhouse.

Mbali’s POV-

I got to my house real quick thanks to the Uber driver, he took a shorter route after I told him that I had a place to be in the next hour.

I still had thirty minutes left when looked at the wall clock in my room.

I removed my heels and I collapsed on my bed, trying to get some rest before heading out again.

The ticking sound of the clock kept reminding me I would be late, I pulled off my clothes and decided to have a clean shower, as I sat in front of my dressing mirror to get dressed, my mind drifted to the pleasure I had this evening, this was one of the good sex I always had, and I was glad the pay was huge.

My phone rang jerking me back to reality, it was my best friend, Isabella, I knew why she was calling but I just had to pick up her call before she made a fuss out of it.

Picks the phone.

Isabella: “Babe, what's up, hope you're dressed.” Isabella’s excited voice sounded from the other end of the phone.

Me: I put my phone on speak out, placed it on the table, grabbed my body lotion, and started massaging it into my caramel skin as I gave her a false response. “Yeah sure I'm dressed already and will be with you shortly”. I lied because I just needed her to get off my back for the time being.

Isabella: “OK, good I'm at the club already. And hope you are ready for your performance tonight”.

Me: “Hmmm” I nodded as Isabella reminded me, that I had to dance on the pole tonight, I slowly tilted my head to my bed where my lingerie was laid neatly ready to be packed into my bag.

I had to hurry if not I would miss the bus and would be thirty minutes late, there was always a punishment for being late, and I wouldn't want one-quarter of the money I would be making tonight to be slashed.

I dressed up quickly, stuffed my lingerie into my bag alongside my makeup purse, locked my windows, and drew my curtains making sure there was no light emitting from outside, I shut my door and dipped my keys into my bag.

I was glad there was no traffic and I was at my location in a twinkle of an eye.

I stood before a magnificent building, which read “ENCLAVE” boldly written in “Bebas Neue” fonts which made it have a modern look and stand out.

No passerby would pass this edifice and not stand to stare.

I can remember the first day I came to ENCLAVE Club, the memory is evergreen, but I will leave that for later.

We quickly went to the entrance of the Club to give my ID to the bouncers and I checked in.

I went straight into the dressing room, I sat before my dressing table and was ready to do my make-up.

I went ahead to do my makeup, still sitting pretty on my dressing table, I loosened the rolls I had on my hair I had rolled it before going ahead to do my makeup, I wanted my hair in huge curls, it would look sexy I thought to myself.

I was not wrong, as it turned out well. I wore my lingerie but still had my “fake” fur jacket on because I was cold and couldn't turn off the air conditioner because I was not the only one in the dressing room.

I had my arms wrapped around my body for warmth, I shivered slightly but I showed resilience, my eyes were transfixed on the wall clock waiting for 8:00 p.m.

“Mbali! I haven't seen your practice for tonight”, my manager Luca came in and stood with his hands akimbo looking at me like he hadn't set his eyes on me before.

“Oh!”, I exclaimed and pulled off my jacket, I went to my locker and took my black six-inch heels out, and followed him behind.

The Club was still scanty, the early ones were at the bar drinking and playing games.

I showed my performance on the pole to Luca and he was satisfied, I practiced more so I wouldn't be nervous when the time came.

Stephano’s POV-

Pedro played hip-hop songs while he drove and all I could do was sing along and nod my head to the rhythm of the song.

Soon we got to our location, we alighted from the car, and Pedro parked. I had never seen a clubhouse that big before, everywhere was a whizzing of cars coming in and none was going out. I couldn't wait to go inside and feed my eyes.

Pedro noticed the excitement on my face.

“You won't regret this man, you will always thank me”, Pedro assured me as he tapped my shoulder.

We checked in and everywhere was filled up with people both young and old. I came here for the women so I care less.

We went to our VIP table which Pedro paid for without my knowledge, and I was grateful because I could get a better view of everything that would pass by *winks* you know what I mean.

Was about to tilt my head to look at a lady with a protruding backside when the lights went off, the lights that came on made the whole club dimly lit, as the stage became smoky. The spotlight was centered on the stage as seductive and gentle music pulsed through the air, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation.

People were cheering also like they had seen ‘Micheal Jackson’, I turned to see what the noise was all about then I was starstruck at what I saw and I couldn’t move a muscle for seconds.