Waking up, everything is still quiet. I am glad there are no alarms waking me up. It means we got through the night without another break-in. Showered and dressed, I walk downstairs, just like most mornings. Jackson is sitting with the girls, and Marcus sits in the living room.
“Ready for the launch?” His voice is soft and soothing.
I smile, feeling giddy. “Hell yes. Today is going to be amazing, plus, I find out when I can have private one-to-one lessons.” My hands clap like my inner child burst out of me.
“One-to-one, really?” His eyebrows raise up.
“Yes, the lap-dancing ones. I may take the pole dancing ones as well, actually.”
“Well, I look forward to seeing the results.” He winks at me. I want to stay and play longer, but I have to make sure everything is being set up for tonight. Each of the rooms will be used tonight by professionals. There will be three pole dancers, two lap dancers, and exercise coaches. The whole point is to make it
Leaving the office and walking towards my dad, I freeze. Sarah is there. I forgot, and it is now too late, he has seen her. There is love on his face and heartbreak. It says it all, that he never stopped loving her, but she has hurt him too much. Rushing to his side, I explain as quickly as I can. I don’t want him to leave. I want him to stay here with me. He was invited, not Sarah, and if I have to, I will send her away quickly. “Alena, she is your mother. If you want to see her, I won’t stop you, and I certainly would not hate you for it. Just enjoy the night. I will be civil even if she comes and talks to me.” My dad, forever the gentleman. I hug him. I leave to find Jackson, hoping Marcus will be home and confirm everything is safe and okay. “Everything is fine, Alena. Stop rushing around trying to find me.” Jackson is standing behind me, his arms wrapping around me. I still have no idea who is out to hurt me but having Jackson’s
I walk into the pole-dancing room, and, sure enough, Georgina is trying it out, failing, but trying. She is laughing too much to stay on the pole long enough. That is what I want it to be like, not serious, just fun, so if someone struggles, it isn’t like everyone is staring at them. “Alena, you need to have a try,” Georgina calls over. I laugh, shaking my head. There’s no way I will get on a pole with so many people just walking by and watching, even fully clothed and joking. “No, thank you, I have work to do.” Not a bad excuse, what work though I don’t know. It was a good enough excuse for her to stop asking me and start trying herself again. Walking out, I look around Freya, who is standing talking to Jackson and Liam. Roxy is standing with someone. I can’t see who, because there are crowds in front of them. Walking closer, I notice it is Jake. As much as I dislike her for what she has done, I don’t exactly want her getting hurt by Jake, but
His hand lifts up, stroking my cheek. I try to get my phone out of my pocket without him noticing. How am I going to get help? I don’t know. The last person I spoke to on the phone… my mind is trying to remember. If I click the call button twice, it will call them, but who was it? Trying to think back, I remember Marcus calling me, saying he and Jackson were setting off. Pressing the call button twice, I pray he answers, that he can hear and understand, and that he will then call Jackson and get me some sort of help. “Just leave it, Jake. I am married, I have kids. Let me out of the office.” I try walking past him. His body moves again, pushing me back. I hope Marcus has answered. “Jake, enough, move out my way, or I swear, when I am out of here, I am calling the police.” Moving around him again, he moves, his body not just blocking me but pushing me back towards a corner. I am done for. There is no way I can get past him; lo
The police and guests are gone. Georgina, Liam and Marcus are sitting at the bar. “We checked everything. It’s all locked up, empty, no one here.” Marcus starts as we reach them. “Thank you, Marcus, for saving her again when I was too busy to realise.” Jackson reaches out his hand. Marcus shakes it. It is a strange thing to see, yet I can see a conversation they are having in secret in their eyes. “You know, I would be the same for any damsel in distress, and Alena sure is one, except she actually broke his nose, which I think is bloody amazing.” “My head does come in useful.” I laugh, although it hurts more than before. “We are going home. I think she needs sleep after tonight,” Jackson points out. “I will lock up and follow you. I rechecked the cars. They are all safe, and now Jake is gone. I doubt we will have any other issues.” Marcus stands up, grabbing his things. “Yeah, we will go as well. See you tomorrow, Alena.”
Walking around and watching it is amazing. There are women lacking confidence, shy and hidden, coming out of their shells, having fun and laughing. It makes me smile. Some of these women would be hidden away at home, hiding from their demons and trying to pretend everything is fine while refusing to socialise. I just hope it truly helps them. “Hey, Alena.” I turn, and Ruby is standing there. “Is everything okay, Ruby?” I look around, wondering why she is no longer in her class. “Yes, everything is fine. I have a woman who wants to speak to someone. I am not sure what to do, so I said I would come to get you. I hope that is okay?” She looks worried like she is in trouble. “It is fine. I will come with you.” Following Ruby, we go into the room. “Alena, this is Rose.” Ruby introduces us before walking off. “Hi Rose, how can I help?” Smiling at her, she looks around worried. “Shall we go to my office where
Waking up, Jackson is still asleep. I walk downstairs and begin to cook breakfast. I feel a lot better today, despite the bad dream. Music is playing. I find myself dancing while cooking breakfast. Things can only get better from here. My mind feels free for the first time since the car accident, away from myself, dancing free. I don’t even notice that Jackson and Marcus sit at the table until I turn around. “Why do you need classes?” Jackson laughs. I need classes because, while he might think I can dance, I know I can’t. “Well, you seem happier. That is all that matters.” “I am. I mean, surely only good things can happen now, right?” My question is already answered by myself. I know I am dreaming, that it is impossible and there’s no chance that only good things can happen. “Sure Kitten, only good things.” Jackson smiles. Placing the food on plates, I sit and give them a plate each, sitting and eating my own breakfast while t
I leave the office, walking towards the bar. I really need a drink. Grabbing a Coke, I head back to the office. I have so many emails. Just when I am close to replying to them all, I get flooded with more.I have an hour. Looking around, I decided to look into photography, specifically burlesque and similar. There are many companies out there doing it. They do a makeover as well. However, I think confidence coaching beforehand would be beneficial, especially for self-conscious people and those who don’t feel they can do it.Logging onto Facebook, I message Freya and ask her when she will be available to do a makeover, so I can see her style. While waiting for her reply, I search for female photographers. I really want to get this idea ready, out there and working as soon as possible.“Hey, Alena.” I look up. Susie stands at the door.I look at the clock and realise the time. “Hi Susie, sorry, I was preoccupied. Everything has
How do I talk about what happened? I didn’t even tell Jackson everything. “He was at the launch. He apologised, and I walked away and went into my office. Sitting there, it was quiet. I had a headache, but then he came in. I stayed sitting. I didn’t want to try to confront him. I asked what he was doing. He went on about how he wants to be friends, and I am lying when I say we could still be.” She carries on writing, her eyes constantly glancing at me. “I tried leaving. He stopped me, closed the blinds and locked the door. I kept trying different ways to get out, but nothing worked. He ended up having me pinned in a corner, his hand around my throat. He kissed me, so I bit his lip. I was trying to kick him, but it was useless.” I can’t give full details. I did with the police, but I can’t again. “He had hold of my hands. I ended up headbutting his nose, but he still didn’t let go. Marcus broke the door down and stopped it. Jake was arrested and then l