Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

CASSANDRA

I push open the door to the bar, walking in gently so as not to attract unwanted attention to myself. I usually come to ‘24/7’, a bar my best-friend, Julian works at, so as to help with whatever I can; One, because I get free shots of alcohol to drown my sorrows and Two, because I get a couple dollars from doing it, and those couple dollars put the food on my table. As a very-not to brag-pretty, curvy, and slim lady, I get a lot of attention whenever I step into the bar… actually, I get a lot of attention whenever I step anywhere, which isn’t exactly a good thing contrary to what everyone might think, and I’ve been approached a couple times by different breeds of men, and shockingly, women

Thankfully, the bar was slightly deserted today so no one will really bother me, I can’t deal with any drunk person today, I’m too exhausted for that. My black stiletto heels clack on the marble floor as I make my way to the counter at the center of the bar.

I finally reach the counter where Frank, the owner of the bar-though he works as a bartender-and he’s also my friend, is cleaning the counter. He flashes a perfect smile at me as I drop my faded brown bag on the counter, letting out an exasperated sigh. He looks at me with concerned emerald eyes that makes me want to melt into a puddle. He’s so freaking hot. Frank is probably every girl’s dream guy, his most outstanding facial feature being his innocent emerald eyes, which are very deceiving because he’s not innocent at all; he’s very perverted. I would have made a move on him if not for the fact that he’s slightly shorter than me, and I can’t date someone shorter than I am.

“Hey Cassy, you’re early today, good news or bad news?” Frank asked as I sit at a stool in front of the counter, ignoring the flirtatious winks I was getting from a couple grown men at a VIP table. One signals for me to come to him, but I just ignore him, taking off my heels that are killing me.

“Yeah! Good news; so good I’m smiling and singing praises to the Lord.” I say sarcastically. He chuckles and I give him a halfhearted smile.

“I’ll be right back.” He says, walking towards two girls who just sat at the counter. I release my auburn red hair from the band that was holding it up, allowing the curly waves to fall down my back. “Much better.”

“So, what do you want this evening?” Franks asks me coming back from serving the girls their order, while cleaning a wine glass before putting it into the shelve with the other glasses he has cleaned, and-not surprisingly-he had a small piece of paper in his hands. Did I mention girls are always drooling over him and keep slipping him their numbers?

“Hmmm… I think… I’ll have the usual, but make it slightly stronger.” I answer and he nods, heading to the store. I look around the bar in search of Julian, realizing Julian isn’t around. I guess I came too early.

“Oh! Julian?” Frank asks me as if he read my mind, and I nod my head in affirmation to his assumption, “She’ll be here soon, you came pretty early you know?” he says, before dropping a bottle of red wine and wine opener in front of me, after which he passes me a glass cup.

“Thanks.” I pop the wine bottle open with the wine opener, and pour myself a glass of red wine. I cross my left leg over my right as I take a sip of the wine.

“Rough day at work?” He asks me, and I give him a sad smile.

“The usual…” I pause, taking a sip of my wine, “The asshole sure knows how to make my blood boil. I’d really love to give him a piece of my mouth and fist, but who wants to get fired right before the end of the month… before payday? Definitely not me, especially since I really need the money.” I say honestly, taking another sip of my wine.

“You can always take my offer, and work here permanently?” Frank winks making me roll my eyes.

“It’s a very tempting offer but I’m not that desperate for money to the extent that I’ll work as a stripper. Thank you, but No.”

“Okay, whatever you say, but if you change your mind, I’ll be waiting.” He says, leaving to attend to some customers.

“I smell a very juicy story.” A very familiar angelic voice says from behind me; Julian. She sits beside me, “Hey boo!” She snatches my glass of wine from my hands and drains the entire glass, before flashing be a sweet smile. This girl is so annoying.

“Don’t you have something stronger?” She asks.

“Cuz I work here?” I reply sarcastically, pouring myself another glass of wine.

She raises her eyebrows, “Yeah! You do.

“Not exactly.”

“Whatever. What’s with the long face? I mean, you’re normally happy and always hyper whenever you come here, so what happened?”

I sigh, “I got another notice this week for the house, and you know how much that house means to me.”

Julian touches my shoulder, giving me a sad smile. “I understand, and I’ll always be there for you, how about your pay for this month?”

“It’s not enough.”

She clicks her tongue, deep in thought, before looking at me, “Being a stripper isn’t that bad-”

“Julian.” I cut in but she just ignores me.

“-I get paid a lot of money, and I get tipped, and all I do is dance.”

“Yeah! You dance in your underwear while different types of disgusting men touch you; I’ll pass.” I hiss out.

“Wow! Thanks for breaking my heart.” She says, placing her hand over her chest.

“I’m sorry, I’m just not interested… Let’s talk about something else, something joyful, unlike my life.”

“Okay, not like I wanna drown myself in sorrow.” She shrugs and I smile.

She turns to Frank, “Yo Big boy! Give us your strongest wine mixed with tequila shots.”

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” He asks, looking at the both of us doubtfully.

Julian groans, “Hurry it up, will ya? We’re going to make Cassandra here forget her problems.” She turns to me, a wide smirk on her lips.

“And you’re agreeing to this?” He laughs, but I just shrug.

“Better.” Julian murmurs. Frank disappears into the store, while Julian and I stare at the people trooping in and out of the bar. Few minutes later, he comes backs with our shots, and places it in front of us. The music becomes louder and deafening, as the bar gets filled up further. The smell of sweat fills the air, and people are now dancing and grinding on the dance floor, as strippers began climbing on tables, doing their thing, while big men spray or tuck money into their panties and bras. The disco light come on, it’s colors shining brightly. It is so bright; I’d be blind now if I’m not already used to it.

“Wanna dance?” Julian yells in my ear, due to the music.

“Not really feeling like it.” I yell back.

She pouts, “Come one, you know I have to go back and change soon, since I’ll soon start my shift. Just dance with me before then.”

“Fine.” I say, giving in. I down one more shot at once and follow Julian.