First Glance

He entered the club that he used to go to every weekend, but he had stopped going to that club a year ago for some reason. The thing about the club was that there were many exotic dancers and strippers. It made his thoughts occupied when he had trouble forgetting.

He ordered a glass of champagne and sat at the bar while the loud music graced his ears. He had not looked at the stage but knew from the cheers that a performance was taking place on the stage. It was a Saturday night. The packed atmosphere said it all. Thankfully, he was able to secure himself a seat at the counter.

Just then, his glass was in front of him. He poured the champagne down his throat in one go and ordered another glass.

Suddenly, the whistles and cheers got louder. He got curious as to what the hustle was about. He turned his head towards the stage and saw the most interestingly beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life…She was not just beautiful, but her aura screamed of confidence and innocence. It was a rare combination for a person to ooze with confidence but look so innocent that people find it hard to believe what part was the actual personality of that person. At least, that was how he was feeling at that moment.

He felt enchanted. He could not remove his eyes. He saw her move her body with the beat and then against the pole. The piece of dress she wore highlighted her curves, and he found himself getting lost in those curves and the way her body moved.

She had an hourglass body that was tightly hugged by the revealing and short pink dress. Her black silky hair was let loose that reached her rear. He would say her height was about 5’4 without the stilettos that she was wearing. Lastly, her eyes were round and black.

He was busy analyzing her when she turned around and locked her eyes with him. He could only stare back without any expression while she kept looking at him now and then. She then smiled and winked at him reaching almost the end of her performance. He came out of the daze and removed his eyes realizing that he had been staring at her non-stop. The wink got him out of the trance he was in for almost an hour since he got there and shortly after, her performance started.

“Can I get you anything else sir?” The bartender asked him politely, and he nodded his head pointing at the champagne again. The champagne tasted extra good that day. And without realizing it, he had emptied the bottle.  

He got one last look at her before her performance finally ended. He was drunk now, but he could see her taking a bow and beaming at the crowd that had poured generous tips over her. The thing that left him perplexed was that she did not strip as most strippers would. Sure, she showed a sensual performance, but one would expect that a stripper would strip in between the performance. He did not know if he was glad to find that or disappointed.

He ran his eyes through the crowd that seemed satisfied—ecstatic even. The feeling he felt was unfamiliar. What was it to him if they were enchanted by the performance the pretty stripper had put out? The feelings were beyond his understanding.

While scanning the crowd, his eyes stopped on a familiar face. How could he forget him? He was the same reason Thomas had stopped coming to the club the last year although they had both visited the club together in the past.

Joe Williams. He did not know what he saw in him to make him his best friend. Even now, he was ogling the pretty stripper who was about to leave the stage. He saw lust and a lot of disgusting things in his eyes. He knew him enough to know about the dirty thoughts and intentions he must have been having about the stripper.

Joe had not noticed him. He felt disgusted at his sight and decided to leave the club leaving half of the second bottle. He paid the bill for the two champagne bottles and left a generous tip for the bartender. All in all, he was feeling dizzy to no end. 

It was miraculous of him to get up, pay the bills and make out of his environment despite being drunk. He must have gotten immune to dealing with his troubles that way.

He was not aware though why he asked for the stripper’s name from the bartender before leaving. He tried to remember the name the bartender had told him while making his way to the door. God, it was so packed. He was finding it hard to breathe normally.

‘What was her name again?’ He thought to himself when he suddenly remembered—or at least that was what he thought.

“Olaf…Yes, Olaf! Her name is Olaf. So cute.” He mumbled to himself. Somebody bumped into him, and he was about to lose balance when he was caught.

“Sir, I am here to take you home.” He heard a familiar voice.

"Did my grandfather send you to see how miserable I am?" He scoffed at his loyal guard who just shook his head.

"No! Let me please take you home. You won't be able to drive." He tried to make him see reason. He glared at him but nodded his head as he knew even in his drunken state that he was not capable to drive himself home in one piece.

“Let’s goooo! I hate you, James Walker.” He yelled the thing he wanted to let out of his chest the moment he was in his grandfather’s proximity. Unfortunately, he could not do that. He kept slurring his words and yelling the same thing over and over as his guard dragged him out of the club and got him in the car.

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“Olivia, a man wants to meet you. He is outside.” Holly, a bartender, peeked in the room and informed her. She got confused but nodded nonetheless.

She had just changed out of her work outfit and cleaned her makeup changing into her casual attire. She got out of the room and turned her head left and right to see who wanted to see her. And there he was!

She was cursing Holly in her head for not telling her his name. She was probably directed by him not to do so since she always avoided him. She never wanted to face him if she could.

“Pretty girl, I wanted to have a moment with you if you allow me. My lady!” He offered his hand to her while smirking. His way of showing fake respect always made her want to puke.

It had been a month since he had been on her ass trying to get into her pants. She could not do much to tell him off as he was the co-owner of the club.

She would always tell him off politely since she was afraid of losing the job. But she could not give him any ideas that she was interested in doing something with him.

“I am afraid I have to go. My mother is alone.” She gave the same excuse as she always gave. It was not an excuse though. She really could not afford letting her mother be all by herself. She was always worried about her mother and tried to go home as soon as she could to be with her.

She saw him retreat his hand back. His expressions suddenly changed.

She could not understand why he was not getting the idea that she did not want anything to do with him. It was not like he was unattractive or something. In fact, he was a young and good-looking man with probably six feet height and prominent features. But she did not want to mix work with pleasure neither did she have any desire to sleep with anyone anytime soon. All she wanted was to take care of her mother.

“Look honey, I am not used to take rejections. I have been keeping up with your tantrums for a month now. Give in while I am being polite here.” He smiled, but she could sense the threat by which he was trying to scare her. Her eyes widened with surprise.

It was the first time he was being so blunt and direct with her. Other times, he approached her with his usual fake gentlemanly behavior.

She had faced several advances during the year she had started working there. It was given considering the nature of her job, but she always refused to give in to anyone. Whatever a person does for living should not define their personality. It is their right to decide for themselves. It was what she believed. But people were not that good to believe and act on the agenda.

She was glad for her ringtone to save her from the situation as Joe Williams was still glaring at her low-key and waiting for a response. She avoided looking at him and received the call.

Now, she was not so glad for receiving the call as she left the club running, leaving a bewildered Joe behind.