8. EAVESDROPPING

MAE

"These men really want to get me killed with the way they are offering me fat tips and asking me to go out with them." I complained to Isis.

Since I started stripping in this place—Casa Eleganza, I had gotten an insane amount of tips that made me believe that I could actually make up to my father's debts and clear it before I died, or developed chronic waist pain—so much that I wouldn’t be able to strip anymore.

"Girl, they are seriously obsessed with you and I have a plan." Isis dragged me to the bed and looked around our room as if anyone could be hiding under our bed.

Then she stole a quick glance at the CCTV camera and then bent to whisper something into my ear. I tried to push her away, knowing that my stubborn friend would definitely be reprimanded or even punished for this, but she did not budge.

She pushed my hands away and kept talking,

"Accept one of them's advances. Give him the hottest dance or something… or even sex," I scrunched my nose up on hearing that and she went on, "and then make him pay half of the money to me. I get to keep all my tips, so I could hold that part for you. These men do not snitch, reason being that they are busy for that shit. That's why I love them so much. Mature, rich hunks are so my type." She gushed.

I thought about it.

Her plan was extremely tempting. I wanted to do it. Infact, I had to do it.

A couple of other people dad owed had started calling back to back. I had to settle some more debts, so I agreed.

"Tonight, hmm?"

"Anytime you want, babe. If you say tonight, then so be it." Isis playfully accepted and we both laughed.

We quickly finished dressing up and walked out to the boutique. No, I went to the boutique while Isis went to catch up with some of her other stripper friends who worked at the salon.

Isis did not have a daytime job. She had come here to only work as a stripper and nothing else.

I envied her a lot, consoling myself with the thought that this would soon be over.

While working in the boutique, packing up orders and showing customers several options to pick from, Owen walked in with a bulky man by his side.

He looked distraught, like he was stressed or upset about something. He walked me without paying me as much as a small glance, and his partner followed after. His partner actually stole a quick glance at me, but that was it. He kept it moving after that, walking straight to the stairs.

Being the curious, thoughtless 24-year-old that I was, I followed after them.

I looked around, then stealthily walked towards the direction I saw them disappear into, until I could see their backs again.

But they just kept walking. Well, until they had gotten to a different hallway upstairs in the mall. This hallway, I had noticed, was almost always empty.

Owen stopped there and turned to face the man he was with,

"He should not have fucking died, Marco. That man promised us a whole lot which he even started fulfilling before he even got to be mayor. He should not have fucking died."

I stood by the corner of the hallway, and stayed there, even if I was scared as this place was dark and lonely.

My heart was thudding in my chest as I imagined what Owen would do to me if he found me hiding here.

Swallowing, I listened further.

"I asked him not to leave his hotel room until I got there. He was targeted. But being the strong headed asshole he is, he had to leave the hotel room and put himself in the way of danger." Marco complained, running a hand through his hair.

"I should go back there and kill him the second time. I fucking hate when people do not take instructions. Now he is dead and the Castellenos won. It is too late to bring up another candidate who would seen stand a chance, so the Castellenos automatically win. They rule the city. My fucking city." Owen complained, pacing about in obvious anger.

Marco replied, "Not if we kill their candidate before the election date."

My heart dropped to my stomach. Kill him? This man was definitely in the mafia. I regretted the fact that I had not brought my phone here with me, I would have recorded some evidence to show Liam.

Owen stopped in his tracks to think about it, then frowned, "They would definitely be hiding him away. And the election is in five days. Do you think it can work?"

Marco nodded, "Have I ever failed you, boss?"

Owen hesitated, then shook his head. "Not yet. I guess I can trust you with this. If he is dead, then both of us get a chance of bringing new people. A fresh election would restart. He will not be able to lay his hands on this new one, no matter how he tries."

Marco agreed, "Exactly what would happen. We just need to act fast. Give me the order, boss, and I will be on my way."

"You really are enjoying the conversation, aren't you?" I suddenly heard a voice ask from behind me before I could hear Owen's answer and my soul almost left my body.

I froze on the spot, unable to even turn around.

"You should not be here," The voice continued to whisper, "but I am sure that you know that already. I would let you leave with your life. Get out of here before the Boss finds out and soothes his anger with the sight of your blood."

I spun around at once, shaking like a leaf.

It was one of Owen's personal guards, and he just tilted his head to the side with a serious expression, waiting for me to leave.

I quickly muttered a 'sorry' and 'thank you' to him before spinning around and bolting away from that place.

When I got back to the boutique, I met a seriously frowning Scar. She gave me a once over, folding her arms around her chest as she queried,

"Where were you? We just lost two customers because there was no one here to show them around. The sales attendant with you was out on an errand for crying out fucking loud!"

I shook my head no, "I—I didn't know. I just stepped out to take a piss. Had no idea that no one else was here."

Scar still glared at me like she wanted to drag me by the ear, out of this place. Damn, I had not even spent up to a week here, and I was getting on a lot of nerves.

While she was still glaring daggers at me, we heard footsteps behind us and with the way she straightened and the scent that filled the room, I already knew who it was.

Owen, Marco and his guard stood in front of me now, while Owen spoke to Scar. I tried getting the guard to look at me, but he acted like he had never even noticed I was there.

Owen looked at me now, and I realized that I had not even heard one thing that he had been discussing with Scar and I had been right with them.

"Good day, Sir…" I greeted, fidgeting with my hands at my back.

He nodded. "Would she be stripping tonight?" He asked Scar, with his eyes still on me.

Scar replied, "Yes she will. She performs everyday, at least for now."

"I would be coming to the club tonight, then. I want to watch an exquisite performance." With that, he spun around and walked away.

Scar and I stood there in silence for a while, before she waved me off,

"Go back inside. Prepare, get some sleep. Practice some dance skills if you can. Remember, the Boss wants a thrilling performance."

That sounded very much like a countdown to disaster, but I said nothing, just nodded and waddled away with my head down and my heart thudding against my chest.