The man looked at me expectantly as I stared back dumbly. My mouth was so dry, it felt like I stuffed a mouthful of sand in there.

Spit it out, Rosaline!

"Well?" He barked.

"I-I-I'm lost and I need help...p-please" I stuttered, and I blushed at the squeak in my voice. I looked down in shame and embarrassment.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I felt myself shrink further and further into my shell. I was never good with confrontation, especially when the anger was directed at me.

It's why I always followed along with my peers in high school and college. Whenever they snapped at me, I immediately apologized. If they ordered or asked me to do something, I did it.

I hated that I let people walk over me, but I couldn't seem to stand up for myself. I was and always would be a coward. It was the biggest quality that I hated about myself.

A deep chuckle brought me out of my dark thoughts and I looked up with wide eyes to see the man smirking down at me.

"Did you hear me, kid?" the man asked, this time in a softer tone. I looked at him in confusion. Wasn't he about to turn me into mush? I noticed that he had taken a few steps back, giving me some space.

He raised his eyebrow at me.

"Are you going to tell me where you need to go? I can't help you if you don't give me more information." The man explained.

I flushed at my foolishness.

"I need to get to Maiden Lane, Sir," I said quietly, tugging the ends of my hair.

The man eyed me curiously, his eyes moving up and down my body.

"That's a forty-minute walk. How did you get here?" The man asked me.

I automatically tugged harshly on my dark hair. I quickly put my hands in my pockets, not wanting him to think of me as a lunatic when he was being kind to me.

"I was looking for a job and got whisked away into the crowd. I got lost and tried to ask for directions. I-It started getting dark outside so I came in here." I mumbled as I eyed the poles on the stage.

I'd never been inside a club before. I'd seen and read enough books and movies to know it wouldn't be a place for me. The idea of so many people crowded in one place made me nervous. It seemed like too much stimulation for me to handle.

"You need a job?"

I snapped my eyes back to the man who started walking towards me again. I stepped back in fear. The man stopped and raised his hands in surrender.

"I'm not going to hurt you, little one." The man said as he took another step closer. I kept still as he walked around me in a circle, examining me head to toe. I tried not to squirm under his stare. He hummed as he faced the front of me.

"You're about average height but a bit slender, a setback but we could work it out. I'm sure the staff and security won't mind protecting you. There's an aura about you that would pull any man in. It would bring attention to the bar area and tips. You're also shy, but the bar could separate you from any men– or women." He muttered. I blinked as he continued to mumble to himself.

"Y-yes Sir, I need a job. However, I don't know if I can work here. I don't see myself on the stage." I said honestly.

The man shook his head.

"We already have enough dancers. I am running low on bartenders and waitresses and I think you are a perfect candidate." He stated. My eyes widened.

"B-but Sir–"

"Call me Frank." He cut me off, giving me a warm smile.

"Frank, I don't know if I should..." I whispered as I fiddled with my hair again.

I knew I should take the offer. Frank was practically hiring me and here I was being reluctant. I needed the money and I had been struggling to find a job. Maybe this was my chance to get my life back on track.

Frank looked at my torn expression and nodded.

"I have a proposition for you. What if we do a test run? Work here tonight and if you like it, you'll take the job. If not, I'll let you go. Deal?" Frank held his hand out and I nibbled on my lip.

Should I do it? I looked outside. It was pitch black out there and I was too scared to wander the city alone. I turned back to him.

"Will you still take me home afterward?" I asked nervously.

Frank raised a brow but nodded. I sighed as I shook his hand. I knew I didn't have any other good options. If this job worked out, I could work here until I found something else.

The idea of receiving money for my bills and food brought a sense of excitement. A wide smile grew on my face.

"Deal."

~*~

"What's your name, kid?" Frank asked as he led me to the bar.

"Rosaline," I answered shyly. I gave Frank an embarrassed smile as I examined the bottles of alcohol. "I know this sounds stupid but...Where are we exactly?"

Frank chuckled and gestured to the stage.

"This is Elysium, one of the most popular and exclusive bars in the Upper East Side. Right now you are on 136 North Street, eight miles away from Maiden," Frank answered as he caressed the bar.

"I opened this bar over a decade ago and business has boomed ever since."

"That's amazing. I haven't been on this side of the city. No wonder nothing seemed familiar," I rubbed the back of my flushed neck.

How did I manage to get so lost?

Frank patted the marble counter before standing up straight.

"Well Rosaline, let me get Michael to show you the ropes. You should be more comfortable once you understand the basic procedures and training. I'll be right back."

Frank left through a back door and I timidly sat on one of the stools at the bar. I ran my fingers along the marble surface as I stared at the different bottles of liquor.

My parents strongly disapproved of these kinds of places, telling me stories about the different people that attended these clubs.

Sighing, I played with my bracelet at the reminder of my parents. My heart constricted at the thought of them. I missed them dearly and the bracelet was a reminder of them, along with their wedding rings that I hid in my apartment.

The bracelet was a family heirloom, with small rose charms swinging delicately on a gold chain. It was this piece of jewelry that inspired my parents to name me after a rose.

Refusing to cry, I turned my head to look at the stage once more. I eyed the poles distrustfully and shivered at the thought. There was no way I would have the confidence to dance in front of anyone, to gracefully move around the pole and keep a man's attention. I would have rather crawled into a hole than let that happen.

"Here she is. Michael, meet your new trainee, Rosaline."

I swiftly turned my head, my hair swinging as my eyes met green. The man's eyes widened as he looked me over repeatedly.

I furrowed my eyes in confusion. Was there something on my face? It would explain the weird looks Frank had been giving me.

The man's face suddenly turned angry as he turned to Frank.

"Frank, there is no way in hell we can let her work here! You know what will happen if she stays here tonight! These rich assholes are going to swarm after her." The man I assumed was Michael snapped.

I examined Michael. He was tall, but a few inches shorter than Frank. His white blonde hair was pulled into a bun and wore dark jeans and a black t-shirt. He scowled as he glared at Frank.

"She'll be great for business," Frank defended. "And that's why you will be there to watch her. The security team has a mandatory meeting tonight so there will be a limited number stationed by the VIP room. We both know the men here will try to get her attention, but we can use that to our advantage. Get her prepped for tonight." Frank ordered sternly. Before Michael could protest, Frank walked away.

"Stubborn old man," Michael muttered before he turned to me. I moved uncomfortably at his intense stare.

"For tonight, you are just going to be waiting. No way in hell will you be able to work the bar by tonight. Do you have any wait staff experience...?" Michael trailed off.

"Rosaline. And I have a bit of experience," I piped up and folded my hands in front of me.

"Rose-a-lean," Michael sounded out slowly and shook his head. "Of course it is. Even her name is fucking cute," I thought I heard him mutter.

Before I could ask what that meant, he continued. "I'm Michael, the head bartender."

I shook his hand, his large one engulfing mine. He looked at our hands and shook his head once again.

"Let's get your uniform. I can also give you a tour in the back."

I nodded my head at his instructions and followed him through the back doors.

Michael opened the doors for us and I stepped in.

The backroom was fairly large. Tan walls and wooden floors made it feel cozy compared to the rest of the club. Multiple boxes were stacked to the side and shelves of alcohol covered one wall. In the center of the room was a large wooden table surrounded by soft brown couches.

"This is the supply room as well as the break room. More supplies and the kitchen are on the other side. The kitchen is for staff use only." Michael explained.

Michael continued to talk about the club and its procedures. I paid close attention to everything he said, not wanting to upset him when I started my first shift.

"All right, and here's your uniform," Michael said as he went through a box and put them in my hands. He pointed to the bathroom and I scampered to get changed.

After locking the bathroom door, I looked at the items Michael had given me. I sighed in relief as I realized it was a black, short-sleeved V-neck with a small black apron. I shuffled into the uniform and frowned at how baggy the shirt was on my scrawny figure. Luckily the shirt reached my hips.

Sighing, I used my hair tie to pull my shirt closer to my form, being careful to not put too much pressure on my right side. Wrapping the apron around my waist, I left the bathroom to find Michael.

Michael was assembling an assortment of bottles when he finally noticed me. He eyed my outfit before nodding.

I tilted my head in confusion.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" I asked shyly as he kept staring at my outfit.

Michael snapped his eyes towards mine.

"Because you, Rosaline, are about to be the star of the show tonight."

Uh...That didn't sound like a compliment.

~*~

A few hours passed as Michael continued my orientation.

There were different stage performances every hour, so I had to stay back or else the crowd would trample over me.

My job was to mainly take orders and serve them their food. I would also need to clean any messes made by the customers.

Michael said that unfortunately happens very often, especially later in the night.

In particular, he emphasized, the VIP room was strictly off-limits. No regular staff members were to enter unless the security allowed them through. If it was an emergency, Frank would go in.

Frank and Michael had opened up the club a few minutes ago, and by the sounds I heard from the break room, a crowd had already formed.

I could hear the music beat throughout the room, the sound waves vibrating throughout my body.

"All right Rosaline, you're up. All you need to do is serve food and clean the tables. I need to head to the bar, so I am going to have Maria take care of you. See you later tonight!" Michael shouted as he exited through the doors and left me by myself.

I instantly started wrapping my fingers around my hair as anxiety kicked in. This was the first time I've been alone since the club opened.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was 9:30. Frank told me that my shift would end around one in the morning.

My fingers tightened around my hair. What if I messed up? What if Frank decided I wasn't eligible for the job? What if I needed to find a different job?

"You're the new girl, right? Rosaline?"

A female voice pulled me out of my thoughts as I turned to the new person in the room. I looked at her in awe.

The woman, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, was beautiful. She was a little shorter than me, with pale skin and toned muscles. Her long red hair that was pulled into a messy bun

She had a bored look on her face as she was signing a clipboard. She wore the same uniform as me, but unlike me, her body filled the clothing and hugged her curves.

After finishing signing, she looked up at me with hazel eyes.

"Are you going to–" The woman stopped talking as she looked at me in shock. She whistled lowly as her eyes widened. She looked into my nervous eyes and sighed.

"Damn, Frank found a good hire," she declared before giving me a warm smile. "Hello, my name is Maria. I'm showing you the ropes tonight. Sorry about the cold opening, let's try that again."

I returned her warm smile, feeling comfortable in her presence.

"I'm Rosaline and I'm a bit nervous. I've never worked in a club before." I admitted as she laughed.

"I could tell. Don't worry, you aren't leaving my side all night. You are going to follow me around until I see you got the hang of things." Maria reassured me and I let out a sigh of relief, much to her amusement.

"Come on, let's head out!" Maria ordered as she ushered me out, the music instantly blasting in my ears.

A few hours later, I landed on the couch in exhaustion, happy to be back in the break room.

The club was still packed when I was allowed my break. Multiple people were on the dance floor drunkenly bumping into each other, watching the dancers, or kissing in the back corners and booths.

I shook my head when I remembered the crowd around the bar. I served multiple drinks and the orders kept coming.

Overall, I thought I was doing a good job. I got a few tips and Maria was by my side the whole time. She was incredible as she helped me serve drinks and clean up tables.

I yawned as I checked the clock to see it was only eleven o'clock.

Just two more hours. Two more hours until you can go to sleep.

"Rosaline! Your break is over!" Maria peeked her head through the door. I nodded my head and obediently followed her out.

"Maria! There's a tray of drinks for the VIP room!" Michael shouted over the loud music. Maria nodded as she walked toward the bar with me following her. I was about to grab the tray when Maria quickly stopped me.

"Sorry Rosaline, only a few employees can serve in the VIP room. I got this one. Go around and clean the tables while I bring this up." Maria said.

I gulped but nodded my head. Seeing my nervousness, Maria's expression softened.

"You will be fine. I will be gone for only a few minutes." Maria reassured me before walking away with the trays.

Getting the rag from my apron, I started going over to empty tables. Since it was still crowded, there were only two. I was so busy with my task that I didn't notice the figures coming behind me.

And I definitely wished I did.