I stumbled out of the shower, barely drying myself with a worn out rag before putting my clothes on, quickly moving on to my hair and makeup.

I looked down and groaned in frustration as my clothes were sticking to my body awkwardly from the moisture on my skin.

I cursed myself for deciding to take a quick nap. And by "quick nap", I meant spending the rest of the afternoon sleeping. Maria was due to arrive in less than three minutes and I looked like a disaster. Hopefully my clothes will dry out before my shift starts.

I knew that I needed the rest. I was mentally checked out after lunch with Maria. I can hardly remember the rest of lunch, let alone crashing on my bed.

I blamed myself for overreacting after seeing the news channel. It was one of my triggers and I should have looked away to distract myself.

I knew Maria had gotten worried. She understood something was wrong and I was worried she would figure it out or meddle.

Maria wasn't stupid and it wasn't like I was hiding it. I smacked my forehead with a hairbrush. Could I be any more obvious? I might as well have a neon sign over my head reading "emotionally unstable".

I had to try my best to dodge her questions. I wasn't the best liar and I was easy to read, especially my facial expression. Hopefully, vague answers and stalling would be my best friends for tonight.

Hearing a knock on the door, I collected my bag and jacket from my bed.

"Coming!" I shouted as I swung my door open to reveal not Maria, but my landlord.

"Mr. Meyers! What are you doing here?" I stuttered nervously as I quickly closed my door and locked it behind me.

Mr. Meyers looked at me with a fake sympathetic smile.

"I wanted to talk to you because payments are due this week. Would you mind if we went inside to discuss this?" Mr. Meyers offered. I felt my tense form relax knowing his intentions.

It's fine, Rosaline. He just wants to collect rent. But I would prefer if we talked out here instead...

"Sorry, Mr. Meyers. I need to go to work, but I already paid rent for the next few weeks. How about I stop by your office later tonight?" I offered reluctantly. "We can discuss this more thoroughly. I don't know if I would be intruding–"

Mr. Meyers' eyes gleamed as he gave me a smile that sent chills down my spine, eyeing my body up and down.

"It will be fine Ms. Sinclair. You may have to owe me a favor though." He teased me.

I let out a fake laugh and nodded quickly in agreement as my phone beeped. I went through my bag and grabbed my phone to see Maria's message telling me she was at the entrance. I thanked whoever was listening.

"I got to go. See you later Mr. Meyers!" I called out as I ran down the steps.

I made it to the entrance and saw a familiar black car parked at the curb. One of the men got out and opened the door, waiting for me to get in. I quickly got in the vehicle, saying a quick thank you.

"Hey Rosie, let's get going!" Maria greeted me as the car began to move. Her smile faltered as she looked at my wretched appearance in confusion.

I could only imagine how we looked together side by side. I saw her uniform clean and dry. Her hair was placed in a neat bun and her face coated lightly in makeup.

"I'm going to ask as nicely as I can, Rosie...why does it look like you were thrown into a river?"

I smiled at her sheepishly. "I woke up ten minutes ago and panicked that I was going to be late. I got in the shower and threw on my uniform, barely drying off. I must look like a wet dog." I sighed, pulling my shirt away from my body.

Maria stared at me in amusement.

"You will have plenty of time to clean up. The club doesn't open for another two hours. We just need to set up and check inventory."

I sighed in relief as Maria giggled. I elbowed her lightly as my face grew redder. The driver chuckled as well once he saw me through the rearview mirror.

Just kill me now...

Eventually, we arrived at Elysium and got inside quickly. With the cold weather and my wet clothes, I was going to get myself sick. I sighed in relief as warmth greeted my cold body.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up, Rosie." Maria said as she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the back room. She had me sit on the couch as she pulled stuff from her large purse.

Maria continued rummaging until her smile widened. She pulled something out and I peered over her shoulder curiously.

Once I realized it was makeup, I gave her a wide smile.

"You are a lifesaver, Maria," I praised as Maria gave me a proud smile.

"You should never be unprepared. Now let's wipe off your smudgy eyeliner. There's also a heater that you can sit under so your clothes dry off." She rambled as she pulled out a wipe and helped me clean my face.

I couldn't help but bask in her motherly-like affection and the care she was giving me. It had been a long time since I got this type of attention.

About forty-five minutes later, I was good as new. I gave Maria a grateful hug, which she returned just as tightly.

"Welcome, ladies!" Maria and I turned to see Frank smiling warmly at us both.

"Evening Frank. Where do you need us?" Maria asked as she started to put her things away.

"Check the inventory for the bar. Rosaline, we need to work on your paperwork and show you backstage." Frank instructed us as he started to leave.

I began to follow him until Maria held my forearm to stop me. I looked at her in confusion once I saw her serious expression.

"If anyone gives you any trouble, don't hesitate to tell me. The only people that can give you orders on the job are me, Michael, and Frank, you hear me, Rosie?" Maria said sternly and I nodded uncertainty.

She let my arm go and I left to catch up to Frank who was going up the staircase in the corner.

Frank turned his head a little as he noticed me trailing behind him.

"I'm happy that you are officially joining us, Rosaline. With your help, we can lure in more customers. " Frank explained proudly as I smiled at him.

"I'm just happy you were able to hire me," I said as Frank unlocked a door to what I assumed was his office.

We both walked in and I gaped at the room. This was nothing compared to the office my former boss had at the bookshop. This office was huge, the lavender walls covered with dark cherry shelves and pictures.

I looked closer and recognized Frank smiling with a beautiful blonde woman, his large arm around her waist.

"That's my wife, Evangeline. A feisty one, but she is a real sweetheart once you know her." Frank said as he looked at the picture lovingly.

I smiled longingly at the love they seemed to have, the adoration that reflected in his eyes. I continued analyzing the office to distract myself.

At the center of the room was a large glass table with couches surrounding it, looking even comfier than the one in the back room. At one end of the office, a desk in front of a large window that took up the whole wall.

I went over and saw it was a whole view of the club floor.

"It's a one-way mirror. I can see the club but if you were to be down there, you would only see your reflection. Gives me privacy while also keeping my eye downstairs," Frank explained. "Now, let's settle all of this paperwork we need to fill out for you."

Frank sat at the desk while I settled into one of the armchairs in front of him. It took us only half an hour to organize everything for me to be an official employee.

"Well, there you have it. Welcome to Elysium, Rosaline," Frank said as he stood up. "Now let's go check on the dancers. They are getting ready backstage so I can introduce you."

I followed him out as we went back downstairs.

~*~

"Good evening ladies," Frank called out as we entered the backstage room.

Huddles of women were at random stations, professional stylists doing their makeup. There were at least thirty women in the room, some talking or others looking bored on their phones.

I fought not to blush, seeing that most of them were already dressed in their costumes for the night. I looked up at Frank and saw that he wasn't focused on any of the womens' attires, jotting some notes on a clipboard he brought with him.

I couldn't help but have a little more respect for Frank. Scribbling something down, Frank turned to me.

"The dancers are our main source of entertainment in Elysium. I make sure that all the girls are settled and comfortable. Since we are one of the top clubs in the city, we have the budget to get the girls 'glamoured' as Maria says it."

Frank rolled his eyes at the explanation and I giggled at Maria's antics.

My giggle caught the attention of some of the women, their eyes burning lasers. My neck flushed at being caught. They began whispering to each other as they were eyeing me.

Frank must've seen how uncomfortable I was at the attention, so he reassured me.

"Don't worry about them. Most of them are just curious. Some might see you as competition, but they don't realize you aren't a dancer." Frank explained and I raised my brow in confusion.

"Why would I be seen as competition?" I asked in a baffled voice. Those women were beautiful compared to me. If it weren't for Maria, I would still look like a sewer rat.

"They'll think that there will be fewer customers for them– and I don't mean it as a one-night issue. Fewer customers mean fewer tips and fewer tips mean no income. I have hired a lot of women who need the money for their bills and children. Not all of these strippers are here to dance to show off their bodies and risk themselves being attacked by men every night, although we have enough security to prevent that. Do you understand what I am getting at?"

I nodded in understanding and appreciation, my mind seeing a new perspective. Not everything was like in books and movies. Maybe some of my parent's assumptions were wrong as well.

Frank looked at his watch and cursed quietly.

"The club is going to open soon. Stay with either Maria or Michael since you are still learning the ropes," Frank ordered and I quickly nodded before dashing off to the bar.

I prayed that tonight would be better than the night before. But knowing my luck, things were just getting interesting.