I was not a hundred percent comfortable going to work that night. I am very worried about Avery and leaving her won't give me a peace of mind. But I have to work tonight because it's just my second day.

I just told Vivian to check on Avery every hour and I will call her from time to time.

I already had my uniform today and it's the Thursday uniform. Everyone was already there getting ready to when I entered the staff room. They are all busy dressing up and applying some makeup. But I already did mine at home so I'm all set.

Everyone was very nice and welcoming. I didn't have a hard time getting along with them because they are all accommodating. Everyone was just talking about some things so I just tried to ride with them as the conversation goes on. The club is already open so we have to go out there.

"Is everyone here? I have an announcement to tell you before you go out there." Trisha came in the staff room and examined.

"Is Maxine here?" She asked.

Everyone looked around to search for the girl but someone raised her hand. "Maxine was rushed to the hospital earlier because of an allergy."

"Whose Maxine?" I asked Rose.

"She's the lounge singer." She replied back.

"Oh." I murmured.

"What a lame excuse." Trisha rolled her eyes, in disbelief. "Two weeks ago, she was attacked by a bee. Then last week, she fell down the stairs and now she had an allergy? What's next?" She raised an eyebrow at me. "That girl makes the lamest excuses just to be with her drug addicted boyfriend."

Wow, Trisha really seems to know all of the staff here. She is very strict to the rules and takes any mistakes. She arranged her glasses and pushed it to the bridge of her nose. "A very important guest will be joining us tonight in the VIP area. Three of you girls will be assisting them and that would be Angelica, Alexis and Rose. Tell Maxine to not come anymore. She's fired." She said directly without hesitation then wrote something on the folder she is holding then roamed her eyes around.

Seems like she is searching for someone.

"Hey Eleina, get ready and be prepare. You will replace Maxine." She spoke so quickly.

"What? Me!" I protested, causing everyone to stare at me. "Why me?! I-I am—" I was cut off when Rose covered my face.

"Don't worry, Trisha. She will take the it." Rose answered for me while her hands are still cupping my mouth.

What? I can't sing! The last time I sang in public, I was senior year. I sang Avery to sleep until now but I don't sing in front of a crowd! Especially tonight that we have a guest! I will only disappoint Zephyr.

"Did you forget the rules in this damn club? Rune number 3: Prepare for unexpected task. If you decline this one then it's the end for you." Rose whispered to my ear, slowly letting her hands loose and dropped them.

Shit.

I started worrying for myself. "What should I do? I don't even know if I can sing ."

One of the girls, Angelica tapped my shoulder. "Then you should start praying." She told me and chuckled.

Oh crap.

"Change your clothes, Eleina. You're wearing the waitress attire. Borrow some clothes from the others and put a lot of makeup so you could look a little older." Trisha instructed. "You will start at 11pm after Ara and Dianne. Wait...Where's Ara?"

Then a brunette woman with glasses came forward wearing a very fitting knitted styles cocktail dress that goes down just above her knees. "I'm here! No need to panic."

"Assist Eleina. Tell her what to do." She told her then stormed off.

This Ara is very pretty. She is very slender and tall. About 5'7 in height and she had a tan skin. She walked towards me and gave me a warm smile. "Do you have an extra dress to wear?"

I shook my head. "I didn't bring anything."

"Okay, that's kinda expected." She stated, placing one arm around her body while the other arm leaned on it in support as she placed a finger on her chin. "Come. I have some extra dresses for you to borrow for the night." I followed her walk through the locker places. She opened one at the last row as she brings out two dresses for me to wear. "Pick one."

I stared at the two. The right dress is a halter tight dress and the left dress is the sexier one. It's a deep v neck dress. These two are totally not my style of clothes. They are too sexy for me. And I don't think it's appropriate for me to wear such clothes especially because I'm a mother.

Well, no one knows that I'm a mother here. But I'm not comfortable with it.

"What do you prefer?" I returned the question to her.

"Well, honey...if you ask me." She raised her hand with the sexy deep v neck dress. "Customers love it when we wear these kinds of shit. Right, Dianne?"

I turned around to see another slender black haired woman who is currently changing because she is only wearing her underwear. Shit. You will quickly notice her huge cup.

"Yeah, the sexier the better." Dianne commented as she puts on her tube dress, zipping it up on the side.

"These are the songs that we will sing." Ara shows me a list of songs. "I will start in an hour, then Dianne will have three songs then me again with one song and then you last." She told me. "It says here that you will be singing 'You Don't Own Me'

Phew, I know that song. I thought they will give me a song that I am not familiar with.

"Here. Try it on and I will help you out with the makeup." She handed the dress to me then left so I could change.

Oh jeez, it's my second day here, people! Why not give it to someone who was here longer than I am! Take Rose for an example. Why does it have to be me? She just pointed me all of a sudden.

I took my attire off and replaced it with Ara's dress. It fits me nicely but if I just had something in my bust then I could have looked more attractive.

I stared at myself in front of the mirror and checked if I had something to fix.

"Wow, it suits you!" Rose came in and saw me wearing it. "You pulled it too low." She noticed the skirt area that ended on my knee. She lowered down and loosed the hem and raised it on my mid thigh. "There, that's better."

"It's too short." I complained and tried to lower it again.

Rose slapped my hand away and frowned. "Don't! The boys loved it more if you show some skin. Eleina, your legs are so hot so don't be shy about them. Don't tell me you're still a virgin."

"What?! No!" I completely protested. I am a mother, you fool!

Shit, if I could just scream it out loud.

"Alright time to do your makeup!" Rose clapped excitingly and pulled me out of the locker area and made me sit in front of the vanity mirror and the makeups.

I'm not really into these stuffs.

Inhaling deeply, I tried to ready myself and tried to calm down.

Shit, I will just embarrass myself out there.



---------

"Hey, are you ready?" Dianne asked me, she just finished her song. Ara went on stage this time. She was walking down the stairs on the side of the stage when she saw me shaking at the corner.

"No!" I blurted out, shaking my hands in nervousness. "What if I messed up? Mr. Cloud will fire me!"

Dianne laughed at me and tapped my shoulder, calming me down. "Breathe, Eleina. Don't worry too much. Did you practiced?"

I nodded. "I did a little practice inside the ladies' room. One woman thought I was crazy."

"Just don't let your nervousness get into you. Just chill and you'll enjoy the performance." She assured me.

"Should I dance like you did out there?" I questioned. Dianne was actually interacting and singing confidently on stage. She was dancing and even flirting with the audience.

The VIP area is upstairs and the people who are up there has a great view of the performance on stage.

"Does this happen most of the time?" I asked.

"Happen what?"

"That there is always a special guest in this club?"

Dianne nodded. "Always, and we will be rewarded an amazing tip if we did a great job. So, if I were you, I will do my best up there so I could bring home the bacon."

I agree with her. I inhaled deeply and keep telling myself that I can do this.

Jeez, I can't do this.

I keep muttering some silent prayers and I know I look like an idiot in the eyes of other people.

I was my gripping my hand very tightly and I can't feel any pain at the moment. I'm too scared and frightened right now. I keep on inhaling and exhaling every minute passing by. Praying that Ara won't stop from singing.

But when she is finally finished. My heart just wants to stop from beating.

You can do this.

Well, you have no choice, Eleina. If you don't do this then you're out of the job already. I signed the contract so I really, really need to do this. No hesitations should enter my mind and thought. I can do this.

"Good luck." Ara gave me a thumbs up as I head up the stage. My eyes scanned the place as I examine what kind of audience I am singing to. The whole area is full of people. Some are dancing, some are drinking by the bar, some are drinking and some are chatting. But most of them are watching who is singing. At midnight, the strippers will go to my place and starts doing their job as well. Then I will go back to waitressing.

When I stood on the stage, the spotlight was on me. I walked near to the mic stand and held it.

I closed my eyes and think of positive things in my mind. I have to do this for Avery. I need to do this for her.

My eyes opened once I heard the music and put my head in the game.

Everyone was looking at me and I looked up to the VIP where Rose stands, leaning on the bar with a smile on her face and clapped her hands. I can hear what she was shouting but I'm sure that she is cheering for me. I swallowed and looked behind me as the drummer made a signal to start.

When the music pops in, I waited for my time to sing.

Music starts:

(Please check out the video. That's the song if you're not familiar with it.)

You don't own me You don't own me

You don't own me You don't own me

Then there is a soft pause after that intro. A man on the guitar sang the rap part.

Well, let's go

But I'm Gerald and I can always have just what I want She's that baddest I would love to flaunt

Take her shopping, you know Yves Saint Laurent

But nope, she ain't with it though

All because she got her own dough

Boss bossed if you don't know

She could never ever be a broke hoe

Everyone was watching now. Even the people chatting at the bar turned their chair to face me. Damn.

You don't own me

I'm not just one of your many toys You don't own me

Don't say I can't go with other boys

More and more eyes turned their attention to me.

Don't tell me what to do

And don't tell me what to say Please, when I go out with you Don't put me on display.

You don't own me

Don't try to change me in any way

You don't own me

Don't tie me down cause I'd never stay

I gripped on the mic and closed my eyes as I sang the words. The next verse will be a little higher.

Don't tell me what to do

And don't tell me what to say Please, when I go out with you Don't put me on display.

I opened my eyes and the first one I saw is Zephyr. He was standing at the corner, his hazel brown orbs were staring intently at me. Watching me clearly. His features didn't hold any meaning. I don't know if he wanted to see me here or he is enjoying the shop.

And with that look that he is giving, my heart quickened up its pace.

I gulped as I made a distance on the mic stand since it's gonna be the rap part. It's time for the guy.

Re-really though, honestly

I get bored of basic (No)

She's the baddest, straight up vicious, texting her asking her

If she's alone and if she'd sent some pictures, she said no (what) Well goddamn, she said come over and see it for yourself

While the man continues to rap, I took my chance to inhale and exhale. Everyone is watching now. They are all looking at me and feels so uncomfortable.

Never asking for your help, independent woman She ain't for the shelf

Nah, she's the one

Smoke with her till the (Ahh)

Stayin' up until we see the sun

Baddest ever, I swear she do it better than I've ever seen it done

Never borrow, she ain't ever loan

That's when she told me she ain't never ever ever ever gonna be owned

Now it's my part again.

I don't tell you what to say I don't tell you what to do So just let me be myself That's all I ask of you

I'm young and I love to be young And I'm free and I love to be free To live my life the way I want

To say and do whatever I please

Huh! Hey!

Ohh-oh noo

Ohh Noo no-oh

Hell No no no-ooh

Don't, you don't

Hey!

(You don't own me)

But just know (nah), you never met somebody like me before tho (Nah nah nah nah nah nah)

(You don't own me)

Easy.

You don't own me

When I sang the last part, I just wanted to throw up and ran off the stage. Everyone clapped their hands loudly and even made a victory sound and then, I just ran down the stage without bowing or anything.

"Oh shit! I didn't do well!" I muttered, gripping my head as I walk towards the ladies room again.

But while I was walking, a voice called me. But I didn't look around or stop. I just want to go to the dreaming restroom and just sinked everything in.

"Hey, wait up." A hand grabbed my arm and turned me around.

It's the man who sang the rap.

"Hi, I'm sorry can I get your name?" He asked me, nicely.

But I remained quiet as I just stare at him.

He notice that I was not gonna tell him so he removed his hand from my arm. "Sorry if I'm going too fast. Hi, I'm Kyle." He offered his hand.

"Hi." I replied before shaking his hand "I'm Eleina."

"You're new here, I suppose." He brought his hand back inside his pocket.

"Yeah, its kind of obvious on how I performed on stage, Dude." I sarcastically replied, rolling my eyes in the process.

Kyle laughed. "Actually I found you very hot out there looking so nervous."

"Is that an insult or a compliment?" I raised an eyebrow. Seriously, this dude is weird. He came to and started saying these statements.

Again, another laugh came out from me. I'm not joking. This man is a lunatic. "Dude, I think our conversation won't lead to anything." I was about to leave him when he grabbed my hand again and turned me towards him. "Hey, what's your problem?" My feisty attitude is coming to life.

"I want to know you more. Could you go out with me?"

Both of my eyebrow raised hearing his question. Isn't he going too fast?

"You don't even know me."

"That's why let's take this date a chance to know each other." He persuaded, still holding my hand.

I tried to pull my hand away from him but he wouldn't let go. "Come on, just one date."

I sigh and gulped. I was going to reject him when a voice cut us both.

"Didn't I made it clear in the contract that you are not allowed to date your coworkers." It was Zephyr.

Oh crap, he looks so gorgeous.

He holds the same serious features. Why does this man looks like he is always angry?

Kyle paled seeing he boss' standing there and saw what he did. "Mr. Cloud." He awkwardly greeted, lowering his head.

Zephyr walked until he was in front of us and his eyes were only focused on Kyle, he was shooting daggers. It was a long silence before he broke it. "Leave. Go back to work."

Kyle quickly obliged and left without hesitation. And now it's only me and the boss. Great, how awkward can this could get? Maybe he doesn't life the performance and I made it even worse. I didn't do a good job.

I think I already gulped multiple times before Zephyr could speak. "You did well."

Huh?

I raised my head and gave him a confused look. "I-I did?"

Zephyr nodded and crossed his arms. "You had an amazing voice. It was a mistake for me to put you on a job that doesn't show your talent."

Shit. Palpitations.

"T-talent? It haven't seen in public for years, Mr. Cloud. I-I don't have a talent." I shyly rubbed the back of my head.

"You don't have to be that humble, Eleina." He let out a soft and husky chuckle.

Did he just chuckle?

"I'm not trying to be humble, Mr. Cloud. I just don't have the confidence." I mumbled and I don't understand why I am saying this to my boss. Better shut your mouth, Eleina or you'll get yourself in trouble.

"Well start building up the confidence., Eleina. Because you need it." He stated. "I will remove you to your current job and from now on, you'll be the new singer. Learn more songs, alright?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Good." He said, eyes still locked to mine. "Alright, go on. Tonight, you're still a waitress. Tomorrow, you will start your first day being the lounge singer. You have to be here at 6 so you could start."

"And how long until my shift ends?"

"By 12, you'll be finished."

By 12? That means it will lower my salary. "Can I also be a waitress by 12 until the bar closes? I really need some money."

Zephyr titled his head then eventually, he nodded. "Okay, if that's what you want. Two jobs, huh? You really want many responsibilities"

I nodded. "Yep. I have to."

"And why is that?" He raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a family that is counting on you?"

I gulped. Shit, I should really need to keep my mouth shut. "No! Of course not. I'm a spirited woman so I always love to push myself to do all the things as long as I can. You know, I want to push my limit." I half lied because it is kinda true.

"Hardworking." Zephyr muttered. "I like hardworking woman." He added then his expression became cold once again. "Now, go back to work." Without any words after that, he turned to leave.

I can finally breathe properly. Talking to him somehow made me a little comfortable. He might be cold and ruthless outside but I'm sure once you get to know him, he is not that bad at all.

I went to the staff room and changed into my Thursday uniform. I didn't change my makeup because I kinda like it how they did it.

When I finished dressing up, I quickly head out to start my work and this time as a waitress.

To be continued.