Skyscrapers Fall |18+|

Part III

| DAISY |

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, hardly able to recognise myself under the skimpy lace and heavy mask of makeup.

After I had a meeting with the woman on the phone, I was told I'd fit in perfectly and that they'd love to have me. So of course, I agreed.

Now I'm stood in front of a full body mirror, in utter disbelief and denial that the person staring me back is my reflection.

My silky, blonde hair is curled in luscious, long waves down my back, bouncing over the curves of my body and accentuating my hourglass figure. My typically natural face is plastered in a thick layer of foundation and other cosmetics, lifting and emphasising my soft features. I usually never dress up this much, the whole vibe is new to me.

It still hasn't sunk in that this is what I do now, and after a bit more training I'll be making money from it too.

"You're on, ma'am," a sonorous voice says from behind me, making me jump.

"Excuse me?" I squeal.

"You're a stripper, aren't you?" The man continues, "Trixie's fallen ill last minute, you'll be taking her place on stage."

My heart instantly drops at his words.

On stage?

It's my first night?!

Surely there has to be someone else to do it, I was told I wouldn't be doing anything like that until I'd had some more training.

"B-but-" I start, only to be cut off by the same man.

"No time for buts, you're on in two minutes."

A sudden wave of anger spurts through me at the way he's treating me, he has another thing coming if he thinks it's okay to interrupt someone like that.

I whirl around to face him, my eyes burning in fury. "I'm sorry, sir, but I've been specifically told I wouldn't be going on that stage tonight," my voice wobbles slightly but I try my best to cover it up, "what authority do you have over me to counter those instructions? Who even are you?"

There's a sudden pause. The whole room almost collapses into silence bar a few shocked gasps.

Oops.

"I," speaks the man, the bitterness in his voice evident, "am Eliseo Vecellio, talk to me like that again and I'll have you fired in a heartbeat."

Shit.

I should've known from the accent that I was currently face-to-face with a Vecellio, but the thought didn't even register. I swallow down a lump that begins to form in throat as I think of a response.

Eliseo's brother owns this nightclub, along with most of the city. The last thing I want is to be on Vito Vecellio's radar.

I'm sorry, Mr Vecellio," I say, "I'm just new I-" I swallow down a lump forming in the back of my throat, "I haven't had any training."

Eliseo sighs, closing his eyes as if to contain the anger from leaking out, "you're new?"

"Afraid so."