TRYST | H.S

001

SUMMER 2015 // A CLUB IN RURAL NEW YORK // JULIETTE GREEN

—

"GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!" the music plays as I move my body to the old beat. Money hits my body and falls onto the floor of the tip rail. Sam- my beloved boyfriend, sits in a chair at one of the tables in the front row with his biker buddies. He knocks back shots of vodka as he watches me like a hawk.

We met at one of the bars around here, they had an open mic night so I did it and performed some of my songs. After that he pulled me over to sit with him and his buddies and he bought me a drink and we began talking and he asked me on a date.

I have to sneak out once my mother's asleep, that's the only way I get out of the house. Father demands I do online schooling and never leave the house unless it's with Zayn- the man who practically raised me since my father was too busy cheating on my mother. Even when I leave the house with zayn it's to meet up with my father in one of the warehouses for training.

Once I turn sixteen father is going to make me do more things actively in the business, aka the biggest mafia in the states. My family has run this mafia for generations, 1920 my great great great grandfather and his best friend decided to start illegally selling alcohol since the prohibition started. Come 1943 my grandfather and his best friend got into a fight, his best friend moved to California and started a mafia of his own.

"JULIETTE" Sam calls, snapping me back to reality. I give him a faint smile as an apology and turn my attention back to the old men in my front row smiling at them as they shower me with money.

One of the drink girls comes up to the edge of the stage and says "big boss is coming in, 10 minutes baby, be ready" before handing some of the shots off her tray to the guys.

I've never met this 'big boss' guy. I'm guessing it's the owner. hopefully, he doesn't notice me, I really don't feel like dealing with a rich creepy bastard tonight.

I continue to dance, looking out over the room. watching as girls give dances to men, lines of coke are cut into lines for snorting, shots are poured out.

The doors open, leaking in the pale moonlight for a second before they were shut. a group of 5 men walk in, all wearing suits, their faces were still hidden by a shadow.

I assume they are what the drink girl referred to as the 'big boss'. I keep my focus on them as they walk closer to my area of the club.

their faces become revealed more and more, I recognize them.

oh shit.

it's my father, his second in command zayn, and their bodyguards.

I freeze. my father's face becomes red with anger and yells a booming "JULIETTE. DOWN HERE NOW." making me jump.

I jump off of the stage and walk over to him and his men shaking with anxiety. why didn't I realize he owned this club. I'm so fucking stupid.

I put on a fake smile to hide my anxiety and say "hey father, what brings you here?" with a fake laugh at the end hoping it could lessen the tension between us.

his lips formed into a line, "you are fucking fifteen Juliette. you also are supposed to be at home unless you are with zayn or me. why the fuck are you here?" he says with pure anger dripping from every word.

I cover my abdomen with my hands and say, "i-i know! you have to let me live a little! I'm making money!" trying to keep my hands from being noticeably shaking.