Salutem

Chapter 2

I circled Crystal's apartment building a few times until I could find a parking spot big enough to fit my jeep. Once I spotted someone backing out of their spot, I waited patiently and then pulled the white jeep into the now empty spot. I killed the engine and opened the door. To avoid falling on my ass in my 6 inch heels, I stepped out of the car very slowly.

I took the elevator to the 5th floor and the doors opened to reveal the dimly lit hallway littered with brown doors. I approached Crystal's door and knocked. She opened the door and flung her arms around me.

Her head reached my chin because of her short frame and my added height from the heels I was currently wearing. I returned the hug and she backed away from the door frame. "Come in." she stepped aside from the door. "Do you want anything to drink? I have beer and vodka." She listed. "I'm not sure I want a drink just yet" I informed.

She nodded in acknowledgement and took the few steps from her front door to the entrance to her bathroom. I shut the door behind me and followed her towards the bathroom. She was in the middle of curling her long brown hair.

"So how did you find out about this club?" I questioned. "I work there" she shrugged. I was surprised at first but remembered that Crystal always had a new job. "So am I too fancy or is my outfit okay?" I asked.

She looked over my outfit. A simple black dress with mesh panels on both sides and a pair of black Louboutin"s that i had inherited from my mother . "Nope, it's perfect" she answered. She had a glint in her eyes that told me that she was up to something.

Crystal finished the last strand of hair and walked towards her closet. She pulled a very short red dress off the hanger and paired it with a pair of very high black heels. Once she was done dressing she grabbed a black clutch and placed her lipstick and wallet inside.

"I already called an Uber. It should be here any minute." She said as she turned the lights off in her apartment. We exited and she locked her front door. We took the elevator down to the lobby and found the car waiting in the front of the building.

We opened the back door and entered the car. Crystal informed the driver of the address and he began to drive. About 20 minutes later we had arrived. The driver stopped in front of the club which looked like an empty warehouse. We stepped out of the club and approached the door in the front of the club.
There were no other people in front of the club except for me, Crystal, and the bouncer that was standing in front of the door. The bouncer looked at Crystal and opened the door for us to enter.

The sultry music began to pour out of the door as it was opened and my doubts about it being a legitimate club were squashed. We entered the club and there was a foyer. There was a woman dressed in all white waiting in the front.

She saw Crystal and opened the velvet ropes that separated the entryway from the rest of the club. Crystal stepped forward and the club was revealed.

I expected sweaty, drunk bodies grinding against each other but I was completely shocked by what I saw.

There was a large stage in the middle of the club that had a pole running from it to the ceiling. It was empty at the moment but there were more, smaller stages littering the entirety of the club. These however were not empty.

Each one had a different woman, most were almost completely naked. There were men dotting the seats surrounding the stages. They were all dressed in pressed suits and looked like they were men of influence. There was a bar along the side wall that ran the length of the wall and had a couple of men dotting the barstools.

I looked at Crystal and she was already looking at me waiting for my reaction. By the shocked look on my face, she could tell that I was not happy. "I know it looks bad but I needed money Cece" she pleaded.

The first thought that came to my mind was my Grandmother. She had always told us that no matter how much money we needed, our bodies were not to be bought or sold. "Abuelita is turning in her grave" I said, still trying to take in my surroundings. "I know, but she's not here to help me out is she?" She asked knowingly.

"Look Cece, my parents never cared about me so they're not gonna help. And they don't give a fuck if I'm not making enough money to be able to pay rent and for my necessities. This job pays a lot. It's not my first choice but right now I can't be picky." She explained.

I understood where she was coming from but I wasn't thrilled that she dragged me here of all places. "I need a drink" I sighed as I walked towards the almost empty bar. I picked a barstool And the bartender approached me. " vodka on the rocks" I said. He turned around and began pouring the drink.

Crystal took a seat next to me. "I'm working tonight" she said. I looked over to her and she had her head down. She understood that I wasn't thrilled at her career choice. "So I'm just supposed to sit her and watch you strip for all these dirty old men?" I spat.

" I just wanted to show you that it's a nice club. The guys aren't allowed to touch us and they leave any tips for us with the hostess outside so we aren't getting groped the whole time." She admitted.

I felt bad for my cousin. She was only 18 and she was already living a life that no one in their right mind would want to live willingly. "I'll stay." I said smiling at her. Her defeated look turned into one of appreciation.

"I've got to go. My shift starts in 20 minutes." She said as she hugged me and then began walking towards the back of the club where I assumed the dressing rooms were.

The bartender handed me my drink and I thanked him. I brought the glass to my lips and I tilted my head back to let the liquid flow down my throat. As I finished the glass I placed it back on the counter. I heard chuckling behind me.

I turned my head and there was a man sitting a few bar stools away. He had a black suit on. He turned his head to look at me and I was brought back to my daydream. He was the man I had seen. His perfect smile and perfect hair.

He approached me. He took my hand and brought it up to his lips. "Santiago" he introduced himself. "Cynthia" I replied trying my best to hide the blush that was forming on my cheeks. The small touch of his perfect lips sent electricity through me.