LUXURE

2. OLD HABITS

Once I got in the cab, I gave the driver the address of the bar I had in mind. The driver nodded and pulled onto the road as I watched the buildings pass by out the window.

"So, what's your name, baby?" The driver said as he ogled me in the rearview mirror. I was used to nasty ass men staring at me when I'm dressed as Luxure, so I did what I always do when I feel uncomfortable.

"Je ne parle pas anglais." I responded with a heavy French accent and sass dripping off my words. The driver looked back at me confused and slightly annoyed knowing I was only putting up a front since he heard me give the address earlier. The rest of the car ride continued in silence. I caught him looking at me multiple times, but it only egged on my ego. Before we got to the destination, I pulled a small bag of rings out of my purse. I slipped on the rings fitting them to my thumb, pointer finger, and ring finger. I wear them mostly for self-defense reasons, but I also just love wearing an abundance of rings because it makes me feel like Jack Sparrow.

When we pulled up to the bar, I paid my fee and slid out of the car as I made my way into "The Lounge," an up-scale bar notorious for hosting rich business men who are looking for anything to take them away from their issues. It's located in the business district downtown, so all the big wig CEO's head here after work to drown their sorrows in liquor and females. I walked up to the large wooden door.

"Hey Joe." I said to the bouncer who opened the door for me.

"Mornin' Lux." He said with a completely harmless wink. I smiled back at him. I've befriended a lot of bouncers around this city, and Joe was one of my favorites. He always treated me with kindness and never questioned my actions.

I started the night off in a booth tucked away in the corner of the bar. It was a busy night, especially for a weekday, but I always start off by scoping out my surroundings. Reading the atmosphere and sizing up the people. Tons of middle aged men in fancy suits littered the room. They were all probably talking about their shitty days at work, while they filled their stomachs with alcohol.

After getting a better idea of what my prey looked like tonight, I made my way up to the bar and tucked my purse away on the chair to my right.

"Hey Lux, whatcha havin' tonight?" Asked the best looking bartender there.

"Hey Mace, I'll do a double shot whiskey." I said as I slid her a $10 bill.

Macy, whom I call Mace for short, is a long-time friend of mine. We went to high school together, but our friendship fell apart when my dad left and mom got sick. I had to pick up 2 jobs while still attempting to get good grades just to pay rent. I had no extra time to spend with friends, and in high school, apparently friendships fall apart easily. That being said, I never grew to dislike Mace, we are just more of acquaintances who keep each others' secrets.

"Anybody good tonight?" I asked as she slid me my drink.

"A couple of guys in the booth by the back have spent some big bucks." She said as she leaned in and nodded to the guys sitting at a booth in the middle of the room.

"Thanks Mace." I said as I slid her a $5 bill.  This was our routine.
After she walked away, I grabbed my drink and swiveled my chair around, so my side was leaning on the bar. I specifically looked over at the men sitting at the booth that Mace nodded at. As I locked eye contact with one of the men, I dramatically crossed my legs and brought my drink up to my lips letting a smirk show on my face. I kept touching my neck and crossing and re-crossing my legs. Not even 10 minutes later, the middle-aged balding man walked up to me and sat down in the stool next to me. Too easy.

"What are you drinking? Can I buy you another?" He asked motioning to my nearly empty glass. I looked up at him through my lashes. His mouth was practically hanging open. He was falling right into my trap.