Chapter 7

Gwen’s POV

"Okay. Sorry about that. Here is the thing," Amanda began. "Gwen, I need money to pay my rent. He gave me the money on condition that I get you to sit with him. That is all," she said, batting her eyelashes.

"Oh, I see. You sold me out without asking my permission," I said with a straight face.

"Gwen, you are just going to sit with him and have a drink or two with him. That is all. It's not like he is taking you home," Amanda said, and I just stared at her. "Please, if you say no, I will have to return the money. My landlady is a crazy woman. She will evict me from the apartment without mercy. Please, help me out here. I got you off the street. You have a roof over your head, clothes..." she went on, and I stopped her.

"Alright," I said. "One problem, though," I said.

"What is it?" Amanda asked.

"I am supposed to serve drinks. How do I explain not working tonight?" I asked.

"I will cover up for you," Amanda said, and I sighed. "Thank you," she appreciated, pulling me back to the three guys.

"Sorry about that. My friend was just having a bad day," Amanda apologised and made me sit next to Frank.

"Sorry to hear that," Frank said, and I managed a smile, even though the guy reeked of cigarettes.

"Okay, I will leave you guys to talk," Amanda said and left.

"So, what is your name?" Frank asked me.

"Gwen," I replied.

"You have such a beautiful name," Frank complimented.

"Thank you," I appreciated, occasionally holding my breath.

"I love your dance. I would love to see you dance. I will pay you lots of money for it," Frank said, and snapped his finger.

Mark, the hairy guy, pulled a bundle of cash from his pocket and gave it to Frank. Frank took the cash and slapped my chest with it. My eyes widened. I had never seen such an amount of cash in real life. I had only seen them on TV. In movies.

"There is more where this came from. I can double it, triple it. You name your price. I just want you to dance for me," Frank said, and I felt his hand on my waist.

At first, I was shocked by the sight of the cash, but he reached for my waist, making me uncomfortable. I recalled the man from the orphanage who wanted to sleep with me.

"Please, stop. I am 16, " I said and tried to remove his hand respectfully.

"Come on, girl. I know you are 18," Frank said and grabbed me again. "How about we head for one of the private rooms?" he said.

"Please stop," I repeated and pushed his hand away. "Stop, or else I will scream, and you know what will happen if I do," I threatened.

Frank stopped harassing me for a minute and exchanged a glance with his friends. It gave me the chance to get up from the seat and free myself from his harassment. Frank returned his gaze to me and laughed. His friends laughed along, making me frown.

"What is funny?" I asked, not at all amused.

"You are," Mark said, drawing mt attention to him.

"Hey, don't talk to her like that. She is my future wife," I heard Frank say.

"Sorry, boss," Mark said.

"You still haven't told me what was funny," I said.

"Well, the fact that you believe Amanda's crap about snippers hiding up there. And when you are being harassed, all you need to do is scream high pitch and the person harassing you will be shot," I heard Frank say. "And she told you, not all the lights here are real," he added, staring at me, his face an expression of amusement.

"What are you saying?" I asked, finding it hard to believe Amanda lied to me.

"I am saying Amanda lied to you. Maybe just to make you feel safe," Frank said and leaned forward. "Think about it. If there were indeed snipers hiding up there, with sniper guns whose lights are moving around the hall like disco lights. If they should shoot anyone inside the club here. Do you think no one will see? Second question, how will the club get rid of the bodies without drawing the attention of the cop," he explained, and I felt stupid.

"Don't tell me you are that naive," he added, and the others laughed.

I felt so stupid and embarrassed thinking about it. He was right, I never thought about it that way. I just believe Amanda's words.

"Anyway, don't feel stupid, she did it just to make you feel safe. Classic Amanda," Frank said and relaxed in his seat, laughing.

I stood there dumbstruck and slowly turned around. I started walking away.

"Hey, where are you going. We have not agreed on the price for the private dance yet," Frank called after me, but I ignored him.

I returned to the counter, and Jose was busy preparing cocktails.

"Jose, are there snipers hiding somewhere in the club?" I asked, and he laughed.

"Amanda told you that, right?" he asked, shaking a cocktail shaker. "Don't mind her. It's her welcome joke for newbies. From your facial expression, she got you," he said. "It did make you feel safe, right?" he asked.

Well, it did. I served freely, knowing no one was going to harass me. And surprisingly, those I warned to get off me, or end with a bullet between their eyes, did leave me alone.

"Well, it did," I agreed.

"Gwen, Madam Green wants to see you," Jack walked up to me and said. "Now!" he added and grabbed me by the arms. "Walk," he said.

I went with him to Madam Green's office, wondering why she wanted to see me again. We entered the office, and Jack closed the door behind us. Madam Green was standing in front of her desk with her back facing me.

"You dared to lie in my face," Madam Green said as soon as I announced my presence.

She turned around and faced me. She had in her hand a file and looked very furious. "How dare you?" she barked. "You think I wouldn't find out?" she asked, looking like she would jump on me and tear me apart.

"I, I, I, I," I stammered, not sure what to say.

"You lie about your age, and you think I wouldn't find out?" she yelled, and I gulped. "Gwen White. You were raised in the orphanage. You turned 18 four months ago. And you told me you are 16," she barked.

She leaned towards me, making me lean back.

"You made me spend on you for nothing," she added. "You're gonna pay back every penny I have spent on you with interest," she added and puffed the smoke in my face.

"I will make sure I take every dime I have spent on you. Starting with breaking your virginity. That is one good thing. I have someone looking for a virgin. He is willing to pay a huge sum of money for your virginity," she said with menace in her eyes.