"How is your face today?" Tom asked when he called to check on me. The bruise is still here but it hurts a little bit less.

"Better, I'll come for work tomorrow." I honestly love my job. I like it when I have a day off every now and then, but I like spending my evenings there.

"If you need another day off, you know you can have it." He offered kindly.

"There's no need, but thank you Tom." I wish there was a way to really show him my gratitude.

"Also, the man you danced for the other night came again asking for you. Do you know him?" My heart skipped a beat as I wasn't expecting this. What made him come again, it ended badly... But a part of me is curious about him, can't deny that.

"Umm no. It was the first time I saw him." I answered, earning a 'nevermind, just asking' from Tom. We changed the subject and eventually cut the call.

I was in the kitchen making breakfast when my doorbell rang. I walked towards it and looked through the peephole. It was the woman because of which I got my bruise. Well, it was actually because of me putting my nose where it's not its place. I opened the door.

"Oh dear!" She gasped putting a hand over her mouth. Even her... I know my face doesn't look good but it's not that bad. In the other hand she held a pie which she handed to me. "Thank you for trying to help me, but my husband is a drunk. Here is a little something as a sign of gratitude. I spoke to him, he won't be giving you any trouble. Just ignore him if he says something." I took the pie out of her hands.

"Thank you..." I said in confusion. Definitely didn't expect her. "You should leave him if he treats you like that, you know." I advised knowing it's probably useless.

"I must go now. Enjoy the pie." She nervously murmured and turned to leave. The mood was awkward. I thanked her once again and closed the door. Well I guess the breakfast is ready.

___

Monday morning at the library was dreadful. Ms Heilig saw my bruise despite my attempt at covering it. She kept staring at it and when I began explaining what happened, she cut me half way saying it was none of her business. Like some people really don't have any social skills...

The book I picked to read this week is super interesting but for some reason my mind keeps on wandering off every time I try to read it. I think about that man mostly. What did he see in me that night which made him come back. He even went on and asked where I was when he saw me missing. It showed he wanted me specifically, otherwise he would ask some other girl to dance for him.

Lucky for me I was so lost in my thoughts that I stopped looking at the time. Before knowing, I was ready to go home. It didn't take me long to get back and start getting ready for tonight. I took a shower and washed my hair quickly, making sure I am clean shaven everywhere. I found myself taking a while picking what to wear. This happens rarely, I always take the first thing I find. But I guess I care more this time since a part of me expects the man to come. I pushed these thoughts away and began doing my makeup. Since I first had to remove the layer I had today and then cover the bruise again, it got slightly irritated. I did my best to cover it better than I did earlier.

I made my hair into soft waves and took one last glance at the mirror. Ready. I took my bag and left, locking the door behind me. Since Ellen starts her shift later I walked. It took me a couple of minutes to arrive. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that same blue vespa parked.

Our eyes met as soon as I entered the club. He was sitting at the bar, having a drink. Two girls were about to go on stage since the place just opened. Shifting my gaze, I saw Tom who was walking towards me. I smiled.

"Hey, how are you? It doesn't show a lot." He commented about my face. I nodded in agreement.

"I managed to cover it quite good. Gonna go change." I walked away before he could say anything about the man who came again. Whenever I gave a lap dance Tom would show some sort of jealousy and I'm not in the mood to put up with it or explain myself. It's my job at the end of the day.

I removed my jeans and my top, leaving just my dancing outfit on. I opted for clear stockings with sparkles, white corset with silk and lace, and put on white heels. I took a deep breath before leaving the dressing room. The club is really big and there are four stages, two of which are already taken. One is for me and the fourth one will be taken by another girl who is probably late or something.

The stage I got on is pretty far from the bar and it gave me a kind of relief since that man can't see me much. It will make me less nervous while I dance. Just as I managed to relax myself a little with these thoughts I saw him walking towards me. Great! Well, as nervous as he makes me and as annoyed as I am that he just took a seat in front of my stage, a tiny bit of me wanted it. He is handsome and something about his perfectly shaped chest and arms caused me to tingle down there. Oh and he is so tall...

I danced to about three songs, his eyes fixed on me. There isn't anyone else watching me specifically because this stage is more towards the back. The other two are more central and closer to the bar and tables, so most people are there. When time for my break arrived I felt like taking a tequila shot to relax. I always take one because if I took more I'd get tipsy and would dance like a duck. One is just enough. However, as soon as I got off the stage he got up and stopped me.

"Little girl!" He called me from behind. I stopped and turned to face him, liking how he referred to me. If he was one of those bad looking, pervy guys it would just be creepy.

"Yes?" I asked immediately without greeting him or anything. I want to stand my ground...if that is possible around him.

"It's 'yes sir'" He corrected. Whatever. He stepped closer and unexpectedly put his index finger underneath my chin, lifting it gently. "Who did this to you?" He asked, clearly displeased.

"A neighbour. Long story." I tried to shrug it off but he wasn't convinced.

"Is he your boyfriend or something? Did he force himself onto you?" His questions with his serious demeanour made him look like a police investigator.

"No. I tried to stop him from beating his wife." I explained without having to. It felt as though he was going to say something but changed his mind. He knows it's none of his business.

"I'd like a lap dance please." The conversation took a sudden turn. Even though it sounded like an order rather than asking, he still said 'please'. For a second my eyes focused on his tight black shirt which fitted him perfectly. He matched it with a black shorts, its material being like that of the trousers, and dark blue slip on shoes. I bet he works out.

"Umm it's time for my break. Sorry." Once I stopped thinking and studying his outfit too obviously, I replied. He shrugged.

"Sure. I'll buy you a drink and then you'll do it after." He smiled but it wasn't a genuine smile, it was more like I've-already-decided smile. Basically forced to do it, I walked with him towards the bar. To be entirely honest, I'm kinda enjoying it.

I picked a cosmopolitan since I had enough time to drink it. Anyway, entertaining the guests is part of my job and having a drink with them counts as entertainment as long as I'm keeping them company. He ordered a glass of whiskey.

"What's your name." He asked with a serious expression. Apart from cynical smiling and smirking, his expression is always serious.

"Lana." I replied wondering what is his. It will be easier to refer to him by his name in my head than 'the man'. Wait, why am I even making plans how to think of him?

"What's you real name." I felt like to roll my eyes but he is a customer and I can't be rude. Most girls here have fake names because they are also prostitutes or just ashamed of their job. I am not, I embrace it.

"Lana is my real name." I repeated and took a sip of my drink. I could see Tom eyeing us from the distance.

"Short and sweet." He remarked. I smiled thankfully but I felt nervous. I took another sip.

"What's yours?" I had to ask. He looked at me for a second and then spoke.

"Adrian." I didn't make any comments even though I like the name. I literally poured the cocktail down my throat, so not lady like, and motioned for him to follow me. Hopefully the alcohol will relax me...

We went inside the same room like we did the other night. He sat in the same red semi-circular sofa, and the speakers played the music. I danced for him, slightly more relaxed than last time. However my body was still tense. I did my best to cover it up by bringing myself closer to him. Thinking he learned the previous time, I didn't warn him about touching. Unfortunately (actually fortunately) he didn't think of it as he put his hands on my hips just like last time. I stopped dancing and sighed, trying to get them off. Unlike then, he didn't let me.

"Relax. I won't go further. Keep dancing." His tone was somewhat softer, reassuring.

Following his command I began swinging my hips slowly, putting my hands up in the air. I moved to the rhythm. For some reason his touch felt good. Really good. The song was ending and once it did, he let go.

"See it wasn't a bit deal." He stated. "Considering you're a stripper, one would expect you to be more relaxed with men touching you." He continued and I swallowed.

"I don't like that word, I'm a pole dancer." I corrected him completely ignoring his last sentence. "Have a nice evening." I added and then we went our separate ways.