An hour. A whole hour passed till they got out of that room. Private dances last maximum twenty minutes. When they finally got out it was already time to go home. I waited outside in front of the club for Ellen as we said we'll go home together. Adrian and Scarlett walked out and my jaw dropped open when I saw her getting on the back of his blue vespa. Bitch that's my place.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" Ellen popped behind me, making me jump a little because I didn't see her.

"No." Not wanting to talk about it I replied shortly and headed for her car.

"I'd be jealous if I were you, he's a catch." She struggled to keep up with me.

"Please Ellen I just want to get it out of my head." I snapped but it wasn't personal and she understood.

"So you are jealous." She said smiling and I sighed. She doesn't give up, does she...

We got in the car and on our way home I explained why I ended it, asking her to keep it between us. I wouldn't have talked about it if she didn't insist.

"He's doing it on purpose, he doesn't like her." She concluded before we parted in the hallway in front of our entrance doors.

"You really think so?" I asked desperately.

"I mean he took all that time trying to get to know things about you, and with her he left so suddenly. Clearly he wanted to be sure about you and with her it's a one time thing to make you jealous." Hoping she's right I wished her a goodnight and went to sleep. But even if she is right, it doesn't mean much if all he wants is a sexual relationship.

___

Two weeks passed. Adrian visited the club almost every night and left with Scarlett each time. Once he sent her a bouquet of roses and all the girls jumped around her happily. All except Ellen and me. I only smiled and Ellen chose to ignore. Tom isn't bothered with them having a thing but he asked Scarlett to keep it down so other customers wouldn't feel like she's not interested in them. Still, he doesn't appear to like Adrian very much. The only thing which confuses me is that she gives lap dances to men and Adrian doesn't complain about it like he did with me.

I still like him and pathetically watch him from the distance. But I've accepted it. He doesn't look at me at all, it's like I don't exist for him. A part of me regrets not accepting his offer but I refuse to settle. I need someone who will give me what I need or at least meet me in the middle.

Scarlett laughs a lot, she seems like a happy girl. She isn't the baby girl type like I thought, she only dresses that way. We're the same age but we're totally different. She is loud and outgoing, asks a lot of questions while I'm quiet and keep to myself. Ellen says that sometimes it's like I live in my own head. At least Scarlett has Adrian to dance for while the only man interested in me is that same gross one we argued about. He makes me sick to my stomach at this point.

"Is it that young gentleman that is making you sad?" Ms Heilig's question caught me by surprise. She noticed? He's far from a gentleman Ms Heilig...

"Umm I look sad?" Not aware that it shows, I asked. She placed the book she was reading on her desk and looked at me. It's odd because she never gave me attention like that.

"It's all over your face. Is he treating you right?" I'm shocked that she's taking interest, usually she minds her own business.

"We aren't together. His desires didn't meet mine so we parted ways." I explained as briefly as possible.

"Were his desires purely physical?" Wow, she really reads things well.

"Yes." I admitted now placing my book down like she did.

"And you refused?" I nodded in reply. "You silly girl! Don't you know anything?!" She shouted and I slightly jumped not expecting so much energy from her. She always talks slowly and calmly.

"Ummm." Was all I could utter.

"We can all talk about what we want but none of us can control the effect that other person will have on us. You gained respect points by refusing but you should accept eventually. Because he can say he doesn't want anything serious, but you are a woman! Seduce him, make him crazy about you!" Okay her advice makes some sense, but I don't know how to make him fall.

"But how? He is completely dominant and I have no control over him." I confessed hopelessly.

"So use his dominance against him!" She exclaimed still energetic. "Obey him and be good, but remain cold when he asks about your personal life and emotions. He will wish to control you in every aspect and by having you feel distant he'll try to break through. And if you keep it up long enough he'll be the one who'll be broken through." Noting her every word on the invisible notepad in my head, I thanked her for the advice and promised to take it. The only thing is how do I take it when he's moved on.

Ms Heilig is clearly a very unpredictable woman. If someone told me she'd be giving me advice like this and hyping me up, I'd call them crazy. But to my surprise she did exactly that. And maybe if I get a chance I'll listen to her and do as she advised, but now he is with Scarlett. I chose not to tell her that and changed the subject. But as soon as I did she got quiet again. Okay...

When the evening came and I went to the club it was extra busy so I got on the stage immediately. Of course, I eyed Adrian and Scarlett subtly but intently like a stalker, waiting to see if he'll ask her to dance for him. For the first time in weeks our eyes met. I gathered all my courage to keep looking but eventually he looked away. It doesn't hurt my pride because I am the one who rejected him. He didn't ask Scarlett for a dance, but 'lucky' me, that old man asked me for one.

As usual I danced to the song which was playing while he sat down and watched.

"Come closer." For the first time he asked me to do something and rolling my eyes, I got closer.

I kept on dancing and slowly moving away from him again. All of a sudden he smacked my thigh as if it were a fresh piece of meat. I cringed so hard in disbelief.

"You are not allowed to touch me, I made that clear!" I raised my tone of voice and with full right stormed out of the room, pissed.

I went up to Tom and told him all about it. As soon as I did he sent a guard to escort the man out. The comfort and safety of the girls is in the first place in this club and Tom took it seriously. He told all of us that if we can let a touch slip sometimes it's good because the customer would stay, but if we are uncomfortable the person would be asked to leave immediately. The rules of the club are strict and made clear to everyone who comes.

Scarlett, another girl and I stayed the last tonight. I rushed out before so I won't have to say bye to her and Adrian. Next to the club there is a dark alleyway next to which I pass when I go home. Just as I walked by that alley, someone's hand went over my lips shutting me up. It was that creepy man. He pushed me against the wall whilst gagging me with his hand and I struggled to free myself. It all happened suddenly. Unfortunately his frame is much larger than mine so I stood no chance in escaping. Is he going to rape me?

My heart was beating fast, fear overtaking my body. He drooled all over my neck while licking it instead of kissing. Like an animal he touched me everywhere with his free hand, trying to get most of it. Clearly he is sexually frustrated. I had the urge to scream but he kept me quiet. He moved down my neck and onto my chest trying to kiss my breasts. In pain I looked up at the sky and prayed silently. At this point I gave up trying to free myself. Thinking I would cooperate since I stopped fighting him, he removed his hand from my mouth and tried to kiss my lips. I used the moment to scream as loud as I could, resulting in him shoving his tongue down my throat in order to shut me up.

Thank heavens my scream was heard and Adrian pushed the man off me. He jumped on top of him and punched him in the face several times without stopping. Scarlett watched it all from a few meters away and ran calling the guards of the club to come. They separated them. I stood in the corner and cried my eyes out. He stole my first kiss. At least he was stopped from taking more.

I found it hard to keep myself together, I was traumatised. A fifty year old almost raped me... Before everyone else came, including Tom, I rushed home. I took a really long shower, unable to gather myself. Eventually I went into my bedroom and laid on the bed sleeplessly. Someone knocked on my door but I chose to ignore it.

Another knock.

"It's me. Adrian." A form of relief filled my body as I heard his hushed voice. I need him now.

Without thinking I opened the door and let him in. Both of us kept quiet. I threw myself in his arms still crying. Maybe I am dramatic, maybe it's a normal reaction I am not sure. All I know is that right now the only person who can put me at ease is him.