Lana was in her room but I knew she wouldn't open for me so I waited till she went out. I stopped her short in the hallway while she was on the way to the vending machine to get some water.

"What do you want now?" She groaned, jumping to the defensive as always. But her little frame couldn't defend itself if I wanted to harm her.

"It broke when you threw it against the wall." I pulled out the wooden key chain which was snapped in two pieces. She only shrugged.

"Well too bad." She said then tried to continue walking. I stopped her. This seems to have become a normality whenever we talked.

"I tried to fix it with super glue but it broke again." All I want from her is to help me fix it. I don't really know why, it's just a piece of wood, but to me it is more valuable than all the diamonds I own.

"Why do you bother, you gave it back anyway?" She replied obviously thinking that I'm just trying to waste her time, but I really just want her to fix it.

"No that was only to get your attention. This was my present and you broke it. Now please fix it." I felt so pathetic in that instant, trying to get her to do it while all she cares about is making me leave.

"I'm sorry I can't help you." Her wall of ice has become impossible to penetrate, and she tried to walk away once again. This time I didn't stop her physically.

"Lana please fix it." I don't know at which point exactly I lost control of myself, but my eyes teared up and she could hear it in my voice which cracked. It obviously shocked her, especially when she turned back to look at me.

She grabbed the key chain from my palm and sighed. "Fine. Go to a stationery and buy the glue for wood."

Adrian looked like a happy child once I agreed to fix the present I gave him. When I noticed his eyes were watering, it became clear that he is in pain. But his way of displaying emotion is just odd and unexpected. It's not the key chain which made him almost cry, but probably everything that's been going on. I almost feel bad for the way I hurt him, but he hurt me too and we are even. Although I should consider my own actions only because those are the ones which define me.

I spent a while thinking about the whole incident and even considered calling Julian to try and speak with Adrian. Maybe he could get him to open up somehow. However he didn't reply to my last text where I admitted I got jealous, and Adrian isn't my problem, he is a grown man. So I won't do anything.

When he finally returned with the glue, I let him come inside my bedroom until I sticked the heart shaped key chain back together. I had to file the traces of superglue which he clumsily put on, but then I managed to fix it. Adrian waited patiently without a word.

"I don't know why you still want it, but here you go. Put it somewhere safe until the glue is fully dried." I carefully handed it over to him.

"I want it because you gave it to me while you were still the girl I loved." He answered before leaving.

"You didn't love me." I smiled in irony knowing well his words are lies.

"You have the full right to say that I wasn't good to you, but you have no right to speak about my feelings. I did love you, I just didn't know how to love you."

He closed the door before I could say anything else. I reflected on what he told me and it confused me, but maybe he did tell the truth. He is an awkward person, slightly eccentric and certainly antisocial. People like that show their feelings in unexpected ways.

___

A week later

Girls dancing at a strip club are often associated with cheap, slutty girls. It is the provocative dancing and revealing outfits which make people see us this way. But I try to do it with class. For me, getting ready for a night at the club is as though I am getting ready to walk a Victoria's Secret fashion show. I choose the nicest lingerie, spray a good quality perfume and put effort in my hair. Tonight is the opening night. The club has been expanded and there will be many more dancers, and many more people.

The moment I entered I was stunned with the new surroundings. The walls have been freshly painted, everything including stages and tables is new, and the lighting is much sexier. I can tell that this will be the most visited strip club in town. Apparently this place used to be smaller but now that Tom's club joined, it is much larger.

One of the dancers who knows her way around and has been working here a long time, showed me the stage that I should dance on. I got to it immediately and allowed the rhythm to take me. The songs carried my body as people filled the tables throughout the club. Gradually it became busy and all the dancers got occupied with customers.

I had to dance for longer than usual before another dancer took my place, allowing me to have a break. I don't mind it since it's the opening night. One thing which bothers me is that due to so many people, I couldn't find a spot to isolate myself so I had to relax in front of everyone. The changing room is too stuffy and I can't go outside anymore like I did before.

An old man approached me, unbelievably resembling the same creep who once pushed me against the wall and shoved his tongue down my throat until he was stopped. I swallowed before replying to his 'hello'.

"I would like a lap dance please." He requested and this is definitely one of those requests that I like to turn down.

"I'm sorry, I'm in a break now and I will have to get back on the stage right after. I can refer you to another girl if you wish." I gave him the excuse and he was about to believe it but the new boss interrupted us.

"Your replacement can remain on the stage until your break and your lap dance are both finished. Be nice to our customers." He said it smilingly but gave me a warning look. I couldn't object in front of the customer but I made it a point to speak to this new boss after I'm done.

Annoyed, I motioned for the man to follow me and he did it happily. We went into one of those tiny rooms meant exactly for this and I did my dance as fast as I could. The man was respectful and didn't attempt to touch me. At least.

When it was over I looked around until I found Tom and told him exactly what happened, and how the other boss made it impossible for me to reject the man. Tom gave me an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry Lana, but now this club isn't only mine. Unfortunately he is like that and he expects the dancers to accept all customers, so you must try to do it to. Maybe sometimes you can slip a little, but please try to understand." His response disappointed me but I didn't give him hard time because Tom is genuine and I know that he is working a lot at the moment.

"Okay." I nodded without telling him much and got back to dancing.

The worst part of the evening arrived when that same new boss spoke to me during my second break and asked me to stay after my shift. It bothers me a lot because it's already going to be late when I finish, I don't want to waste my time with him. But maybe it won't take long.

I did as he asked. I finished my shift, the club is almost completely empty, and I headed for the changing room to put on my normal clothes before going to speak to him. However he stopped me half way.

"Don't change now." He sort of ordered, slightly confusing me.

"I'll be quick, then I'll come to talk." I insisted, showing that I didn't forget what he earlier asked.

"No I don't need you to talk, I need you to dance. A couple of my important business partners are here and you seem to be one of the best dancers." Despite his compliment something just doesn't feel right. I dance for the public but not privately for a few men with no one else around.

"Umm thanks but I'm not sure." I shared my true feelings about it but he wouldn't have it.

"Girl, do you want this job or not?" He demanded, pausing only to see my blank expression. In that moment I was speechless. "Exactly. Now come and dance!"

My greatest flaw is that I don't always know how to stand my ground. There are women who just know what to say and when to say it in order to get what they want or prove their point. I'm not one of those women.

So I followed my new dickhead boss back to where all the stages are, and I could notice that Tom is nowhere to be seen. Probably he left. In the club there were only the two of us and three of his male friends. Or business partners as he calls them.

I swallowed realising that I'm supposed to dance for the four men with no security guards, women or other dancers around. Not even the music is loud. It can only be heard from one of the stereos and their voices are louder than that. I got on the stage hoping they would start talking about work and not pay much attention to me. I'd rather just be side entertainment which they barely notice.

But to the contrary, all four men stared at me, waiting to start, none of them talking about work or even thinking about it. The boss noticed that I got on the stage and immediately opened his mouth to speak.

"Oh no, not there, come here." He waved with his hand towards himself, calling me to come. I hesitated for a bit, looking at each of the men. "Oh come on!" He rushed me and once I started approaching, he took a seat and they all sat on their chairs in a line.

They watched me closely as I got off the stage, and went closer to them, still keeping some distance however. I am a pole dancer so it is slightly awkward for me every time when I have to dance without holding on to a pole. The pole gives me confidence and support, it's something to grab on to when I feel unsure or unstable while dancing. But now my hands are free and I began dancing, running them over my body and through my hair. Saying that I felt extremely uncomfortable while doing it would be an understatement.

"Move a little close dolly!" The dickhead, my official nickname for the new boss, reached out and pulled me by the wrist.

I continued dancing very close to him, almost giving him a proper lap dance, a more intimate one than to the customers. He crossed the line once he put his hands on my hips, but I froze unable to say anything. My lips were sealed shut and I was unable to defend myself, only continuing to dance quietly. Then another man reached and now they both held on to my hips and waist. I danced with more difficulty, feeling worse than when that creepy man pushed me against the wall trying to have his way with me.

All of a sudden, the boss slapped my butt chuckling loudly, and before I could object, the third man reached for me, and soon all four. I didn't even dance anymore as they passed me from one to the other, molesting me and turning me around. I felt like crying, especially when the boss pulled me down on his lap and I felt his hard dick under my butt.

That's when they all stopped touching me and got to the topic of work and business deals, while I still sat on his lap feeling him hard underneath me, his hand squeezing parts of my body from time to time...