_________________________________________

To say my first day back did not go as I expected would be an understatement.

And I'm not gonna lie shame, Mam'Ntombi's daughter was nervous as hell walking back up into this shit. Zayn may have assured me his brother will behave and won't fire me but I don't think that guy is the one to be told what to do.

So my plan was to make myself as small as possible today, to be inconspicuous, be neither seen nor heard. No ripples, no shaking tables.

We all know he's gonna fire me soon, but I need delay the inevitable for as long as I can.

It really sunk in the second I stepped off that elevator again and I was once again faced with the sheer grandness of this place. I don't think I will ever get used to it.

I've been coming here for weeks, and it still takes my breath away.

If only those bitches from back home could see this, the true definition of impilo yase Sandton.

Guyzini, people are monied out here. Monied to a point that's unfathomable to some of us. We dream and dream of having money but I don't think we dream of reachung this level.

And I know it's just a flat but it's where the flat is situated, what it looks like on the inside, and the fact that its owner is doesn't even really live in it.

Like what is it even? A vacation home? A home between homes? What? And why does this one man need so much space in the sky?,

Anyway, I found everything exactly as it was when I got here, everything exactly as it always is. No sign of him ever having been here at any point in time.

I don't actually mind that at all. More time, more money for me.

Nevertheless, I steeled my nerves to face him should I run into him again, not let him catch me off guard and unprepared like he did the first time I saw him. Still don't know what the hell that reaction was but he'll never get me breathless and unable to speak ever again.

And he'll never disrespect me the way he did when Brie called me to come through. I can't even look at this kitchen table the same way without having flashbacks of those amber eyes glaring down at her.

I may have decided to make myself invisible but I know that if and when he pokes the bear, I will attack against my better judgment.

Small and inconspicuous is not me and I know I am going to fail but rather I fail than I give up.

I just don't want to lose my only source of steady, liveable income. That's the only thing I'm really scared of. Not him. Not any human for that matter.

Still, I spent the whole day on edge... just waiting. Which made my day even more tiring than usual. So tiring that I forgot to call my mother until the very last minute I had to leave.

Which is how I find myself leaning over the kitchen counter clasping my head in my hands after I just hung up on her at the end of our conversation.

She's doing okay, was glad that I dropped off food and clean clothes for my brother before I came to work. He's staying in some gutter with his friends and all they do is get high, and rob people to get high.

He's still my baby brother though and it is my duty to take care of him as well. No matter what.

I know the witches are overjoyed at our current situation-- a sick mother, nyaopes brother and me working for peanuts but I vow once again that I will turn shit around.

Or die trying.

I take a deep breath and push myself away from the counter, I must get my things and go to my other job at the club. Which means I won't be sleeping at home tonight, a matter my mom actually likes.

She says I spend too much time with her and we talk all the time, she says I'm just letting my life pass me by. I disagree. I happen to enjoy talking to her and would love to do so every minute of every day.

"Done here?" A deep voice sounds behind me.

I jump and squeak a little.

What the shit?

I turn to find none other than Zayn fucking Sin. Laughing at me with shining blue eyes.

"That's not funny!" I chastise, heart still thumping on my chest.

"Why are you so jumpy?" He asks, walking closer.

I catch my breath, "I'm not," Now I'm a bit embarrassed, "And that's the last time you'll ever catch me off guard."

Imagine if it was the owner and I'm here leaning on his kitchen counter. At least I didn't use his phone.

"Whatever floats your goat," Zayn says with that sideways grin that guys like him like to do, "Are you finished?"

"Just about," I murmur back, picking my phone back up. I meant to call Vivid to check on them but seems it'll have to wait til later.

"Need a ride home?" He pauses and frowns a bit, "I thought we agreed to get rid of the uniform...?"

Oh yeah, I opted to keep it. For more practical reasons than the fact that I put in work here and got it looking a little fashionable.

"No to the ride home," I say to him, "And I kept the uniform because I don't want to get my clothes dirty. This isn't my only job."

We all do what we must.

"Make sense. Though you look more like you're posing than actually cleaning..."

I frown, "I'm struggling to not be offended."

"Just an observation, not meant to offend or please," That crooked smile is back.

I just scoff jokingly and look up at him.

"Now come on, let me drive you home," There he is with that dumb offer again.

Like I would let him drive me to Ivory Park. Soze. I don't want to get bewitched and I don't want be the reason he loses his life.

"I'm not going home, I'm going to a friend's actually," I actually don't want a ride.

I'm glad that he got me my job back, and took my C.V under consideration but we aren't friends and we don't need to be.

He did his one good deed, he can move on to his rich, white life.

I need to get to Nandi's and get ready for tonight. Somehow we all like getting ready together, a habit we've kept althrough college.

"I don't care, I'll drive you anywhere. And I won't take no for an answer. Now, are you done?"

"Might as well," I mumble half heartedly, "Don't tell me that's why you are here though."

"It is," He's the exact opposite of his brother with those ever mischievous eyes, "I came to check how your day went... if my brother treated you well."

I grab my bag off the island and turn back to him. I was ready to leave anyway, "And a simple phone call couldn't suffice?"

"I'm not a fan," He says following me out, "I prefer talking face to face."

"That doesn't annoy your people?"

He's leading me to the regular elevator through the foyer, the private one opens into the living room and faces the outside of the building.

"What other people think of me is none of my business."

That's pretty convenient for him. He is tall, hot and seemingly rich. And he's also of our lighter races. Of course he can afford to just do what he wants and let the rest of the world play catch up.

But then again we all like to think we don't care what people think of us, me especially.

"You really don't have to keep checking on me you know? I'm fine," I try to assure him because I think he's really just trying to be nice and I'm... not.

"What kind of a friend will I be if I don't?" Is his answer.

"We're friends now?"

"Close enough," He says with a half shrug and a silly infectious smile that I can't help but smile and shake my head at.

The elevator doors open.

We move to step in on instinct but stop short when out steps Mr Sin.

Looking impeccable in a white shirt even with the sleeves rolled up, black pants and his hair combed back.

Of course he's here just when I'm thinking of letting my guard down around his ever smiling brother.

Burning whiskey coloured eyes meet mine and no, I do not gasp or step back. Bone to the back, we're all human.

I didn't expect to see him though and he steps out looking menacing with a tall, sharp eyed woman next to him.

She's on the phone rapidly speaking in a language I have never heard before and she doesn't even spare us a glance.

"Dixon," Zayn cheers, "Fancy meeting you here."

He looks me and up down then back at his brother, "What're you doing here?"

Now, normally I'd react to that look. Oh, my face has plenty to say about that look.

But I weigh the pros and cons because small and inconspicuous my ass, bottom line however is that... I need money. So I just have to let it slide.

As such, I keep my face on neutral.

Zayn is still grinning, also looking from his brother to me and back again, "Checking in on Imani. You remember Imani right?"

Shit.

This time it's a quick dismissive glance I get from of those amber eyes.

I smile a little and look at my shoes, Vans sneakers this time, not heels.

"Yeah," He mumbles flatly.

This motherf...

"I'm gonna give her a ride," teases Zayn.

I look up to find Mr Sin scowling down at me. Then I quickly make my face straight again. Which only serves to deepen his frown.

He ignores Zayn and disappears into his foyer, followed by the tall woman with pinstraight chestnut hair.

Zayn just laughs and leads me into the waiting elevator. I catch the plum top, white high-waisted skirt just skirting the corner as the elevator doors close.

"Who was that?" I ask Zayn now that we're trapped in a descending room of mirrors together.

I've never been in here before. Unlike the private one which is clear glass all around and you can see the city as you rise up, this one is all infinity mirrors providing endless reflections of Zayn and I.

"That was Lana," Zayn sneers.

"Not a fan huh?" I pry, I'm too curious. Sue me.

"You have no idea," He dryly replies.

He didn't even look in her direction.

So...

"What is she to your brother?" Just a pure, anthropological question.

"Who ever knows."

"And Brie?" Is he cheating on her?

"Who?" His uncharacteristically curt tone lets me know that he's done with this topic.

Alright then.

That's that on that, I guess.

Even as he drives me to Nandi's and we can't seem to shut the hell up, I don't bring up the topic of his brother or his gray eyed mate.

We talk about everything and nothing, a car, the distance, a tree, guys who shouldn't wear neon colours in public--- it's just not a good look.

It's nice talking to someone so out of my normal social circle, I really enjoy his company.

He likes to rile me up into an argument only to end up making me laugh whether we agree or not, and we haven't agreed on anything so far.

He pulls up to Nandi's building and we take a few seconds before I get out.

"Here we are," He announces almost regrettably, "Or so the navigator says... is it the right place?"

"Yes, thank you. For everything," And I mean it.

"Don't worry about it. If you ever need anything, I'm here Imani," And I can tell he thinks he means that.

That's just something people say. Until push comes to shove and shit hits the fan..

Nonetheless--

"Thank you," I can be earnest, "See you around."

"Looking forward to it," follows me as I get out of the car.

He waits for me to enter the building before driving off.

Why do I get a feeling that this is day zero and that this Zayn Sin person has something up his sleeve?

_________________________________________

My only other job is at a... gentlemen's club called Ambrosia..

The pay is not as bad as I make it out to be and the tips are brilliant but the biggest perk is that all my friends work there and we are all on the same shifts.

They're the talent and I'm the servant. More accurately, they're strippers and I'm a bartender. But ultimately we all sell sex.

Even us bartenders, we barely wear anything and we know we're for sale as well. We mostly pole rejects along with the waitresses who are even more scandalously dressed than us, but we look too good to go to waste.

At least that's how Shad, the owner explains it.

Right now, I'm standing behind the bar whipping a glass and looking at one of the dancers as she does her thing on the main stage. She's not one of the best but she's pretty good.

A little while ago she took her bra off, now she's left with glittered stars covering her nipples and a thong that looks very uncomfortable.

While she's on all fours and shaking her ass, guys slid money into the straps of her thong.

I find myself wondering if I could really do that. I mean I know my body is banging but can I really take my clothes off and let these randoms grope me for money?

Part of me was relieved when Shad gave me this job instead of the dancing one. I don't think I have the temperament for the stage to be honest.

"Two gin and tonics, a rum and Coke, two slippery nipples, and eight shots of house tequila," One of the waitresses, Lelo, drags me out of my thoughts before I can answer my own question.

I get to working on the drinks, all the while wondering if I'm ever going to start my career and do the things I went to school for. I'm only here because I am desperate and I have limited choices.

Barely fucking scraping by even after graduating second in my class. I don't believe I've been bursting my ass all my life just to end up here. I know money is money, and ijob yijob but yoh this ain't it.

They really lie to us when they say education is the key to success. In this country, connections are the master key to life and I made the mistake of focusing too much on staying alive that I overlooked the importance of networking.

Education is just an overpriced necessity but connections are vital. I know people who didn't even finish school have very good jobs because they know people in right places.

After setting the drinks on a tray, I go to the bathroom. I've been zoning out a lot tonight, it's affecting how I do my job and I can't have that here. I need to get my shit together.

The night is getting in full swing, the money is starting to fly recklessly and the liquor is doing what only liquor can.

The girls are doing exactly what they should and the men are starting to thtob.

Wait til my girls hit the stage... carnage. They're the type that makes tens of thousands in one night.

"How about a dance sweet cheeks?" This is not the first time that someone has asked me for a dance and I doubt that it will be the last as long as I work here.

I look at the four gentlemen wearing suits wearing cat grins on their less than moderate looking faces as they take the seats by the bar.

Here we go.

They're those one who pester bartenders and waitresses instead of spending money on the dancers.

"I just tend the bar sorry," I tell them with what I hope is a polite smile.

They look me up appreciatively in a way that they all do when they see a piece of meat dangling in front of them.

"You look way too delicious to be stuck behind a bar," One of them comments.

We are encouraged to flirt, it's a job requirement.

"This is Ambrosia, food of the gods, " My voice drops a little, "Here? Delicious is the understatement of the century. Trust me."

They whoop a little and pass a few more remarks before ordering their drinks. They seem a little tipsy already but I'm not turning down money.

"Are you sure there's nothing we can do to get you to dance?" Another of the group asks as I hand them their drinks, "We can be very persuasive."

"Oh, I don't doubt that. But here, we let the money speak for us," Just a harmless challenge, "Let's see those wallets then."

The only thing better than a broke customer in here is no customer at all so I usually sift them out for my friends so they don't waste their time.

These guys fish into their pockets and come out holding blue Mandelas. Okay. Maybe I misjudged them a little.

Now step two--

I quickly snatch the money from their fingers and stuff in my bra to which they just leer and approve with glistening eyes.

I then wink and duck through the back for that mini bathroom break I was going to take anyway.

If they're mad that they tipped me about 400 bucks for absolutely nothing then they can take that up with management. The rule here is, if the money's out, the money's ours.

Well, I made up that rule but that's neither here nor there.

My little time in the bathroom is spent with me just sitting in one of the stalls and resting my head on my knees.

I try calling Vivid again and he's still not answering. He didn't pick up when I tried him earlier when I was getting ready. He's starting to piss me the hell off.

I can hear the music playing in the club, the bass is shaking the place while they call the next girl to the stage. They only crank the music up when the girls are dancing or giving a special performance but other than that the music always fades into the background for most of the night.

I take a few deep breaths and tell myself to get my shit together.

Yes, I'm not where I had planned to be in life at this point but I can't let it upset me this much. I don't necessarily feel bad for myself, I am just frustrated with myself because I thought I'd be so much further in life by now.

All those years and loans of university, and I am stuck being a bartender at this sleazy club and a fucking maid to some dickhead of a businessman. I fucking hate it.

What was the bloody point of getting an education then?

Fucking waste of time.

I feel myself getting angrier and angrier which means that this little time alone in the stall is not helping at all so I open the door and decide to go wash my hands and get out of here.

I hate life, I really do.

When I leave the rest room, I find myself being dragged backstage to the dressing rooms by Zodwa who has a knack for appearing out of nowhere.

Backstage I'm met by the rest of the members of our little sisterhood. Zodwa and I join Nandi, Mariska and Rea who are busy changing outfits and doing whatnots.

"What's going on? Don't tell me you dragged me here because you miss my pretty face," I ask them and fold my arms, "Unlike you bitches I actually have a job to do."

"And we do what?" Zodwa asks.

"You have fun."

"We need a big favor actually..." Rea starts with big, sparkly hazel eyes, "Shaddy says we're booked for a party in a couple of weeks."

They do off-site entertainment as well, which apparently pays way more than this club stuff.

"Well, as much as I'm happy for you guys. I don't see what that has to do with me," I raise an eyebrow.

"Well..." Mariska shoots me a nervous glance, "We were kinda hoping that you'll make the dresses for us."

"And we will pay you of course," Rea quickly adds.

My face falls at their dumbass request, "You four expect me to make four dresses in a space of two weeks?"

They look at each other before looking at me and nodding nervously with hopeful anticipation.

They are damn right to be nervous right now. Do they know how long it takes to make one dress? Now I have to make all four. They must have lost their damn minds.

"Why not just buy them like normal fucking people?"

Rea groans, "We won't be the only ones there, Ima. We need to be unique. Different. Special... distinctive."