One Night Only

LILLIE

His gaze drifts towards my provocative cleavage. That’s when I realize that my breasts are pressed firmly against his chest. He arches one of his eyebrows and smiles, raising the corner of his lip, not giving me a chance to react quickly.

“But what is he doing?” I push him away until I manage to distance myself from him and cover my breasts with my arms.

I don’t know who this guy is, who’s shamelessly ogling my breasts with lust and impudence.

“He’s such an idiot!”

After I pull away, he raises his hands in a surrendering manner with a mocking smile. It seems like he finds something amusing. Without taking his eyes off me, he approaches again with an arrogant posture that makes him look even more attractive.

“What am I thinking? I’m going crazy.”

“Molto bello,” he says, tilting a smile. A dimple forms on his cheek, making him look even more charming.

I silently observe him, taking in every detail of his perfect face. I might not have understood what he said, but my anger returns, not because of that, but because his stupid, mocking smile doesn’t disappear from his handsome face. I want to respond to his strange comment and insult him for his arrogance, but since I don’t even know what language he spoke, I refrain.

“You arrogant jerk!” I shout in my head.

I notice he’s about to say something else, but his mobile phone rings in the pocket of his pants. He grumbles and curses under his breath, but I manage to hear it. After a few seconds, he answers in the same language he spoke to me a few minutes ago. He doesn’t stop looking at me. Still, I take the opportunity to slip away from there, and I succeed. It takes him a moment to react because he was focused on his call. I thank myself for being able to escape from that conceited guy.

Minutes later, I finish getting ready to go dancing. I put on my mask and fix my hair a bit, as my hairstyle got messed up with the cap I was wearing. That reminds me of what happened a moment ago when I stumbled upon that majestic dark-haired man. I haven’t been able to get his face out of my mind, and it’s because he’s incredibly handsome, but equally arrogant and obnoxious. One of my colleagues enters to inform me about my upcoming stage appearance. I finish my final adjustments and stand up to leave and head towards the applause and cheers.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I’m behind the curtain, waiting for instructions as usual.

I hear Ben’s voice, the host.

“Good evening, gentlemen. Today, like every weekend, we save the best for last. I hope you enjoy this wonderful dance and indulge in the beauty and innocence of our most precious gem. With that said, I wish you a happy evening. Without further ado, I present to you the lovely Esmeralda.”

Everyone erupts in cheers, whistles, and applause.

In a matter of seconds, I step out from behind the curtain. As always, without looking at the audience, I close my eyes for a few seconds while the music starts playing. Then, I begin my slow movements, letting the melody guide me. I dance to the rhythm until it becomes more lively, just like my swaying. I let myself go, regardless of who or how many are watching me. I always focus on the days when I was a dance performer. That’s what helps me not to think that I’m in front of many hungry wolves in very little clothing.

After opening my eyes, I sway my hips on the pole in the middle of the stage. I perform my maneuvers and try not to lose my sensuality. I dare to glance at the crowd a bit. They are all men in elegant suits, some accompanied by bodyguards or others. They are all drinking and smoking comfortably seated. They are of different ages. My eyes stop at just one person. It’s the majestic and arrogant man I stumbled upon a few minutes ago. He can’t take his eyes off me. I can see the same foolish smile on his face that he had when he saw my breasts. I am exposed to his dark gaze. I begin to tremble from head to toe. He has four bodyguards escorting him behind. He signals one of them. When he approaches him, he whispers something in his ear. He has not stopped looking at me, and that makes me uneasy. I just hope that whatever he said has nothing to do with me.

I ignore the man who practically devoured me with his gaze and focus on my performance.

After finishing my dance performance, I receive many enthusiastic applause. I almost run away from there. I don’t want to encounter that guy, so I’ll just grab my things and my coat and leave as soon as possible. When I get home, I’ll take a shower and put on something comfortable.

I’m about to finish packing my belongings, but some girls approach me and congratulate me. I only respond curtly. I’m eager to get out of there. Mika stands by my side and asks me what’s wrong. I tell her I received an urgent call from home and need to leave. I ask her to let Julie know in case she needs to call me. She nods and wishes me luck. I give her a quick farewell hug and leave. I can’t run in these high heels. If I don’t want to twist an ankle, I have to be careful. When I finally manage to get out the door, I run into two men dressed in black suits. They block the passage. They are huge and broad. I observe them for a few seconds. When I try to react and move to step back and go another way, one of them blocks the entire path.

“Non possiamo lasciarla andare,” he says.

Meanwhile, they enclose me with their monumental bodies.

I have no idea what he said, as I couldn’t decipher their language.

“I don’t know what you’re looking for, but I think you’ve got the wrong person. Will you please let me pass?” I ask in my language, trying to show composure.

“I must inform you that I cannot let you go.”

“Excuse me?! But who are you people? Don’t make me shout even louder until the police arrive.”

For a few seconds, I don’t know what to do until the sound of a cell phone is heard. The men exchange looks. One of them takes the phone and starts speaking in that language I haven’t been able to decipher. I take the opportunity while they are distracted with the call and start moving back to escape. With my almost fifteen-centimeter heels, I run without letting go of my small backpack containing my belongings. I reach a taxi stand. I’m thankful that there are some people around, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Suddenly, a Lamborghini stops at the curb where I am standing. A man gets out of it. To my surprise, it’s the same guy I collided with at the club, the one who was devouring me with his eyes while I danced on stage.

“Oh my God!”