"No way! I'm not going to be a stripper!" I tell him, protesting loudly as he tries to get me into the club.

"Come on, please, just come inside. I promise you'll change your mind." Mason tries to convince me.

"Fine!" I huff out and walk after him inside, probably making a big mistake.

"Et voilá!" Mason says as we enter the club.

I look around me in awe, it's amazing. The club is filled with bright sunlight and the stage isn't dirty, like I expected it to be, but it is well-maintained. 

"Have you ever been a waitress?" Mason asks me.

I look at him confused, "Yes, of course. It was a summer job."

He nods his head and waves for me to follow him to the back. He takes an uniform out of a closet and hands it to me. 

I take a look at it, it looks nothing like a stripper outfit. It actually looks pretty decent. Maybe shorter than you'd find them in a normal bar or restaurant, but it won't show too much.

"You want me to be a waitress?" I ask him, just to clarify.

"Yes, I think you'll be perfect." Mason says.

"You think I'm not sexy enough to be on stage?" I pout, slightly offended.

"Don't get me wrong, you're sexier than most girls we have on stage. But I can't just add a new girl to the programme. It's not that simple, you didn't audition and the other girls don't know you. You wouldn't be accepted, you're better off as waiter. And you'll be able to earn tips." Mason explains.

"Okay, if you put it like that."

"So, you'll do it?" Mason asks hopeful.

"Yes, I'll do it." I sigh, I don't really have another choice.

"Okay, you'll start tonight as a test, then we'll give you a contract and we'll say when you need to work."

I nod my head. Mason leaves the room and motions for me to put on the outfit, before he turns around and closes the door behind him.

* * *

"Are you new? I've never seen you before," Some guy asks me as I bring him and his friends their drinks.

I nod, a little shy. The outfit is a little more flashy than I thought it was.

"Don't be shy, you're really pretty. Why aren't you on stage?" He asks, his friends nod and mumble something along the lines of 'yes' and 'he's right'.

"I didn't audition, I need to start as waitress." I explain in a soft, submissive voice. I'm a little intimidated by their business suits and authoritative aura.  

"Would you be a dear and get Mason for me?" The man asks me.

"Mason instructed me not to bother him during working hours, unless there is an emergency." I mumble, not trying to be disrespectful.

"Baby, stop being so shy and cute, you can't be like that when you're on stage. Now, say Draco wants to speak with him, I'm sure he'll be here within seconds." The guy, apparently Draco, orders me.

I nod my head and quickly walk to the backstage area.

"GIRLS! Someone is here to get us our drinks!" Some girl with way too much makeup on her face yells at the others.

"Um, no. I'm actually looking for Mason." I tell her softly.

"What?" She laughs. "Honey, Mason doesn't speak to waitresses during working hours. Now, I would like three shots of vodka."

"Lacey! Stop being mean to the girl, I think she's new." Another girl scolds.

"Fine." Lacey grumbles as she turns around to fix her hair.

"Hey, I'm Ariane. You are looking for Mason? He's back there, with the costumes." Ariane says as she points in a direction. "But I warn you. If it is not life threatening, I wouldn't go to him now."

"Thanks for the advice and for pointing me in the right direction, but I'll take my chances." I say politely, before walking in the direction Ariane pointed.

I walk through a wall of curtains and see at least five racks, filled with outfits. The one smaller and shorter than the other.

"Mason?" I ask, softly. I'm a little nervous. What if Draco is actually someone who wants to murder him? Or what if he is just being an annoying customer? Before I'm able to turn around, Mason comes into view.

"Alexa? What do you want?" He says, a little aggressive.

"Um, I was, um, I was-" I start.

"Stop with the stuttering and just tell me, I don't have all day!" Mason scolds me.

"I was send by Draco to get you," I blurt out.

"Draco?" Mason repeats, his face pales a little.

"Are you okay?" I ask him.

"Yes, yes. Show me to him, quickly!" Mason tells me.

I walk out of the backstage area, practically running because of Mason urging me to walk faster.

"Here he is," I say to Draco.

Draco looks up and sees Mason, Draco's face is expressionless, while Mason portrays fear. 

"Mason! My friend!" Draco starts sarcastically. "I have a question for you. Why is this lovely, sexy, girl bringing drinks around, while she clearly has the body to be up there?" He asks, while pointing briefly and subtly at the stage.

Mason lowers his eyes a little in respect. "Sir, she didn't audition, sir. I was just following protocol."

"Well, since I'm the boss. I say fuck the protocol, this girl is going on asap, because what's happening on stage right now, is just disgusting. I'm gonna lose customers this way!" He says.

Mason and I look at the stage to see a drunk girl, unable to stand on her feet, trying to be seductive. I look at her face and recognise her as Lacey, the mean girl from earlier.

"Oh, and while you're at it. Please fire that slag." Draco says casually.

"Yes sir!" Mason replies, before taking my hand and dragging me away.

"You heard him, get changed into this." Mason orders, while tossing me an outfit. "ARIANE! Do her makeup as fast as you can, but keep it natural!" He yells towards the group of girls.

"You!" He points at some big guy, "Get Lacey off stage, now!"

The guy does as Mason says and soon Lacey is throwing a drunk tantrum.

"I was doing so well! They loved me!" She whines.

"Right, Lacey, you're fired." Mason tells her plainly. 

"WHAT? You can't fire me! I'm the star of this place! Bring me to Draco, he is probably not okay with his favourite fuck being fired from his club!"

Mason doesn't even respond, he makes a hand gesture and the big guy picks Lacey up as if she is nothing and brings her outside. He is literally taking out the trash.

'ALEXA! That was mean!' I scold myself. Though, I can't help but snigger a little at my own thought.

"You're up!" Mason says, as he pushes me towards the stage.

I walk a little unsure towards the middle of the stage, as I'm blinded by the stage lights. I hear the crowd mumbling and I'm getting nervous.

"Get those hips moving girl!" Someone yells.

"Damn! Wouldn't mind to tap that!" Another person yells at me.

"You look like you belong in high school! I can be your teacher, you can be the naughty school girl!" A guy yells from the back.

I look at Mason helplessly. Suddenly he gets an idea, because he runs towards a guy with a headset on.

The room fills with music, and I feel the music flowing through my body. I know exactly what to do, because I looked at sexy dance move tutorials when I was younger.

I start moving my body, swaying my hips, moving my legs and running my hands across my body and through my hair.

The guys start whooping and I know they're pleased with me. First, I thought I'd be disgusted by myself, but I actually like being on stage. People cheering for me, appreciating my presence. 

Even though it's not what I dreamed of when I was little. I know this is where I belong... For now.