chapter1.3

I took a deep breath when around 7 p.m. on Friday, I sent my last email of the week. I had finished all my work on time to the great satisfaction of the clients or at least I hoped so. I cracked my knuckles and tilted my head back to release the tension in my neck, and I caught Anthony's gaze. He smiled at me, holding his phone in the air.

-I just received the final payment for your outstanding work this week. Thank you, Lalie, really.

-No problem don't worry about it, I was just doing my job, I replied, with a forced smile, barely holding back a biting remark about the slave-like treatment he had consciously put me through this week.

-If you’re up for it, we could go grab a drink to celebrate this successful week and to thank you for giving it your all. Hide your joy, I thought.

-Sorry, I can't. I would have loved to, but I already have an unmissable plan right after this, I said, thinking about my shift at the Green.

-I understand, especially since I didn’t give you any notice. You must have someone waiting for you outside these four walls, he said with a smug grin. I wasn't going to give him the pleasure of satisfying his curiosity. Let everyone keep their private life to themselves, I thought, smiling back at him.

-Well, I’ve got drinks to go to.

-Have fun, I said, lowering my head to my computer to shut it down and head out.

-Here, he said, handing me a few bills, get yourself a drink with whoever you like.

-Thanks, I said, taking the money and stuffing it into my bag.

-Have a good weekend, Anthony.

-You too, Lalie.

 I quickly packed up and rushed to the Green to start my shift. I always wondered by what miracle I had never run into Anthony at the Green maybe it wasn’t the kind of place he frequented. I wasn’t sure if he would have kept me on if he knew the reputation the Green’s waitresses had around here.

-It’s packed tonight, my Lalie. Let’s do our best to make as much as possible, said Ane, a wide smile on her face.

-I don’t have your assets, but I’ll do my best.

-You’re downplaying those pointy breasts and that pretty behind? You’ve got assets, my dear; it’s all about knowing how to use them. You could take a page from my book and start by doing your shift without a bra let the cold harden your nipples to attract the customers for you, my dear. She added with a wink as she headed towards the VIP section. I grabbed my tray and followed her to start my shift. If I made good tips, I could go back to Sandton to the cathedral, and with a bit of luck, Apollon would be there again this Sunday, and I would see him. Charged with this new positive thought, I headed towards the tables, a smile plastered on my face, ready to do whatever it took to make more money tonight, completely ignoring her suggestion about my bra it would be no different than walking around naked.

My underwear was my only protection against the micro-outfit I had to wear for work. So, I let the customers grope me with their rough hands, a fake smile glued to my lips. I tried to imitate Ana by whispering to the customers in their ears, letting my breath linger along their necks or wander around their ears apparently, it was an erogenous zone and brushing my breasts against their backs so they could feel my firm breasts through their clothes, letting their imagination do the rest. I repeated this pattern with several customers. It was utterly disgusting their alcohol-laden breath, their wandering hands, their sweaty bodies. I even received lewd compliments; some would say "nice tits," others, "you're quite the slut, aren’t you?" or "you hid your true colors well, little whore," usually followed by a slap on my ass. I had to grit my teeth several times to avoid responding and smile to earn some bills. It was the same on Saturday until 4 a.m.

After a few hours of deep sleep, I woke up and rushed to my bag where I had stored all my tips to count them and see if I had enough to go to Sandton. I realized I had about forty thousand rands, which was enough for two Sundays and even two nice outfits and a hairstyle next week. With a big smile, I headed to my bathroom to take a shower, during which I scrubbed my skin until it was irritated. I repeated this routine all weekend, trying to rid myself of the feeling of all those filthy touches I had endured over the past few days. Then I headed to church. Once in the taxi, I ran my hand over my sky-blue dress, more to calm the rising tension as I anticipated the moment I would see Apollon. I didn’t notice the journey as I was lost in my thoughts.

The taxi parked at the entrance of the cathedral. I paid the driver and walked towards the same bench as last Sunday, across from the gym. What if he didn’t come? I wondered. Then, I remembered everything I had done at the Green over the past two days. It all came back to me the things I had to endure just to see him again. I felt dirty. Those hands on me, my breasts on the chests of those family men, their nicotine-laced breath on my face all just to see him today. And for what? Considering I only see him from afar, unable to distinguish any features of his face, why hadn’t he left my mind all week ? Looking back now, I realize how ridiculous the situation was a man I had only seen once. What was happening to me? And to think he might not even know I existed. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car slowing down next to me. When I looked up, I saw it was a car identical to Apollon's. I even forgot what I had been thinking about my heart raced. Was it him? Would he stop? Was I presentable enough? And if he spoke to me, how should I react? What would he say? What should I respond? I didn’t have time to think further as the car passed me and parked in front of the gym, and the same scenario as last week played out his burly driver took his bag and entered the gym while Apollo leaned against his vehicle to smoke, giving me the chance to observe him at my leisure. I basked in the aura that emanated from him, a magnetic aura. I couldn’t quite describe what I felt when I looked at him the tension in the air. I couldn’t explain how much I wanted him, in every sense of the word, even though he also seemed to exude an aura of danger. I still felt drawn to him, watching him with admiration, like a child in front of their favorite flavor of ice cream. I think my mouth was even open. However, I didn’t care. My heart resumed its frantic pace when he turned his head towards me. I still can’t say for certain that he was looking at me, but I didn’t care