by Layla Arts
“I didn't know you made it through! After all, we were dismissed immediately after the auditions.” I said in annoyance. I still could feel anger boiling through my body when I thought back to the disastrous act that'd happened two days ago. “Have you guys already started dancing? Am I too late? Where is the choreographer?”
“Calm down, Vicky,” Red said, and a chuckle left her mouth at the end. “First of all, you aren't even late. We aren't going to train today with anyone. Haven't you got the call about the choreography we needed to prepare ourselves?” Red asked me curiously.
I shook my head extremely fast. I hadn't had any information received from anyone. The only thing I knew was that I had to wear the most skin-revealing outfit I owned. But this was definitely something else.
Then it hit me.
I placed my hand in front of my mouth. This wasn't the right time to hear this. I wouldn't have a day to create a routine and smash it like the rest of them had.
“When did you hear about this?”
“Yesterday morning, I got a call. They asked me to be here at seven am and create a choreography on our own,” Red explained to me. “They didn't tell you? How is that possible?” She asked me with concern.
“I have no clue Red. But I really need to make something up right now. Otherwise, I'm so screwed,” I said. I was nervous. For fuck’s sake, I couldn’t even stand on my feet normally and keep myself at bay. I wasn't used to this. I'd never made a dance routine under such pressure. And definitely not this kind of pressure. He had this all planned out from the moment I talked to him.
“Where are the bathrooms?” I asked Red.
“Over there.” She instantly pointed at the corner of the room.
“How long do we have until the performances?” I asked worriedly.
“Approximately thirty minutes,” Red spoke timidly.
“Oh my God,” I said. I was almost on the edge of shitting my pants, and I really didn't want that to happen right now. I went with my hand through my black wavy hair, and a loud sigh left my mouth. “I-I'll be back soon. I'm going to try to make something up." I told Red. She wished me good luck, and then I rushed out of this area. I was going to practice in a bathroom. But if that was the best spot I could get right now, I was taking it.
I knew it. I fucking knew it. Hadrian had set everything up - He called me with a specific reason that night, asking me to show up in the afternoon. He'd done that on purpose.
But I was going to show him that he wasn’t going to mess with me. He'd already been an asshole to me, and now he did this. I decided on not letting it pass this easily.
I danced in front of the little mirror that was hanging in the ladies room. I only had the songs on my iPhone I could use, and I needed to make this routine massive. Bigger than my audition. If he had seen that audition, he would be expecting an even better show this time around.
I decided to stick with what I created and got changed. I was going to be on the stage soon and still had not taken off my old clothes. I smiled at the outfit that was under my normal attire. I got rid of it and changed quickly. The fabric fitted perfectly around my body. My black crop top with thin straps was decorated with a bit of lace around the edges. I wore a tiny pair of shorts, which were almost considered to be underwear. I stepped into my heels and grabbed my belongings. Staring into the mirror, I smirked at myself wearing my black trench coat as a cover up for now. Just wait until they see me.
I was exactly on time when I saw two people standing in the middle of the circle – They were calling everyone over. I walked faster toward them. I stood outside the circle, peering into it to try to hear the announcement.
With a glare, I saw him standing there in a Gucci suit he owned. I bet that stupid thing costs more than my rent. This time, his hair was pushed back. He stood there thinking he was everything, when he was, in fact, nothing. He didn't see me, and I thought that was the best for both of us. If he was going to make one single remark toward me, I would take him down.
“Thank you all for showing up. We have been looking forward to this day. As you all know, you were asked to create your own routine. We're going to look at you all, patiently, and decide in which of the groups you'll end up with. We have the main group, as you all probably know. But the understudies are very important too. You never know if someone gets injured.” Hadrian informed and smiled at each one of us. His voice was low, deep, and sexual.
“We have made a list with names. Look at it to find out when it's your time to be on stage. You can all take a seat at a random table. And please,” the man next to him spoke, scanning his eyes over everyone. “Make yourself comfortable. Charles will arrange your song choices.” He added formally. I hadn't seen him before, not even on the audition day. I didn't think for a single second that he could be nicer than the other employees.
The man placed a list on the table, and a lot of girls began to scrabble for it. I folded my arms against my chest, and walked up, slowly. When I came closer, I bowed over the list – I was second. How lovely.
As I got back up, I locked eyes with the bastard that kept information from me in the first place. Why did he want to speak to me, in particular, that day? Why did he call me, and why didn't I receive this call from someone else? I wasn't going to ask him everything right now. Sometime soon, I would get the answers I was looking for. For now, I needed to be sure to give a show - A stunning performance altogether.
Hadrian licked his lips, while he scanned me out in detail. I didn't smile, I did not feel the need to be sympathetic toward him. Because a) that asshole didn't deserve it and b) because he is a manipulative dick. It felt like his eyes weren't able to get away from my body. I playfully changed my standing position, and I saw his eyes following my movement.
“Number one.” I heard Hadrian's employee yell.
I walked over to the table I had claimed earlier. I watched the first girl perform. She was good. Her moves weren't that outstanding – everyone could easily do this. But I thought that she had done a wonderful job after all. People cheered softly, and it was now my turn.
“Number two!”
I stood up and walked with my trench coat on toward the stage. I saw Charles standing there with the music equipment. “Please play Partition by Beyoncé for me,” I told him. He gave me a quick nod, and I was off toward the stage.
The lights got dimmed again, and I opened my trench coat. Hadrian looked at me from a distance, slowly leaning back in his chair. This was going to knock his smelly socks off.
A smirk was plastered on my face as I threw the trench coat down in front of the stage, not far away from Hadrian's feet that were poised up on a table. I turned around on my heel teasingly, and stepped to the middle of the stage, and the song started to play.
Driver, roll up the partition, please.
I grabbed my hair and lifted it. I started with touching my neck, and going down temptingly. I bowed down and shook my bum, and scooped up. I made a couple of pirouettes, and stretched my leg out, stroking it gradually.
Now my mascara running, red lipstick smudged.
I walked closer to the end of the stage, and I turned around. My hands were resting above my ass. I trailed down and touched my bum seductively. The music was making me feel so good, while I was performing in front of him. I wanted to make him feel like it was a private show he would never forget.
Oh he so horny, yeah he wants to fuck.
They couldn't see it, but I touched myself and made me bend down my knees quickly. I rested with my hands on my knees and swayed my hips in the rhythm of the music. When I got up with my hands trailing up my body, the same way they went down earlier.
Take all of me.
I made a body roll, swayed my hips, kicked my right leg to the side, raked my hand through my hair and fell down on my side. I rolled to my stomach and leaned on my knees and elbows. I arched my back a few times and got myself lifted back up again
His face was priceless. His eyes focused on every movement I mad
e with my body. His green eyes stared into mine intensively, his mouth a bit open. He was holding his Mojito in his hand, taking sips frequently.
His gaze captured mine.
Handprints and good grips all on my ass.
Again, I touched my ass and winked quickly once at Hadrian when I watched him over my shoulder. I wanted to make him feel sensation from the spot he was sitting. He needed to get sweaty hands, feel lust in his veins, and create imaginations in his head – I wanted to make him feel like the show was only meant for his eyes.
Private show with the music blasting.
And I saw it all perfectly. Hadrian Smith clenched his jaw, sealed his eyes, breathed in, and his left hand grabbed the arm of the chair aggressively. I made him feel every bit of emotion I wanted his body to experience by simple dance moves and powerful attitude.
We ain't even gonna make it to this club.
The music stopped, lights went off, and I got off stage to grab my trench coat. People were clapping loudly, and I thanked them nicely. Maybe they were the only nice employees walking around. Red had this huge grin on her face, and she complimented me right away when I came back. I knew Hadrian was still staring at me while I walked over to Red.
“You were sensational!” she exclaimed.
“Thanks, Red,” I said through my panting, trying to catch my breath.
“Main group, no doubt about it,” she told me with a tap on my shoulder.
I happily watched everyone perform, and there were many talents on the stage. We all heard we had a fifteen-minute break before we needed to head back. Since I hadn't examined this building very well, I came to a conclusion that I could probably wander around in the fifteen minutes we had been given. So I excused myself from the group of girls who were sitting around the table, walking into the unknown.
Getting to the first floor, I moved around. I was in the dressing room for the dancers. Different mirrors were ready to be used, and little bar chairs were placed in front of them. I trailed with my fingers over the chairs, and I took a seat in front of one of the mirrors.
I could imagine myself sitting here throughout the week, and getting my makeup done for the show. I’d be joined by other girls who shared a passion for dancing. It all became so real to me when I was sitting here.
When I got off the chair and was ready to head downstairs, I was met with emerald green eyes. His hands were in his pockets, and he leaned with his body against the threshold. His eyes moved over my body, and I frowned at him while he checked me out patiently. He licked his lips before he moved over to me, and started talking.
“Quite a show,” Hadrian told me. “You practically blew me away.”
I chuckled and didn't respond.
Hadrian walked closer, and I saw a smirk appearing on his face. “I've never seen such an intense performance from one person,” he admitted.
“Have you never seen anyone dance before?” And I cocked my head to the right.
“I’ve seen many girls come and go.”
“I don’t know if you should be proud of that.”
“Well,” he began. “It isn’t necessary to talk about the past. I’m a bigger fan of the present or the future.” Hadrian said. He stood in front of me, surprisingly close.
“What do you mean?”
“I'd like to experience your performance again, privately.” He grabbed the rim of my shorts suddenly, as if he wanted to rip them off.
“Stop it.” I hissed loudly at him, yanking his hand away in surprise.
I was completely in shock by the fact that Hadrian had forced himself upon me. My heart was beating rapidly as I looked at the man who tried to get desire out of me. This was not something I expected from my employer. I looked around myself in haste; hoping that I’d find a bathrobe and cover my body. But there was nothing around me.
“What the hell Vicky?” he asked me angrily.
“That was a show, not a fucking invitation to get into my pants.” Anger was bleeding through my voice.
Hadrian stepped back out of confusing.
"So you're turning me down?” he questioned rudely.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” I asked.
“Cocky much?” he stated, eyebrows drew down in anger.
“No, I’m just straight to the point. I don’t want you to touch me like that.” I warned him.
“You can't make me sit back and wait for that performance. You wanted this, you wanted me,” Hadrian told me convincingly. He was actually hurt by me pushing him away. He closed the gap between the two of us, and his face was only an inch away from my face. I saw his nostrils part whenever he blew the air out of his nose. I noticed that sweat was appearing on his forehead while he kept staring at me intimidatingly – his eyes burning with irritation.
I licked my lips teasingly. “I never said I wanted you.” And that was completely true. Did I ever beg him to come after me? No, I hadn't. I'd only wanted to make him feel something he couldn't have. “Admit it, Hadrian. You're.”
He walked away from me - He was vengeful, and not just a little bit. He slammed the mirror that was standing there, and it shattered into pieces. I tried not to panic, and just inhaled and exhaled calmly. He was riled up because of what had happened. “You're so going to regret this, Vicky West,” Hadrian growled.
His posture made clear that the conversation was over.
I was surprised by what he did. He had no right to do that. If there was someone here allowed to hit something like that, it was me. But instead of the mirror, I would prefer to hit his face. He just wanted to drag me towards a room, or just fuck me somewhere random – it basically didn't matter to him. He was beyond thirsty, and it made me even reconsider working at the Empire if he was going to act around me like that continuously.
He owned all the characteristics of someone I’d never get along with.
***
We got called back by Hadrian's employee, and we gathered in the same circle we'd been in before.
I had stayed upstairs for a while, before I decided I was ready to face everyone again. I couldn’t comprehend the fact that Hadrian – perhaps my future boss – had made me feel extremely uncomfortable. Maybe this was a common way for him to approach his dancers, but I wasn’t a fan of his actions. I was still shaking, and it didn't help that I was nervous about my place in the Empire. Everyone told me I was going to make it in the main group, so I knew I must've put on somewhat of a good show. I felt my hands getting sweaty out of excitement. When it was my turn, I trailed down with my finger over the paper, searching for my name.
Vicky West: UNDERSTUDY
All of them were starting to leave the building, laughing because of happiness. They had received good news. I, on the other hand, had the worst. I wanted to ask him why I didn't make it into the main group – anger was pooling inside my body. Is this how he was supposed to make me pay? By giving me an understudy role? It wasn't fair, or moral, in any way. Just because I wouldn't give him what he craved, doesn’t mean he had to practically ruin my career. I quickly slipped into my yoga pants and tried to search for Hadrian. He'd be somewhere nearby.
I saw a body appear from the darkness in the corner. This bastard had been hiding himself there for a good time, waiting for me. I walked toward him, aggravated – oh how I wanted to smack that ridiculous face of him.
“Was it because I didn't want you in my pants?!” I questioned him vindictively. He was getting on my nerves, and blood was boiling inside of me. He was a fucking asshole who only thought about undressing and touching me. I stood inches apart from his face.
“I'm not that unprofessional, Vicky. That hurts,” he said monotonously, placing his hand on his heart – as if he owned one.
“That hurts? You know what hurts? Being put into the wrong group after the performance I gave you. I tried my best, and you just wanted to make me feel miserable. And only because I didn't let you force yourself on me.” I spat out harshly. If there was one thing I had learned from my mother, it was standing y
our ground.
“You just didn't make it. Really, Vicky, you should try to be a better sport and just get over it."
I shook my head in disagreement. He wanted to play with me like this, and I wasn't going to take it.
“I need to be in the main group!” I made him clear for one last time.
Hadrian walked around me, and little by little, I stepped backward. He was going to the metal spiral stairs that led him to the balcony he was standing on yesterday. He opened two buttons from his white shirt underneath his suit as he did, leaving me behind. “Show me that you deserve that spot. Prove that you're not an understudy,” he said from the balcony. My jaw just dropped. “Show me, and maybe I'll reconsider making you one.” Then, he opened a door and disappeared right in front of me.
***
I grabbed a fresh apron and tugged it around my body. When I arrived back home, I had a quick shower, and that was it. I was hungry, annoyed, and thirsty. Veronica was luckily nowhere to be found because she would have asked me tons of questions about why I wasn't smiling.
Well, because I got put in the fucking wrong group.
I asked if table 9 wanted to order, but they had not finished on deciding what to eat. That didn't bother me because I got a couple of minutes for myself. After five o’clock, everything turned out to be better. There weren’t going to be a lot of people coming down to V’s café. Mostly because everyone started to prepare dinner back at home, and we didn't serve warm meals during the evening.
“Pouting makes you get wrinkles at a young age.” I heard a male voice say behind me.
“Not now Kent.” I waved him off. I turned around and leaned my elbows on the counter. He stood there, being extremely cute in his apron, while he looked at me. The café was getting emptier by the time, and I was satisfied that at least one person could join me. But that didn't mean I was searching for interaction.
“Tell me what happened, Vicks.” He encouraged me.
“I am not in the mood,” I whined.
“That is too bad for you because I want to hear it. And you’re going to tell me no matter what.” Kent made it clear. He pushed his short blonde hair back, and leaned this time, like me, with his elbows on the counter. His mouth curved into a smile.