My breath shallows as I near the door matching the number on the key.

Room 24

The numbers were plated in gold. The door a dark mahogany brown. The large inanimate object was very intimidating; I had to fight the urge to turn around and go back downstairs.

Turning the key into the lock, I walk-in. Making sure to keep my head held high:

Confidence scares insecure men

I set the drinks down on a table facing the men. I make sure not to make a sound or look at anyone in the room. I turn around, placing drink by drink in front of the men. There were five in the room.

One of them being my boss. His eyes manage to catch mine momentarily. I look away quickly, but it was too late. He was already facing me with a large smirk spreading on his face.

"Sweetcheeks!" His grating voice booms through the VIP room, "Come here and sit on my lap."

Don't let them touch you

Amber's previous words ring in my ears as I fix my gaze to Braxton. All eyes in the room stared at me. I could feel their heated gaze on me and it made me sick to my core.

"Sorry sir, I'm only here to serve the drinks," I flatten my voice, not wanting them to hear my panic, "I will then return downstairs and finish my shift."

I place the last drink down, before looking up once again. The man in front of me, his face was something I could have thought to be a trick - a game.

He completely enchanted me.

Every part of him had my hypnotized. Whose face is that gorgeous? There were no flaws as far as the eye could see.

His face strong and eyes intimidating. He had sharp blue eyes, they struck me like lightning. It's not very often you see eyes as vibrate as his. They seemed as if they had been touched by storm clouds themselves. Their icy color contrasted with their warmth.

His looks were truly devilish; I have sinned to even look into them.

Something so beautiful must be forbidden

I quickly look away pulling back, before I reach the door, Braxton speaks out again.

"I don't care what you're here to do," He seethes, "I said to sit on my lap, so sit on my lap,"

"I apologize sir, but that is not something I'm willing to do." My sharp tone prodding at his ego.

I get enough shit at home

I'll be damned if I take it from anyone else

"Listen here you little bitc-" Braxton cut off by a deep velvety voice.

"Leave her be, Miller, finish this meeting. I have better things to do with my time." The blue-eyed devil himself, speaks up against my boss.

I nod in acknowledgment, a silent way of saying thank you without losing my job. I quickly pick up the now empty metal tray, leaving the tension-filled room.

As I near the bottom stair I see Amber waiting for me.

"How was it?" She asks

"He asked me to sit in his lap in front of the whole room," I sputter, "I don't think I can do this anymore. He's so spiteful. I don't think I could look him in the eye ever again."

She engulfs me in a hug, a warm, reassuring hug. I was lucky to have her has a friend. She was loyal and genuine. She knows nothing of my home life, whether she's noticed my bruises or not, she hadn't spoken on them. I was also grateful for that.

"It's okay, go home, I'll take over the bar," She smiles weakly at me.

"Are you sure? I can finish out the shif-"

"Please, Rose, you can go." Her smile slowly getting brighter.

I decide she won't take no for an answer and leave with a promise to take up the next shift she doesn't want. The lowly lit parking lot has always scared me, now after the interaction with my boss. I damn near run to my car.

Opening the car door, I throw my bag in.

BOOM

The sound of the club door busting open takes my attention, men can be seen walking into the parking lot. With a closer look, I realize it's four of the men that were in the private room. I can't help but stare, their walk was aggressive.

They walked with a purpose - every single one of them.

My eyes lock with bright blue ones, his stare is addicting. Even if I wanted to look away, I'm positive I couldn't. My mask was still on at this time, so it's surprising he could even see my eyes. Let alone stare into them.

His pink lips lift into a smirk as he gets into a black Mercedes.

Black Mercedes

The same one that sped past me only hours before. Of course, he would be the one to break rules. This only proves my previous statement that the devil crafted him.

And may I say, he took his time

My eyes drift to the male next to him, only to be surprised that he already was looking at me. His gaze was intense and questioning. He had familiar brown eyes, I racked my brain trying to figure out where I had seen them before.

I know those eyes, but from where?

The mysteriously familiar man gets into the passenger seat of the car and the car drives off. A black SUV follows behind them.

Shaking off my thoughts, I continue to get in my car and drive off.

Now it's time to see Mommie dearest

***

Almost immediately the thick smell of alcohol burns my nostrils as I open the front door. I swear the smell gets stronger every day. Closing the door quietly, I realize I don't hear the horrid sound of snoring.

Mommy's up

Taking the tiniest of steps, I peek into the living room. There she was, in all of her drug feened glory.

Nettle in vein, band wrapped around the top of her arm. I have no clue what she's shooting up. Over the years, she's switched drugs like she switches underwear.

Or how she should switch underwear

RING

RING

RING

The house phone goes off, I swiftly make my way back into the kitchen picking it from the hook.

"Hello, Rose Vargas speaking,"

"Hello darlin', I hate to be a bother, but I was just wonderin' if it was possible for you to come in tomorrow night instead of the mornin'?" Ms. Justine's polite voice can be heard from the other side. A soft smile settles on my face

"Of course I can, it won't be a problem," I smile into the phone, talking to her is the root of my happiness.

"What would I do without you, Doll?" I hear her smile from the other side.

No, what would I do without you

I say my goodbyes and hang up.

"Who was that? One of your men?" A gravelly voice sneers behind me, I don't even have to turn around to know who it is.

"My boss, I have a night shift tomorrow,"

"Yeah, it's about time you do something around here," She snorts, but it sounds more like a cackle, "I don't know what I did in my previous life to end up with a child like you."

I roll my eyes, back still facing her.

I'm the only one that does shit around here

"Look at me when I talk to you, pig." I can feel her spit on the back of my neck, I slowly turn to face her.

It's been a while since I've been this close to her, she looks so old. Her face shows years beyond her age. Her teeth are starting to brown, soon they'll fall out.

"I need money," She states bluntly, her eyes hold only hate when she looks at me.

"For what?" I question, knowing why she wants it. I'm just trying to be a pain in the ass.

A burning sensation is brought upon my left cheek, as her hand not so gracefully glides across it.

"I don't have to explain myself to you!" She yells, "I am the parent, you are the child. You will do as I say when I say it!"

I've heard that line far too many times

"Well, I don't have it!" I yell right back. I know what will happen, I don't care.

It's almost as if I could see the anger rise in her. The urge to destroy something now needing to be fulfilled. My face is the only thing is sight.

She yanks my hair, pulling me to the ground.

It was expected but still hurt nonetheless.

Punch

Kick

Punch

Kick

I never know how long these beatings last. Every time feels the same. I had hoped by now I'd be numb to the pain, but I would never be that lucky. I still feel every bone in her body hit my skin. I feel every blood vessel being busted and every muscle contract.

She normally finished it by spitting, but sometimes if I'm lucky she'll just pass out mid-beating and skip that part.

I feel a gross, warm substance on my cheek.