Out of Control-3

" Where have you been?!" shouts Keri.

" I needed bottle service like yesterday!"

Keri was another waitresses/bartender at Eden. She also happened to be Cain's best friend.

" I was with Cain. If you have problem, take it up with him!" I yell, being completely out of character.

Not taking any of my attitude, she pulls me aside and asks what the hell is wrong.

" Nothing. Well, my mom called for the fiftieth time and it's starting to get to me".

" You should call her back. She probably just wants to here your voice. Mother's worry".

" Appealing to my conscious. Such a low blow."

Deciding to ignore me after that, she picks up her tray and works the room. She takes her raven coloured hair out of it's ponytail and lets it cascade down her back. Whenever she does that, it's game on. I take a minute and admire the way she can be relentless in getting tips.

Remembering that I have job to do, I rush upstairs to the second floor and grab the platter. This part of the club was for VIP's, so they naturally had more girls, security etc. They had decorated the mainly clear coloured room with lavish couches and separate alcoves for the clientele who wanted more of an up close and personal experience.

I go to leave, but at the last second, I see a girls head... bobbing. Now, I know most people think all strippers give extras. That is simply not the case. Majority of them come work, do their job and go home. Just like everyone else. Of course, you always have a few who ignore the rules, but shit happens. It's part of my job to alert security if anything is amiss.

Picking up on the fact that they now have an audience, she stops and whispers in his ear. He rises from the booth and comes toward me. Before I grasp the situation, I feel something sharp at the side of my hip.

" You didn't see or hear anything. You got that?" he cautions, pushing the knife inwards, cutting me a little.

Not letting my fear get the better of me, I decide to risk it. Praying to be quick enough, I knee him in the groin. He goes to the ground, holding his privates like they've just been taken away. I kick the dagger out of his reach and signal for help with a mini flashlight that everyone is given. Recognizing the cue, the guys rush over to restrain him.

" You ok?" asks Dante, one of Cains recently hired bouncers.

" A little shaken up, but I'll manage. One thing though. Make sure Cain doesn't find out about this. The last thing we need his for him to take this asshole out back and beat him  to a pulp. Right?" I reply, looking into the bastards cold, calculating eyes.

" You better sleep with one eye open, you little faggot".

I had reached my limit. I moved away from the creep and let them handle it.

On my way back down, I take a second or five to cool off. I was that close to kicking him in the face.Since when do I think about kicking people in the face?

Something was changing inside of me and I think I knew what it was. Keri had just gotten off the phone when she seen me come in.

" Babe, I just got done talking with Dante. Are you sure you're alright? Do you need to go home?"

" Keri..I'm fine. Nothing I couldn't solve on my own" I say, putting on my brave face.

" Ok. I'm here if you need anything"

Grateful for her kind words, I smile and offer to do her checklist for beer at the end of the night.

Needing to talk to someone who wasn't  busy, I search for Layla among the rabble. Unable to pinpoint her, I ask Niall where she is.

" I think she's outside" he answered, looking away from the newspaper.

" Thanks!"

" Cole?"

" Hmm?"

" I just wanted to say that I'm glad that you and Cain have found each other. It's been too long since he's had someone to share life with."

A wave of guilt hits me. I went into that thinking it just going to be a one time thing and  now, everyone is picturing that were going to be together for the rest of our lives. I'm ecstatic that he wants a relationship, but I can't help wondering if that's due to my saying... or me.

I found Layla sitting on a bench and having a smoke. She was wrapped up in a large green trench coat that was big enough for two. She calls me over, unbuttons it and lets me snuggle in beside her.

Incapable of holding it in anymore, I begin to cry and tell her everything.

After letting me get it all out, she puts a positive spin on the hand that I've been dealt.

" Number one. You were meant to live through it".

" Number two. Guilt reminds you that you're a good person. End of story".

" Has anyone ever told you that you're too wise for twenty-eight?" I teased.

" Very funny and no, they haven't. Now get back in there with your head held high".

  Summoning up the reserves of energy that I had left, I sauntered up to the club with improved purpose and entertained no more negative thoughts.