~GEMMA~
Finally, I'm done dancing. I blow a kiss to the audience—my signature departure sign and walk off the stage to the changing room admist loud cheering noises.
The adrenaline in me while dancing crashes and I'm back to beating up myself in guilt and regrets—something I usually do after each dance.
It's never part of my plans to be a stripper. Infact, I hated dancing in front of horny men, almost naked.
But circumstances of life forced me to be a stripper. I had no choice if I wanted to earn money faster to clear off the huge debts my brother took from a loan company before he died and to take care of my little sister, Chloe. She's the only family I have left in this world.
I sigh heavily as I begin to scrub the glitter and stage makeup off my skin in the changing room when Cynthia bursts in, her eyes wide, a mixture of fear and excitement.
"A man requested for you," she tells me.
I sigh again, pulling my sweatshirt over my head.
"What man? What's his name? Where is he? I ask pulling on my black jeans.
And for some strange reasons, I feel like I already know the answer to the questions I asked her.
"He is at VVIP Table 28," she whispers, still breathless. "Tall, breathtakingly handsome….that he's almost like a Greek god. His bodyguards are standing behind him like statues."
I frown.
I am right after all. He must be the one requesting to see me.
But why does he want to see me?? I have no business with him.
"Is it possible to refuse meeting with him?" I ask Cynthia.
"No!" She almost scream. "He said you must show up. That it's better for you that way."
I remember how cold and ruthless he is known to be and decide that I don't want to be in his bad books. So I have no choice than to go.
"Alright, thanks. I'll be on way to see him soon," I tell Cynthia.
"He looks wealthy," she eyes me playfully. "Ensure to collect lots of money from him tonight."
But before I can reply to her that I'm a stripper, not a sex worker, she's out of the room–half running, half walking.
"Silly girl," I mutter, shaking my head.
When I'm done dressing up and packing my stuff in a bag, I head towards the VVIP to see Leonardo Romano.
He is sitting alone but his bodyguards are standing in a semicircle.
Holy shit! I mutter.
On a closer look, he looks more handsome than I saw him on the stage.
He is wearing a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up showcasing his veiny hands and tattoos. His muscles are almost popping out from his shirt.
Not only is he facially attractive but he's also bodily fit.
The black suit trousers he's putting on suited his long legs perfectly.
Guy! This man is damn handsome but then, I notice the cold aura around him. This is my first time meeting the famous billionaire and CEO, Leonardo Romano.
I should be scared, but surprisingly…. I'm not.
Oh scratch that! Because the moment he fixes those cold blue eyes of his on mine and holds my gazes, every confidence in me flies straight out of the windows.
"Good evening, Sir. You requested for me," I say nervously.
But even with my nervousness, I notice that his eyes are devoid of the lust most men in the club show.
He gestures to the seat across the table.
"You can sit," he says in the most deepest, masculine voice I have ever heard.
No one dares misbehave with just the sound of his voice alone.
I sink down. The expensive leather of the booth feels cold beneath me.
"You are Gemma Russell, right?" He demands, his voice suddenly feeling like a threat.
"Gemma, yes," I reply.
Damnit! How the hell does he know my real name??
"Ahh, I see!" He exclaims. "Then this is going to be interesting."
I straighten immediately.
"How do you mean by that, Sir??" I ask him.
"You shouldn't be bothered about that," he says, swiftly scanning me from head to toe. "Now, back to the main reason why you are here."
I don't say anything. I wait for him to speak and he stares at me for a while before speaking.
"I want you to be my personal stripper," He declares, sits back and folds his hands like he just made the most joyful announcement.
"What?" Your personal stripper??" I exclaim before I can stop myself.
"Yes, you heard me right." He says sternly. "You wouldn't be dancing on the stage anymore nor would you be dancing on other men's laps. You only dance for me and you must move to my estate." he finishes, his gaze never leaving mine.
I scoff in disbelief.
This man must be a joker! He must be really mad as people rumoured him to be.
Now I get why they call him "The mad billionaire"...he must have lost some nuts in his head. That should be the only explanation to what he just spat out. Because what audacity??!!
But one glance at him and I can tell he isn't joking. He's being serious.
Fucking damn serious!!!
My breath hitches.
"Sir, with all due respect….it makes no sense asking me to be your personal stripper. I work for the club, the club pays me," I protest.
"Then I'll buy the club and make you work for me," he replies nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders.
I blink twice, and fast.
This man must be insane.
"I refuse to be your personal stripper. I'd rather stop working here" I insist.
He chuckles softly like I said something funny.
"You have no choice, Gemma. You must be my personal stripper," he says confidently.
"And if I don't? What do you mean by I have no choice??"
A terrible, cold smile touches his lips.
"You must have forgotten that you owe me a whole lot of money that you can't even pay completely in ten years to come since your brother, Marcus, had the guts to die before I took my money back. Now, the debt falls on you." He says
I blink at him, confusion spreading on my face.
What is this insane man saying??
How on earth am I owing him—someone I'm just meeting for the first time tonight?? And how does he even know my brother?? How does he even know about the debt in the first place?? And who exactly have I been paying back the debts to???