CH III

I woke up with a start, drenched in my own sweat. My laptop crashed to the floor but glad nothing broke. That was one weird dream. It started of with me singing at PL and over the days am caught up in some kind of web. Am trying to get out of this web but it's pulling me more deeper into an abyss, but then suddenly I see a faint light at the end and then there is a flash of "blue eyes". Woah!!! weird dream indeed. It jolted me up from my sleep. Guess I was too wired about the new opportunity. Anyways looking at the clock on the wall I note it's quite early in the morning, but there's no use going back to sleep. So onwards with another day in my life.

Finished my usual morning business, I prepared breakfast and was in the process of munching through when I decided I could write a new song. Yeah my mind it just works in mysterious ways. Giggles.

So I was almost done with my new song when I looked at the clock and yep I better start for the 'day work' of my work, does that even make any sense. Then it hit me, I will be working three jobs now.

Wow! when did my life get so serious and busy. But yes if you want to make dreams happen, then you gotta put in the work.

Entering the cafe I was greeted by the tantalizing smells from the kitchen. My mouth watered at the smell. It has been hard but I manage, but a good stomach full of home cooked food is always welcome.

One day I said to myself and sat down to check-in at my cash desk and start for the day. The day went on as usual, very few customers and the usual folk coming in for their dose of coffees and stuff.

Late into the afternoon and I was almost dozing off, Sara helped me to a plateful of homecooked goodness. Wow dream came true!!! Anyways I was too full and sleep was just lulling me when i was jolted in my seat with the ding of the door bell signifying a new customer had entered the cafe.

I looked up and there he stood, "blue eyes", the most mesmerizing and bluest eyes you could ever see. I didn't know I was gawking at him, when he cleared his throat. I shifted my gaze to the cash desk and put on a smile.

"umm sorry, how can I help you today?"

"hi, I would like a mocha latte and a raspberry muffin to go please. Thank you."

I placed the order collected the cash and numbly gave him the change. Gathering all the courage to look into his face, I put on a smile and "Have a good day." My heart was beating or did it stop I didn't know. I just could not take my eyes away from his eyes. Awkward!!!

I managed to slowly pry my eyes away from his face and back to the door waiting for any further customers. I felt him look at me now and again, but I kept my eyes straight to the door and took a glance at the clock.

Just 30 mins more and my day job would be done then onto the first club for today.Am not bad looking or anything, fair complexion, nominal height of 5'6 and medium body build with curves in the right places I believe I looked good. Enough to catch any guys attention. But I had my priorities set right and I needed to focus more on that. yes focus! But his eyes, oh they are soooo dreamy.

"What is that goofy smile on your face for?" I was startled by Sara's question.

"No..nothing. Just dreaming myself as the next pop star on that big stage."

"Don't forget me when you get all starry a'right."

"How can I forget you my mama...I love you. I have to get to my second job for today. Off I go to make my dreams come true. Bye Sara!!"

"Girl you work too hard....let loose sometime....come clubbing with me on your off days..""will see Sara. Got to go. Bye!!!"

With a big smile and determination to make my dream come true I set off. Reaching the cafe I changed into my club working attire. yes I carry everything with me. I have some sparkly off-shoulder short and body fitting dresses for the club. Soon people were milling into the place and seats were filling up. Hmm guess people are just tired and want to relax. The club was buzzing with the loud chatter and glasses clinking. Soon boss shouted at the band to start playing. We got onto the stage and started off with some very common jazz numbers.

There suddenly were requests from the customers for me to sing specific songs. I looked to boss-man and he gave me a thumbs-up. I was happy to perform the requests I knew and politely declined which I didn't. 4 hours into my job and I was done with this job. I just have to pull through another 5 hours.

With a go getter attitude I left the club to go to PL. It was almost 10PM by the time I reached the club. Man was I tired, I had been up since 4 or 5 AM today.

I was out of breath and my outfit was a little crumpled. Reaching the club I noticed the rich look it had with all the yellow lights, the dazzling banner with a picture of a stripper or dancer I didn't know. There was still a good crowd. I read during my research that this was the late night, loaded place to be for the uptight and overflowing rich folk of the town. Chauffeurs busy clearing the vehicles, bell boys accompanying people who might have come for longer stay and there were a lot of people in suits.

Club Nevada looked like a poor man's resting place compared to this. Oh yes, the club I work for earlier to this is called "Club Nevada". Anyways not knowing where to go, my stomach in knots I jogged to the entrance. Soon I was pulled to the side by a strong hand, almost ripping my shoulder out.

"Ouch!!!" I squealed.

"Where do you think you are going? This is only for the guests and VIP customers. What are you doing here anyway girl?" This burly man glared at me. I felt myself shrink in his sight.

I didn't feel comfortable it was more like a father glaring at his daughter for going to a wrong place at this hour of the night. I gulped down my fear and try to vocalize my intent. "Try" being the keyword. My voice was stuck or lost, nothing was coming out and I must have looked like a fish out of water. He raised an eyebrow waiting for a response. I coughed multiple times trying to say something.

"I...I...(cough)...got a job here"

"yeah right. Who would employ a girl like you at this place? Don't play games with me girl. go home now. This is no place for young girls like you at this hour. Go on." and he shoved me away towards the pathway for the bus stop.

I caught myself before I hit the road flat on my face and pulled myself straight. Huffing I walked straight upto him and squarely looked him in the eyes.

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Mr.Connor the owner hired me from Club Nevada yesterday"

There was a sudden change in his eyes as if he remembered something. His lips lifted to a smirk and then he pointed a finger to the back entrance. I gave him a nod and walked proudly my head held high.

Yes! am just a girl but, I got in here. Facing the metal trap like back door, all my bravado disappeared. I was left with knots in my stomach again and my body was not registering the commands my brain was giving, telling me to move ahead. I was frozen.

"Sweety you gonna stare at that door al'night?"

To the alluring and too sweet of a voice I turned my head, my eyes bulging out. I noted her outfit or more like bits of clothing on her body. There was nothing left for imagination. I felt dirty. She had a curvaceous body that any man would kill for and woman would die for. Her legs were the best part of her, I just stared at the shimmer and all the shiny material on her.

"sugar-pie my eyes are right here. Are you the new singer?"

"ye...yes mam" I stuttered.

"Al'right follow me. Mr.Connor asked me to show you to his office."

"Ok"

How did she know I was out here and where did she come from. I looked up and fastened my pace to walk beside her. Walking through the trap door it led into a dingy and not so brighttunnel like path. Soon we were amidst people buzzling from one room to the other. There were other people with some kind of headset shouting at the performers. It was all just mad rush. I kept close to this lady leading me so I don't get lost. She led me to a staircase at the end of the tunnel and turned to look at me.

"Go up the stairs and the last door on your right is his office. C'ya love."

She walked off, I guess to perform. Must be dancer or stripper, who knows what all happens in this club. Could not get much through my research. I reached the door the lady guided me to and stood there I guess for a few minutes.

Why? I had no idea. My brain was whirring with possibilities, if I did the right thing taking this gig. The words of the burly man kept swarming in my head, "this is no place for a young girl like you". Young girl like me, am not that young am 22 and trying to make my dreams come true with whatever opportunities life throws at me. I can do this, I will do this and am going to do this. With my mind set and strong push to myself, I held onto the handle of the door, when I heard the voice from the other side,

"you can go down and report to the manager. He will let you know what you have to do."

I was shocked and was about to make a move to ask the name of the manager, when a man clad in suit and tie walks up the pathway to me.

"You the new singer? Am the manager, Mr.Fern. You will change out of that outfit. Follow me."

I guess here you just do what is told to you, nothing different from the other club as well. I followed him back to the madness and through it to set of rooms. There were costumes some looked like shiny pieces of rags, what they covered on the body was left to imagination. A very burly lady immediately walked upto us.

"This her?" Mr.Fern gave a stiff nod and turned around immediately without another word. "I can handle it from here." He didn't wait to acknowledge her words either.

I was stuck like a deer in the headlights looking at this huge lady. She was in a dress two sizes small for her, with everything of hers just flowing out. I prayed to God up there that she is much more decent when dressing other people. Her sharp eyes were assessing me from head to toe, stubby fingers gesturing this way and that to whatever was going on in her calculative mind. She suddenly drags me to a cubicle and tossed me a dress.

"Change."

That was it. Standing behind the partition, I look at the material that was called dress thrown at me. It was a black silk, beautiful with glitters. Nothing too fancy. Open back, deep v neck in the front. I hoped it was my size and not two sizes smaller. I gingerly tried it on and looking into the full body mirror I looked good. It hug all the curves and defined my body perfectly. I was pulled out again and scrutinized by those eyes.

"Will do. Will see tomorrow."

I was again thrown into a chair and my hair and face was worked upon. In another 5 minutes I could not believe I could look like what I was seeing in the mirror. I looked like a star. I was wow.

I know you have to admire yourself yes, you have to be your best fan first. At 10:30PM I was pushed onto the stage with a mic in hand.

The band started to play some music and I recognized it as a song I know and started to sing.5 hours of singing and watching people ogling or caressing the ladies who were serving them in very skimpy clothes, I was done. We were allowed a 10 minute break in-between and that was all. I was overwhelmed when some of the guests tried to come on the stage and touch me. But there were people to stop them and I was glad, but that didn't take away the nerves. I was unnerved by the entire environment inside the club and my mind was reeling whether I quit or continue.

On my way out, the band in-charge told me tomorrow would be from the 60's and to be ready. I nod and start my way out, when I got stopped by the burly lady.

"Lydia, tomorrow try to come a little earlier. we ought to put a little more work to make you look better. Yes", she sneered and was off.

Was she telling me her name was Ludia or did she think my name was Lydia. Some more time spent in this place and I would forget my name. You would become a robot doing what you are being told to do.

None here has the time to listen to anyone. I huff and pushed my backpack higher on my shoulders, speed walked myself out of that annoying club. Talk about first day jitters.I was beyond annoyed. I was keeping down 3 jobs and very close knit jobs that I cannot loose even one.

"What am I going to do", I groaned. I was not looking where I was going and thud I was butt first on the ground. God what was it today with me.

"Look am sorry. Am having a very bad day. This was my first time here and none wants to listen to anything I have to say. I work 3 jobs. Can you do that? At 22 am doing 3 jobs to make my dream come true. I just need a little consideration. Coming all the way to the other corner of the place from my Club Nevada is not easy. My life just....ugh anyway sorry again"

I ranted on without looking at who I had bumped into. Guess I was just too pissed and too much was held in. After my rant I looked up to see a hand stretched out in front of my face. I looked sideways to look at the owner of the hand.

My day just had to get.......