Chapter 2 CRIMSON AMBER

The elusive atmosphere and bar lights greeted me as soon as I step inside the pub. From the lazy spin of the fans, to the recumbent light of eventide that will soon be starlit black, the bar soaks in the ambiance of the good night.

However, unlike most of the people, I'm not here to get drunk. My business here is far more than that.

I sighed when I saw the calendar- it's Friday.

"Florence! Get ready because your performance will start soon!"

I nod my head at Aria and immediately went inside the room designated for us workers. I wash my face before wearing the fringe transparent red dress embedded with rhinestones. I sit in front of a mirror and apply some light make up. I just let my naturally wavy hair down. To complete my sultry look, I wear a pair of earrings and a high pumps.

I stared at my own reflection. My current appearance is too far from the Florence that most people see. Neither could I find the Florence I often presented to the crowd. I look so bold. I look like an epitome of a dauntless, fierce woman- but I know better than that.

The door behind me opened. Aria entered the dim light room and stands beside me, a proud smile is plastered between her lips.

"You look so stunning, Florence. I don't regret having you as one of our performer," she said, her eyes gleaming.

Aria is middle-aged woman who happens to be my manager. Despite her age, her beauty is still out of this world. She was actually the one who offered me this job.

After a few minutes, we left the room. From the back stage, I heard the loud screams of several people dancing along with the rock music. A woman walk towards Aria and talk to her while I stand on the corner, my fingers fidgeting on the hem of my dress.

"And now, the most awaited moment of everyone. She's now ready to raise the heat! Crimsom Amber!" the hostess announced.

Aria signaled me to prepare myself. "Don't disappoint me, Florence."

I nod my head and heave out a sigh. I wear the mask I'm holding to cover my eyes. I breathed deep before stepping on the stage.

The smokes around me gradually disappeared, and a sultry song started playing. I throw cautions in the air and started moving my body. The crowd that was dancing along with the upbeat song earlier became wilder.

A smirk made its way on my lips. I slowly remove the blazer, exposing my shoulder blades and a portion of my chest. I sway my hips on both side seductively and move along with the rhythm. I bend over and caress my legs with a seductive look on my face.

I'm not the Florence Quinn Sylvia that most people know right now. Tonight, I'm Crimson Amber- the anonymous stripper of Stag Nite Bar.

The crowd below cheered for me. They started throwing money on the stage while asking for more. They look like hungry predators gawking over their prey. They are staring at me with pure lust gleaming on their eyes.

I sneered. Men and their insatiable desire to screw women in bed.

Suddenly, my gaze landed on a certain table where five men are sitting. Their clothes and the way they carry themselves speak dominance, if that's even possible. But what caught my eyes is the man sporting a blue long-sleeve polo, its first three buttons are open, exposing his chest.

Even from afar, I can feel the prepotent aura surrounding him. It's as if he can make anyone bends on their knees and worships him. He's not looking at me, he's just staring at his drink. And for some strange reasons, it's infuriating that he's not paying attention on me. I heaved out a sigh and was about to avert my stares when his gaze suddenly bored on my direction. As if spell-bound, I can't take off my eyes on him anymore.

An idea popped inside my mind. I walk down the stage, everyone's screams became louder. They are calling my attention, but my eyes are only focused on him, whose forehead is now creased. His friends seemed to noticed that I'm staring directly at him because they started teasing him.

I don't know what had gotten inside me, but I just found myself standing in front of him. My knees quivered when I met his cold eyes that seem to resemble a storm. I want to sink on my spot when he did not even move! While everyone around us is screaming, he's just staring at me with a dead-pan look as if I'm the most boring thing that he saw in his entire existence!

Damn it, should I just go back to the stage to redeem myself from this embarrassment?

I'm about to follow the rational part of my mind but my eyes landed on his slightly parted lips.

Everyone shrieks when I suddenly leaned down and kiss him. And just like that, all the noises around us dissipated into thin air. It seems like everyone vanished and we, kissing in the midst of the wild crowd, are the only important thing right now.

His eyes widened and his body stiffened. But I don't care, I continue claiming his luscious lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. He's not pushing me, but he's not responding to my kisses either. It lasted for almost a minute.

I slowly detached myself from him. He still has the same shock expression.

"I-I'm sorry," I whispered.

I bite my lips as uneasiness dawned my system. What the fuck did I just do?!

Seeing that he has nothing to say, I turned my back. But before I could even walk away, his firm arms grabbed my hands and pulled me. And once again, I just found myself on top of this stranger. But this time, it was him who's kissing me with so much intimacy. My lips are parted because of surprise, and his dominant tongue made its way inside. His hands travel down my waist.

I kissed him just a minute ago... but this one feels so strange. The way his tongue ravages my lips feels so different... yet good. When I came back to my senses, I tried to push him away because we're deliberately making it out now, but he just caught my arms and continue ravaging my lips.

I muffled my moans when his tongue travel down and bites the skin of my neck. He continue sucking and nibbling it, taking away every bit of sanity left in my body.

He squinted his eyes on me. My heart beats erratically because those set of orbs seems looking at the depth of my soul. "Stop playing with fire, woman. You don't have any idea what game you just entered." His deep, baritone voice filled my ears.

I stared at him for a moment. A sly grin is plastered in between his lips. Blood went up to my cheeks. I was about to slap him but he immediately caught my hands.

He chuckled sexily. "Go now, before I lose my sanity and fuck you here."

His grip on me loosened, and I get that chance to walk away from him despite the intense trembling of my knees. It's a good thing that the song already ended and it was already replaced with an exuberant one, hence I don't need to go on stage anymore. I don't think I still have the courage to dance after that scene.

Though I'm wearing a mask and my identity is hidden from everyone aside from the staff of this pub, I can't be at ease!

I pulled my hair in frustration. "Damn it! I'm screwed up!"

The door suddenly opens, revealing Aria who's wearing a teasing grin. She claps her hands. "That's really unexpected of you, Florence. But I want to commend you for that! Your little make out session made everyone go crazy!"

I gulped the lump on my throat. I did not bother answering her because I'm still preoccupied with what happened. I will never do that again, I swear to God.

She handed me an envelope. "Continue doing your good job, Florence."

I opened the envelope, several bills are inside. I heaved out a sigh. "Thank you, Aria."

She nodded. "I still have things to do. You can go home now," she said and left me alone inside the room. I sit on one of the chair and stared at my reflection. My lips are swollen. I gritted my teeth when I also saw few kiss marks on my neck. How will I hide these tomorrow?!

Damn that bastard!

"But you're the one who started it!" the subconscious part of my mind chastised me. My nose flared up in annoyance.

He and his friends are not familiar to me. I think this is their first time going here... and I hope would be their last. I shook my head and chuckled at my own thought.

I stand up and take off the dress and wear a blue shirt paired with a ripped jean. I also put a buggy sweater. This is much more comfortable. I wipe the make up off of my face and remove the earrings. I did not bother concealing the kiss marks on my neck, no one will see it anyway. I took the back door when I exited the pub just to ensure that no one would recognize and see me.

While waiting for a cab, I look over the picturesque view of the night sky. The night time is actually my favorite part of the day. I don't know, it just feels so serene and peaceful. The glowing moon was surrounded by an ethereal glow. Multitude of white pin pricks were sprinkled behind it.

Out of the sudden, I remember the face of the man that brought shiver down my spine. I don't even know why I did that. Maybe because the thought that he was not affected by my presence was an insult to my pride. And I wanted to prove that he was just like any other horny man inside that room.

What a petty reason, Florence.

I touch my lips, and the tingling sensation that I felt a while ago came back. What he did really took me off guard. I mean, I did not expect that!

I hope our paths won't cross again.