The billionaire’s stripper

Rikkard’s Pov

The golden of the setting sun outside the open window painted inside my office orange warm tones, but it didn’t do anything to soften my mood. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, leaning back in my chair as I glanced at the picture of Bella on my desk. 

Bella’s angelic face stared right back at me. Her curly blonde hair and big blue eyes and wide smile were the only light in my dull life. Her curls framing those big blue eyes filled with innocence and wonder. At five, she had more warmth and sincerity in her little heart than most people would.

She was the reason I pushed through heavy days like these. The reason I stayed in this city that thrives on noise  and chaos and bustling streets. The reason I was tied to a life that looked perfect on the outside yet felt hollow within.

Catherine was gone. Again. Paris or Milan? Honestly i couldn’t remember. I’d stop keeping track years ago. She’d sent me a text this morning, something about an important shoot, accompanied by a string of emoji’s I didn’t bother interpreting.

It was easier that way i suppose. Keeping the marriage functional on the surface level for Bella while we orbited completely separate lives. Honestly if not for Bella, I wouldn’t have tolerated it this long. I wouldn’t have gotten into this sham of a marriage even.

A knock on the door broke my thoughts.

“Come in” I called straightening in my seat, my voice coming out sharper  and louder than I intended.

Matt walked in, juggling a tablet and a folder. His glasses slid down the bridge of his nose and he pushed it back up with a quick jab of his finger as he struggles to walk without tripping on his own feet.  Poor guy always looked like he was one step away from a catastrophe. Clumsy and awkward yet somehow maddeningly effective. That was Matt.

“Sir” he said clearing his throat. “Mr Johnathan insists on having today’s meeting at uh…” he hesitated like he couldn’t quite believe the words he was about to say himself  “…Urm at velvet Nights”

I frowned “At velvet Nights? The strip club?”

“Yes sir” he adjusted his tie nervously “he was… he was quite insistent with it. Said it was non negotiable”

Of course, he did. Johnathan was nothing if not stubborn. The man thrives on making things really inconvenient for the people around him. Sixty three years old and set in his old ways, determined to remind everyone that he still called the shots. It was admirable in a way but also very infuriating.

The man was brilliant when it comes to working with him and with deals but stubborn and infuriatingly eccentric. I couldn’t remember ever seeing Johnathan in a relationship, unless you counted his revolving door of women and children from different mothers

For a moment I debated telling Matt to cancel the meeting entirely because I was not comfortable with the location. It was very tempting. To cancel everything. All I needed this evening was to go home to my daughter.

“You want me to uh-” Matt started, misinterpreting my silence 

“No” i interrupted shaking my head, “ we can’t afford to ignore him. But God knows I’d love to”

Matt gives me an awkward smile, probably relieved he didn’t have to be the one to deliver the bad news to Johnathan “understood sir”

“Thank you Matt. That’ll be all”

He nodded and scurried out, narrowly avoiding bumping into the doorframe 

Once the door closed, I powered down my computer and placed some of the important files I’d probably need at home in my briefcase.

The photo of Bella caught my eyes again and for a moment guilt flared.

I should be home by now. Reading her a bedtime story, watching her little face light up as I did all the voices she loved. Instead I was about to waste my evening humoring an old man at a place I had no desire to set foot in.

“I’ll be home soon” I murmured, as if she could hear me, brushing my fingers against the edge of her picture before standing 

Outside, Alex was already waiting standing rigidly beside the car in his dark suit. He nodded his head in acknowledgment as he steps forward to open the car door while I approached him.

“Evening sir” he greeted, his usual stoic expression in place on his face

“Velvet Nights” I told him, sliding into the backseat

There was a slight pause, a flicker of hesitation in his movement. But It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his professional mask before he responded “okay sir”

The engine roared to life and we pulled out onto the street and it’s busy life. Through the rear view mirror, I caught the faintest hint of surprise on Alex’s face. Not that I blamed him. Honestly even me myself I’m surprised. It wasn’t exactly my usual destination.

I settled back against the leather seat, loosening my tie for the 100th time as I stared out the window. The city blurred as we drove past other cars. Neon signs and glowing billboards reflecting against the glass

This wasn’t where I wanted to be tonight. Hell this wasn’t where I wanted to be ever.

Still, I understood the game. Johnathan was too valuable, too unpredictable, too powerful to push away. If he wanted this meeting at a strip club then so be it. I’d show up there, endure the whole thing and get it over with.

I glanced at my watch again, calculating how quickly I could wrap this up. If I played my cards right, I could still make it home in time to kiss Bella goodnight.

I already couldn’t wait for this night to be over.

Allison’s Pov

The Alarm I’d set on my phone blasted through as soon as the time ticked 8:00 pm. I turns it off as I shoved the back door of velvet night open.

The bass from the main stage thrummed through the building like a second heartbeat vibrating up the floor and into my already aching feet. A headache threatened to bloom behind my eyes from the loud sound. The vein on my head throbbing furiously.

It had been another brutal double shift at the diner but what was new? It had been hellish today even, a blur of orders, spilled coffees from customers that didn’t bother to be remorseful, and impatient customers snapping their fingers like I was their personal servant. All I wanted to right now was to collapse on my couch, eat a microwaved dinner or maybe order takeout and drown out my thoughts and problems with reality tv.

Instead i was here, squeezing the last ounce of energy out of my body because my rent