136
136
"Franco or Nolan?" She asked with a sigh.
"Don't play dumb with me, Rosa."
Her eyes twitched as she stared hard at the mirror, doing her best to keep her thoughts to herself. Tracy was one of the older girls working here and she was required to show respect.
However, it was getting harder as this conversation carried on. Tracy knew better than to take it up with her. Franco was the one to talk to. She was just an employee.
"Did you not hear my question?" She shook her chair as she asked.
Rosa stood up instantly and turned around. Tracy had long dark blonde hair. She was irritated that it reminded her of Nolan's hair color.
Tracy was slightly older than her and though they had worked in the Velvet Club for around the same time, she had been dancing for longer and that made her Rosa's senior.
The other woman folded her arms and squared her chest as if daring Rosa. Her sheer black bodysuit that left little to the imagination glimmered in the flickering light and her makeup was still immaculate despite the hour.
"I don't know, Tracy. Why don't you ask Franco?" Rosa replied, her voice flat.
Tracy snapped, stepping closer. "You think you're special because a Mafia King asked for you? That was a one-time thing. He won't remember you tomorrow."
Rosa raised an eyebrow. "Okay." She really hoped that was true.
"Okay? That's all you have to say?"
"What do you want me to say, Tracy? That I'm devastated he won't remember me? That I'm heartbroken?" Rosa let out a dry laugh. "I couldn't care less. You can have him."
Tracy blinked, clearly thrown off by Rosa's complete lack of interest. "You're lying."
"I'm not." Rosa turned back to her mirror and began packing her things into a small bag. "I didn't ask him to request me. I didn't want to do the dance. Franco made me. If you have a problem with any of this, take it up with him."
She was irritated that she had to explain herself. However, she was even more disappointed that Tracy would come to confront her about something like this.
"Hah! Lying again. You didn't want to do the dance. That's an Alpha and not just any Alpha, the Mafia King. I am sure you were begging to get on his lap. I saw how hard you were dancing. Like Alphas ever ask for you."
Rosa's hand froze on the bag. Tracy wasn't wrong; Alphas mostly avoided her and the ones who requested her the most were Betas and straight omegas.
However, it didn't have anything to do with her. It was more because she was a beta and these sleazy Alphas wanted nothing more than to get an omega drunk on their pheromones so they could do whatever they wanted.
It wasn't something to brag or insult her about.
"You're right, Tracy, I was begging to get on his lap. Now would you leave me alone? Next time, I'll stay clear of him."
She wanted nothing to do with him and that feeling kept worsening with each interaction. All she did was give him a short lap dance and now she had to fight for her integrity.
Tracy's nose flared. "You're just saying that!"
"I am not," she said and turned around. "I don't know how else to explain to you that I don't want this man! You can have him! Now shoo, go away. I have to pack up."
"You can't speak to me like that," she yelled.
"You've gotten what you wanted. Being more antagonistic towards me isn't going to make the situation change."
Tracy opened her mouth to respond but her hands just turned into fists. She huffed, spun on her heel, and stomped away.
Rosa let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She loved her job, but the drama was exhausting. Especially when it involved Alphas who couldn't take a hint.
She finished packing, changed into more comfortable clothes that she could take a cab in, and slung the backpack over one shoulder.
Her section was clear and ready for sundown. It was the start of the weekend so for the next few days, the club was going to be busy. She needed all the rest she could get.
"Rosa," a voice called as she was stepping away from the dresser.
"Marie," she said with a small smile. The waitress had changed into a sweatsuit. She pulled the hoodie over her head.
"Tracy is telling everyone you spoke rudely to her. What did you say?"
Rosa hissed and rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for this, Marie. I already told her, she can have him. I don't know why she insists on doing this."
"If she goes to Franco, you might have to apologize."
"She won't. She's just jealous Alpha Nolan requested me instead of her. Are you ready to leave now? We could share a cab."
"Are you leaving without telling Franco?"
"Jeez, not you too, Marie. Let me catch a break today. I don't want to see him. If he had sent Tracy as I asked, I wouldn't have to deal with this."
"Fine," she said with a sigh. "We can share a cab. I am ready to leave."
"Yay," she replied and spun Marie around, placing her hands on her shoulders and pushing her out of the dressing room.
They said goodbyes to the other girls as they made their way out of the club through the back exit. The night air was cool against her skin as they stepped into the alleyway.
The backpack felt heavier than it should. She would count the money when she got home. Something told her there was more in there than just her earnings from tonight.
They found a taxi and got in. Rosa sank into the seat as weariness washed over her. She was exhausted and hoped she didn't have to deal with this again.
Whatever Nolan's game was, she wanted no part of it.