Kamil reached the dressing room in no time. She hadn't picked up a coat or draped a blanket over her costume. Instead, she walked into the room with her head up high and her hips still swinging to the music. Mutters began to as soon as she came inside.
She didn't need her superior hearing to know what they were about.
"Well, someone is disgustingly happy."
"Let her get that separate dressing room. I'd rather see her face less."
"We need to find another to get rid of her. Alejandro can't protect her all the time."
"Heard the guy didn't like it when Linda touched her. I doubt he'd come here."
"Maybe he just pitied The Masked Siren and let her give him a lap dance."
Humming to herself, she sat on her designated vanity mirror and admired her reflection. The sponsor should be satisfied with the results. Her fingers tapped on the armrest of her chair. Cold as ice? She hardly needed to take extreme measures.
The man had bent to her will without a fight.
'Adorable,' Kamil mused. Every detail of his reaction was fresh in her mind. Maybe she could play a little more before sinking her teeth into his flesh. It's been a while since her sensual desires had risen. That burning ache wasn't going anywhere soon.
Sinking into her chair, she laid her head on the backrest and closed her eyes. Vivid sensations sent fiery tremors down her skin. Hungry blue eyes stared back at her. Smooth hands explored her flesh. Plump lips begged to be kissed.
Kamil stood up abruptly and went through the clothing rack.
She should dress nicely for such a prize. It was the least she could do to return the favor. The selections were minimal. Something with mesh should do. It had to be easy to open or remove as well. The choices boiled down to one dress.
It had a slit and an off shoulder cut. Its buttons were in front and under the plunging neckline.
Heading for the dressing room, Kamil snapped her gaze to the other girls. They jumped at her sudden attention. The warning in her eyes was clear even without words. Their hearts thumped loudly behind their false bravado.
She smirked and left to change.
The Docks resumed their evening after the performance ended.
Leon, in particular, spent the next few minutes massaging his temples. His consciousness finally reappeared. Up until now, things felt like a hazy dream. What had gotten into him? He had alcohol many times and had gotten drunk almost as much. None of those carried memories that exhibited his earlier actions tonight.
Reuss would say he was overreacting.
But that moment was only the flicker of a flame. He had wanted more. Craved it. Desired it. Rationality was out of the question. Every fiber in his being commanded him to take the woman. The inability to think straight was a dangerous sign. He would not allow himself to succumb to such—such—
This was foolishness. Complete idiocy.
Reckless. He shouldn't have agreed to come here.
"Hey, Leon, you okay?" He heard as a hand slapped him on his back. "Got blue balls or something?"
"You—!" Leon pointed with an accusing finger. Blue flames flared in his eyes. He got up and bared his teeth. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."
Reuss recoiled and raised his hands in surrender. He nudged his head towards their companions. This wasn't the place to lash out. "Into what? Find out that you're a straight man?"
"Is that what this is? An experiment on my sexuality? I never consented to it."
"Well, you weren't complaining when the stripper sat on your lap," he shot back. Pushing away the finger pointed at him, he stepped forward and lowered his voice into a hiss. "If I remember right, you even encouraged her to keep going."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Leon denied.
His best friend merely scoffed. "Now, that's just immature."
Then, he jabbed Leon's chest. "Admit that you didn't want it to stop. Then, follow what you feel!"
The retort came in a split second. "Emotions are more trouble than reliable. The sooner you learn that, the faster you'd be promoted to a higher position."
Reuss threw his hands in the air. Things were looking just fine minutes ago. What happened while his best friend was alone? "Life isn't all about business, Leon. You miss out a lot if you don't widen your horizon a little."
"So dragging me into a strip club is broadening my horizon?" Leon challenged. The two of them were almost at each other's throats. The female companions of their colleagues escorted the latter to a more secluded area.
"It's something way out of your comfort zone," Reuss began to explain. His ruby eyes glared back, standing his ground. "If I hadn't brought you here, you wouldn't have known that side of you."
Leon trembled with rage. Was this supposed to be for his own good? If it was, Reuss wouldn't have resorted to whatever this was! Maybe he should feel lucky that he hadn't been drugged. Or maybe that drink had some!
What else didn't he know?!
When he spoke again, his voice was devoid of emotion.
"I'm leaving. You all can stay. Fuck that marketing deal."
Rushing out of the club, Leon didn't wait for a reply. He dashed between any opening. If he couldn't spot one in time, he'd break off anyone blocking his way. It didn't matter anyway. They wouldn't remember him. He planned to never go back.
They could call security on him for all he cared.
"Wait, Leon!" Reuss yelled from behind, pumping his legs to catch up to him. He grabbed Leon by the shoulder. "What about The Masked Siren? She asked you to meet her, right?"
Leon shook off his hold and sneered at him. "And how would you know about that?"
Reuss opened his mouth. Then, he closed it again. "I heard she does that sometimes."
His words sent Leon into another storm. "Best seats in the house, huh? You wouldn't happen to be that sponsor who booked her for tonight? Tell me before I do something we'd both regret."
Used. He had been used! This was stepping out of the line! Was he someone's entertainment now? Not his own person anymore? No amount of words could describe how he felt right now. Not even his head could compose a coherent thought.
"It's not what you think."
"Then, how am I supposed to think?!" Leon demanded. He shoved Reuss's shoulder. The latter didn't try to stop him. "My so-called best friend just paid a stripper to seduce me."
Reuss took a deep breath. He had miscalculated.
It wasn't like he hadn't considered that Leon would be mad. Like with Linda, he had expected that his best friend would reject The Masked Siren and express his objections. He still had that freedom to turn her down. It was never taken away. It was him who also ordered the alcoholic drink.
Except, the opposite happened instead. Both of them were surprised.
Reuss had seen it with his own eyes. Leon had responded to her touch. But, at this rate, his best friend wouldn't even listen to what he had to say. This repulse against women ran deeper than he initially thought. He had been a fool to underestimate it.
"I'm out of here," Leon declared when he didn't reply. He turned around and resumed his exit. "I will never step foot here again either. See you whenever."
"Leon!" Reuss called out a little late. "Leon!"
Kamil spritzed her favorite perfume on either side of her neck. The tropical scent refreshed her like a cold drink in hot summer. Not that she ever broke a sweat but she appreciated a good drink. Of course, it would taste better if it had a bit of blood.
She shook the thought out of her head. There were more pressing things to think about.
The dress was as she expected. Black would always be her color. The bodice cinched at her waist and the neckline showed just enough of her chest for a tease. Elongating her leg, it peeked from under the slit. She really went far with this one—even retouching her makeup.
The other girls had finally exhausted themselves of her. They ignored her completely. She would be gone soon enough, leaving with her 'date' for tonight. Then, they could enjoy their own night.
Kamil glanced at the open door. It stayed empty. No footsteps headed for the dressing room either. She exhaled sharply through her nose, fiddling with her fingers. Her overexcitement from earlier had died down a little. There was still some time before the hour was up.
Maybe she should get that drink after all.
Then, she could also sneak a peep.
Standing up, the girls noticed her movements. She congratulated them in silence. Their ability to ignore her had lasted longer than usual this time. They could take all the time in the world if they wanted.
She'd always be ready for them.
One of the girls looked at the clock. "Where's your date?"
"I don't see how my business is any of yours," Kamil replied, not sparing her a glance. "Although, I do understand how my life is interesting enough to balance your dull ones."
"Why you—"
"It's always a pleasure talking to you but I have to go. See ya."