The VIP area was filled with the smell of high-end liquor and tobacco, a stark contrast to the rest of the bookstore's quiet, musty air.
Maxim was already dressed in his attire, and the staff were already waiting for his signal to start. He took a deep breath and stared at the mask in hand.
"I should earn more this time," Maxim whispered to himself as he wore the bird mask that only covered half of his face, showing his lips.
Maxim had been one of the masked dancers in The Velvet Rose club. It was a popular attraction in the city since it gave a mysterious vibe rather than openly seeing the dancer's face.
"Are you ready?" Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow at Maxim. His hands tightly held the rope connected to a curtain that hid Maxim's body.
Maxim nodded, adjusting the mask one last time. His fingers trembled slightly as he secured it, the cool leather pressing against his skin. He wasn't nervous about the dance itself— he had performed countless times before— but the stakes felt higher tonight.
Maxim needed the money more than ever.
"Let's go," Maxim finally said, his voice steady.
"Maxim, be careful out there. One of them seem like in a high ranking, but do your best. Earn us some big bucks!" Daniel gave a small, approving nod and pulled the rope.
Maxim glanced at Daniel's sly smile. "I'll remember that," he replied flatly. He didn't bother to know who the guests were, but due to Daniel's information, he became interested.
The heavy velvet curtain parted slowly, revealing Maxim to the awaiting crowd in the VIP area.
There were only five guests inside; they wore black, plain masks that covered their whole faces to hide their identities, except the one in the middle.
Maxim slowly walked to the center of the stage and looked at each of the guests, observing them. Somehow, he was drawn to the man with a golden mask, who had no one attending by his side.
The other four guests had workers clinging on their lap like dogs.
'This might be the big shot,' Maxim thought as he continued staring at the man before him.
The soft hum of the music began to swell, the low notes vibrating through the floorboards, and the lights dimmed to a sultry, intimate glow.
Maxim stepped forward, raising his arms as his movements fluid and controlled, each step carefully measured to the beat of the music.
The eyes of the guests were on Maxim, their gazes heavy with anticipation, digging into his body.
'This isn't that bad,' Maxim thought as he turned his back to show his buttocks and bent down seductively. The anonymity the mask provided allowed him to become someone else— a dancer, a performer, an enigma.
Maxim went to the pole to perform his finale.
The music shifted, growing more intense, and Maxim's movements followed suit, his body swaying and twisting in ways that left the audience entranced.
'Ugh, I can feel someone's stare digging at my lips,' Maxim thought, uncomfortable. He was used to being stared at, but most of it was toward his body.
As the final notes of the music played, Maxim dropped to one knee, his head bowed, the mask hiding his face entirely now. The room was silent for a moment before erupting in applause.
Maxim breathed heavily as sweat dropped from his face to the ground. He was glad his performance was finally over. Now, he was only waiting for the amount of money thrown at him.
That was when Maxim felt a presence. He looked up and saw the man with a golden mask kneeling before him. His gaze met a set of cold, grey-colored eyes.
"Sir…" Maxim whispered in surprise. He didn't expect the man to come so close to him; he could even feel his breath fanning on his forehead.
The man with the golden mask held Maxim's gaze for a moment longer before lifting a gloved hand. He grasped Maxim's jaw tightly and forced him to tilt his head further.
"What are you doing!?" the man growled lowly. His voice sounded fierce, and his dominance was seeping out of his pores.
"Huh?" Maxim was confused. He felt he was prey at that moment in front of a dangerous predator.
"You're a pretty little sl^t. What a waste!" the man whispered aggressively as his nails dug into Maxim's skin. "Is this all you can do?"
Maxim immediately pushed the man away without thinking he was an important guest. All he could think was running away from him.
"Sir, I'm just doing my job. If you're unsatisfied, I can do another performance," Maxim replied softly. He kept his cool and tried to lower himself to avoid trouble.
"A job… haha, right," the man laughed sarcastically while shaking his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black pouch. The soft clinking of coins inside was unmistakable.
The man leaned closer, his breath warm against the side of Maxim's face, just below the edge of the mask. "Your performance was... exceptional," he murmured, his voice low and velvety, carrying a weight that sent a shiver down Maxim's spine. "You've earned this."
Maxim gulped. He could smell the man's scent radiating from his skin.
"Thank you, sir," Maxim managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper and his lips tingling where he felt the man's gaze had lingered earlier.
The man placed the pouch in Maxim's hand, but instead of releasing it, he held it there, their fingers brushing lightly.
The contact was brief but electric, leaving Maxim momentarily breathless. The man's eyes, though cold, held an intensity that made his skin prickle.
The man finally released the pouch, standing up slowly and towering over Maxim. He turned to leave, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet.
The other guests had already started to rise; their masked faces turned towards the exit as well.
Maxim was at ease that the guests were leaving, but he wanted more, and he knew the man in the golden mask could provide it.
"Sir, I have something to ask," Maxim asked, stopping the man in his tracks.
The man glanced back, waiting for Maxim's question.
Maxim gulped as he prepared himself. "Sir, would you like to sleep with me?"