The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 2

Lorelai

POV

I slowly gyrated my hips to the music, letting it sweep over me. I felt degraded but I should have been used to the feeling by now. Men's gazes swept over me, some of them leering, others just a passing interest as they discussed business in the booths. My body swayed seductively as I used it to my best advantage, the pole in the middle of the stage my prop for creating moves to show it off. I fought off revulsion as I crawled across the stage to accept dollar bills from men who waved them at me excitedly, looking at my breasts which were exposed, and the tiny thong I wore. The rest of me was naked, showing off my pale creamy complexion and long light wavy brown hair that cascaded all the way down to my bottom.

"How about a private dance" one of the men whispered in my ear as I got close.

I tried not to shudder. So many of them tried to get a private dance with something else in mind. This one would no doubt try the same thing. It was one of the reasons I refused to do them, even though it meant fewer tips and less money. I still had some pride left and wouldn't lower myself to do that, although I know some of the girls would if it meant being given a handsome amount of cash to perform such a service.

"Sorry I don't perform that particular service" I smiled between gritted teeth.

The man, dressed in an expensive suit, with balding hair and a bulging belly looked disappointed as he hooked a bill underneath my thong. I crept between the others, accepting the money, even as I felt like a w***e underneath their knowing gazes.

I had never dreamed I would be doing a job like this. Not in a million years. But when you end up on the streets at sixteen years old, you replace yourself doing anything in order to survive. This was no different. The music finally stopped and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It meant my set was finished and I could help take drinks to the men instead. I began to walk off stage, feeling the men's eyes on me. I made my way towards the back and began to pull the money out, placing it discreetly in my locker for later, and pulled on a waitress uniform, which was nothing short of a French maid outfit, if you asked me.

"Lai, get your b**t on the floor" Carl barked as I headed back out "It's getting busy and customers are thirsty."

I rolled my eyes. He was being dramatic. The customers were thirsty and it wasn't for drinks but I obediently went towards the nearest booth regardless, aware he was watching me. I couldn't afford to lose this job. Not now. We needed the money. Badly. The rent was due in a few days.

I reached the booth and gave my best smile. "Hi there, is there anything you would like to drink?"

I tried not to inhale sharply. One of the men was incredibly sexy although there was a glum expression on his face. He was glaring down at a glass that was empty in front of him, clad in an expensive suit, with disheveled brown hair and charcoal eyes. "Gin and tonic" he grunted, without looking at me, slightly tipsy.

I glanced at the other man who merely shook his head.

Alright then. I tried not to take the disinterest from the man personally and quickly made my way back to the bar, putting in the order.

I brought it back out, and the man finally decided to look at me. His eyes were cool as he observed me. I placed the drink in front of him, thinking that he was about to ask the dreaded question about a private dance. For him, I thought dazedly, I might just make an exception. But he surprised me.

"Do you like doing this job?" he asked.

I blinked. He was the first man to ever ask me that question. I put my hands together awkwardly.

"No" I gave a nervous laugh "not really."

"Then why do you do it?" his tone was curious rather than judgemental, surprising me further.

I shifted uncomfortably on my heels. "Money" was my answer as the man nodded unsurprised "I don't have much in the way of academic achievement" I was brutally honest "and I do what I need to to survive, even if it's taking a job that makes me feel degraded and dirty."

He blinks. "You're honest."

I shrug "You asked" I countered "Would you prefer I was dishonest?"

He shakes his head, slightly amused "No, in fact, it's refreshing" he murmured, "not a lot of people are these days."

I glance over my shoulder and see my boss glaring at me. I cough. "Was there anything else you needed?" I asked, aware that I was spending too much time speaking to this man.

But he sounded pleasant. There was something about his voice that made shivers run down my spine. It was rough and hoarse but also highly masculine and had a strength behind it. Like it was dominant in nature, I couldn't describe it. I felt like I was betraying my boyfriend just by thinking about this man.

"No, this will do" the man mutters, waving a dismissive hand at me.

I guess I was dismissed. I smiled and then made my way towards another table, wishing I could risk looking back but Carl would have a fit if he caught me flirting with paying customers. I took the order from the next table and scurried back and forth, kept busy on my feet.

"I wish I had thought to ask his name" I murmured to myself regretfully.

I was being stupid. A guy like that, with wealth and connections, wasn't going to be interested in a girl like me anyway. We were worlds apart. So far apart it was laughable. I was a poor girl who had come from the wrong side of the tracks. It was better to just shrug off the encounter instead of being fanciful.

I stopped by the man's table, disappointed to replace that he had left. There, said a voice inside my mind, now you can stop thinking about him. I reluctantly took the bill and then glanced at the tip on top of the money that he had left, my mouth dropping in shock. $500. For a moment I stood there in shock. Nobody had ever left such a large tip before and all I had done was get him a measly drink. Had he made some sort of mistake? My mouth went dry. He hadn't. He'd left this on top of the amount owed. I felt tears prick my eyes. For once I might be able to get ahead. I might be able to put some money into savings. Whoever this man was, he'd just changed my life and he didn't have a clue about it.

I tucked the tip into my bra and then paid the bill. Carl was eyeing me. "Did he leave a decent tip?"

"Yes," I said without elaborating.

Carl was pretty decent about letting us keep the tips but I suspected if he knew the amount he would want me to hand it over. To my relief, he didn't question the amount and just waved at me to continue serving. I hurried over to another table, fighting back a yawn of exhaustion. I had another turn at dancing coming soon and then I could finally leave and go home to rest. Jackson would be happy to see me, I thought with a sigh.

The night air was cold when I exited the building. I hunched my shoulders and shivered in my coat as I put my hands into the pockets to keep them warm. I kept my purse tight against my shoulder. Luckily home was only a few blocks walk away and as I entered the decrepit building and headed upstairs to the small apartment we shared, I felt the warmth beginning to return to my body.

I knocked "Jackson, open up, I'm freezing."

I tried not to sound impatient. I began to rifle through my purse when the door swung open. I slid inside and the door slammed shut.

I turned. Jackson was standing there but his eyes were narrowed and there was a mean expression on his face. "What took you so long to come home?" he asked tightly.

"I walked as fast as I could," I said breathing heavily "It's cold out there. I was a little slower than normal" I explained.

He was thoughtful. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. His hand clenched and I could feel the air escaping my lungs. Please don't let this be a bad day. Please don't let this be a bad day. Finally, he relaxed and I breathed a little easier, although my body was still tense.

"Well try to be on time," he said gruffly and leaned down and kissed me while I stood there mutely. "How much money did you make?"

I hesitated. But I also knew he would search the house while I slept. Thoughts of keeping the money or putting it in savings swiftly vanished. I reluctantly reached into my bra and withdrew the tip money. My paycheck was always separate and didn't contain much. Jackson's eyes widened and he let out a low whistle, a look of suspicion coming over his face. "How did you make this much money? You had to have done something to get that much cash" he sneered.

I opened my mouth to protest "That's not it. I swear Jackson, this guy left a really big tip because..."

He interrupted with a growl "Because you slept with him, you f*****g w***e. Why else would you have been given so much money? You told me that you wouldn't sink that low but I guess it was a lie, wasn't it Lorelai?" he snapped as I stared at him, the blood draining from my face "you b***h" he spat and I felt his hand connect with my face as I staggered backward. As usual, he was ruthless.

He left me crying and bleeding on the floor.