Chapter 6:

I did as I was instructed by Ronnie. I did not mention anything to Frances or Frankie. I did not get to speak to James that night, and it was probably a good thing. I did however see him on the street the day after just before work. I quickly ran up to him after I spotted him. I trusted him, and made the decision to tell him about what Ronnie said the night before. James just sighed and looked down, "why didn't you say no? his got a fixation on you now…" I watched his expressions, but could not tell him why I agreed. I couldn't do it. What? tell him I wanted to become gangster to avenge my parents and uncle…. No, I couldn't do it… even though I trusted him. "He did not take no for an answer…" I looked up at him. He sighed again and wanted to say something and then decided not to, "heads up, Ronnie just entered the club and spotted us. Don't want him to be paranoid, do you?" I shook my head and we both went straight to work.

That night Esmeraldas barn was packed again, and busy. It was probably a good thing as my mind was so loaded. My attention was somehow brought to the fact that Ronnie and Mad Teddy was not sitting in their usual spots, then Ronnie made his way on stage. What followed was well, probably the reason why things went south for Esmeraldas barn. He pretty much insulted the rich and famous. Mad Teddy was encouraging him and was laughing madly. I guess there was a reason why he got the name 'Mad teddy', and why he got along with Ronnie so much. I remember seeing Leslie hanging his head and rubbing his face in disbelief. I think everyone was gobsmacked about what happened. To be honest, I felt quite embarrassed. It did not look good at all.

Not many people showed up after that. Work was quiet, and the air felt heavy. I asked for some time off and that was approved. I never got to speak to James before my break, but I really wanted to speak to him. I also wished that Reggie was back. I thought to myself then, why did I feel safe with Reggie, even though I feared him. I made it a goal after that to make myself back to his good books. I convinced myself that working for Ronnie would help me.

My break was nearly over, and it was the last day before I returned to work. Frances was sitting at her dresser and I was laying on the bed reading. Frances was brought out of her thoughts when we heard clanking noises from the window. She looked at me before making her way to the window. Then I heard, "you're free?" REGGIE? HIS BACK? I sat there listening to them and when I heard him climb up that water pipe, I panicked and rolled off my bed onto the floor. He asked Frances to marry him. I was happy for them, but hoped they'd finish up already. I felt my face go red from hearing them kiss. I never have been kissed before and always wondered what it'd be like, or who it'd be with, and all. They eventually finished, and Frances turned around to me with the biggest smile on her face. She pranced towards me with her hand out, and showed me the ring. We then jumped around in excitement and joy.

I returned to work the next day, and oh my my! It was so empty! What has become of this once flourishing club?! Oh, that's right, Ronnie ran it to the ground. Some of the boys was standing by the bar. The air felt horrible. I stood there drying the cups looking at the dancers, and they looked great. I started self-pitying again, wishing how I'd look more feminine. My thoughts were distracted when Reggie and Frances came through the door, and took us all by surprise. I mean, I knew he was back, but I didn't see him when he came to propose to Frances. Reggie looked like he has buffed up, and was charming as ever. I nearly dropped the cup out of my hand because I was too busy looking at Reggie. I hopped he had forgiven me about hugging Frances, but I don't think that was on his mind at the time. He looked mad. The boys and I continued working, acting as if everything was 'normal'.

I overheard Leslie talking to Reggie, and you could see Reggie getting increasingly angry. I gathered by the tone of their voice and facial expressions, that it was regarding their 'business'. I suspected Ronnie would be feeling somewhat guilty at this point, and somewhere in his chaotic mind, I would gather that he knew he fucked things up. So, I gazed over at his usual spot, and confirming my thoughts, Teddy and he were watching closely. Ronnie then lifted his glass to Reggie, whom decided to storm off with Frances.

Ronnie didn't seem to like that. He got up and toasted Reggie, who was extremely pissed off. Ronnie rambled on again with his disorganised speech and all. But what I interpreted was that Ronnie tried to defend himself, and was strangely upset by the fact that Reggie was…becoming distant from him? I came to that deduction because he started directing abuse towards Frances. He said some horrible things, which led to Reggie asking for an apology towards Frances, and that didn't happen. What happened next was all too fast. They started fighting of course…

By the time, they were done…well by the time Reggie put an end to it, Frances had stormed off. I was just about to run after her, but reminded myself that I couldn't comfort her, not now. Reggie strangely shot me a quick glance when he got up from comforting Ronnie. Was he seeing if I would run after her? He suspecting something? He walked back and forth cursing before storming out. Everyone was still processing about what had just occurred before them. The boys decided to go back to drinking and smoking, some decided to help Ronnie and sat him down.

I was just about to turn around before I heard my name. Teddy was signalling me to clean Ronnie's face up. Why was it always me? Everyone was watching me, so I wiped my hands and grabbed a wet clean cloth before walking around the bar, and up to him. I stopped right as I got up to him. He sat there hunched over and I thought to myself that this is the closest that I ever got up to him. Well, it was not the closest I've gotten to him and it won't be the last time. He smelt of blood. "Well…go on…clean him up…" Teddy instructed me then gestured towards Ronnie. I kneeled beside him and tried to find his face behind his hair and bloody mess. I began to pat at his face lightly while I strategically manoeuvred around his hair. He did not flinch or seem to register that I was there, and truthfully, I preferred it that way. When I tried to brush his hair away again, he shot his hand up and grasped by wrist and looked at me. I froze of course, but I did try to pull away. That did not work out well because I fell forward from pulling too hard. He started at me with no expression before letting go. He took the cloth I was using and stood up. "Teddy…take me home..." he demanded before he threw the cloth. He looked down at me before walking off.

Things seemed to go back to normal again. That was once Leslie and Reggie fixed up the mess Ronnie has caused. It…was kind of nice? It was a sigh of relief knowing that Reggie was in charge again…But that did not change the nightmare that was about to unravel. Since that 'incident' Ron or Teddy have not approached me, and I preferred it to be that way. Ron had been quiet, but that did not last long.

Well, safe to say, Reggie and Frances made up. Ronnie and Frances just acknowledged each other's existence, but did not really interact. She never really talked to be about that night after it, but selfishly…that was the least of my worries.

So, Ronnie's silence did not last long, the long-dreaded encounter eventually happened. One night during work Teddy approached me in the staff from and just gave me a paper note. It was strangely a silent exchange. On it was Ronnie's address and instructions for me to serve his guests in his apartment for his 'party' after work tonight. James was not around and I did not dare to speak to Frances…what do I do? I did not want to do it, but I was desperate to get involved so I can take my revenge. Well, I couldn't back out, could I? I mean I already accepted it, and saying 'no' to Ronnie was suicide.

I kept my uniform on as that was what I was instructed to do so, and I guess it makes sense if I was to be serving drinks or what not. My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest, how in the world did I get myself so deep into this…ha! Well Elise! You're going to spiral deeper than this…

Before I knew it, I was at the apartment block and worked up the courage to make my way up. I heard noises coming from his apartment, my guesses told me I was not in the wrong place. I slowly walked in dodging looks from his guests, but I was too distracted by how interestingly 'glamourous' his apartment looked and then it clicked. This…party…is…an orgy, right? That was what James told me, and I panicked a little. I am what you call…innocent? I have never done anything in my life or witnessed it, and yet I am here…serving people involved in an orgy.

The party did not seem 'out of hand just yet', maybe the steaminess would start later…I did not know how to describe it, I do not have a vocabulary for anything sexual…I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my name, "Elias! Over here..." Ronnie called. I nodded and made my way over. He looked…relaxed and not so dressed up, but still dressy. His tie was loose and his vest was unbuttoned. I was observing him when Teddy got up from the couch to show me what I needed to do.

I got straight into it and was so pleased that Ronnie was 'distracted' by other means. I just focused on cleaning up, serving drinks and making sure, I was doing a good job. I was just focused on revenging my parents and uncle Eddie.

The night went on, and things became…frisky. There were things I wish I did not witness. I was not disturbed by the same sex intimacy, but more so by what Ronnie was up too…

Hi guys...

Didn't think about leaving comments, but I'd like to say sorry for the late update! Please let me know how the story is going... I have in my mind that this story will be re-edited...especially because how poorly it is written! I am furiously reading lots of books to learn to write better!

Hope you all enjoyed!

Xox