Chapter Ten Estera Roberts’ POV (Present Time: A Few Days Before)

“It is nice to officially meet you all,” Anna said, the Hispanic beauty placed her hands on her ample hips and openly assessed us.
“Wait till I tell my mum, we have doctors working at the strip club now,” Tamika said, taking us all in. Ashley quickly made a sound to negate the claim.
“Just like I said, my friends are involved because they want to help me and it’s only going to be a one-time thing,” Ashley explained in a rush, letting out an awkward laugh.
“That’s all they all say,” Tamika replied, throwing Ashley a skeptical glance.
“Ignore Tamika, she is messing with you,” Anna said and cut her eyes at her friend. She responded with a raised eyebrow. Ameera shared a look with me. “I already told my boss about you and he has something huge coming up you might be interested in, but he would like to see what you can do before he can hire you three for the gig.”
“And since we are to train you, and serve as agents, we get a 20% cut, aside from Bobby’s 30% of course,” Tamika interjected.
“Come now, gurl!” Anna protested.
“10%,” I said, understanding it wasn’t going to be a favor done good-naturedly.
“And why would I want a 10% cut? That’s way too low, we are talking about a high-paid gig, and Bobby, our agent, always gets 30% out of our pay,” Tamika replied.
“Because, hereon, if you two found yourselves in a health crisis, you now know three brilliant doctors ready to help at the drop of a hat… by the way that rash at the base of your neck, you should get a doctor to look at it. I have seen you rub at it three times since about…” I paused to check my time, “two minutes we have been standing here. It might be serious,” I said and threw in a smile to soften my tone. The dark skin lady swallowed and raised her hand to her neck, holding my gaze before glancing at her friend. Anna raised an eyebrow at her, folding her arms.
“Fine,” she said in a grumble and turned away to lean over in front of her dressing mirror, looking closely at the rash forming behind her ears and to the back of her neck. Ameera sneaked a fisted hand to my back for a fist bump. I held back a chuckle.
“I will show you where to sit so you can watch us while we work, then after that, we will ask Bobby to let us use the studio upstairs to train you for a bit,” Anna said.
“Thanks!” Ashley responded.
Thank you,” Ameera and I chorused.
Anna walked ahead of us and Tamika called behind our backs, “Wait, what do you think it is?” When we all turned around to face her, she added, “the rash...”
“It could be anything, an infection, inflammation, allergic reaction, or autoimmune processes. But judging by the color and seeing it is all over your hairline to the back of your neck, I will say measles. Covering it up with makeup would not help,” Ameera spoke up, and I watched as Tamika swallowed and her eyes widened with dismay.
“I thought only children have those!”
“Adults can contract measles too, especially if you are not vaccinated,” Ashley interjected.
“I suppose you can help with the treatment?”
“Of course, just breeze by the hospital tomorrow, and I will have a look,” Ameera replied.
“Thanks,” Tamika said a little ashamedly.
“What are friends for?” Ameera replied, and I could swear the other lady flinched.
Anna took us to a private box that belonged to her boss. It was walled up with a see-through glass partition and overlooked the center stage. The lighting was dimly lit, and we could see almost everyone in the expansive space down below. It had a fancy wine rack to the side and a single three-seater buttoned chaise sofa was stationed close to the glass wall.
“Can the people down there see us?” I asked, walking to stand by the glass wall.
“No,” Anna replied. “It’s normally reserved for filthy rich men who like to watch but don't like to be seen.”
“How many of them do you have?” Ameera asked, coming to stand by my side, and assessing the high walls surrounding the club.
“Enough…” she said and chuckled. “Stay here, and you can order drinks if you want…”
“Really?” Ashley asked with her face brightening.
“Of course, as long as you pay for it,” she replied and laughed at Ashley’s crestfallen reaction. “See you guys in a bit,” she added and disappeared.
Watching the barely dressed girls dancing on the stage with one slowly working the pole, and the men throwing wads of cash at them, a voice inside me warned for the umpteenth time that this was a bad idea. I removed a pad and a pen from the bag I draped over my shoulders and started sketching the ladies on the stage, the position they posed, how long it took.
“What are you doing?” Ashley asked from over my shoulders.
“Math—” I said, pouting my lips in concentration, the corner of my mouth quirked with a sheepish smile. The girls giggled and my treacherous mind reminded me of who taught me everything could be solved with calculations. I swallowed and spaced out for about a second as his beautiful smile haunted me. I shook my head, lowering my eyes back to the girls on the stage, and found my eyes had gone misty.
Tamika and Anna’s act took nothing less than fifteen minutes. I noticed a lot of men who were lagging back moved closer to the stage as soon as they emerged and it wasn’t rocket science as to why.
The only clothing or should I say a patch of clothing covering the two was just a small triangular-shaped leather patch, hiding their nipples. The G-string they wore only covered their crotches. The rest of them were on total display and what a display!
Their curves were sculptured to perfection. Anna's porcelain skin, and Tamika’s dark tone, shone beautifully in the dimly lit room, and the men loved it! I watched keenly, and at a point even attempted to count the amount of 100 dollar bills thrown onto the stage.
“Do you think it’s too late to have a career change?” Ameera said from my left and it was especially funny with her cultured tone. I laughed.
“I prefer my white coat to no clothing. I wouldn’t know how to handle myself in their shoes,” I said under my breath.
“I think we are about to find out what it is like being in their shoes,” Ashley said in almost awe.