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

The girls and I spent the better part of the following day shopping, but when it came to what to wear for the upcoming gig, I chose a black leather bodysuit with a matching knee-length boot and mask. The others waited to see me in it before rushing to pick theirs. The three of us adorned similar attire and stood in front of the boutique mirror, admiring ourselves then we exchanged satisfied grins, turned to the shop attendant, and chorused, “We will take these.”
We later joined Anna and Tamika at a Pole dancing dance and fitness center somewhere along West 27th Street and spent a few hours having a crash course on strength-building exercises before braving choreographed moves. We were also taught aerial hoops with Anna and Tamika showing us the step-by-step moves.
And at every chance I got, I sketched the detailed moves in steps, and thus when it was my time to show what I have learned for the day. I let out a deep breath and let my memory guard my every move. When the instructor gave me a fist bump at the end of my session and the girls clapped with all smiles. I was confident I had done something decent.
However, it was one thing to practice the move routinely in front of your friends, and quite another to try and do all of that to enthrall a total stranger. When a tall white male was brought in for us to practice our moves on, I almost bolted. Then I thought of what we have gone through to come this far and I was never a quitter. I wasn’t about to run from the challenge now.
Tamika brought a bottle of vodka for us to do shots as we waited our turn and I took about seven successively, ignoring the burn in my throat. Shaking my body like someone warming up for a boxing match or a salsa, I paced back and forth garnering the courage for the spectacle I was about to make of myself. Anna videoed the session so we could watch how we did afterward. My heart lunged in my chest when she called out to me that it was my turn. I had completely zoned out.
Taking a deep breath, I stood about a few feet from the man. He was made to sit on the chair at the side of the room and he gave me a polite smile. His gray eyes sparkled with interest and I wondered if he was some kind of a regular. What kind of a man volunteers to be used as a dummy for a strip dance in a dance studio?
I soon realized despite the alcohol in my system, and the girls clapping for me to cheer me on. I just couldn't get into the act with the stranger. I saw his smile waver when I halted my advancement twice and returned to my starting point. I was acutely aware that all my failed attempts were being recorded and that was not helping.
“You can do it, Estie!” Ashley and Ameera chorused, hooting loudly. By now I know dancing for the stranger wouldn’t do, I decided then to dance for someone that I know would tease me unending about the act. Someone I know would be extremely fun to striptease for. I took a deep breath and dimmed my eyes, conjuring Cole in my head, and slowly imposed his face on the stranger.
I started to walk towards the man in an unhurried seductive gait while swaying my hips, and this time I went all the way. I took my ample time, dancing around him, over his lap without body contact, and went on all fours prowling with my smoldering gaze fixated on his. I watched him swallow and adjust himself on the seat. Then I placed my legs on each side of his lap, gyrating close to his body with no body contact whatsoever. I felt quite invisible. I made sure to make him believe I was going to go all the way in action like when I leaned forward close to his ears or the corner of his mouth then pulled back just when I was half an inch away.
When I was about to end my session, I leaned towards him as if I was going to finally kiss him on the lips with my mouth slightly parted, and my eyes burrowing into his. I noticed how he gravitated towards me with his eyes darkened with lust. I smiled in triumph, feeling like someone who had won a conquest, and pulled back, walking away to meet the other girls. I heard the man swear under his breath and asked the instructor to give him six minutes before he could get up. The girls giggled. Ameera and Ashley hopped with excitement and rushed forward to wrap me up in a hug.
“That was breathtaking!” Ashley gushed.
“You were magnificent!” Ameera interjected.
I nodded, still breathing hard. I could not dare look back at the man. Even the thought of what I had just done was making my neck and face heat up. Then I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder and I turned around, a tall hefty looking white male stared down at me with a wide grin on his rugged face. I swallowed nervously as I stared up into his green eyes. He offered me a gold-plated business card and I took it gingerly, darting him a quizzical gaze.
“I’m Bobby,” he introduced in a deep, breathy tone. Anna and Tamika came to flank him by the side, smiling at me. “You and your friends just secured spots for yourselves for this coming Saturday Bachelor's gig. And if you ever feel like doing this again or for a living, use this card.”
“I’m a doctor,” I said in a daze.
“I know,” he replied, winked, and walked away.
My friends hopped in excitement, evidently happy that we had finally gotten what we wanted. And that was when my nerves started to kick in.
The party was supposed to be the following Friday and we were asked to join all the other girls for practice sessions midweek. And on Sunday night I could barely sleep. I kept remembering what was required of me and was scared to death of failing at it or to be specific, freezing as I did with the green-eyed stranger. I would hate to be the reason the girls lose their money.
As a result of all my worrying, I turned out to be a complete nervous wreck throughout Monday. I was jumpy and nervous and ran at the mention of surgery.