Chapter 6 Behind closed doors

Sunesis's POV

“We're here,” I announced a few minutes later, as we stood in front of the grocery store, the neon light above, blazing the store's name.

“That was quick,” Jay muttered beside him, and I could swear I saw him with the corner of my eyes, observing the environment keenly.

We stepped into the store, and I immediately headed to get the stuff I had made a mental note of. I picked up each product, ignoring the quality, and weighing the price difference, always settling for the cheapest one.

The whole time, Jay walked behind me, like a hawk guarding its chicks.

“You'll need to stop hovering around me, and start getting the things you need, if we really want to leave here on time,” The words rolled off my tongue freely, even when I knew that the things my money could afford to get, were little, but I still needed to save face, I couldn't afford to display my poor living conditions, in front of a stranger.

“Hmm,” he nodded, and walked off to another section.

I added a few more items to my cart, and headed towards the counter, it was almost impossible to miss the look of disgust on the staff's face, as she watched me take out my items, and place them on the counter, to be scanned.

“I was wondering why the air around here suddenly changed,” she paused, her tone soft, but loud enough for me to hear.

“I guess it's because you walked in,” she added with a sneer.

I ignored her tugging at my sleeves, my gaze lowered.

“As always,” she remarked, a smirk, curving its way up her lips, as she picked up the things I got, one after the other, pure disgust displayed on her face, “You always go for the cheapest things, I can't blame you though, it's what you poor people do,”

I inhaled deeply, fighting hard to keep my calm, every time I came to the store, one insult or the other was hurled my way.

“People like you…”

“That's enough,” a familiar deep, but calm voice, cut her off immediately, and almost immediately, the atmosphere changed. I felt him before I saw him, he carried an aura that was really difficult to miss, and danger seemed to lurk in the air, when he was near.

“Is this how you treat your customers here?” He went on, his voice not rising even once, but somehow, still managed to instill fear.

I watched as the hard girl expression on the staff's face melted completely, leaving eyes that couldn't bear to look, and hands that trembled why she worked.

“I'm… I'm so… sorry sir,” she stuttered, clasping her hands together.

“And you should be…”

“Jay,” I called gently, he glanced my way, but said nothing.

“I wonder what your boss would say, if I reported this gross misconduct and classism to him,” he went on, his tone dropping with every sentence he made.

The girl rushed out of the counter, and immediately collapsed on her knees, her hands still clasped together, “please, forgive me, I can't afford to lose the job, my mother is sick, and I….”

“Apologize to her,” he cut her off sharply, his voice now a deadly calm.

She looked at me, her eyes widened in confusion.

I scoffed inwardly, people like her, always wanted to protect their ego at all cost.

“Apologi…”

“I'm sorry,” the words rushed out of her mouth, and I had a feeling, it almost burnt her tongue.

“Look at her, and take it slower,”

“I'm sorry…” she hesitated just a bit, “Miss,” she finally added, “It won't repeat itself again,” she bowed slightly.

“Just package my products,” I inhaled deeply.

“Thank you so much,” she hurriedly stood up, and headed to the counter.

“Place everything she got on my tab,” Jay stretched out his card towards.

“No please,” I shook my head gently.

“I won't take no for an answer Sunesis, take it as a thank you for bringing me here,”

“But…” I protested weakly.

“No buts,” he raised his hands up dismissively.

The walk back home was quiet, but strangely comfortable.

“Thank you so much for today,” I bowed, as I got to my apartment.

He gave me a nod, and got in, I followed suit. As soon as I placed the groceries in the freezer, I headed to my grandmother's room, to check on her.

Her body temperature had risen, but she was still asleep. I let out a sigh, as I went to my room to freshen up for the club.

I stopped by my grandmother's room before leaving, and watched her chest rise and fall slowly. Before, I clicked the door shut slowly, and slipped out of the apartment. I turned quickly, staggered back almost immediately, as I made out a figure in the dark.

“Who's there?” I called out slowly, and immediately regretted it, what if it was danger, lurking in the shadows.

“It's just me,” Jay's familiar voice came through, and the tension in my muscles relaxed instantly.

I let out a deep breath, and approached him.

“Where are you headed this late?” He scanned me from head to toe.

“Oh…” I paused, choosing my words carefully, as I knew he wasn't going to buy that night office bullshit.

“I'm going to see a friend,” I immediately added.

He didn't say a word but an expression flashed on his face, one that looked like anger, but just as quickly as it flashed, it disappeared.

I gave him a nod, and rushed down the stairs.

The minute I got to the club, I changed up quickly, slipped on my mask, and headed for the stage, as I was already behind schedule.

As usual, I let my body flow with the rhythm of the music, erupting too many groans from the men around, I noticed Blake's eyes fixed on me, and had to force myself to keep smiling.

I packed the cash that had been thrown on me, and got down the stage, as soon as the music ended.

“Sable,” Blake familiar's voice, called behind me, and my heart skipped a beat. I paused but didn't bother looking back.

He walked up behind, and whispered into my ears “Name your price, and I'll double it, just for a night,” I heard him kick his lips behind me.

I scoffed inwardly and walked away, without so much as a glance his way.

“Sable, I've been waiting,” my manager announced excitedly as soon as I got back to the changing room.

“Why?” I eyed him suspiciously.

“You have VIP,” he added, with a smile on his face, “huge amount of money,”

"Not interested,"

"I'll double your pay for today,"

My hands froze in place, as my eyelids twitched, I didn't like the sound of this, but I knew if I didn't take it, I'd be forced to deal with Blake, till the night ends.

“Fine,” I sighed, and he led the way to the VIP section.

“Be careful,” he gave me a nod, and I entered the booth.

To my surprise, the man in there had a mask on as well.

“Here,” he handed me a shawl, to cover myself, as I took a seat.

“Have a drink," he offered, passing me a glass.

“Not happening,” I eyed the glass suspiciously, who knows what he put inside the drink.

“Hear me out, I'm not going to do anything to you, on my honor, I just want us to talk,”

I inhaled deeply, and leaned back on the chair.

“How can I trust you?”

“You can't,” he paused, and took a sip from his glass, I took the glass from him, and slowly took a sip from it.

Seconds, flew into minutes, we talked about many things and any thing, and for some reason, I felt free with maybe because he was the first guy I met at the club that made no sexual advances at me.

His session ended after an hour, and I headed home, with double the amount I usually make.