𝟏𝟎- 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐌𝐄

CHAPTER TEN

Show Me.

❂

THE past few days had flew by quicker than what Aria had hoped for.

She spent her moments with Kiera and Parker, roaming the city with the intent of having the time of their lives.

It was one of the few things that hadn't changed.

No matter the developing relationship between her and Kiera— they were still friends before anything, meaning that they were extremely comfortable within each other's presence.

When Aria wasn't out with her best friends, she was cuddled up with Sade in her bed, the faint sound of music enveloping their presence from her record player.

The days were becoming warmer as spring was approaching.

Rain would typically announce itself sooner rather than later in the city and Aria was aware of this, which is why she'd been carrying around an umbrella in her car just in case.

Friday had to be the busiest day of Aria's work week.

The redhead arrived at Barnes and Noble around two for her seven hour shift. The store was full of excited teens who were ready to get their hands on the next book. Some immediately checked out while others stayed to read in the comfortable chairs with a cup of iced coffee.

Aria was worn by the time she clocked out. Her bun had transformed itself into a ponytail and she had a small sauce stain on her sweater from her lunch.

As much as she wanted to call it a night and snuggle into bed with Sade, she knew that being unmotivated wouldn't get her that lavish lifestyle that she wanted in her future.

So she worked out the strain in her neck and gathered her items.

She left the bookstore at eight to head home and get ready for the club.

The air outside was crisp, slight gusts of wind blowing but nothing harsh. The skies were clear. No sight of rain yet in the city.

The drained woman drove home to the soft hum of Amy Winehouse, constantly tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.

She had to be at Opia around ten, so she prepared herself for the night with no sense of urgency.

She had quite a few hours to spare.

A piece of her wanted to slightly piss Memphis off, so she purposely picked up one of her new books, Malice by Heather Walter, and read it for a good thirty minutes before actually getting tidied up.

Her untidy hair had been turned into voluminous curls that hung down her shoulders. She wore a grey lounge set on top of her lingerie, which was white with lacy adornments, and after tossing her belongings into her bag she headed to the kitchen.

Sade followed his owner around as she prepared a quick bowl of leftover chicken salad to eat. The portion wasn't heavy enough to fill her stomach but it was small enough to give her the perfect amount of energy.

The redhead kissed her so-called 'baby' after giving him a bit of attention as well as feeding him before exiting the apartment with satisfaction.

Aria ate the salad on the way to Opia, her music now more upbeat to help wake her up.

As expected, the club was flourishing. The line outside nearly wrapped around the building, causing Aria to shake her head.

She entered through the back, her bag tight within her grasp.

Some of her kind coworkers said their greetings as she walked through the small crowd while others gave dirty looks.

Aria couldn't care less about the later bunch.

Eventually, she was completely ready for the late night ahead. Her lingerie was on full display to all, causing looks of jealousy to roam the redhead's body. She ignored them by adjusting the straps of her heels, running her manicured hands across the adjustments with purpose.

"Maeve."

The redhead lifted her head up, making immediate eye contact with an unfamiliar face.

The woman's exterior was distant. Her face was strong in features, the only thing soft about her being her pouty lips. She wore an all black suit that didn't have a singular wrinkle. Her long hair was pulled back into a low bun, dark sunglasses sitting atop of her head.

"Do I know you?" Aria raised an eyebrow, walking towards the woman in order to give the other girls privacy.

The door was wide open, putting everyone inside on show.

Yes some of them were bitches, but Aria knew what respect was.

The woman took note of Aria's desire to exit the room, closing the door once they were face to face, "I'm Lisette. Boss is calling for you."

The redhead knew all too well who the title 'Boss' belonged to.

Aria groaned, "I just got here. Is she always this needy?"

Lisette laughed while scratching her neck, causing Aria to notice the variety of tattoos that decorated the woman's skin.

She was associated with Memphis. That much was confirmed.

"Follow me." Lisette replied curtly, beginning to walk to the right.

Not seeing a point in arguing, Aria followed.

"Where's Remi?" the redhead questioned, already have taken note of their path.

Tony and Remi were truly the only guys Aria interacted with in the club.

They were the only ones she trusted.

When Tony was busy managing the patrons of Opia, Remi was following behind Aria's every step. They were like her older brothers in a sense— always keeping an eye on her.

So where were they now?

Lisette didn't answer Aria and that made the redhead frown in dissatisfaction.

Once they were facing the familiar black door, Lisette turned and spoke again, robotically almost, "I'll be accompanying you from now on."

"No." Aria retorted.

Plain and simple.

Memphis was becoming too comfortable within her position and Aria didn't like it at all. With a scoff, she pushed open the door to Memphis' office with only one goal in mind.

The room held the same ambience as before; dim lighting giving Aria little to see, the soft sound of music, and the smoke that took on a ghost-like form flowing upwards.

Aria got straight to her point, "I need Remi." the redhead demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.

Memphis ignored Aria's order, taking one last drag of the blunt in her hand. She was wearing a rather dark outfit tonight. A heavy knitted, black sweater was thrown over an oversized dark grey shirt. Her usual baggy pants were locked into place with a Hermes belt and her custom Nike Air Jordan 1's were snug on her feet. Her golden accessories were subtle yet elegant.

Aria looked at Memphis in utter disbelief.

Was she seriously ignoring me? She thought.

Aria strutted closer toward the silent woman, leaning on the marbled desk with the intention of getting answers, "Can you not hear all of a sudden? Where's Remi? I need him."

Memphis tsked, her eyes low and red.

"C'mere." was all she said, motioning the redhead closer with her head.

The redhead didn't obey— Aria was fed up.

She was simply supposed to provide Memphis with a short lap dance before leaving to work the pole, but Memphis' lack of words were intolerable.

She wanted to know where her companion had been sent, immediately. Lisette wasn't someone that Aria trusted.

As if to check herself, Aria remembered the amount of money that was being held above her head.

Fifteen thousand.

"Will you tell me where Remi is?" she questioned in a softer tone, hoping it would ease the tense atmosphere and get her an answer.

Memphis hummed softly, dragging her eyes away from Aria's cleavage.

The redhead huffed, mumbling inaudible words underneath her breath.

Her heels clicked delicately on the shiny floors as she rounded the desk. When she stood to the side of Memphis, she simply tilted her head, placing her hand on her hip.

The fire in her eyes extinguished themselves once she saw the bruises on Memphis hands. The blood on them didn't seem fresh, dried perhaps, but her knuckles were red and raw.

Aria wondered if Memphis' nonchalant behavior and bruised knuckles had something to do with Remi's disappearance.

"Your friend isn't harmed." Memphis revealed as if reading Aria's thoughts, "This is other business."

Aria nodded, "Where is he?"

"He's fine. I sent him home for the night. Someone was asking about you— calling you all sorts of names— and things got heated."

Aria's confusion tripled after every word spoken by Memphis. She was saying so much but spared the intricate details of it all.

"Well—"

Memphis cut the redhead off before she could ask another question, turning her chair slightly to toy with the lace material on Aria's body.

"You're mine right now. Ask questions about other things later." she spoke quietly.

The tone of her voice was different from the other times the two women spoke.

It was like Saturday night all over again; soft voices, teasing touches, and steady eye contact.

Aria let out a breathy exhale, "What do you want?"

Memphis smiled lowly for the first time tonight, her heavy eyes only focused on Aria's face.

"Show me what I'm paying for, chèrie."

❂