Athena's POV:
I love the way these men look at me when I move my body. I love it because it means they are happy, and the person who paid for this performance won't be disappointed. Just as I enjoy their attention, I give them mine too. I make eye contact with each of them, making every man in the room feel like he is someone special.
First, I looked at a man who is very famous in the world of money. I heard he recently signed a huge deal for his family's company. His dark eyes lit up when he saw me looking at him, and a proud smirk grew on his face. Mission accomplished.
Then, I dropped to my knees, keeping my hands steady on the floor as the music changed to a Beyoncé song. I was wearing a long red flowery skirt and a small top. My skin was shining with sweat as I turned my eyes toward the next man in the room.
It was a famous Reggae singer. I grew up listening to his music, but I could tell he still wanted me in his bed. His messy dark curls fell over his brown eyes, and he raised his glass to me when he realized I was staring at him.
They all think I am actually interested in them. That is what my dancing makes them believe. But even though they can all watch, nobody is allowed to touch me.
As the music slowly came to an end, I bent over on the floor. I touched my head to my ankle and slowly moved my hands up my legs while looking at another man. I knew him very well; everyone did. It was Damon Royal. People said his business strategy was arrogant and brutal and I wondered if his personality was any different. He wore a formal black suit, and his eyes were the most beautiful thing about him. They were as green as a forest in the summer. He didn't smile, he didn't raise his glass, and he didn't even move an eyebrow—but he definitely didn't look away.
Finally, the song ended. I took a deep breath of relief and stood up. My two backup dancers stood next to me, looking excited. We bowed slightly, and without looking at anyone else, I walked off the stage and headed for the changing room.
"Oh my god, I almost tripped when I saw Jay Brown in the audience!" Cyril, one of my dancers, shouted happily once we were away from all those prying eyes.
Jay Brown was the Reggae singer.
"I just want to lick him. Do you think he'd let me?" Risha said, putting her hand over her heart dramatically. I laughed as I pulled the pins out of my hair, letting my long black curls fall over my sweaty shoulders.
"Let's quickly clean up," I said, walking into a shower. Tonight was Stephanie Royal's twentieth birthday. She calls me her best friend, and I still don't really know how we became that close. She is very kind and sweet, but she grew up with way more money than me. She is very modest, but she doesn't seem to care about our differences. She wanted me here, so I had to freshen up and go back to the party.
"Athena," Risha called out from the next shower. "Those men were staring at your body like you were a meal. You shouldn't waste this chance."
I rolled my eyes at her. "She's right," Cyril added. They were teaming up on me again. "Who knows when we will get to dance for men this rich again? I hope one of them likes me. If a billionaire spent even a little money on me, I would treat him like a king."
I laughed at how dramatic they were. I finished my shower, dried my hair, and put on a tight red dress. It was long, reaching my ankles, with thin straps.
Once we were ready, we walked down the hallway to the ballroom. The guards at the door opened them for us as slow music played. As we walked in, I immediately felt the men looking at us with lust. It wasn't new, but it always made me feel a bit disgusted. Most of them were married.
"Athena!" a loud, happy voice called out. It was Stephanie. She ran over to me, not caring that she might trip on her long, heavy dress covered in diamonds.
Stephanie was a pretty blonde girl. Even though she was only twenty, she was very smart about business. She had even offered to be my manager to make me famous, but I wasn't really interested in that. She gave me a long, tight hug. "I'm so happy you danced today! Everyone loved it."
I gave her a small smile. She hadn't really given me a choice to say no. I turned and introduced my friends. "This is Cyril."
Stephanie's eyes sparkled. She loved meeting people in my circle. "Is that waist real? You made me so jealous with your moves!" she said, and Cyril laughed before they hugged.
"And this is Risha."
"You girls are so good. I don't understand why you aren't famous yet, I could—"
"Steph," I interrupted before she could start talking about being our manager. She understood and stopped, turning her attention back to the girls. "Have fun and get some drinks. I'm going to take Athena with me for a bit."
She grabbed my arm and led me through the crowd. I felt the men staring and the women looking at me with jealousy. I was used to it, but these people were much richer than the ones in my neighborhood.
"I told my parents about you. They are so excited to meet you," she said as we walked toward the back of the room. An older couple sat there, laughing. To their left was Damon and some other men.
Damon was staring at me. He didn't blink and kept his beautiful eyes on me the whole time. When we got close, Stephanie introduced me to her parents.
"This is Athena, my best friend." She pulled me forward so they could see me. Her mom stood up and gave me a big hug. Hugging seemed to be a family tradition.
"Hello, dear. You are the first person Nana has ever called her best friend," Mrs. Royal said. I smiled back. Nana was Stephanie's nickname at home.
Then Mr. Royal reached out his hand. "Hello."
I shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, sir."
He smiled and looked back at his wife. She was beautiful, so I didn't blame him. Then Stephanie pulled me around the table to face her brother and his friends.
"This is my brother," she said. "And brother, this is my friend... Athena."