The neon-blue glow of Rosa's Club hummed against the afternoon quiet, casting artificial twilight over patrons nursing midday drinks. Slipping through the entrance, Elsa kept her head low. She wore a heavy blue top and matching pants, shielded further by a black cap pulled low to cast shadows over her face. She couldn't afford to be recognized—not by the staff, and certainly not by Jordin.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she hurried straight to the dressing quarters. She hauled open her locker, frantically pulling out her bag and phone.
"You're Elsa, right?"
Elsa froze. She turned to find a woman in her mid-twenties with sharp brown hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. A name badge pinned to her chest read Judith. Judith's eyes carried a distant, mature weight as they narrowed, scanning Elsa's features with a flicker of annoyance.
"You were lucky you didn't get reported for hitting one of the VIP customers," Judith said, her tone laced with taut disapproval. She couldn't wrap her head around why someone would lash out at an elite guest. Did he try to touch her? Did something happen between them? She meant to pry the truth out of Elsa. "You know what that means, right?"
Elsa's stomach twisted. For a terrifying second, she thought Judith knew about her secret affair with Jordin. But even beneath that panic, a cold numbness settled in—she didn't even care if she was getting fired.
"You're lucky you aren't losing your job. You are going to apologize for your foolish mistake. I personally put in a word to pacify him," Judith stated, crossing her arms. When Elsa remained silent, a remorseful expression crossing her face, Judith took it as compliance. "Before you think of lifting a finger against someone important, look at yourself first, lady. Don't act impulsive. It'll get you nowhere."
Inside, Elsa burned with indignation. Wrong? Yes, her brief fling with Jordin was her mistake—but he had nearly abused her. She was suffocating under the weight of it all, done with the shady affair, done with the danger. She forced her face to remain smooth, nodding slowly to get Judith off her back. She never intended to step foot in this club again.
"Thanks, Judith. I'll apologize," Elsa lied smoothly, her eyes lingering on the name badge.
"Good. At least you have some sense," Judith said, satisfied that the newcomer was easy to manage, before turning and walking away.
"What happened between you and the VIP guest?" Judith asked, her gaze locking onto Elsa.
Elsa's heart hammered frantically against her ribs. She kept her mouth shut, terrified of revealing the truth. She was already mentally exhausted, and the sheer audacity of the demand made her blood boil. Jordin had hurt her first; she had no intention of apologizing to him. In fact, she was running for her life, desperate never to lay eyes on him again.
Judith didn't know the full story, but she could read between the lines—she suspected Jordin held a personal interest in the younger woman. Eager to dig deeper, Judith realized pushing too hard right now would only make Elsa clam up. People needed time and a sense of safety before they opened up. Shifting tactics, Judith softened her expression, masking her interrogation as concern, convinced it would trick Elsa into spilling her secrets.
"It's fine if you don't want to say it now, just don't cause problems for yourself okay?, Judith said.
"Thanks, I understand, Elsa said. Judith had a faint smile on her lips, she was just saying that for Elsa to open up with what had happned to her and the VIP guest.
"Good, Judith said and turned leaving.
As soon as the door swung shut, Elsa stared blankly at her locker. Apologize? Not a chance. He almost abused me. He's crazy, and this entire place is toxic.
The dressing room held nothing more than a wooden bench and steel lockers, but to Elsa, it felt like a cage. If she stayed in this lifestyle, it would destroy her completely. She reached deep into her bag, pulled out a pre-written resignation letter, and laid it flat on the bench. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she walked out without looking back.
Stepping out onto the street, a wave of pure relief washed over her. The crisp afternoon air brushed her cheeks, cool and soothing. A genuine, small smile touched her lips. She had quit. She was clean of this place, and she still had her steady, honest job at the bookstore waiting for her.
In the powder room, Judith touched up her glossy lips while recounting the confrontation to Edith, a woman with a sharp, dirty-blonde bob.
"Oh my, that's harsh. Is she getting fired? What's going to happen?" Edith asked, leaning against the counter.
"Not much. The VIP customer didn't press charges or demand termination. He just said she needs to apologize," Judith replied smoothly, smoothing her gloss.
Judith frowned, her mind racing. The VIP is that nice? Did he try to touch her or something? A nagging suspicion tugged at her. "What do you think really happened between them?" Edith asked.
"I don't know," Judith admitted, snapping her makeup case shut. "I just know something happened. I'm definitely going to talk to her about it later. I need to know." Judith shrugged.
Edith gave an understanding nod, her own curiosity piqued.
Moments later, Judith walked back to the dressing room to keep an eye on Elsa, only to find the room empty. A folded piece of paper caught her eye resting on the wooden bench. Frowning, she picked it up and unfolded it.
It was Elsa's resignation.
Back in the main rooms, Judith sought out Edith, waving the paper in hand.
"Wow. I didn't think that girl would actually quit," Edith said, her eyes widening. "She must have been terrified." Edith said.
"something must have happened between her and the VIP guest," Judith said thoughtfully.
"So what now?" Edith asked, crossing her arms.
"Don't know," Judith shrugged, a lingering sense of frustration in her voice. She felt like she had missed a crucial piece of a dark puzzle. Edith shook her head, less concerned with Elsa's well-being and entirely consumed by the lingering mystery of why a simple altercation had driven the young woman away for good.