Madam’s voice was still calm, but there a sharpness in her tone “You're one of my top earners. I expect you to move accordingly. You don’t need to concern yourself with what the new girls are doing.”
Monroe’s smile tightened. “Of course,” she said.
Madam nodded once, then looked at me. “And Gianna…your reputation is your currency here. Protect it.”
I exhaled slowly and nodded. "I understand, Madam."
“Wonderful" she nodded once. "Gianna, I will reach out to your client and smooth over anything,” Madam said. She turned her eyes back to Monroe. "Monroe, if he tells me anything adverse…you and I will need to have aseriousconversation about policy."
A quick look of worry crossed Monroe's features, but she quickly smoothed it over. She turned first, heading for the door. But right before she stepped out, she glanced back at me and smiled—calculated. The door closed behind her.
I sat there for a second, that same uneasy feeling settling in my gut again.
Madam watched me. “Next time, come to me. That's what I'm here for.” she said after a moment.
"I will." I nodded slowly, standing.
As I walked toward the door, her voice stopped me. “Gianna.” I turned back.
She studied me for a moment. “Be mindful,” she said. “Attention—good or bad—spreads quickly in environments like this.”
I held her gaze. “I hear you.”
“I'll follow up," she added.
I nodded once and stepped out. As I made my way back down the hallway, heels clicking against the floor, one thought sat loud in my head—that bitch was plotting on my downfall. This wasn’t over. Not even close.
After my final client of the night, I was all too ready to get home and wash the day off of me. Me and Ronnie were on our way home and discussing the bullshit.
She gripped the steering wheel, head shaking in irritation. "I'm telling you right now, if she tries that shit again, I'ma put my heel right in that bitch's eyes. I don’t give a fuck," she gritted.
"Wait in line." I exhaled rubbing the bridge of my nose. "Boss not even a client anymore. I would think that the bitch would have moved on."
"She can't 'cause she's jealous, simple as that. Bitches like that wanna be the only one in the room. All the money I know she's making and she’s still miserable. Shit is sad."
"As fuck," I co-signed, leaning my head against the headrest. "I don't wanna talk about her ass no more. I just know I gotta keep an even closer eye on her now. Make my money and start planning an exit before I end up in jail."
Ronnie got quiet. "An exit huh?" she said finally.
My head rolled over to the side to look at her.
She gave me a quick glance and smirked. "Don't give me that look. I'm not giving you a hard time anymore."
I smiled. "Yeah. An exit. Not immediately of course. I have a goal in mind. But still—I'm working towards it."
She nodded slowly. "I'm okay with that, babe."
"You sure?" I asked quietly.
She nodded again. "Yeah. After you told me you met his people, I figured you were considering it."
I reached over and placed my hand on her thigh giving it a squeeze. "Thank you for understanding, boo."
Her smiled deepened. "No problem, sis. Next time, you let me handle that bitch, Monroe. I don't want her to fuck up you reaching your goal."
I chuckled. "I got you."
We arrived home and both went to our rooms to rest. I took a long shower and crawled into bed naked with the fan on high. Grabbing my phone off the charger, I went to me and Remy's text thread. The last message he sent was him checking in. I told him things were hectic, but I would call him when I got home.
