AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Three
Corentina
I don’t know what I expected him to look like, but with his sandy blond hair and fitted suit, he took my breath away for a moment. In a way, he gives me the feeling he’s the type of man who demands attention from everyone in the room. His eyes are kind, but everything else about him isn’t. His facial expression is gruff, and the way he carries himself is authoritative. It’s no wonder he’s the type of man who owns a business like this. Show business isn’t for pussies.
Rémy left shortly after, and he went over something with Félix, but Madelaine decided to take me out and show me around New Orleans a bit. She told me she was using it as an excuse to get out of the office. She says how she mostly only sees the same four walls every day, but the weather was too beautiful not to play hooky for a bit. I didn’t disagree with her. It’s not too hot, not too cold. The humidity is doable, and the sun is out. What more can you ask for?
“So, are you a dancer as well?” I ask, trying to make some small talk.
She cracks up laughing. “Who, me?” She turns her head as if I’ve asked her something ridiculous.
“Yeah, I mean, you have the body for it. Plus, you’re gorgeous.” Madelaine has the brightest red hair I’ve ever seen. She’s got this edgy appearance to her with her tattoos and her dark style of clothes. Most women in establishments like theirs would be in dresses and heels, but not her. She’s wearing a shredded KISS T-shirt that hangs off her shoulder, with a pair of cut-up denim jeans and a pair of combat boots. She’s a badass, and it’s what makes me like her.
“Aw, you’re adorable. No, I’m not a dancer. I handle the behind the scenes stuff for the guys. Arranging shit, keeping them in line when it comes to accounting. You know my husband spends over a thousand dollars a month on coffee. I couldn’t figure it out, but he told me he buys breakfast for the dancers on the weekends.”
“Wow, that’s so sweet.” Most of the places I’ve been at make you fend for yourself.
Madelaine nods. “Yeah, he’s a real keeper. He doesn’t have much to do with Diamond Dancers since that’s Rémy’s thing, but he likes to make sure you’re all taken care of. Rémy used to do it, but it slipped his mind a couple times, so Félix picked it up. He just never thought to tell my cheap ass about it.” Madelaine throws her head back and cackles.
“That’s very lovely. It’s hard to find employers that view their dancers as people. Most think we’re replaceable.” I don’t realize what I’ve said until I catch the shocked expression crossing Madelaine’s features.
“Are most people really like that?” Her question catches me off guard, but I nod.
“Yeah, most even threaten you with the fact there’s a constant guillotine over your head. Its rope is constantly being shredded, but it’ll come crashing down when someone better comes along. It’s cut-throat out there.” It’s tiring, exhausting, terrifying, but I don’t tell any of this to Madelaine.
“Well, you don’t have a guillotine over your head here. We treat the dancers like they’re family, and we take care of our own.” I sigh in relief at hearing Madelaine’s words. A club like this is a rarity in the world.
“I’m starting to see that. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. We’re all very grateful you’re here. Your name comes with an amazing reputation and you know not only your talent, but your fanbase. I’ve recently started new advertising campaigns for Rémy. Billboards, Facebook ads, Radio ads, ads on websites, everything. We’re even planning a huge VIP party for your opening night, and tickets have almost sold out.” Madelaine sure knows how to make me feel good about myself. It’s crazy, considering she isn’t my family. Yet the one person who is has no problem tearing me down, pointing out what she thinks I’m doing wrong. Even the thought of Ursula makes my stomach churn and nervousness spread across my limbs.
Madelaine and I spend the rest of the day walking around the city, and around six, she gets a call. I presume it’s from Félix since she reminds us we have dinner plans. We hop in her town car and her driver takes us to the restaurant we’re meeting the men at. We both walk in through the doors, and the hostess takes us back to a private area. It’s secluded from everyone else, and the view overlooking the city is breathtaking.
“Evening, Corentina,” Félix says, standing to shake my hand.
I smile and take his hand, but there’s something I have to get off my chest. “Good evening. Please, call me Cor or Cora. Corentina is only for professional or legal purposes, plus it’s a mouthful.” I add a laugh at the end, and he nods.
“Noted,” Félix says.
“Evening,” Rémy says, standing to shake my hand. His cool blue eyes lock with mine, and I don’t know how to describe the feeling rushing through me. It’s like he’s knocking the air out from my body.
I swallow and smile. “Good evening.”
Thank goodness for Madelaine. “Come on, let’s sit down and get our order in. I’m starved.”
“Did you not eat today?” Félix questions his wife with a grumble.
“We ate, just didn’t overeat. I took Cora to all the touristy places. We had small plates since we knew we were having dinner. I plan on diving straight into the lobster, so I saved room,” Madelaine says with a giggle and a wink.
Félix shakes his head, and Rémy looks over at me. “Let me guess, she took you to Cafe Beignet?”
“She did, and they were marvelous. Madelaine took me to a couple places, but the Olde NOLA Cookery was hands down my favorite. It was a great way to get a taste of the New Orleans culture and lifestyle,” I tell Rémy.
“Ooo, yay! We’ll have to do it again. It was nice to get out of the office, but I love New Orleans. It’s a great city,” Madelaine adds.
“Yes,” I nod, “and the people are so friendly here. Not every city has friendly people. It’s nice.”
“Where will you take her next, Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo?” Rémy teases Madelaine, but little does he know I’d love that. I’m a big fan of going to museums, not that I’ve been able to go to many.
