You Know What They Do To Girls Like Us

“Holy…” my mouth drops open as soon as I enter my room.

A gorgeous ball gown is hanging from my bed post. Light pink silk looks so beautiful with the white lace running along the bodice and sleeves. Little delicate flowers are embedded in the lace and the back of the dress ties like a corset with a big bow at the bottom. A pair of long white gloves is draped on the hanger and a white and pink masquerade mask lies on my bed. A pair of white heels also catches my eye.

How do I even get in this? I gently take the dress off the hanger and notice a note stuck on the back collar.

“Buzz for Paula before trying on,” I read aloud.

I buzz Paula through the intercom and she soon comes rushing in.

Many pins and needles later, my arms are getting sore from holding them out for so long.

I say so out loud.

“Just one more stitch,” Paula says with a needle between her teeth. She tuts once she finishes threading the needle through the fabric. She steps back and smiles. “Beautiful.”

I look at myself in the mirror and I can’t recognize the girl in the reflection. It seems so cliché, but I don’t expect the girl in front of me to move when I shift and fidget.

“Well,” Paula breaks the spell. “We had better get this off to the seamstress. Oh and before I forget – management got you a job at the 400 Lux cabaret. Good luck.”

She winks as she hands me a manila folder with ‘400 Lux’ embossed in gold on the front.

Once she leaves, I change into a simple t-shirt and some light denim shorts.

I run my fingers over the gold logo. Opening the folder, I start looking through all the papers. I just need to fill a few forms and report to the cabaret tomorrow night.

I have to admit that I am excited, but also scared because this is the first time going out into the Annapola. Especially in the most party concentrated area.

A soft knock is heard at the door.

“Who is it?” I call out.

“One of your favorite people,” Louis’ voice is muffled through the oak door.

I run to the door and fling it open, my eyes are wide.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper and glance behind him at Harry’s door.

“Don’t worry, he’s doing some interview,” Louis smiles noticing my darting eyes.

“Oh,” I open the door wide for him to come in.

“Lovely room,” he looks back at me as he walks in.

“Yeah,” I smile, still uneasy at the fact that Harry arranged it. I hesitate. “Harry actually arranged it.”

I watch Louis pause.

“Harry?” he asks me with a strange look on his face.

“Mhm,” hopping onto my bed I motion for Louis to join me. He sits cross legged in front of me like we always do.

“So Harry’s taken softness towards you?” he plays with my hands.

“You’re joking,” I laugh at such a ridiculous idea. “He still hates me. I’m just an object of pleasure for him.”

“Be careful, Robin,” he says cupping one side of my face with his hand. “He’s dangerous. He doesn’t know what he’s doing half the time.”

“I know,” I furrow my eyebrows. “I didn’t say that I trusted him or anything.”

“You think you know, Robin, but…” his eyes stay locked on mine. “It’s hard to say. Just don’t think that what you see is what you get. He’s too dangerous; even to himself. Just promise me that you will be extremely careful.”

His eyes express so much anxiety that a deep feeling of sadness settles in my stomach. A feeling that I can’t shake off.

“Of course,” I place my hand over his on my cheek.

“I don’t want anyone or anything to ever hurt you,” he says softly.

I smile and he starts leaning closer. His lips meet mine softly and the movements of our bodies immediately connect. I link my fingers behind his neck. His hands move to my waist under my shirt and start running up my back. I grab his t-shirt to pull him closer. He moves to my jawline leaving tiny bites down my neck to my collarbone causing me to drop my head back. And then he stops.

“Louis?” I quickly come to my senses and see where Louis is looking.

“What is that,” he commands more than asks.

“Oh, I was going to tell you,” I look at the manila folder with the gold letters catching the light from the lamp. “Management got me a job and this club, 400 Lux. I thought you would know though, since you were the one who…”

I trail off, taking in the growing stiffness in Louis’ features.

“You said management arranged this for you?” he doesn’t look at me. Instead he gets up and starts leafing through the folder.

“Well, that’s what Paula told me,” I sit awkwardly on the bed straightening out my shirt.

“I don’t like this,” he abruptly drops the folders and rubs his face as he turns his back on me.

“But I thought you wanted me to…”

“Yes,” he turns and points at the folder. “But I didn’t want you going to that cabaret out of all the damn cabarets.”

“Why?” I venture cautiously, wary of his anger.

“Why?” he repeats and lets out a short, sarcastic laugh. “Because that cabaret, 400 Lux, is owned by Harry Styles. Harry. Fucking. Styles.”

“He owns that cabaret?” Holy shit, this is not happening.

“Yes,” Louis clenches his jaw. “We all have some small career aside from our main musical career. Mine is owning libraries, Zayn’s is strip joints, Liam’s is prostitution, Niall’s is the skateboard industry, and Harry… Harry’s is owning clubs.”

“Damn,” I am so screwed.

The clock strikes 9 pm and seems to shake Louis from his thoughts.

“I need to go,” and just like that he walks out the door.

I sit there staring at the door trying to process what just happened.

The door opens again and Louis is walking fast towards me. He gives me a firm kiss and then walks out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

I can't help, but smile a bit. Louis...

Notes

Hope you liked the chapter! So many twists and turns happening ooooooh
Anyway, thank you for reading and don't forget to comment your thoughts! Hope you had a very merry Christmas and happy holidays! Speaking of which, because it is Christmas I am giving you gems a small gift. I'm going to show you before the actual chapter what the girls' dresses are going to look like for the masquerade. Just for fun. ;)
Robin: http://i41.tinypic.com/20hkbiw.jpg
April: http://i41.tinypic.com/106yhz9.jpg
Sara: http://i44.tinypic.com/ol00wm.jpg
Eliza: http://i41.tinypic.com/9uceig.jpg