With an indifferent flick of his wrist, Eric tossed the ointment into the trash can and walked off.
Outside Silver Villas, Hadley activated her phone and called a rental agent. She dedicated the day to apartment hunting.
By the late afternoon, she had secured a place.
It was a modest, slightly worn one-bedroom apartment in the older section of the city. It wasn’t luxurious, but it featured a kitchen and a bathroom-sufficient for her needs to cook and maintain her personal hygiene.
Given her limited budget, this was the best option available.
The agent inquired, “What do you think? Will this do?”
Hadley gave a small nod. “Yes, it’s fine,” she answered quietly.
“Excellent,” the agent responded. “I’ll draw up the contract. Once I confirm a few details with the landlord, you can move in soon.”
“Really? That’s great! Thank you so much.”
Securing her new living arrangement eased a significant weight off Hadley’s shoulders.
That evening, she experienced her first peaceful night’s sleep in a long time.
In contrast, Eric spent another night away from home.
Today was Friday.
Hadley took the day to rest, conserving her energy for her debut performance later. She knew she couldn’t afford any mistakes tonight. Being punctual was crucial on her first day of work.
She left early and arrived at Galant with twenty minutes to spare, eager to make a good impression.
Lennon greeted her with a warm smile and a firm handshake. “Tonight is your moment to shine, Hadley. Prepare to captivate everyone!” He gestured toward a collection of dazzling costumes. “We’re all set here. Now it’s up to you to mesmerize the audience!”
Hadley offered a tentative smile and nodded, “I’ll give it my all.”
“Exactly what I want to hear! Now, go put on your makeup and get dressed!”
“Understood.”
Her act for the evening was a jazz dance, complete with an exquisite mask, as planned during rehearsals. Lennon had shared his thoughts on the concept earlier. “Mystery enhances appeal. It captivates the audience. By revealing less, we pique their curiosity, making them eager for more. This strategy, along with your excellent skills? Your name is going to be circulating around town.”
This approach was designed to draw in the crowd and encourage them to spend.
Lennon studied Hadley’s expression. “Your face is a valuable asset-it should be revealed strategically.”
Hadley was indifferent to the marketing tactics. Her primary goal was to make money, so she complied with the plans without objection.
Just before her performance, Lennon stopped by for a final check. “Are you all set, Hadley? You’re on soon.”
“I’m ready,” she replied.
She rose to her feet and took a deep breath.
The previous act had featured a pole dancer, electrifying the audience. Hadley’s understated costume contrasted with the overt sensuality of the earlier performance.
As her music cue sounded, Hadley stepped into view.
Her mask veiled the upper part of her face, while bright red lipstick accentuated her mouth, enhancing her mysterious allure without crossing into vulgarity. Her appearance was compelling, drawing all eyes to her.
Soft curls framed her face, enhanced by a stylishly tilted black hat. She wore a flowing white silk shirt that billowed around her as she moved, paired with organza harem pants that subtly revealed her shapely legs.
Entering the spotlight, Hadley greeted the crowd with a captivating smile, her natural charm speaking volumes without a word. The room filled with the intimate tunes of seductive jazz.
“WOW!”
Cheers and whistles echoed throughout the venue as the audience responded enthusiastically.
In a prime booth directly across from the stage, Eric was spending the evening with his friends Barrie Hanson and Marshall Myers. Marshall had also brought along his cousin, Denver Moran, who had just returned from studying abroad, still exuding a fresh schoolboy vibe. Tonight, they were introducing Denver to the local nightlife.
As he handed Denver a drink, Marshall said, “Now that you’re a big boy and about to join the family business, you need to feel at home in places like this.”
“Understood,” Denver replied, his natural reticence still apparent.
The ambiance shifted as Hadley began her performance, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in the venue.
Barrie, intrigued, leaned forward for a better view. “Check out the new act at Galant-she’s new, isn’t she?”
“Appears so,” Marshall replied.
“Look at her waist,” Barrie commented, nudging Eric and pointing toward the stage. “It’s incredibly slender. Looks like I could easily circle it with one hand.”
“Why are you pointing her out to Eric?” Marshall chuckled, shaking his head. “Come on, you know Eric’s only interested in his-“
Eric shot him a look and interrupted sharply, “Go ahead, keep making those comments, I dare you.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop,” Marshall replied, raising his hands in a playful surrender, while exchanging a knowing smirk with Barrie.
They couldn’t discuss it openly?
The scandal from years ago was common knowledge in Srixby. The Flynn brothers had once both been enamored with the same woman. Linda had chosen Ernest, yet Eric had remained devoted to her. Eric had even sent his own wife abroad for Linda’s sake. His loyalty was legendary.
Meanwhile, on stage, the performance reached its climax. Hadley moved with graceful fluidity, her waist swaying, her legs executing each step with enticing precision. Despite the sultry movements, her expression remained detached, her gaze commanding a quiet authority. To entertain any inappropriate thoughts about her seemed almost disrespectful.
Yet, the crowd was utterly spellbound.
Her cool demeanor, paired with her captivating movements, created an irresistible allure that electrified the atmosphere. The audience erupted in applause, with every spectator- from those on the ground floor to those in the elevated booths-fixated on Hadley.
Her allure was undeniable.
Eric suddenly straightened, his attention sharply drawn to the figure on stage. Oddly, the dancer seemed familiar to him.
Barrie caught his intense focus and waved a hand in front of his face.
“What’s got you so captivated? You’re staring pretty hard.”
“Really?” Marshall joined in, skeptical. “Come on, who could possibly divert Eric’s attention like that?”
Eric chuckled lightly, focusing more intently. “What are you all talking about? She just looks like someone I know. It’s like I’ve seen her somewhere else before.”
Before Barrie or Marshall could react, Denver accidentally inhaled his sparkling wine, causing it to spray out. Embarrassment colored his face a deep red.
“I’m so sorry…”
As he continued to apologize profusely, Denver couldn’t help but comment, “Eric, that line was pretty cheesy. You know, if you were trying to flirt with someone like that, they’d just laugh it off.”
Eric was momentarily taken aback. Both Barrie and Marshall exchanged looks before erupting into laughter.
“Look at that!” Barrie chuckled, giving Eric a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Mr. Flynn, you’ve been burned! How does that feel?”
“Knock it off,” Eric retorted with a smile, playfully pushing Barrie’s hand away. His gaze returned to the stage, still trying to pinpoint why she looked so familiar.
As the song concluded, Hadley removed her hat and held it against her chest, bowing slightly to the audience. From the crowd came enthusiastic calls, shouting, “Don’t stop at the hat! Let’s see under the mask too!”
“Exactly! Your moves are top-notch, and your figure is stunning. How about your face?”
“Come on!”
The crowd persisted.
Hadley, however, chose to ignore the clamor, offering a swift smile and a quick bow before she turned and disappeared backstage.
“Where’s she off to now?”
“Stay, even if you won’t reveal your face, dance again!”
Yet, Hadley continued on her way, leaving the audience’s pleas behind.
Backstage, Lennon burst into the dressing room, his face alight with excitement.
“You absolutely killed it with that dance, Hadley!” he exclaimed.
Standing, Hadley offered a modest smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I just did what I could.”
“Don’t be modest!” Lennon dismissed her humility with a wave of his hand. “Just as I thought, everyone’s buzzing about who the mysterious new dancer is. I knew you’d be a sensation right from the start!”
Hadley then asked, “Well, Mr. Lewis… Does that mean my work for tonight is finished?”
He had mentioned earlier that the plan was just for one performance, though he had also hinted they might adjust based on the audience’s reaction. Since no additional costume was prepared, it seemed they were sticking to the original plan.
“Yep, you’re done for tonight,” Lennon replied.
“If you step back out there now, you’d dispel all the intrigue we’ve built. We want to keep them longing for more, don’t we?”
“Scarcity marketing,” Hadley responded.
“Exactly!” Lennon clapped enthusiastically, his laughter filling the room. “You’re free to go now. No more performances tonight.”
Really? Hadley was both surprised and slightly embarrassed. “I’ve only danced one tune.”
He reassured her. “That’s sufficient for today. We’re just setting the stage. When you eventually reveal your face, the excitement will escalate, and you’ll need to engage more with the crowd. Prepare for that. Plus, once that starts, you’ll see additional tips on top of your regular pay. Just be patient.”
“Yes, I get it,” Hadley nodded in agreement. “Thanks, Mr. Lewis.”
“There’s no need for thanks. You’ve earned it. Just keep up the great work!”
“Absolutely.”
Once Lennon had exited, Hadley took a moment to remove her makeup. Considering the schedule-just four hours each evening for a single performance, rehearsals included-it wasn’t overly demanding. She thought about finding another job during the day to supplement her income. Every bit of additional income was significant.
After she had removed all traces of stage makeup and changed back into her usual attire, Hadley picked up her bag and made her way toward the exit.
“Wait a second! Hey, you, miss!”
Confused, Hadley halted in her tracks. She pivoted on her heel, spotting a young man a few paces back. He was remarkably tall, standing over six feet, with a slim, youthful build and a face that radiated charisma. Self-consciously, Hadley touched her chest and raised her eyebrows.
“Yes,” he replied, stepping forward with a small key pouch in his hand, which he held out to her. “You dropped this, didn’t you?”
Recognizing the pouch, Hadley nodded, grateful. “Yes, that’s mine.”
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