1 Chapter One

Another Day Another Dollar!

Alicia entered club Cielo. She’s been working here for over a year, and Today, she’s celebrating her birthday. Exciting right? But she wasn’t looking forward to it. As a 20-year-old, she was supposed to be out clubbing and getting blackout drunk while hooking up with someone random, but she couldn’t.

Alicia had things to do and bills to pay. She needed the money, and she could barely keep the roof over their heads.

Walking into the back with her blonde hair pulled into a messy bun, she pulled at the tight uniform. She’s dressed in a black mini-leather skirt and white shirt that pressed her enormous chest together. Six-inched black heels that strapped up her milky pale skin. Alicia hated how the uniform showed everything and left nothing for the imagination.

“Hey Ali, happy birthday,” her coworker pulled her into a hug.

“Thank you, Ember! So how is the club looking tonight?” Alicia asked.

“Like money, a big company is having a get-together and renting out the entire VIP.” Ember walked over to her locker.

“Damn, thank God I’m working at the bar all night.” Alicia sighed.

“Lucky you, I’m working on the floor tonight.” Ember pouted.

“Poor you babe.” Alicia grinned, closing her locker.

She walked out from the back and through the club. Squeezing through the crowd as men tried grabbing at her wrist, or secretly rubbing on her butt, as she was making it to the bar. Walking in, she latches the door and quickly places it on her apron, getting straight to work.

“Can I get a vodka?” Someone called out.

“Yeah sure.” Alicia nodded, sliding him the glass.

“Hi, I’m Ben Dillon. “

“Vivian,” Alicia said.

“How long have you been working here?”

“Long enough.” Alicia winked at him.

“This isn’t my first time here and I haven’t seen you around.” He sipped his drink, letting his eyes wander along her body.

“Did you even think I might just have been off that day? You didn’t right.” She smirked, winking at him.

“So, Vivian, how much do you take for the night?” Ben asked.

“This ain’t that kind of club, sweetheart.”

“Okay, if it’s not that kind of club, how much will you charge personally if I want to carry you home tonight?” Ben asked.

“This ain’t that kind of club.” Alicia rolled her eyes, walking away, but he leaned over, grabbing her hand.

“Are you sure? I got a lot of money.” He raised his hand, showing his Rolex.

“Listen here, ass wipe. I know you're acting like a pussy right now, but I know you don’t get one in your pants, so I’m not interested. “Alicia snatched her hand away from him.

“You’re lost, bitch.” He grabbed his drink and walked away from the bar.

Alicia shakes her head. Wiping the rest of the counter down, she bends over, grabbing bottles of alcohol out of the storage unit.

“Damn, who do I have to call to get a piece of that ass?” someone shouted behind her.

Alicia sighed. “Look here buddy, I already said- “she grinned, looking at the person standing in front of her. “Sanna fucking Martin Oh my god,” she walked around the counter hugging her.

“What are you doing here?” Alicia asked.

“I came to buy my best friend a drink.” Sanna took a seat.

“Thank You!” Alicia walked back to the bar making them an apple martini.

“It’s crowded tonight,” Sanna said.

“I’m thankful for that because Mia needs new things and my rent is overdue.”

“How is the little devil?” Sanna chuckled.

“Sanna, don’t call her that. She’s an angel.” Alicia rolled her eyes.

“She’s not. Your kid is the devil.” Sanna shrugged.

“Are you guys twins?” Someone asks at the side of Sanna.

“No.” Sanna chuckled, looking at Alicia.

Alicia would not lie, Sanna, and she could have passed off as twins. They both had blonde hair, blue eyes, and similar personalities. Alicia was more filled out in the right places since giving birth, and Sanna was more on the thinner side.

“That’s trippy. You guys look so much alike.”

“Thank you.” They say in unison.

“Look, I have to go, but we will catch up on your day off, here,” Sanna looked down at her phone and then back at Alicia.

She placed two hundred in her tip jar, a quick kiss to the forehead, leaving before Alicia could protest.

Five hours later and Alicia’s feet felt like it was on fire. She didn’t understand why people came to the bar all the time to get drinks when they could just buy a bottle.

It was now 1 am, and the club got more crowded. Alicia was busy moving around, sending bottles to V.I.P., and mixing drinks. Walking back to the bar, she places the tray down, sitting to relieve some pain.

“Hi,” a raspy voice followed.

Looking up, she met the most beautiful chocolate eyes that bore into her soul.

She allowed her eyes to drink in the stranger’s appearance, nodding her head slowly. You could’ve told that she had money to be wearing a custom-made Gucci caramel pantsuit.

Alicia looked at her feet were in black Chanel peep-toe heels, then back to her beautiful face that was adored with a Gucci open lens. It slicked her hair back in a ponytail, and her light makeup made her tan skin look more beautiful.

Alicia gave her stamp of approval to the outfit. She got snapped out of her thoughts by a hand waving in front of her face.

“Hello,” the woman waves her hand in front of Alicia’s face, dragging out the o’s.

“Sorry, what can I get you? Alicia blushed.

“A Sex on the Beach please,” she said with a wink.

Alicia chuckled, sliding the drink to her. “Here beautiful.”

“Thank you.” The woman smiled softly, paid for the drink, got up, and left.

Alicia went back to cleaning and serving drinks. Less than an hour later, the woman came back.

Today must be my lucky day, she thought.

“Hi, can I sit here for a while I can’t find my friends?”

“Sure” Alicia nodded.

“So what’s your name?” she asked.

“Vivian,” Alicia said.

“Okay, Vivian, why is a beautiful girl like you working in this dump?” she asked.

“Well, why are you sitting in this dump?” Alicia stopped what she was doing, looking up at her.

“You got me there.” She laughed.

“We all can’t afford to work in high-end places, love.” Alicia shrugged.

“I guess not. So how old are you?”

“I’m twenty, well today is my birthday.”

“And you're working?” She questions.

“Well, I have bills.” Alicia shrugged.

“I get it pretty. Thank you for keeping me company, but I must leave.” She placed a wad of cash down, held together with a gold clip.

“It was nice speaking to you, beautiful.” Alicia winked at her.

“Here I’m showing my appreciation. Thanks for tonight.”

“No thank you, it was only one drink.” Taking a hundred out, she slides the rest back.

“Please take it and call me. Maybe I can take you out for a birthday breakfast,” she smirked.

Alicia blushed, sliding the money into the apron, and saying a simple thank you.

“And I know your name isn’t Vivian, but I like the mystery.” She winked, walking away.

Alicia stared at her longer, mentally scolding herself for not asking her name.

Alicia sighed loudly, dropping everything at the door. She was tired and had to take two trains back home. Rushing over to her bed, she untied her apron, taking her shoes off quickly to relieve some tension.

Shaking out her apron, she grabbed the gold clip, counting the money. Alicia’s eyes widen as she counted the two thousand dollars out in only hundreds.

“What the fuck,” she mumbles, counting the money over, noticing that one bill had written on it.

“You should call me sometime, beautiful.” Alison read out loud, glancing at the phone number. Saving it, she sent a text.

You should not be walking around giving out money like that:)- sexy blonde bartender.

Waiting five minutes for a reply. Shrugging it off, she decided not to wait around. Setting her alarm clock, she didn’t want to be late getting to Mia.

“I hate cold showers,” Alicia mumbled, stepping in.

Alicia couldn’t wait to get a better job and get her and her daughter out of the dump studio apartment.

I enjoy giving good tips, plus your services, and drinks were good as well! I hope I didn’t overstep any boundaries and did you just get home from work?- Sexy customer.

Alicia shook her head, put the phone down, continuing getting ready for bed.

Yes, I now got home, and thank you for the tip, and for asking. I’m going to get some rest. Maybe we can chat later buy :)

The phone buzzed 2 minutes later.

Sleep Tight Bye :’)

Putting the phone on the charger, she turned, drifting off to sleep.

Alicia woke up by the alarm ringing loudly groaning, she unplugged it, rolled out of bed to get ready to go for Mia, jumped in some jeans, and leave on the big t-shirt, she ran out of the apartment catching a cab straight to the Ariel building.

Ariel is her 2nd best friend. They both were a little older than her. Twenty-five-year-old Ariel is married to her former English professor. She helps Alicia out with her daughter. They were the only family she had.

Paying the cab fare, she ran through the apartment building to the elevator, knocking on the door. Ariel opened it, glaring at her.

“Stop banging on the door.” Ariel rolled her eyes at her.

“Hi Ar, thank you for watching her,” Alicia said.

“Mia, your mother is at the door,” Ariel shouted.

Her four-year-old daughter ran to the door, hugging her legs tightly.

“Hi, mommy.” Mia grins up at her.

“Hi princess, I’m off today! Do you wanna go have fun?!” Alicia asked.

“Really mommy!” she said, bouncing up and down.

“Yes princess, get your things, and let’s go,” Alicia said. Mia nodded, running off.

She got her things quickly, and they were off. Mia spoke for hours about all the things she did with Eli.

Alicia walked on the sidewalk to their favorite restaurant. She scold a bouncing Mia, who squealed in excitement. Alicia pulled on Mia’s hand, walking into someone.

“Oh fuck! Watch where you're going.” the person shouted, pushing her a little.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Alicia said.

“Sorry can’t pay for a four thousand dollar coat.”

Alicia grabs some wet wipes out of her purse, dabbing the stain.

“You shouldn’t wipe, you’re messing up the jacket.” Alicia looks up at the stranger.

“Vivian.”

Mia scrunched up her face, looking up at the adults.

“Uh Hi, sorry about your jacket. Send me the cleaning bill. “Alicia walked away, they yanked her back.

‘What is it with people? And grabbing my hand’, she thought.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yank you, but you were leaving without a proper greeting.”

“I’m sorry, hello lady from the bar.” Alicia raised her eyebrow.

“Hello, Vivian.”

“My name is Emilie, by the way.” Emilie smiled at her.

“Alicia.”

“And who’s this little pretty girl? Wow, your eyes are so beautiful, “Emilie looks down at Mia.

“My name is Amia.” Mia stuck her hand out.

“Nice to meet you,’ Emilie said, shaking her hand.

“Likewise” Mia giggled.

“Such a firm handshake.” Emilie pats her head, looking back at Alicia.

“Hey, you’re messing up my hair.” Amia pouted, pushing her hand away.

“I’m sorry, beautiful, forgive me.” Emilie grinned as Amia patted her leg.

“Ms. Ferla, we have to go.”

“Bye, Alicia! Bye Amia.” Emilie looked back at them as her bodyguard practically dragged her to the car waiting.

Alicia walked away into the restaurant, excited to have lunch with her daughter. After lunch and sharing a milkshake, Alicia asked for the bill when the server said they had already taken care of it.

“By who?” Alicia asked.

“Ms. Ferla, already paid,” the server said.

Alicia shook her head, chuckling, saying thank you. She left a generous tip, picking Emelia up.

Unlocking the apartment door, she laid a tired Emelia down. They did whatever she wanted all day, which was a playpark.

She was now too tired to even move a muscle. Alicia sighed, taking off her worn-out ankle boots, and massaging her sore feet. Taking her phone out, she texted Emilie immediately.

Why did you pay for my lunch? You gave a great tip already.

Alicia got up, organizing her things for class and cheer practice tomorrow. Placing her uniform into her gym bag and deciding to get Emelia’s things ready as well. Her phone vibrated on the bedside table.

I wanted to treat two beauties to lunch, don’t worry about it. -Emilie

Thank you, but you didn’t have to and your name is really beautiful, just like you.

Alicia suits you better than Vivian. Meet me for lunch tomorrow?

Alicia scanned her brain, thinking if she had any free time in between classes.

I have a class tomorrow.

Late lunch?

Texting a simple okay, she placed her phone on the charger, getting a warm rag to wipe Amia off.

“Your mom is going to give you the world, princess. Even if I have to struggle my entire life for you to be happy.” Alicia whispered in Emelia’s ears.

She walked off, getting in the shower quickly. Alicia kissed Amia’s forehead before crawling into bed next to her. Mia found her immediately snuggling her face into her chest.

“Goodnight, Princess.”