The lights dim a little, causing a chain effect as the room starts to descend into silence.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to Evolution, where we bring you Burlesque with a sexy twist. Tonight, you're in for a treat. Our wonderful Queen will be joining the show. So, sit back, remember the rules, and enjoy the show,” a blonde woman with a pink corset outfit and a feather boa to match announces.
The lights dim more, engulfing the room in almost complete darkness, before a red tinted light illuminates the stage, casting a shadow over someone showing the outline of their curvy body. The music starts, and the song is one I remember well.Buttonsby the PussyCat Dolls. When we were teenagers, Harlow went through a phase where she would listen to every song on repeat until it drove us mad. But the voice singing this song isn't coming from the original performer, it's being sung by someone else, someone on stage.
Half the stage lights up and some of the girls start to dance. Their bodies are in sync with each other as they flow perfectly with their music, and they are really good.
After a few seconds, the rest of the stage lights up, and the silhouette of the body is revealed. Harlow struts closer to the audience and joins the girls in the dance. When her eyes lock on us, it's as if this song and dance number is meant for us alone.
Her body twists and dips seductively, but not so much that it takes away from the grace of her movements. She's perfect. Her body beckons to me, like a siren calling to sailors out at sea. Beckoning them over to trap and kill. And at this moment, I'd gladly let her take me and devour me whole.
I’ve never heard Harlow sing before. Sure, she messed around and sang when we listened to music, but she never gave it her all. But right now, she's giving it her all and her voice is just as alluring as her dancing.
As she sings and moves around the stage, I look over at the guys. Neo is watching her with wide, hungry eyes, following her every movement. Axel’s face is impassive, but I can see the glint in his eyes. He clearly likes what he sees. Dean is watching every girl on stage, except Harlow, as if to prove a point to himself. Cracking a small smile, I bring my attention back to the beautiful black swan on the stage. Graceful and mysterious.
The lyrics talk about needing help taking clothes off, and now, all I can think about is stripping her bare and having my way with her like I used to when we were teenagers. She used to have so much trust in me, allowing me to play with her body and make us both happy. Something tells me that is the furthest thing from being the case now.
Harlow dances her way over to the edge of the stage and locks her eyes with mine. She runs her hands up her body, but it fits with the choreography of the dance. She looks directly at me while singing lyrics that pretty much insinuate that the love I said I had for her, was never shown to her.
As she keeps singing, she pays attention to the other guys as if she's singing to them as well. A part of me thinks she picked this song just to rub the whole fucked up situation in our faces, but I don't care as long as it means I get to see her this way. Carefree and happy. I can see the joy on her face as she dances up there. Going through hell for all those years hasn't stopped her obvious love for music and its art.
When she's not looking, I sneak glances at the other women dancing. Not in interest, but with curiosity about whattheirstories might be. I know all these women were held captive with Harlow. Women she saved. So, what makes them want to keep dancing? And why did some of the others choose not to?
It’s none of my business, though, so I shut that line of thought down quickly and watch the last little bit of the song. When they are done, the room erupts into excited chaos.
“Thank you, thank you, my lovelies,” Harlow says, giving the audience an extravagant bow and a big smile. “Please enjoy the rest of your night! There will be a few more dances throughout the evening from our lovely girls; however, I am done for the night.”
The room makes disappointed sounds, and Harlow chuckles. “Now, now, no need to be glum. I have some exciting news! Now that I’ve hired a few more capable men on my team, I'll have more time to perform for you all.” The room starts to cheer again.
“Thank you again for coming.” Her smile drops and is replaced with a spine-chilling expression. “And don't forget the rules. You will not be reminded.” Her voice is low and dangerous. The room is silent, allowing me to hear a few people behind me swallow hard.
“Anywho, have fun! Toodles!” she says, now all bubbly and perky while waving. Something tells me this girl is gonna be giving me whiplash with her mood swings. This will definitely be interesting.