Chapter 5

Lacey's face was dark as she slammed the dancer's room door shut. Storming over to her vanity, she pulled out the chair and angrily sat down with her hands covering her face. Giving into her urge to shriek, she lamented about the unfairness of her job. Sure, she could work the main stage and be the center of attention in the club whenever she wanted. And could get whatever she wanted when she asked. And had the managers bowing down to her because she was a goddess and they have to do what she tells them, but why could she not attract Bailey's attention! She sat up and glared at her reflection.

"You are beautiful," she told herself, "Why is he not bowing down to your whims in pleased submission like he should be? Why are you not being treated as the Queen you are?," she whispered despairingly as she stroked her mirrored face.

Lacey did not notice that her spoiled and self obsessed personality was the reason for Bailey's repulsion of her. Not that she knew it was repulsion that he felt. She had deluded herself that Bailey was just shy, and was waiting for the moment that he gained enough confidence to confess his undying love to her. Yeah, she was that oblivious to the reaction her presence caused in others around her.

Huffing when her reflection gave no answer, she turned away from the mirror. Her head quickly snapped up when she heard the door open, but turned away when she saw that it was only Annette. Pouting at her reflection once more, she started touching up her makeup to seem like she was actually doing something.

Slowing her the strokes of the brush on her face, she looked at Annette through the mirror as she was getting ready for her dance up on the main stage.

"So…" Lacey began as she narrowed her eyes and put the brush down, "I guess we'll both be left behind by Bailey, seeing as he was kissing a man at the bar," she finished, trying to start a fight.

Annette ignored Lacey's presence in general, as she already knew who Bailey was kissing, and she mentally cheered in relief that she wouldn't have to experience all that sexual tension so much, as Harper kissing Bailey out in the open of the club meant he was starting to stake his claim to the public. They would be moving in by the end of the month, she would bet on it.

Lacey's eyes narrowed further as her brows furrowed, irritated that Annette wasn't reacting to the news as she thought she would. Annette was also always watching Bailey, obviously that meant she liked him too, not that she would ever stand a chance against Lacey, the beautiful goddess that she was. She ignored the obvious conclusion that Annette was just looking out for Bailey, as their relationship was strictly platonic. They were practically brother and sister at this point.

"Even so, Bailey will soon be mine, and you will just have to contend with being single forever," she spoke strongly as she spun her chair around to face Annette's figure, "Just you wait, he'll be begging for me," she added maliciously, trying to evoke feelings of jealousy in Annette.

Annette finally turned at that, raising an eyebrow at Lacey before smoothing her facial expression into the stoic one it was when she entered.

"You are mistaken if you think I am jealous that Bailey has entered into a relationship, in fact I am happy for him. Also, I think of him as my brother, so I don't like that you are implying what I think you are," Annette spoke nonchalantly as she brushed nonexistent lint off her shoulder, ignoring the gobsmacked look on Lacey's face.

"I think you are the jealous one, seeing as Bailey has never looked your way and never will," she continued as she finished changing, "He will not become one of your mindless, drooling drones like the men in this club no matter what you want, it's obvious to everyone that he hates you and refuses to be around you."

Lacey's face never lost it's look of shock, even when Annette finally left the room to start her performance.