The Belly Dancer

“…” there was silence on the phone,
“Why? I have made every accommodation with your schedule, provided adequate space. Decent pay. What more do you need?”
Zola knew that he had a point. The job made sense. It really did. Until one thought about a very dark and muscular Mexican guy who could be very intimidating.
“I can’t resolve my problem with Armando. I’m sorry.”
“Let me talk to him.” Jason said quickly.
“I’ve asked you for ages to talk to him and nothing ever changed!” Zola spat in disgust.
“Just… “There was a long pause. “I don’t accept your resignation notice.” He finally said flatly.
“WHAT?!?” Zola was shocked! Jason had always been a decent boss and she believed he was a good man. But this was uncalled for. She breathed deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth, counted to ten and then said calmly.
“Well I’ve done what my contract demands and given it, so it’s out of your hands now.”
She hung up and went to look at job listings on craigslist. Might as well get started finding a new job now.

She didn’t practice the next morning. So it wasn’t a surprise when Armando was again lounging in the back of her class, a frown settled on his face. It gave him a dangerous brooding air that both attracted her and scared her. Or was she scared that she was attracted to him. Nope, he was just scary. This made him attractive to her? This thought disturbed and excited her. She flubbed up on a dance sequence and though she managed to recover when she looked at him next she felt a sickening feeling settle in her stomach. He’d noticed her mistake. She could tell because he cocked one eyebrow up.
She actively tried to avoid him after the class by accompanying one of her ladies to her car pretending to be deep in discussion. She actually was though. Deep in discussion about how many of the ladies didn’t want to come to the class as long as the creeper was there. They would be back as soon as he was gone though. She assured her client that the man would be dealt with and not come back. After a parting, “see that the he doesn’t” over her shoulder, the lady drove off leaving Zola with little enthusiasm for the next day.

I wasn’t the first person to the gym that morning. I shouldn’t have been surprised that his motorbike sat in my parking spot, mocking me. The gym was dark, however when I approached the door it was already unlocked. I flicked a light switch as I walked into the entry area. Nothing happened. “Shit.” I hated the dark. I had since I was locked in a closet when I was five. Venturing into the gym until I reached the main switchboard for the lights, I flipped every single switch and sure enough…no lights.
“Fuck.” Today was not my day. It was dark, and there was someone who was entirely unpredictable somewhere in the recess of this old building which was currently as black as midnight and sunrise was still half an hour away.
“Why can’t they install more fucking windows.” I muttered to myself. I was heading to the door. Fuck him for actually waking up this early and fuck me for making the deal and thinking he wouldn’t.
The door letting in most of the light to the gym slammed shut. I squeaked, my heart pounding.
“Hello Zola.” Armando was standing in front it, effectively cutting off the fastest way out of this situation. “I talked to Jason last night. He wasn’t very happy. Seems you told him you were resigning. Something about not being able to resolve our… issue?”
“Let me out Armando. I’m not dancing this morning.”
“No, what you mean is you aren’t dancing any morning.” He growled.
“What?” I hated how my voice went up a couple octaves as his went down.
“You don’t trust me Zola.” His tone was flat. ‘Well nah duh.’ I thought sarcastically. In the scant light coming in through the windows I couldn’t make out his face.
“So? Do you blame me.” I said in as steady voice as I could manage. It wasn’t a question. I gave a rat’s ass as to whether or not he blamed me for not trusting him. However, I was nervous about getting away from him. I edged in the direction of another exit.
His deep mocking laugh made me look back to see that he was advancing even as I moved away from him. Terror built up in my stomach. I
“Of course I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t trust you around me either.” His tone was low and dangerous. “Because every time I’m alone with you I have to make an effort not to think about all the things I would love to do with you.”
He was close now, I could see his dark eyes and the intense look on his face. For some reason my hyper alert senses also noticed that he hadn’t shaved that morning.
Reaching me behind me I scrabbled at the door handle, my door to freedom. It wouldn’t budge. Panic threatened to overcome me. He smirked.
“Oh, and that door is always locked from the outside.”
I made a small desperate sound and without thinking my plan through I darted around him ducking to avoid his large arm trying to catch me. My feet carried me up the stairs and around a bend and before I knew it I skidded to a halt in the mirror room. Frantically looking around to barricade the door I had barely gotten it closed before he burst in. I hadn’t realized I’d moved until my back hit the far wall of mirrors.
“Come now Zo, making me chase you simply makes me want you more.” I was biting my lip trying not to cry. His bulk seemed to fill the only door out of here and the lights still wouldn’t turn on.
He strode towards me. The whimper that came out of my throat was weak. I had nowhere to go even as I slid along he mirrors he gained ground on me.
“You can’t get away.” He murmured. His tone was like honey.
He was so close but I was almost to the door when his hands slammed into the mirror one on either side of my neck. I screamed.
There was silence. He didn’t say anything he simply looked at me. Straight at me like he could see inside me.
After several agonizing seconds of this dead quiet I ventured. “What do you want.”
“Isn’t it clear?” He was mocking me, I was sure but his voice was altogether serious. Like a switch had flipped and the cat was done playing with the mouse.
“I want you.” I couldn’t control the waves of panic rushing through me anymore. I attempted to bring my knee up into his groin but he blocked it. My fists pummeled into every bit of skin I could reach. His large hands grabbed my upper arms and pinned them to my side. I was panting and squeaked when he lifted me up off my feet. He held me there pinning my thrashing legs against the wall until I stopped struggling. Gently, he lowered me so my feet touched the ground. But his hands stayed on my biceps.
“Let me finish.” His voice was firm. “I want you… to trust me.”
I just blinked up at him. ‘What the fuck.’ Were the only words my mind could think of at that moment. My mouth opened and closed at least twice.

She looked shocked. That was understandable, I thought. After the stunts I’d pulled, on purpose I might add, thought I’d meant everything I’d said. My request seemed laughable.
She was shaking under my hands and my thumbs rubbed small circles on her upper arms.
“Let me get this straight. You want me to trust you after you put me lock me in a building with you. In the dark I might add and…”
“And?” I prompted. She couldn’t say I molested her. I had up to this point only touched her upper arms. She had been the one who hit me first and I could say that everything that I’d done afterwards was purely in self-defense.
“Why should I trust you.” Though it was phrased as a question her tone was accusing.
Reaching out I could feel her tremble under my fingertips as I touched her face for the first time. Her lips were quivering and as much as I wanted to kiss them… I knew it wasn’t the right time.
“I’m no threat to you.” I said, I was using a calm voice now all traces of my mocking threatening demeanor gone. My intent to calm her, but also to confuse her senses.
“But… why… then… wha…then why all of this. Scaring me out of my wits? How can I trust you Armando… after this?”
I shivered when she said my name. She hadn’t said it yet and I wished she’d say it again. I could still hear the words Jason had told me on the phone last night. ‘She’s scared of you man. You need to fix that if you want to get anywhere with her.’
“This whole shebang was to get you into a situation where I could easily take advantage of you and to show you that I wouldn’t even if I had every opportunity. For example, nobody is due here for another couple hours. I flipped the breaker so the lights won’t turn on. I locked the doors on the inside and outside. The only way out is through the entrance. So if you wanted out I would have to let you.”
I could tell my words didn’t make her feel better.
“I mean you no harm Zo.”
“Why do you call me that?” She snapped. She looked like a caged cat. Her eyes were narrowed and her nostrils flared. Her entire body was on the alert almost crouched in the corner.
“It’s my name for you.”
“…” She was silent.
“How do I know I can trust you?” When she spoke it was a tortured whisper.
“Because I can do this.” I breathed. I held my body scant millimeters from hers, lowering my head until we were breathing the same air. She smelled so sweet. Her hair fell on my cheek. I balled my hands bracing me on the mirror into fists. We stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity. Our lips almost touching, neither of us daring to move. My gut roiled as I held myself back from actually touching her anywhere.
Tearing myself away from her. I turned so fast I almost got whiplash.
“Take back your resignation from Jason.” I growled out, grabbing my coat I headed out the door. I couldn’t look back. I was afraid of what I would do if looked at her again.






Hey Guys, I hope you are enjoying this story! I am writing it for stress relief right now but I would really appreciate it if you guys would leave me a review. Let me know what you think! :) Thanks! - Fouloca