Pretty Girls in the Vip (9781617730283) (14 page)

I
n less than two months I had accomplished my goal of opening up a nightclub. I put in the work, did the research, and now it was my time. All my permits were approved, and we had our liquor license. People can say what they want, but if you have a dream and are determined, you can make it happen. Tonight is proof of it. I was beyond excited about Belize and tonight's grand opening. I'm way over budget, try like twenty-five thousand, but I know this club is going to make money, so I'm not going to allow myself to worry about it. And I'm not going to worry about Ian, either. He's been acting a little strange, too. I know he is pressed about the rest of the money for the movie. I told him he should tap in to some of these athletes and other famous people with money to get his project funded.

Ian's cousin Keldrick came up from D.C. to help with promotions, run the door, and monitor security. I also hired an amazing PR girl named Tamara Murphy. She was an “it” publicist from Atlanta who had done great work at this nightclub in New York for the Harold Brothers. She has been so on point with everything and has garnered us so much pre-publicity, that I have other publicists calling me, asking for their clients to attend our grand opening. Belize has been featured on every website and every paper in town. I know everything is about to take off for me. Tonight is the night.

I dressed in the mirror in a white, short mini-dress that draped in the front and had an oval, circular cutout in the back. I wore a big, glittery violet and silver necklace, bracelets, and long, amethyst-colored, sparkling earrings that accented my violet Jimmy Choo shoes. I went to the hair salon and had the stylist pull my hair back into one big, off-the-shoulder, wild, loose ponytail that trailed down my neck.

One last glance in the mirror and I was ready. Now, it was time for me to dress Ian. I heard him turn off the shower. I called out to him, “Ian, baby.” He didn't answer, so I called out to him again: “Ian, sweetheart.” He stepped out of the bathroom, drying off his ripped abdominal muscles. I almost forgot about the grand opening momentarily. I walked over to him and massaged his package. Ian stopped me, removed my hands from his waist, and said, “I have to get ready. Why are you being sweet? What do you want from me, Adrienne?”

“I don't want anything from you, babe, but I did buy you something to wear tonight.” I pulled out the black suit, shoes, and purple tie I had bought him from Boyds.

“So, this is what all of this is about. All the sweet talk, you are trying to dress me. No, absolutely not. I'm not wearing this.”

“Please, just put it on. I wanted us to be coordinated. You know, his and hers. We both will be wearing the same colors of the club.” I hoped Ian was buying it. I not only wanted us to be coordinated and complement each other, but I also was afraid of Ian dressing himself. He looked over at the hideous gray pants and blue oxford button-down shirt he'd bought and decided I might be right.

Ian reluctantly picked the suit up and trudged into the bathroom. He was in there for over ten minutes, so I finally tapped on the door and demanded that he let me see what he looked like. He came from out the bathroom, straightening out his tie. He was acting as if I was his mom making him wear the ugly sweater that all the kids at school were going to tease him about. He kept complaining about everything, the fit, the color of the tie. His complaining didn't stop until he saw how good he looked in the mirror. He turned to the side and cracked a slight smile.

“See, babe, I told you. You look so handsome.” I patted his back and smoothed out his pants.

He stared in the mirror and said, “I look okay, I guess. I'm only doing this for you, Adrienne. Otherwise I would never wear something like this.”

“Well, thank you for pleasing me, because you are making that suit look good. We both look nice.” I gave him a quick kiss, and we made our way to the club.

We arrived at Belize, and I walked around my beautiful club and checked out everything. Keldrick and Mack had the security team lined up. Keldrick wasn't the big, horrible person I had met over the phone months ago. He had a big presence but he was short. He only stood about five foot four, and though he did talk over people, he knew his stuff and you had to respect him.

Tamara was outside with the red carpet and with a white and purple Belize logo backdrop. The photographer had arrived, and the caterer I'd hired was setting up. Everything was ready, and now all I needed were all my patrons to walk in and keep coming back every week.

I stood at the top of my VIP section steps and took in the beauty of Belize. Everything was just as I had imagined it would be. At that very moment it occurred to me that I had invested practically everything in my bank account in this place. The thought made me weak. I sat down, and my mind began somersaulting with horrible thoughts. In the slim chance that Belize didn't work, I would have nothing and would have to start all over again. Just that thought made me extremely nervous. I ran over to the bar and asked Waliq to pour me a vodka and cranberry to calm me down. Ian and I had made a promise that we wouldn't drink tonight, because we had to have clear heads and see everything going on in the club. I had broken that promise already and was about to break it again when I asked Waliq for another one. I was thinking about all the things that might not go right.
What if no one shows up? What if people come, but don't buy any bottles? What if the club is not as nice as I think it is?
I drank the vodka and cranberry, then counted to ten and took a deep breath. I walked over to our appetizer table and grabbed a few cocktail shrimp. They were good, but they still couldn't calm me.

Ian could tell my nerves were getting the best of me. He came over and had a seat next to me, then took my drink out of my hand.

“Don't worry, Adrienne, everything is going to turn out great.”

“Ian, I'm scared. This is a lot,” I said, surveying the club's elaborate design.

“Baby, you look beautiful, and look around at your dream realized.” Even with his reassurance, I was still scared. My mind was only focusing on, what if he was wrong and I failed?

“I know, but I have so much money on the line.”

“You have this. It's going to work. Just say, ‘I got this.' ” I looked at him and repeated, “I got this” to myself. Even though I echoed his words and it sounded very good coming out of my mouth, I still didn't fully believe. I put my head down again.

I heard Keldrick walk up and ask what was wrong with me.

“Nothing, I think she just has a little jitters,” Ian said, rubbing my back as he squeezed my body sideways.

“Adrienne, you have nothing to be worried about. You definitely have a hit on your hands,” Keldrick said. I brought my head up and asked Keldrick if he really thought so.

“Yeah, this place is nice, for real.”

“Thank you so much.” This place had to work, because I needed all my money back and then some.

It was still an hour before the doors opened, and I was frantic. I resisted the urge to have another drink. I walked out of the club and down the street. My stomach was still cramping up. I didn't have time to tend to it, because Tamara called my cell phone and said she had more confirmations coming in. She thought we were going to be well over our 508 capacity.

“I'd rather have that problem than it not being crowded enough,” I said, unfazed by her news.

“Do you know how pissed people are going to be that they can't get in, Adrienne?” Tamara huffed.

“I don't care. Just keep saying yes to everyone to ensure that we have a great night.”

After I hung up with her, I walked some more and said a silent prayer. I prayed for Belize to be successful and that I would recoup all my money.

I returned to the club and transitioned into boss mode. I was now ready.

“Summer, gather everyone and tell them to meet me in the yellow section now,” I commanded. I walked to the back of the club and prepared to have a pep talk with my staff. They needed to know what my expectations were and how to handle our guests. What they did tonight would determine whether I passed or failed.

Everyone congregated around and listened attentively. As I began to speak, I noticed Joi wasn't there yet.

“Where is Joi?”

“She is running a little late,” Darcel answered.

“Okay, see, this is what we can't have, people running late on our first night.” Instead of waiting for her to arrive, I began my meeting. “Let me just remind you guys that the people who are coming tonight are people who are used to the finer things. We have to show them that Belize is the best. They are coming to enjoy themselves, and it is all of your jobs to make sure they do. Waliq and Terrance, you have to be fast. As soon as one of the girls brings you an order, fill it. Keep their drinks flowing. Ladies, my Belize Beauties, you are the pretty girls in the VIP. You ladies must be on point. I want you to keep your appearance up. I don't want a hair out of place. I also want you to make sure our guests have what they need. If you wait until the glasses are empty to ask if you can get them anything else, then you are too late. Try your best to be a mind reader and be on task. You guys need to recommend everything expensive. If they ask for vodka, always sell them the Grey Goose over the bottle of Absolut. The higher their bill, the more money you make. Remember, you're getting an automatic twenty percent of the total bill. I'm giving bonuses to everyone whose guests spend more than three thousand dollars tonight. And if you suggest the right things to them, that won't be hard. Also, if you see anyone too drunk, notify Keldrick, Mack, or myself. We can't have anyone stumbling around this club. It becomes a liability.” They all were taking mental notes and hanging on to my last sentence, but I was for the most part done. I was no longer scared, and I was ready to get the night started.

“That's it for you fellas. I need to talk to the ladies.” Waliq and Terrance got up from the table and Joi rushed in.

“I'm sorry I'm late,” Joi said, trying to catch her breath. I didn't even bother acknowledging her. I continued with my speech. My ignoring her sent a loud message that I disapproved of her tardiness.

“Now, ladies, you all are very pretty women. You all have great personalities, too; that's why I hired you, but men like to flirt. They are going to be very playful and suggestive and try to talk to you all night long, but you will not have time for that if you are doing your job.”

Ian came up and joined in the meeting. He made me a little nervous, but I continued, “I'm going to tell you, if I was in your position I would not be talking or letting anyone take my time up. Make these men that come in here pay. If you want to date one of them, that's fine, but don't do it on my time. What y'all do after the club closes is your business. Any questions?”

“If someone pays with a credit card and they give me a tip, how do I get my cash?” Shanice asked.

“That's a good question. At the end of the night, you'll bring me your receipts and I'll give you cash. If it gets to be too much, we'll do it at the end of the week. Oh, one last thing, when someone gets a bottle of champagne, I want y'all to lose your minds screaming and yelling, to show them a lot of attention. Get the sparklers. That is going to encourage others to buy more bottles and make them feel really special for just dropping five hundred dollars. So, let's get ready to make some money. And remember, if you are not someone, you have to know someone to get in Belize. Everyone say Belize on five.” I counted up and everyone screamed it after me.

 

The next two hours went past in a whirlwind. People started trickling in, and then moments later the place was filled, the music was loud and full of bass, and the deejay was playing intense, dance-filled beats.

I spotted Angelique sitting in the upper-level blue section of the club with Shavone and Nytika, her two friends she said she didn't deal with anymore. I didn't care, I was just happy they were there. I walked over to her and greeted her.

“Adrienne, this place is amazing. I can't believe you got it done so fast.” I thanked Angelique and spoke to the other ladies and asked them what they were drinking. I handed them drink menus and had appetizers brought to their table. Nytika scratched her head and asked if we had Cristal.

“No, we only have Ace of Spade and Moët.”

“Um, yeah, I don't drink that it makes me belch?” I gave her a whatever-bitch glance. Angelique noticed and said, “We will take two bottles of Spade.”

“Okay.” I called Shanice over to the table to help them. Just as I was finished with them, I was called to the door by Keldrick.

“Hey, Adrienne, I need you to make a judgment call. This guy wants to get in and you said no sneakers. Him and three of his boys have on tennis shoes. He says he is a football player. I told him the dress code is for everyone. He asked to speak to the manager.”

“Where is he?” I asked, looking around at the crowd.

“Outside.” I walked out of the club with him, and he pointed to a burly guy with scruffy facial hair. His unkempt appearance was the exact opposite of what I preferred for my club. I didn't want to say no without at least speaking to him, though. I walked over to him and introduced myself. I extended my hand to the guy and separated him from his entourage. I immediately knew he wasn't a thug, judging by his clean manicured nails, twenty-five-thousand-dollar Audemars Piguet watch and clear asscher-cut diamond earrings.

“What's your name?” I asked.

“It's Khalif.”

“Nice to meet you, Khalif. I'm glad you came out, but do you know we have a dress code?” I said, smiling but remaining firm.