It's My Life (Filming Rhiannon. Book 1) Read online

  “As long as you don’t start getting me told of by Scarlett.” I say throwing in a little dig.

  “Being in trouble can be fun.” he says giving me a cheeky wink.

  “Good night Jase.” I shout back to him.

  “Night Rhiannon.”

  The following day, I am sat in my dressing room in my shorts and tank top. Its Wednesday, and I am not needed on set, so it’s just a day with Cassie torturing me.

  I am just doing rehearsals today, so I don’t need to have any of the hair, make – up, or costumes doing, which I am thank full for. I would say my body is looking forward to the break, but I know Cassie is going to kill me today. My hair and face are looking forward to the break from all the chemicals today though. As much as I like being pampered, my body is aching.

  I am sat drinking my customary mocha when I have a knock on my door. I open it and am shocked to find Mr. Braxton stood there.

  “Urm, good morning.” I greet him, hoping my voice doesn’t give away my shocked expression.

  “Good morning Rhiannon. I thought I would shadow you today. I need to see how you're settling in.” he says in explanation, as a few blonde locks fall over his face.

  “Okay, well I am just having a coffee at the minute.” I say hoping I can at least finish my coffee.

  “That’s not a problem. Cassie is expecting you in rehearsals in …. ten minutes.” he informs me as he looks at his watch.

  “Thank you, I will be there.” I say hoping he gets the hint and leaves me to finish in my room. Why the fuck wasn’t I notified of this before now? I’m not ready to have the boss shadow me, I don't feel like I’m confident enough yet.

  “Great. I will meet you down there.” he says as his green eyes shine in the light, before walking away.

  I take a deep breath, drink the rest of my mocha, then make my way down to Cassie. It’s make or break time.

  As I walk in to the dance studio, Cassie and Mr. Braxton are waiting for me.

  I walk over to greet Cassie.

  “Morning Cassie,” I say as I give her a friendly hug.

  “Morning Rhiannon. How are you today?”

  “I'm good thank you. What torture you got set up for me today?” I ask my voice full of humor, I’m hoping it will over-ride my nervous.

  “I do have a few hours on the pole planned for you today Rhiannon. Is that okay?”

  “Yeah, fire away.” I reply, trying to hide the wince I felt my face make at the words 'hours' and 'pole'.

  “Okay, well we have a few harder ones today Rhiannon. We will take it slow.” she reassures me.

  “Thank you. What we starting with?”

  “I would like you to show me the ones we did the other day to start off with. Call it a memory test too.” she says with a smile.

  “Sure,”

  “Okay, give me a 'Dove'.” she instructs.

  I hold the top of the bar, arch my back, and kick my legs behind the bar, remembering to keep hold for five seconds.

  “Great, and you remembered to hold it. Now give me an 'Extended Skater'.”

  I proceed to perform the skater. I try to keep my eyes off Mr. Braxton. I’m hoping if I don’t see him, he won’t really be there, and I won’t be so nervous.

  After I do the skater, she asks me to do the 'Hang Tough', and 'Bumslide to standing'.

  I do them all perfectly.

  “That’s great Rhiannon. Now we can do some more.” she says smiling.

  “We are going to start today with a 'Yogini'.” she says as she steps on the pole.

  She shows me slowly as she does it.

  Once she steps down, she walks over to the pole I’m stood with. She gestures for me to have a go.

  I start by holding the bar. I then release the bar and do the move.

  By the time I have finished fighting with the bar, I have no feet on the floor. The bar is behind my right shoulder blade, my arms are back, and my legs are facing up, so I’m in a funny looking U-shape position, holding onto my ankles.

  “Hold it,” Cassie instructs.

  No matter how much I try and hold it, I fail.

  The pole is rubbing against my shoulder, causing extreme discomfort.

  “Okay, we will work on that one some more. We will come back to it. Let’s see what we can do next.” she says looking at her papers.

  “Okay, we will try the 'Bridged Handstand'. I will work with you on this one, because it can cause serious damage if you do it wrong.” she says walking back over to me.

  “I need you to do a handstand, and I will guide your legs. You will have to do this on your own eventually, but for now I will help.” she explains.

  I rub my hands together, and prepare to do the handstand.

  Once I’m balancing on my hands, Cassie quickly grabs my legs and puts them in the right position. Once she steps away from the pole, I am still on my hands, but the pole is between my legs, and my legs are arched back a little.

  “Lift your head a little higher Rhiannon.” Cassie asks.

  I do as I ask, and am relieved to find this move easy, a little pressure on my arms, but not painful.

  “That’s great, and back down.” she says as I relax and gracefully fall from the pose. “I am pleased you can do that one. Once you have done that a few times, you should be able to do it on your own.” she says smiling.

  “Now we are going to do the 'Teddy Pike', it’s not too hard, but might hurt your arms again.”

  Once I do that move, which did hurt my arms, she made me do the 'Diamond Cut', 'Sexy Flexy', 'Rainbow', and the 'Reiko Splits'. I will have to show Grace some of these moves. I think as I’m laid down on the floor, trying to bring some life back in to my limbs.

  I ache from head to toe, and don’t think I could possibly move right now.

  “Rhiannon, you have done amazingly well. You won’t have pole dancing in all your videos, but you might have figured out, you’re a pole dancer in this one. I know the producer, Scarlett you have for this movie if I’m correct.” she says looking at me and to Mr. Braxton.

  “Yes we have Scarlett producing this one.” Mr. Braxton clarifies.

  “Great, Scarlett has more in store for you in this movie, but your main job in this movie is pole dancing, so we can’t have you having the same moves, hence the pole dancing lessons.”

  “I understand; I am just hoping it gets easier.” I say with a light laughter.

  “The more you practice the easier it will be. I can always help you if I am available.” she offers kindly.

  “That would be amazing. Thank you. My friend is interested in pole dancing now, so she will be coming to lessons with me, so we are looking at classes.” I explain.

  “Nonsense. You can both come here. Why pay for them when we can give you them. I understand morale support from a friend can be very encouraging, so I don’t mind if your friend comes.” she says kindle. “Not a problem is it Mr. Braxton?” she asks looking in his direction.

  Mr. Braxton glances towards me before he answers, “This is your dance studio Cassie, as long as the building is respected I don’t mind.” he says with a smile, eyes still pinned on me. He is making me feel even more nervous than before.

  “Sorted,” Cassie responds with a smile. “Just let me know when you and your friend are free Rhiannon and I will see when I can fit you in.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it, and I know Grace will too. Thank you.” I repeat as I stand up.

  “Okay, well that’s me done for the day. Rhiannon I will see you tomorrow, and Mr. Braxton, it was good to see you again.” she says as she makes her way out of the dance studio.

  “Miss Addison isn’t in tomorrow.” he informs her, “And it was good to see the amazing work you do with our ladies.” he says proudly.

  “Oh yes, your day off Rhiannon. Well have a great day, and thank you Mr. Braxton, only doing my job.” she says as she turns to face us again. With a fond smile she walks out the studio, leaving me and Mr. Braxton alone.

  His eyes star
e right in to me, making me feel uneasy. Finally, he takes a few steps forward.

  “Great job today. I look forward to seeing some more.” he smiles a secret smile.

  “Thank you,” I automatically reply, only this time I have a little genuine smile. If the boss likes my work, I can’t be doing that bad, surly.

  “I best be off. Other people to see.” he says with a wink. “I will see you again,” he tells me sternly.

  “Actually, are you free to go for a drink?” he stops and asks me, his green eyes smiling.

  “ERM, I’m sorry I can’t.” I lie. His face drops, the light in his eyes turn dark, and his smile vanishes.

  “Okay,” he grumbles at me, not very impressed. Oh, I don’t think he is happy with me now, after a good morning too.

  With that he walks off in a sulk.

  I have no doubt he will see me again. I work in his building for his company, but under no circumstances will I go out with the boss, even if it’s for a drink, I can’t have people coming to the wrong conclusions, and I like my hassle-free life.

  Shaking my head, I walk out the studio, and quickly call in my room to collect me bag.

  Once I am stood outside the main doors, I grab my phone, while I wait for the valet.

  I go to unlock my screen when my car arrives in front of me. Grabbing my keys, and smiling at the valet I climb in.

  Once I’m buckled in I send Grace a quick text.

  **Grace, pole dancing lessons sorted. Will fill you in tomorrow. I have the day off, so we can do something if you're free? Rhi XoX**

  Once I press send, I drive away from the big house, and make my way home. On the way home my phone alerts me of an incoming text message, but I ignore it till I get home.

  Once finally home, I kick my shoes off, and throw myself on the sofa, and retrieve my phone. I see the text that came through earlier and another one, both from Grace.

  **Great for lessons, I can come tonight if ya want? Jake is being a jerk, and I’m always free for you. G XoX**

  **Rhi, you there?**

  Grace texts back when I don’t respond.

  I love my best friend, but tonight I’m just going to crash. Have a nice long relaxing soak with radox bubbles, and climb straight in to bed.

  **Sorry, was driving home. I am just going to sleep tonight G, I have loads of moves for the pole to show you, but they hurt. Oh an I had the boss on my ass all day, and I think I might have upset him too :-/. I’ll see you nice and early tomorrow. Love ya. Rhi XoX**

  I hit send and proceed to put my bath on. I place my phone on the bedside table while I bath.

  Climbing in to the bath took a bit of effort, but I did it causing minimum damage.

  It’s the laying back and relaxing that hurt the most. Who knew relaxing could hurt so much?

  The friction burns on my arms, they sting, and the ingredients in the bubble bath are causing some serious discomfort.

  Once I have managed to get my body to move, I wrap a towel around myself, and make my way to my room.

  Once there I sit on the bed, and pick up my phone. I have two missed calls, and four messages, all from Grace.

  Jeez, that woman is not very patient.

  **Okay to the meeting tomorrow, but your boss – I need to know now, what did you do to upset him? That can’t be a good move on your part Rhi, just be careful, he pays your wages. G XoX**

  **Rhiannon? G XoX**

  **Why are you not picking up? You can’t leave me hanging! G XoX**

  **If you have gone to sleep, I will kick your ass tomorrow. You are not picking up, nor are you replying to my texts. I can’t believe you would keep me in suspense like this :-( G XoX**

  I decide I should text her back, putting her out of her misery.

  **Grace, keep your hair on! I was in the bath, he just wanted to check my progress, and asked me out for a drink -which I declined, so I am being careful, hence why I declined. I am aware he is paying my wages, which is why it will remain at work. I am going to sleep now though, so I will talk tomorrow. I am exhausted. Rhi XoX**

  After pressing send, I silence my phone and place it on the bedside table. If and when Grace replies, she won’t wake me up.

  I quickly sit at my dressing table, and dry my hair before I sleep for the night.

  *****

  The next morning, I am sat in a café waiting for Grace to show up. I am sat sipping my mocha when she walks through the door. She spots me sat in a seat under the window, and she marches right over to me. She sits down opposite me, and before I manage to hand her her tea, her inquisition starts.

  “Well, what did your boss want?” she starts right away, no friendly greetings, nothing.

  “Nice to see you Grace, I’m great thank you. How are you?” I ask dripping sarcasm.

  “Cut the crap Rhiannon, we will get to that after.” she responds taking a sip of her now cool tea.

  “Okay. Well he only watched me in the dance studio Grace. Not a lot to report.” I say knowing that is not what she is after hearing.

  “What did he say?” she demands.

  “About what?” I ask knowing what she is going to want to know.

  “The offer to take you out.” she says like I’m stupid.

  “He just asked if I was free to go for a drink. I told him no, and he sulked off.”

  “Why did you turn him down?” she asks like I have done the wrong thing.

  “Because he is the boss Grace, and that would be inappropriate. I had to tell him straight.” I inform her.

  “Rhiannon, you need to live some more. You’re going to grow old alone.”

  “No I’m not,” I say defensively.

  “What else was said?” she asks as she changed topic.

  “He said you can use the dance studio to do pole dancing too, so we don’t have to find classes.”

  “Not about that, about you.” she says disapprovingly.

  “Grace, what happened to patience?”

  “It left years ago, you know this.” she laughs. “Come on,” she urges.

  “He wanted to make sure I was fitting it, and doing what I am supposed to be doing. Incidentally he said he liked my dancing. He said I was doing great for a beginner.”

  “Is that all?” she asks disapprovingly.

  “Yes Grace. I said there was nothing to it.”

  “I know, but I know what you're like for with-holding information.”

  “Grace, I have never kept anything from you.” I defend.

  “Not from me, that I know off, but do your parents know what you're doing now?”

  “No, how can I tell them? They don’t need to know. As long as I’m happy and safe, they’re happy.”

  “You still don’t think they would want to know?”

  “No, and I am hoping they won’t find out. Please don’t tell them.” I beg.

  “I wouldn’t tell them anything, you know that.” she reassures me. Grace has always been like a sister to me, even my parents treat her like their own child.

  “Thank you. So how are you anyway?” I ask

  “I'm okay. Been missing my best friend these last few days.” she says with a pout.

  “I know, but work calls. Is Jake still not wanting you to work?”

  “No, but I have to do something. I can’t stay at home all day. I am looking for work at the moment, he just doesn’t know it.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I can ask M.r Braxton if there is any going at the big house?” I offer.

  “Oh no thank you. I don’t think Jake will ever agree to me doing that.”

  “Grace, I honestly don’t see the issue here. Its acting, you were the one who submitted my application form before you even told me, what could he object too?” I ask already knowing the answer.

  “Rhiannon, he would not want me half naked on TV with other men. I also only submitted your application because I was always watching you fall, and I didn’t want you to lose everything you have
worked for?” she explains.

  “I appreciate that, but please give it some thought. Anyway, when do you want to go pole dancing?” I ask.

  “We could go today”

  “Oh no, it is my day off, I am not dancing on my day of, it hurts like a bitch.”

  “Oh come on Rhi,” she begs fluttering her lashes, she knows I can never resist when she does that.

  “Grace, seriously?” I ask.

  “Yeah seriously. Can’t you just tell me how to do it, while I have the fun?” she continues begging. We both know that it will never happen like that. She is not a good listener, and I will end up having to show her how it’s done.

  “You won’t be saying it’s fun once you're done, but okay.” I concede, giving up my fight. I never win against her, and she knows it.

  “Yay, you're the best.” she says jumping out of her chair.

  “Come on.” she hurries me.

  “Can’t I finish my coffee?” I ask

  “No, come on, I’ll buy you another one.” she says puling me out of the chair.

  We both walk to my car. and as I unlock it Grace eagerly jumps in. I laugh at her actions, you would think she is excited, and that’s before she has spoken. I know later on she won’t be so eager to return. She will be moaning at me for weeks after today, and I can’t wait to terrorize her.

  All the way to the big house, all Grace could talk about is what she can and can’t do on a pole.

  By the time I pull up to the big gates, I have established the only thing Grace can do on a pole is hold on, and swing around.

  She is in for a massive surprise.

  “Wow, this is where you work?” she asks as I swipe my key card through the lock. Her eyes are looking at the building in surprise, and awe.

  “Yep,” I say as I pull up to the valet. He opens my door, and I hand him my keys as Grace walks round to me, with her mouth wide open as she continues to stares at the big house in front of us.

  “This looks like a mansion. Don’t you get lost?” she asks as I drag her in side.

  “Not really. I had Toby show me around, and it’s easy to find your way around here. Let’s go through here so I can order a coffee.” I tell her as I pull her towards the cafeteria.

  “Do you want a drink?” I ask as she continues to look around, looking astonished.