The Taste of Money

Iwan comes in at about ten every night. The girls in the club are excited to see him.

�Welcome!� the �maids� greeted him.

�Evening, ladies,� he said. The man instantly gave them both 2,000 yen in their dresses. The maids giggled as Iwan walked by. He always showers the girls, or any lady, with money. �Women are worth the amount,� the businessman explained to Sandra one night. �They all deserve something pretty.� He made a pretty good customer as a result. However, Iwan really only comes to see one dancer in particular.

Mimi waited for him at the bar. A smile twitched across her face.

�What a surprise,� she with fake grace. Iwan took his seat at the bar. He gently took hold of her hand.

�How are you?� he asked.

�I�m good,� Mimi said. The other girls had their eyes on the pair. This was their only chance to see a softer side of their coworker.

�Do you think she loves him?� Serenity whispered.

�Can�t you tell?� Izzie asked back. The younger dancer narrowed her eyes.

�I suppose,� she said. Mimi brushed her some glitter out of her hair.

�Can I get you anything?� she asked.

�Ume sake would be nice, dear,� Iwan said with his famous charming smile.

�Good choice,� she said. Mimi turned to get the bottle.

�Have it with me,� the businessman offered. �My treat.� The dancer/bar tender smiled and shook her head.

�I can�t,� she said. �I�m working.�

�It�ll be fine,� he insisted. �I always like to drink with beautiful women.� Mimi tried not to laugh as such a remark.

�Okay, now you�re being a liar,� she countered. Iwan raised an eyebrow at her.

�What makes you say that?� he asked. She smiled and shook her head.

�Me being beautiful?� the woman asked. �Come on, now.�

�It�s true,� Iwan replied with a shrug. �All women are beautiful.� Mimi turned around with the bottle in hand.

�If I drink with you, will you stop telling lies like that?� she asked.

�Why would I lie?� Iwan asked.

�Oh, because you�re a man,� the bar tender/dancer answered. �Men always lie.�

�I don�t,� the businessman said with fondness in his voice. Mimi gave him a big, flirty smile.

�That�s another one right there,� she said. The woman took the bottle with her as she walked around to the other side of the bar. �In fact, I can�t help but wonder,� Mimi said as she took a seat next to her �date.� She looked him straight in the eye.

�Why are you so interested in me in the first place?� the woman asked. Iwan shrugged as he gave her his charming smile.

�Does there really have to be a reason?� he asked.

�Yes,� Mimi answered. �And don�t lie to me.� Iwan gently stroked her cheek.

�It�s just like I told you,� he responded. �I think you are beautiful.� Mimi gave him a tiny smirk.

�I told you not to lie to me,� she said. Iwan pouted at her like a little boy.

�Why don�t you ever believe me?� he asked so sweetly.

�I told you, didn�t I?� she asked. The businessman pushed back some hair from her face.

�Then tell me how to prove you wrong,� Iwan challenged. Mimi pressed her lips together.

�We�ll see,� she answered. The bar tender/dancer opened the bottle and handed it to him. �How about that drink now?� she asked.

�Sure,� the man said with a smile. He took the bottle poured the ume sake for them both.

Rough Lady and Rich Gent