Chapter 1
Harlow
What should I wear? I’ve only ever been a waitress or worked in a bar so it’s difficult to know what to wear. Is a suit appropriate for such an interview or should I wear jeans and a t-shirt? This one makes my bum look big, red is too bright, I just don’t know. A suit, I’m going to wear a suit.
I scattered clothes all over the bedroom floor trying to find the perfect outfit. I wanted to make the right impression but didn’t want to come across too uptight. Looking at all of the clothes around my normally tidy bedroom, I finally chose a pair of black and white pinstriped trousers and matched it with a white blouse. After deciding to have my hair up out of my face, I applied a little mascara and clear lip gloss.
Looking in the full length mirror I decided that I looked a little conservative so I opened my shirt slightly by undoing the top button, then sprayed myself with my favourite perfume. Yes that’s it, professional not slutty that’s the look I want. With a deep breath, I made my way out of the apartment, picking up my portfolio from the pine wooden table by the front door and took the 10 minute walk towards the interview that may just change my life forever.
It was a bright sunny day which made my journey a little more bearable and the walk gave me the opportunity to go over all possible scenarios in my head. As I approached the building I saw two Harleys parked on the high street and started to become a little nervous. Not because bikers scared me, I had grown up with them all of my life. I was practically raised by the Skulls after my mother died of an overdose when I was four. No, I was nervous because so much was riding on getting this job. I finally had the chance to be independent and wanted so badly to get a job that I knew I would love and be good at. I looked at my reflection in the shop window and undid another button on my blouse. I took one final deep breath and opened the door to the Aces Tattoo shop.
The chimes of the bells attached to the door sounded my arrival but it was the music pumping loudly from the back room that set my heart beat racing. Looking around the reception area took me by surprise as it was clean and tidy, something that the Skulls weren’t particularly good at. Five red leather chairs lined one of the walls and a square pine coffee table was positioned in the corner, containing a selection of tattoo magazines and a yucca plant that was in dire need of water.
As I looked around the room taking in the scenery, I heard footsteps as someone entered the room behind me. I turned to see a scrawny young man of average height, that looked to be in his late teens staring at me. He wore jeans that had seen better days, a blue t-shirt and a standard leather cut, which read ‘Prospect’.
“Can I help you?” He asked with an almost bored tone. I pointed to the piece of paper stuck in the window with sticky tape, “I’m here regarding the job advertised.” I held my portfolio tightly against my chest, “I called earlier in the week and was told to pop in with my designs.” The Prospect looked me up and down lingering at my chest as a smile crept slowly across his young face, then without warning he burst out laughing. Not just a chuckle but a whole hearted belly laugh. He bent over at the waist trying to catch his breath, holding his stomach as he continued. I stood there looking at the man trying to keep composed, shuffling from one foot to the other. Time seemed to stand still and the longer I stood there, the more I could feel myself getting annoyed and the heat started to rise through my body. If I couldn’t get past the Prospect, how would the owner take me seriously?
I gripped the folder tightly in my arms, I knew I was a fantastic tattooist. I’d been working on the men in the Skulls MC since I was sixteen years old. Blaze had seen my Art portfolio when I was fourteen. I was sitting in the grounds of the club and he’d asked me to produce some designs almost taking me under his wing. When I turned sixteen he allowed me to practice on him and the other club members, much to my dad’s disgust. I had good grades at school and my dad wanted a better life for me outside of the club.
I had faith in my capabilities even if this jerk in front of me didn’t but I couldn’t stand the humiliation any longer. I turned on my heels, walked through the reception area and out into the street slamming the door, leaving the laughing Prospect behind me. I must have slammed the door with such force that the bells came off, which gave me a little satisfaction after what had just been a crushing experience and the end to a really shitty day.
24 hours later
“How dare that little shit laugh at me like I’m nothing?” I said aloud. I was getting ready to go back to the Aces Tattoo shop but this time I was going prepared and I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I applied a little heavier make up than I usually wore and opted for black heavy eye liner, smoky eyes and bright pink lipstick. I decided to wear something that I would feel comfortable in and chose my tight leather trousers, knee high boots and a black leather waist coat which enhanced my curves. I already had a big bust for my size but the push up bra I was wearing intensified them further.