Chapter 1 Misfortune

The strong odor of alcohol and stale cigarettes was enough to let everyone know that my father was there. He entered the kitchen, his face clearly filled with rage.

He shattered a beer bottle on the kitchen island table, the noise of the glass breaking filled me with terror. "Useless.", he spat, his words hitting me like a physical blow. "You're nothing but a burden."

I swallowed hard, my throat tight, and kept stirring the porridge.

I felt her eyes on me – my mother, standing in the doorway. Her gaze, cold and calculating, was a slow burn compared to Dad's explosive anger. She'd never laid a hand on me, but that constant disapproval, etched in her eyes for as long as I could remember, was a special kind of hell.

This was pretty my part of their daily entertainment, the verbal assault which leads on to getting physical depending on his mood.

Regrettably, today turned out to be one of those days when he was feeling irritable.

"Where's the cash, you sly bastard?" he bellowed, his speech heavy with drink. "Do you believe you're so smart, huh?" "Do you believe we are unaware?"

Money? My heart leaped into my throat. My paychecks.

"It was late," I started to explain, my voice barely a whisper, but his hand cut me off.

The sting was familiar, a dull ache that settled alongside countless others.

I can't even blame them for this. I can't blame myself either. Afterall, he had already told me how I was kidnapped when I was a baby and was entrusted into their hands but I guess they were double crossed since the 'money' stopped coming.

His anger seemed to intensify, fueled by his dissatisfaction with my lack of reaction. With my head bowed, I turned towards my escape route away from both of them when I heard the sound of ceramic being dragged against a surface.

I turned to find out what was going on and I saw the lamp heading my way, it happened in a split second and I couldn't even dodge it. My eyes closed on impact, my ears left out a ringing sound as I fell to the floor.

"Get ready for your shift, bitch" I heard him say as I lost consciousness and fell into darkness.

My eyes cracked open and I was instantly attacked by the throbbing feeling in my skull, my hand reached out to find the source and I cussed out as I came in contact with a gash on the side of my head.

My body screamed in protest with every step I took. I got to my room, it was dainty but mine. The only place they kept off from. I looked in the mirror and saw a stranger looking back at me, my eyes were swollen and my cheek bruised from the slap.

With my practiced ability, I applied some foundation, concealer and powder to mask up my wounds. I looked pretty but the pain was still a constant companion.

I made my way through the confusing hallways backstage of the club. I was about to enter the dressing room when I saw Sasha, the usual vibrant energy she always had was dimmed by the dark circles under her eyes.

"Rough night?" I asked.

She sighed, her hand combing through her fiery red hair, "My usual", she mumbled, "but the old man is extra grumpy tonight"

I guess that's part 2.

"Lena!" I heard him scream as he made his way to the dressing room. "Where's that little bitch" he mumbled before barging in, the other girls immediately evacuating.

"What makes you think you can waltz in here anytime like you own the place?" He asked getting dangerously close to me as I backed into the walls.

"I'm sorry, I...I lost track of..." his hands struck my face before I could even complete my sentence.

"Fucking excuse. You know I regret taking you as the loan payment, your fucked up parents owed." His eyes were getting red and I could only gulp in fear.

"Boss, someone's looking for you" I heard Sasha say as she entered the room.

He gave me a death glare before leaving. Sasha rushed to my side, "oh gosh girl. You okay?"

"Sure, Sasha, totally fine," I forced a smile, hoping it looked more real than it felt.

I slipped into my costume at a very slow pace because of the semi fresh bruises that were littered there. I was going through my routine, a small moment of comfort in the midst of the chaos in my life, when I heard the door burst open.

Tiffany, another colleague of mine, wore a smug look on her face, "and what did little miss righteous do." To which I ignored and continued dressing up.

The strip club loved when the bass practically vibrated through you, it unfortunately added to the dull ache in my skull.

I got to work, plastering a professional smile on my face before performing. It was indeed very painful but I continued nevertheless.

"Hey, cutie," a gruff voice slurred near my ear. "Looking a little...tender tonight." I smiled, the practiced mask of a stripper.

"Just a long day, honey". I replied and he chuckled, his hand reaching for my waist. I deftly moved away, my movement was instinctual, years of avoiding unwanted touches, both in and out of the club.

I turned to leave when I made eye contact with a guy that stood out from the rest. Some girls were already being seductive to him but his gaze on me was unsettling. I got back on to my stage and continued performing.

Later, a regular customer of mine who was a wealthy businessman, Mr Davies, approached my stage. He always tipped well, but tonight his gaze lingered a little too long, his touch a little too insistent.

The hours crawled by, my body ached badly from all the dances I had to perform. I did get good tips tonight and I was ready to get back home.

I was heading to the changing room when I heard Tiffany crying her heart out. "Where's she? Where's that thief, I can't find my bracelet."

"Aren't you a bit dramatic for just a bracelet?" I heard Sasha reply.

"It's a diamond bracelet, you bitch." Tiffany hissed.

I entered the room curiously, heading straight to Sasha. "She's looking for you" the questioning look was vivid on my face. "She said you stole something."

My eyes widened in fear, "that's not true. I didn't stealanything."

"I know but Tiffany is furious and it's merely seconds away from reaching the boss's ears." Right at that moment, the door was opened just like earlier.

"There you are, you little thief" he growled, grabbing my hand in his grip.

"I swear...I didn't do it"

"Don't lie to me" he yelled. "You were the only one who danced with him tonight"

What?

I thought it was Tiffany's bracelet

Another stuff was stolen.

"It wasn't me!" My voice cracked. "Please, I'd never steal."

"To my office"

I quietly followed him, still pleading on the way. We got to his office, all my pleas falling on deaf ears.

"You were so worthless that your parents didn't think twice before practically offering you to me. I took you in and now, you want to destroy my name".

"Please, just listen to me. I didn't do it."

"Of course you didn't," he said, looking sardonic. "But what can I say, my hands are tied, you have to take responsibility" my eyes darted to the door that was opening, my heart pounding as I saw a group of men walk inside the room and in a second I felt something prick my neck.