My Stepfather, my Ruin

Nicole Harper

~•~

"I'm getting married to a billionaire!"

I didn't speak for a few seconds, waiting to see if she had more to say. When she didn't, I sighed. "Is that what you called me to say?"

"A billionaire, Nikky! I don't have to worry about money anymore."

"Is he going to help me pay off my debts?"

"He's not your dad, Nikky. Why would he do that?"

Just as I expected. "I'm behind on rent and I might get evicted soon."

"You should have told me earlier! I went shopping a few days ago and I removed the tags on everything. If you can wait for a month, I'll send you some money when he gives me my allowance."

I couldn't wait that long. My landlord had been accommodating enough. I was behind on four months' rent, but that was because one of my part-time jobs, the best-paying one, suddenly dropped me and my savings were forced out of me by my father's creditors.

I was broke and desperate and hearing my mother talk about her third marriage wasn't what I was in the mood for.

"Also, I sent you a picture of my ring earlier this morning. Did you see it?"

"I'm busy with my final project and part-time job, Mom. I don't have the time to check your messages."

My mother sighed exaggeratedly. "You're so boring. My friends have fun with their daughters but I can barely get a conversation out of you."

That was typically what happened when I had a lot to deal with, none of which included my mother's married life and her selfishness.

"Anyway, make sure you come to the wedding."

I held back a sigh. "When is it?"

"April 23rd."

"Can't," I said without hesitation. "I'll be writing exams then.

"Are you really going to miss your mother's wedding?"

"I'll make sure to be present at your next one."

I hung up before she could complain further. My relationship with my mother was... weird, but she was also the only family I had left. Well, the only family whose location I knew. I didn't know where my father was and I wasn't bothered to find out.

Fine, I was, but I didn't have the means to find him so I didn't. I focused solely on graduating while suffering the consequences of his actions.

I wasn't sure what I did in my past life to be born to selfish parents but I had no choice but to deal with it.

Pushing my parents to the back of my mind, I stared at my account balance. It was red. I'd gotten my weekly paycheck earlier, but I'd spent it all on food and a few debts as I'd borrowed some cash from my coursemates in the past week.

I don't have any hope of paying my rent, not unless an angel fell from heaven and stacked up my bank account. I had two weeks to leave before I got thrown out and I couldn't afford to lose my apartment at this point.

Aside from the fact that I wouldn't be able to afford any other apartment, the stress associated with searching for a new place was something I wanted to avoid. I didn't want to be distracted. I wasn't naturally smart. Unlike others, I had to study really hard to get an average grade. I couldn't spend that time searching for a new place.

I closed my eyes, throwing my head against my headboard. I was having the hardest time of my life. At least, I hoped life wouldn't get any harder than this. I was broke, dumb, and heartbroken.

My boyfriend of three years had left me some weeks ago because I had too much baggage. I didn't blame him. I just hated that it happened.

My eyes drifted to one of my roommates as she walked past my room, then she paused, walked back, and peered into the open door. "Can I come in?"

I nodded. The door was already open anyway.

Clara walked in, looking around my room. It was almost empty as I had sold almost everything sellable just so I could afford food. "Still short on rent?"

"We might not be roommates in a few weeks," I joked, but the words came out dry.

She didn't laugh anyway. "Do you have anywhere to go after that?"

I shook my head, not bothering to hide the information from her. We lived in a shared apartment and the landlord wasn't exactly quiet whenever he asked for the rent.

My best friend was abroad for an exchange program. I wasn't close enough with my coursemates to inconvenience them by living with them. If I had known things would be this hard, I would have taken a break to work for a year before I returned to school.

Clara sat on my bed gently, biting her bottom lip. She had something to say but was clearly hesitant about it. I waited until she did. "You have a history in dancing, don't you?"

"Yeah..." I drawled out, unsure where the conversation was going.

"Can I suggest something?"

As long as it was going to help my situation, I didn't mind anything.

"You know I strip, right!"

I nodded.

"There's a gig next week. You can join if you're interested. It's not a regular gig. It's a private one for a bachelor's party. The least cash you'd get is fifteen grand and that's beside what might get sprayed. It's easy money. Two to three hours of entertaining wealthy men and you'll be able to pay your rent." She paused and stared at me. "Would you be interested? It's a one-time job. Or are you not into that sort of thing?"

Clara stripped for a living and I never judged her but I'd never thought of doing that myself. Sure, I'd been dancing since I was a little kid. Back when I was a teenager, I even had dreams of being a dancer, but it had been almost three years since I last moved my body. I wasn't even certain if I could still dance in heels.

Fifteen grand was very tempting. At this point in my life, it was the kind of money that could make me lose my morals, if I had any, but I also didn't want to embarrass myself.

"You don't have to answer right now, but you also don't have much time to give me an answer. It's just one night. You'll have enough to cover your rent till you graduate and you'll be able to focus on studying." She stood up, patting my leg. "Think about it and let me know by Monday so I can talk to my boss, okay?"

I nodded and watched her leave.

Fuck. I'd never done that in my life. Was I about to do it for the first time?

Nicole Harper

~•~

"You've been saying next week for months now, Nicole," my landlord, a gruff man with a round face, said. "How am I supposed to trust you when you've repeatedly betrayed that trust?"

Betraying his trust was a bit dramatic because I just didn't have any money, but he had been accommodating. I didn't think any other homeowner would let me stay in their room for four months without paying.

"I know, Greg, and I'm really sorry, but I'm certain this time. If I don't pay next week, you can kick me out and throw my things in the street without notice!"

His lips thinned, eyeing me carefully. "I would throw you out after next week anyway."

My smile was tight. "I deserve it."

He let out a breath. "You're a student and I don't want to be cruel to you, so find a way to pay up okay?"

I nodded. "Yes sir."

As he left, the door closing behind him, I let out a relieved breath.

I was just coming back from classes when he ambushed me by the door and asked for my rent once again. I felt guilty that I'd delayed his payment for so long and I wouldn't wish my position on anyone.

I dragged my feet to my room, walking past two of my roommates, who didn't even spare me a glance. We were four in total, including me and Clara. I spoke to Clara occasionally, but as for the other two, I hadn't spoken to them in years, mostly because on their first day, I spoke to them and they didn't respond.

I closed my room door and dropped my backpack on the ground. Then I took off my clothes and stared at myself in the mirror. I had an objectively nice body. It looked good in my underwear so it was bound to look better in sexy lingerie. If I did agree to the opportunity Clara offered me, the men would find me attractive, right?

My straight blonde hair was long and silky. It was the one feature I was the most proud of.

I walked over to my closet and pulled out a pair of heels that I hadn't worn in a few months before going back to the mirror. Why the hell did the heels make my underwear sexier?

The first thing I did was a split to check my flexibility. I gasped in surprise. My thighs didn't hurt. I guess I wasn't too bad after all.

Before I could process it, I tapped on a random song and started dancing.

The music filled the room and I started slowly. A roll of the hips first, then I lifted my hands above my head like I was reaching for something. I dropped low, thighs parting, then rose again in a slow grind. My reflection stared back at me, my cheeks already flushed from the quick movement.

Muscle memory kicked in harder. I wasn't perfect but I wasn't that rusty either. A few more practices in front of the mirror and I'd be as good as new.

One song passed, then another. During the third song, a knock on the door pulled me away from the mood I was in. Without thinking twice, I opened the door.

It was Clara. Her eyes fell on me and her jaw dropped. That was when I realized I was still in my underwear and heels.

I closed the door immediately. I heard her chuckle behind the door as I searched my closet for something to wear. I threw on the first pair of joggers I found as well as a shirt before I opened the door again.

Clara couldn't stop laughing as she came in. My cheeks reddened. "What's so funny?"

"You haven't told me yes yet, but you're already practicing?" She questioned, still laughing. "I'll take that as your answer then?"

I didn't answer. I was too embarrassed to.

"You have a very nice figure though. I wouldn't be able to tell under all those clothes. Are you sure you don't want to strip full-time?"

My cheeks were still warm as I replied. "The point of joining you for the night is for quick money. I don't want to get distracted."

If I'd known I'd struggled this much, I would have spent my last summer break in the strip club. I paused. Did that make me sound like a whore? Whatever.

"You're sure you won't regret your decision?" She asked, finally turning serious.

It was just stripping. There was nothing to regret. I wasn't a morality police. I wouldn't even consider myself a moral person. As long as I wasn't hurting anyone with my decision, I didn't mind doing it. Stripping for one night wouldn't take anything from me. It was nothing to be worried about.

Besides, Clara had told me the other day that we would wear masks for anonymity. We even had to sign NDA's and all that stuff. The only effect a high-profile stripping gig would have on my life would be a positive one.

"I won't regret it. It's one night." I assured her.

She nodded, a bit proud. "Alright then. I'll let you know the details later." She turned to leave, but paused. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Sometimes, these private gigs lead to sex." I opened my mouth to speak but she didn't let me. "You can decline, I promise. I just wanted you to know so you're not taken by surprise. If anyone asks for a private dance, that's likely what they mean. Just shake your head if you're not interested."

It wasn't like I was against sex for money, but I never wanted to be in a position where I'd be forced to have sex just because I went to dance on a pole. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. My boss checks his clients properly before putting them in our care. Besides," she leaned in to whisper like it was a secret, "–these men are billionaires who wouldn't want such a scandal."

That reassured me a bit. "Do you usually go all the way?"

Her smile was coy. "It depends?"

"On?"

"How urgently I need money or how hot the man is."

"Oh!" I blinked, unable to reply to that.

"You're cute." She laughed. "I wonder how we lived together for four years without being friends."

I faked a pout. "We aren't?"

"Now, we are!"

I'd been pretty depressed in the last week, but right now, I was feeling a bit better. There was hope that I wouldn't be thrown out. There was hope that I could finally settle some of my bills.

Nicole Harper

~•~

The week passed by in a blur. I spent most of my time in front of my mirror. It didn't take long for me to move as fluidly as I used to back in my freshman year. Clara showed me a basic choreography which I learnt in no time.

On the night of the gig, I was pretty nervous, but Clara assured me that I'd be alright. Even if I wasn't dancing properly, as long as I seemed confident, I was okay apparently. I took her word for it.

I followed her to the club she worked for and we met with her boss and three other girls. I wasn't entirely sure what Clara said to her boss but I was the only new face and they weren't even scared I'd fuck it up. If this ended well, I'd owe her.

We got a whole speech about how we couldn't be forced to do anything and could say no if we weren't interested which reassured me that her boss genuinely cared about our safety. Then it was time to leave.

An SUV took us to the location. The girls chatted during the ride while I stayed quiet, looking out the window. They didn't seem anxious. Then again, it wasn't their first rodeo. I could only hope I didn't fuck this up for them.

The SUV pulled up behind a high-end apartment. It was in the area where all the buildings were tall. Six of us filed into the elevator; me, Clara, her boss, and the three other girls. All five of us girls were dressed in identical lace sets as well as lace masks that made it hard for anyone who didn't know us to recognize us later. The lingerie was covered with a long coat.

When I caught my reflection on the mirrored wall, I could barely recognize myself. My blonde hair was loose and had a wet-hair vibe. My lips were painted dark red. I looked like I belonged, like I'd been doing this for years. That made me a little more confident.

Clara bumped my shoulder slightly. "Breathe, Nicole. You've got this."

I nodded.

The elevator ride was quick and in no time, the doors opened into the penthouse. My eyes went straight to the round couches arranged over a raised platform with poles. Five poles to be precise.

The room was huge and dimly lit. Low laughter filled the air. Cigar smoke curled towards the ceiling. There were seven men. All in suits. Even if their backs were to us, they felt imposing already. It was obvious they heard us come in. It was hard not to, but they didn't bother to greet us.

David, Clara's boss, led us around them to a room directly beside the platform. There, we touched up our makeup and let go of our coats.

I waited for the girls to pick their poles before making do with the last one at the corner, right next to Clara. Standing in front of them was even more nerve-racking. The chatter had died down by now.

Unable to help it, my gaze ran through the semi-circle. Six out of seven of them were staring at us, waiting for us to start, but the one in the middle caught my attention immediately.

He sat dead center, legs spread, and arms draped over the back of the couch like he owned the space. Was he the groom? He didn't look up right away. He just stared at the platform, his jaw tight, his fingers drumming against the back of the couch.

Then his eyes lifted and locked on me like he knew I was already watching him.

I averted my gaze immediately.

Clara gave me one last nod, then the lights dimmed even further. The music shifted to something slower and much sultrier.

I started along with the other girls. We all rolled our hips, dropped low, parted our thighs, and rose again in a slow grind. Some of the men whistled. Bills fluttered onto the platform immediately. My lips almost broke into a smile. Was it that easy?

Having experience in both ballet and pole dancing, it wasn't hard for me to spin around the pole. I stopped thinking and let my body take over.

The man at the center never looked away. His eyes tracked my body like he had the right to. I caught his gaze through my mask. Being a lot more confident than when we first started, I held it for a while, then I smiled.

His jaw ticked.

I laughed to myself and continued dancing. There was something incredibly thrilling about making a man lose control. Especially the ones that appeared to be dark and brooding. Unlike his friends, he hasn't said anything since we stepped on stage, and that made me want to tease him even more.

One of his friends leaned in to tell him something, but he didn't respond. His friend merely hit his shoulder lightly and laughed. Not once did he take his eyes off me. Was he interested in me? Did he want more than a pole dance?

On the other hand, was I interested in him? I'd been staring at him since I started dancing and there was no way he didn't notice. Was he going to do anything about it? It was almost like the world blurred and it was just him and me in the room.

I'd never been attracted to older men, but there was something very hot about this man, who seemed at least fifteen years older, who looked like he was forced to be present.

There was something about him that made my thighs clench. I couldn't entirely tell if it was the song, the mood, or his intense gaze.

I watched him as he raised a finger. David ran straight to him. He said something to David while watching me and in the next second, David was walking straight to me.

My heart was pounding as I watched him approach me.

"He wants you," David said to me, his voice low. "Private."

I didn't even have to ask who.

Clara had told me I could refuse, but did I really want to?

My heart was in my hand as the boss led me to the room upstairs. "Remember, you don't have to do this," he said as we stopped in front of the door.

I nodded. I knew that, but there was no reason to decline. I'd had one-night stands before. This wasn't any different.

"Alright then. Since you're in, make sure you don't fuck it up, okay? We don't want to be on his bad side."

"Is he a regular?" I asked.

"It's his first time, but I'd like to make him a regular."

I chuckled, forgetting about my sweaty palms. It was crazy how easy it was to make money off men's desires.

The boss left me there and I took a deep breath before I entered the room. The room was big but only had a bed and a chair. I decided to sit on the bed and wait. Music was already playing from the speakers. I wasn't sure how long I waited for, but it felt like forever until the door was finally pushed open.

My breath hitched as he strode in. I stood up on instinct. He didn't utter a word as he walked toward the chair and sat on it, legs spread like they were earlier.

I could see him a lot better in this lighting. He had dirty brown hair with blonde roots. His brown eyes were so intense that I suspected he could see through me. His jaw was sharp enough to cut diamond and his face was something I wouldn't mind looking at all day.

He swiped out his tongue to wet his lips. Hunger was evident in his eyes. He didn't even try to hide it. Somehow that made me feel powerful.

"Are you going to take off the mask?"

My thighs clenched. His husky voice sent tingles straight to my core.

His lips curved only slightly. He definitely noticed.

I cleared my throat and shook my head. "That's not part of the agreement."

He didn't respond. He just let his gaze run across my body, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Realizing that if I stood there and waited, he was going to have the upper hand, I decided to make the first move.