The Billionaire's Stripper

Kelsey

The music that used to suit me so much over the past weeks felt like an ugly invasion to my ears as I pressed through the swam of bodies pressed closely against each other on the dance floor. I was straining my eyes and looking for Abby. The flashing of multicolored lights from the disco ball hanging off the ceiling hurt my eyes but I wasn't gonna give up my search for her.

As I walked along, it felt like my feet suddenly outgrew the perfectly sized black heels I've been wearing for the past five hours. God, they hurt my feet. I maneuvered around the jam-packed people standing at the front of the door leading into the club'ss bedrooms. I stretched on my toes to search the faces of men and women engaged in heated kissing and romancing- littered along the narrow hallway, hoping to spot Abby but again, she wasn't anywhere in sight.

I sighed, exhausted out of my wit. The black leather skin-tight strip dress I wore wasn't helping either. Neither was the makeup I'd been forced to wear the leather which exposed more skin than I'd w on a different circumstance but I practically have no say on how I dress up here if wanted the money. This was my job and I knew better. Abby had given my face what she called "a little touch-up" at the dressing room before and my face was bout that right now. God, I'm gonna kill that girl.

I turn around, slowly giving up my search. Then my eyes caught the silhouetteof someone at the far corner, causing me to narrow my eyes into focus.

Abby.

She sat cross-legged on a parlor lounge, her milk-colored LBD dress glittering under the dim disco lights, her vanilla-shaded hair falling across her shoulders as she laughed heartily at something the man seated next to her must've said. I watched sternly as her other hand searched the depths of the man's chest,aning into him as she listens to him talk.

Uh. I grunted as I hurriedly started walking towards them. Not tonight. I stopped before Abby, thankful no drunk bastard grabbed me on the way for a dance, or worse, for a night with him. Thinking about that makes me wanna puke. Wait, I do wanna puke. I think I've had too much alcohol for the night.

I pulled Abby up to her feet, ignoring the regular hooker beside her, and yelled over the blaring music "we gotta go back!"

"Why?!"She yells back.

"I can't talk!" I replied before dragging her out.

"I'm having a headache, Abs, , "I told her the instant we got into the changing room. Some of the other girls were seated at the dresser tables, getting their makeupsdone.

"No, I think you're running a fever"Abby confirms as she placed a hand on my burning forehead.

"I think I'm gonna take an off here, call it a night, "I said tiredly " I need to meet Donovan"

"You know Sean will never let you leave," she said "it's Friday night and it's just.........10"

"I know....."

"Well," she wiggled her brows at me as she clicked her tongue and I knew what was gonna come next "I think Mr hottie outside is gonna take me home for the night" she completed.

I cannot believe she feels excited about that. The douche I just saw her sitting with isn't even near 'hot'

"Speaking of hot," Blaire interrupts us, standing up from the dresser chair we had no idea she was sitting on right beside us "I'm gonna go home with this 'hottie' from CO.Brothers Companies" she added with a long smirk, pulling at the blue shoulder bag hanging off her left shoulder. She was dressed in unbelievably tight blue jeans and a lacy Tube top which displayed her pale flat stomach and a belly button that was hard not to notice, oh with a shiny ring on it. She has fairly noticeable makeup on and her raven black hair stood out on a tall ponytail behind her back, two strands falling over the sides of her head down cheeks.

"His name is Matthews Lambard," she continued as we remained mute, pride lacing every word "you two wouldn't know what that means, would you? Knowing the name of the man you'd be entertaining for the night. Don't worry, I'll make sure to tell you all about that when I'm not so busy making him breakfast tomorrow morning, in his apartment" she adds extra emphasis on the last three words.

I mentally rolled my eyes. 'men don't take prostitutes to their apartments but cheap hotels' I wanted to tell her that but I just shut up instead, as always.

"*Bon Nùit*" She added with a wave of her well-manicured hands in front of our faces before walking out with a proud elegance, my eyes following her as she went.

"Here's the thing, "Abby abruptly speaks, like Blaire didn't just do it again in front of us "you go meet Donovan and see if he'll let you slide this night. I need to catch some cruise for the night girlfriend"

I shake my head teasingly at her.

"You going to the apartment?" she asked.

"Nah, am going home"

"Okay," She slams herself into me for a quick hug "see you tomorrow"

"Kelsey!"Donovan's voice pulls us apart as he appeared through the door.

Donovan was the club's manager. At 35, He'd been in the business for eight years before I came along and it's been two years for me now. Donovan was a kind and understanding man, the reason why I was always able to slip away from here whenever I wanted and avoid doing some shits that I didn't wanna do here.

"Hey, Don," Abby calls out, slipping next to him at the door "Kelsey was just looking for you!"

"Thank God, Kelsey, I need you back out now, "He said and I felt the anger rush into my face instantly.

"Okay, bye!"I barely heard Abby say before she disappeared from the door, leaving us alone.

"What? I can't come back out, I've had enough to do for the night and you know it" I told him annoyingly.

"God, Kelsey, stop making this any harder for me, please? You know many of the other girls are out for the night"

"That's The take? Okay, fine. I'll get a man to take me home for the night too if that's what it takes, "I heard him sigh but I continued anyway. "I'll just go get a man then!"

I'm gonna go mental if I give another man a lap dance for the night. Honestly, the last one wouldn't let me off his thighs until Sean came to my rescue! This job was rapidly becoming harder and harder with every passing day. I didn't know how much longer I could fight for my sanity in this hell building.

"Kelsey, listen to me," he reaches his hands over my shoulders "this is gonna be the last one and you can go back to serving drinks......"

And while doing that, I'm whistled and pulled down into several laps for a show. Just not tonight.

"Listen...Don...I can't take on for tonight. Am exhausted. My head feels like a freaking wrecking ball right now. I just need to go home"

He watches me for a moment then sighs and said "the man says he wants you to dance for him and that's it. Privately. Only dance, I told him that"

I wasn't so surprised. This wasn't the first time a man would wanna have a private service with a stripper. It's normal for every girl here and that's just one thing I can never avoid like I do the rest. If you've been pointed out by a man to dance privately for him, there's no running away from that.

"Donovan..." I mimic a crying voice.

"he already paid," he pressed further "and he's waiting in booth room seven. Just freshen up, wear something sexy, get his champagne from Paige at the bar, and go give him a freaking lap dance"

"Then I can go home"

The smile springs back to his handsome face "then you can go home"

I sighed in defeat "Alright"

After getting changed, I grabbed the champagne at the bar table and went into booth seven. As usual, it was some of those well-off men showcasing their little wealth with finely tailored suits. Like every other night, I did my job: display my dancing skills. Over the months Abby's efforts to teach me dancing have finally started to pay off. But that was just it, the deal is to give you a lap dance and that's all I ever allow myself to do, leaving the men satisfied. There's no kissing, no groping, and no sex. I'd made it clear enough that I wasn't a prostitute but a lap dancer and thankfully, they pretty much understood that thanks to Donovan though.

Unlike many other girls who would kiss their customers just to steam up their seducing skills, I never really cared. I never actually wanted that. That was a great violation of myself to me. Most of the time after getting the job done, I leave with a tip which I give to Donovan like we're all expected to do but tonight, like many other nights, he asked me to keep the tip.

I showered quickly, getting the man's cologne off my body before jumping into my faded blue jeans and black flats, pulling on my red hoody. Then I made my way out of the stripper house premises.

It was past midnight when I got to the apartment I shared with my father. I passed the security who quickly let me through.

My father was suffering from. He was an alcoholic and was mostly violent so I always made sure not to wake him up whenever I decided to crash in in the middle of the night or late morning.

I slowly pushed the door open, as gently as I could but the sound of an empty bottle rumbling over, away from the door as I pushed made me shut my eyes tightly. I open my eyes again, pushing the door a little bit wider only to see my Dad's rocking chair backing me and facing the window. The room is still pitch black, thank God.

I gulped hard as I crouched down to get a hold of the bottle with my hand on the floor. After getting ahold of it, I set it aside and pushed the door wider to let myself in.

I reached for the light switch just beside the door and switched the light on, positive that my dad was probably sleeping in his bedroom but, boy was I wrong.

I saw his rocking chair turn around and his wrinkled eyes blinked at me. The apartment reeked of strong alcohol. It smelled like puke and it was slowly churning at my stomach.

He was drunk and his eyes looked bloodshot- also judging from the number of empty alcohol bottles littering every nook and corner of the room and on the center table.

"You're home again" his voice was deep and grumpy, his eyes eyeing me strangely. I know we've never really had the best relationship ever since I was little and I thought I was used to that by now but the way he looked at me now gave me the chills.

Don't be ridiculous, Kelsey. I stepped forward and shut the door behind me.

"Hey Dad, you're awake"

"Why won't I? I was waiting for you. I had a feeling you'd be crashing in tonight since it's the weekend"

I decided to ignore him and clean up the mess for the night since I'd be gone tomorrow morning before the day sees light. I picked up some bottles and walked over to the wall side table.

"How's your health?"I asked him

"Really? Do you care about that, Kelsey?"

I turn around to face him "Dad...."

"No you listen to me," he cuts me off, anger in his voice "you make me sick the more. You," he points a finger at me "it's you. You're my sickness, Kelsey and I'd say it over and over again"

I shut my eyes and took in a long breath, then summed up a reply "no, Dad. You're doing this to yourself. Look at you. You're like .......sixty and you drink so much. It's what's killing you. All these" I point at the bottles which I dropped on the wall side table. I walked to the side to pick up another one "you mess the apartment up with your bottles and cigars and. ..."

"You shut your mouth right there," he yelled. Suddenly, he's on his feet, pointing at me, his eyes pouring hate into me. "Do you hear yourself? I drink, I waste my life, so what? What the hell do I have to live for?!"

I feel tears well up in my eyes as I watched him, his every word sinking hard into me. Yes. This is just one of those nights.

"Answer me, Kelsey!" his yelling shook me "you are the reason why I fucking drink so tell me what the hell I'm living for!"

"But..." my voice broke "but...." I gulped hard and tried to clear my throat. The tears are slowly invading my vision, blurring it "you have...... . and it's because of your reckless drinking. How is that my fault? You were advised severally to stop drinking! Do you even attend that sober club anymore?"

"Shut up!" he banged his fists on the table " you're so pathetic, just like Elizabeth" his lips lifts into a smile and I forced my gaze down. He's still my father no matter how much of an asshole he's always proving to be. And I loved him. And I'm gonna help me get through this.

In the end, he's just drunk and sick.

"You see?" He continued "you're just as useless as your mother. Yes! What kind of a woman leaves her own home and comes back at One fucking a.m!? Barney next door got a daughter too and she does not give him a hard time as you do me! She goes to school and learns, Kelsey! LEARN! but you don't. You just go out there, living in some fucked up motel and whoring around with filthy shitty men!"

"I do that for us, Dad!" I finally yelled back, anger bubbling up inside me. Anger and hurt. "I do this so we can live. I do everything I do so I can pay this rent," my lips trembled, breaking my voice "even though I barely sleep in it. So I can pay for your hospital bills...."

"And how would you know then? Huh?! It's been two weeks, Kelsey, how would you know if my fucking meds are finished?! Because it is, damn it!" He rummaged through the table and picked out the pharmacy's plastic white bag that held his drugs. He empties the contents of empty pills shafts all over the floor "it's all finished! Now how would you know that?!"

He started walking to me and I stepped back till my back hit the table.

"How?!" He screams into my face and a tear finally dropped.

My heart pounded, igniting a different pain in my chest. Was this thing called breathing supposed to hurt so much?

"What is that sweetheart?" he spoke again "are you crying? Oh that is all you ever do, isn't it?" His hand trailed my cheek, smudging the tears over my cheek. "You have no idea, do you?" He spat in my face.

"Dad...."

"Shut up!" He yelled, his hand leaving my face to grab my neck. "Shut up you filthy whore!"

"Stop...." Doesn't he know this hurts so much?

"I said shut the fuck up!"

His hand tightened up, knocking the air out of my lungs. If this continued he was gonna knock me unconscious, I was losing it. I tried to pull his hand away but he slapped my hand away with his free hand, the former leaving my neck to grab my chest. I seized the opportunity and pushed him away. He falls back on this button on the floor and I quickly tried to breathe in air. I run over to the door and pulled it open.

"You stop right there, Elizabeth!" he roared weakly.

Kelsey. My name is Kelsey and I'm not Mom. I stopped walking like I always did, rethinking, contemplating whether to go back and help him up and into bed or not. He'd probably be better in the late morning. But I knew I couldn't stand here any more than I already did.

This hurt me beyond words and the tears flowed freely now. I needed to leave. Maybe for good this time but I just couldn't. He's just an addict who's sick and needs closure from his only child right now. Maybe I should go clean the room when he's sleeping like I always do. But then there's all he just said resounding in my head. No, I can't. Not anymore.

I turned to the door again and attempted to step out.

"You, "I stopped as he spoke "if you walk out that door don't bother coming back"

I bit the tears back as I watched him from the floor. I slipped my hand into my hoody's front pocket and retrieved the money Donovan had asked me to keep earlier, set it down between us, and choked in my cries.

"I'm sorry, Dad"

I quickly shut the door behind me and pulled the hood over my head.

"You hear me?!" he screamed from inside but I continued to walk away "don't you bother coming back! Go back to that club and keep whoring till you die! Just like your mother!"

I shut my eyes as I walked along the hall, my knees getting weaker. I let out muffled cries, I didn't wanna wake up the neighbors. Not that anyone would care. I stopped just before the elevator. I couldn't let the security man see me like this. I take a quick turn back where I came, stopping at the window. I flung my legs over it and landed on the ladder steps that led down to the side of the apartment.

*You're my sickness, Kelsey*

I took sharp muffled breaths as I walked along the sidewalk of the apartment.

*What do I have to live for?*

I found myself crying as I continued to walk. I hid my face under my hoody as I passed the apartment frontage so the security guard doesn't recognize me.

The street was awfully quiet. Getting a cap at this hour was impossible and I couldn't afford to get an Uber. Talk about afford it, I didn't have a penny on me to even pay a taxi if I saw one. I'd left all my money with my Dad. Abby wasn't at the motel to pay for me too. Now I'm stranded.

*You live in a fucked up motel whoring with men!*

I didn't shut my eyes this time. I stared into the air as the tears ran down. His words keep replaying in my head. I stopped at the next public bench set a few walks from the apartment and sat down. The night was cold, I could feel it on my exposed face as I just sat there gazing at the block of houses across the street to me. My father's hateful glare appeared to me again. All the words he said to me, all the curses before now, everything seemed to be hitting my face hard.

Maybe if I hadn't left, if I hadn't taken that scholarship to Mexico, Mom wouldn't have died. Maybe I wouldn't be a freaking stripper now. Maybe I'd be in school too, like Barney's nerdy daughter. Just maybe...

After what felt like ages of pulling myself together, I pulled out my phone and called the one person I could call at times like this, other than Abby who apparently must be very occupied at some hotel with her 'hottie' man to be disturbed.

Donovan's responsive voice from the other end soothed one-fourth of me.

"Yeah......... I'm sorry for calling so late," I said " actually I'm sorry for calling at all, you're still busy at the club now and......oh, okay......listen, could you pick me up from my apartment? I'm sorry........yeah.......yeah, I'll explain everything later......okay, thanks"

"What happened, Kel?"Donovan asked for the second time as he drove along the quiet street, glancing now and then at me. I'd composed myself enough to let him know I'd been crying but being the Donovan that he was, he still managed to know that something's up.

"Had it with your dad again?" he pressed as I still didn't answer.

I nod my head "yeah. Wefoughtught to hit me"

"What?!"

I'd cried so much I didn't know if the actual pain coming from my eyes was because of the cry of because it was past 2 in the morning and I still haven't gotten any sleep.

"But he didn't" I reassured him with a small smile.

"Are you alright?" He asked, concern in his words and eyes.

"I'll be fine"

"I'm sorry, Kelsey. Honestly"

"You don't need to worry about me, Don" he pulls up in front of the motel.

"You wanna talk about it?" he angles himself to face me, one arm resting on the steering wheel.

After a second thought, I decided not to "Nah, I'm okay. I just don't think I'll be going back to see him for a long time"

"He kicked you out?"

I froze, stared at his eyes then looked down. I'd stubbornly clung to him for years, even when it was obvious he wanted me to leave. I guess tonight was obvious enough.

"Yeah, "I replied "he kinda did. I'm sure he....."

"Doesn't mean it?" he cuts me off "Kelsey, he's a drug addict and an alcoholic, no offense. You're not even supposed to be living with him, to bbeginwith"

"He's still my father......"

"Kel, that man could abuse you. He could inflict physical pain and rape....."

"But he hasn't done any of that"

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you"

"I understand, Don, thank you. For everything and you have no idea how sorry I am for dragging you into this"

"Hey, hey," he inches closer and cups my chin with his big hand "I got your back, okay? And you do not have to be sorry about any of this. You can...I mean, if this motel isn't comfortable for you which I'm sure isn't, you're always welcome to my place. You still got the key, right?"

I gave him a smile that's been the truest I've mustered all night. Donovan was such a good-hearted man. Ever since he found out about my little secret when I started working at the club, he'd been very protective of me. He even gave me a key to his house just in case I "needed some space" as he always liked to put it.

"Thank you, Don but I could need some friends here at the motel"

"Don't lie to me, Kel," he chuckles at my lie "you don't have any friends here except Abby"

I chuckled too and before I knew it, we were both laughing.

"You're right. But thanks anyway, I'll be okay here"

"You should stay in today. You don't have to come to work. It's past 2 a.mm and you need some serious sleep okay?"

I nodded "thanks, Don. I ate this"

"It's alright. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"

I nodded before leaning into his chest for a brief hug "goodnight"

*

I could hear distinct voices whispering all around me in the room. I struggled to peel my eyes open but the burning sensation of the window lights stopped me. The fucking pulled the window curtains open?!

"Oh dear, you've had too much to drink last night, didn't you?" I could hear Abby's voice now. She walks over to my head, blocking the light rays from my face and I finally opened my eyes.

"Hey, Abby" my voice came out bold and cracked. I slowly moved the duvet away and tried to sit up.

"Girl, your hair is a mess" she walks over to the foot of my bunk bed.

"Good morning to you too, "I said sleepily, searching under my pillow for my phone to check the time. 9:32 a.m. Damn, I deserved that much sleep. I remember falling into a deep sleep after arriving last night. Or morning. I'd only managed to pull off my flats and hoody which was the easiest thing to do then and slumped on my bed. And......my flats and red hoody were still on the floor right where I left them. On the floor next to my bed

"Kel, I've got a lot to tell you about last night!"Abby giggled, jumping from one leg to another. She looked radiant enough and I knew exactly what to expect. Her skin glowed and her lips were smiling, even though that's like a constant thing for her around here. Her long vanilla blond hair is curled this time down her back and she wore her favorite type of dress. A sundress.

"I feel like I'm havinaannana e hangover" I clutched my head, hurrying my face down.

"That's because you are," Abby replied "whirrrreminds sees me," she sits beside me, grabbing my shoulders with both palms "how did you end up here? I thought you were going to your apartment last night"

"Yeah, long story short, I fought last night"

"Wow," her eyes widened "did you finally...."

"No!"

She slaps my arm and eyes me "well that's not how to cut a story short. What did you expect me to think when you end up in a motel room with your ......hair looking likebirbirdss nest and those tired eyes. So tell me what happened? And if you're gonna cut the story short, make it a long short story. Go"

*You're a whore Kelsey, just like Elizabeth!*

I shut my eyes as his words cut through me like a knife.

"Kelsey, "Abby's handshaking me brings me back from my surreal flashback. "Hey" she calls quietly "what's wrong?"

"I did go to see my dad last night, "I breathe sharply "and....we fought my God, again?"

"Yeah, again" I gave out a broken chuckle "and...hand this time, Abby. He kept calling me a whore and my mom too and I just....spoke back and then he tried to hit me and he fell.....I pushed him. And then....he asked me to leave"

"Hey come on now," she strokes my back "he might just be joking. I...."

"Yeah, or drunk. He messed up the apartment again and even if he didn't mean it which he does, I'm seriously tired of him, of that place. God, of everything"

"I'm so sorry, Kel. Listen you can move in with me. You shouldn't live here, it's not the nicest idea to make the strippers motel your home, Kel, cause shits get the output of hand around here sometimes and you can't live like these other low life girls here"

"We're all considered low life here, Abs, so why try to change that?"

"What matters is what's in your won heart, Kel"

"But move in with you? Your brother......I mean"

"Yeah I live with my brother and he's a jerk sometimes"

"All the time"

"Fine all the time. But so what? You can't stay here"

"Thank you. Really. All of you. Even Donovan asked me to move in with him"

"Wait, Donovan the Donovan?"

"Yeah, he drove me here last night"

"Wow," he gave me the look "

"No, no, no, no, no. Do not go over your love theory again. It was past 1 a.mm when I left the apartment, I couldn't get a cab at that hour, you were off skimping the night with some...... hottie and he was the only one I could call to pick me up"

"I'll still remind you of how he has a thing for you"

"He doesn't, Abby. God, quit saying that, he's just a friend"

"You just don't wanna admit it cause he hasn't spoken up yet"

"Okay, Don does not like me"

"He probably wanna have sex with you too"

"He doesn't wanna do that either. God, Abby, stop already please!"

"Okay fine. Well, I'm sorry, Kel. You should stay in today and get enough rest"

"Yeah, Don asked me to take today off. What about you?"

"I need to be at the club since......two hours ago. I'm taking that bar from Paige today, you see.....but Stephen wouldn't let me leave. He demanded we visited a restaurant for breakfast before he lets me leave"

"Who's Stephen again?"I fold my hands across my chest.

"I thought you'd never ask!" She exclaimed, knocking one of my hands away "Stephen Arthur is the hot guy I was with last night. Oh My God, he is a walking god, Kel. He told me his name the moment I got into his car. He took me to this hotel which belonged to his family and boy!...." she dug her nails into my forearm "he is some pro in bed"

My eyes went wide after she said that. I didn't know why I found this strange cause....leave it to Abby to say all the most embarrassing things aloud.

"In the morning he told me that I'm amazing and that he thinks we should meet again. We ate at a freaking restaurant, Kel! And he insisted on driving me home personally"

"Oh my God?!"

"And....." she picks her bag and presented a calling card from it to me "...he gave me his phone number"

"Wow"

"And quote his number"

"Well he sure didn't look like a one-nighter"

"No, he doesn't. I'm looking forward to another night with him. I just have everything from last night in my head, men!"

"Okay, take things easy okay? You know how these club men are"

"You're right but.....I don't know about this one babe"

"Alright, "I raise my hand in surrender "I'm starving"

"I figured that out already. That is why.." she dumps a white plastic bag on my arms " I bought you Quinn's chicken and the morning yogurt"

"Aw thank you so much. You're the best!"

"I know girl" I stepped down from the bed.

"God!" Abby groans as she falls back on my bed " I don't wanna go to that club today"

"I'm thinking of going, "I told her, setting the chicken down on a table "this place is boring, especially when you all are out" I pointed out to the other empty bunk beds. " I even miss Blaire even though she's in the fifth room after mine. So I'll just take a quick shower, get dressed, and tag along to the club"

"If you're up for it then okay"

I laughed shortly before searching for my toothbrush and running into the bathroom.

The club seemed a bit empty in the day except for a few men who sat at tables, drinking and flirting with the day-call girls. Abby and I walked in towards the front bar and were greeted by the chatters of Paige, who stood behind the bar table, Blaire, ena, and Amy who occupied the bar stools at the front. I looked at my right-hand side to see Donovan walking up with a paper board in his hand. He stops to talk to one of the club's attendants before looking up to see me. I quickly waved a hand at him before stopping in front of the bar with Abby.

Don pats the guy's shoulder before walking to us.

"Hi, Don!"Abby exclaimed, calling everyone's attention "I'm so sorry for coming late, let me explain!"

"Kelsey, "Don calls, ignoring Abby's plea "what are you doing here? I told you to stay home"

"Why?"Blaire asks, joining the conversation as she turned on her stool to look at Don. "What she's sick again?" Don and I glanced at her. Ignoring her, we looked back from her again.

"I'm fine now, Don, "I replied "I was getting o I decided to come"

"Isn't this rather interesting?" Blaire said again, her eyes glancing from Don to me, a smile on her lips "the club's manager giving Kelsey a break which she ed, which is very much against the rules here"

"Stay out of this, Blaire"Don warned her.

"What's the matter, Kelsey?" she gave me a suspicious look "pregnant?"

I just continued to stare at her, words unwilling to leave my mouth, hating every second I spent just standing there and watching her.

"Why don't you just mind your own business?"Abby shot back.

"It's a shame," Blare said nonetheless, tsking her teeth as she watched me "how you're always letting other people stand up for you. I don't Kelsey. Is it that you're just dumb or stupid?"

I forced my gaze down as her words ate through me, my hands clutching tightly on my shoulder bag. I imagined myself slapping the tooth out of her loud mouth but that was just it. All I ever do is imagine what I'll say or do to people without actually doing it.

Before she said anymore, I turned and hurried towards the bathroom, slamming the door behind me, chin straight up to hold back the tears. I'm such a cry baby. Slowly, I pushed myself towards the sink mirror, staring back at myself, wondering why I had to be such a pushover every damn time. But Blaire wasn't wrong about all she said, maybe I was dumb after all.

The door pushed open and I saw through the mirror as Abby walked in.

"Kelsey"

"I'm okay. Really" I quickly dab out my tears.

"You're not gonna let Blaire get to you right? And you know better than anyone else that everything's gonna be alright" she places a hand over my arm.

"I don't know,Abby. It's so hard to believe that anymore"

"Hey,hey,"she moves over to the sink to face me "nothing bad is gonna happen to you here. We both know Blaire is just a stupid wannabe. She's desperate,Kel"

"She's kinda right,Abby. I mean,I'm always this..... pathetic and dependent girl. Me being here,it's like I'm letting Don take care of me , I can't even speak for myself and..."

"Kel, it's okay to be taken care of. We all can't be on our own sometimes. Don't feel bad about that, that's just Blaire in your head"

My father's voice of abusive words rang through my head and I shut my eyes tight. When I opened them I felt a strange feeling of depression enfold me. "I don't know, Abby. I just feel like I've let Don do too much for me. First, letting him protect my virginity while working as a stripper and now this...."

"Kelsey,no one is protecting you here. Not your virginity or anything. It is your choice to keep it and as far as I know,it hasn't been a bad idea so far"

"Don't you see,Abby? It's getting harder and harder everyday to pretend to be what I'm not and...."

The echoing sounds of hands clapping from behind me stops me and we both turned to see Blaire walking in, a sadistic smile on her lips like she'd caught her prey.

"What the hell, Blaire! Seriously?!" Abby roared at her "eavesdropping? What is that your thing now?"

"Calm down, Abigail" she said, her lips smirking my way "now isn't this an interesting piece of news? Kelsey the stripper is indeed a virgin," she air quotes her fingers "you see I've always known there was something peculiar about you but now it turns out to be something even way more interesting. "You maniac,"she laughs sinisterly "do you know how much one of those men would be willing to pay just to sleep with you. God, I bet Francisca would put out out for bidding and make a lot of money for just one night!"

Abby and I exchanged a look which said it all. Blaire was out of her mind and it was a big mistake she heard this.

"Or why don't I make this a little more interesting hmm?," She brings up her phone "why don't I just call our boss, Francisca and tell her this great news?"

We watched wide-eyed as she punched on her phone and dialed.

My fingers itched, adrenaline pumping inside me and before I knew what I was doing, I was slapping the phone away from her hand. I saw and heard it fall off and hit the floor before I realized what I just did.

The moment I looked up and met with Blaire's raging eyes, I knew this was it for me. But I never expected what she did next.

The next thing I heard was the resounding pain on my cheek, the sound of her hand slapping across my face really hard and the intensity with which my face stung.

"Blaire!"Abby screamed but the sound was too sharp in my ear as I cradled my burning cheek with my palm.

"Why did you hit me?" Was all I could say as tears threatening to spill from my blurring eyes.

She doesn't reply and instead continued to glare at me. I felt Abby's hands reach over my shoulder consolingly.

"Are you so jealous, Blaire?" I continued. I didn't know where this confidence was coming from but I was suddenly filled with so much energy, so much words to say to her "did my virginity spike up some regret in you?"

"Regret?" She chuckles "you think you're so great but you're just pathetic!"

"Then what the hell is your problem with me?" I felt a tear roll down my eye. Shit,I'm doing it again. I decided then that I wasn't gonna be a pushover anymore, I wasn't gonna take whatever she threw at me just because I didn't know what to say back. I tried to pull back the tears and continued "you torment my every living here when you barely know me! You say the most inhumane things to me. You hit my nerves deeper than anyone ever did when you're no different from everyone here, when you're just as pathetic as every other person here! You're just a pathetic wannabe hiding under the shadows of these walls you and I stand in! Pretending to be this amazing,killer person when you're nothing but a piece of shit just like the rest of us. You walk on high horses like your father built this place. If your father was that well off, maybe he even own a couple of companies around the world then what the hell are you doing here?! But no, you're just as much a low life like the rest of us here, trying to make a living. All these acts? Are all bullshit. They're just camouflage so people don't know who you truly are! So people don't know your story! You're just here to sleep with every man that comes into this club just to get paid too!! So I get it, I get that it must really hurts so fucking much!"

Whack! She slaps me again, the glare on her eyes magnified. She slap turned my face around, stinging hard. But instead of cradling my cheek, I slapped her back. Her face is spinning backwards from the impact, her black hair sprawling all over her face.

She stumbles back again,looks me in the eye, anger contorting every inch of her face and her hands grabbed my hair, jerking me closer to her. I yelped in pain,tried to reach for her hair too since she was taller than I am. When I grabbed hold of her hair, I yanked her head down, causing her to scream in pain. I could hear Abby's voice on the background as we continued to fight, telling us to stop but that was not gonna happen today.

"Hey,stop that!" Sean interveins, pulling us apart.

All I could hear was the fast beating of my heart as I watched Blaire with so much hate. I wanted to spit on her face!

"What were you girls thinking?!" Sean screams, his hands still spread between us to keep us apart.

"She started it so don't you fucking yell at me!"She barked.

I stood breathing heavily until I knew I had enough of this. I picked up my bag from the floor and stormed out, towards the bar. Then I heard Abby's feet as she ran up behind me.

"Kel, are you okay?" She catches hold of me at the front bar, her hand running up my face in an inspective manner. "Oh your face is pink"

"I'm fine,Abby"

I felt truly fine because I finally stood up to Blaire and obviously put her in her place.

"Come on, let's go" she grabs ahold of my wrist. I didn't know where we were going but I let her drag me out of the club.

______________________________________________

Abby's beaten up yellow roadster car pulled up in front of the small estate house she shared with her brother, Diego.

"Seriously, Abby? Your house?" I asked distastefully.

"Diego isn't in the house okay? Now come on, I'm starving" she replied, stepping out. I sighed before reluctantly getting out of the car and following her all the way through the driveway and into her house.

We were greeted by the presence of Diego, who stood at the kitchen's doorway, arms folded across his chest, eyes on the exit door as if he was actually waiting for us. Of course he was. He's your typical kind of Mexican thug. he has a hefty, tall and well built muscular body structure from all his regular body fitting exercises, a couple of dreadful tattoos running through his neck and all over his upper and lower arms which protruded out of his milk colored armless button up shirt.

Diego has never liked me ever since the day he found out about my friendship with his sister which pretty much explained the glare he threw at me as I walked in after Abby. He's always too rude and straight forward and never welcomed me into the house. Back in the days, I'd thought he only usually has bad mood swings that I just always happens to come across mostly because of his constant consumption of illegal drugs but later on, I realized he just didn't like me. People in general. Imagine the realization.

"Hey Diego," Abby calls, setting her bag down on the couch "what are you doing at home today?"

"I didn't have any job today so I came home" he replied.

The look on Abby's face was exactly what's on my face and we were probably thinking about the same thing. Does Diego never have any 'job' to do? I just stood there, arms folded and minding my own business.

"Well," he throws another look at me "you didn't tell me you were bringing a friend over, Abigail" I held his gaze too till he looked back to Abby.

"Kelsey isn't a stranger,D, and I'm sorry, am I supposed to tell you first before bringing anybody home?"

"That's damn right, Abigail! I am still your big brother and you have to tell me whatever it is you wanna do!"

"Oh really? Isn't this the only time you know how to be my big brother?"

"Hey, hey, what is that supposed to mean,huh?" He corners the couches to face Abby now.

"What I'm saying is you're never even there when I need you and you just pop up one morning and go on about being my big brother?!"

"What? I am doing everything for you, can't you see that? Don't anything ever get into that thick head of yours?!" He poked her forehead.

"Don't yell at me, Diego! You're not the only one doing everything around here. I'm doing something too and you do not have the right to dictate for me!"

"Now hold on a minute!........" He yelled on top of his voice. I stopped understanding what they were yelling at each other when they started talking in Mexico. I watched them, the anger on his face and the distress in her voice.

I couldn't help the pity I felt for Abby all over again. Her life hasn't been any better from mine. Both of them. Born to a Mexican father and a naive American mother, Abby and Diego has had to live with the hard and cruel experiences of life.

When Abby was seven, their father had been run over by a truck and he'd died instantly. Their mother was a reckless drunk who died of lung cancer when she was eleven and Diego was seventeen. Three years later, they'd managed to move here to start a life on their own.

While struggling to finish her Schooling, she'd joined the strippers club at the age of Eighteen, four years ago. When I newly started working at the club I'd instantly a liking in her. Over the years I realized we'd bonded so much, we were pretty much the same. We shared the same screwed up life. We had pretty much the same family too. While she had a responsible father and an irresponsible mother, I had a really responsible mother and a very irresponsible father and we we pretty much lost everything except that she still had someone. She had Diego. She's never been so alone.

"Who was that man you were with last night, huh?" Diego says in english now, tuning back my attention.

"You're tailing me again?!" Abby yelled back.

"Just answer the damn question, Abby! Who was that man? Because Franklin told me he was no good"

"Whoever I'm with is non of your business, Diego! And stop sending your stupid friends to follow me everywhere!"

"I've told you Abby, stop working at that club. You and I know that you do more than just bartendering!" That said he stormed towards me, then disappeared out through the door. Abby slowly sits back against the couch and I moved towards her.

"See why I don't like coming here?" I told her.

"I'm really sorry, Kel," she dabs at her eye bags.

"No, I'm sorry," I sit beside her. I reached a hand over her back and tried to sooth her. "You didn't tell him you work as a stripper?" I asked her.

She shakes her head negatively " Diego wouldn't like that. But I know he knows what I do. It's why he's been acting so strange to me and fighting me on every little thing. I'm actually surprised he didn't find out sooner, he always had his friends watch me"

"I think he's just caring,Abs"

"I know..."

Silence.

"You know," She breaks the building silence "the day my dad got run over, Diego had been missing. Mom beat him after he refused to go buy her cigarettes. He got so pissed and left the house. I tried to stop him from leaving but he didn't listen to me. When our father came back from work later I told him what had happened and he left too to search for him. He.......he found Diego near the train station at the end of the city but before he could reach him, he was hit by a truck" she sobbed quietly into her hands.

"I'm really sorry" I said consolingly.

"Mom blamed him for his death even though she didn't really care if he was gone or not. You know," she looks at me now " things would've been a lot better if Diego didn't blame himself"

"He does?"

"Yeah, he told me that. He thinks he lured dad to his death by leaving the house"

"That's so horrible. Come here" I pulled her into a hug.

"I really want him to be okay," she continued to sob "he's always so agressive,he thinks he's going to hurt me too"

She moves away and settles back on the couch, whipping away her tears. "I'm really sorry," she said, trying to laugh but her voice comes off broken "I shouldn't be doing this in front of you"

"No, it's okay. I'm here for you, aren't I?"

She smiles and continued " you know...... Stephen is a really great guy"

"The guy you were with last night?"

"Yeah," she beams a smile " I know I've met a lot of men in that club but he's...... charming"

"no,no,no,no. Don't use that word. When a woman uses that word on a man it means she's...."

"In love with him?" She completes for me "don't be ridiculous, Kelsey. I mean sure, he knows all the right buttons to push in bed but...."

"Gosh, Abby!"

"What? He's really good in bed, you should try him"

"Uh no thanks"

She laughs aloud " I wouldn't even let you try. But he's charming. And.... I think I really like him and I really don't want Diego meddling in that. He always has a problem with my choices in men. Diego has been the cause of my first break up with my boyfriend"

I snorted a laughter "what did he do?"

"He beat him up and warned him to stay away from me. Poor guy had to break up with me if he wanted to keep his life. He'd threatened the second guy who dared to ask his permission to take me on a date"

"Wow"

"Yeah, wow" she takes in a sharp breath.

"I'm really starving. I've got a few mexican food, wanna try some?" She stands up.

"Sure...."

"Come on then. I need to be back at the club before 4p.m"

She stalked towards the kitchen and I followed suit.

We spend a couple of hours at her house, getting her nails polished for her to be precise before dropping me off at the motel and leaving for the club. My other roommates had arrived by now and were getting ready for the club. The sight gave me headaches. I took a shower and tried sleeping for a bit. That's when the ugly event with Blaire occured to me. The stunt she pulled earlier lingered on my mind.

At some point my thoughts centered on what had happened at Abby's house. It reminded me of my father and.....mom.