The Stripper's Love

"Ms. Pim, are you looking for me? " I asked her when I entered the dressing room. She smiled at me like she had something on her plate that I needed to do.

"Perfect, you're here, Janella. My favorite stripper." She smiled widely, and she pulled me near her. I was even more surprised because if she needed something from me, I knew she had this attitude, and I knew she had a lot to ask me to do.

"What is it, Ms. Pim? " I asked.

"Do you know our loyal customer, Andrei..." How could I forget him if he's the reason why I was called the most incredible stripper in this club. He's also my friend, after all.

"What's wrong with him?" I will ask.

"He has a friend..." Ms. Pim touched my two hands gently. "And he asked us a favor to," she added.

Why didn't Andrei just come to me so he could tell me? "He said if I can tell you this favor because he knows if he says it to you directly, you will not allow it...." My forehead furrowed even more. Was that request too heavy for me to consent to?

"What is it?" I asked again, why does it take so long.

"His friend will offer a million to get you, I mean. His friend didn't know who you are, but Andrei said he was looking for his friend to marry- "

"Wait, Ms. Pim. " I stopped here. "You mean I'm the one you want to marry that man?" I asked, and she nodded slowly and smiled. I immediately shook my head twice. I don't even know who that guy.

"I can't, and then why is it that? Getting married is a big thing, you don't just buy it at any mall. I'll talk to Andrei. " I was about to walk away when she held my hand.

"You need this, Janella. I know your situation if I can just give it to someone else if you don't accept it. But this is your friend's favor. And besides, I know it will help you, especially in your family's situation. Trust me, and you need this. "

I couldn't talk; I looked at her silently, not knowing what to say. "How much?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Three million, Janella. Three million." Even more, I didn't know what to say at the amount I heard. "His friend will pay you three million if you marry him. Jan, you need this. Take this one. "

"How about this, Ms. Pin? How about my job? " I asked. I still think about my job even though that amount helps me get out of my career, but this job and the people I am with are my family.

Ms. held. Pim both my cheeks. "I know you put up with this kind of work, Janella. This is the sign that you should leave this place. I don't want to let you go, but I also don't want to hold you here. This is not the right place for you; this is not the right life for each one of you girls, " she said at length. I hugged her tightly because she's not like other tight managers at the club; she's our mother.

"What should I do?" I asked.

"Tomorrow evening, his friend will come here to watch. Give your best shot, okay? " she said. I nodded and heaved a sigh.

All right, I will accept this. Marry someone for the money, and after that, this will be finished. I know a man only needs a marriage role, whoever he is. Rich people like him are not fond of serious weddings. Who's a fool to give three million to a woman just to marry her, right?

Then after we talked to Ms. Pim, I quickly went home. When I arrived, it was quiet and dark. They are asleep. My family didn't know my job. All they knew was that I was a cashier in a shop. They won't know because I leave the clothes I wear at the club, and every time I leave and go home, I wear presentable clothes. I don't want them to know because I don't want to add to our suffering.

I slowly walked towards my room when I entered the house. I saw my two siblings sleeping peacefully in the living room, and I also went to Mama and Papa's room to take a peek. They did the same. Sleep peacefully too.

"I love you so much; you'll be fine soon, I promise...." I mumbled to myself.

When I returned to my room, I thought of what Ms. Pim said. I grabbed my phone and was about to call my friend, Andrei, but he seemed to be ahead of me, so I answered immediately.

"Thank goodness, you answered it...." I heard noises near him. "Pim called, and she told me that you agreed, right? God! Thank you, you saved my friend's ass, Janella! Thank you, oh, wait for a second...." I was about to speak, but it looked like someone else was with him.

"You already found my wife?" I heard the question on the other line.

"Yes, bro, she's beautiful and sexy. Trust me, and you'll get married soon...." I heard Andrei answer.

I wanted to tweak him because he never told me about it.

"Hey, Jan. Still there?" he asked.

"You stupid jerk," I whispered. "Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"Hey, tiger. Chill, okay? I was about to, but I was scared that you might hit me again, so Ms. Pim told me. But you agreed, my friend will see you tomorrow. You're fine! Bye, I love you! "

I was about to shout at him when I realized that I was here at home and he was dropping the call. You stupid Andrei!

The next night, I came into the club again and saw Andrei with someone, but I couldn't see the faces of the men because there were two of them with him. I didn't approach him; instead, I went straight backstage. And I'll start in a little while.

***

I slowly climbed the stage with every movement of my body, eyes attracting men salivating at me on stage. I have no other thoughts but my family and get big money for them.

I am forcing myself to move the body and pick up the money thrown by the spectators at me. What can I expect? Respect from them? I can only see the eyes of those who want to touch me, and I will never feel that I am respected. Shouting from the men, I was the only one dancing and taking off my clothes that only covered my femininity. This is me; I wonder how my world will change if I find someone who could accept me for who I am.

But that is vague. Who will accept someone like me who can defile himself to live? As I continued to dance, I stopped to see a man seriously looking at the stage. I know he's looking at me because I'm the only one dancing here. I remembered what our manager said the last night of my shift. An important guest is coming. It's not my job to move anyone because all I have to do is dance and let men spit on my body that they can never touch, but because of what my Manager said, I'm not sure if I can stop that. I need a considerable sum of money. My family needs me.

I turned to the entrance of the stage and saw Ms. Pim. She motioned for me to come down, and she pouted at the man I was also looking at earlier. So, I was right, and he's the guy Ms. Pim is talking to. I swallowed twice and nodded to Ms. Pim.

I slowly dance down the stage, I let a few men shout, but my eyes are only focused on someone sitting alone. When I got in front of him, I caressed the man's shoulder and back, and he didn't even look at me for a moment. I came even closer to him, and I pushed him slightly. I sat on top of him, and there he looked at me, which made me even more nervous. This is not my first time dancing in front of anyone, but this one is different; I can't figure out what it is.

"What are you doing?" even his voice made me shiver.

"Dancing in front of you, Sir...." I pulled myself even closer to him; he just looked at my face and not at my body approaching him. Hard to get.

"Get off..." I didn't do what he said, and I danced even more in front of it. I want to find my friend Andrei everywhere, but I can't see him.

"Come on, don't you like me?" I asked. Ms. Pim told me that I shouldn't introduce myself first to him.

"I said, get off...." I was surprised when he pushed me slightly to get away in front of him, and he stood up. He walked away from me!

"Damn, he left me? It's embarrassing..." I whispered to myself while looking at the man walking to get out.

"What just happened?" Ms.Pim stood beside me, I turned to her, and my only answer was a shrug. I knew that man, suddenly left.

"Where's Andrei?" I asked her. She turned to our left, and there I saw the man at fault, smiling while signing peace.

"I will skin you alive," I mumbled to myself. I approached him, and Ms. Pim followed me, when I got in front of Andrei, I immediately kicked him in the back, and he immediately walked away from me.

"Hey, what did I do?" as he says that, I can see in his face that he is hurt by what I did. He deserved it.

"What was that? He left, Andrei. "

"Okay, relax. I will talk to him, and maybe he was just shocked by what you did. He's not used to it. " I frowned at what he said. When I looked at the man a while ago, it was evident that it had taken a lot of girls beside him in bed. "He's allergic to women, especially to...." I raised my hand to stop him from talking. I know what he means.

He doesn't like people like me. "Then, why is he still here looking for a bride?" I raised an eyebrow at the man in front of me now. Don't they have many acquaintances to invite like this?

"Because I know you need it, and you can get out of here; Ms. Pim knows all about this; we talked. We just helped you out of here, Janella. "

I went silent, and they could both get me out of here. I looked at Ms. Pim. "Are you sure you want me out?" I asked. She shook his head.

"No, but if that is all that can help you, I will. I know you are safe with that man because he is Andrei's best friend. "

"What will I do? He left." I looked at Andrei again. He smiled at me, which annoyed me more, and he even had the urge to smile.

"I texted him already, and he will wait outside after your shift." My eyes narrowed at what he said. He should have talked to me before he left then waited for me outside.

"Just go to him, Janella. Your shift is now done for tonight, "Ms. Pim said.

"Are you sure?" I asked. She nodded and smiled at me. I heaved a sigh and nodded as well to them.

This is it; it's up to me if I'm ashamed of that man, it's hard for me to make a decision, but Andrei and Ms. Pim helped me with this, I need this opportunity. I'm not rich and have graduated to find a decent job and stability. People like me just cling to the knife to survive.

I went to our dressing room to get dressed, and I hadn't even entered yet when Felicia blocked me. My ex-best friend.

"Is what I heard right? You're leaving here?" she asked. I just ignored her because I knew she was looking for trouble again. I was about to walk from her when she held my shoulder to stop.

"I don't want trouble," I said. She smiled, which annoyed me.

"I just want to say that's right, get out of here because it's true. You're not a good stripper; Ms. Pim was just forced; she put you on top because you needed to. "

Maybe she didn't know that I was leaving because someone had bought me and he's a rich man, and when she found out that she would be angry and jealous of me again. I grabbed her hand, held my shoulder, and slowly removed it from there.

"Don't worry, and you'll never see me again, Felicia. You are now in my place because I know you like it better. You want men to look up to you even though you know they don't respect you. " I said at length that she was obviously bored.

"I'll just remind you, Janella. Don't dream of having a man who will respect you. Remember, you also came from a dirty job, and when you leave here, I'm sure you won't be much happier. "

She was furious at me. We used to be okay, we entered at the same time, and during those times, we both didn't know that this was what we were going to join in life. Felicia is my best friend, but before that, she started getting mad at me when Ms.Pim replaced me with the former top stripper in the club. I did not ask that from Ms. Pim,but Felicia has been angry, and since then, she doesn't talk to me anymore, and this is how she treats me.

"Sure, Felicia, we're both dirty, but we have a difference." I stopped and looked straight at her. "You know what makes us different? I don't like what I'm doing, I just did this because I need this, but you, you don't need it. You just want everyone looking at you. We're not the same, Felicia. You are dirtier. "

After I said that, I glared at her, and so did she. I left her and went straight to my drawer to get dressed. I don't have time to talk to her anymore.

When I got dressed, I immediately said goodbye to my other colleagues and Ms. Pim. It looks like Andrei is gone, too, so I just let it go. When I got out of the club, I saw a car near me. I went through the back door, and no one was in this passage except Andrei and us. I just watched the car closely until someone got off, and I was stunned to speak when I saw him, Andrei's friend. The one who left me inside.

I took a deep breath before walking towards him. "Hey," I greeted him. He just looked at me like he didn't care if I existed.

"You must be Janella? The one bitch who was dancing in front of me inside and the one mentioned by Andrei. " That's not a question of him but a statement of fact.

I just didn't pay attention to what he said because it was true. "Hi, I am Janella. At your service. " I smiled at him, but he didn't care at all.

"Get in," he said, and I was confused. "I said get in the car, and we will talk about the deal. Hurry up. There's a lot of mosquitoes." And just by that, I quickly went to the other side to ride. Is he afraid of mosquitoes? Well, all rich people are like him.

I just watched him ride inside as well. Earlier inside the bar, I didn't look at his whole body because he was sitting, but right now, his height and his nose are very pointed.

Would it be just as beautiful as him when we had a child? "Stop looking at me, and it creeps me out." I smiled at him.

I just stopped because I remembered what happened earlier inside. He didn't even care that I danced in front of him. Embarrassing.

I turned to him. "Andrei said you're allergic to women, and you should find a guy who would marry you." I immediately closed my mouth when he turned to me and stared at me. "Just kidding, you're serious, Sir."

"I don't like jokes if we're not close. Just take this. " He took a folder and handed it to me.

"What is this?" I asked if I hadn't done it because he seemed angry again. She should choose Felicia to be his bride because they are always mad. "I said I'll be quiet, but what is this?" I asked again.

"That's an agreement between us, and if you sign that, the marriage will follow." Oh God! I'm going to marry this rude man. "Open it when you're in your house," he said. I just shrugged my shoulders.

"If you don't like women, why do you want to get married and you are here looking for a wife. I mean, don't you have a well-known woman that you can just take care of. I am sure no one can see no to you. " I said, but he ignored me; instead, he opened the door on my side.

"You talked too much. Now, go out and leave. " I wondered, looking at him, that's all?

"I'm sorry, I was just wondering why you were looking for a bride here." As I continued talking, he glared at me, so I shut my mouth.

"Give me your phone." I was even more surprised when he asked for my cell phone, but I did nothing but give him my cheap cell phone. It was small and still had a keypad. "This is your phone?" he asked as if I were some kind of weird person that I had a small and cheap phone.

"What's with my phone?" I asked him.

"You worked as a stripper, and you have a lot of money too, and you didn't buy a nice phone?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, all the money I got from being a stripper goes to my family. I don't have time to buy expensive phones because I don't want to. Also, what are you going to do here? " he's annoying. Even my cellphone is being asked.

I just watched him use my phone. "I saved my number here. Call me if you have already signed the agreement. And here. " I frowned when he gave me money. "Take it and buy a new phone for yourself."

"What?" I looked at him full of astonishment. Why did he give me money just for the cellphone? Is he sure I will accept marrying him?

"I'm not sure I'll accept your offer," I told him.

His forehead was furrowed and it was obvious on his face as if he couldn't believe what I said. Honestly, I'll just think about it. "Just buy your new phone and think to answer a yes to my offer," he said while frowning an eyebrow.

Why does he seem to have decided on my answer if it's true that I'm not sure if I'll accept the offer? I haven't even told my parents about getting married. "I won't accept your offer, and I don't know you yet; sorry, Sir, even though this is my job, don't preach. I don't want to decide that one thing I will lose the right to myself," I said, and I was about to get out of the car when he suddenly held me. "I'm leaving," I added and forced her to remove the infection from my hand.

"Your only job is to be my wife, and I won't deprive you of the right to yourself. Do whatever you want." I was stunned by what he said and had a thought question about my right to myself.

"I can still work here even if we're married?" I asked. He looks frustrated with my question, don't say he will ban me because he said about my right to myself, let me do what I want to do.

"Except that," he said like he was done with me. That's all we talked about. He couldn't control himself anymore.

"I won't do it, just find someone else inside. I am so sorry, and I'm not ready for this obligation yet." I quickly got out of the car and hailed a taxi. "Mr, on Sampaloc Street, please," I told the driver.

I sighed and then turned around. I saw him standing outside his car, looking at me. I needed money, but I also thought I had a big decision to make; I didn't know that man yet. What if when we're married, and we've been together for a few months, then maybe I became miserable, I'll be beaten or not, so I can't come back to my family? How about my family? A lot runs through my mind this time, but if I also don't accept the offer, what about my family? How Mom and Dad need to be treated. I didn't know what to do anymore, and it was Andrei's fault. If he hadn't told his friend my name, I wouldn't have had such a bad problem.

"Ohh, you already came home. Have you eaten yet?" Mom asked me. I first kissed her on the cheek and smiled at her.

"Yes, I am, Mo. Where is Dad?" I asked. I was surprised because she looked at me with a suddenly grave face. "Is there a problem?" I asked again.

"Your Dad is inside, talking to our guest." Visitors? Who else? "They said they were your friend inside. That was their car." I immediately turned to what Mom had pointed behind me and was shocked to see a familiar car.

I immediately went inside, "Honey, you're already here. You didn't say you had friends who were rich and handsome," Dad said with my eyes almost widening. I turned to the two men side by side and sat in our small chairs. It was Andrei and Diego.

What are they doing here? Andrei looked at me with a smile that he thought was funny, and I stared at him deadly when he waved at me. I also turned to D, Diego, who just looked at me seriously.

"Good evening, Janella." Andrei greeted me with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" I asked the two of them once, kissing my father's cheek. He stood up and said goodbye to go to the kitchen with my mother.

I sat in front of the two of them and still didn't lose my bad look at them. Why did they come here before me? "It's like my friend, and he wants to come here because you said you don't know him yet so that he will introduce himself to you again." I took a deep breath at what Andrei said. What nonsense is this?

I turned to Diego, who still had no expression on his face. "Is it true?" I asked. He just nodded and turned to Andrei as if asking for something to say. What are these friends? I think they ruined my night.

"These two handsome people haven't eaten yet, so we just bought a barbeque outside, so that's all they can eat. Sorry kids, we didn't know there was a guest. It's embarrassing, but I hope you accept the little food we prepared for you. " Mom came out of the kitchen and said that; I stood up and restrained her.

"They're going home too, Mom. Don't bother," I said and motioned for the two to leave the house. It's embarrassing that they're here. What do they want?

They looked at each other like they were talking with their eyes and, at the same time, turned to my Mother. "We're ravenous, thank you very much." I bit my lip so hard and wanted to step on Andrei. They stood up simultaneously, so Mom and I looked up at them because they were both tall. Andrei smiled at me and brought Mom into the kitchen.

Diego and I were left alone, "What are you doing here?" I asked angrily.

" Andrei said we were going, and he just took me." I didn't believe what he said. If I were to know, he ordered Andrei to come here, but the thickness of my face if that's what I think. "I don`t want to go here, but Andrei insisted," he added.

I stared at him and faced him with all my courage but stopped because of his height, so I sat down. "Sit down. Let's talk." I pulled him to sit down and immediately removed my hand from holding him.

I sneezed twice, and he just looked at me, waiting for me to say something. "Look, if you or the two of you and Andrei are here to chase me and hope to agree to your offer, I won't. You'd better just leave," I said.

His eyes narrowed, and he frowned at me. I recoiled as he moved his face close to mine. "What are you doing?" I try to avoid it.

"You will marry me no matter what, and I don't care if we took so long to marry each other, as long as you marry me." He smirked.