1 - Mr Stranger

Aracelli's Love

I jolted awake to the blaring of my alarm, heart pounding as I glanced at the clock. 5:00 PM. I had to be at work at 8:00 PM, and I was still cocooned in my rumpled bedsheets, the late afternoon sunlight filtering in through the blinds. Panic surged through me as I fumbled for my phone, squinting at the screen through bleary eyes. Three hours. I had three hours to transform myself from this disheveled mess to the polished str*pper my boss expected.

Throwing the covers aside, l stumbled into the small bathroom, the cold tiles shocking me awake as I turned on the shower. As the water cascaded down my body, I mentally recited my to-do list; pick out an outfit for tonight, order something to eat at drive through, feed the cat and drop off freshly made salads for Mrs Mackenzie, my sweet neighbor. But beneath the scramble to get ready for work, a gnawing worry tugged at my thoughts, working late into the nights was becoming a bother as some shi**y activities has been going on lately and my mother's hospital bill is slated for two weeks time.

After showering, I got dressed in a pair of brown joggers, a beige coloured sportbra and a brown coloured cropped sweatshirt and black converse. I packed my "work" clothes, silver heels, make-up kits, moisturizer and perfume in a black duffel bag. I went down the kitchen to prepare a plate of salad and also put food and water in the cat plate. The ginger fur ball walked to his station and began eating.

I dropped the plate off at Mrs Mackenzie's, her appreciation trailing behind me as I walked down the stairs. Living on the sixth floor in a block of house without an elevator is a way to keep fit for me as I couldn't afford a nicer place. The neighborhood was busy as it's evening already, young boys sat or walked in groups, smoking and downing alcohol. A fowl stench from the waste bin hit my nostril making my stomach revolve. The waste bin management in this neighborhood is pretty trashy.

I got a cab and was off to work, I made sure to get something to eat along the way. I got to the club by 7:50 and quickly hurried backstage, my cup of coffee dangling in my hand. The other girls crowded the dressing room, some were getting their hairs done, other make-up and a few had their work outfit on already.

"Ara, come over here." My buddy, Ellen waved me over. She sat in front of a mirror touching up her makeup, her blonde hair was tied in a nice pony tail, the length of it running down her back, her fierce purple eyeshadow popped under the light. She looked beautiful. "You are late girl." I nodded my head at her as I quickly settled on the empty chair besides her, wanting to get started on my makeup.

"We don't get to go on stage until two hours though, our round was delayed." I looked at her questioningly.

"What do you mean our round was delayed?, We are supposed to be performing first tonight."

"Apparently, Boss's favourite wanted to perform at the first round tonight because she has somewhere to be." She nodded her head to the left and my eyes followed.

I let out an audible groan. Tony our boss has always favoured Charissa and would do whatever she wants just for him to get a good f*ck from her. I worked on my hair after doing very minimal makeup on my face, Ellen and I going over random topic and things we have missed at work. I got dressed in a one piece lingerie, the sparkly purple material barely covered much of my body, shinning pasties covered the ni**le area, keeping them hidden. And like every other girl performing with me, my feets were adnored in a six inches silver heels.

Two hours later and it was finally my turn to get on stage. Tonight I was dancing with Ellen and three other girls. I took in deep breaths as I prepared to face the crowd. It doesn't matter how many times I have done this, it still feels daunting every d*mn time.

The curtains were pulled apart and the girls and I walked to the stage amidst the cheer and applause of the crowd watching. I placed my hand around the metal pole and began swaying my hips to the rthym of the song playing in the background. The cheers became louder as I dropped to the floor, legs spread apart, a hand around my neck and the other roaming about my body se**tively. I placed a palm down and gracefully stood up, leaning on the pole.

I wrapped a leg around the pole as I shut my eyes, trying to tune out the crowd in the club as I continued dancing ignoring the feel of dollar notes which was thrown at me and the other dancers. After minutes of grinding, twisting and turning on the pool, I opened my eyes to look at the crowd and I was glued to a pair of clear blue eyes of the most gorgeous man I have ever seen staring at me. Dressed in a black luxurious suit, he looked out of place in the club. His black hair looked like his hands has run through it several times and that even made him look hotter.

With his eyes never leaving mine, he brought his cup to his lip and in one go, he downed the liquid in his cup, his Adam's apple trobbing as he swallowed.

I felt shivers looking at the stranger, my body felt alive in ways I haven't felt before. I slowly let go of the pole and took a pose as the song came to an end.

cheers, applause and howls filled the club as people showed their appreciation, but all I could think of is the strangers eyes and how his lips pulled in a smirk as I continued staring at him.

Tony came on stage, mic in his right hand, and the cheers got even louder because it's time for the men's favorite segment.

"Hello people," he drawled out, his words echoing and the people cheering.

"It's time for our personal dance section with our str*ppers, now pick a lady and the highest bidder gets to have a dance from her." The club roared with life tonight. I hated these part of the night as most men don't know how to keep their hands to themselves.

My chest heaved up and down as he started with Ellen, prices were called and most men seemed ready to lavish their hard-earned money on a strip tease. Chairs were brought on stage for the men to sit on. Soon it was my turn as the other girls were now paired with a man.

"Now, my personal favorite dancer," his hand rested on my shoulders and I resisted the urge to swat it down, I'm definitely not his favorite.

"How much are you willing to pay for her?"

"two hundred dollars." A man amongst the crowd stood to his feet.

"Two hundred and fifty dollars." Another challenged

"Is that our best price gentlemen?" Tony asked teasing the crowd.

"Three hundred dollars." people banged their hands in their tables, cheering and screaming.

"Three hundred dollars it is then, or do we have a higher bidder?" The club was silent, heads turning to see if there are any other options.

"Two thousand dollars."

WHAT

My eyes found the man who was willing to pay such amount and it was the blue-eyed stranger. The club was even more silent I could hear a needle drop if one fell on the floor.

"Tw...two..thous... thousand dollars it is then." Tony stuttered like a fool. I watched as the stranger walked up to the stage, his frame tall and full of confidence. His Melanie skin glowing under the light. A few girls whistled as he walked past them, some were even bold enough to touch his arms.

"Araceli," Tony turned to me, tearing my eyes away from the stranger for a minute "I don't care how you do it, but make sure this isn't the last time I will be seeing this man." he whispered in my eyes and I rolled my eyes at him.

I watched as the stranger made himself comfortable on the chair, his pose relaxed.

I walked towards his chair and stood close to him as I waited for a song to come on, I couldn't help but clear my throat nervously.

"Rocket, by Beyonce came on and I allowed my body flow to the rhythm of the music, trying to do my job while giving him his space at the same time. My body and hair swayed as I danced, soon enough, I closed the space between us, my body touching his, but surprisingly, he kept his hands to his body and that fueled my actions even more.

Slowly, I did something I have never done to any man I have ever danced with. I sat on his thighs, my legs on either side on his. His lips tugged into a smile at my action, and my heart faltered at the sight. This man is devastatingly handsome.

"Can I touch you?" His voice had my core pulsating and I shut my eyes.

"Yes." His hands found my back and he aided my movement and we both moved rhythmatically to the music playing.

My forehead rested on his as the song came to an end, I tuned out the sounds of applause from the crowd as short pangs of breath escaped my lips at the intensity of what just happened, my eyes lingering on his full lips, fighting the temptation to close his lips with mine.