HELLO NEW YORK

Loretta

I arrived in New York that weekend, dragging my small suitcase behind me as I stepped into the airport’s arrival lounge. The noise was overwhelming, honking horns, hurried footsteps. I was finally here. Tonia insisted on picking me up, even though I told her several times that I could just take a cab. I should have known she wouldn’t take no for an answer cause there she was, leaning casually against a sleek black Benz, that was gleaming under the sun.

“Girl!” she squealed, rushing toward me with open arms, we hugged tightly. I slipped into the passenger seat, sinking into leather so smoothly, the scent inside, clean, and expensive. This wasn’t the old beat-up Toyota I remembered her driving during our university days.

“Wow, Tonia,” I said, running my hand along the dashboard, “this car looks new, and it smells like it, too. How on earth are you affording something like this, We only graduated not too long ago.” She grinned, slipping on her shades. “I told you, New York changes you. You just have to know how to work the system.”

Her words lingered in my mind as we pulled out of the airport. I glanced at the city through the window.

I thought of my own situation. I had come here with a job already waiting, a secretary position at a fast rising company. Not exactly the marketing role I trained for, but it was something. For now, it would pay the bills, and hopefully, it could serve as a steppingstone. My real dream was to land a better job in my field, maybe even in the same company if luck was on my side.

“You look really good, Tonia,” I said after a while, studying her profile. “So much has changed about you, I almost didn’t recognize you at first.” She shot me a playful wink. “Thanks girl, look good too, but you know you’ve always been so fine.”

“Don’t flatter me too much, I can’t afford to pay you back for all these compliments,” I teased.

She burst into laughter, “I’m really going to enjoy having you here,” she said after her laughter died down, “My flatmate is such a weirdo, She is planning to move out soon, but I don’t know how soon.”

“I don’t mind taking her place when she leaves,” I said, turning back to the window as skyscrapers blurred past. “I just hope it’s something I can afford.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not too expensive, it’s affordable, i pay a higher percentage of it,thanks to my job.”

If her job could cover rent in New York and afford a car like the one we were sitting in, then maybe it was something I should know about. I could do it if there’s until i get all the money I need to pay Dad’s debt.

“You sure are doing well for yourself. Where do you work?” I asked.

Tonia glanced at me, then smiled, “Hmmm… I don’t think it’s something you can do, Loretta, but if you could, you’d make more money than you could ever dream of. Honestly, sometimes I think I’ll never use my degree again.”

“If it’s legal, then why can’t I do it? I’d drop this secretary job in a heartbeat.” My tone was firm.

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Okay, calm down, don’t get all serious on me. I work as a stripper.”

I blinked, stunned, “What?”

“Yes,” she said proudly, “but not just anywhere, I strip in one of the most expensive clubs in New York.”

I shook my head slowly,She laughed at my reaction, clearly expecting it. “I knew you would say no, but listen, this job pays better than any office job you can dream of, i work as a VIP stripper. That means I perform only for filthy rich men, politicians, top businessmen, actors name them, and here’s the best part, everyone wears masks both the clients and the girls. No one knows who’s who. It’s about privacy and fun.”

“Sometimes,” she continued, “some clients ask for exclusivity, that means he pays to have only you, and girl, that’s where the real money is. All I have to do is wiggle my ass for a night, and my bank account smiles.”

I frowned. “So, these men just pay ridiculous amounts of money to watch you dance?”

Tonia sighed, “ Well, some ask to touch but with your consent while some request more, and yes, they want to sleep with you, but that’s your choice.”

I shook my head firmly, “I can’t.”

My grandmother would roll in her grave, she sacrificed everything to give me an education, and I can’t throw that away and besides I’m still married, the contract says I must live responsibly until the divorce is finalized. I can’t bring shame on myself or my family.

Tonia waved a dismissive hand but didn’t push further. The conversation drifted into lighter topics as we drove toward her apartment.

****

The following Monday, I stepped into the reception of my new workplace. The lobby was spacious and polished.

“Good morning,” I said, approaching the receptionist. “I’m Loretta Astor, the new secretary to Mr. Owell.”

The receptionist frowned, her eyes sweeping over me. And without a word, she picked up her phone, spoke briefly to someone, and then returned to typing as if I had vanished.

I sat down, waiting patiently, a young man finally appeared. “You must be Loretta, Follow me.”

He led me to the HR manager, a warm woman who greeted me with a firm handshake. She explained my role, the company policies, the code of conduct, and my working hours. Then she introduced me to the CEO’s PA, Martha, who was supposed to show me around.

“Come with me,” Martha said, her tone flat as she gave me a quick once over. “I’ll show you the important places, then you can figure out the rest yourself.”

She pointed vaguely at rooms as we walked, muttering under her breath, clearly uninterested. After the third time she mumbled to herself, I stopped her.

“Just show me to my office. I’ll find my way around,” I said calmly.

“Better,” she muttered, turning on her heel.

As we walked, the elevator dinged, the doors slid open, revealing a young man, he was striking handsome. Martha’s demeanour changed instantly, “Good morning, Mr. Owell,” she chirped, her voice suddenly sweet.

So this was my boss, but Mr. Owell didn’t acknowledge her. His eyes fixed on me instead, his gaze lingering far longer than professional courtesy required. I stepped forward, about to introduce myself, but Martha cut in, eager to impress Mr Owell, I guess.

“Mr. Owell, this is your new secretary, I was just showing her around.”

Still, his gaze never left me, and finally, he spoke. “Good. Show her where to get me a cup of coffee and bring it to my office.” He said before he walked away.

Martha hissed under her breath and snapped at me to follow her, mumbling something about how she had better things to do.

And there I was only a few hours into New York life already caught in the crossfire of attitudes.