Chapter 6

   "Juneee!!!" June's sister, Layla screamed as she ran to hug her as her big sister, as she appeared in the hallway where their mum's room was situated in the hospital. It had been over a week since the last time June had paid a visit to the hospital and seen her little sister. Their mum had been sick for quite awhile but June couldn't afford to just sit with them at the hospital, the bills weren't going to pay themselves.

   "I need to speak to Doctor Rachel first, okay?" Layla nodded and June gave her a kiss on her forehead and told her to go back to their mum. The doctor was glad to see June in good condition but her face told June there wasn't much good news to share.

   With Layla satisfied and her mum finally asleep after crying, June kissed them both goodbye, promised to come see them more often and left the hospital to go for her first job.

   The convenience store was quiet as June walked into it that morning. She straightened the front of the dress she had worn from the hotel as she walked to the back to get changed. She glanced in the mirror and noticed how swollen her eyes were but it wasn't time to dwell on her appearance. She hadn't been doing that unless it was at night and even then, she always wore a mask.

   Unlike the strip club where she had to keep her identity hidden, June went about her daily life without any mask so it was quite tasking to keep her swollen eyes hidden from the public view. Doctor Rachel had revealed to her the depth of her mum's illness and the surgery that she needed to undergo to ensure she didn't die

   "Helloo, excuse me, I said I'd like to buy some base balls, where can I find them?" June shook her head as she tried to concentrate on the woman that was already visibly upset.

   "I'm sorry ma'am, how may I help you?" The woman's frown deepened as she repeated her request for the third time. June was already mentally scolding herself, why had she drifted off all of a sudden?

   "I..said, I would like to be directed to where I can find baseballs" June apologized again as she pointed towards the third aisle and watched as the woman moved towards it after mumbling a stiff "thank you"

   June gave herself a mental shake as she tried to not let her mind wander. Yes, she had lot of stuff going on but she had to concentrate on her job if she was going to get a chance to settle her mum's hospital bills.

   "Thank you" the woman murmured again as she paid and left. The rest of the day went in a blur and before long, it was 3pm, time for June's next job. She gave Sharon, her coworker a slight hug as she hurriedly changed and almost ran out the door.

   Unlike the convenience store, the Cafe didn't condone even a minute lateness and June knew she needed the job and the money that came with it. Her two jobs combined didn't give her as much as she got from the strip club but it was an opportunity for her to earn a honest living and she wasn't about to waste it.

   "Four cups of iced coffee, two slices of cake and two doughnuts, please" a brunette smiled up at June as she took her order. The girl had walked into the Cafe with three of herfriends and June suspected they were college students. It was quite obvious though, they had those big books and two of them were slaving away at their laptop and June couldn't help the feeling of longing that filled her body.

   "Ma'am, you're spilling the coffee" the girl's voice brought June back to the present and she realized she was actually spilling the coffee, the cup was full already.

   "I'm so sorry" June apologized as she struggled to clean up the mess with toilet papers. The girl smiled and took the cups that were full from the counter. She waited patiently for June to sort herself out and when she was done, the girl smiled at her as she collected the items she had ordered.

   "I wish every customer was like that girl from earlier, you know"June's coworker said as June prepared to end her shift. The girl had been heaven sent and June was grateful but She had a whole load of things on her mind and the most prominent one was the scolding that awaited her back at the strip club.

   As June came out of the Cafe she decided it would be best to phone Anita and make enquiries about the club and Stephen's mood. She had to make a pitstop at the hospital which automatically meant she was going to be performing at the club that night.

    June knew whatever punishment she was going to be getting for her actions, would be determined by Stephen's mood but she was also aware she was walking on thin ice. She had missed days before but this time around, it was entirely different.

   Anita answered on the third ring, "Hey girl, it's way past our time. Why aren't you here yet?" I took a deep breath as I hailed a taxi in front of the hospital.

   "I had to deal with important stuff. Is Stephen mad?" Anita laughed and I knew instantly that I was in trouble.

 "Upset would be flattering, the man is pissed, June. Get here as fast as you can" Anita said and June heard her talking to someone before the line went dead. Shit.

   "Here" June told the taxi driver as he pulled up in front of the bar. It wasn't yet 10 but June could see the men leaving the club, that wasn't a good sign at all. She knew most of them came to see her performance but she had been absent. Stephen was definitely going to make her pay for it. Shit.