2

 “Hey Sophia, I’m gonna go to work now, babe,” I informed her.

“Stay safe from the creeps at the bar,” she replied with a smile, before reaching for the television remote to change the channel.

I chuckled in response, amused.

“I will, don’t stay up too late, babe.” I grinned.

She nodded at me, absorbing herself into watching Prison Break. I gave her a small smile before I headed to my car, locking the door behind me.

Before I knew it, I was driving down the motorway in London at high speed. I felt bad for lying to my sister, but I was too ashamed to tell her where I really worked.

Too ashamed to tell her that I was a stripper.

She was too young, and I didn’t want her to get involved in these things at her age. She was still a teenager, and I was in my twenties. I couldn’t let her into this disgusting world…

It was for the best.

I didn’t want this life for her. I was only doing it for the money in the hope that one day, things would get better for us, and we wouldn’t have to keep living on the bare minimum in a council estate, in an area full of crime.

Sophia could never follow in my footsteps. I wanted her to go through a proper education. To have the chance to succeed, and get the best shot at life.

The chance that I never had.

***

I arrived at the strip club, leaving my car in the car park. I made my way inside, the loud music roaring in my ears. I searched around the area, doing my best to figure out where Boss was. It was really busy today, and there were so many clients here. Men in their sixties getting lap dances, the strippers getting money thrown on them while they ground their hips against the men’s bodies. I locked my eyes with Polly, one of the strippers I knew here. The man was rubbing her ass with his hand, and she looked really uncomfortable. I felt terrible for her. Touching was never meant to be a part of this line of work, just dancing, but obviously, some disgusting men just couldn’t help themselves…

“You’re late, you bitch!” came a roaring voice, causing me to jolt upwards and snap out of my thoughts. I turned around, my heart hammering against my chest, only to realise I was standing face-to-face with Boss. He’d found me…

And he looked ready to murder.

“You’ve got some nerve turning up here an hour late, I pay your fucking wages,” he barked angrily, rattling his fists. “I’ve had ten men waiting for a performance since eight o’clock. You’re losing me too much goddamn money!”

I did my best to swallow down a lump that had caught in my throat, my eyes brimming with tears. I bit my lip to stop the tears from falling, feeling angry and humiliated, my insides twisting into knots. I should have been used to this treatment by now, but whenever Boss spoke to me like this, like I was a dog, a rabid animal, it always tipped me over the edge.

“I’m really sorry, Boss, I had to take care of some things…” I stumbled, doing my best to rectify the situation.

“I don’t wanna hear your lousy excuses,” he snarled, cutting me off. “I’d fire you on the spot, but the regulars have taken quite a liking to you.” He rolled his eyes. “So instead, you’ll be punished. The money will be deducted from your wages, and you’ll have to do unpaid overtime.”

I drew out a deep breath, shaking my head, feeling defeated. I was so tired of having my wages cut, when the only reason I was doing this job was because of how desperate I was for the money. It was always a sting to the chest whenever Boss didn’t pay me enough. It was hard enough for me to get by as it was.

“And how many times have I told you to get changed before you come into my club?” he sighed, shaking his head at my outfit. “Fucking hell, Raven, just get out of my damn sight.”