THE DEAL

“You’re not going to force me into a marriage because of the debt you owe.” I spat, my cheeks tear-stained, and my fist tightened at my sides.

"I have your mother's last remaining item, so you will agree." He said, a smirk playing on his lips. Why is he so mean? I'm sure my mom left it with him so he'll give it to me.

My jaw tightened as a new wave of tears escaped my eyes, and my fist clenched by my side. My stepfather always had a way of getting people to comply with his demands. 

"All right. Let's get this over with,” I agreed through gritted teeth, my knuckles turning white by my side.

He replied, "Good," and proceeded to retrieve some documents from the table. He came over with the papers, beaming from ear to ear.

He opened the paperwork. “You’ll sign here and here,” he said, pointing at an empty space for a signature and name. He handed the pen over to me.

I scanned through the document, and of course it had lots of conditions and things I had to do and things I should abstain from. The rules were so damn many; I should please him, I should attend to his sexual needs, and I shouldn’t come in contact with other men. The one I found quite funny was that I shouldn’t fall for him. Why will I even fall for someone who is going to ruin my once peaceful life when I sign the documents? I took in a deep breath and let it all out. My pen hovered over the paperwork, a part of me hating the fact I had to sign the paperwork. My knuckles tightened on the pen, but eventually I had to sign because I really needed to get the one last thing my mother left for me before she passed away. Immediately, I closed the papers before I changed my mind and shredded the paper into pieces

“I’m done,” I announced, dropping the pen with a loud thud on the paperwork. My vein popped out of my body; my breathing raged. “ “Now, can I have the necklace?”

He didn't respond; instead, he dropped the necklace on my palms and walked away. Thank goodness he is gone now; finally, some alone time. Just as I mouthed yes, a few seconds after, he stopped in his tracks like he just remembered something.

“Prepare yourself. You’ll be taken tomorrow.” My mood dropped when he announced that. There was I, thinking of how I will enjoy my few days here before I leave, but eventually things changed. 

My stepdad left me alone in the parlor for good. I needed to calm my mind for a while and at least enjoy my only day of freedom before I'll be taken. I knew just the right person that could help with that: Clara, my best friend.

I retrieved my phone from my pocket and dialed her number. It rang for the first time, and on the second ring, she picked up.

“Hey Zia,” she greeted with the nickname she calls me a lot; her voice was barely audible from the loud music in her background.

“Hey,” I replied flatly. “Today is the worst day of my life; you got something that could clear my mind.”

“What’s up, girl? You don't sound too good. “Spill it out,” she said, concern filling her tone. “Is it your dad again?” she questioned in that calm, concerning tone of hers that never failed to make my heart warm.

“Yeah, it’s my dad; he just forced me into something I didn’t want to do.  Don’t want to talk much about it; I just want to clear my mind now. Could you help me with that?” I muttered, my voice low and feeble.

“If you say so,” she shrugged, and I was kind of glad she didn’t press further on the matter.

"You were saying you need to clear your mind from something; I could help with that," she answered, mischievously, in the kind of tone she uses when she's cooking up something wild and crazy. 

“How?” I asked, kind of curious what next crazy thing she had cooking up.

 

“Come over to the club just a few blocks from my apartment if you want to find out how” she voiced out and ended the call, not even waiting for a response frrom my side. no wonder i could hear loud music in her background because she was aat the club.

I climbed upstairs to my room to have a change of clothes. I changed into a mini skirt that barely covered my thighs and hinted at a part too near my butt, along with a backless crop top that showed of my back in detail. It exposed my cleavage, and I'm sure with this dress on I may grab unusual attention, making me feel exposed. I quickly applied a little makeup and carried my handbag outt of my room before I thought of changing my dress.

I stepped out of the house, and the cool night breeze came in contact with my skin, my teeth chattered, and my hands instinctively flew to my body to shield myself from the cold. I quickly hailed a cab; I didn't want to keep Clara waiting. 

The ride wasnt long, it just took less than twenty minutes before I arrived. I stepped out of the vehicle about to pay the taxi driver but he disagreed. 

“How can a damsel like you be paying for her own ride.” the taxi driver complimented, fucking me with his eyes making me fell naked and expooseed. I knew doing this will bring attention and I wasnt a fan of that. The annoying thing was that, he looked like he was in his early fifties.

He licked his lips seductively staring at my clevage. “How about we share a bliissful night I promise you wont forget it.” Bile rose in my stomach from his actions and words. For crying out loud this man seemed to be in his early fiftes_old enough to be my father.

I threw the dollar bill on the man face not even waiting for my change, I dashed out and went straight to the club.