Where strippers strip

Chapter 1

Alicia's pov:

"Get the fuck out of my way. Now!."My voice was high pitched, as at the same time my gaze intensified and lit up with burning unquenchable fury, all towards him. My blazing gaze drew down to the ball in my hold and without a once-over with my brain, I found myself aiming it at his face.

Even though he could rot in hell with that throw, he caught it just in time and I could swear I saw the corner of his lip tilt up into a smirk. What the f_.

And even though I could stay with him to deflate his outgrowing ego again today, I found myself doing the direct opposite and taking to my heels. I pushed my way through the crowd with unwavering strides, and I only exhale a burst exhale when my foot hit the porch of where my source of living lies; the restaurant.

I pushed the door opened but it wouldn't budge. My eyes buldged the slightest when the glassy door showcases my boss approaching figure, and it seems to enhance my energy cause at the second trial, the door jerked opened and I raced inside the restaurant at a go.

"Sir Blake."He was turning away when I burst forward, obstructing his way with flaired arms spread across the air. His face immediately contorted with anger that I start to wonder if I had by any chance made a face in his dream and snatched his candy.

"Lex...."And here comes the name again. "Thank heavens you finally grace us with your presence."He etched a scowl at the end of his statement. And that alone gives me a bad feeling.

I know have been late for like twice. No, thrice!, or wait; I think this happens to be the sixth. Well, blame my brain for losing counts. All I know is all those times he has always given me a warning of getting a sack letter soon. And ever since, I have been wondering why Mr Blake, a man of his words, haven't taken an action on me yet.

Well, I hope now is not when am getting the red card.

"I'm so very sorry Sir Blake. You can please count this as the last time I'll ever be late and pardon me. From now, I'll start getting my younger brother ready for school early. From now, I'll pull up an earlier time of conduct and arrive at the bus station earlier so I can_"

As I rambled on with closed eyes, I tried to ignore how fast my heart was hammering against my ribcage. I never took a pause even though I was losing all oxygen. Well, until_,

"Can you shut up for a second there, Lex!."He slammed his fist against the counter and I find myself flinching back, and clamping my mouth shut. Since he's decided it was high time I hush up, I'm a nobody to hesitate.

His nose flared red with evident annoyance as he snapped his face back to my direction. He yanked something from the counter and threw it at my face, and due to its light weight, I was able to catch it midway the air.

I don't know if it's due to my fucked up brain or me not expecting I would be getting any brown-enclosed envelope soon, but, I found myself stretching forward the envelope to his reach.

"Well I guess it's been great working with you."Nine words. I never knew those nine words was enough to ruin a life until he walked past me and I found myself ripping the envelope into shreds, wanting to read its content so badly.

One was because today was just the fifteenth of the month and salaries are only given st the month's ending which isn't until two weeks from now. Two was am so scared it might turn out to be the other way round and be a sack letter.

A sack letter and a salary. Even though it's just the middle of the mouth, I still wished in my inner mind for the latter. Who knows, Sir Blake might decide to settle our salaries earlier for the first time ever.

Dear Ms Alicia Troy, sorry to inform you, but your service is no longer needed at DeliciousPop restaurant. We_

I tear up so badly than have ever done. My chest heavied with a pang of unforseen weight. In this situation, I'd like to be brave, and walk out of here with head down and then break down when I reach home, but now I know we don't always get it how we see it. 

I wanted to walk, or perhaps take a step to test if my legs haven't shit down on me but I found my legs wobbling under my feet at the trial.

'Brace up Alicia. You're more than that.' I chanted to myself, my cheeks still streaming with tears. Looking to the side, I made an eye contact with Melissa, my partner who was sitting behind the counter, and I wasn't surprised when it only lasted for just a second. Because within the next blink of my fuzzy lashes, she has looked elsewhere and was avoiding my face like a plague.

Great, I thought we were friends.

Flight or fight. I decided against the latter and bolted off. I don't know what type of devil took over me, but I think it's the merciless once cause it started dashing my pace faster up to the highway that even my blurry vision blocked down on me that I couldn't catch sight of anything whatsoever.

But when a born blaze up to my eardrum; I stopped. I halted. My body seazed.

"Are you insane?. What god-damned thing would make such a young lady want to end her life?. She could he a psychopath. Had the Samaritan not stop the car on time...

"...I would have died."I end the bitter truth of a statement out of the numerous I heard the crowd throwing at me. My lips cracked, the pit of my throat was plain sore. I felt damaged, and I wonder if I could ever be repaired.

"Alicia!, is that you?.*I could sense it. I could feel the way I was been dragged away from the scene. I could feel the way my body was been thrown over a shoulder by a bunchful and dumped on a puffy fluffy material.

The next thing I knew was a hand starts to sprinkle water all across my face. I gaped for air as my eyes fluttered open and my brain boots up, starting to condemn the sight before us with a splitting vision of the recent scenery.

"Heck."I cussed, jerking up with a start. But, before I could launch out of the familiar BMW, the door jammed closed and I was immediately held tight against the seat. My stomach churned irritably when my gaze witnessed her sight. 

Her brunette hair flowed down to her shoulder, where her body was strapped with a short crop top and a denim jacket. Her face was molded with a smile which could have pulled me into a state of comfortability there and then, but, it didn't help since I know I should be expecting the worst.

Once a lady meets her, she should be prepared to meet her doom. 

She's Miss B-Tiana. A sassy woman. Even at the age of thirty nine, she's still adamant to settle down into marriage. Instead, she choosed to still be controlling her underground brothel business that's getting whomping grands into her pocket. And of course, her invitation never ceases or expires as the girls that keeps marching into her illegal world is without a limited count.

"Damn it, Alicia. Can't you think about the fact that your perfect curves and beautifully modified body would go to a waste on your stupid decision to end your life on nothing but a sad note?. Heck, I know how much grands your body can earn me but no!, you choose to rather be six feets under the ground than be in my beautiful abode that will change your life in a blink."

Her arms was in the air as she lectured me. I also didn't miss the way some strands of her hair start to stumble across her face by each seconds, and by each chance, she always whipped it aside with an interval huff. 

I sighed exhaustedly, creasing my forehead with my palm over and over again. Her shrills going overboard my thoughts. Then, I remembered why we are having this talk. I recollected how she always finds me at the restaurant every once in a month just to drop the offer on the table.

"You'll earn triple of what you get in this localized restaurant, Alicia."was always her words. 

I felt a hold on my shoulder and that was when I trail away from my thoughts to look at her. I noticed she must have comported herself back onboard cause she soon flashed me a toothy grin.

"And you know what darling?, the offer is still on the table. No matter how long it takes for you to see this will forever be the best offer you'll ever get...."A pause. Well, she might be right there cause the lowlife money I get at the restaurant couldn't even get us through a week. "... just know the offer still stands.",she finished, seating upright and crossing her arms over her chest, whilst maintaining a straight face.

"Well, you can leave now. Have a great day."

Though have been anticipating nothing than getting out of her car, I found my legs trapped on the spot in refusal to move. I let myself flashback to how I have to make ends meet just so I can get my younger aged seven brother through school. I let myself remember am the only one my brother looks upon to make the world a easy pace for his young self. 

And as I looked down at the crumpled paper embedded in my tightened fist, that spelt my failure and inability to keep a job, I knew it was high time I take this route before me. There and then, I didn't care if am going to be joining the reputation tainting business. Cause, immediately I opened my mouth, I found myself claiming the deal with the devil. 

"I'm in."

That was how I entered the contract and became a seductress for the most popular underground brothel world. Maybe or maybe not I'll welcome it with spread arms, I know not.

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TBC