Chapter 4: A Stripper named Aqua

THAT NIGHT

 

 

KAL POV

 

I jerk up from my bed with sweat on my face and body.

 

"Not again!" I groan as I remember the nightmare haunting and frustrating me for years.

 

It was twenty-two years ago when I was eight years old. That fateful Saturday, my parents had taken me to the park. Our main objective was to go there and have fun, but luck wasn't on my side that day as my parents got into an argument like they always did. I couldn't take it, so I wandered off with my soccer ball and into the highway.

 

I was only eight years old, and I knew nothing. A car was coming my way, and I was too shocked and transfixed to move. And trying not to hit me, the driver swerved the vehicle, and it drove into the bush and a ditch.

 

I ran back to my parents and saw a little girl crying as they brought out her dead parents and rolled them away. I have lived with the guilt ever since that day.

 

I couldn't tell anyone what had happened. It was all my fault that those people lost their lives. It was all my fault, and now I'm always having unstoppable nightmares about it.

 

I get up from my bed and enter the bathroom, where I take a cold shower. That should calm my nerves a little and reduce the tension.

 

After showering, I look at myself in the mirror. I wish I could meet this girl one day and apologize to her. If I do, will she forgive me?

 

 

***

 

The next day, I sit in my office looking lost and frustrated. My mood isn't a good one, and anyone that annoys me today will get a dose of my bad mood. After that nightmare last night, I couldn't concentrate on anything.

 

Whenever I try to do something, that image will always appear in my head, making me lose focus. I don't know what to do anymore. I am still lost in thoughts when the sound of my phone brings me back to earth.

 

I look at the caller ID, and it is Allegra. What does she want this time around? I'm not in a good mood now. Why is she calling me?

 

I hesitated for a while before picking up the phone and answering the call. "What is it?"

 

"Come on, Kal, you can't even greet me?" she says from the other end, and I roll my eyes as if she can see me.

 

"Why did you call? Don't you know that I‘m in the office? Aren't you supposed to be working too?" I ask.

 

"Three questions all at once. Which one should I answer first?" She chuckles, and it only annoys me more.

 

"Your choice," I answer through gritted teeth.

 

"I was thinking if we could hang out tonight," she says quickly, and I can hear a trace of nervousness in her voice.

 

"That wasn't the answer to my questions," I snapped at her for dodging my question.

 

"Come on, Kal. Fine! I'm not working today, and you aren't going to work at night either. That's why I want us to hang out."

 

"I'm busy and can't hang out," I retort as Achilles enters the office.

 

"You aren't busy at night. Stop turning me down like this." She whines.

 

"Glad you know that I'm turning you down. I have always told you that there can never be anything between us. You're just a mistress. Nothing more, so get that into your fucking head." I ended the call abruptly.  

 

I drop the phone on the table and ruffle my hair. Why are ladies like this? For crying out loud, don't they have a bit of shame? Why would you be throwing yourself on a man? I'm getting tired of all these. Screw them all! None of them can ever be as disciplined as the one I met at the strip club.

 

"Somebody is acting cranky today," Achilles says, and I glare at him.

 

"I can't remember telling you to come here. You have your own office, don't you? And if you want to tell me something, there is a telephone. What are you doing here?"

 

"Hey, man! Because some bitch got you angry doesn't mean you should transfer your aggression on me," he fires back, and he is correct, but I am not going to let him know.

 

"You all are annoying me today. Just tell me why you are here and get out. I need some breathing space."

 

I am serious, but he laughs.

 

"Alright, I came to ask if you're going to visit the strip club today again," he says, and I look at him.

 

"Why are you asking me that?" I say, narrowing him a gaze of suspicion.

 

"I am asking because the last time I took you there without letting you know that it's a strip club, you almost ripped my throat out."

 

I want to laugh but hold it in. So, is he trying to say he is scared of me now? Nice!

 

"I’m not going to the strip club with you," I say and switch on my laptop, ready to divert my attention from him.

 

"Are you serious? You don't wanna go?"

 

"Was there food in my mouth when I said it?" I retorted uneasily.

 

"For once, stop your mean attitude. You can be mean to others but not me, okay?" He sounded mad.

 

"Whatever!" I roll my eyes.

 

"So, if you aren't going to the strip club, then that means you won't be able to see that black stripper who intrigued you."

 

I know he is trying to get to me.

 

I look up to meet his eyes. "Do I look like a baby to you? Do you think I would get swayed by that?"  

 

"I don't think so at all. But I know you want to see her again, don't you?" He winks at me.

 

"Achilles," I called.

 

"Hm?"

 

"Why do I feel like going to this strip club is for your sake?" I ask and see him stiffen.

 

"Wh...What do you mean?" he stutters.

 

"I mean, there is someone you want to see at that club. Who is that?" I ask.

 

"No one. We only go to the strip club to have fun like the other day," he defended, but I am not going to buy any of that.

 

"I'm your friend, Achilles. You can tell me anything." I try to convince him to spill and see him bite his lips nervously.

 

"Okay, fine! I want to see one of the strippers," he admits.

 

"Why?" I ask.

 

"No reason; I just wanted to see her," he says.

 

"You have a reason! Come on, spill it." I urge him, and he hesitates before letting it out.

 

"I like her!" he spills.

 

"What!" I shout and burst into laughter.

 

Achilles? Like a stripper? Since when?

 

"Repeat what you just said," I say to him, snickering.

 

"I said that I like her," he affirmed boldly, and I laughed again.

 

"How? I don't understand." I rub the bridge of my nose with my index finger.

 

"Neither do I. She is the only one I think of day and night; The thoughts of her mostly cloud my mind. I refer to it as love at first sight."

 

I laughed again.

 

“Why? What do you see in her, Achilles? You that I know eat every pussy you see but not to the extent of liking the one who owns it.”

 

“Well, I’m being truthful; she's beautiful, sexy, and doesn't hide who she is. The way she talks makes me feel we both understand one another.” Achilles pouts.

 

“Goodness, father,” I burst out laughing. “C’mon, man; you haven't eaten this one out. That's why you're giving me the theory of love."

 

“I’m not kidding you,” he added.

 

"What is the name of this stripper that has turned my friend into a poet?" I ask.

 

"Her name is Susan, but her stripping name is Aqua."