Chapter 3

City life is so much different from small-town life. The environment is louder, the people are busier, and time flies faster. Six months have passed, and Patricia already learned how to acclimate. She no longer cries at night, missing her dad and the town she grew up in. Acceptance has finally come to her. But it doesn't mean that she no longer remembers. The memory of her past is still fresh in her mind, and there are times that she would suddenly stop and remember those happy days.

-Flashback-

It's the festivity season for the town of Hillsborough in Raleigh, North Carolina. People are busy every single day because of the preparations for the upcoming events. The Queen of Hillsborough, the town parade, the unique race contest, and the town's garage sales. Three names are at the top for the Queen of Hillsborough. There's the Sheriff's daughter Lindsay, the football team's muse Carrie, and Patricia.

Lindsay is the daughter of the most respected man in town, and her mother just died. Many already think that she will win because of sympathy votes. Carrie is a wonderful young lady. She's tall, curves in all the right places, and considerably intelligent. But Anthony Harrington won't go down without a fight. He campaigned for his daughter. Flaunted every achievement she had and how she is better at being a role model. Because, why not? She goes to church regularly, and she even serves as a youth leader.

"Dad? What are you doing?" Patricia asked her dad, shocked to see him outside her school giving out flyers.

"I'm campaigning for you, of course." He said proudly." Everybody knows that you're the most deserving candidate." He added.

"Dad, you don't have to," Patricia responded while smiling widely. She knew her dad would do something she would not expect to help her. That's how much Anthony loved his only daughter. Since Violet died, Anthony's attention got focused on Patricia. He doted on her even more.

"Of course, I have to. You're my daughter, and I love you." He replied before putting his arms around her shoulder. "Besides, you're born to be a queen." He added, then they started walking towards their cars.

-End of Flashback-

Patricia smiled as she remembered how supportive her dad was with everything she did. Whether academically, extracurricular, or with her personal life. Her dad was always there for her. He was supporting her, loving her, protecting her. The realization that they were not blood-related is like being stabbed with a knife in her chest. She feels like dying because of the pain, but she doesn't have a choice other than to accept it.

She went out to buy some things for herself and her son. Tasha was kind enough to give her money so she can buy what they need. She refused, but Tasha insisted at least until she found a job. Having no other choice, she accepted the money. While walking her way to the grocery store, Patricia saw an older man with a middle-aged woman who called him dad.

"Careful with your head, dad." The woman warned her father while she placed her hand in between his head and the roof of the car as he gets in.

"Thank you, baby." The older man replied, smiling lovingly at his daughter.

"Dad, I'm old, so stop calling me baby." The middle-aged woman replied while laughing.

"I know, but as long as I'm alive, I am your father, and you're my baby." He answered sweetly.

That scenario put a smile on Patricia's face. It made her wonder where her birth parents are and why they gave her away. She can't think of any reason how she ended up with the Harringtons. Even her mom didn't seem to know that she was not theirs. Her birth certificate says they were her parents. She even has hospital records of her birth. Thinking about her real parents made her come up with a decision. She needs to find her real parents.

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At home, Patricia is taking care of her son. Even though she doesn't feel any love for him, she thinks that she doesn't have a choice. Also, she can see that Tasha is not happy whenever she sees Patricia neglecting her baby. A few minutes later, she heard voices outside her room, which is right next to Tasha's. It was her and a man she doesn't recognize. A customer, she thinks.

She can hear the footsteps, the rustling of clothes being taken off their bodies, and the sound of lips kissing. For the past six months, she learned to get used to the life Tasha has. Beggars can't be choosers, as the saying goes. She's living in Tasha's place. Eating her food, occupying her space, so she doesn't have the right to complain. Patricia continued folding her clothes when her eyes landed on her son.

-Flashback-

"Hi! You're Patricia, right?" It took three seconds before Patricia was able to answer. She was stunned by the handsome face staring back at her. He's got the perfect white teeth and beautiful blue eyes.

"Uh—yeah—yes, I am." She finally answered, despite the stuttering.

"Denver. It's so nice to meet you finally." The young man said. "God, you're so beautiful."

Denver looked sincerely mesmerized by her beauty. He couldn't take his eyes off her. And that made Patricia blush. "Are you new in town?" Patricia asked instead to hide her silly reaction.

"Yes, I just moved in on my cousin's house. You? Are you a townie?" Denver asked back.

"Born and raised." The young man seemed nice, and Patricia felt comfortable around him in an instant.

-End of Flashback-

Patricia remembered the first time she met Denver. The charismatic, handsome young man who just moved into their town. They fell in love pretty quickly, or maybe she fell in love with him pretty quickly. At first, she thought he did love her. He was always there whenever she joins a competition. He was very supportive and caring, much like her dad. It's one of the reasons why she fell in love with him. She thought if she would marry, she wanted to be with a man who loves her as her dad loved her. But later, she realized that everything was a lie. The moment she told Denver that she was pregnant, he left town.

"Hey, you're somewhere else again." Tasha snapped her back to reality. "What were you thinking?" Tasha then asked.

"Oh, nothing. He's gone already?" Patricia asked, changing the topic.

"Yeah," Tasha said while laughing. "His wife called, and I was at the bathroom. I didn't know he was on the phone with someone. So when I came out of the bathroom and called him babe, his wife was enraged." Tasha then showed her a bundle of cash. "At least he paid."

Every time Patricia sees her get paid by her customer, a thought always popped out of her mind. She couldn't make up her mind because she still respects herself. But she started thinking, in her current situation, she can't be all about respect. She has to earn for herself and her son. And she knows that respect wouldn't do that.

"Tasha, I want to come with you to the club. I want to work." Patricia finally made up her mind.

"What? Are you sure?" Tasha asked, shocked by Patricia's sudden decision. "Pat, no one's forcing you to work, okay? You can take your time—"

"I already made up my mind, Tash. I want to work in the club you're working at." Patricia cuts her off.

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By nightfall, Tasha and Patricia are already on their way to the strip club. The beautiful best friend found an overnight nanny who would look after Patricia's baby. On their way to the club, Tasha would look at Patricia, who's staring outside the window of the cab. She watches the people they passed by.

"If you're having second thoughts, we can still go back," Tasha said out of concern.

"I'm fine, Tash. Just watching the hustle in the street." Patricia said, smiling. "I'm starting to like it here in New York. It's lively, welcoming, and full of opportunity."

Patricia sounded sincere, so best friend believed her. "Who are you, and what did you do to my friend?" Tasha joked.

"I just listened to your advice, you know." Patricia jokingly said, making it sound like she blames Tasha.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you just blame me?" They both laughed because of it.

As the days go by, Patricia learned that Tasha is not just a pretty face and beautiful body. She's also fun to be with and very generous. She always has an open mind about everything. Patricia noticed that Tasha never says anything without knowing the whole story. She always knows the right thing to say. She admires that about her newfound friend.

"Anyway, since you're already decided," Tasha remembered to give tips about working as a stripper. "Listen to what I'm about to say because these are critical things that you have to keep in mind. First, never fall in love with a customer. That's a big no-no. You'll only get hurt. Second, always go for the ones who know how to pay. You're working; you're not doing charity for sexually deprived men. And lastly, don't use drugs. That will destroy your life, honey."

Patricia recited Tasha's reminders in her mind over and over again. She knew that she needs to remember those things if she wants to make money to start a new life. She needs to be intelligent, cold-hearted. Being soft won't do her any good. It already broke her once, and she won't let it happen to her again.

"Uncle Bob, this is the friend that I was telling you about." Tasha greeted a decent-looking man. "This is Patricia. Pat, this is Uncle Bob." Uncle Bob looked at Patricia with scrutinizing eyes, noticing her long, wavy hair, tall height, slim figure, and beautiful eyes.

"You're beautiful, but you're not from around here, are you?" Uncle John asked.

"No, I'm from North Carolina," Patricia answered.

"I knew, you had that small-town vibe on you. Okay, you can start now. Tasha, teach her." With that, Uncle Bob turned around and leave.

Patricia was hired. Tasha took her to the dressing room and gave her a pair of sexy dresses that she can wear. Tasha also let her use her six inches stiletto until she saves enough money for a new one and helps with her make-up. After they finished fixing themselves, Tasha and Patricia went out of the dressing room and sat on the waiting lounge.

Tasha told her some other things that she needs to know about being a stripper. The do's and don'ts and how to deal with perverts. Patricia also watched all the performers on stage before she was called to perform as what they call an "audition." She knows a thing or two about dancing, so she didn't have a hard time learning the moves she needs.

And as the night passed by, she met a few customers, got some drinks and tips, and even had a customer who promised her that he would come back for her. Tasha told her not to say yes to a customer on their first meet. She told her that she needs to make them crave for her. Play with their fantasies and leave them hungry to make her say yes.

"You did great!" Tasha greeted her happily when she came back after accompanying her last customer to the door.

"Look at what I got." She waved the four hundred dollar bills that the customer gave her. "I've got a total of seven hundred tonight. Can you believe it?" Patricia proudly said.

"Good job, girl!" Tasha exclaimed. "Make sure to keep some for your savings, okay? That's very important." Tasha reminded her.

"I can't thank you enough, Tash. I really can't imagine how I would stand up from that stone bench I was sitting on that day if you didn't approach me. You saved my life, you know." Patricia said sincerely. By the end of the night, Patricia was able to take home a thousand dollars, but something about her left. Something fundamental.