Chapter 3

The Next day..

As I got back home from the café I work at during the day, I picked up a bottle of water to drink water then proceeded to pack my hair into a bun, I picked up my work bag and worked my way out of the little flat I call home.

Playing with the ring on my index, I stand at the curve of the road waiting for the bus to arrive. Seeing People dressed sharply coming back from work made my heart ache a bit because I knew that no matter how much I dreamt it wasn't a luxury that I would never be able to afford.

Dreaming was just not for me anymore.

The bus finally arrived and I got on by tapping my card and finding a seat in the middle. I look out the window and watch the scenery go by. I close my eyes for a nanosecond to get myself together to face the world I was about to walk into once more. I sigh as I open my eyes as another passenger comes to sit beside me.

Finally, the bus gets to my stop and I alight.

Looking up at the neon lights of the club, I crossed the road to get in.

“Bailey, you are here early,” Robin says. He is a very dark and buff man, one of the bouncers of the place and one of the few people that ensured I was comfortable in this place. I nod, giving him a slight smile. I reach into my bag and bring out a bag of cookies I was able to take home and stretch it toward him.

“If you keep feeding me these every day then I might have to consider taking another job because you are going to make me fat.” I giggle at his statement and place the bag in his outstretched palm.

“You’re welcome anyways,” I say as I walk into the place.

The stark difference from how the club looks once the customers are in welcome me.

I sigh as I place my bag on the table and walk up to the pole to perfect my performance for the night.

Once down with that I pick up the bag once more and walk into the backroom to eat since I’m the only one here at the moment.

Two hours later, the backroom was bustling with half-clad women rushing from one point to the other. I open the transparent garnet packaging bag and pull on the outfit.

John, the club manager with slicked-back hair and a perpetual smirk, approached me. His voice was rough, like sandpaper on rusty metal.

“Angel, you are on next,” he said, his eyes scanning my body as if sizing up his newest prey. Angel was my stage name here, john gave it to me personally which i still feel is unfair because everyone here got to choose their stage themselves

I forced a smile and nodded, my fingers trembling ever so slightly.

“Good luck out there,” John added, his tone dripping with condescension.

I headed towards the stage, but before I could step onto it, Robin blocked my path. His towering frame made him look like a human wall even with the …inch heel I put on.

“Remember, Angel,” Robin said, his voice gentle despite his intimidating appearance, “you are better than this place. Do not let them break your spirit.”

I sighed, appreciating his perception but understanding the harsh reality that kept me here.

As the pounding beat of the music coursed through my body, I locked eyes with May, a fellow stripper. She had fiery red hair and a smile that hid the pain the had behind her emerald-green eyes

“Angel, you ready for another night in hell?” May shouts over the music.

I nodded, my voice got lost in the noise of the club. It was a simple question, but it held a whole lot of understanding between us. This club and the men who frequented it were the enemies we battled every night, and our weapons were seductive.

Closing my eyes and letting out a breath I open my eyes once my cue song hits and stroll towards the pole. It was way noisy out here. The chants and hoots of the men increased as I stood on my tippy toes a couple of inches away from the pole before spinning with my hold still on the metal stick.

Leaning back against it with my foot against my knee I did an outside step before clamping my knees on the pole as I dragged myself down while keeping the spin.

This made it rain almost immediately. I pull myself up in a sitting position before spinning around and landing on the floor with a split. The men round the stage stretched their hands forth and tucked wads of cash in my outfit. Doing a little more I end the performance and walk off the stage panting.

“You did well as always,” John says approaching me to collect the cash from me and proceeds to count it before handing me my share.

“ I’m short of staff today. So you will have to bartend for the rest of the night “

“But-“ He walks off, cutting me off and leaving me standing.

May was waiting for me in the backroom of the club as usual. We were each other’s wingmen. She had a bottle of water ready, knowing how thirsty I always got after a performance. With a grateful smile, I accepted the bottle and took a long, refreshing gulp.

“Great job tonight, Angel!” May exclaimed, her eyes still fixated on the stage. “You know how to work the crowd.”

I swallowed the water and blushed at the compliment and looked down at the floor. “Thanks, May. I am still trying to get the hang of it, though. It is all new to me, you know?” I say closing the bottle.

May nodded sympathetically. “I remember when I first started. It can be overwhelming, but you will get the hang of it. Just remember to keep your head held high and embrace your unique style. One step at a time.”

I let out a sigh and twirled a lock of my hair nervously. “Sometimes I feel like I am not cut out for this. I mean, I never expected to be a stripper. It is not exactly the career path I had in mind.”

May leaned closer to me, her voice soft and comforting. “Angel, don’t be so hard on yourself. We all have our reasons for being here. It is just a job, my love, nothing more. You are beautiful, talented, and deserving of the same respect as anyone else anywhere, okay?:”

Tears welled up in my eyes at the motivation and I wiped them away with the back of my hand. “Thank you, May. It means a lot to hear that from you. I guess I just need to learn to feel comfortable in my skin and not let judgments get to me.”

May smiled warmly and reached out to give me a reassuring hug. “You will get there, Angel. Trust me. If you ever need someone to talk to or have any questions about this whole place, I’m here for you.”

I nodded, feeling a newfound strength building within me. “Thank you, May. I appreciate all you do for me and we’re going to conquer this one step at a time more like one dance at a time.” I say making her giggle.

And with that shared determination

May and I faced the mirror, staring at our reflection of the women we’ve become. I picked up a wipe and wiped my makeup off since I wasn’t going back on stage while May applied an extra coat of lip gloss before heading back into the noise-filled club.

We may be strippers, but we are also strong, determined women with ambitions and aspirations beyond the stage.

Together, we would rewrite the narrative and prove that our worth extended far beyond.

I made my way over to the bar to spend the rest of the night bartending to drunk men. Twenty minutes later, John signals me to the end of the bar. I excuse myself from the customer and walk over to him.

There is a man in room six for you.”

“W-what, I d-don’t do private dances.” I stutter.

“Well, that has to change. He just paid two grand to see you so I suggest you start moving.” He says leaving me standing.

I make my way to room six and push the door. The door swung open. In the room lit with red light bulbs, I saw a man sitting confidently. In the middle of the room. He looked up at me and offered a warm smile waiting for a reaction from me, I immediately recognize him and I say,

“Who are you and why have you been following me?”