Chapter 01_The Engagement

HIS PRIVATE STRIPPER

 {He owns Her}

Chapter one.

 Amy's Eatery;; 5:30pm

 Jasmine walked into the kitchen ready to take the last order.

 “Some Collard greens” She said to the chef who quickly fixed the dishes.

 She walked back, serving the dish. She could feel the gaze from the man. Furthermore, she's just a common waitress, for crying out loud. Can't they just keep their lustful eyes to themselves? But she can't really blame them, but this silly uniform that clings to her body so tightly, bringing out her curves.

 She felt the man's hands on her butt. She gritted her teeth and moved away from him, still serving his meal.

 She hates only one thing, and that's getting harassed. Likewise, she isn't a sl*t, no she isn't, neither is she one of those loose strippers.

She felt his hands on her butt again. She glared at him angrily and moved away slightly. On a norm, hell will break loose. But Ms Amy has threatened to reduce her salary and doing so, There won't be anything left.

 “Pretty lady,,, There's no need to be shy. Come on. If you want, we can go somewhere quiet if you want” He said. She took a glance at him and he winked. Taking a look to see, he's ancient. Yeah, old enough to be her father or, probably, her uncle.

 She ignored him. It's a good thing she's done serving his meal. She took the tray and turned to leave.

 “How much do you want? $100 or more? Just name your price” He said, spanking her butt.

 That's it! Enough is an enough!! She's done tolerating this crap.

 Jasmine turned swiftly, letting her hands land freely on his face. The sound echoing across the Eatery. Loud gasped, someone who could probably be the same age as his daughter or son, Whatever?

 “You little brat! How dare you?” He groused, standing up,, but Jasmine didn't flinch. She just kept glaring angrily at him.

 “Shouldn't you be ashamed? Do I look like a slut to you? Jasmine said, fuming in anger.

 “You dare raise your hands at me?”

 “What's going on here?” Ms Amy said coming into view.

 “Is this how Ill mannered your waitresses are?” The old man asked.

 “I'm sorry, Mr. Clerk, I'll see to it” Ms Amy said.

 “You should Amy! Maybe have her fired” he said.

 “Once again, I'm sorry about that Mr. Clerk. You can enjoy your meal now while I speak to my employee” She said and glared at me.

 “Oh! I've lost my appetite. You can have the meal to yourself” He said and walked away.

 “… Uh, Mr. Clerk! Mr. Clerk, hold on….” Ms Amy called, but he was gone.

 She turned to the other customers with a sweet but fake smile…. “Sorry for the inconvenience. Enjoy your meal” She said then turned to Jasmine with a deep frown.

 “… My office now!” She stormed away.

.

.

 She tapped her nails furiously on her glass of wine, giving Jasmine a very harsh glare.

 This isn't the first time she'd be reprimanded for defending herself. So, there's no need pretending to be afraid when she's not.

She looked elsewhere, but definitely not Ms Amy's eyes. Her glares would be sending her into an early grave.

 “What was that stunt you pulled out there, Jasmine?”

 Ms Amy carefully kept her glass of wine on the table… “f*cking speak, Jasmine!” She banged the table, letting the wine spill.

 “Ms Amy, I was only defending myself” Jasmine said.

 “Really? And it resulted to you slapping him, an old man?”

 “I had to, I tried my best not to react, but he kept pushing it, so I had to put him in his place”.

 Ms Amy fumed in anger…. “Mr. Clerk is one of my most influential customer. He's the reason my business keeps booming. And you slapped him?” 

 Jasmine mentally rolled her eyes. People like Mr. Clerk is the reason her business keeps booming. Not the Eatery, but Amy's club. Yeah, She has a club, and it's right beside the Eatery and very soon, the stripper's gets down to business entertaining this old hanged men. 

 “He called me a slut, ma'am, that isn't the right word”. Jasmine said.

 Ms Amy squinted her eyes, walking towards Jasmine, and stopped close to her.

“Tell me Jasmine, What exactly are you trying to hide, uh?” She paused… "Is it your b**bs?” she asked, poking my br*ast. 

 She walked behind me and spanked my butt. I gasped and moved away.

 “Or is it your butt?” She completed. “ You have what it takes, Jasmine. Become one of my strippers and I pay you double of what you earn” She offered.

 “Ms Amy, I'm happy with my waitress Job. I'm not someone who'll shamelessly showcase my body” Jasmine said.

 “Isn't your brother's condition getting worse? You still prefer your meager income” Ms Amy said.

 Jasmine felt a sting in her heart…. Her brother's condition is something that kills her daily.

“I- I have to go to Ms Amy. I'm…. I'm done for the day” I said in a cracked voice.

“You can leave…. but next time, don't try what you did today, I won't hesitate in firing you this time” She said, and I nodded rushing out.

 I rushed into the restroom and to my locker. I pulled out my clothes, changing into it.

 My cellphone rang, I checked the caller to see it's Adam.

 Adam's my only friend. He's been there for me ever since the death of my parents. When my parent's house was confiscated, Adam made me and my little brother, Jace stay with him. He works at the hospital as a Janitor. He watches over Jace whenever I'm working.

 “Adam!” I said tiredly, picking up the call.

“Jasmine!!…. Jasmine” He panicked.

 “What… What happened, What happened to Jace?" I asked.

 “Jace,Jace, He. He…” He stuttered.

“F*cking speak Adam” She yelled.

 “He collapsed Jasmine” He dropped the bombshell.

 “What?” she yelled again.

She quickly grabbed her purse and ran out. It's a good thing she saw a cab, which she quickly boarded, giving the cab man directions.

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.

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 Nolan's Residence;;;

 Liam walked into his Mansion but halted abruptly when he saw a figure sitting on his sofa.

 He squinted his eyes…. “Mom?” He called when it finally dawned on him.

 She got up with a smile on her face… “Oh, my baby's back” She grinned widely, moving close for an embrace.

 She kissed his cheek, hugging him more tightly.

 “Too. Tight. Mom.” He managed to say.

 His mom left him… “Come, dinner's served”

She made him sit and began to dish out the meal.

 “Uhm, mom, Where are the maids?” Liam asked.

 “I asked them to retire to their quarters. I wanted to cook for you myself” She said.

 “What are you doing here, Mom?” Liam asked after a long silence.

 “To pay you a visit, son, Your dad and I miss you so much”

 “I've been busy mom” 

“You work so hard, son, yet you come back to an empty house. No one to look after you” 

 Liam sighed, he knows there's more to this visit.

 He began to dig into his food, ignoring his mom. He isn't in no mood for relationships talks. But his mom isn't someone to give up instead, she kept on talking.

 “…. No wife,,, Not even a girlfriend to care and love you. Isn't your life so boring?” 

 “Mom, I'm not ready to be in a relationship with anyone” I said frankly.

 “Liam, You aren't getting any younger. Don't you want to be called a Dad? Don't you want to feel the joy of having a family?” His mom asked.

 “Mom…. I just haven't found the right one.”

“Nevertheless, saving you the stress, I've found someone suitable for you son” Mom said. I stopped eating, trying to process everything.

 She found someone for me? My gaze turned into a squint.

 “Yes. She's my friend's daughter. Her name's Claudia and she's a model. Currently, she's at California but soon, she'll be back to Singapore. I've known her for a while and I must say she's really nice. She's beautiful and sexy. Hold on; I have her picture on my phone… Here” Mom said, showing me a picture on her phone. I moved in my gaze from Mom to the picture. I didn't stare at it for long before moving my gaze away.

 “Isn't she beautiful?” She asked but I ignored, focusing on my food.

  "According to her parents, she'll be back in a week and hopefully, your engagement commences" 

I felt a loud bang on my head. Engagement?

  "Mom stop.... Just f*cking stop" I said trying not to yell.

  "How can you plan my engagement without my consent? I mean, the so-called girl is someone I know absolutely nothing of".

 "That's the more reason we parents have agreed to get you two engaged, so it's enough time for you both to get to know each other before moving to the next step" She said.. Excitement written all over her face.

 "That's the more reason we parents have agreed to get you two engaged, so it's enough time for you both to get to know each other before moving to the next step" She said.. Excitement written all over her face.

"No,, No.. I'm not getting engaged to some girl. No mom, it's a No!" 

 His mom suddenly banged the table getting up.

  "That only means you're gay, Liam Nolan is a gay" She said and he quickly shook his head.

 "Then prove me wrong; Get engaged to Claudia or find a wife you love before the engagement date. Or I'll finally believe you're gay" She said, took her paurse and walked out.

 Liam groaned fustratedly. He stood, picked his suit, heading to his room.

   City Life Hospital;;;

  Jasmine paid the cab driver off quickly, running into the hospital like someone insane. Her tears almost blinding her.

  She didn't even look at Adam who was up on his feet close to the ward. She barged into the ward disturbing the doctors and nurses.

  She paused when she saw how pale her brother looked. So many tubes connected to his body. The life machine beeping and reading slowly.

  Doctor Carl signaled one of his nurses to take Jasmine outside. 

 "Ms, You have to leave! please" The nurse said pushing her slightly.

 "My.. My brother, What's wrong with him?" 

  "We're trying our best ma'am. But you have to give us some space. We'll get back to you" The nurse said finally pushing her out of the ward closing the door.

  "Jasmine??" Adam called and she quickly turned hugging him and bursting into tears.

 "It's okay, Jace would be fine. This isn't the first time he'd collapsed and he always pulled through" He confronted.

  She pulled away from the hug... "But with every collapse, I'm scared that would be the end"

 "No... Don't say that. He's gonna be fine" Adam said hugging her.

   After a while, doctor Carl walked out and they both sprang up to their feet.

  "How's my brother?" Was all Jasmine asked.

 He sighed... "We've managed to stabilize him for now" He said.

 Jasmine heaved a sigh of relief.... "How did he collapsed?" She asked again.

 "He was found playing. Even when he became tired, he didn't stop. One of my nurses actually saw him and asked him to stop but he refused. That only triggered the affected blood to become active making him collapse".

  Jasmine nodded... "Thank you Doctor. Can I see him?"

"No, He needs to rest without any form of disturbance. I'd advise you go home and come back tomorrow".

 "Okay doctor" She said and the doctor walked away.

  Jasmine stared at Jace through the door... She just hopes he gets better. She knows he has to undergo a stem cell transplant and she's saving for it.

 She felt Adam place his hands on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly.

  "Let's go home Jasmine" Adam said holding her hand.

 "You'll be fine Jace, I promise you" She muttered before walking away.