"Just imagine all the things I can do to you now Anne. With you vulnerable, submissive, worthless, and at my every comand." He says then grabs my shoulder and whips me around. I try to keep my gaze down but his hand is on my face and he grips it hard, making me cry out in pain. Then he forces my jaw up to look at him. His cold eyes express power. Cold, heartless power. "But I won't touch you, ever. You're still a stripper, insignificant and meaningless and dirty." Marcella should have known it was a bad idea, that this was a bad idea. How did she end up working as a maid for Mr. Robinson? Why did she choose to be stuck suffering under his power? It was bad enough that she worked as a stripper for him, disguising her identity for as long as she could. But the minute she chose to leave and find something better, she ended up as his maid. And the answer remains the same… she’s doing this for her brother, and the one promise she made. Now she’s stuck working as a maid for the ruthless Mr. Robinson and as much as he takes advantage of her position, Marcella is not ready to give up. No. She will stay and remain strong with all that she has. And who knows? She might end up taming Mr Robinson.
View MoreThere are three rules to being a stripper.
Always act like you enjoy it while dancing with the pole...and if you do enjoy it, good for you.
Always give most of the attention to the one who is craving for it. The whistling one. He'd give you a gold tooth when he is done slapping all the money to you pantie strap or cleavage.
Never have feelings for a customer.
"The Masked Seducer, everyone!" Comes my closing and I thankfully end with a carousel straddle, earning more whistles and cheering before I slide down the pole, blowing a kiss to the bearded man with a cowboy hat as I seductively leave the stage.
Backstage has always been my favorite part. Sighing with exhaustion, I walk over to my makeup side of the long mirror and sit down, removing the dollar bills from my cleavage, bra strap, and pantie strap.
200 dollars.
Okay. We can work with that for now. I yank off my mask and wig at the same time, avoiding my reflection in the mirror in front of me.
I hated this part. I hated seeing me Marcella Jensen in a stripper changing room. Hated the fact that I'm still the one wiggling my butt for money, even though I put on a mask and a red wig.
I pull off my heels and change to my normal clothes as I grab my bag and jacket.
Do you love this? Is that why you won't get a real job?
Tyler's angry voice echoes in my head and I slip on my earphones as I make my way out the back door to the streets of Orlando.
The late drinkers are still out, whistling with their alcoholic breath while leaning against the wall of the building, others are lighting whatever they've gotten their hands on and the stench of the smoke reminds me of the first time I got the job working here.
They had been clawing at me from every corner and Tyler had given me a hell of a look when he saw the bruises.
Get another job.
He had persuaded.
Anything.
He had begged. But there had been no time. No time for interviews, or little pay given to waiters at the restaurants.
And we needed the money. He needed it most for college funds and we had to pay rent.
I couldn't risk waiting for a 'respectable' job with good pay while my brother got kicked out from his dorm and we had gotten the third eviction notice.
This job was our saving grace...and still is.
He just had to understand.
As if on cue, my phone rings out loud and I open it to see a text from Ty.
Ty: •Where are you? Isn't your time over?•
I linger on the message a little longer to decide if he is just irritated that I'm spending so much time dancing with poles or if he is genuinely worried about me.
Ty: •Marcy?•
I smile contentedly at the second text.
Okay.
Definitely worried.
Me: •I'm almost home. Around the block•
He doesn't reply but I can sense him staring out the window by the time I get to the apartment building. The doorman, Greg, gives me a small, pitiful smile and I'm all but used to it as he opens the door for me. His receding hairline seems to get more obvious with his whitish, grey hair.
"Mornin' Greg." I say.
"Marcy. How are you doing?" He says as I make my way to the elevator.
"Good." I say before the doors slide close and I hit the 3rd-floor button, needing to escape our nightly routine of pity conversation.
Greg had been working here since the big incident and way before that. He was like an old relative that knew too much.
Tyler is watching a tv show with an uninterested look when I walk in and I notice the abandoned flat carton of leftover pizza to his left.
Sighing, I pick up the pizza box and put it in the fridge.
"We can't afford to waste food like this anymore Ty. You can't just leave the pizza open and unattended to."
"You missed visiting hours with dad." He says, still staring at the tv and I look up with a guilty sigh.
God, help me.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I have to do extra hours at the club, I told you that last week." I say and slip out of my jacket as Tyler gets up from the couch to turn to me.
I can see clear anger in his eyes, but what else is new? Putting my fingers to my temples, I do a slow massage as I can feel exhaustion and sleep weighing on me.
"Listen, can we just discuss this tomorrow? It's almost 2 am. You should be asleep anyway, you have lectures."
"So now we're talking about appropriate sleeping hours? Because you're way out of line." He says, his death glare stinging me in combination with my brimming guilt.
How could I have forgotten Wednesday was our visiting day with dad?
"Ty, please. I'm sorry, okay? I feel terrible but--"
"Whatever." He says and walks away, taking his cellphone with him.
I stand, staring at the tv as he disappears into the short hallway and his footsteps are followed with a loud bang of his door, making me flinch a little.
Okay. The usual angry fit is over...but this time, I deserved it. I slump tiredly on the couch and stare straight at the tv, my mind reeling.
Last week, we had both gone over to 'Harmony Nursing Home' on time and we'd spent a good 2 hours with dad, even though he had barely said much.
He never says much.
I remember with a sigh as I drop my head in my hands. And then the nurse had taken me aside with the same look Greg gives me.
'I'm sorry it costs so much, but he wasn't responding to former treatment and we had no choice.'
And with that, she had slipped me the bill for his medication. Coupling that with his accommodation, rent, groceries, and Tyler's college funds, $600 is nothing but a small step to a big issue.
Determined not to bother too much, at least not for tonight anyway, I get up and switch off the tv. Then I begin to straighten out the living room, picking stray clothes hanging on the couch, our only furniture in the living room, and also on the breakfast stools in the kitchen when I catch sight of the telephone.
Guilt is still eating on my nerves as I stare at it, weighing my choices to just try and call or not. It's not a difficult decision and I pick the phone in a second, dailing with shaky hands.
"Harmony Nursing Home." The cheerful female voice says on the other line after picking on the first ring.
"Yes, I'm calling because of my dad, Harry Jensen. I just want to know how he is doing."
"I'm sorry, Miss Jensen, but it's not possible to speak to anyone here at this time. You'd have to call by 9 am tomorrow."
"Yes, yes. I know that. I just want to hear from you how his health status is?"
"Again, I'm sorry. But I'm not authorized to give out their health status. I just take the late-night calls for emergency and take messages if necessary."
I shut my eyes for a moment, disappointment and guilt causing them to water and suddenly making it difficult for me to speak.
"Okay. Please just take a message for me?" I croak/whimper into the speaker.
"Of course." The female says.
"Just tell him that I'm sorry I couldn't visit, and I love him. From his daughter, Marcy."
"Will do." She says and I can hear a faint scribbling in the background.
"Any other thing I can help you with?" She asks and I shake my head, forgetting she can't see me.
"No, thank you." I say and hang up, staring at the telephone.
"They won't let you speak to anyone past 9 pm." Tyler's voice comes from behind me, making me jerk a little before I turn to face him.
"I thought you were asleep." I say, wiping my eyes as he walks over to me.
"You know I always wait up for you until I know you're asleep first." He says, sitting next to me at the breakfast table.
His eyes are void of the anger they held earlier and are now staring at me with concern.
Sometimes I forget I'm older than him by 3 years when he talks to me with that overprotective tone and looks at me like I'm his little sister.
"I'm sorry for making a fit out of your coming late home. It's just, I hate it when this job of yours makes you miss important stuff like today." He says.
"This job of mine is the only thing keeping us from getting thrown out of here Ty. It's our saving grace and you know that." I say, getting a little annoyed that he still doesn't want to drop the subject about changing the job.
"There are better places, jobs, and services that--"
"That don't pay as much as I'm getting per day. I can't risk taking a chance with the rent, your college funds, groceries, and bills."
"I don't need the funds, you have better choices. I know it." He says, raising his voice and getting up.
"No, I don't." I say, getting up as well.
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't!" I say and in a swift moment, I dig out the crumpled piece of paper in my back pocket and throw it at him.
Exhaustion takes over immediately and I slump back on the breakfast stools I was sitting on while Ty spreads out the paper.
I watch his eyes go wide as he stares at the bill.
"And that's just for the medication. Then there is also for his accommodation and our well being and--"
My voice breaks, stopping me midway as I bury my face in my hands and Tyler has his arms around me in a second.
"No, Marcy. Don't cry. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so hard on you, I know you're doing your best. I'm sorry. I just don't like the fact that you do this disgraceful job for me and dad and..."
He lifts my face to look at him.
"Tell you what, I can't keep leaving you to do this for yourself, I don't care what you say. I'll get a job."
What??!
"No." I say immediately.
"Nothing too serious, I swear. Maybe a waiter in a restaurant."
"No!"
"But I can't let you handle this by yourself. We're in this together."
"But I made the promise to dad. Tyler I'm fine, it'll get better. Just focus on your studies and you'll graduate in a few years and all this will be over."
His eyes are evident with anger but they dissolve almost immediately and I can tell he is also tired of fighting.
"Now go to bed, okay." I say.
"You go to bed first. Take a shower and just rest up okay?" He says and plants a kiss on my forehead.
Getting up, I reach for the pile of clothes I was holding but Tyler beats me to it.
"Go. Get some rest, I'll clean up." He says and I smile a little as I realize how much I need a bath and a bed.
"Goodnight. I love you." Tyler says behind me as I head towards the door and I turn to him.
"To the moon and back." I complete and he smiles broadly.
I take off my clothes immediately I get to my room and I let the tears fall.
Who am I kidding? Tyler will always be against my job and I'll always be wishing I could change it but God knows I can't.
Dropping out of college the minute Dad was moved to the Nursing Home was my first act by instinct. Then no one had desired to hire a college drop out and the double shifts at McDonald's weren't enough.
The third eviction notice had shaken me beyond fear, then Ty got kicked out of his dorm when he couldn't pay and then there was the promise.
The one I had said in quivering tears as dad got wheeled away in a wheelchair.
"Look after yourself and your brother. No matter what. Promise me."
Dad had said in a raspy voice as his shaky hands grasped my face.
"I promise." I had wailed in tears. Then the paramedics had taken him away.
"I promise." I say into the silence of my bathroom as tears take over in assistance with the dreadful memory.
"I promise you, dad."
“What if everyone figures out why we invited them before they even make it?” I ask, laying out cutlery on the table and Kyle chuckles, carrying the huge turkey from the kitchen to the dining.“What’s there to figure out, Marcy? It’s our first thanksgiving as a married couple, and that’s all they’re going to have in mind before they get here—”“And see how fat I am.” I mutter and Kyle drops the turkey safely before coming to hold me from behind, his arms gently caressing the obvious bump in my tummy.“I don’t think Kyle Junior appreciates being called fat.” He whispers in my ear and I giggle, turning in his arms to face him.“I love you, but for the last time, we are not naming him Kyle Junior.” I say, my emphasis on the ‘not’ as I give him a pointed sta
Marcy's POV "We are honored to call the valedictorian of class 2019, Tyler Jensen." The vice-chancellor calls out Tyler's name from the podium and I have to remind myself not to scream out of excitement as I watch Tyler climb the stage to get his degree and qualifying certificate along with a handshake. He finally did it, and valedictorian no less. After everything we've been through, if anyone ever told me we would eventually make it to this day.... and style would be graduating from college as valedictorian of his set, I would have laughed till I couldn't breathe. Maybe even cry. But here we are. "Is there anything you would like to say to your convoking class?" The Vice-Chancellor asks and Tyler nods, before taking the vacant podium. As I watch him, standing there in his robe and cap, a warm feeling envelops me and I realize I have never been more proud of anyone than I a
The lemon and pink combo for Haley's birthday seemed to be the best idea.Her cute lemon princess gown with matching wings and crown was just breathtaking.In addition to the floating pink and lemon balloons and the pink and lemon frosted cake, it was by far one of the sweetest celebrations I had ever seen.As Josh carried a sleeping and exhausted Hailey inside, Maya and I stayed behind to clean up after the party."What's this?" Maya's voice draws me from my dazed dreamy state and I turn to her, trying to balance my armful of gifts.She is talking to a delivery guy while signing the paper and behind him is a big box, huge even, and completely wrapped in a pink wrapper."To the sweetest kid I know. Thank you for being one of the reasons that brought love into my house...and my heart. Love, Kyle." Maya reads out loud."Kyle..." I say
"Marcella?"Maya's voice rings out followed by a series of knocks and I pause towel-drying my hair as I make my way to the living room in just a robe."Marcy!" She calls out, knocking again and I swing the door open."Oh my God, are you okay?" She asks as she rushes in and swallows me up in a tight hug."Umm..... it's nice to see you too Maya." I say tentatively as I pat her back in a confused way of returning the hug."What's going on?" I ask when the hug is over and Maya's sad eyes squint at me like I've grown two heads."You're asking me what's going on? Marcy a phone call to your best friend wouldn't hurt, you know." She says and I scoff."What are you talking about? We spoke last month on the phone." I say with a shrug and head back to my room with Maya hot on my heels."Exactly. Last month. When I call
"Are you serious right now? This is why you called me here?" Maya asks as I observe the packet of frozen chicken thighs in my hand."Yup." I say then turn to her,"What do you think? Breast or thighs?" I ask, branding the chicken packets in my hands and she rolls her eyes but points to the frozen chicken thighs."I thought so too." I say and put it in my trolley."So let me get this straight, you called me all the way from home to help you go grocery shopping?" She says as we move along and I hum a little too loud, making it obvious that I don't want to listen."While you're ignoring me, remind yourself that I'm driving you home." She says and I laugh."Blackmail. Smart weapon." I say and she moves to block me."Okay, come on Marcy. You know I'm dying to hear the details. How was the third date? And what's with the special grocery shoppin
The carriage ride back to the apartment seems to be the worst part of the date.I don't want to go.I want to stay with Kyle.Who says 'I love you' and walks away?Unfortunately, the ride comes to an end in front of the building and I stare at it like it's the enemy."You know you have to go." Kyle says and I turn to him."But why? I don't want to go, I... I want to stay with you." I say and he touches my cheek."I want to stay with you too. ""So, why do I have to go. What's stopping us?" I tell him stubbornly but he leaves the carriage anyway and helps me out."It's common curtsy, Marcy. It's our first official date, you can't just follow me home." He says but I'm not the least bit convinced."Kyle--""I respect you, and I want you to know t
"Are you gonna tell me now?" I say to Maya as the hairstylist runs her fingers through my just-curled hair.Maya looks up from the magazine she was reading and gives me a look."What?""That this is a bad idea? That you told me so the first time? That he already made me come back in tears and I should learn from that?" I ask, waiting for her to approve.This should be a bad idea....shouldn't it?Still, why can't I resist going on a date with him? Why am I thrilled yet frightened by the idea of spending a nice, private time with Kyle Robinson?"Say something." I say, my voice high with paranoia."Like what? He is taking you out on a proper date, Marcy. I don't want us to fight because of him again.""So you have a bad feeling about this? You think this date is a bad idea right?""No,
Kyle's P.O.V"Marcella!!" I yell louder as I run after the speeding uber car.It's no use and soon the car fades out of sight."Marcy....." her name comes out in a whisper as I stand, waiting to see if the car will return.If she would please change her mind.Instead, lightning breaks through the darkness of the night, and a loud clap of thunder follows after.She left...She is leaving me...for good.I can't force my head to think calmly enough because all that is racking in my mind are her words as I hurry back to where my car is parked.They're all standing there, in their dinner gowns and suits, staring at me. I want to walk over to them and shout at them, blame them for making her leave...But I'm running out of time, I have to get home in time to stop her from lea
Kyle's P.O.VShe wants to come.Of all the events, of all the dinner parties, of all the occasions...she had to pick interest in this one.Not that I didn't want her to come but...Holly is the one hosting it, in her house.One way or another, she is going to find out who Marcella is....and it's not going to be a pretty sight."Are you okay?" Marcy's voice interrupts my thoughts as she walks into my room and I turn around to find her in a stunning, red velvety dress. The dress clings to her upper body and just at the waist, it sweeps out in a charming sway that stops at her knees."You like?" She asks and turns a full 360, saying,"Your sister suggested I buy it when we went shopping." She says smiling and I realize I've missed this part of her.This giggly part.This happy-go-smiley part of her.
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