MAEI walked into the club with more sass in my steps than the usual. The looks these horny men out here gave me added to my already inflated ego, and I strutted towards the stage like a goddess.I could not afford to steal a glance towards the VVIP section yet. The contesting mayor, Trevor was there, yes, but he was there as well and I knew how many times I missed my steps the last time he watched me even if Scar had called my performance perfect.It would look like that, of course. I had been stripping for clubs since I turned 18. They all blabbed about not accepting anyone who was not up to 21, but they accepted me nonetheless, lying to anyone that cared to ask about my age. Anything for the money, right?It was safe to say I was a bit of a professional now with the years of experience I had.I started dancing as soon as I touched the pole. This night, I planned to dance for Trevor here, and probably ask to give him a private dance if he promised not to ask for sex.I still was not
OWENWas she deliberately pissing me off or did she just really want to get down with Trevor?Trevor turned to me, his eyes dark with want as he questioned, "Is it okay with you, boss?"I searched for her reaction, my lips almost curving into a smile when I saw that she looked a bit pissed at the fact that Trevor had to ask for my permission."You have darker tastes that none of the women here can handle. In your words." I reminded him, but he was adamant.He smirked devilishly, "Yes, but I think she can. She looks like a feisty little thing."He looked back at her but the little minx's eyes were on mine, like she wanted to ask me what I meant by 'darker tastes'.With her eyes looking up to me like that and those blood red stained lips parted slightly, I wanted to get her off that floor and order her to be with me instead of him for the night but I managed to stop myself, moving back further against the chair."Can you handle him, Rivera?"Just like that, she was back to having an att
MAE Owen pushed me aside with a force that had me almost tumbling to the ground and he barged into the room I had just come out of. I was still shaking uncontrollably. Trevor did not have dark tastes. He had devilish, animalistic tastes. He let me know that he did not want sex with me. Trevor pushed me to the bed and instead of taking off my clothes to fuck me or foreplay of something.. he took off his belt at once and began to hit me all over, not caring where he hit. He took out his dick as I screamed, rubbing it whilst growling like a dog. I tried to escape him at first but he held me down with both knees on either side of my body and rubbed his dick above my face. Eventually, he threw the belt to the side and wrapped his hand around my throat, suffocating me. I thought I would die. He would stop at times, but only to hit me across the face and call me a whore. He went back to hitting me with the belt after some time. He punched me in the stomach and chest, call
OWEN"You let her live." I looked up at Marco, but turned away, saying nothing. He scoffed."Respectfully, boss… what is up with you lately? You always act quick, always rash with your decisions even if I later find out that it was just for the best. But now… Now, it seems like you are too laid back. I'm sure she already believes you are too weak to handle her—""Leave me to worry about that, then. Marco, actually," I looked up at him, my expression hardened, "from now onwards, never interfere with my decisions again. I chose to keep her alive because Trevor assaulted her and she only reacted out of self defense. She did not deliberately want to kill him. I would have done the same with any other woman with us. Only if I did not know about it would I let it slide. Never been a party to any member raping my women, or assaulting them. You sound like you are just fucking finding out."Marco took a deep breath, then after a short pause and some paging about in front of my office door, he
MAE I rushed into Casa Eleganza, after returning from the errand I was sent by Scar. She had asked me to pick up some flowers and deliver them to a partner's office. I did so and well, after that, I had to meet up with Liam. He told me that the guy I had almost killed was very important to Owen for his mafia business and that he was surprised Owen had not killed me because of it. He asked me to be extra careful and watch my back because that was the only way I could survive in there for long. Made me wonder why I was risking my life there, it just seemed like everyday was a step closer to my sure death. But that was not the most shocking thing that Liam had told me. The picture he had given me and tagged the man that had brought my mother to Casa Eleganza was fake. That was the wrong person, and he had left Casa Eleganza for a long time now. The person that brought my mother there was none other than Trevor. Yes, the same man I had almost killed and was sure that would kill me
MAEI was asked to leave the room after a few minutes by some cleaners. They looked indifferent, despite the fact that I had seen them speak to Isis a couple of times. The more I stayed here, the more I realized that everything was a fucking lie. A big fucking lie—nothing was real here.I wandered the hallway, even after being told that I could use one of the spare rooms. All the girls walked past me like they were not aware of anything that had happened, but I knew that they knew. Everyone around here knew probably knew what happened, and since I had no other friend apart from Isis, I already knew I was not getting any comforting. The incident just further showed me how much of a monster Owen Powers was. I had not only confirmed that he was in the mafia, I had also confirmed that he was the heartless person Liam spoke of.The guilt. God, the guilt was eating me alive.I was responsible for Isis's death. Me. I killed Isis because of my stupidity… Oh God…"You will not be performing
OWENShe had been crying for the past hour, her chair facing mine as we sat across each other. I watched her keenly whilst leaning back against my seat because hell, even if it made me slightly annoyed seeing her like this, I was still fucking pissed with her.She tried to convince me that she needed privacy a couple of times, but I did not allow that, of course. Finally, she got tired of asking me for privacy and settled down across me, crying her eyes out… I did not know whether those tears were for her late friend or Trevor. Whoever it was, I did not give a fuck.I just needed her to be done with her tears so I could ask the questions I needed to.After what seemed like forever, her sobbing subsided and she just had her head lowered, sniffing from time to time. I checked my watch, realizing I had only thirty minutes to spare at that moment."You will have to answer some questions. Lift your head, I want to see your face as I speak to you." I demanded, and she did not do it immedia
MAEHe let me live. Because of dad's debt. I stayed awake that night in the guest room, unable to shut my eyes without images of Isis flashing in my head. I knew that the minute I laid my hands on my painting equipments, I was definitely going to paint a lot more darkness than the last few days.Probably more than I had even ever painted before.I cried a bit more that night and didn’t fall asleep at all. The next morning, I walked to the mirror and hated the way I looked. I did not even know where my phone was, and even with the way I was not in the right frame of mind, I still had to perform tonight.Would it just better for him to end my life already?I managed to walk into the washroom and take a full shower before throwing the T-shirt I had been wearing back on. I was not wearing anything underneath, but sometime last night I had been told that my room was cleaned already so I just headed there, as it was a few steps away.I got there in no time and scratched my head while I was
MAE"Thank you very much, you have fed me properly today." I took a large gulp of yoghurt. My stomach was really full."That's one of my responsibilities to you." He wiped the corner of my mouth with tissue."What's today?" Suddenly I remembered about my medical checkup."Today is Friday. The end of the month.""Damn! I have my antenatal checkup today.""Really? There's still time. Tell me the schedule the doctor told you." He brought out his diary, waiting for my response."Every four weeks for the next seven months, and every two weeks till the ninth month.""Fine. I will have to be reminding you from henceforth." He closed his diary after taking note of it.Owen took me to the hospital, the exact one where I was told I was pregnant.It was same doctor that told me I was pregnant. She recognized my face."Hey Rivera. Hello." She greeted Owen and I."Hello Doctor.""Please, take your seats." She gestured with her hands. "How are you both doing?""We're doing very fine. We're just a
MAE"O... Owen, you're here?" I stuttered. Why was he here? Is today not supposed to be his wedding? He wasn't supposed to find out this way. The look on his face made me swallow hard. He was mad angry."You're not answering my question, Mae. Are you pregnant?" His face has no expression.Scar quietly excused herself, leaving me to deal with my problems alone. So much for female solidarity."Yes Owen. I am." There was no need lying now. He must have heard everything by the door. Lying would escalate to more problems that I wasn't ready for.I could see a flicker of happiness in his eyes for a moment before the annoyance took over. "How long are you gone?" His eyes went to my stomach. I had no bump yet."A month. I found out about it early last week." I said quietly, my eyes avoiding his."For that long, and I'm just knowing of it now! Mae, what other things are you hiding from me?" He folded his arms. " I have finally figured out the reason you have been avoiding me. You think I won't
OWENAfter I agreed to let Mae go to Joan's house as an insider again, I instructed Marco to find someone that will have an eye on her, some sort of a bodyguard. Since it was only two times a week, I would only be worried for those two days only, unlike before where worry was my best friend.We made love again bringing those sweet feelings to my heart. After I had dropped her off at Casa Eleganza. I went back to my club. I wasn't done going through those footages. The pictures I have so far were mostly those working as servers in the club.Eric would have a lot of work to do.I went through the last parts of the footages, new faces were that of the security men, Marco and a woman.I zoomed the video of Marco and the woman. It was same woman I had seen him with when I had my first meeting as regards to Joan's disappearance. He was holding hands with her and saying things that are barely inaudible.It felt strange though. Marco had never shown interest in woman. I wonder what this woman
MAECongratulations, Ms Rivera. You're three weeks pregnant."The doctor's words kept ringing in my ears on my way to my apartment. I couldn't describe what I was feeling.While in her office some time ago, I even had to tell her to check the name well."Mae Rivera." The doctor read from the piece of paper in her hands. "Is that not your name?""It... It is." I stammered."Why are you... Wait, you are not ready yet?" She read my face."Yeah, kind of." I said."That's okay, Mae." She smiled again. "Since you're not ready and we discovered it early enough, you can take it out."I'm keeping it, Doctor." I said firmly. The last thing on my mind at this time was getting pregnant, but since it has happened, I can't kill my baby. I have to beat the consequences of my actions."Your husband would be happy.""I'm not married." Do I looked married? I'm not even wearing a ring."Ohh, I'm sorry for the assumption." She apologized. "I hope its father would be happy.""He would. He was even the on
MAEIt was morning already and I was in Owen's arms. Making love out in the open was such an adventure. But we have to leave."Owen." I tapped him lightly. I remembered Eli. He would have been waiting for me to come back."Go back to sleep, Mae." He pulled me closer."It's nine thirty." I complained."I know." His eyes were still closed.He knew. He must have woken up before me.I succeeded in removing his hands."Mae, come back." He tried reaching out for me."Owen, wake up. We can't stay here all day." I put on my denim gown back."Staying with you makes me want to do nothing." He was fully awake now."That's sad, but I want to do something.""Ouch." He stood up from the bed.He had actually woken up, because he had his boxers on. He put on his shirt and trousers."I will be going over to Joan's today." I stated. I didn't want to waste time at all. My last meeting is with Joan was when he told me I had a bigger job to do for him."Really? Wait awhile. We just agreed yesterday.""I d
MAE I can't believe I just forgave Owen after all the promises I made to myself never to. When Eli has told me he saw Owen, I thought he was joking. But he did show up at my door, went as far as bringing me out of my hiding spot by threatening to kill Eli. This man brought weakeness to my knees by saying that the words he went to me last week. I was now convinced that he was the one who wrote them. He had a way of softening me up. I even agreed to go out to dinner with him. When he left, Eli came out of the bathroom. "I'm sorry." I could not control my laughter. "It's not funny, Mae. I nearly peed on myself." "I'm so sorry." I said again, going to him to rub his back. "So, you guys are back together?" Eli asked me. "Yeah, somehow." I shrugged. "I heard liplocking sounds and you agreed to go on a date with him. That's not a somehow. You like him, don't you?" "I don't know, Eli. My head and heart are not friends at all. I decided I would never talk to him again, and now he sa
OWEN"Where does she live?" I asked. It was two minutes past six am in the morning of the next day.Last night I was supposed to sleep like a baby because my woman has forgiven me, Scar turned it upside down by telling me news about Eve's death. I was happy, no doubt but a part of me was on high alert. I had some thoughts. It's possible that Joan's kidnapper could also be Eve's killer. And whoever did this wants to keep me to my toes.I decided that I would meet with Scar, Eric and Marco tomorrow morning, very early."Not that far from Joan's. Sometimes she sleeps at her house, sometimes Joan's." Scar replied. We were sitting on a round table.I had want to set this meeting only with Scar because I put her in charge of Eve, but then I did some thinking, it's best if Eric and Marco were aware of this as well. This was a clear sign that someone has their eyes on us."Did you ever speak to her?""Yeah, I did, just two times. The first time I met her at a pharmacy store, we didn't really
OWENI was so prepared for this moment. I had two things on my mind. It was either Mae was lying or she was back from her grandparents' and her roommate has refused to tell me when she returned.At this point, nothing else mattered. I only wanted to see Mae. That was the main problem I was facing now.I walked stealthily to her room, having a rethink of what I would say to her. I got to her door front and knocked.No response as usual.I knocked again.Eli answered.I wasn't supposed to see Eli. Mae should have been the one here. It meant one thing that he must have seen me coming here and decided to alert her."I'm here to see Mae." I stated."Mae is not around. You were here this morning." He said. "She's in the hospital with her grandfather."I gave a weak laughter. It had been a lie all along."She is. Let me in." I said simply."She isn't."I looked him dead in the eye before I shoved him and forced myself inside. In a split second, I had my elbow over his neck. He chose the hard
MAE"About Joan, what is the latest on him?" The last time Owen and I spoke about Joan. He did not tell me the details of his plans."Owen wants to go for Javier and Don Paulo. And Eve too." Scar said."Eve? I haven't heard that name around here?""She is an insider. She was the one who told me about Joan's schedule on the day we were meant to capture him. Owen suspects her.... Wait, why am I even telling you this? You are no longer with Owen. You have no business knowing about his affairs.""I'm already involved in this. There's no way I would be left out.""I'm sorry, Rivera. I can't say past that." Scar stood up from her seat.I feel that she was keeping her loyalty to Owen. She was right. I'm no longer with Owen and Owen is no longer my boss. So, I'm invariably an opposition or enemy.I went back to my apartment. Atleast, she told me a vital part of what I wanted to hear. I needed to eat pizza so I made an order for two boxes."Did you go to see Owen?" Eli questioned."No, why wil