4

In the next weeks that followed, money plagued my mind. With the job applications being unsuccessful, I was beginning to panic. Although I didn't relent, I plunged myself deeper into a more frenzied search. 

 

I had no choice; the bills were piling up by the day: house rent, father's debt, and his hospital bills. 

 

As I typed away on my laptop, I got a call from the hospital my father was admitted to.

 

The nurse in charge of the case was on the line.

 

I knew why she was calling, so I almost didn't want to take the call, but I did anyways.

 

"Hey Bella, I'm calling from St. Thomas's hospital." She introduced herself in a professional tone.

 

"Yeah, I can tell."

 

"I'm wondering if you could visit the hospital; we need to have an important discussion concerning your father."

 

My heart picked up an irregular pace. "Yeah, sure," I stuttered. "What's it about?"

 

"Kindly visit the hospital for further inquiries."

 

I hissed the moment I ended the call. Did it even make sense to her to disrupt my daily activities with this call? I quickly closed the lid of my laptop, wore a jacket on my polo, and headed to the hospital.

 

Being there and seeing nurses dash around in their duties made me realize how jobless I was. I clenched my fist as I took a deep breath and approached the nurse that had called me.

 

"Oh, there you are!" She smiled and led me to the doctor's office.

 

"Have a seat, Bella." He stretched his hands toward the seat in front of him.

 

I sat down, shifting uncomfortably in the chair, awaiting bad news. I squeezed my hands apprehensively. 

 

"I don't intend to take much of your time. I'm pretty sure you're aware of why you're here."

 

I nodded.

 

"Your father has been in a coma for quite a while, and I figured you've been struggling with the bills. The truth is, at this rate, I'll present you with two options: it's either you give in to him or hire an ambulance to take him elsewhere since you can't afford the bills anymore."

 

I shook my head defiantly, my head banging because of the weight of his words. "No, I just got some money, and I'm going to make a deposit as soon as possible. Please keep him here."

 

He exhaled, taking off his glasses. "Your hope is inspiring; I hope it works in your favor."

 

I nodded before shaking my head and urging my wobbly legs to go home.

 

As I walked on the pathway, I resumed my unavoidable task of job hunting with my father's condition at the forefront of my mind. At that point, I was determined to take any kind of job first, be it menial jobs. My father was the parent I had left since my mother had run away and cut us off when she could no longer deal with his gambling habits. 

 

Although I understand her reasons for leaving him, her absence left a vacuum in my heart that my father tried to fill. I just couldn't let father die because even with all the pain he caused me, he did his best so I could finish nursing school. He had also started feeling sober before his health deteriorated; his father deserved a second chance at life.

 

The thoughts came to a halt when I stumbled on a flyer online. A clubhouse was opening tonight, and they were in need of part-time strippers, pole dancers, and waitresses. As I read through the details, I discovered that the waitress and pole dancer jobs were taken already, which left me with the remaining one option.

 

I paused to catch my breath, my mind considering the possibilities. Heck, it's been almost two years since I last visited a clubhouse, and I had never dreamt of stripping in my entire life. The money to be paid looked enticing on the flier, what if I tried this before I got a job at the hospital? I couldn't spend hours deciding; I had to do what needed to be done. With a blink of an eye, I contacted the line at the bottom of the flier. With a brief explanation of myself and after sending my pictures, I got the job. I was set out to do something I had never done before, and I silently prayed that I wouldn't regret it.

 

-

A few hours later, I was standing in front of a large gate. By the address, I knew I was at the right place. I stepped forward, unsure of what to say to the guards manning the gate. Was I supposed to tell them that I'm here as a stripper? Since I didn't have a card invite, I showed them job employment text. They nodded and opened the gates for me.

 

"Thank you," I muttered.

 

As I walked into the building, the pulsating music rang in my ears, and the disco lights caused me to squint my eyes. My body itched; this was all uncomfortable. With my head bent down, I wondered if my outfit was perfect for the occasion. It was a red, tight gown and silver heels with a golden mask; it didn't matter since I would be taking the clothes off. 

 

Two ladies were at the front desk. One was dressed as a waitress, another way older, glammed with a heavy makeover and a black flowing gown. "Bella?" 

 

I nodded.

 

"Oh darling, you look more beautiful in person." The older woman gave a half smile. "Spin around." 

 

"Hm?" I asked, hoping I had heard her wrongly.

 

"I said spin around." She reiterated in a sing-song voice.

 

I obeyed, clutching my bag with my shaky hands.

 

"You're perfect." She complimented, allowing me to see her red lipstick-stained teeth. "I'm Katrina, by the way."

 

"Now you go upstairs and show me what you've got; a man is waiting for you." 

 

"I thought I applied for the job of—"

 

Katrina chuckled. "Oh darling, rules can bend here. It's a flexible job."

 

This was weird, but I had already focused my mind on doing anything so long as it doesn't involve life being lost. One thing that bothered me was that I didn't know the nature of the men present; perhaps the one waiting for me could be rough on me. And just then I'd realize that I wasn't capable of doing just anything. How did he even know of me? Maybe Katrina had sent him pictures of girls, and he picked me? 

 

The questions plaguing my mind were numerous, but I only looked at Katrina and forced a smile. I was only halfway up the stairs when an intimidating figure bounded down the stairs. I glanced up for a second, and my heart sank to my stomach, and I froze. I had never imagined that I would see him here.

 

Coming down the stairs and directly facing me was Stefano. I had no time to react because Stefano's intense gaze was already locked on mine.