Chapter One
Olivia is the eldest daughter of the Edmond family. Her father, bless his soul, battled severely from addiction, he gambled alot like his life depended on it and womanized alot.
There were times he'd returned home having everywhere smell like the venom he'd consumed, he'd yell at his wife causing havoc then go to the bedroom snoring louder than a boom player, only to wake up the next day to repeat the cycle.
Mrs. Edmond couldn't tolerate this act, she'd sleep in the living room, or make sure of his dismissal calling young burly boys in the neighbourhood to assist her husband out.
The devil's child was what she called him during that time. "This isn't my husband for all I care."
Yet she was the one who cried the most at his funeral. Olivia couldn't understand her. Mrs. Edmond had tried to file for a divorce but the 'devil's child' seemed to beg too well to earn her sympathy.
One last game.
One last game. And I'll stop. So he told his wife, but that one last game was actually his end game. He gambled all his pension, even borrowed to continue playing. According to a witness to the story, Olivia's father had lost after borrowing money from a feared known wealthy man in the city.
He claimed his teammate cheated, proceeding to grabbing his shirt thereby enraging him and this caused his teammate to pull the trigger for assault.
The debts.
Her mother wept bitterly.
Despite seeing her parents argue like there was no tomorrow, Olivia could feel the love between them. That love was gone. It was now gone with the wind and there was no coming back, the tears that dropped from Mrs. Edmond's eyes couldn't compare to the amount of pain his death caused.
The ocean was too shallow to describe the hurt.
Olivia knew because she could see the emptiness in her mother's eyes. Yes they flooded, but there was something weird about that day. Perhaps she had lost both parents.
Ever since her drunken useless father died— a man who had left the house celebrating from his previous victory having confidence he'd win the next game, she had to figure life on her own and clear his debts.
Olivia the curvy dancer! She made a living from stripping in a big midnight club.
Shame. A lot of her friends had left her, taunting her for selling all traces of decency just for a quick buck.
They proposed common jobs like waiting on tables, cleaning schools… and so on, which seemed a better fit, but Olivia knew one had to go higher or lower; her salary or dignity.
Tonight is her boyfriend's birthday. She has to dance quickly and get back to the apartment they shared.
Olivia was providing for herself, mother and siblings. She couldn't slack, she was now the breadwinner. Even her hopes of going to college flushed down the drain. It's the price to pay for being a reasonable adult who could bounce back after a loved one's death. Unlike someone.
Olivia is dressed in a red feathered designed lingerie and high heeled shoes about to make her way to the stage.
On her way, her friend call her, "Oliva!" It is Damon, a tall handsome dark male with full curly hair and beautiful charming eyes. "There's someone who wants to see you." He reaches for her ears as the noise in the club could blast one's eardrums.
Confused, she asks, "Someone? You mean a customer?" She grits her teeth in agitation.
"I know, I know. You don't plan on taking VIPs tonight cuz you're in a hurry, but this ain't an ordinary nigga."
She rolls her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
"See, so many guys are loaded here, we have the real rich, the wanna be rich, the broke who just wanna have fun and then we have this nigga."
Olivia's still confused. "So what category?"
Damon laughs. "The filthy wealthy!"
"Filthy, wealthy…?"
"See, this man is money. He's just very unique."
"Mentally decapitated?"
"N-no. Ollie." He facepalms a bit annoyed. "What kind of movies have you been watching? He's special and needs someone special. This can set you straight for the night. He's a rich man. Very rich."
"How much are we talking?"
"A priceless diamond watch. There are only two of its kind. He has one of these rare gems." His eyes searching hers for answers
She's confused. "It is weird. Why will a perfectly sane man offer such jewelry to a stripper?" It is suspicious.
"Don't be scared, okay? I'm very much aware of what today means to you. After this, I'll speak with the manager to let you go. I chose you," his voice seemed stern at the last part. "There are a lot of other girls but I chose nepotism."
"Damon.."
His voice drops down with sincerity. "It's cool if you don't wanna do this." Care reflects in his eyes. Although he is upset she doesn't jump at the offer, he shows concern, giving her a choice.
"Fine. It's just dancing, right?"
Damon's voice drops, giving away there's a bigger dirt under the fancy carpet, maybe even him doesn't know but he's taking the chance just so he can see his friend happy. He surely advises her to be careful showing his intentions are pure.
Olivia rolls her eyes accepting the offer.
She's told the customer's at the back where the private room is.
Knock. Knock. She knocks before entering inside. Her eyes catch an amount of smoke as though a fisherman with a net in the sea.
When the cloud of smoke clears a bit, her eyes greets a slightly chubby man in a very expensive emerald suit. His physique is alluring and welcoming. He seems soft and generous.
A little bit too generous.
"Hello, mister." She greets calmly with an amiable tone.
He's occupied with smoking tobacco. "How are you there?" His voice gives out that he's a nice man. Slowly his previously calm soft voice becomes more stiff. He coughs out clearing his airway a bit. "You look lovely. Can you take a step further, let me see you more clearly?"
Olivia walks in, her heels hitting the floor with click-clack noise booming in the entire room aside from the tension. She thins her lips for a smile—she's recklessly tensed.
The man seizes her with his eyes. She can feel his eyes roam on her body; her partly exposed body. After carefully examining her, he inhales again from his stick and commands, "Turn around," she obeys. "don't know what a lovely girl like you will be doing in such a lowly place like this. You should be exalted like a queen."
Olivia gives a small smile for that one, blushing. It makes her calm. Almost vulnerable. His calming aura would've made everything perfect, but the smoke and alcohol stench that twirled in the air posed as antagonists.
"Take your clothes off for me."
Olivia didn't know if she heard right. 'W-what?' The words couldn't come to life before he repeats it. "Take your clothes off now." More firm, more commanding, more authoritative than a soldier. He demanded. Not a joke, Olivia couldn't feel her heart split in her ribcage.