It was so dark in the room, the smell of second hand smoke and alcohol was pugid in the air. The only light in the room was the stage light above, shining directly on me. Pressed in a silk dress that was 2 size smaller than me as it hugged all my curves with heels that were about six inches high, I stood on the stage as my hands held the pole and my hips swayed to the music as sensually as I could.
Here I was dancing in one of the most elite clubs in Lagos in order to make money. This wasn't the life I planned for myself but I had no other choice but this. I needed to pay Zara's school fees and the house rent was almost due, it was either this or starve and the last thing I wanted to do was let my daughter go hungry.
As the music reached its climax, I swayed my hips with more intentionality and caused one side of my dress to reveal more legs and just like that, I could hear someone whistle and someone shout something I can't hear. But I paid no heed cause the last thing I needed was to be distracted.
Mid performance, I was still dancing when two men came on stage to join me as they brought out bundles of cash and started spraying them on me. One held my waist and started grinding on me and the crowd erupted as they cheered him on. I felt so uncomfortable but I wasn't a newbie, this was normal in such clubs. I reminded myself the reason I was here and how badly I needed the money and that was what I needed to boost my energy, as I danced along with them.
I was still dancing when I felt one of the mens hand reach to grab my butt and squeezed while the crowd laughed in response cheering him up. As if the cheers boosted his courage, his hands grabbed my boobs as he squeezed them.
I was silent and kept on dancing even though I felt humiliated there was nothing I could do. The people who came to this club weren't just anybody but people who were considered elites. I was just a stripper who wanted to make ends meet.
Sandwiched between the two men, I danced as they rocked their body on mine and i felt their hands grope me like perverts. As the song drew to a close and I was making the last dance round. One of the men who was dancing with me pulled close as if he was going to kiss me, then suddenly put his hand into my dress as he stuffed a wad of cash into my bra before smirking and walking away with the other man.
As the music came to an end and the crowd erupted in applause and some were even whistling. The lights came on and the sudden brightness hit my eyes I stood on the stage, as I looked at the audience of so called elite, from their eyes I could see lust while some just looked at me like I was nothing.
I was about to make my way backstage when I saw him. At first, he looked just like another man in a tailored suit at a VIP table. Broad shoulders, expensive watch. As I stared at him, I immediately recognized him and i felt my heart stop.
No. Not here, Not like this. ETHAN?
It is been ten years since I last saw him and the last thing I wanted was for him to see me like this. Here I was standing on a stage, dressed in such clothes with wads of cash stuffed in my boobs. I looked like some kind of hooker. Did he see me dancing on the poll? How long has he been here?
Questions filled my mind as I felt shame, confusion and sadness all at once. He was also staring at me, not the way the other men were staring with lust, laziness or entitlement. His gaze was confusion, and I could also see anger as his gaze felt like it was about to pierce through me.
I quickly scrambled back stage. The second I was behind the curtain, my legs almost gave out.
"Are you okay?" Tasha asked as she grabbed my arm "You look like you saw a ghost". I forced a laugh "Just tired". "Girl you tried o, that guy that was on stage with you was doing too much, if it was me, I would have given him a slap" Tasha said but I said nothing in response as I gathered my things, before going to change out of this and get out of here as quickly as possible, the last thing I wanted was a confrontation with Ethan.
After changing, I sat on the dressing table as I wiped away all the glitter and makeup as quickly as I could even with shaky hands. Why is he here, off all clubs in Lagos?, why this one I wondered.
A knock hit the door interrupting my thoughts. "Amara" the manager called as he stepped in "VIP table just requested you" he said smiling. I felt my heart stop, I knew it was Ethan but I didn't want to see him. "Who is it?" I asked just to be clear. "Ethan Adeyemi o, he is a prominent business man" the manager replied "I am done for the night", I replied quickly as I carried my bag and made way for the door.
"Are you sure? This is really huge" he pushed further. "I am sure" I said as I quickly left. and in a matter of minutes I was out of the club building and fortunately the moment I stepped out, I saw a cab and quickly entered it.
The moment I entered into the cab, I leaned against the car seat and placed my hands on my chest, I could still feel how my heart was still beating fast and my hands shaky.
It took several minutes before I could finally calm down then I wound down the window as I felt the cold air hit my face as it helped my nerves settle as I fixed my eyes on the scenery that the car passed by leaving my mind to wander. It has been 10 years and everything was so different than it was. Seeing Ethan tonight was the last thing I wanted especially being seen by him in that state, like a cheap hooker who was an entertainment for the rich. but I had no choice I needed to survive and that was it.
I don't care what he thinks I thought to myself as I closed my eyes in an attempt to rest but all i could think about was memories from the past.
Ten years ago, I got a scholarship to study at a boarding school which was considered for the Elites as the school fees was astronomically high. and that was where I first met him, ETHAN ADEYEMI.