In love with a stripper.

Unexpected Encounters

Shocked by my utterances, Chloe shot me a deadly glare. I instantly looked away.
Not knowing what to say, she ushered me to sit beside her on her bed and I did just that.
She shook her head and said slowly, "I'm so sorry for disappointing you Liya, I..I.." I watched as a mix of emotions overwhelmed my sister. Shocked by her sudden outburst, I engulfed her in a hug and asked her not to worry, and that I'd be fine.
"Just a night I assured her."
"Just a night." She confirmed.
Chloe patted my cheeks and whispered, " My brave girl."

Rose led me to my bedroom and got me ready for the night.
Rose carefully selected a dress that embodied both modesty and allure, for me. At that moment, I felt a mix of nervousness and determination. As I slipped into the dress, I couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. It was a pivotal moment for me, stepping into a world she had never imagined herself in. I felt a sense of vulnerability, yet also a newfound strength. I knew that this decision would shape her future, allowing her to pursue her dreams of going to college. There was a bittersweetness to it all, as I grappled with the sacrifice she had to make. But deep down, I felt a flicker of hope, knowing that this was my chance to rewrite her story and create a brighter future.

The dress had a longer hemline, falling just above my knees, and featured delicate lace detailing along the sleeves and neckline. The high neckline gracefully my face, adding an air of sophistication. The fabric had a subtle sheen, catching the light as I moved, accentuating my every graceful gesture.

As I nervously stepped into the dimly lit club, the pulsating music and flickering lights enveloped me. The air was thick with a mix of excitement and anticipation. The club was alive with energy, bodies moving and swaying to the rhythm of the music. My heart raced as I made my way through the crowd, feeling a combination of nerves and determination.
"Just a night." I reminded myself. The sweaty and smelly bodies nearly made me throw up but I controlled myself. Rose directed me to follow her, and I did just that.
Amidst the sea of faces, I could feel a gaze lingering on me. I looked up and saw a guy, probably in his twenties, staring into my soul.

Our eyes locked for a brief moment. He looked surprisingly familiar. I took a deep breath, summoned courage and continued to navigate the club.
A woman in her late forties walked up to Rose and asked about my sister. Rose, with a smile on her face, sighed and told the woman all that happened. She turned to me and introduced me to the woman, which I presumed was the club owner. It was a moment filled with anxiousness as I stood before the club owner, feeling a mix of nervousness and regret. The woman's eyes scanned me from head to toe, sizing me up. I took a deep breath and fiddled with my fingers nervously.

The woman whom I later got to know was Bertha asked that I follow her and I obliged obediently.
She pointed at the stage to me and said " Your sister is a great dancer, I hope you're too." She smiled. The stage was elevated and well-lit with different lighting, making it the focal point of the club. Did I ever tell you this was my first time in the club? I felt like just vanishing into thin air at that moment. Silly me prayed for courage and tried climbing the stage.

Bertha immediately stopped me and asked that I follow her again. She took me to a private lounge, I assumed, where I saw the guy with the piercing stares.
"Have fun." She winked. I stood nervously in the lounge as I watched the guy gaze at me intensely, a mix of curiosity and intrigue in his eyes.

"Are you done drooling?" He asked, making me scoff. Wasn't he the one undressing me with his eyes a few moments ago? The audacity! I huffed.
"Have a seat."He gestured. As I settled into the plush seating, I couldn't help but notice the pains in my heels from the fabulous but perhaps not-so-comfortable shoes you were wearing. Ouch! It's like a reminder that fashion sometimes comes with a crazy price, right? But hey, at least I am in a cozy lounge, surrounded by a great atmosphere, not in the midst of sweaty and smelly bodies.
He watched me as I kicked off those heels and gave my feet a little break. I sighed happily.
"First time huh?" He casually asked.
I nodded shyly and looked away. I felt so uncomfortable under his piercing gaze.

He ordered some wine I'd never seen before and continued his interrogation.
"I'm Harold. William Harold." He said boldly. I nodded, casually. My reaction caught him quite off guard. The level of excitement in his eyes reduced. It showed disappointment. Well, you wouldn't blame me, I didn't know who the hell that strange man was.
"I'm Aaliyah." I replied. He only nodded.
The waiter came back with the wine and served us. Because I wasn't too sure of the alcoholic content, I was hesitant to drink it.

"No alcohol, hermosa." He snickered.
My cheeks were turning red already.
Harold took my left hand and fiddled with my fingers. He massaged the little scar on my hand and kissed it.
I nearly peed on myself. It was my turn to have a closer look at him. He was very handsome but very grumpy. I smiled.

Fluttered by the attention, we engaged in deeper conversation and enjoyed the moment. But as things were heating up, Harold's phone rang, disrupting our conversation. After some seconds on the phone, he apologized and explained that he had to leave as something had happened at home. He promised that we'd meet up some other time . In a spontaneous gesture, he slid a cheque of 20k bucks into my hand. I was taken aback but appreciative of his nature. In a rush, he left the place, forgetting to take my address or number, leaving me with a mix of curiosity and concern.

I tucked the cheque he gave me in my purse and sighed. I quickly dialed Chloe's number to inform her about what happened. On second thought, I stopped. It's better I gave her this tea in person.
Upon leaving the lounge, I saw Rose. She smiled at me and signed me to follow her out. I narrated everything to her in the car. She was more than excited for me. She claimed she would have died to be in my shoes. I shot her a surprised look.
"You spoke one on one with the famous Harold, baby girl!" She yipped. Wait what?

It was midnight when Rose dropped me off at the house, I was more than tired. I bade her goodbye and closed the door quietly behind me. I checked Clo's bedroom, only to find her sleeping.

William Harold, William Harold. Who was he? I wondered.