Rebecca Gonzales stood across the full-length mirror,her bright ginger hair flowed to her waist.
Money meant everything to her at this point of her life, she needed money to pay for her college tuition,money to support her mother's failing business.
Their house rent was due in two days and the landlord had told her earlier that morning that he would waste no time in kicking her and her mother out of the house.
"Would you put on your mask and get going,you can't make me loose customers"Veronica,the owner of the strip club hissed as she walked into the room.
"Yes ma'am"Rebecca replied,her head bowed.
She watched Veronica storm off,out of the room. Tears filled her eyes,she couldn't believe she was doing this, working in a strip club for money.
The cold air gave her goosebumps as her pale skin was exposed.
Veronica had given her a see through catsuit,boots and a mask as her outfit for the night. Her instructions were to dance on the pole,seduce any of the rich men, lure them to bed and get paid.
The agreement was to split the money in half.
Rebecca blinked back hot tears,not wanting to ruin the heavy make-up she had on.
Her instructions were simple and straightforward but Rebecca's issue was how to carry it out.
Sadly,she put on the mask and walked up to the 'stage of fate' as Veronica had called it.
Other girls were dancing already, beckoning on some of the men who were drinking and smoking.
The stale smell of cigarettes, sweat, perfume and beer almost made her gag.
Her eyes locked with Veronica's who sat across the room with some men,she shot her a dirty look. It was a signal for her to start dancing or get fired.
She was at complete loss,she had no idea of what she was doing as she grabbed the dancing pole. She decided to copy the dance moves of the girl in front of her. The girl twisted and twirled like a pro.
Rebecca tried her best to place herself on the pole and move her body seductively.
She knew she has failed when other girls were taken by the men who were watching them,she was left alone on the stage.
She searched the room for anyone who was paying her attention,no one was.
She wanted to burst into tears when she remembered that when her rent had expired,she and her mother had no place to go to.
She let her eyes wandered from table to table,she noticed a man in a suit sitting across the bar. He seemed very uninterested in what was going on around him.
She decided to walk up to him,he was the only decent looking man around.
"Kind sir,would you please take me?"she asked nervously as she stood in front of him.
He lifted his eyes to her,he had the saddest pair of eyes she had ever seen.
She took note of his expensive suit and wristwatch. She wondered what in the world would ever make a rich man sad,they literally had everything they wanted at their beck and call.
"Go away"he said in a crisp voice,he had been drinking.
"Sir could you please give me some money, my rent is due in two days,I have nowhere to go to"she begged desperately,out of frustration.
"I said go away"he said,this time he raised his voice.
She turned slowly and walked back to the room,her eyes filled with tears,she let it all out,life was unfair to her,she lost her father and brother when she was younger,her father's properties and assests got seized leaving her and her mother with nothing to live on. She cried harder and banged her fist against the wall as she recalled how much she had suffered all her life.
"Stop"
She spun on her heels to see who had the commanding voice,it was the man from the bar. She wiped her tears frantically with the back of her palm,not wanting him to see her in such dire state. Her make-up was ruined and she looked terrible,there was no way she could seduce him looking like a girl from a horror movie.
"I could use some company tonight"he said"come to meet me at the bar in nothing less than ten minutes,make sure you look presentable"
Rebecca stared in awe at his retreating figure,he didn't await her reply.
She grabbed some wipes and began taking off the layers of makeup she had applied.
When she was done,she grabbed her coat and purse and went to meet the man.
"I'm done"she said quietly
The man ran his eyes quickly on her body, she'd thought she saw a ghostly hint of surprise in his eyes.
"What's your name?"he asked and motioned for her to take the empty seat beside him.
"Rebecca"she answered"Rebecca Gonzales"
He nodded and lifted his glass of wine to his mouth
"What brings you here? I've never seen you here before"he asked
It was her first time working at Veronica's strip club,she was surprised that a client was interested in her life. She thought all they wanted was sex in exchange for money.
"I need money"
"Hmmm"he sighed
She stared at his face which was barely visible in the dim light. She wanted to ask him why he looked sad,why a man of his caliber would visit a strip club.
"I'll help you with money then"he said after a long pause.
Her eyes flashed with hope.
