Chapter 1
Gabriella
As my alarm blazed aloud i checked the time and it was 7:00am, a jarring to the sleep i had managed to snatch after work last night. the new jersey dawn was still a faint whisper outside the window as i drew back the curtains, but the sounds of my younger siblings Sofia and Nico stirring in the next room were already a full blown orchestra.
"Sofia, Nico time for breakfast before you need to get ready and leave for school", i shout as i head into the kitchen to start preparing their breakfast. just then the twins come stumbling out of their room fighting about who's going to get into the kitchen first.
"Gabby he pushed me", Sofia cries.
"Gabby she nipped me", Nico then said.
" Will you two just be nice to each other and sit and have your breakfast please". The twins then take their seats at the table and start eating their breakfast.
I help my mama look after my siblings as her mental health hasn't been the same since my step father passed away after a car accident four years ago. We live in a small two bedroom apartment in the heart of Newark, its walls bearing the silent scars of years of hardship. Paint peeled from the ceilings, plaster crumbled from the edges of the walls and the worn furniture was a collection of hand-me-downs and battered charity shop finds. Yet within its confides we have created a heaven for my siblings a place of relative safety in the chaotic city that surrounds us.
Once my siblings had gone off to school it was time for me to get ready for another shift at work. The transformation began with the slow methodical application of makeup. It wasn't simply about enhancing my features; it was a ritual, a Metamorphosis. I wasn't just applying cosmetics, I was building a mask crafting a persona. The carefully chosen blonde wig, a stark contrast to my natural black hair, was the final piece of the puzzle completing the transformation from the tired caregiver into "ROXIE" the sultry captivating stripper who graced the stage at the "Serpentine Club".
As I crossed the threshold into the shadowy embrace of the strip club, a heavy veil of cheap perfume and stale smoke enveloped me. Overhead the neon lights flickered erratically casting a vibrant tapestry of Colors that danced from the walls. As a twenty four year old I was ensnared in a world irreconcilably distant from my dreams of a stable family life--a life I relentlessly endeavoured to secure for my mama and siblings.
As i weaved my way through the pulsating crowd, the thumping bass of the music coursed through my veins. Tonight like every other night I slipped into my costume--a sequin dress that clung to my curves and left little to the imagination. I knew the dangers in this line of work, the predatory nature of the same men who frequented at the club, but it pays well and I need the money so I can help my mama as much as I can. I was then brought out of my daydream by the arrival of my fellow dancer Khloe, she has fiery red hair and the personality to match.
"are you ready to dazzle them? she asked with her eyes sparkling with mischief. I forced a smile.
"always", thought the word felt hollow on my tongue.
As I braced myself and took Khloe's hand as we headed out through the curtain onto the main stage. AS the night unfolded I became lost in the rhythm of the music, my body moving instinctively to the beat. I only ever danced on the stage, I never did the private dances in the back, I knew doing this was wrong but i wouldn't stoop so low as to go into one of the private rooms with one of the men here to get fucked or whatever else they would do in there, I also have a boyfriend, he doesn't mind that I work here.
There is a man who always comes into the club and asks me to accompany him into one of the private rooms, of course I always tell him no, he is handsome though, I have never seen a man as big as him he must be around six feet four inches tall, black hair nice and short and light brown eyes, you can even see his muscles bulging through his tight shirts he always wears. He is always dressed in expensive looking clothes but I have no idea what he does as a job, I don't know what half the men do that frequent here, maybe this place is there escape from reality a little like myself.
After my set is done I head to the bar for a glass of water, as I take a sip and turn around I notice said man staring straight at me. what is this guys problem, he better not come over here. I spoke to soon as he gets up from his seat and heads towards me, here we go again, why doesn't he take the hint its never going to happen.
" you're looking sexy tonight as always" as he winks at me.
"Still not going to happen" as I go to walk past him, but he grabs me by the elbow halting me to the spot.
"W-what are you doing, you are not allowed to touch the dancers!" as I look around for someone to help me or say something but no one is even looking in our direction.
He then leans into me and I can smell the scent of his cologne, its so captivating; powdery violet flowers with the overtones of rose and iris mixed with whiskey.
"one of these days beautiful I will get a private dance from you, what's your name?", he whispers into my ear. I pull my arm from his grip and say Roxie as I walk away. As I turn I see him watching my ass while I am walking away so I throw him my middle finger. He just laughs and rubs his thumb over his bottom lip. Woww! he looked so hot when he did that. I can feel my face getting hotter and my mouth getting dry with the thought of his lips, will he have soft lips? No! I can't hink like this I have a boyfriend who I love.
