Chapter 1
Angel
"Another day, another dollar." I whispered softly to myself as I applied the last of my cat-winged eyeliner. I looked at my reflection in the full length mirror once more, nodding in approval. My dewy dark skin was clad in a hot pink, satin bikini with silver rhinestones covering it. My brawl and hip straps were connected by rhinestones as well. Clear four inch stilettos covered my feet and I wore a few silver accessories. My hair was in loose waves which flowed down my back.
Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be a stripper, yet here I am, stripping it up. Of course, what kept me here was the money which I needed desperately at the time. And still do. After losing my entire family, things just went down hill for me. I didn't know anything about the real world, but that changed in the blink of an eye. My life changed in the blink of an eye.
I started off working as cashier at a clothing store until one day, a man by the name of Mr Biggs, offered me the infamous job. He promised I'd make good income every night. I was skeptical at first, but after being evicted from my first place, I felt like I had no option. I had no one.
After working at The Pink Bunny for about 3 months, I was able to save up and buy myself a car and an apartment. It wasn't the most extravagant, but it was mine. Mr Biggs offered me a place to stay until I got on my feet which I'll forever be grateful for. But I'll never forgot all the inappropriate advances he made toward me while I was there.
That only added to the reasons why I needed this job and money. To get back on my feet and away from this lifestyle, hopefully. I always wanted to go to college and get a degree, but life just didn't work out that way for me.
"You ready to kill this shit, A?" I heard a feminine voice ask from beside me. Sapphire. She stood next to me in the mirror and examined herself as well. Sapphire had bright red hair, blue eyes, and sun-kissed olive skin. She was stunning. We hit it off from the moment I got here. She showed me the ropes and gave me all the advice I needed to survive around here. I was and still am so thankful to have her.
A lot of the girls ignored me when I first got here and some would even try to fight me until Mr Biggs intervened. I never had a problem out of anyone since. I wasn't sure if they didn't like me because they saw me as new competition or if it was the color of my skin. Of course I was the darkest stripper here. All the other black girls were either light or caramel skinned.
"You know it, Saph." I smirked and rubbed my gloss coated lips together before we both headed out to the main area.
Being the darkest stripper here has its pros and cons. Most nights I'd receive extra attention in a positive way but sometimes it was the opposite. I took the negativity and let it fuel me to make more money. I had to.
"Looks like we got a full house tonight." Sapphire said from beside me. I smirked as I looked at the packed crowd. More customers meant more money.
And I liked more money.
"Hell yeah, bitch, we're banking tonight!" I did a little shoulder dance which caused Sapphire to chuckle. It's crazy how I wasn't even nervous to get on stage anymore. I guess that's what happens when you have bills to pay and no one to help take care of you.
"Let's get shots!" Sapphire grabbed my hand tightly and dragged me to the bar before I could reply. She's strong as shit, I tell you. We had a little time before we had to hit the stage, so I might as well indulge.
We stood at the bar—each with three shots of tequila. Sapphire took hers straight while I had salt and lime with mine.
"Mm, I see a lot of daddy material in the building." Sapphire' eyes became slightly hooded from taking all three shots back to back. There were a lot of fine men here tonight, however, a man wasn't something I was thinking about right now. As much as I loved the idea of being in love, I knew now wasn't the time. Plus, who could truly love a stripper?
I use to daydream about a handsome man coming in to save me from this lifestyle. Someone who'd sweep me off my feet and accept me for who I am. My knight in shinning armor. But after being here for 2 years and seeing the things I've seen. I lost hope of that dream a long time ago.
I turned to scan the crowd. I watched as older men dressed in business attire, hooped and hollered as they threw stacks of money on stage while the strippers danced and swayed their hips provocatively. I continued scanning the crowd and my eyes stopped abruptly.
I saw him.
Sat in one of the VIP booths was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. His eyes were glued to my half exposed body. Small butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach at how he was looking at me.
It was as if time stopped and all I could see were his beautiful hazel green eyes that bore into my dark hued ones. I watched his pupils travel down my body and back up slowly. A shy smile made its way onto his lips once our eyes reconnected. I visibly saw his cheeks turn a light shade of pink as he looked away.
Even though he had this intimidating stance about him—most likely from being well over six feet tall—his eyes looked timorous and he seemed like the shy type. I learned how to read men and their body language when I first started here. Two more men sat in the booth area with him. A dark skinned male with a curly fade and another white male who had dirty blonde hair.
I watched as Misty, a blue eyed brunette walked into their section and started to dance for them. The two men were like kids in a candy store as they watched her bend over and make her ass clap. Green eyes, however, just eyed her intently while sipping his brown liquid.
His jawline was defined and accompanied by a dark beard which connected up to his mustache. It matched his hair that was dark brown, almost black, and styled up neatly. The sides of his head were shaved giving him a fade. Thin, black-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his button nose. He was clad in dark grey slacks with a white button up. His blazer matched his slacks and a few buttons were undone on his top revealing the top of his toned chest and a diamond chain. A diamond Cartier watch was wrapped around his right wrist and diamond studs in each ear.
"Come one, A! We're up!" Sapphire took my hand and dragged me once again. I looked away from the gorgeous man but I felt his eyes on me as I walked onto the dimly lit stage. I saw a few regulars and smiled as they began pulling dollar bills from their trousers and suit jackets.
When the music started, my mind cleared and my hips began to sway subconsciously. I couldn't help but to scan the crowd for those hazel green eyes. Once I found them, a slight spark went through me. I could tell he was trying to keep his eyes up as they flickered down to my body. I twirled around the pole effortlessly, turning my backside toward him, giving him the prefect view. I bent over dancing to the beat of the music. 'Money' by Cardi B blasted through the speakers.
I watched his cheeks go a deep shade of red as his hand gripped the glass in his hand. The dark skinned guy nudged him and smirked as he looked at me as well. He said something to the gorgeous man and I didn't think his cheeks could get any more red, but they did. His entire face was flushed as he shook his head at whatever his friend said and looked down at his drink. A shy smile spread across his face causing me to see his dimple.
The crowd continued to cheer and throw different dollar bills as our set ended. Sapphire and I walked off stage after collecting our money. "This is probably the most I've made in a night!" I exclaimed as sapphire and I sat in our dressing room counting our cash. I ended up making $3,100. I was definitely pampering myself after tonight.
Hearing the door to our dressing room open, Sapphire and I turned to see Mr Biggs walking in with his signature golden cane. The smirk on his face let me know something was up. I knew that look all too well. Sapphire and I stood up to greet him. He was 5'9 so we were about the same height since I was in heels. "Great job tonight, ladies! You two always know how to captivate a crowd." He palmed the both of our cheeks and smiled.
"Thanks, Mr Biggs. We try." Sapphire chirped, I knew she was just as uncomfortable as I was but she was better at hiding her emotions. I gave a smile small, "Yeah, thank you." He chuckled before speaking again.
"That's not why I came here though." His voice became serious, "I have some new, well paying customers that requested you ladies up in the VIP rooms."
