Chapter two

.......The next job

Sitting on a stool at the front bar, Edward served me a drink.

"Vodka?"

He nodded yes "I think I'll be sober...at least, for now"

"okay sure" changing my drink he began,

"hey... are you okay? You stressed out? Or having problems at the strip club?" There he goes again being so nice and caring, why doesn't he just shut me out like everyone else?

I told him I worked at the strip club, well Luke's strip club...The Lukeaid Lounge, part of where he lures in clients for home services. I obviously couldn't tell him I'm a full time prostitute, it would obviously be a lot more better than telling him that? No?...It's working though... I guess.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good it's just my boss.... wants more than he needs...but I'm fine perfectly good" Not!

"Sorry about that, I'm sure you'll be fine.......hey have you thought about changing jobs? I know the whole you don't have a relative here and all, but why don't you save up, start something"

you have no idea, sweet face, sweet face? what's wrong with me?

"It's not as easy as you think, you know" My voice obviously laced with hurt. I tried as much as I could to push down the rush of pain.

"Yeah- I mean I know that, but you should try, little by little, you'll get there" his head tilted and his face all reassuring.

"I guess you're right" I said giving him false assurance.

How's your-"

"Have you thought about- sorry what did you want to ask" he said cutting in.

"No just go ahead"

"No you should-"

"Edd, I insist...just...say what you wanted to"

"Umm okay, I know you're going through a lot,but have you tried looking up to God?

I mean I don't know if you've considered" he sounded uneasy, my expression probably made him uncomfortable.

"God has forgotten about me a long time ago" I said looking down at my drink. He quickly serves another customer and motions one of his worker to serve other customers. He walked back to me. Back to me sounds weird, like we broke up and- why am I thinking about that!? Were just friends and he is a taken man, this isn't one of your jobs!

"No no no no, don't, don't say that, God hasn't forgotten about you.... He'll never leave you, He loves you, He-"

"Can we please not talk about that now?" I said obviously wanting to end the conversation.

"And when did you become.... a Christian? Or start believing in God?" I said looking up at him.

"I've always did, it's just, I'm just realising a lot of things now, like God's love....."

"Wow, okay... that's cool I guess" I said.

"And I'm, I'm selling the bar"

"What?! Why?" I said as my eye brows cringe.

"I just feel like, there's something out there for me you know"

"What do you mean?" I asked. I did know what he meant.

"I just...I just feel it's time I move on from here-"

"Does this have anything to do with your faith? You don't want to sell alcohol is that what this is about?"

My words rushed as I looked at him questioning.

"No, it's not, I." He took a deep breath.

He hesitated letting out a sigh,

"I've been going to rehab, for the past four months, didn't you ever think about why you didn't always hear from me like before?"

I stifled my breath. I was so caught with my own problems, I always he had everything together. I guess not.

"I, I didn't know....Ed I'm really sorry-"

"It's fine"

"I didn't know you were an, an..."

"Addict? Well, I'm not exactly anymore, this is when Jesus comes in."

I nodded in response, not sure what I should have said.

"I just think it's time I move on, you get it right?"

"Yeah, yeah I do" I replied.

"Why didn't you tell me about going to uh... rehab?" I asked.

" I was hoping to tell you, I wasn't exactly sure how to, I mean you had your own stuffs to deal with, I didn't want to be a burden."

"What do you mean burden? You would never" I said assuring him.

He nodded and we sat quiet for a while.

"How's uh Kelly?" I said breaking the silence.

"She's great, graduating soon" "Oh that's great..." I said nodding.

"She should be here in a few minutes" he said.

Oh okay...so I think I should probably go, I-"

"come on, stay" he said suddenly feeling like he caused my urge to leave.

Kelly and I, well we were cool when we first met and when I felt I was comfortable to tell her my part true part lie job about being a striper and all, she distanced herself from me and thinks I'm trying to steal Ed from her, at least I think and feel that way. Well

I really couldn't blame her, after the incident between Ed and I. I was really stupid.

"Look it's not because-"

" I didn't say it was, because" he cut in, "she doesn't hate you, you know"

"I didn't say that, it's just, were not cool like we used to be. And you know why" I finally took a sip from my drink, Ariel wine.

"I know, I'm not just happy when two important women in my life, are not in good terms...... I have a feeling there's a lot more going on, come let's head back and talk" saying nothing more and taking another and final sip from my drink, I followed him out through the back door.

We sat on the trunk of his car and I'm thankful for thinking of wearing a jacket before coming here.

"So... Wanna talk about what's actually wrong?" he tugged the sleeves of his button down shirt and turned to me

"I....." Suddenly realising how worried he is about me already, I didn't want to add up to that, plus we've been friends since he started working at the bar and the former owner handing it over to him and I've come this far without telling him the real truth......well maybe he deserves to know....a little, at least.

I started to fidget my fingers,

"Luke...is actually my uncle" The words came out in more of a sigh. "Wait, your uncle?" His reaction, well expected, confused, shock and wanting more explanations.

"Yeah, but... he's just helping, cause that's the only way, and he treats me good so there's nothing to worry about" I let out a sigh, hopping the hidden pain was not mirrored in my voice.

"Okay, if you say so" he obviously wanted to know more, but he didn't push it.....

He's the best friend I never had, I would totally date this guy... he's so sweet and gentle and-enough! Shaking my head, snapping my self out of my thoughts, I continued

"I... everything's just, overwhelming"

I sighed.

" I told you I'm Nigerian right, I just well I came to live with my uncle. And my brother on the other hand, doesn't want me, he's having a time of his life with the inheritance that part of should be mine..." I stopped taking a deep breath. Holding back the tears, I continued,

"Jairus Incorporated, it's an oil company in Nigeria"

"Wait, what!......How? You never mentioned your brother running an oil company? What happened?"

I suddenly felt a warm liquid roll down my chick, I quickly wiped the tear.

"Well he just had a lot of responsibilities and we'll my Mom was an only child, my Dad had a brother we never really knew and 18 year old Jaden decided, my uncle would be a better gaurdian" I shook my head letting out a laugh eliciting the hurt etched in my heart. The laugh quickly fades.

"I just needed my brother, but I don't blame him" I said, distantly.

"Well you keep in touch right?" Ed asked.

"Not exactly, I mean if I did I'd be out of here, don't you think, I just really think he's forgotten about me."

"I'm sure he hasn't, have you tried to reach out or-"

"Can we not just talk about him, please." I cut in

"I just don't get it why would he" Ed let's out a sigh shaking his head.

We sat quiet for a moment.

"You never told me what happened to your.... parents" he hesitated to ask, but forced the words out.

"I don't really want to talk about it, at least not now" I really didn't, but it was good talking to him, I felt a little relief..... A little.

I like the comfortable feeling of having someone who actually cares.

"I totally understand, it's okay" he wrapped his arms around me, comforting me, Kelly is sure a lucky women.

"Babe! Eddie where are you!" An unknown but familiar voice cried and we separated, turning to a frozen blonde girl in jeans and a cardigan that read NYU, Kelly.

"Hey, you didn't tell me you were coming... remember Mary?" Ed acting like everything's normal and I'm over here thinking of a way to let her know that the hug was not probably what she was thinking. "Yeah, I remember Mary I didn't know you were going to have company so-"

"I was just leaving" I cut in

"and, it's nice seeing you Kelly"

"yeah....you too" She said.

I jumped down from the trunk

"Hey" Kelly called, there was concern in her voice.

"But...how are you doing?"

"I'm....I'm okay, thanks" I averted my eyes feeling a tear coming down, I walked to the door.

"Talk to you later, or see you later?" Ed said, his voice laced with worry.

"yeah, later" I replied not looking back. "Bye, Mary...take care of yourself" Kelly said, a bit worried.

I nodded and went into the bar and out the front. Why is she being so nice to me......I sighed, but it's good to have her back, and I hope this niceness isn't temporal.......maybe she's seeing me like she did the first time we met? I hope.

Getting out, My phone rang,the caller ID 'Misery' well it's actually Luke, he's probably calling for that next job, that's why he always calls, nothing more.... I should probably change the caller ID to his name or something that won't get me in trouble.

"Hello" my voice flat, waiting for him to spit out whatever he wanted to say, and get it over with before I actually get over with, with the job.

"I have a billionaire, client who'd probably be willing to pay almost a $1000,! Or even $5000! He's the son of Downey Patterson...the...uhhh, Patterson corporation, hoho...Mary you better not mess this up....I'm trusting you to do this job, Mary, do what ever he says, cook- wait he has servants... just whatever! Do not disappoint me, get a cab and meet me in my house for more info"

his voice edged with desperation.

"Do this job right, and you might just get some time off" it was supposed to sound like a boost, but the words came out more of a threat. And wait! What! Why would a billionaire son.... This is definitely a set up, why would a billionaire's son want to sleep with a prostitute or even- what! He has almost all the girls in the world who could do that, for free! And pay that much amount for just a night! It's a set up.

"Uhh, I'll meet you, on my way" I hung up the call, hoping I wasn't being presumptuous..... I just think he should do the hanging up.

I got a cab to his house...well Mansion actually, hoping the address was right.....yeah I guess it was.

"This is a big deal, Mary DO NOT MESS THIS UP."

Walking around the huge living room, and looking at me at intervals, Luke said suffused with desperation and warning. he continued after a few seconds

"Mary I say this again DO, DO NOT" dude I get it!

"MESS THIS UP! This is your chance to make a difference, get rewarded for your good job, a time off, more money.....you know Mary, you, I don't get what's going on with you, suddenly you've lost your.... panache, clients complain your not entertaining,you just want to get over with?"

And one of the clients, I assume you already know, Evan, yesterday's client. Suddenly some of the clients' favourite is Jasmine.

Come on, where's that flair, huh? I'm giving you this chance to make up for your mess ups, Mary.. don't mess this up, am I clear?" he finally stopped, waiting for me to reply,

"yes- I mean crystal... I'll do my best" I gave no expression but then I gave a supposedly reassuring smile, didn't feel that way, but maybe he saw it that way.

"Good....his name is John D. Patterson, twenty three years old, Marcus will be driving us to his mansion, behave your self Mary....get ready we'll pick you up at the motel, no silly excuses."

"But wait don't you think this is a set up?" I mean even if it is I shouldn't try to tell him right? What am I doing?

"This isn't a set up" he laughed shaking his head

"sweetheart I've been in this job for as long as you can remember and can't. That billionaire's son is messed up, broken hearted, he needs some one to help him forget at least for a while, alcohol might but, this...is even better, make him feel the love he wishes to have-"

"but he's a rich guy, there are a lot of girls who'd do that" I cut in. He rose an eye brow and began,

"Do your job,Mary, so what if he'll have a strange women instead"

but-"

"No buts, Mary, get out, go get ready" we'll pick you up 7:30" I nodded, one of his body guards escorted me out. At least if it's actually a set up, he'll know I had nothing to do with it.

I sprawled on my bed, thinking and asking God why he let all this happen, and how I'd get out of all this...this is impossible, to be possible, to live a normal life. Does he even care about me? He does He loves you

"God can't love me he-" realising I was now thinking out loud sitting up wondering where I heard that voice from. Is my mind playing games?

If he does, I need a way out. I should have ran away to start a new life, maybe save money and get a job.....but I can't, he'll find me and probably kill me, because he'll think I'm a threat to the end of 'The Lukeaid' he has a strip club he just had to go further. Plus he doesn't pay me much. Probably to keep me in check.

But why, why did- I sighed. If God truly loves me, I need to feel that love.

A few minutes to 7:30, I was ready, dressed in a trench coat and a red lingerie lace nightgown underneath, I wore a brunette wig and applied light makeup, applying red lipstick and lining my lips black to add a dark shade.

I waited in front of the motel as the limo pulled up. The driver who's name I recalled Marcus, his face with a blank expression. Luke came out.

" let me have a look" I untied the rope to my trench coat,

"looking good" he complemented nodding his head, I tied the rope back covering, then Luke let me into the limo before getting in after me.

"Now, let's make some money" I nodded looking outside the window as we- I set on for the next job.