61 Days, Selene

His deal

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Selene POV

Fast. I was already out of the convent through the high fence. It was one of my countless times of jumping out so it wasn’t a big deal. But the real deal here is how I need to get away from that devil who killed father Gabe.

It was a miracle how I managed to get away from them. Loud music sounded right inside my ears. “Christ!” I stumbled into the club and the cold tiles made me realize I was barefooted.

“Where have you been, stupid girl?” The club mistress, Agnes, shouted at me. Her high voice passed away with the music that I could hardly pick her words.

I swallowed, throwing glances everywhere. My heart was beating very fast. What if those murdering maniacs had followed me here? I will be damned.

“I am sorry I used up my leave period, madam Agnes.” I pulled the mistress’s hands, pushing her into the changing room while my eyes flew around in fear.

Agnes shooed me away from her, “You should have resumed since yesterday. What the hell happened?” She shouted again. God, she uses the cuss words too much.

My eyes remained at the closed door. What if those men walk in? What if I am being dragged away by them to be killed? What if —

“You i***t! Are you even listening to me?” Agnes slapped the back of my head. I jolted out of my thoughts with a wince.

I shook my head negatively, shifting my focus back to her. “I need you to change those —“ she waved her hands over the night dress I was still wearing, “ — just get your ass on your pole in a f*****g sexy dress!” Agnes scoffed before stomping out.

My hands flew over my chest as I tried to calm my nerves down. The girls in the room gave me weird glances. I threw a glare back at them and proceeded to my locker. “Messiah help me so I get through this shitty night in peace.”

“Calm down…” I tried to breathe out as my hands shook frantically while I ransacked my locker for the damn clothes.

“Take these.” Agnes came back, threw some clothes at me. “I doubt that locker has anything good anymore.” She mumbled before leaving again.

Quickly, I changed into the outfit. My hands removed the headband I used before before I threw it away. My only prayer was ‘he shouldn’t recognize me.’ Because if he does, I might as well end up with scissors in my skull.

I stared at the mirror, the little makeup covering most of the fear in my eyes. I cleaned my sweaty hands against the dress I was wearing and walked to the stage. I am supposed to leave, run away, disappear. But where do I go? With what money?

How many more people like father Gabe have that man killed? Have the people in the convent found out about their father's death? I licked my dry lips, focusing on the club lights that had many colors. On my back was a small cardboard, letter B written on it. It is just to recognize us, the strippers.

The dress that was given to me was hell too tight. It was showing more than half of my boobs, so much for a girl who has double endowment.

The stripping began. I was number two. My heart hammered against my chest when it got to my turn. My shaky hands gripped the pole professionally. I tried to maintain composure and I hoped that it wasn’t failing.

My curled legs started going up higher as I danced. In the next minute, my gown was off my body after I removed the tiny buttons that held it together. Music and dance soothed me. I found myself relaxing as the dress fell to the floor. Now, I was in black pantyhose and a sporty black bra that looked like a singlet.

Suddenly, the hair on my body stood. The veins on my neck shook. That single piercing gaze — I could feel its intensity as if I was being watched. I lost sense of what I was doing immediately.

“Two thousand dollars.” I didn’t realize they have started placing bids on me, my dancing and my body. It was no new news at all because that is how I get my money.

“Five thousand dollars.” Another responded. Agnes would give me half of whatever bid they agreed on. With at least two thousand dollars, I should be able to go far away, maybe some rural beach where that beast will never find me.

My hands slid off the pool, “Twenty thousand.” The voice sounded so calm. I froze. The moment I lifted up my eyes to search for the owner of that voice, he was standing just a few meters away from me.

“Twenty thousand dollars?” Agnes shouted happily. My eyes refused to flutter. I was in shock. This dangerous man found me.

I wanted to run away from him, to hide but I had nowhere to go. The convent had been my only home and this place — is my only source of income.

My legs did the thinking for me. I turned and ran back into the changing room. My hair was held in my fingers out of frustration, fear and anger. How did he find me? I was sure I ran in circles.

“You must be surprised I found you, Kitten.” Again! This time, the door I locked was opened with Agnes’s key. She winked at me. I wanted to tell her to help me. I wanted to yell at her that this man is dangerous and could kill us both but she walked out immediately. I was stuck. Just great.

My lips refused to form a word. He was at least 6’9 tall and muscular, through the black shirt he was wearing. “You saw me.” His dark eyes stared at me.

It started beating again, my poor heart. “You saw me kill him.” I shook my head frantically, trying to form the words.

“I-it was a mistake. I - i didn’t - see anything. I swear!” My lips quivered with the words of my mouth.

He let out a chuckle, a deep one. “You have two options, sweetheart.” Two steps closer and there would be one more, his breath will be on mine.

Unexpectedly, he frowned and his eyes twinkled like he just remembered something. His eyes roamed around my body. Before I could think about it, his long hands stretched only for his fingers to give trails in the middle of my chest.

I shivered at his cold touch, goosebumps rose. “A nun stripper — interesting.” I stared at him in panic.

“What - do you want from me?” My teeth tightened as I asked.

He licked his lips and made it give a pop sound which looked incredibly sexy while one of his hands was folded against his chest. “How about I make you a deal — to shut your mouth?”

This time, blood ran out of me. Does he mean he is going to kill me? The picture of father Gabe begging appeared in my head, bits by bits and I staggered backwards.

“You disappear forever which means killing you or — you stay under my watch and I guarantee your safety.” He offered.

My racing heart skipped another beat. The second option would have been worth a try but this man is dangerous. “Either way, I am still going to die.” I whispered.

“It depends on you. But I will ensure you are safe as long as you work for me unless you exhibit bad behavior.” He smiled softly.

My breath got caught up in my throat. I wanted to say no, to scream at him, but the look in his eyes told me the truth. All my life, I just wanted to live normal but seeing something that was none of my business ruined my life.

This is it. There was no running from this man. I am trapped. “There is no option that says I can refuse your offer totally.” My shoulders slumped as I sucked on my lower lips.

I looked at him and his face was blank. Of course, there is no other way out. “Fine.” I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Good.” He muttered and immediately, two of his bodyguards came in, both standing at my sides. I was ushered out of the club without anyone noticing. He just bought me and my freedom with his dangerous aura and twenty thousand dollars.

“Get in.” He ordered. Even if I wanted to refuse, I couldn’t. The car door opened and I got in silently. This was it. Well, it isn’t over yet. He could be dangerous but I doubt he is the only one that can play.

This man sat beside me in the car and the journey to wherever they were taking me began. “There is something else you need to know.” He said, his tone serious.

I didn’t look at him, “This little agreement of ours, it’s just the beginning.” My stomach dropped as I stared at him with sudden hatred and fear.