Under the Neon Light

Under the Neon Light Chapter One Raven's P.O.V. "That's your job. Strip now—I paid for you!" the drunk, wealthy man shouted. It all started when my mother died. She was the only person who truly cared about me. I only spent five years with her, but those five years are the most precious memories I have. My father had always been useless and irresponsible. Just a few months after my mother's death, he married another woman. I never even got to see my mother's body before she was buried. My father's new wife, Susan, made my life a living hell. I became the family's slave, raised in a house full of people who hated me. My father never cared. He always sided with Susan, constantly reminding me that I was nothing but a mistake. And here I am... That same mistake. Dancing under neon lights for this drunk old bastard. "Raven! Raven!!" Susan's voice snapped me back to reality. I flinched, realizing I'd been zoning out. A sharp slap landed across my cheek. "You i***t!" she screamed. "Were you looking at your mother's ghost while performing for my client?" Only then did I realize the old man was gone. "I'm sorry... Mum," I apologized quickly. If I didn't, I already knew I wouldn't be eating tonight. I was the one who danced for the clients, yet I never got a single naira from the money they threw at me. "That's for your filthy mother in heaven!" she spat. "And don't ever call me your mother, daughter of a slut!" "Florida!" she shouted. "Bring me one of the whips." Oh no... not Florida. She was just as cruel as her mother. "Oh, Mum," Florida laughed, returning with a whip. "I got the one that'll remind her who she belongs to." She made sure every word cut deep. That night, I was beaten until I could barely recognize myself. And when they were done, they still sent me back to dance on the pole. Dozens of hungry eyes roamed over my body. Countless men stared at me as if I were something to be bought. Maybe one of them would buy me tonight. Money rained onto the stage. Some men came close enough to touch me. One of them slapped my backside. Rage burned through me. When he tried to touch me again, I drove the heel of my shoe straight into his mouth. Instead of getting angry... He laughed. A cold, unsettling laugh. When I looked again, he had disappeared. Moments later, Susan stepped onto the stage and announced that the show was over. I frowned in confusion. She grabbed my arm and dragged me outside. Relief washed over me. At least I was finally away from the spotlight. But my relief didn't last long. The moment we reached the parking lot, she shoved me into a gray Mercedes-Benz. The door locked immediately. Before walking away, she mouthed, Treat him well. Then she disappeared. I slowly looked up. My heart nearly stopped. It was him. The psychopath who had slapped my ass. "Hello, sassy girl," he smirked from the driver's seat. "Why am I here?" I asked, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. "Well..." he chuckled. "I bought you for the night. Sussy sold you for a very high price, but it'll be worth every penny once I get a taste of you." He slowly licked his lips. His eyes shamelessly traveled over my body until they settled on my chest. Only then did I realize I was still wearing the revealing outfit from the performance. To make matters worse, we were far away from the club, and I had no idea where we were. "May you and Susan both rot in hell," I muttered. He only smiled. A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a luxurious hotel. He got out and opened my door like a perfect gentleman. I knew it was all an act. I refused to step out. His smile disappeared. Without saying a word, he pulled back his jacket just enough for me to see the knife tucked into his waistband. I froze. I climbed out immediately. I wasn't ready to die. Not yet. I still had dreams. I wanted to escape Susan and my father. I wanted a life that belonged to me. I wanted to become successful. But... how? Those thoughts raced through my mind until I suddenly felt something cold against my throat. The knife. What do I do? Should I scream? Should I cooperate? What if everyone outside works for him? Next Episode Coming Soon... #vote