Stripper For A Wife

His caged Bird

Ophelia

“Don’t get it mistaken. I’m not here to ruin your reputation; I signed the non-disclosure. I won’t stoop that low, I promise.” He must be furious seeing me here.

His name was Nathan; I could see his face more clearly. He had a terse look, his eyes lacking emotions, and his chiselled angular face was edged just like a GQ male model featured in their magazine. His cold grey eyes glossed over me. I felt my throat swallowing dry air.

“I would leave this instant.” I tried to shrug my hand from his hold, but it appeared his hold was stronger than I thought.

“Sit!” He ordered, and so did I.

The manager came forward. “Here’s the box you asked for. I’ll give you some privacy.”

I appeared confused when he settled beside me and took my hand. I still bled. “What are you doing?”

“Preventing work abuse lawsuits. I don’t want any allegations against the hotel.”

“It’s just a minor injury. And besides, I need this work; I don’t have the time or money to sue.” I whispered.

I winced as he dabbed my wrist with some alcohol. He took a clean wrap and wrapped it around my wrist. “You shouldn’t bother yourself with this. I’m just a waitress; your attention will do more harm than good.”

“Last night.” He started.

“I won’t mention a word of it to anyone. I promise on my life, I need this job more than anything. I don’t care about last night.”

His eyes flashed with anger. “You don’t care about it, good, but distance was never what I intended to achieve by giving you a non-disclosure form to sign.”

I frowned, confused. “I don’t understand you.”

“You are fired from this job.” He said coldly.

“What?” I scoffed, not believing my ears.

“You are not fit to be a waitress under my hotel, Ms. Ophelia.”

A tear slid down my face. “You can’t do this to me.”

“Why?”

“I need this job, please.” I fell on my knees.

“I’ll cover the treatment of your sister and make sure she’s comfortable.”

“What? How did you find out about my sister?” I asked, shocked by his revelation.

Your foster sister—no one knows that. You are her only guardian.”

Blood left my face at his revelation. He has been investigating my past. “Were you that intrigued by an insignificant girl you spent the night with? Who are you?” I scoffed, a part of me deeply hurt.

“You are truly insignificant; that’s what makes you special. Your background is also vague; I can fix that.”

“What do you want to do with me?”

“Become my fiancé and stay by my side for three months.”

Have you forgotten I’m just a w***e you picked? Your fiancé, you look like you are from a deeply prestigious family; I will never be worth the rag that touches your feet.”

“A w***e only I touched. My whore.” He pulled me into his torso possessively, and his thumb found my lips.

“I will pay you more than you ever imagined.”

I shrugged out of his hold, infuriated. I don’t wish to be his personal object or his plaything. I can’t get entangled in his family issues.

“I will find another way for Amelia. You already have a girlfriend; I can’t stoop that low. I accept being fired. Have a nice evening, Mr. Anfield.” I was about to leave, but he caught my injured wrist and drew me back into his torso. His eyes lit with rage from my rejection, and I winced from the pain radiating from my wrist. He was hurting me on purpose.

He scoffed. “You must pride yourself on being principled.”

“Your money is tempting, but it is not worth the problems it would bring after our term of agreement is over.”

“You would risk your sister’s life over your fear for the unseeable future.”

“I’ll figure out another way.”

His jaw ticked. “All roads lead back to me! Ophelia, it all leads back to me.”

I pursed my lips stubbornly and withdrew from his hold.

He brought out a card. “Once you realize you have no other option but me, do well and come back. Here’s my card.” He tucked it into my pocket; before he walked out on me, he muttered. “Make sure Penelope doesn’t see a glimpse of how you look. She couldn’t tell from earlier.”

I stood bewildered at the interaction that just happened.

He wanted a stripper he just met to act as his fiancée.

***

Nathan.

I picked out the soft layer of grilled fish lying in the cream sauce and put some in my mouth. I caught Ophelia walking out with a hoodie covering her face, her hair lowered.

“That’s the lady who spilled on me. Clumsy fool.”

I stared at her blankly. “She has been fired.”

Penelope smiled at me. “Well deserving.”

I checked my wristwatch, glad I decided to come at the last minute; at least I got to see Ophelia by chance. I avoided being followed to the strip club. I’ve put on a nice show for my parents; they should be satisfied now.

I stood to my feet. “I’m done here.”

“You are barely done with your dinner.”

“I have work at the office.”

“Ohh. Then I’m also good. I’ll follow you out.” She smiled at me.

I heaved and started out with her. Her arm clocked around mine. “I can’t believe the engagement is on Saturday. In case you find it difficult shopping for a ring. I can help out.”

“I’m good.”

“I can’t believe we are this close to achieving our dreams.”

“It was a dream of yours to get married to me?”

"I think anyone can see how obsessed I am with the charming son of the Anfield family. From the very first day.”

I feigned a tight smile and removed her arm from me, reaching out to open the door of her car. “Drive safe.” I instructed her driver.

She waved at me, and I watched as they left.

I reached into my pocket and dialed Jonathan’s number. “Have you spoken to the strip club manager?”

“Yes sir, he is willing to cooperate.”

***

Ophelia.

It was time for my shift at the strip club. A sad feeling lodged in my chest at the crossroads I’ve found myself. Amelia’s treatment needed the job Mr. Nathan fired me from. I walked into the dressing room and started to change when a staff member walked in. It was the same male staff.

“Ophelia, the manager would like to see you.”

I nodded, wondering what it was all about this time. I followed him out and waited for the manager to attend to me.

Once he was done with his computer, he sent a hideous smile in my direction before his smile fell to a pity look.

“I’m sad, but I’m left with no other option; your services are no longer needed here.”

I scoffed in disbelief. “What? I thought I did well.”

“One man only found favor in you, meaning for you to keep selling, he has to keep coming here.”

A distraught look was worn on my face. “It was my first day; I’m no longer naive; I understand the realities of this work. Please give me a chance to prove myself.”

“No second chances.”

My heart dropped to the floor. A tear falling from my face, “Was this his doing?” I muttered, heartbroken. There was no response.

“It was.” I realized bitterly. This was what he meant by saying I have no other option but to come back to him.

Without wasting more time, I left the club, a flood of tears falling down my face in despair at how lonely the world seems.

My phone rang, breaking my thoughts for a second. It was Sophia. “Sophia.” I picked up the call.

“My goodness, Ophelia. Please come to the clinic; hurry up. Amelia’s situation became worse; they are trying to resuscitate her.”

“What?”

***

I hurried through the aisle of the wards Amelia was in. I saw Sophia waiting outside. A tear falling down her face.

“What’s wrong with Amelia?” I held her, horrified with the thought of losing my sister.

“Her heart stopped again.”

I tried to run into her ward room, but I was held back by two strong nurses. “Stay back, Ms.”

I collapsed on the floor, tears falling down my face. After some minutes the door came open, and the doctor walked out, a look of exhaustion on her face.

“Surgery has to commence today; she can’t make it beyond today.”

“What?”

“Review your payment and conclude it for an immediate treatment; an installment payment system is not possible if you wish for her to live.”

I was stunned and lost at what to say. I could barely breathe. “Please, can we have other options? This is so hard on Ophelia.”

I shook my head and wiped my tears. “I know what to do. Her treatment will begin today.”

“I’ll get ready for surgery. You have an hour.”

I nodded and watched her leave.

Sophia looked at me like I had something on my face. “Have you gone insane? This is tens of thousands of dollars we are talking about here.”

I nodded. “Stay with Amelia. I’ll be back in an hour.”

She sent me a look of pity and nodded. “It’s okay even if you fail.”

“I won’t fail. Amelia can’t die.”

***

I let my hand flicker over the card and watch a high-rise building. A. F. Co. comes into view. I walked into the building and to the reception desk.

“I would like to see Mr. Nathan Anfield…”

The receptionist appeared wary of my appearance. “Do you have an appointment with him?”

“Can you please tell his secretary, Ophelia, is here?”

She gestured to a seat in the lounge. “Please take a seat.”

I did, anxiously. The feeling of despair and hopelessness filling my chest.

Soon enough, she called me. “Ms. Ophelia.”

I stood. “The 14th floor.” She directed. “His secretary is waiting for you.”

I relaxed against the elevator’s door, and once it slid open, I walked out. The man from the Mercedes was waiting for me.

“Ms. Ophelia, follow me.”

He led me to a double door and gestured for me to open the door.

I pushed it and walked in, closing the door behind me.

“It is barely twenty-four hours.” He lets out a soft chuckle.

“Please save my sister.” I fell on my knees.