Stripper For A Wife

Encounter.

Ophelia.

I walked out of the club feeling a bit down and depressed at the money in the envelope. I was given the minimum wage with a little incentive; it was better than working as a waitress, but I needed another job to be able to afford Amelia’s treatment.

My phone buzzed, and I saw it was Sophia, Amelia's teammate and my best friend. “Sophia,” I greeted.

“Where were you last night? I tried visiting, but I found your apartment locked last night.”

“Ermm… I had some business to attend to. I’m fine though,” I assured her, knowing she was worried as hell.

“I’m at the clinic. Amelia is awake; she is worried you are worried, so bring your ass here.”

“Amelia is awake? ” I sighed a relief of joy. “I’m coming. I’ll be right there.”

I was about to hurry out to the front to be able to catch a bus when a car honked at me. It was a sleek black Mercedes car. I stopped and saw the window slide down.

A young man with little glasses perched on his nose bridge waved at me. “Ophelia,” they called.

I frowned at how he knew my name. He gestured for me to get into the car. “How do you know my name? ”

“You allegedly spent the night with this man? ” He showed me the picture of the man I spent a night with.

I bit my lips worried and nodded. “Why? ”

He unfolded a paper from an envelope and handed it to me. “This is a non-disclosure form ensuring your silence about what transpired between you and Mr Anfield. There’s also a settlement to buy your silence.”

I bulged my eyes. “What? ” Who is this Mr Anfield?

I bit my lips. “How much is the settlement? ” I needed money for Amellia’s treatment; the meagre amount I was paid by the manager won’t cut it.

He drew a cheque and gave it to me. My eyes bulged at the amount of zeros on the paper. “20,000 dollars,” I stuttered.

“Too little.”

“N-noo,” I muttered, lost at what to say. This was enough to begin Amelia's surgery and pay in instalments.

My encounter with Mr Anfield was relieving; I was glad he made me comfortable to some extent and respected me in the act. I never intended to use it against him.

“I won’t use our encounter for malicious intents or blackmail.”

The man nodded. “I’m glad we are on the same page. Here, add your contacts in case we need to reach you.”

I frowned. Would that be necessary? I added it regardless to prove I was trustworthy. I was about to step out when he stopped me. “I see you about to leave to premises, if we are going on the same way, I could just drop you off.”

“I’m going to a clinic; it’s in town. I don’t wish to trouble you.”

“It’s fine,” he brushed off. I bit my lips and decided to go with them. It’s much faster anyway.

Nathan Anfield.

I rubbed the towel over my hair; it was still damp but no longer dripping. My mind is constantly reminiscing about the feel of her softness underneath me, her fingers clawing at my back.

A knock landed on my door. “Mr. Anfield is waiting for you at the dining room, sir. Breakfast has been served.”

I heaved and gave a nod. So much for avoiding them last night. My phone buzzed; it was my secretary, Jonathan. “Collected her contact number, will find out more about her background.”

I smirked and tucked my phone in my joggers before descending down. For the first time I could not stop thinking about someone. I didn’t want her to keep working there; I struck an arrangement with the management to keep her from personally attending to other men. She was exclusively mine.

Once done I rolled my eyes at the people on the table. “Mother, Father,” I greeted.

“I’m also here.” Penelope waved. Tucking her wavy blonde hair behind her ears, she dyed it anew; I could see the highlights.

“Sure. Noticed you,” I said dryly and took a seat. She stood and settled right beside me.

“You were not around for dinner.” Her eyes searched mine.

“I was busy with work.”

“I visited; you were not in.”

I gave her a tight glare. “Don’t make me forgo breakfast because you don’t know when to stop.”

Mother gave her a look, and she smiled tightly, picking up slices of pancakes and filling my plates.

“I’m simply just curious about you; you don’t have to be so annoyed all the time.”

I ignored her and looked at my parents. “You visited so abruptly.”

“For your marriage.”

I raised a brow at them. Father cleared his throat. “Your grandfather wants to see you engaged. His inheritance is about to be divided.”

“And so?”

He stared at me dead in the eyes. “Don’t play oblivious. You are already everyone’s least favourite. Your competence at running the business is not just enough; you need to please your grandfather if you wish to continue.”

I folded my fist; the napkin rumpled underneath the weight of my rage.

Father cut a slice of bacon and put it in his mouth, staring tersely at me. “Your cousin can’t get any of it. He already has a better reputation; the least you can do is meet up.”

He reached for his napkin and dabbed his lip. “We’d arrange an engagement with Penelope and the Thornes family this weekend. Your absence won’t be forgiven this time.”

Penelope smiled at me. “Our engagement is this week finally.” She placed her hands on my arm, but I shrugged out of it, irritated. Before leaving the dining room.

I could hear Mother pacifying Penelope. “He’ll come around.”

“What if there’s another woman?” She whispered.

It was the perfect idea I needed. Another woman – I could find one.

Ophelia.

I smiled at Amelia once after concluding with the doctor to begin her treatment. The surgery will commence soon. “How did you manage to?”

“I will always find a way for you.”

“Don’t go around it, Lia.” She won’t believe I wasn’t acting on desperation.

“I can’t tell you but I promise I am not doing anything illegal.” I promised her.

Amelia reached for my hands. “I’m sorry.”

My eyes softened. “Don’t apologise, Amelia. It’s not your fault your body decided to fail. You have worked so hard; it’s okay if your body needs rest.”

“It is costing you so much.” A tear dropped on her cheek; I wiped it with my thumb.

“We will overcome. I have an interview at a high-end hotel restaurant. I need to see if I can secure a waitress job there.”

“Don’t overwork yourself.” Sophia sent a worried look. I nodded at her.

“Take care, I’ll visit tomorrow.” I smiled at her and exited the three-bed ward she was sharing with other patients.

***

I walked into the five-star hotel, the setting out of a movie. The tables were sparse in the huge room, with another floor above us.

A chandelier stood in the middle of the room; it was magnificent to look at. The whole restaurant was designed as some royal ballroom.

I walked out to the reception and was directed to wait. The manager came in after some seconds.

“There’s a slot left. You have chance to prove you are worthy of the job. If you can, you are getting it.”

I nodded. “I will work my best, sir.”

Another staff member entered the reception room. “Ms Penelope Thornes booked a private dinner with Sir. They should be here this evening.”

The manager nodded. “We should get back to work. Hand her the waitress uniform. We need more hands.”

***

I eased into the waitress uniform, tying my brown chestnut hair into a ponytail. I haven’t had time to wash it; it would appear greasy and let down. I walked out of the staff lounge room to see arrangements were already made. It appeared this Ms Penelope was a woman of high status.

“How can I help?” I walked to the desk.

“Help arrange the candles. She loves them scented.” I nodded and lit the candles.

Soon a voice tore across the room. “She’s here.” Everyone appeared anxious. The manager came out.

“I’ll walk her in. Mr Nathan is not with her. I assume he will meet her later.”

I went back to the kitchen to meet the chef; the drinks and water should be served first. There was an exquisite white wine prepped in an ice bucket before her arrival.

Another waitress took it while I got ready to take the appetiser meant to keep them busy before the dish of the night was ready.

The manager appeared pleased. “You have outdone yourself; meet me after the dinner is over.”

I beamed and lowered my head in appreciation. “Thank you, sir. I deeply appreciate it.”

“You made it possible.”

The lady took her seat, a wine glass poured for her. The waitress bringing her meal slipped on her feet and had the tray thrown in Ms Penelope’s direction. The spill barely touched her, but an enraged look crossed her face.

She picked up the glass and threw it in the waitress’s direction. I gasped and hurried in front of her, as it might hit her in the face.”

“Watch out!” The glass shattered next to my feet. The other waitress was horrified.

“Are you f*****g retarded? Can’t capable waitresses be employed here?” Ms Peneloped yelled.

“We apologise. Another meal will be served immediately.” The chef came forward.

“My dress was stained by her f*****g clumsiness. I’m sure Nathan would love to know why there’s an extra thirty thousand dollar expense.”

Just then a man appeared, his silhouette blocked by the light. I helped the other waitress, and we moved out of their way.

She touched me gently. “Your hand?”

I lowered my eye and noticed I was bleeding badly.

I swallowed; it appeared the glass had shattered on my hand,, not the floor.

Ms Penelope stood at the sight of the man who arrived. “Nathan, you are here already? I apologise for this scene.”

I was about to leave when I felt a figure towering over me. I turned to look at the person and gasped. It was the man from the night before. “Mr Anfield?” I muttered inaudibly; I could barely hear myself.

He was Ms Penelope Date. Oh s**t, why was I here?

Without warning. He took my hand and dragged me along with him. “Come with me!” He sounded pissed off.