DARK SECRETS

She Looked. . . Familiar

Yasmine arrived at the hospital at the nick of time. The doctor was about to leave when she saw him.

"Doctor Armstrong," She called as she hurried towards him. He turned back and immediately he saw her, he smiled.

"Yasmine, " He called gently. "I waited so long, I thought you weren't going to show up anymore," He said. "How are you? "

"I'm fine, doctor Armstrong," Yasmine smiled at the man. She was grateful she knew this man. He was her family doctor, and Yasmine could say he was the only one who helped her with her mom's treatment after her father's death. He was just like family to her. She was grateful she still had someone she could reply on.

"I'm sorry I was late, there was too much traffic, " She said.

Yeah, talking to Mrs Peters and that arrogant looking man in one night was traffic for her, alright.

"It's fine, " Doctor Armstrong said to her.

"How is Mom?" She asked. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine and stable, " Armstrong said. "She just fell asleep 30 minutes ago."

Yasmine sighed in relief. "That's good to hear, " She said. She opened her bag and brought out money before giving it to doctor Armstrong.

"For her drugs, " She said gently, as she gave him the money. Doctor Armstrong smiled.

"I must commend you, Yasmine, for all you're doing for your mother, " He said. "How do you even get money for her treatment anyway?"

"I work overtime after college if I'm chanced to, " She said. She couldn't tell him what nature of job she was really doing. It was embarrassing to say.

"Try to look after yourself too, Yasmine, " Doctor Armstrong said. "You are still young, you have your whole life ahead of you. Your mom just has ovarian cancer, and she would have her surgery, which should be coming up soon. Don't waste your life away my dear. I'll help you in everyway possible."

Yasmine smiled. "Thank you sir," She said sincerely. "I appreciate all you're doing for me. But my mom is my world. If she dies as well, I won't be able to go on. I still need her. I need her more than ever. "

"I understand you, Yasmine, " Doctor Armstrong said. "You don't need to worry. She will be fine. "

Yasmine smiled. "Thank you doctor, " She said. "Can I go see her now? I know it's past visiting hours, but I won't take long. I promise. "

"Fine, my dear," Doctor Armstrong said. "See her for some minutes and go back to your dorm quickly. It's getting late."

"Okay sir, thank you, " Yasmine said and she quickly head to her mom's ward. She opened the door gently and walked towards her mother's sick bed. Her mother was sleeping, so she was careful in order not to wake her mom up. She got to her mom's bed and sat at the side of the bed and held her mom's hand gently.

"Mom, " She called gently. "It's me, your baby. " She said. "It's Yas. I hope you're doing well. " She smiled gently as tears clouded her eyes but she held it in. "Don't worry, you'll be fine," She reassured her mother. "As long as I'm here, you'll be fine. I will never let you leave me now. I promise. "

Suddenly her mother's hand moved and she heard her mother's feeble voice call; " Yasmine. . ."

Yasmine looked up and saw her mother looking up at her, smiling. Yasmine smiled and chuckled softly at her. "Mom. . ."

"How is my baby doing? " She asked gently. "How is school? "

"I'm fine, school's fine mom, now don't stress yourself too much okay? " Yasmine called gently at her mom. "Rest up. "

"I'm very happy you're here, my dear, " Her mom called. "At least I'm getting to see your pretty face before something happens to me. . ."

"No Mom, don't say that, " Yasmine cut her mother off, not allowing her finish her statement. "Nothing is going to happen to you, as long as I'm here, okay? " She said. "You'll be fine. I promise."

Her mother smiled at her and held Yasmine's hand feebly.

"I love you, my sweet Yasmine, " Her mom called as her eyes dimmed gently. She was feeling sleepy. Yasmine chuckled as tears dropped from her eyes. She kissed her mother's forehead and whispered back gently ; " l love you too, mom."

By the time she looked at her mother's face again, her eyes were closed. She had fallen asleep again. Yasmine smiled before she kissed her mother's hands before laying it down on the bed gently and she stood up and walked out of the room before sparing her mother another glance and she walked out of the ward. She found doctor Armstrong checking on a patient and she based him good night before she started making her way to Là Calantrò.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"What a surprise! Ricky's here in my humble abode, this calls for a celebration! " Patrick yelled as he laughed and poured himself and Erick a big mug of cold beer.

"Don't call me Ricky, Pat, " Erick said calmly. "I'm not a dog."

"Don't call me Pat, Ricky, " Patrick said too in the same manner Erick talked to him. "I'm not a woman. "

Erick looked at his best friend's cheesy attitude and chuckled. He had forgotten Patrick could behave so annoying sometimes. Sometimes he acts like a 5 year old.

Patrick laughed lightly as he walked towards Erick and handed him a mug, which he collected and drank. "So why are you here exactly, man? "Patrick asked. " It's been a long while since I last saw you sitting on my couch."

"You invited me to Là Calantrò, remember? " Erick said as he drank his beer.

"Oh, so you're not going after Bruno today? Or you don't have an appointment with those sexy ladies either? " Patrick teased him and Erick chuckled. " Don't tease me like that, Patrick." He said. " You offered me a deal, and I want to take it. Besides, let's see this Hidden Beauty you decided to bet on anyway. " He said.

"Good, let me finish up my drink and then we'll go," Patrick said and picked up his phone.

"Daniel, " he called into the phone. "Get the cars ready, I'm heading out in 5 minutes." And he hunged up.

"I brought my car," Erick said. "You don't want to go in my car?"

"Of course not! "Patrick said. "And have you kill me with your silence in the car? Not a chance." He said and Erick chuckled.

"I'd rather listen to music in mine, thank you very much," Patrick said smiling.

Erick looked at his friend and smiled. Sometimes he always forgets that his friend was one funny dude.

After downing the last gulp of beer down his throat, Patrick stood up. "Come on, let's go," he said to Erick. "Let's go have some fun!" He yelled.

"Alright!" Erick yelled as well and they both laughed and headed outside Patrick's mansion to his car garage. I got into my car and he got into his. We headed to Là Calantrò together in our convoy.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yasmine got to the club in the nick of time. She went through the back door and went straight to her boss's office.

"Good evening Madame," She greeted.

"Oh my, I thought you weren't going to be able to make it today Yasmine," the plumpy woman said. Madame Glenna might be fat, but she was pretty and though she was in her late thirties, she behaved like a woman in her early twenties. She was lively and jovial, and she especially liked Yasmine, which was an uncommon thing, for a woman who runs a club to like a girl working as a stripper under her. It was like Yasmine found favour in her sight immediately she met her.

And well, every advantage has a disadvantage of its own. Most girls working as a stripper or even a slut there were very jealous of Yasmine. Who wouldn't be? She only dances to impress the rich men. She didn't have to reveal her real face and identity to them and she didn't have to sleep with any of them either. But yet she was the most paid stripper in Là Calantrò.

Yasmine knew she had haters, so everytime she steps foot into Là Calantrò, she became a different person. She dropped her innocence and meek attitude at the back door and immediately became a fierce, rude lady without feelings. She didn't allow them to mock her or take advantage of her. She was bold and precise, and she held her head up high. She was so aloof to all the gossips about her and she cared less to the extent most of the girls didn't bother talking or mocking her to her face because they knew she would talk right back at them if she found out. They would rather say it behind her,and Yasmine didn't care about that. They could say whatever they want to. Besides, none of them could really win her in a fight. Yasmine had actually learnt taekwondo when she was younger and she thanked her father for enrolling her for it. It proved useful now. It was like her father knew she would need it in future.

Or maybe he did.

Because of her aloofness, most of the girls had begun to give her the respect she earned and deserved, and any one of them who tried to make friends with her saw a new side of her because she always welcomed them to be friends with her. But she never trusted anyone. Who knows, they could be conspiring against her by befriending her. In this job, Yasmine had to sharpen her eyes and ears, and keep herself alert at all times. It was like walking in a jungle.

Yasmine smiled as she looked at Madame Glenna. "Of course I would. I have no choice. "

Madame Glenna smiled at her. "How is your mother at the hospital? "

" She's doing okay, " Yasmine replied her. " I got a chance to see her before coming here. "

"That's good," Madame Glenna said. "Now hurry up and get dressed, there are customers out there waiting to see you perform. You'll be up in 30 minutes. "

"Yes Madame, " Yasmine said and Madame Glenna left her.

Yasmine went straight to her own personal changing room which was in opposite direction of Madame Glenna's office. She dropped her bag and began to change her clothes, looking for the dress, heels, make up and wig to wear.

Ever since Yasmine started working at Là Calantrò, she never performed with her real hair. She was always wearing different coloured wigs, and different striking make overs. Sometimes she even wore a different eye lense. This was what made her who she was at Là Calantrò.

Hidden Beauty.

She was pretty, as everyone knew, but she was not recognized. No one knew who she truly was outside this club, and she was grateful for that. She had to keep her personal life away from her life here as a stripper, or else if anyone knew about it she would be doomed for life. She wouldn't be able to take the embarrassment.

Today she wore a striking red wig, and decided not to wear any contact lenses. Her green eyes matched her wig so she decided to go natural, but only with her true eye lenses. She wore a black bra and panties with net from her hips below, up to her legs. And she wore a red 6inch heels and wore a leather jacket on her bra. Her appearance changed; the young girl who was only wearing a plain baby yellow top and blue denim Jean and a nice pair of sandals was now looking like a hot model, about to go clubbing.

Maybe she was really going clubbing. After all she was going to be entertaining men at the club.

Yasmine sighed heavily. She was going to do this again, on another different night. She hoped everything went well. Madame Glenna would keep her promise; she wouldn't be sleeping with anyone at all. She would only follow her simple rules, earn your self respect and don't try to chat with any of the customers. She repeatedly said this in her mind so much her brain couldn't stop repeating it.

"Oh, there you are,"Madame Glenna's voice rang out in the silent room. Yasmine turned to look at her and smiled. "Look at you, now there's my Hidden Beauty, " Madame Glenna said, smiling. "Don't worry, you just have to do what you always done. No one would pester you for anything I promise. There are rich men out there who have paid millions to see you perform. Do me proud, my angel. "

Yasmine smiled at her. " Of course ma'am. "

"Now go, "Madame Glenna said. "Your audience and fans await you. " She said jokingly.

Yasmine bowed slightly at her and after taking a deep breath, she walked out of the room and passed by other girls who immediately started talking about her, asking themselves how and when she got to the club. Yasmine kept her head high, as she walked past them to the stage. Some other girls that were performing would soon leave the stage, and she would have the full stage to herself. Yasmine prepared herself what what she knew how to do best.

It was show time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Welcome sirs, here are your seats, " Madame Glenna greeted Erick as he and Patrick entered the club and were ushered to a seat in front of the stage. Erick didn't say anything as he walked to the seat he was offered and sat down gently. The girls performing didn't catch his eyes. He wanted to see the girl referred to as the Hidden Beauty.

"Where's your Hidden Beauty, Patrick? " She suddenly asked Patrick. "Isn't she going to be performing today? "

"Geez, be patient man, " Patrick said. " You just came. And now you're getting impatient again. I told you, she is the star of the show. So she would come when she is ready to perform."

"I don't have time for this Patrick, " Erick said and as he was about to complain further, he suddenly heard someone say; " And now, performing next on stage is every man's eye catching damsel, Hidden Beauty. "

Immediately Erick didn't say anything and looked forward. The stage light was lowered and a lady's figure was seen standing behind a veil. She stood seductively, and suddenly her voice rang out gently.

"Hey boys, " She said seductively. "You ready to see true perfection?"

All the men's voice rang out enthusiastically as they ululated. Erick looked at his side and saw his friend yelling in excitement as well. This was something. For a lady's voice alone to make grown up men go crazy, she must be worth everything she was called.

The lights dimmed there was a lady on stage, with her back only visible to everyone. The jacket she was wearing was sparkling and it was glittering with the words; Hidden Beauty on it. Then an erotic song started playing as all the spotlights were on her and a long pole suddenly became visible to everyone's sights.

The girl had still not shown her face.

As the song started earnestly, the girl started dancing around the pole, swaying her hips seductively as she danced erotically, smiling as well. Erick was taken aback with the way she moved and danced, honestly she was turning him on. He realized that when his hand touched his pants and realized his manhood was already standing erectly in the sight of everyone!

Erick quickly adjusted his sitting position and kept his hands forward. He didn't even want Patrick to see his erection. It was very embarrassing, and he was sure Patrick would laugh if he saw it. Then he looked at Patrick, whose mouth was opened wide and he was drooling already. He looked around him and saw all the men were silent, some were gulping saliva down their throats and some were trying to drink so as not to show how active their body was behaving.

Erick even caught a man far behind where the spotlights couldn't reach, with lady giving him a blow job!

Erick sighed. Now he really knew why his friend could be so enthusiastic to make a bet and give him two million dollars just to spend a night with this hot beauty on stage. And surprisingly, he now really wanted to know who this lady was and keep his end of the bet!

As the spotlight shined fully on her face, Erick saw she had a red hair, it was a short bob and her lips were also had a striking red lipstick on it. She smiled seductively and played with her body, twisting and swaying with her heels while dancing around the pole like the experienced stripper she was. And then she removed her jacket, showing off her big boobs in a bra.

"f**k," Erick heard Patrick say absentmindedly. "She's so hot I wish I can have her under me, begging for mercy, just for one night. Only one night. That's all."

Erick didn't say anything. He just watched the girl. As she walked forward to the stage and reached the place where Erick was sitting, their eyes met.

And Erick noticed something peculiar about her eyes. There were the same shade of green Erick had seen earlier on the girl his car had almost hit; the same lime green eyes.

But the girl was far different than this one. She was looking very innocent, though she was fierce. But this lady here was more mature looking than her, and she didn't have the same color of hair, the colour of carrots like the other girl. This one had red hair.

But the more Erick looked at her, the more he felt like he had seen her before, and that she was peculiar looking as the girl he saw earlier on. And he noticed that the girl suddenly frowned again when their eyes met the second time, like she knew him and he had offended her before.

She looked. . . familiar.

Erick tried to place it, but he didn't understand. But he would understand little by little, if that what it takes. He felt like he was drawn to that certain girl ever since he saw her, and he had the same feeling when he saw this other one. If Erick had to come always to Là Calantrò to find out, maybe that's what he would do. Besides, now he was ready to take the deal Patrick offered him.

He will get the answers he wants, somehow.

After all, he was Erick Dúnn.