Dangerous Affair

Chapter 4

Tessa

My body feels sore, screaming for rest. I just lost one job, but I have to keep up with another and the burdens settle all around me, draining every bit of strength I have in me. I pull up in the shabby elevator, pressing the buttons to the second floor. I seriously do need a shower at the moment before going back to work.

"What a day," I sigh, making my way out of the elevator.

The hallway seems awkwardly quiet, and it is no different from Jake's prison yard, which he calls an apartment. I can see my neighbors making eye contact without saying a single word. Their expressions on me make me wonder if I have done something wrong.

I pull close to Elena. She happens to be the only one who would talk to me around here. Her smile curls partly as she rubs the back of her head, and it feels slightly awkward.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Yeah!" She gave a prompt reply. "You might want to check out your apartment."

She turns, trying not to make eye contact as she runs inside her apartment.

"I don't get it," I scream.

I pull through, running to my apartment, only to see some of my belongings outside with a letter on it, the sign boldly written ‘EVICTION NOTICE’.

"No! No! No! You can't do this to me." I screamed, trying to get my belongings together, but my hands were full, some fell on the ground and I cried aloud. "I told him I was going to bring the rent. Why can't he just wait for a day?"

Ringing!

"Hello, why did you do this to me?" I sob. "I will get my pay cheque soon, I promise. All you had to do was wait a bit longer, Desmond. Where do you expect me to stay? I have nowhere to go, and you know it."

"I don't care Tessa," he fires. "If you want to get your apartment back, then pay up, or you can say goodbye to your sweet little bed. We don't run a damn charity business out here, girl. You pay up, you get your keys back."

"You have to understand, I will have my money and I will pay you, Desmond. Please, can you just let me in? I need the keys, you f*****g changed the locks."

"That's your business, Tessa. Get me my money, then you get the keys. Goodbye…"

"Desmond!!!"

I can literally feel my body dripping in sweat as I roam around in panic. I fall to my knees, tears trimming down my eyes and I grab my hair in frustration. The lump in my throat thickens, causing my voice to strain as I scream at the top of my lungs.

I let out a deep breath, I didn't realize I was holding while I sulked. My phone keeps flickering its light in my eyes, obviously telling me I am late for my morning shift. It's 9 am already. I tried to stand on my feet, but I was slammed against the wall, my back hitting the hardened floor with so much intensity.

His grip on me tightened and his eyes darkened. His fingers dug into my neck, scratching off my skin and I yelled.

"Where the hell have you been, Tessa?" Father's voice echoed, his breath burning against my skin. "You were supposed to be at the apartment by 7 am, and you weren't there, young lady."

"I was at work," I choked a little, tears streaming my eyes. "I have to work to assist you. Let me go…"

"Where is the money I asked for?" He roars, tossing me aside. His breath reeking of alcohol, probably whiskey.

Since Father lost everything, he found solace in drinking and stepmother doesn't give a s**t about his excessive intake of alcohol. All she wants is to be fed. That's all.

"Did you go out drinking again? I don't have it yet, pa…" I let out a loud cough and he growls. "Can you please just give me a break. I am about to be homeless, can't you see? I will get the money soon."

"Do I look like I f*****g care about you? I need my money tonight and you better have it ready, or I will kill you with these hands." He clutched his hands right before me and I swallowed.

I shook my head, my heart racing at his blazing gaze.

"Why?!" I suddenly ask.

"Huh?!"

He looks at me in disgust, his brows slightly narrow.

"No matter how hard I try to be your daughter, I am never good enough. Why?!" Tears streaming my eyes as I cast my gaze on the one man I have always loved and wanted him to see me as his blood. "I have done everything, but you don't ever come around. Why do you hate me so much pa? I have been there for you since you lost everything. I fought for you. I f*****g took up the family responsibilities despite the cruel treatment I got from you and the rest of the family. What have I done to deserve this from you? Why can't I be good enough for you?" I scream at the top of my lungs.

Father gripped my throat, my eyes spun as my feet barely touched the ground. My breath shortened and I was choking. Every attempt to say a word felt like torture.

"You know exactly what to do, Tessa. If you want my acceptance so bad, avenge this family. Get the ones who ruined everything for me, get me the heir of the Sharks dynasty, a son for a son. Only then, will you be worthy to stand before me as my daughter."

"Stop it! You are choking me, pa…"

He tosses me to the ground and I grasp for breath, my hands rubbing my neck and tears in my eyes.

"I heard he's in town. Find him. f*****g seduce that motherfucker and avenge your brother. And bring back my money tonight… then I will accept you as my blood."

He turns, leaving me there to sulk.

He hates me— I know it.

Buzz!

I look at my shattered phone, Father slam me hard, and now I have to find a way to fix my screen.

"Hello!" I spoke first.

"Tessa, I was wondering if you could fill in tonight. I am short of strippers and the bar is having an important guest. It's that time of the month, you know."

"What the heck?! You f*****g fired me," I screamed. "There's no way I'm coming back to work for you if this is what you intend to offer. Go to hell, Anthony…" I spat out.

The nerves Anthony has to call me, not to give me back my job, but he wants me to strip for some f*****g bikers. I hate it when they come around the bar, they have zero regard for me or Grace and these bastards want me to be their plaything.

Heck no!

"Relax!" He chuckles over the phone and I twist my lips in anger. He feels no remorse and it's mocking. "You want to pay your rent, right? I will give you five hundred dollars for the night if you can pull this off. C'mon, you have a nice body. I am sure the guys will love to see your butty."

"You make me sick," I spat out.

"Alright then, I will make it seven hundred dollars," he kept his insistence and my breath shortened. "That will be enough to cover your fees and your rent, right? Just do this for me tonight, and you will never hear from me again."

I stutter at the sound of Anthony's offer.

With my luggage staring at me, I sigh and rub the back of my head anxiously. My eyes flickering at the reality before me. I inhale deeply, my back leaning heavily against the wall with no words to say.