The hangover was too much for Stacey this time, she has had series of hangovers but this one was getting a better part of her. Last night was lit, fire, bang, best of its kind. Every other night was like this for Stacey. she works in clubs. Got kicked out of her hole this morning. Damn the owner, the shit hole is nothing compared to a normal apartment, he should be lucky someone is actually living in a place like that, she had to look for an alternative. Her next stop was at Tanya's, for some reason, Tanya has been acting really weird around her recently. Tanya has been her buddy since she stepped foot in that state. she is the only friend Stacey has managed to make. Tanya's door was locked, fate is really not smiling at her this morning, not like it had ever smiled on her before. Stacey frowned, she really needs a place to bunk. Where would Tanya have gone, she did not see her at the club last night, too bad for Tanya , she really missed out on a lot of bucks. Stacey sat on Tanya's pavement and waited, it wasn't up to four minutes when see sighted Tanya. She looked different, the green hair she had for days now has been replaced by her black natural hair. For as long as Stacey has known Tanya, she only did colors on her hair, Tanya had always said her natural hair made her look boring. Stacey smiled at the thought. Tanya has always had a huge humor.

"Hey girl what's up" Stacey asked as Tanya got closer to where she sat. Tanya looked at Stacey with so much disdain in her eyes, she looked like she just saw a nightmare. Well Stacey looked worse than a nightmare, her hair was bushy, scruffy and untidy, she reeked of liquor, dark eye circles and smeared mascara on her face. That's the best she has ever looked, ironically. Tanya did not say a word, instead she brought out her apartment keys. Finally Stacey was going to hit the bed, Tanya was noticeably having a bad day but they would talk about it later, right now all Stacey need was sleep and sleep and lots of sleep. Tanya took one step inside and Stacey got up follow her in, she turned and blocked the front with her body and placed one hand on the door. Stacey moved back a little to avoid bumping with her.

"Taste wait, you can't come in" she said looking directly at Stacey, everybody who knew Stacey called her "taste", nobody knew her real name.

"okay, i can't come in with my shoes on, alright let me take them off" Stacey tried to joke. The hypothetical joke did not have any effect on Tanya. she kept starring at Stacey but this time, it was pity.

"Taste i can't keep doing this, am done" Tanya said with her hands in the air and her eyes half closed

"Done with what" Stacey asked although she might already be guessing right.

"Am done with this shit ass life,look taste am sorry it has to be this way but in order to start a new life, i have to let go of my past life and the people in it, i want to meet people that would add worthwhile values to my life, ever since we became friends, you haven't done any of that,i want to start over and i wish the same for you." Stacey knew she was dead serious.

"I met pastor Josh last week, he's been tidying me up, i want something out of life, life doesn't have to be all about the boys and the booze, Taste i want something different and new and am so happy Christ has found me, believe me when say i wish the same for you. am sorry but we can't be friends anymore" Tanya said in a final note.

Stacey was not dazed, she was caught off guard but she was not shaken. one thing about her is that people don't last long, met Tanya five years back, hanged out as friends, found gigs in clubs, they have been doing their shit together for five years and deep within Stacey, she knew it was about time. if for anything she was surprised they lasted that long.

"Oh okay, I wish you success in your new life and path Tanya, am happy for you" Stacey said with a smile and she meant it. Tanya finally succeeded in slaying her demons.

"i would love to invite you to church this Sunday, you free?"

"yeah maybe" Stacey said again with ab smile, Tanya handed out a card to her which had the address of the church in it. she then banged the door on Stacey's face. And that's how Stacey lost her temporary bestie.

They both knew Stacey was not coming to church on Sunday, she stopped attending when she thirteen. So much for a new life, good thing some people can still be saved, some just can't, some have stretched past their elastic limit and still stretching while some never really had decide if they wanted to stretch or not. Some just woke up and found themselves inelastic anymore. Some are homeless and looking for where to bunk and right now, Stacey knew that person is her.

Stacey sized him up, he looked gentleman enough, so this man is her prey. Apart from working in jobs, Stacey's other job was car jacking. Yeah she's that bad and evil, she stole cars whenever she saw a chance to. Right now she can't get an apartment, so this was the best plan, lure him and steal his car, not like this was the first time she did it. Stacey smiled at her prey, she has walked miles. Hope this works out.

It was a Chevy, Stacey has never stolen a Chevy before, girls mostly drive them and its always hard to fool girls, for her, men were always the easier preys. She waved down the car, she didn't need to feign stranded, she looked stranded and she was stranded for real.

"Hey, you need a lift?" he asked

Stacey eyes widened, this man is a walking time bomb, he's handsome!!. Those eyes could melt the hardest rock but unfortunately, it couldn't melt Stacey's heart. She was determined to make that Chevy hers.

"Yeah please, am stranded right now, my car was snatched and they took everything with them. Can you take me to the city if that is the direction you are going" Stacey's had always been a good actress, she knew she smashed this role. This guy noticeably felt sorry for her.

"So they didn't care to leave you your phone" he asked

"Yeah, I pleaded for my phone so I could contact my friends but who begs thieves for anything"

He laughed and Stacey joined in. He was a nice guy, Stacey felt quite comfortable with him, at a point, she forgot the only reason she was in this car was to steal it. His name was Eric, he was driving his sister's Chevy to her. Stacey waited for the right moment, it came sooner than she expected, Eric was a really nice guy but she couldn't care less. As soon as he went to get soda for them, Stacey drove off with the Chevy.

The club was fizzy as usual, Stacey got to work as soon as she arrived, she wasn't going to miss out this evening, she has really had a rough day. After successfully selling off the car she stole, she rent an apartment down town, went back to her old apartment and took her things which were packed outside. They weren't much just a couch and some few things. She was a stripper, can't be blamed, Stacey doesn't have a college degree and stripping was the only job that actually pays. Spent all the money she makes on crack. She made money and she spent money. As far as Stacey was concerned, getting high was all that mattered. The night was going great, Stacey has already made some few bucks, feels different without Tanya though. She gave out contacts and took contacts. That's how business is done.

Stacey could not believe her eyes, it was him, it was really him. The guy she stole her car, what the hell is he doing here. Did he bring he cops with him, that was the end of the road for Stacey, she could feel it. She could feel his eyes on her. This man was not going to get her locked up. She picked up the few bucks she has earned and planned her exit.

Once outside, Stacey took a deep breath. He saw her leaving but didn't know the exact exit she took, bet he was waiting for her at the front. Stacey has been working in clubs for five years now, she knew in every club, there is always more than two secret exits, only those in the game knew that, bet Eric wasn't in the game, he's just a spectator. But how did he find her. Stacey only knew one thing, she is ditching this town in a few. She took a cab and got to her apartment. Stacey took few steps to her front door, then she gasped, someone was already there.

It was the mysterious guy, Eric. The guy is a ghost, has he been following her.

"Surprised" there was a slight chuckle in his voice.

Stacey decided to fake memory loss

"uhmm, do I know you" she asked with no hint of familiarity

Eric took one good look at Stacey, she was a pretty good actress and a gorgeous one too. Damn that dress.

"You are really asking me that? Okay lets call the cops, maybe you would commit to memory then" he said with amusement. He took out his phone and proceeded to dial the cops

"No wait" Stacey stooped him with her hands

"Am sorry I stole your car" she said half stammering

Eric knew she was not sorry at all, all these is part of her acting

"You are? Why don't you invite me in?"

She knew it, all these guys were just the same, they only want one thing from women. Stacey felt disappointed, she thought this guy was a nice guy. Stacey was glad she got off that easily though. She opened her apartment and let him in. He tried to hide the bolt from the blue, what was he expecting, a well furnished apartment, well its either they do it here or he bears the weight of booking a hotel room. It was as simple as that.

Eric didn't know what to think, this place was hell, it smelt of weed, he has never seen a more disoriented apartment before. Her clothes were scattered all over the place and there was only one couch.

"You live here alone" he asked

"yeah why"

"nothing" he replied.

"Okay, once this is done, you don't know me and I don't know you alright?" Stacey said, making sure he understood her clearly.

"Once what is done" Eric asked, he hoped it wasn't what he was thinking, what did she take him for. Well she was lucky he's changed for good. Stacey moved closer to where he was, she looked at him directly in the eyes, and her lips met his.

Damn it, this man is something else, he tasted so good, like a breath of fresh air. She has kissed a lot of guys before but this guy was different. He kissed her back with the same zeal, she reached for his buttons but his hands stopped hers.

"Wait stop" he took his head back

"What's wrong" Stacey hoped he didn't change his mind, this was the only way she could pay him back.

"Am on pills if that's what you are …" she barely finished when he interrupted her.

"No it's not that Stacey" he watched her expression change immediately, her blue eye color turned red. Eric knew he made a mistake, he was going to tell her why he was really here but this was not the right time, somehow, her name managed to slip off his tongue. He knew nobody really knew her, when he showed her picture to the club workers, they all identified her as "taste" nobody mentioned "Stacey"

Stacey stooped dead on her tracks, who was this man, how did he know her name, her real name. Nobody knew anything about her here. Everybody knew her here as "taste". Whoever this man was, she wouldn't let him do this to her, she wouldn't let him break down the wall she's been building for years. Whoever he was, this was the time to get the fuck out of her life.

"uhmm what? Stacey, who is that? Look if you are here for your car, am sorry I already sold it out but don't worry, I will refund you"

Damn it, she is a very good actress, if it was anyone else, he would have believed her. She deserved an Emmy. The first time he set his eyes on her picture, he knew something was off about her, there was this empty smile and torture in her eyes. Her dark blue beautiful eyes, those eyes were what attracted him first.

"She said you would do this" he said with an almost extinct smirk.

She took a deep breath and exhaled calmly. That was the calmest Eric had seen her be since he met her, that wild personality was gone.

"okay look, you have overstayed your welcome, come tomorrow, I promise your money would be ready by then" Eric knew she was dead serious.

Stacey didn't care if she has to rob another person, she was resolute to give this man his money. He smiled at her like she didn't just ask him to leave her house. She was going to make him see how doughty she was. Something about him had always made it difficult to look him the eye before, it's like he's wearing a, microscope and could see every part of her. She looked at him directly in his eyes this time

"Leave" Stacey said stressing the word.

"Your mom sent me Stacey"

Stacey's head swirled, what did he just say.

Instant migraine hit her, she felt dizziness and a tormenting headache, what did he just say? She was in a state of vertigo. The room made sporadic rotations in her head. She flung the wine glass at him, the ash tray, the pillows, her shoes, she flung the entire room at him and yelled

"Get out, get the fuck out from here"

Eric could not believe his eyes, Never in his life has he ever imagined himself to be in this kind of situation. This lady is crazy, its like she met the devil himself. When he first saw Stacey, he knew she was struggling with inner demons, he knew there was something waiting to be unleashed in her, a pain she had been controlling perfectly. Seeing her like this was really no surprise but it was instant, like something got switched on in her brain. She was still yelling at him and was about to fling the mini couch at him damn it!!, the woman is strong.

He quickly rushed her and grabbed her by the arms, she struggled to get loose but he grabbed her shoulders completely, he held her tightly and whispered to her ears, he could feel her tears wet his shirt

"Get out" The last she said before she gave in to sleep.

Stacey has been sleeping soundly for twenty minutes now, Eric took that time to treat his himself, the wine glass she flung at him cut his hands. He applied quick first aid to it to avoid being infected. He went back to where she slept. Seeing Stacey sleep triggered something in him, an emotion he didn't know he still had in him, something about her sleeping just caught him off guard she looked like a child, so delicate and angelic. If someone had never seen her act the way she just did, then it would be impossible to actually believe she could do what she did earlier. Something about her mother set the brakes loose, he never meant to bring back any sore memories she had although he did not know what that was but he was determined to find out. He was just returning a favor. Stacey's mom was his neighbor, when he first moved to the house he now lived in, she welcomed him cheerfully, he knew right there that she was a nice woman. Lent him her car whenever he needed it, did his garden, cooked his meals sometimes. She was such a lovely lady and he had gotten quite attached to her. Never having had as pleasant childhood, Stacey's mom made him feel what it was like to have a mom who actually cares. When she had said the only thing she wanted was to see her daughter again, he felt it and made it his mission. Angie would always tell him about Stacey and how cute she was but wouldn't tell him why she was not living with her and never comes to visit her. He first went to Stacey's high school and tracked down her high school best friend. After much persuasion and pleading, she told him Stacey left home at sixteen and what state but wouldn't tell him why she left. He took her picture and set off to look for her although he did not really need it, Stacey's face was one thing he would remember all his life even if he ended up having amnesia one day especially those eyes she had. When they met first, it felt like he has known her all his life, mainly because Angie was always talking about her daughter, her hobbies, favorite songs, favorite celebrities and the dreams she has. He thought it was going to be a long search only to find her on the highway stranded. The last thing he imagined was that she would steal his car, well her mother's because that was Angie's Chevy. Whatever was wrong with her, he was determined to find out.

Stacey stirred and opened her eyes, the migraine was lesser now. For a minute, she could not remember anything. Her house was messed up, then she saw Eric and remembered. She felt so embarrassed, she knew he probably thought she was a mad woman. She would simply make him leave and then borrow money from the cartel, she knew it would be risky if she doesn't pay back on time but she can withstand anything, all she wanted was for this guy to leave.

"Hi" he said smiling like nothing happened.

Stacey wondered why he was smiling, she knew this type of men, he must be pitying her and right now, last thing she needed was anyone's pity. His especially.

"Sorry" it came as a surprise to Stacey herself, she didn't plan on saying that. How did it come out of her mouth.

"Its okay". He said looking at her directly, Stacey saw something else in his eyes, this time it wasn't pity, it was curiosity. Of course he would want an explanation for the entire drama that just occurred.

Eric knew Stacey was trying as hard as she could to be strong and not break down but he couldn't help but notice a tear drop at the corner of her eyes.

"What did she do?" he asked her

"Please leave" she replied and broke down to a sob, he came closer and held her on his shoulders, he let her cry. He cleaned her tears and asked her again.

"Stacey what happened"

She sighed deeply, pulled herself out from his embrace and said it.

"Dad died, I was twelve, we were happy, at least i thought so, until he died. she went crazy, drank everything she could find, brought different guys home, one of the guys, he ….. he" her voice trailed off, Eric allowed her to breathe, tears were rolling down her face again.

"He forced himself on me" Stacey smiled, Eric knew the pain that accompanied that smile.

"She knew, she fucking knew he did that to me, but what did she do? Nothing, took a few bucks from him, I saw her, she didn't care" Stacey starred at Eric, she saw anger on his face, he was trying to be calm.

"He continued, she took bucks from him every other time, right in our house, I was sixteen when I left, she doesn't deserve to be called a mother" this time Stacey did not sob, she brought out her cigarettes and smoked.

Eric was mad, this was what a twelve year old girl had to endure for four years, he was mad at the world, he has known Angie for years, this was why she wouldn't tell him why her daughter left.

"I understand" he finally said, she looked at him and controlled the tears that would have dropped, she saw pain in his eyes, he was hurting for her, but no one has ever understood what she had to go through, why she became like this, she had dreams too.

"No you don't, am the only one that can understand this, she pimped her own daughter Eric, she fucking pimped me" tears dropped, she went on smoking.

"She's in prison Stacey" Eric let the bomb drop, he watched her expression, she froze for the tinniest second, it was less than the speed of light, like it never happened, and went on smoking.

"You don't want to ask why" Eric wished she would but whether she asks or not, he was going to tell her.

"I don't care" she meant it.

"You know she's told me a lot about you, how you have always wanted to be a ballerina, how you would watch the stars with your dad at nights, she said you are the prettiest thing she's ever seen, how.."

"Stop it, none of these things can ever change the way I feel about her, none of them can change what she's done, stop wasting your time" Stacey cut Eric off, what did he think, that saying all those things would make her rush back to that woman, he doesn't know her yet. She can rot in jail for all she cares. She deserved whatever is happening to her.

"Well she killed him after you left" Eric watched Stacey's eye widen, he went on

"She killed him, pleaded not guilty until last month when she finally gave in. The last thing she wanted was to see her daughter, Stacey she did not know he did that to you, she only took bucks from him because she sold him drugs, you might have seen her taking money from him but that was only for the drugs she sold him believe me" Eric knew Stacey was battling inside, she buried her face on her knees, he couldn't ascertain how she actually felt.

"The night she found out from your best friend why you really left, she killed him, two bullets to his head, she never forgave herself for what happened to you, she blames herself, always telling me she was a bad mum, Stacey am so sorry for what you've been through"

As Eric watched Stacey, he realized something himself. So this was it, what Angie couldn't tell him, the man she killed hurt her daughter. When he first found out Angie was a suspect of a murder incident, he wondered why a nice woman like Angie would do something like that, it was clear now. Her husband died, she found out he has been cheating on her for a long time before he died, did not tell her daughter so she wouldn't hate her dad, went crazy and did a lot of things to avoid the pain, got addicted to drugs and neglected her daughter. Eric reached out and cleaned the tears off Stacey's face, all she ever needed was for someone to love her, he kissed her forehead and promised himself to fix her. Angie was damaged, and so is her daughter.

"you have to leave now" Stacey said after some time. Eric still didn't know if she believes him. For years she has been thinking the worst about her mom, it was true that Angie actually neglected Stacey, she was dealing with her own share of pain at that time. it would be hard for anybody to change how Stacey thought but he already made a promise to Angie and he was going to keep it. its either Stacey leaves with him or he stays with her.

He smiled at her, bent down to an eye level with her. Her eyes were dry now, it felt like she didn't just hear what he told her.

"I will Stacey, but not without my Chevy" he said and stood up, went to the windows and opened them up.

"i already said i will pay you back"

"I already said am not leaving"

Stacey glared at him, if she had a gun, she would have probably shot him by now. How did all this happen, In just one day, she had her whole life crashing down, from getting kicked out from her previous apartment to getting dumped by her friend to stealing a car to selling the car to being caught by this guy to having him remind her of her past to being stuck with him right now. Today was one hell of a nightmare. If he thought she was just going to let him have his way, he was kidding. She would make him leave, borrow money from the club tomorrow and pay his ass off. Getting him to leave until tomorrow was the problem.

"I will pay you tomorrow"

"I will leave once you pay me" Eric knew she was trying to get rid of him but that won't happen, not now, not tomorrow.

"you can't stay here" she said with all seriousness

"I sure can" he replied with the same zeal

"its my apartment"

"you owe me, so for now it's pretty much my apartment too"

Eric didn't see it coming, the pillow landed with a heavy thud on his face followed by shoes and clothes and handbags. He had to duck to protect himself. This woman is crazzzzzyyyy.

"Leave my house right now, i said leave!!!, go back to wherever you came from" she kept yelling as she threw stuffs at him.

Damn it, her voice is too loud, people would hear them.

"stop it, stop it Stacey" he tried to reach to her

"Don't call me that, my name is Taste!!, call me taste" she kept yelling and throwing stuffs at him, this time, her shoe caught the corner of his left eye, he felt sizzling pain and touched the spot, there was blood on it. How can one woman hurt him two times in a day.

"Stop it now" he yelled, he had to do that so she could hear him.

"You are going to attract the cops" he said hoping she would slow down

"Well that was the plan" she said back, she doesn't care if the cops show up or not.

"Alright, yell, keep on yelling, i wonder what exactly you would tell them when they show up"

"Am going to tell them that an unknown man came, no, broke into my apartment and has refused to leave, that's exactly what am going to tell them" she said breathing heavily and unevenly

"Can you hear yourself right now, can you. You stole my car!!" he said on top of his voice

"You set me up!!" she yelled back at him.

"What?" Eric asked trying to understand what the hell she meant by what she just said

"yes, you set me up. you knew who i was, you were stalking me, you wanted me to steal your car so would have something to blackmail me with" she said looking at him directly in the eye.

This is the biggest bullshit Eric has ever heard in his twenty five year life span on earth. Who in the world plans for anyone to steal their car. It's true he had come to the state looking for her, but he never planned for her to steal his car, he never even knew she would steal his car. There a whole bunch of things he didn't know about her. He did not know she was this crazy.

He started laughing, she scoffed wondering what was so funny.

"Okay, go ahead, let the cops come and see if they would believe your stupid story. Just get ready for six years in jail. Car robbery plus assault" he said hoping she knows what she is about to get herself into.

"Well six years in jail is better than one day with you and you are a Dumbass because there is no evidence i did anything to you" Stacey said back

Eric hoped she didn't mean that but if she prefered six years in jail then too bad for Angie, mother and daughter would be in jail at the same time.

"No you are the dumb one, honestly how could one person be this dumb, this house is enough evidence for assault, the broken glass, scattered shoes on the floor, torn pillows, do you even have eyes"

"i could tell them you were assaulting me" she said with a self congratulatory smile on her face

"There injuries on my body, so who is assaulting who" he asked, she moved closer to him until she was eye level with him, he still toward over her so she had to raise her head in other for her eye to meet his

"self defense, see, you are the dumb one"

she's smart, Eric could give her that, the police might actually believe her crazy story. Although there was no bruises on her body to show she was really defending herself from somebody, only her hair and makeup was messy.

"well you are so smart, aren't you? the police might believe your nonsense but i bet they would also believe my disc" he said and smiled when he saw her little smile clear from her face

"what disc"

"The store's survey camera caught you driving away with my car, it also saw us when we got there after which i walked into the store to get soda and you fled away with my car"

Stacey wondered if he was telling the truth or was just lying, she couldn't tell, he face was blank. Just then they heard the police siren. what the hell,someone actually called the cops.

Eric immediately rushed to the bathroom to wipe the blood off his face, as angry as he was as Stacey, the last thing he would do is to implicate her. when he came out, the police was banging at the door and Stacey was beside it

"open up, it's the police" they could hear an officer talk.

Eric moved to the door and opened it.

"hi, what's the problem" Eric offered them the biggest smiles of the century

"your neighbors said they heard lots of noise coming from here, are you alone" just then stacey came out.

"No, this is my girlfriend Stacey" Eric said and proceeded to held Stacey in the shoulder, she got into acting immediately. Stacy held Eric so close with both her arms wrapped around his body, once again she impressed him with her acting skills

"She is having terrible nightmares which is caused by her insomnia" Stacey already looked a mess, its easy for the police to believe she has insomia

"I can't sleep officer, it's been weeks and i keep on having this nightmare of a unicorn chasing me, you love unicorns right? i do too i just don't know why they are always chasing me in my dreams, it's been terrible" she then broke down sobbing on Eric shoulder

"shuu, its going to be alright honey, it's going to be fine, am right here for you, you know that right baby" Eric got into acting too, holding her so close to himself and stroking her hair. it was just acting but he felt so comfortable and sorry for Stacey too, he wanted to do this the very first time a tear dropped from her eyes. she sobbed more and more. Eric didn't know if it was part if the act or she really wanted to cry out her sorrow. the police cleared his throat, obviously he has had enough of the lovey dovey and was probably missing his own girlfriend or wife that is if he's married.

"Alright, i don't want to get anymore complaints about this apartment again, no more noise or am taking both of your ass down to the station for interrogation. We got three complaints, you are disturbing public peace and serenity. Give her honey and milk, it helps" with that he turned and left.

Stacey didn't want to leave Eric shoulder and arms, she felt so protected and safe again after a very long time. But that is the issue, she didn't want to feel safe with anyone. Last time she felt safe with anyone, the person ended up pimping her, she didn't care what excuse she had. She detached herself from Eric and went back inside. Eric stared at Stacey after she left him to go smoke on the couch, she is so beautiful even with the messy hair, he felt like he just held an entirely different person, the person he just held was broken, distressed and hurt, he felt her pain, trauma and fear. He wondered if that was the real Stacey, the fragile, little Stacey he saw in those albums Angie gave him. For once since he arrived, he had a little hope, he had hope that he would save and fix that girl deep inside the woman he's seeing now.

"Since you have decided not to leave," he was brought back to reality when she talked. she blew that last smoke off her mouth and stood to his face, looked him straight in eye and clapped, thrice. the look in her eye promised torture for Eric.

"welcome to hell" she said, and went into the bathroom. Minutes after that, Eric heard the water rushing. Good thing she took her baths, he almost thought she didn't considering the state her apartment is in. The hurt and fragile Stacey was gone, the clone was back. Today was one hell of a day, Eric thought and slumped on the couch, hope tomorrow would be better.

The bright ray of light woke Stacey up from sleep. damn!! who left the damn curtains open, how did she forget to close them up after last night's smoke. she shielded her eyes from the sun with her hands, then she looked up and saw someone standing over her. Stacey's heart sank, who the hell was this and how did he get into her apartment.

"Good morning beautiful" the stranger said. Stacey heard that voice and remembered the events of last night, she has totally forgotten. Eric the jerk that refused to leave her house.