Time flew really fast these days. Sometimes I just wished the night would never come so I wouldn't have to go to back this irritating club filled with horny ass men.
After what happened yesterday, I didn't ever what to step my foot inside here but I just had to. I was so close to getting the full money of the debt and I had no idea when that beast of a man would come for his payment so I had to work harder.
I stared at myself once again in the mirror. I had looked so different every night for the past two months. I wasn't the Mirabel everybody knew by the day time. This Mirabel here was the Mirabel that was struggling hard to fend for herself and her sister.
"Just a little while longer and you will be free Mirabel" I said to myself. It had become my daily reaffirmation.
"Oh you are here. The boss wants you again" Violetta's harsh voice cut through my thoughts.
She stood by the door and gave me a hard glare.
I became more perplexed by her sudden information.
Why would he want me again?
Does he want me to perform naked again?
I dreaded that thought because this time I wouldn't do it.
"Girl get your ass off that seat and go meet the boss" she barked at me causing me to flinch.
"What does he want?" I managed to speak up.
"Find out for yourself bitch" she jeered before walking out of the dressing room.
I was the least bothered about her bad behaviour towards me. I wouldn't stay here forever so I might as well let it slide and keep to myself. Betty was nice to me and I was satisfied with that.
I walked out of the room, heading towards that same lounge. With shaky hands and nervousness building in me, I knocked on the door.
I suddenly had the urge to throw up but I suppressed it and knocked again, this time louder.
"Come in" a familiar baritone voice responded from the other side. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
He was seated in that particular sofa he sat on yesterday with his blue orbs burying deep into my nervous self.
I dragged my feet from the doorway and closed the door before coming closer to him.
"Sit down Mirabel" He ordered with his hands motioning for me to take a sit next to him.
Hesitantly, I followed his instruction and sat down by his side. It was just only two of us which made me feel so awkward. His gaze was entirely focused on me, not wavering for a second.
"Why—why did you call me here?" I asked trembling. I feared the answer he would give me. I silently prayed it wasn't for me to dance again for him.
"Because I want to talk to you"
"Me?" I asked shocked.
He nodded and smirked at me.
"I want to propose an offer to you" He said with a taunt smile on his lips.
I nodded for him to go on.
"Sell yourself to me and I'll cancel your father's debt.
What!? My eyes widened and sudden anger and panic coursed through me. My shocked expression got him sniggering as his lips pulled to a taunting sneer "Mirabel sell yourself to me and I'll clear off your father's debt"
My shoulders became tensed and the hairs on my body stood in fear.
His offer was absurd. I would literally be selling myself off as a commodity just to settle a debt? What happens to me afterwards? What happens to my sister?
I can't do this. It's crazy and unthinkable.
"I'm not going to accept sir" I objected with an unknown temerity.
"Call me Fernando." He replied slightly amused by my tone.
I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes at him. "I ain't selling myself to you goddamnit. I'll dance as many nights as I can and pay off your bloody debt"
"Well the date for the debt to be paid is today" He replied dropping the bomb.
That statement hit me like a fiery comet. My tongues became tied and I didn't know how to respond. I immediately casted my gaze downwards.
"Have you got my cash ready?" He taunted leaning closer to me, his face just inches away from mine.
I shook my head at him, unable to bring myself to speak.
He pulled back, a satisfied smile on his lips and his arms folded across his chest.
"Do you know what I'll do to you if I don't get my money? Do you know what I'll do to Anabel?"
I faced him the moment he uttered his last statement. My sister was the only family I had. If anything happened to her, I wouldn't be able to live.
"Don't hurt my sister please" I pleaded with my hands clasped together.
Tears began trickling slowly down my cheeks. I hated the fact that I was easily emotional and I know him seeing me like this brought him satisfaction.
"Exactly. Think about my offer Mirabel. I give you just Forty eight hours. Sell yourself to me and I'll clear off your father's debt and take care of Anabel or refuse this offer and suffer the consequences." He gruffly said not battling an eyelid at me.
"Leave" He ordered.
I quietly stood up with my tear stained face and walked towards the door.
I was caught in between the devil and the sea. What would I do now?
I approached the door and opened it, his last word ringing in my ear. "Just Forty eight hours Mirabel."
I paced round my room, agitatedly. My mind was in turmoil. The resounding echo of Fernando's husky voice ringing in my ear.
"Just Forty eight hours Mirabel"
God!
I had just two days to make this life changing decision. If i choose to sell myself to him, I'll just become a mere commodity used to pat off a debt. What then becomes of my sister Anabel?
We will be separated. And if I don't do his bidding the brute would end up harming me and my sister. He might even kill us.
"Shit!" I groaned out loud as vertical wrinkles appeared on my forehead. I felt like screaming out. The hatred I had for my father soared higher than before. He put I and Anabel into this damn endless maze of debt and now we were trapped.
My life, my freedom, my identity was on the verge of being ripped away from me.
Tears pooled in my eyes as my mind was in disarray.
As if on cue, Anabel roughly entered the room.
"Sis I'm about to..."she cut herself short when she noticed my fearful and worried state. I quickly forced myself to smile at her and snatched my bag from the sunken sofa, pretending I was looking for something in it.
"Sis what's wrong? Is everything ok?" she asked, concern webbed all over her face.
"Everything is fine Anabel. Aren't you suppose to be heading to work today?" I asked, averting my gaze from hers.
"C'mon talk to me" Anabel sighed. "Ever since you came back from the club yesterday night, you've been so withdrawn. Tell me what happened? Were you thrown out"
I tried so hard to fight my tears and appear brave but my eyes failed me and some traitorous tears streaked down my cheeks. I immediately began sobbing with my head down casted and my face buried in my palms.
Anabel came over to me and pulled me to her warm embrace, soothing me by patting my back softly and slowly.
"Talk me to Mirabel" she softly coaxed, pulling me out of her embrace.
"He wants me to sell myself to him" I confessed crumbling into tears.
Anabel raised a brow at me. "Who?"
"The crime boss that we are indebted to. The deadline for giving him back his money elapsed yesterday. He offered me a deal. I sell myself to him and he cancels our debt. Or I don't and he..."My voice trailed off with a faraway look in my eyes as I whapped my face away from Anabel's.
Anabel gasped. Her facial features morphed and became contorted in rage.
"How dare he!? Are you some sort of commodity!? You are a human being not a thing! That man is such a devil. You won't do that"
"If... If... I... don't, he...might kill us" I stuttered unable to bring the words out of my mouth.
"Let him do his worst. Father put us into this mess. He gambled and got himself involved with those thugs. We won't pay for his sins. We just have to look for a way to escape this" She replied to me determinedly.
I was appalled by my younger sister's braveness. In the face of adversity, she stood her ground and held her head up high. I couldn't be more proud of her.
If she hadn't given up then I shouldn't too.
A brief silence fell on both of us as we sought for multiple ways to end our dilemma.
"Let's leave the city tonight" I finally spoke up breaking the terrible silence.
I can't believe I never thought of that. I could get I and my sister to flee from Washington and probably settle in some of the little towns in Minnesota, California or even Toronto.
We would be far away from Fernando and his stupid ass proposal. I wiped my tears with my palms and gave her a bright smile.
"To where?"
"We could leave by train and head to Toronto or... Louis cousin, Jane stays in Toronto. Probably I could ask her more about it today and she could help us contact her cousin. We could lodge with Jane for the mean time till we get our feet on the ground and hustle for our own place"
Anabel bit her bottom lip and gave me a mild nod. "Ok sis"
"Do me and favour and pack our stuffs ok. Let me go meet Louis. Don't tell anybody about this. He gave me just Forty eight hours to decide so I have just today and a few hours that's why we will have to leave today" I nervously rambled in my speech.
Anabel nods and hugged me. I mouthed her an "I love you" and quickly made my way outside our apartment.