Oh really!
I shouted at the man who called himself my dad.
When he didn't say a word, I slammed the door behind me and walked off, since I was already late for work.
I fought back the tears trying to escape my eyes as I walked down the road, the cold air hitting my skin.
"I hate you dad," I cursed loudly, causing some strangers to stare at me.
I hate the fact that I couldn't pick my own birth parents, because my dad was the reason I was in this mess in the first place.
After my mom died of cancer, my dad changed completely. He became abusive and a complete drunk.
As if that wasn't enough.
One day, I had just come back from the library when I overheard his conversation with a man. Apparently, dad borrowed some amount of money from him, and he couldn't pay it back.
That day I regretted ever coming home early. I should have run away instead of stepping into the house. Because when I entered the house I could tell the atmosphere had changed.
The man's head turned in my direction. His eyes scanning me from head to toe. The only thing that made sense was to greet him and that was what I did.
Good afternoon Sir. I said, avoiding eye contact with him.
There was no reply from the strange man. He just kept staring at me. I felt like the floor should open and swallow me instantly. I was just a step from entering my bedroom when the man spoke up.
Who is this bitch, Andrew?, he asked my dad.
That hurts.
I didn't wait for his response because I hurried into my room, shutting the door after.
After a few minutes of them talking, I started hearing someone banging on my door.
I knew it was dad. I knew I wouldn't like what was coming next, so I sat where I was ignoring him.
Open the goddam door Maddie, my dad screamed, still banging on the door.
Fear gripped me but I didn't move.
I will count to five, Maddie, if you don't open the door I will break it.
That was the voice I didn't like. I was well aware of the fact that whether I opened the door or not, I was going to receive a beating of my life either way.
I was confused. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to be far away from this monster.
Suddenly, when an idea popped up in my head, the door burst open.
And there he was, the man I had known all my life and called Dad. He stood in front of me with cigarettes in his hand, his eyes red from anger.
I knew what was coming next so I closed my eyes and waited for my doom. And guess what, he didn't disappoint.
"You bitch," he growled, as he flogged me hard with his belt.
I knew I should have gotten used to him flogging me because it was a regular thing, but sadly I haven't. I screamed when the belt touched me.
It felt worse than the last.
He didn't stop. He continued hitting me like I was a piece of shit. Amidst my pain and tears, I could hear faint laughter coming from the living room. I knew instantly that it was the strange man.
"Shut the fuck up," he shouted at me when I screamed.
I placed both hands on my mouth to muffle the sound that had been coming from there.
And before I knew it, he placed the cigarette he had been holding on my open back.
I couldn't hold back anymore.
So I screamed, as it burnt me. But it felt like no one heard me.
The pain was intense. He didn't wait for me to catch my breath, because he gripped my hair so hard, dragging me outside my room.
"She is all yours boss," my dad said, pushing me to the floor in front of the strange-looking man.
Ouch. I hissed as a broken bottle cut through my knee when I fell to the ground.
"I want her. I will let the money go if I can have her as one of my strippers.
The man said to dad with a smirk.
I prayed and hoped in my mind that dad wouldn't agree. His next word made my heart drop instantly.
Like I said earlier, she is yours.
I was boiling with anger was this man really my father. How could he let his own daughter out for money?
When a rough hand cuped my cheek, I turned.
It was the scary-looking man. There was something dangerous about the way he looked at me. I could see the snake tattoo around his neck as I stared at him.
The man cupped my cheeks with his big hands, his thumb moved slightly around my lips.
I freed my face forcefully from his disgusting touch. In return, he pressed my back where dad had just burned a cigarette.
I held back the hot tears that were threatening to escape.
"You are mine," he said, still pressing his hand down on my injury.
I looked him dead in the eyes this time without fear. I didn't know where the confidence came from, but I spoke up.
"I am nobody's.
I said sternly, biting his finger that he had placed back on my lips.
He slapped my cheek hard, causing my head to tilt to the side.
He stood up, his shadow towering over me.
One last thing Andrew he said to dad: She would be mine until your debt is cleared.
And after that, he walked out of the house, the door slamming behind him.
And yeah, that was how I became a stripper.
****
I didn't even realize I was now standing in front of the club until someone spoke, bringing
me back to reality.
It's about time you showed up, Thomas, who had just been appointed as manager spat.