Chapter 2. Aria’s flashback

I'm so sorry… I didn't know how weak I was. I thought I was wise and strong enough, filled with good intentions. I never planned to hurt anyone or to be hurt by anyone.

So I thought everything was going to be ok for me but little did I know that what you think only stays in your mind and mind can’t be heard and nobody trusts the mouth...

My name is Aria McCain and this is how I meet this monster.

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• • • Aria McCain’s POV • • •

I ran out of the restaurant sobbing in pain. Tears effortlessly ran down my cheeks. The pain in my heart felt like thousands of swords were piercing it.

The day was bright, it was a very hot afternoon. The streets were filled with pedestrians and shining, as they usually did on a sunny day.

Despite all the sun, all I could see was darkness engulfing me. Everything seemed darker than usual. It was like everything was suddenly painted in black. I couldn't stop crying the hell out of me.

My head had started aching. With a migraine, I had to settle. So I stopped at the nearest bus stop and sat on a public bench, weeping.

After leaving several voice messages, my best friend, Besty, finally decided to show up. I texted her as soon as I heard the sad news because I needed someone to talk to. She was my only trustworthy and reliable friend.

What do I mean?. She was my only friend and a sister she became as years passed by. We loved and cared for each other so much. In fact, I didn't fear trusting her with my life.

I was still crying when she arrived with my head covered on my knees. I didn't want pedestrians to watch me cry like a mad girl. Although I wasn't far from it.

“Girl your voice notes aren't clear, it's like you were crying. Why ain't you picking my calls?. Do you know how worried I was?” She spoke continuously like a parrot as she saw me.

She sat near me. “I'm talking to you” she insisted but I said nothing, I was busy crying without letting any sound out.

“Will you talk?” she yelled. I sluggishly lifted my face. “You are crying?” she sympathized with me “Your eyes are red and swollen. You have been crying for long!” she furrowed her brows sadly.

I was tried to contain my tears but I couldn't. “Talk to me, okay?. Together we can solve everything as we have always done, right?” she flattered me as she best knew how to and my heart cold down small.

“My mother is going to die,” tears erupted in my eyes, and words got stuck in my throat and I couldn't breathe properly. I stopped talking…

“Why do you say such a thing?. Your Mum won't die” she frowned.

I took a deep breath with tears effortlessly rolled down my cheeks “She’s going to die... She was diagnosed with… cancer… today, the doctor said she will soon be in her terminal stage if we don't start treatments in the nearest days” I busted back into tears.

“OMG! I can't believe this. What are we going to do now?. I'm so sorry baby, where is mum?” she fretted. “She’s seated at home. There's no money and she's going to die?” I wept.

“Oh, I'm so.. so.. so.. sorry about that. You have to be optimistic. Mum won't die, I promise you,” she said so confidently that I wanted to stop crying and I laughed a little before continuing mourning.

“We talking about much money here. I know you're trying to help me but don't make promises you can't keep” I frowned. Anyway, I guessed it came from good intentions so I didn't mind it.

“How much are we talking about?” she asked with so much concern. “It's a stage three cancer, we are talking about a hundred thousand dollars and more. I need to pay about thirty thousand dollars so that they can start the treatment” I explained with anxiety and tears was filled in my eyes.

“Fuck, that's quite much money.” she whimpered. “I know right!. Can you borrow me some, any amount? I promise to pay you back” I begged.

“Sorry, I don't have that kind of money. I have no money, no savings. I barely can eat these days because I have to send money to my sick mum and for a junior in Russia and they have reduced our salaries at the club. Customers want new girls” she said with her Russian accent.

Indeed, she has a huge family to feed in Russia which wasn't easy for her to deal with. So she was as broke as me.

“So how do you plan to help me, we both know you have nothing. You are as broke as me. Or do you know someone that can help me?” I asked.

“I know someone who can help you,” she says. I wiped my tears “Who is this person” asked eagerly. “Mr. Blaine, the manager of the club in which I work,” she replied.

“Never,” I exclaimed

“Realy?...” she frowned “They are recruiting new girls like you. You should try it. The pay is good, five times better than what you have at that restaurant. You should be fast about it many girls are fighting to have this job” she deciphered.

“I can't. I hate that club, it is always filled with armed men. How do you even manage to keep up?. Those Russian men are very brutal” I grumbled.

“Yes, they are brutal but they pay you well. You didn't have a choice, we’re talking about your mum’s life. Okay, this is what we will do, you will come and watch me dance tonight. You will see, it's not as difficult or nasty as you think. I will you this opportunity to present you to my boss” Besty, gaily explained as if it was the ultimate solution to my problem.

“I don't like that place I'm not comfortable there. The last time I came there I had headaches just because of the loud music and someone nearly shot me with his gun. I still remember as if it was yesterday.” I whimpered.

“I hate the Orthodox club” I cried out, but did she care?. It was found in the South of Brighton. An area populated with all sorts of Russian mafiosos, perverts, and all kinds of weirdos. Where drugs had turned into bio food. Anyway, that is how I saw that area.

Ladies, there were very loose. To be honest, they were mostly prostitutes. I always wondered how Besty, came out differently.

“I know right... Unfortunately, the situation is different. You need to raise such an amount of many at all costs. Trust me you will make a good deal, your virginity is worth thousands of dollars.” she contended.

“What! My virginity?. Are you trying to sell me or something?. I'm not a prostitute.” I chided. “I never said that, I simply mean that you are worth more than every regular girl out there and if you strip they got to pat you more.” she rectified.

Anyway, I wasn't planning to strip, so I overlooked it. “Okay…” I pulled my words.

“Please, didn't put on these long gowns when coming to the club. Put on something sexy. You know the gown I gifted you at your last year birthday party?” she asked.

“Yes,” I nodded my head. “You should put that on,” she said. “Damn!” I exclaimed in awe. That gown was too short.

In contrary to her, I'm a chocolate, African American lady with curves and tight-fitting gowns reveal my hourglass figure thus it turns out to be very provocative.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't fat at all. I was too curvy with everything in the right place and the right amounts. That is sizable boobs, flat stomach with well-carved ass.

“Never, I can wear that to come to your notch filled with predators. I rather die,” I said. “Then, I will kill you” she pinched me on the waist, continually until I began to laugh “Stop it, I'm not in the mood” I laughed.

“Bot oho!” she exclaimed in Russian, I knew nothing about that language “I want you to keep on this smile. While we find the solution to your mum’s problem,” she consoled me. I don't know what I could have done without her. She was so lovely.

“Bye,” I wave at her through the window of the car. Usually, I took a bus home but this day, she paid for a cab that dropped me directly home. Immediately she picked out her phone as she watched me leave. “Привет, sir, you should call your client, I have the perfect girl for him. She's still a virgin and desperately in need of money” said with a smile on her face.

“Great, he will be here this evening. Can the girl be available?” this hungry male voice asked. “Yes, sir, she will be at the club tonight” she replied.

“Great!” he offed the call.