|| VALENTINA's POV ||
" How do I look?", I asked Emily, watching my reflection in self-appreciation. It has been a long time since I dressed like this. Most of my body was exposed, glittering under the yellow light. I had a feeling like I went back to the days when I just started my job as a stripper.
Emily was amusing, gasped by taking a look at me,
" Woah! Your preggy hormones are sure impressive. You look stunning, bitch."
I smiled at her remark, a proud feeling swirled into my stomach. I couldn't understand why this baby affected me more than anything else. It was something like we were related by blood from the beginning. I sighed nervously, taking a final look at my reflection,
" I just want this show finished as early as possible. You know that I didn't inform Lorenzo."
Emily scoffed, coming over to fix my straps,
" Don't worry, you will finish it soon. Besides, he doesn't care about you, why do you feel scared then?"
Indeed! Lorenzo King had no right to interfere in my private life.
Switching on my encouraging mood, I decided to walk to the stage where the guests were all prepared to see my show. I stayed behind the curtains as the manager made an announcement,
" Ladies & Gentleman, May I present the best show topper of the town, VALENTINA!!"
The crowd chirped happily, some recognized me from my previous fame in the bar. I fixed the mask on my face, hiding and starting to walk on the stage seductively. I told them that the mask was just a new theme to my costume but in reality, I was hiding myself. No one should know that Lorenzo King's child was actually carried by a useless Stripper like me.
As soon as I appeared on the stage, the guests all gasped in awe. I could see the lust, flashing across their gazes. I smirked at them cunningly, and began to sway my ass to get the poll to show my dirty moves. However, my eyes froze at someone before I could take the next step. All my breath had gone in a moment.
It was Lorenzo and Luka, drinking. They were equally shocked like me. God..why was I so miserable?
I didn't know what to do, stayed numb at the place until the crowd started shouting. His eyes were burning at me, ready to crush me into pieces. I knew that the consequences would be worse if I started performing.
Staggering a step back, I rushed backstage without completing my performance. I ended up panting in the changing room, and wanted to get rid of this dress as soon as possible. I prayed that Lorenzo didn't recognize me. I prayed that he wouldn't be here to find me.
Emily asked anxiously,
" Hey..Hey.. what's wrong with you? Are you running away? Valentina! What happened?,"
I muttered, cracking my voice,
" It's.. Lorenzo..he..he is here, Emily..He will surely kill me..He saw me on the stage.."
Emily was shocked,
" Fuck! Why did the world have to be so small? Anyways,I will help you with leaving."
Before I could wrap up my stuff, the manger barged into the room with his security guards. He shouted at me frantically,
" Woman! How dare you leave the show midway? Do you know how offended our VIP guests are?"
I explained hurriedly, peeking behind their back always,
" Listen! I have to go! Here's your money! I don't want it but let me go.".
However, the guards stood in my path like a blockage. The manager sneered at me, staring hard,
" Do you think that you can go and leave like you wish? You must leave the bar only after completing the show. You heard me?"
I was lost in words. Gritting my teeth together, I retorted angrily,
" Haven't I returned the money? You have no right to force me to do the show now. If you keep on forcing, I will call the police. I didn't make any contract with you. I can leave anytime because it was a part time job."
The manager was furious at my sharpness. Out of nowhere, he raised his hand and slapped me across the cheeks hard, yelling,
" Bitch! How dare you threaten me with the police? Do you know who I am?"
I felt a burn on my cheeks. My lips got cut from his brutal slap. Before I could slap him back, a deep resentful voice echoed from the entrance,
" Leave her alone!"
The intimidation in his tone aroused goosebumps all over my skin. I raised my head slightly to see Lorenzo, walking inside. To my utmost surprise, the manager looked cowardly as he greeted Lorenzo,
" Boss.. Actually..."
Boss? What...the...fuck?
He raised his hand to stop him from talking, and came straight to me to raise my chin roughly. I kept blinking my eyes down to avoid meeting his eyes. He inspected the wound in my lips. Suddenly, he turned around and there was a loud sound of slap in the air. He slapped the manager so hard that the manager fell backwards,
" How dare you raise your hand on my woman?"
I felt my ears buzzing from his words, the pleasant feeling had swam into my stomach again. Lorenzo didn't say another word, grabbed my hands and began to drag me out of the changing room fiercely. The whole ride was pin-drop silence as he drove the car in highest speed. Luka gave a look of sympathy as I was dragged out of the bar in front of everyone. Now, they all knew that I was related to Lorenzo somehow. However, nothing didn't stop him from showing his anger. I had no idea that Lorenzo even owned a bar too. I would have rather did a show on the street than coming to the bar that he owned.
__________
" You are hurting me!! LET GO!!", I shouted at him angrily as he dragged inside the room, still no talking. His silence stated how much angry was he on me. Honestly, I felt a little guilty too because he was the owner of that bar and he had a reputation over there to reserve. The manager looked completely taken back by the turn of the situation when I was leaving.
The whole house was shocked the way, he was treating me today. Finally, I pulled my wrists out of his grip and shouted furiously,
" STOP IT!! I am not your property, Lorenzo!"
His eyes went dark as he looked back at me with those torching eyes. He sneered at me with disgust,
" Come on! Don't act like you are some saint woman. Tell me the fuck...Why did you go to my bar for a stripper show again?"
I was refuted, not wanting to be bossed by him always,
" You forgot that this is my job. I can do whatever the fuck, I want. You can't stop me from being a stripper. I want to earn money for myself."
His lips parted, exhaling angrily. He came to grab me by my shoulders suddenly, growled at my face,
" You went to the show to earn money? Tell me, Valentina! How much do you cost? I will definitely fucking pay for your body. TELL ME!!"
Before he could spout more hateful words, I gave him a tight slap. Tears welled up my eyes as soon as I slapped the man that I admired so far. I growled back in hatred,
" You.. disgust..me.. Lorenzo.."
Just when, I ended up walking away from him, he grabbed me back again. The hatred in his eyes became evident as he spat, dragging me back into the room again,
" You will pay for this tonight. I will have to educate you first."