Fight Men Not Love

Chapter Six

I haven't been to the club in a little over a week. Currently, I was on the bathroom floor, trying to nurse my wounds.

Immediately after coming home, Avel beat me to a pulp, for so much as spending time with Randy. He punished me for disobeying his orders of staying away from Randy. He'd added a line to his tally table at the back of my thigh.

My punishment consists of him either forcing himself on me, over and over again, until I pass out. Or he had made it his point to inflict pain on me. With a pocketknife, he drew a line at the back of my thigh, everytime I did something bad. It hurts so bad, feeling the knife cut through your skin.

Oh, and his favorite. He couldn't possibly harm me anywhere visible to the people at the club, so he'd hit me a belt until I'm all swollen and sore, knowing I'd just be that. Swollen and sore. No bruises.

In the last week, he'd done all of those things. I was in so much pain, no one would understand. Every night, I cried myself to sleep. He didn't even give me painkillers. He left me to fend for myself. The first night he'd punish me, I slept on the floor, for the whole night, my body too sore to move.

The other nights, I ended up on the cold bathroom floor. I'd locked myself in the bathroom, too afraid of him to stay in the bedroom.

I haven't heard from Randy. I missed him so bad. I know he'd make me feel better in this situation. He's probably worried. I don't know what he'd planned for us to escape. I said I'd wait for him to gather everything we needed to go. As much as it was hard, I wouldn't rush him. I just wanted to leave this helllhole.

If the plan fails, I'm killing myself. There wouldn't be any other way out of this except death.

Randy's the only thing keeping me alive.

I limped out the bathroom after showering and slipped on a loose dress. I couldn't wear tight clothes, because of the pain all over my body.

I wondered how Beckett and my other friends would react knowing how things turned out between Avel and I. I hate how we left things. I've wronged him, all for the wrong person. I was too blinded by the idea of being loved that I mostly likely lost my best friend. He'd tried to warn me about Avel, but I didn't listen. Instead, I shut him out.

If I ever see him again, I'll make things right.

●

On the second week, I had most likely recovered from everything, hence I was back at the club.

I was put in a tight black spaghetti dress and a white lingerie underneath. As usual, I had on heels. This time, they were white.

I trailed behind Avel as he went around, greeting everyone he knew. They all gave me a lustful look but didn't say anything. Those who commented about me, earned themselves a glare from Avel.

I spotted Randy by the bar and he looked genuinely relieved to see me. I snuck a smile at him and he returned it quickly. I couldn't talk to him though. I wasn't worried. I know we'll find a way to communicate. Avel didn't want me to have a cellphone, so I don't call anyone to come and rescue me.

I haven't touched a phone in years. He kept his to himself.

One of the men working here, rushed to us. "Boss, Mr Williams has been waiting for you. By the VIP lounge." He said.

"I'm on my way," my blood boiled at the mention of a William. I was filled with anger and fear, the combination was foreign to me.

I followed behind as Avel weaved through the crowded place to the lounge area. I know exactly why it was so packed today. I'll be working the stage. It's always packed when I go on stage.

My eyes caught Randy's on the way to the lounge and he was genuinely concerned. I mouthed 'I'm okay' to him quickly and he gave a curt nod.

I sat down next to Avel as we reached Mr Williams. There was only one Mr Williams this time. Darnel. Vincent was nowhere in sight. Darnel's eyes bore into my skin. I looked down, avoiding him altogether.

"Mr Williams, what brings you here?" Avel inquired.

"I need to speak with her," Darnel said. I gulped. "Alone," he emphasized the word.

"Of course, I'll leave you two to talk," Avel was reluctant to leave me with Darnel. "You have 30 minutes," he grumbled to me before leaving.

I stayed rooted in my seat, frozen and scared. From my peripheral vision, I saw Darnel stand and walked over to me. He sat down next to me.

"Hi," his voice was gentle.

I willed myself to speak, not wanting to get into trouble. He'd mentioned he hated it when I kept mum.

"I didn't get your name," he said. "Last time," he mumbled the last part.

"Phoenix,"

"What about your real name?" He inquired. That I can't say. You can punish me and whatever, I'm not revealing my name. "Okay, I guess we're sticking with Phoenix," Darnel sighed when I didn't say anything.

I dared a look at him. He looked terrible. Despite his casual attire, which gave off the badboy look, he looked like a zombie. I wanted to laugh at him and thank whatever was stressing him out.

"You look beautiful, Phoenix," he smiled at me. I could tell the smile was hesitant.

You'll most likely force yourself on me again, so I don't bother with the compliments. At this point, I was stuck between trying not get punished and not giving a f**k what happens if I riled this man up.

It is what it is.

"Look, I haven't...I haven't been able to stop thinking about what happened," he started. "About what we did to you," he admitted, guilty. "I know apologizing won't erase the pain we've put you through. I really am sorry," he said. "You fell asleep before I could give you this," he said pulling out a piece of paper from his jacket and gently placed it on my lap. I eyed the R100 million cheque and almost scoffed.

"I know money isn't the solution and I know it won't erase what we did, but please accept it. I don't know how else to make this better," he said. "Or you can tell me what I can do to make this better," he suggested. I was rather relishing in his desperation. He felt guilty and didn't know what to do except grovel. "I'll do anything,"

Pathetic.

I spotted Randy walking over to us with a glass. I hadn't noticed how much time has passed. I was due to go on stage.

Randy handed me the glass without a word. He eyed Darnel, who was watching us intently. I gulped the burning liquid in one go and handed Randy the glass.

"I need another one," I said quietly.

"No," Randy said.

It was an undeniable truth that I had become the slave of alcohol. I was an addict. I found out in a very brutal way. Every time I had to go on stage, I had a few glasses to numb the nerves.

Randy had noticed and cut down my dosage. He knew I needed it, but at the same time, he saw how much it was destroying me.

Like every other time when I wasn't at the club for too long, I felt the absence of alcohol in my system. I always started trembling, needing my fix. I'd vomit, my stomach aching so bad. Right now, I had balled my hands into fists to stop the shaking.

Randy looked at me as I pleaded with my eyes. He caved in eventually, mumbling 'one glass' before turning to leave.

"Do you have a problem?" Darnel immediately questioned, as I suspected. Lousy dickhead. "You have an addiction, don't you?" My eyes met his, but I didn't say anything. I flinched when he moved to flatten my hand and it shook. I retracted it, ashamed that someone had to see me like this. "I can help you with that," he said instead. "I can get you to a rehab or something," he seemed proud of himself for suggesting this. "They'll help you," he smiled at me.

I looked away and caught sight of Avel, motioning for me. Oh boy.

Time to summon Phoenix.

"I have to go," I say quietly standing up. Randy hurried back with another glass. I drank all of it down in one go.

"The backdoor is open if you want to go and change," Randy told me. "You have about 2-3 minutes,"

"Or I could just change here," I suggested with a shrug.

"Really, Phoenix?" He gave me a bored look. "Have some decency woman," he said. I giggled, the alcohol already doing its thing. I'm a lightweight, two glass did it for me apparently. On a good day.

"Do you see any decency in this club, Randy?" I asked him. He only rolled his eyes.

"We need to talk," he turned serious. "About..." he trailed off, looking behind me. I looked back to see Darnel still eyeing us. "About what we talked about," my heart skipped a beat at that. I looked back at Randy. He nodded and I wanted to cry.

It's happening.

I'm getting out of here.

"Okay, I'll find you," I told him, spotting an angry Avel. Randy nodded and went back to doing his work.

Not having enough time on my side, because of the i***t behind me, I stripped off the dress right here. I heard him take a sharp intake of breath. I wiggled out of it and folded it neatly. Turning to see Darnel ogling me, I placed the dress on the couch and walked away.

The familiar eyes were on me as I ascended the small steps to the stage. As soon as my hand wrapped around the pole, I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths.

The music started. Tonight, the song was upbeat and it was up to me to improvise. Granted, I was a good dancer, I didn't have a hard time.

I shut everything around me off and focused on the music and the stage. The alcohol was a mood lifesaver in this situation.

I did my thing, worked the pole and left all these men to fend for themselves later on. I was panting by the time I was finished. Money littered the stage, some of it on the floor.

I could use the money to escape with Randy. Maybe if I take R100 million as well, I'll be able to go overseas and start a new life. With Randy.

I looked around, standing on the stage. I caught sight of Darnel, gawking at me from a distance. He looked baffled; shook. I'm guessing he never saw me performing on stage.

He stood up then, bent down to pick up the cheque that fell from my lap and tucked it inside my folded dress. He looked up at me for some time before he was on his way.

That's right, leave. f*****g rapist.

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UNEDITED