Chapter2
1081 Words
Lesley finds herself on the road for hours, her fingers drumming against the steering wheel. As she nears the house, a sense of unease washes over her. This place is more upscale than the last. She surveys the house as the gates swing open, a clear indication of her mother's influence on this man. Judging by the house alone, he's wealthier than any of her previous partners.
Which means this arrangement won't last. Her mother's greed will inevitably surface, and he'll likely cut her off. Lesley steps out of her car and retrieves her belongings, her gaze fixed on the double front doors as they open. She braces herself for her mother, but instead, a man appears, his expression one of disappointment.
"I'm at the right place, aren't I? I'm Lesley, Heather's daughter," she says, wondering if her mother gave her the wrong address or if the man lied about his residence. It wouldn't be the first time her mother tried to bleed a man dry only to find out he was a fraud.
"Lesley, you're at the right place," he confirms as she ascends the marble steps towards him. As she gets closer, he shakes his head disapprovingly at her attire. She's wearing shorts and a tied-up T-shirt, looking out of place in this affluent neighborhood. But she won't accept his money and become like her mother.
"I'm your father," he announces, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.
"Wait...what the hell is going on? I thought you were dead?" Clearly not, and he's obviously wealthy. "So she's coming back to you then?" After eighteen years, she's returning to him?
"Your mother isn't coming here, Lesley. I'm living with another woman and her three sons," he explains.
Lesley can only stare at him in disbelief.
"Look, this is the house I share with Emilia. Follow me," he says, leading her past the double doors and around the side of the house to two large doors. "The two houses are connected. The boys live on this side. They use this entrance." He walks in, and Lesley follows.
"Living room, kitchen, games room, pool, these three rooms belong to the boys, and this one is yours," he says, opening a door. The room is small, but Lesley doesn't mind. She'll only be sleeping and changing here.
"Get settled in. The boys are away for the week. Stay out of the other side of the house, Lesley," he instructs.
"Alright, but why am I here?" Lesley questions, confused. Why didn't her mother just take her along as she usually does?
"Lesley, your mother found me and informed me that you're engaging in provocative dancing, selling your body, and even had an affair with one of her fiancés," he states, his face twisted in revulsion.
"First off, I don't dance on laps. I dance around people, no physical contact. Secondly, when I slept with that man, I was unaware of his identity. Why am I at fault? He claimed he was single. It was only when my mother's friend came
back from his business trip that I realized who he was," she defends herself. It's not her fault.
"Lesley, if you stir up trouble for Amelia and me, I won't be as tolerant as your mother. If I have to leave this place, you'll be left to fend for yourself," he threatens.
"But this is your house," she counters. Why would he end up homeless?
"Lesley, I've been in a relationship with Amelia for three months. Don't mess this up for me," he implores. Lesley can't help but chuckle. He's just like her mother.
"So, you're with her for her wealth. You and mom are cut from the same cloth. It's no surprise you divorced so quickly. You're both gold diggers," she accuses. His hand lashes out, and her head jerks to the side. She touches her stinging cheek in shock.
"Enough, Lesley. What your mother and I do with our lives is our concern!" he snaps.
"Just like my life is my concern. Don't fret, I won't spill the beans to Amelia about your gold-digging intentions. As soon as I've saved enough, I'll be out of your hair. Then both you and mom can wash your hands of me," she retorts.
"By exploiting men?" he questions, looking at her with distaste.
"Isn't that what mom does? Isn't that what you're doing with Amelia? At least the men I earn money from are aware that I'm dancing for money, not for love," she counters. She storms into her room and slams the door shut. Her father isn't dead! She was bracing herself to meet a new stepfather, but instead, her mother sent her to her biological father. Her mother must truly loathe her. The ridiculousness of the situation makes her laugh.
She grabs her laptop and begins job hunting. Once again, they're all in the dancing or club industry. At least she knows her father's partner won't be among the audience watching her dance.
After sending out applications for a number of jobs, Lesley makes her way to the kitchen to whip up a meal. As she settles down to eat, her phone chimes. She picks up the call and places the phone against her ear.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Lesley?"
"Yes, speaking," she replies, curious about the caller's identity.
"Hello, sweetheart! We're conducting auditions for a new dancer at Angel Paradise in an hour. Six women, one spot. Are you game?"
"Yes! Thank you, I'll head over right away," she responds enthusiastically. She needs the job. The fuel expense to get here was substantial, and she had to use her savings intended for securing her own place. She notes down the address, bids goodbye, and heads to the compact bathroom. After a quick shower and change of clothes, she's out the door.
Post-audition, she plans to find a secluded spot to sit and enjoy a drink. Just like in the previous places she's resided, she won't form friendships. They'll only last a month when things inevitably take a turn for the worse. Upon reaching the club, she spots the other women positioned on the stage.
"Lesley?" A woman glances in her direction, and Lesley nods in confirmation.
"I'm Alec, these are Andie and Sash. I manage the place. Join the other ladies on stage so we can kick off the auditions and decide who will be joining our crew."
Lesley nods in response and leaps onto the stage, hoping she secures this job.
- Writer
