Anthony's Angel

Role of a Big Sister [Extra]

Lily’s POV:

Staring at myself in the mirror, I forced a smile on my face and walked out of the bathroom. “Hey Ann, I’m going to take the car to work.”

Analyzing her, I can see the bags under her eyes, but similar to me, she forces a smile on her face. When was the last time we both actually smiled? Grabbing the keys, I kiss each boy on the forehead.

“I’m making tacos tonight,” Angelica said in her best enthusiastic voice, but I can tell she was worn out. Glancing down, her feet were bandaged, probably from the modern torture device they call heels. Not only her feet but her hands were filled with blisters and callus.

Unlike me, Angelica used to be a millionaire’s daughter, where she was pampered her whole life until her parent’s divorce. Even after that, she didn’t work. She had her grandparents and mother. After her grandparents passed, her mom had the luck of meeting Jordan.

She went from a modern-day princess to this, yet not one complaint.

I was born into the lower class status, so I’m quite used to it already. My family life only turned around ever since we met Ann. We helped each other through all the hardships. With Ann’s parents’ help, we were able to purchase a house next to them.

I miss those days when our families came together in one ole big joint backyard and had a BBQ, talking about meaningless things.

With a heavy breath, I kissed her on the cheek.

Driving past the hotel, the guilt inside of me emerges once again. I’ve been lying to Ann about working there.

Parking my car in the back, I saw several men staring at me with lustful eyes.

“Hey, Lils,” my coworker.

“Hey, Sandra,” I replied and returned her affection.

Sandra hands me a cup of water, “Lils, are you okay? You look extra tired today.”

I shook my head and drank the water, “Got to pay those bills somehow, right?” I force out a chuckle.

One by one, the girls left the locker room. I stood there naked, staring at the outfit they provided for me. Grabbing it, I place on my bikini top and thin panties, followed by a short skirt and tight top. Sitting down, I glanced at the rows of pink lockers, tying up my hair, and put on the high heels.

Heading towards the mirror, I inhale some uneven breath.

You are not Lily Minnie.

You are Tequila right now.

I repeated those two lines over and over, enabling me some sort of courage.

Finally, putting on my mask, I planted a fake smile, straightened my back, and head out.

“Everyone put your hands together for yours and my favorite cutie, Tequila!”

The curtain flew open, and I can hear the scream of the men mixing with the brutally loud music. The colorful lights were beaming in many directions in the dimmed room. The smell of alcohol and sweats radiating in the air. Walking out, I strutted my hips as the dollar bills waived all around me.

I swayed my body to the beats as the green was being placed inside my thin fabrics. I dropped my skirt and threw my white top off, receiving many satisfying shouts as I swung on the pole bar.

Bills were being waived everywhere, requesting my attention for a mere split second.

For my family.

I told myself over and over as I shook my bottom.

Kevin needs a tutor for school.

I went on my knees, flipped my hair as I licked my red lips.

Clark needs a speech therapist.

I slide my sweaty body down the pole.

The triplets’ birthday is coming. They need something nice.

I spread my legs and went down for a split.

Ann has been working too much; she needs time to sleep.

Finally, I clip my bra and drop it.

The bills aren’t going to pay itself.

I sat in the changing room, counting the crumpled dollar bills. Biting my bottom lips, tears started forming.

Family, for my family. You are the big sister Lily, toughen up. Don’t you f*****g cry.

“Are you okay, Lils?” Sandra asks.

I nod, wiping off the tears.

She sat down beside me and rubbed my back, “Lils, I know it’s hard now, but you will get used to it soon.”

Sandra’s husband left her with two kids. She was a stay at home mom, so she didn’t know what else to do to feed her children.

So, just like me.

She is here.

Glancing down at the wrinkle money on my hand, I thought of the things I could use it on.

Positive thoughts, Lily. Think positive thoughts.

In just a few years, so much has changed. Ann and I were supposed to go to college, living a carefree life. But here we are, trying to raise four boys.

“Lils and Sandra, they need you on the floor,” Mr. Polwer said on the other side of the door.

Sandra kissed me on the cheek and headed out. I put on my other outfit, short shorts, and a tight blue top and pumps. Tying up my hair, I put on the mask and head out. One thing I like about this place is I can hide my identity.

Heading out, Mr.Polwer pulled me back to the side. “Lils, my wife made some extra cupcakes last night. Would you like to take some home?”

“Yes, please, Mr.Polwer,” I replied and hugged him.

Mr. Polwer may own a strip club, but he isn’t a bad man. He treats every one of his employees very kindly. He would often take us all out to eat and hire security guards for us, for safety. His wife would often bring us food or bake something for everyone.

He said he never thought he would ever own a strip club since he inherited it from a relative who passed, and he couldn’t close it because it supported so many families. Which is true, if he closed this joint, many of the girls here wouldn’t know what else to do.

Walking on the floor, the intensity of alcohol strengthened, and I forced myself to breathe through my mouth. I started doing my job and served food and drinks. Funny, I remember when I started this job, I can take off my top in front of all these men, but I can’t legally touch alcohol.

“Get your hands off of me!” I heard a familiar voice shouted and instantly rushed over to see a group of guys groping San

dra.

“Let her go!” one of the girls screamed, trying to get her away, but they held onto her instead.

My eyes scanned the room for security guards and let out a sigh of relief as they rushed through the crowd towards us.

“You two - no - all the girls here are just sluts! Now spread your legs! I know you all do it every night!” one of the guys slurred out.

Looking at them, I know they aren’t our usual peaceful clients. They are outsiders.

One of them forced himself onto Sandra, and I ran over to pull him off. “Get off of her, you ass!” I shriek.

He turned towards me, and somehow, his body looked bigger. My eyes flicker towards the guards who were taking care of the drunkards. “What did you call me, you little w***e?”

“An ass. You are an ass. We don’t serve your kind here,” I said with a straight back, but my heart was beating like crazy, fearing the large man hovering over me.

“You are nothing but a little b***h who spread her legs for money. Do you thin-”

Suddenly, he covers his crotch and kneels on the floor, letting out a loud groan, tears forming in his eyes. I looked up and saw Sandra, “Don’t you call her a b***h! You douche!”

A smile crossed both over our faces as we gave each other high fives. Instantly, one of the troublesome men started yelling and punched one of the typical clients to defend one of the girls. A fight started breaking out even the guards couldn’t stop.

My heart started racing as I heard vulgar words and saw items being thrown around the room. Turning around, two strange men were forcing themselves on Sandra. Looking at the girl next to me, we gave each other a nod and hit their head with chairs. The girls group and defend one another as the fights continue. Blood was splattered everywhere, and everything was smashed into pieces.

After what seems to be forever, I heard police sirens, and a bunch of officers burst in.

Instantly, all the girls group. What are they all doing here? We didn’t do anything illegal. None of the girls here prostitute themselves as far as we know. Mr. Polwer frowns against his girls for doing such a thing; he said if we urgently need money, we come to him.

One of the officers came up to us, “Please, can you all come with us.”

“Did we do something wrong?” Sandra asks.

Mr.Polwer ran up to us, “We run a clean business here. None of my girls done anything wrong.”

“Oh no, none of you had done anything wrong as far as I know. Those groups of guys over there.” He pointed at the crowd that was creating trouble earlier. “They were selling illegal drugs,” he finished.

“B-B-But, why do you want us?” I asked.

“First, we need your statement, and second, you are all bleeding. We need to take you to the hospital.”

Looking down, most of the girls, including me, were bleeding or injured from the fight earlier. One by one, we headed inside the police officer cars as they gave us blankets to cover our bodies.

“Girls, you all aren’t in trouble. Don’t worry,” a female police officer reassured, but I couldn’t stop the beating inside my chest.

I never dislike the hospital. Being in a hospital, any hospital, always brings back those torturous memories. How all my loved ones were lying on that bed, lifeless.

No matter how much I scream or cry, they refused to stand up. My brothers didn’t know what was happening, but they sob along with me. Ann stood there, dead, unable to fathom the situation. She didn’t cry with everyone else, nor was she seeking comfort. She stood there like a broken shell, face void of any emotions as they covered the faces of our parents.

When the two-door slide opened, my scraped feet stepped inside, it was different from that day. My eyes analyzed every corner of the room, from the plastic chair to the tiny black pen. I pull my eyes from the high polished linoleum floor to see the long, empty hallway. Blood wasn’t splattered everywhere, nor did I hear sorrowful screams of lost loved ones. It was quiet to the point that the silence was agonizingly torturous.

They placed us in different rooms, gave us hospital gowns, and treated our injuries as they took our statement with whatever happens earlier.

Finally, changing into the gowns, I took a seat on the uncomfortable rough bed. Looking around my room, it was painted light brown and dull, similar to every other place. A familiar-looking nurse heads inside and grants me a smile, treating my wounds.

“Rough night, I heard.” She attempts to make conversation.

“Quite not what I expected,” I replied as she hooked the IV into me.

My eyes went from her to the old TV set hanging from the ceiling. The window giving me a view of the parking lot was right across from it. In the corner are two chairs, worn and torn, needing to be replaced. It was a typical hospital room, nothing special, sparse, and functional.

“I never expected to see you back here,” the nurse whispered and gave me a sad smile.

Finally, looking into her eyes, I realize why she looked familiar. She was the nurse who hugged me the whole night when my parents passed. Even when she was supposed to go home because her hours are up, she stayed with me and kept an eye on Angelica just in case she did anything. She even helped us by calling around to see if anyone can watch the boys while Ann and I mourn. When she couldn’t find anyone, she voluntarily took a few days off and helped us manage the boys.

“Thank you for everything you have done for us,” I said.

She settles down beside me, “I’m sorry I can’t do any more for you and your sister.”

Tears were dripping down my eyes as I shook my head. “No, you’ve done more than enough for all of us, and we are entirely grateful.”

She wiped the tear from her cheek and gave me a hug, “Please, be strong, sweetie.”

I gave her a grateful smile and laid on the lumpy bed, staring at the blue and white tile ceiling as I inhaled the undertone bleach lingering in the air.

“Come in,” I replied.

Two police officers came in and gave me a small smile. “You are good to go, miss, but we need one more thing.”

“What is it?” I replied, eager to leave this place as soon as possible.

“Name, please,” he asked.

“W-W-Why do you need my n-name? I already gave my statement,” I said, my heart suddenly beating again but at a rapid pace.

He glanced at his partner then back at me. “We need to contact a family member of yours to pick you up since it’s clear that you drank. Similar to everyone here,” he calmly stated.

Of course, I took a sip here and there when customers offered a drink to me. It’s part of my job to keep them happy. I’m not stupid. I only accept drinks from trustworthy regular customers.

“N-No. I c-can’t do that p-please just let me go. I’ll walk home or take a taxi,” I pleaded with him desperately. Ann cannot know that I lied about my job.

“Trust me when I say we want to do that, but we want to ensure everyone gets home safely. Similar to everyone else here, I’m pretty sure you left your wallet back in the building when we rushed everyone out. The building is temporarily closed, surrounded by the media, and you don’t want to go back there. We don’t want you to walk home this late at night, quite unsafe. Name, please,” he asked once again.

“C-Can’t you guys take me home?” I beg them.

“We want to, but too many girls are requesting that. We said no to one already, so we have to say no to the rest,” he said. Looking into his eyes, I knew he had the same conversation several times tonight already.

The other guy scratched the nape of his neck, quite uncomfortable with the situation. They probably know why I don’t want to tell them my name and why I don’t want them to contact my family members.

Tears flow down my pale cheeks, hitting my trembling hands. With a shaky chest, I inhale a deep breath as I repeatedly swallow the nonexistence saliva in my dry throat. My eyes fixed on the bright polished tile floor.

“Lily Minnie.”