The Stripper's Firsts

Proposal

"D-Don't kill yourself."

The guy’s voice is trembling while his tears are slowly streaming down his face.

Hestia glared at him, not understanding why the guy is stopping her from killing herself and even crying in front of her.

"Why do you even care? Who the hell are you to stop me?"

Hestia snarled at the guy. She was pissed because he interrupted her and she doesn't understand the guy's motives.

"Because I care about you, Shein."

The guy said in a very soft voice but there's no way Hestia will fall at the softness of his voice.  

Hestia frowned as she heard her second name on the guy's lips. She stood up and dusted herself and so the guy then looked back at him to glare once again.

"How did you know my name?"

"I know because I go to Ivy's."

Knowing he’s a client won’t shake her glare. She doesn’t give a damn about that anymore and it's not like she still has a plan to work there. She actually doesn’t have any plan to live anymore. If this guy didn’t interrupt her, she’s probably chasing down death already.

"Being a client doesn't give you the right to alter our personal decisions."

Hestia turned her back to the guy and picked up her mother's picture on the railings and decided to just go home since she already lost her mood to kill herself. Maybe she’ll try again next time or the next day.

A hand on her wrist, gripping on it lightly, stopped her from walking away. And when she looked back it was from the same guy.

"Shein it may sound absurd but I love you."

The guy’s tone was serious and he’s staring straight into Hestia’s eyes, convincing Hestia that he really is saying the truth. Whether he's saying the truth or not, it's not like Hestia cares about that. 

Hestia almost laughs out loud at that. She claimed that that was the best joke she ever heard in her 28 years of existence.

How can he love someone he barely knows? And to top it all I’m a stripper. You’re not supposed to love someone who’s making money through her body. We, strippers like me don’t deserve a happy ending or at least a good life.

"What the hell are you saying? You're f*****g in love with me? With a stripper? Are you out of your mind?"

"No. I really love you. I mean it.  From the very first time I saw you, you caught my attention. I already know from that day that you're the girl I want to marry. I tried so hard to at least have a chance to talk to you. But I never got a chance to take you out of the night. It's either someone already got you or you're not accepting offers that day."

Hestia laughed bitterly at the statement not only she find the guy stupid but because she saw herself at some part in this guy.

Loving someone who doesn't give a damn about you? From the very first time you saw her, you already know that she's the girl you want to be with for the rest of your life? You barely know her and yet you’re letting yourself fall deeper and deeper. But that girl, that certain someone doesn't feel the same about you. No, not only that, she doesn’t give a damn to your whole existence. You’re just a nuisance.

"So are you saying you want to marry me to have someone you want to f**k all the time?

Hestia asked in a very cold tone. You can hear the irritation in her voice, the bitterness, and how much she despised the guy, assuming that was the reason why he wants to marry her.

"No that's not my intention and that will never be my intention. I really just want to talk with you that's why I'm trying to take you out of the night. Yes, you are sexy and all, but that's not the sole reason why I want to marry you. It's because I love you."

This guy is stupid. Of all types of people, I f*****g hate stupid people the most because I am too.

Realizing that the conversation with this guy is just a waste of time, Hestia turned her back once again at the guy in an attempt again to finally go home. But again, the guy stopped her from doing that, this time the guy grasped both of her arms, startling Hestia but the grip was not tight enough to hurt Hestia.

"Shein please give me a chance. I promise to make you live in wealth. I promise to make you feel like you're the queen of this world. I promise to make you happy all the time. If you marry me, you will not worry about money anymore. You can buy everything you want, everything you need. Just please, please marry me."

The guy kneeled in front of her, getting desperate while still holding her hands.

The guy was serious. He's not just blabbering that he loves Hestia and also his proposal. Hestia is also certain that this man is really wealthy, it’s just a hunch but she was really sure of it. And he also doesn't look like a bad guy, like her oh-so-called father, like someone who will beat her or someone who will hurt her in the latter time. But still, Hestia doesn't want to marry him. Simply because he's not Avery.

Hestia was about to reject his proposal again when her phone rang. She cursed when she saw that it was Karla. She just let it rang, waiting for the call to end and just staring at the screen while still cursing in her mind. She can't answer Karla's call right now, not until she got home. A few seconds ago after the call died, she received a text from Karla:

I'M IN YOUR f*****g HOUSE RIGHT NOW. WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

Hestia face palmed herself and tried to think of a good excuse. Something like Karla will really buy she can’t think of any. There’s nothing that she thinks will be enough to fool her best friend. Deciding to just admit her sins, Hestia sighed and dialed Karla’s number.  

While waiting for the call to connect to her best friend’s phone, Hestia glanced at the guy still kneeling on the ground and looking at her pleadingly, his tears are even threatening to fall.

Hestia distanced herself for a bit at the guy. 

The call finally connected and on the very first ring,  

"He-”

[Where the hell are you?]

Hestia felt like her eardrums exploded and her ear wax runs towards the deepest part of her ear to hide, feeling afraid at the owner of the voice over the phone.

Hestia closed her eyes trying to calm herself so she will not yell back at her best friend or at least spare her life. Well, it was her fault in the first place. She lied to her best friend, saying that she was already at home because she never thought that her best friend would check up on her. Karla is just worried so of course, she will be this mad.

“Can you calm yourself for a bit Karla?”

[No. No. Not until you already said where are you.]

Hestia just sighed and decided to just let her best friend do whatever she wants to do.

“I’m in ABC Bridge- (Excuse my lazy mind for not thinking of a good name of a bridge)”

[What the hell are you doing at that bridge?]

What the hell this girl doesn’t know how to speak in a low voice.

“Long story. Can you just pick me up here?”

[Yes. Just stay there and wait for me. Don’t you ever try to jump there. I swear if you jumped there and you died. I’ll not give you peace even in the afterlife.]

I already tried and if this guy didn’t interrupt me, I’m probably in the afterlife already.

Hestia just hummed as a response and soon the call ended.

Hestia is battling herself if she will tell her best friend what she just did. She was sure that her best friend will be disappointed and mad at her but if she didn’t say it, she has this feeling that her best friend will discover it because of someone.

Hestia glanced back at the guy who’s no longer kneeling and just staring at Hestia, maybe waiting for Hestia’s answer about his proposal.

Hestia didn’t bother to say her answer and just glared at him, leaned her butt on the railing, waiting for her best friend to arrive.

My answer was pretty obvious so why would I even bother to say it in his face? If he didn't get my answer by just looking at me then he really is stupid.

The guy didn’t bother her anymore and kept his distance on her but not too far away so if ever Hestia attempted to jump again, he will be able to save her again. He thought that Hestia is thinking of what her answer will be, not aware that Hestia already has her answer since she first heard his proposal.

Until Karla arrived the two didn’t talk. Karla run towards her best friend and enveloped her in a tight hug.

“This is the reason why I don’t want to let you go on your own. Are you okay?”

Karla asked, her voice is now soft and soothing far from what her voice is earlier. Karla held her best friend on her shoulder and trying to look into her eyes but Hestia refused to meet her best friend’s orbs, feeling guilty at what she attempted to do earlier.

“Can we go home now?”

Karla just nod and supported her best friend towards the cab she used to go there but a voice stopped them in their tracks.

“Shein. I understand if you can’t answer right now. I’ll wait until you made up your mind.”

Hestia didn’t even bother to look back at him and just rolled her eyes in irritation.

“Who’s that? What is he talking about?”

“No one. Don’t mind him. He’s just a nuisance.”

--

Saturday. The day that she’s been always wanting to come. Simply because she met Avery on Saturday so, of all days of the week, Saturday is the day that has the biggest probability of her meeting her again. But this Saturday is no other like her past Saturdays. She’s no longer a stripper. She quit and now she’s just a customer in this club. She went there not to get wasted either not because she miss the place but because she’s still hoping to see Avery again.

She’s hoping that today maybe is the day when she will meet her again. She went there at exactly 8 o’clock in the evening and now it’s already midnight. But still no, even at least a glimpse of her, nothing.

“Shein.”

Hestia heard his voice again, the guy that saved her, and claimed that he loves Hestia.

Before looking back at him, she wiped the lone tear that escaped her eyes and emptied her drink.

Hestia didn’t wait for him to ask her again and just blurted out her answer.

“Yes. I’ll marry you.”