Chapter two

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-d1ad8d56-7fff-a4c7-7f24-5321f72f4a51"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHAPTER 2</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" Please come in!."</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled a seat quickly from the table as Master Brookyln made his way inside the changing room while his men waited outside, shutting the door. He was my father's most trusted friend and a family friend too. He and my father we're inseparable and I always admired the relationship between them. He had taken a long time without visiting us and I think he had heard about my father's worrying condition. That's why he showed up in an instant.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"When did you get here! Your journey from Taffa must have been tiresome. Can I get you something to drink?" I asked reaching out to the small beverage bucket.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After he sat. "Am okay! You don't need to worry about me. My journey was worth it after seeing your stage performance! Madame Gorret called me inviting me to watch you're dance performance and I really paid a huge price for it."</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Oh! Did she?" Astonished, I was hearing the reason why he actually showed up.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Placing the beverage bucket to its original place.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Didn't he really know about my father's condition?" I thought to myself as I pulled a seat sitting opposite a metre away from him.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He grinned. "But it was worth it, one million dollars is nothing compared to your performance on stage. You've grown into a beautiful hard working lady and I am so proud of you."</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"One million dollars!" I retorted silently at the matter of fact that Madame Gorret didn't give me any single dollar.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's not like I had never touched that kind of money, I just needed the money so badly for my father's surgery. Knowing that he was my father's best friend, he would surely help me out if I told him about my father's condition. I guess he didn't know about it.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking my shocked expression he continued" Its nothing your performance was priceless! "</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Master Brookyln you know I had quit performing but I was on that stage because my father is in a critical condition and am in need of ten million dollars for his surgery." I finally said it out of nervousness, not sure of what his reply could be.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" Exactly! That's the reason I'm here, Caro. Madame told me about your situation and asked me to help you. That's why I gave her one million dollars." He huffed</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mind was at ease now knowing that my worries were finally at rest. I was sure Master Brooklyn would be of help. Ten million dollars was not just a piece of cake that someone could just have it or give it away even among the different masters. I guess his Salsa casino was doing so well that he was willing to give away ten million dollars to my father. </span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Thank you Master Brooklyn for remembering my father in his worst times! His condition at the moment is worse and it's just a miracle that God has managed to keep him alive till today. I have to get money for his operation by tomorrow morning. His life is in grave danger!" I continued.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a long silence between us, his facade made me nervous.He stood up, extending his seat closely to mine making me even more nervous not knowing what he was trying to do. </span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After him seating, his hand slowly reached out to my bare thigh while dimming his dark tiny eyes at me. I trembled from his touch not knowing what to do next. His rough hands were irritating me. I wanted to push his hands off me immediately. But that would offend him, I didn't want him to change his mind about paying for my father's surgery.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That's not a problem. It's not a simple issue but I am going to pay ten million dollars for his surgery. He is my best friend. He needs me most now." He passed his hand over my shoulders pulling me closer to him.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I quickly pulled away from the intimate position he had put me in, kneeling down ready to bow down to him so as he would not feel offended for getting rejected."I don't know how to be thankful enough to Master Brooklyn." As much as I wanted to save my father I was not going to do it at the cost of my body."</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Was he really this shameless? I might be overthinking. Maybe he was just confronting me." I thought to myself."He would never do that."</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Master Brookyln staring at my expressionless face."No..no...it's okay stand up please! How can I make a beautiful lady like you to kneel down on this floor? You deserve more than this Caro." He said with a grin.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He then stood up moving to where I was kneeling. My body was trembling more now not knowing what to do next just in case he was to harass me. </span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He bent over to my ear and whispered."Everything will be fine by tomorrow morning. Come spend a night with me in my villa! You deserve to be treated like a queen. You have such a stunning figure that I can't wait to touch. Isn't that a good price for you."</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pushing him with burning anger in her eyes, " I will not do anything like that! If you are not willing to help me without conditions just leave right now." I snarled." Now get out!"</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My worst fear had finally happened and my heart arched in pain knowing that It was my father's best friend trying to set a price for me.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Master Brookyln moved closer to me, grabbing my hand."I like ladies with a hot temper. Just like you!" He put on a silly grin.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You're such a hypocrite!" I snarled.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Paaaaaaa..." A slap fell on his wrinkled face. I didn't know I reached that far doing that but that was how much I was disgusted.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He clenched his fists and before I could escape from him and punched me that I hit the ground with a loud bang.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How dare you! A bitch touch me. Look, your father's life is in your hands now. Did you think I was here doing some kind of charity? You're not even worth a penny. I was just helping you."</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He grabbed a wine bottle from the brevelage bucket, pouring the wine all over my hair as I lay on the floor with a sharp pain in my head that I couldn't get up on my feet.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seeing how heartless he had gotten, I recalled four years back when he came begging my father to lend him money as his casino had gone bankrupt. My father didn't hesitate helping him get back on his feet. I just now realised how a hypocrite he was.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After he left,I managed to get myself on my feet with difficulty. All this time no one had showed up yet and it was weird because the strippers would have come to the changing room already. The dizziness I felt slowly died away as I looked at myself in the mirror seeing the red spot left on my face from Master Brokyln's punch as tears were rolling down my face uncontrollably. </span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking at how my skin was showing, it couldn't go unnoticed. It had become irritating for me to have to deal with men who thought they would buy me for a price . Even Master Brooklyn, who I thought was my father's old friend, wanted to take advantage of me before lending me the ten million dollars.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tiring off the clothes and throwing aside the boots in anger. I grabbed my striped jeans and tight top putting them on then throwing an overcoat over my shoulders.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getting hold of my purseI went through the silent hallway with an astonished face.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Why aint I hearing any noise at all from the club? Did everyone leave so early today?" I thought to myself as I made my way to the back stage.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Opening the door to the back stage , my eyes widened as the computers were on the floor, the curtains were cut into pieces and chairs and tables had been broken.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What happened here? Derrick!" I called out hurrying to the stage.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All the seats had been broken, all beverage shelves were empty with broken bottles all over the floor. The glass tables had been broken too. My heart raced fast not knowing what had happened here or to Derrick I was the only one standing in the big hall.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stepping off the stage in fright,I searched for my phone in the purse. My body was suddenly gripped into someone else's. I felt a handkerchief placed on my lips before I reacted.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got hold of the holder's hands pulling them off. I could tell he was a man and he was stronger than me. My body was getting weak and weaker till I blacked out.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I woke up at the cold splash of water on my face and came back to my senses, my mouth was covered with masking tape and my hands tied behind my back using a rope together with my legs tied to the seat.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It flickered in the room with only one lamp hanging from the corner. In Front of me was a long table and a man in a black suit sat opposite it. I couldn't see his face clearly but he had grey hair in both his beards and hair.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart racing with not knowing where I was, I shaked my chair to let myself lose vigorously but I felt the rope was tight and I couldn't break it. Trying to speak I couldn't open my lips with the tight tape on it.The man seated signalled with his fingers pointing at me.</span>

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man who was standing beside him I could tell was his soldier and without saying any other words, he understood what he meant and bowing to him he grabbed a dagger from the table moving hurriedly towards me.</span>