The Dark Rose

1| The Struggles

Ashley's pov

I was enjoying my glorious sleep, dreaming of being on a deserted island with no one but me myself and I. The ocean breeze felt so good on my skin. "I wish I could stay here forever" I said to myself. *brrr-brrr* my loud alarm rang waking me up from my fantasy. "okay you can do this"I said smiling to myself. I made my bed and went into the bathroom to take a shower."Ahh!"I jumped out, the water was cold as ice."Well I guess that's what I get for renting in a creepy apartment" I said getting in.

After the cold shower I lotioned my body, got dressed into my baggy jeans and oversized shirt. It took me hours to comb my afro into puffy bun."Jason, it's time to wake up"I said kissing my little brother on his forehead."I'm up"he yawned looking at me."Is the water still cold?"he asked rubbing his eyes. The fact that we lived in this dump made me hate myself, Jason deserves a high life."uhmm, yeah, but it's only for today, okay"I said smiling at him."Fine" he said walking away and I sighed.

I was finally done with the cleaning and Jason was done with everything. I grabbed my uniform bag and held Jason's hand and we walked to his school."Have fun, and concentrate"I said hugging him."Bye"he waved and ran into the school. I started my journey and walked to the club. ^Wet Suzy^ was written in bold letters on the board, I got in by the back and I was early as usual."Ash, my early bird, here to help me with opening up?"Roman, my boss said hugging me.
"Nope, I'm a stripper not a cleaner"i said laughing."Fine, now go and get dressed"he said blowing a puff of smoke in my face.I got to the locker rooms and got dressed."Let's start the morning shift"i said looking at my gorgeous self in the mirror.

Hours went by, customers went in and out.It was finally time to knock off and I made some money, not enough, but it's something."Ashley, come here"Roman said pulling my hand."Yes boss"I said looking at him."Look, I know you need to knock off, but I have a very special client and we're running short of one stripper so please fill in for her"he begged looking desperate."But you know I have to fetch Jason"i said looking at him."Please, plus your rent is due and you didn't make enough money, plus this client is loaded"he said looking at me. I mean he was right, Aunt Gloria, promised to kick me out of I don't pay."Fine, one shift and I knock off, I'll arrange a babysitter"I said with a sigh."Thank you"he said and ran off

I called a babysitter for Jason. When I was done, I went to the locker room to get dressed and met some girls who I really never liked."Damnn,so slow poke, will be Tina's replacement?"Monica said and they all laughed at me."She'll probably piss Leon off"Ria said laughing."She better not even touch any of the guys"Nicole said rolling her eyes."Listen here slow poke, Leon is mine so don't touch or look at him"Monica said spitting her gum at me and they left."Remember, Ash, this is for you and Jason" I whispered to myself and took a deep breath.

The whole club was booked, all the other clients were kicked out. "That's new"I said to myself. I wore my mask cause I still wasn't comfortable with working in a strip club. Streets by Doja Cat started playing and I was relaxed. There were 5 men sitting next to the stage, they all looked scary, and tough, the guy in the middle had a bad vibe going on with him."Okay boys, my name is Monica, this is Ria and Nicole, we'll be serving you tonight"she said winking at them."And who's the masked one?"The middle guy finally spoke
"Shoot, uhmm, I'm Rose"I said looking him in the eyes." Okay, start!"he shouted and the music played. I went crazy on the pole and forgot about everyone and everything, that's what I loved about stripping. It is actually too exciting and somehow fun for me.

My mask fell off and I stopped to put it on."Don't"a voice echoed."Put that mask down"he said looking at me. And I stopped, he stood up and held me by the waist."Lets go I'm taking this one tonight"he said, with his minty, alcoholic breath."Excuse me, but my shift ended"I said trying to wiggle out of his grip, but I failed."You're not going anywhere"he said kissing my neck."I said no"I slapped him and the whole room went quiet."Are you nuts!!Leon, I'm so sorry, she's a slow poke"Monica said pushing me to the floor."Damn, Leon did you just get slapped"one of his friends said laughing."Come here you little slut!"he said choking me."Leon,let her go, we can't go through this again"one of them said
"Who cares"he said dragging me by my hair."Your dad is here"A man said and he stared at me."Let's go"he said and the other guys took the girls. I sat there alone and packed up my cash and left. I kept on limping, due to the bruised body."Atleast I can pay the rent"I said limping. I paid Aunt Gloria and took Jason. I got into bed and cried softly."I'm tired of it"I whispered to myself.