Lola Nights

"Nothing Attracts attention like a Red Dress.."

After getting home at 4am I was exhausted so when someone was banging on my door at 7am I was not happy. I stumble out of bed, trying not to wake Hope up beside me as I walk to the front door and aggressively open it

"WHAT"

"Miss Lola I have this for you"

he hands me a envelope with my name in neat calligraphy writing on the front

"Thanks" He turns around and walks down the steps, I close the door behind me and open the envelope

Departure Date: Tuesday 2nd June 2018 - Paris -7:10am

Return Date : Saturday 6th June 2018 - New York -22:00

Collection time 5am

Be ready. 

N. Davenport.

Behind it was a cheque for $25,000 I double look, triple look and stare at all the 0's. I had never had this amount of money before! and it felt like a dream come true! My first plan was to look up houses and get us out of this place. I jump around with excitement and squeal as I feel like this the first bit of good luck we have had in years! 

We began the walk to school listening to Hope's stories. I always try and get there early just incase anyone notices me. 

"THOMAS" she shouts and runs over to hug the small boy

"Riley Hi how are you its been so long"

"Hi Julie, yeah its been a while"

She kisses both sides of my cheeks which makes me feel instantly uncomfortable, I wasn't a fan of the fake kisses. 

I watch as Hope waves me goodbye and walks into the playground with Thomas

"How would you like to get some coffee?"

"Oh no I can't..."

She interrupts me 

"come on it's just one coffee"

She insists and has this huge fake smile plastered on her face. 

"My treat"

"I honestly can't Julie, I have a trip away I need to prepare for. Maybe when I'm back?"

"Sure"

2 Hours Later

"I don't even know what to bring or what I need"

Candy starts to pull out dresses, tops and skirts from her bag and starts to put them up to my body. 

"Well he did say a business so classy and sophisticated"

Her eyes light up as she pulls out a red satin dress and black lace up shoes

"WOW this is it, this is the outfit" 

She places the dress up to my body and the two of us stare in the mirror and admire the pretty red dress. 

"Honey, nothing attracts attention than a red dress"

I pull the dress out of her hands and throw it on the floor

"Im not trying to make a impression, its a job remember"

I continue to look through the pile of clothes, she picks the dress up and folds it into my suitcase. 

"Whats up with you, you seem so....."

I turn my back and walk straight out the door into the living room ignoring her. 

"Lola, Lola come back" 

She shouts after me and then follows and is right on my ass. 

"I don't think I can do this, theres just too much going on right now."

I start to fill her in on Matt and the whole situation about him wanting to see her and before I know it I have tears rolling down my cheeks. 

"Am I a bad person? I mean what he.. we did it was a bad thing and he took advantage of me and he made me fall in love with him even though he was 20 year's older"

She wrapped her arms around me and held tight brushing my hair soothing me, but it was like I couldn't stop talking

"And then what happens if he rejects her I mean he only wants to use her to show how he's this great family man, and a business man and he doesn't even really want her its just for show so he can build his reputation back up"

I pull away and wipe my tears away with the sleeve on my top

"Im 22 for God sake, a stripper and trying to do the best I can what kind of mother would I be if I let him just waltz into her life"

I pick up the suitcase and start to take things out 

"What are you doing" Candy shouts at me

"Im not going thats it"

She grabs me and shakes me and stares at me right in eye eyes

"You Lola, need this break you need to take some time out let him wine you and dine you. Take the cheque come back and you have the whole world at your feet. Get that house you want, get that college course you want and show him your not that same teenager you used to be"

She was right, I needed to do this and I needed the money to get myself and Hope a better life. I could act, be someone I'm not. It was only for a couple of days and it was easy money.

"Your right"

"Lets get these bags packed"

5:45am 

I open her door silently and sneak in, her brown hair is sprawled all over her pillow. I kiss the top of her head and she starts to stir

"Mummy"

"Hi baby, go back asleep its so early"

"Are you leaving"

"Yeah, only for 3 days I will be back on Friday, Katie's going to be looking after you while I'm gone."

"I will miss you"

"I will miss you too"

I tuck her back into the bed and snuggle place her teddy bear beside her. I check the list and the money I have left for Katie, and double check myself before I close the door behind me. I take a deep breath and walk down the stairs and out the door of the apartment complex to be met with a black limo with dark windows. 

"Miss Nights let me take your bag for you" 

He takes my bag and places them in the boot and opens the door for me for me to get inside. I take a seat on the cold leather and realise Im alone. 

"Em.. excuse me sir. Where's the guy thats supposed to be here?"

"We will meet Mr Davenport at the airport Miss"

I sigh a breathe of relief as I was not ready at all for this but this was going to be some challenge to pull this off.