THE ROAD TO YOUR HEART (Completed) ✔

1 : Everything, As It Should Be

"A thousand dollars in 30 minutes and all I did was sit down and talk with a gentleman over there." Jacqueline said to a coworker while she arranged all the money she made that night at the strip club. "Words can't even express how grateful I am to have been given this opportunity."

"I guess you have me to thank for that." Tatyana smiled as she walked into the dressing room. "5 years ago, you were extremely shy and yet so determined to become one of my dancers. I had to drill some confidence into you." She laughed.

"Oh no! I'm so not ready to take a trip down memory lane. I was a complete mess and I thought my life was over." Jacqueline shook her head in disbelief.

"I remember it like it was yesterday." Tatyana replied.

"You know, I never really thank you enough Tatyana, you found me at my lowest point and helped me even more that a sister would. I felt so safe with you the moment you tried to convince me not to follow through with my decision to become an exotic dancer. You were so worried that I wouldn't be able to handle all the pressure that comes with this type of work." Jacqueline smiled.

"Yes, you're right!" She exclaimed as she looked up, trying to recollect her thoughts. "You felt very uncomfortable whenever I gave you money and bought you groceries. I loved your sense of independence and your drive to succeed. I was drawn to you immediately because I saw myself in you." She said as she stroked Jacqueline's cheek.

"I'm so grateful for everything." Tears rolled down her eyes.

"Oh, come on now, you know how much I hate to see people cry. It taps into my emotional side and that..." Tatyana said as she pointed her index finger towards Jacqueline, "...I despise so much. Now come here." She said as she spread her arms and wrapped them around Jacqueline.

"I promise I won't cry about this anymore." Jacqueline replied as she hugged her back.

"That's my girl. Now, enough of all this mushy stuff. Gotta go check the accounts before I call it a night... Or should I say morning?" She laughed as she walked out of the changing room.

Jacqueline smiled as she watched her leave. "Typical Tatyana!" Jacqueline shook her head and chuckled as she thought about how she'd always find a way to disappear immediately. Someone started being sentimental.

She was always quick to remind everyone that in order for someone to run a successful business like this for 8 years and command respect while at it, weakness is the last thing people should see in you.

She did say that she wasn't always this way, but that after migrating from Russia to the USA when she was just 17, she had to toughen up when life became harder than she expected. Now, at 34 years old, she's more than grateful for all the things she's experienced because they turned her into the strong woman she is today.

Jacqueline turned to face the mirror. She took off her pink wig and started running her fingers through her long, curly, black hair.

She brought out 2 tops from her bag and decided to go with the blue one. Satisfied with her look, she gushed over how the colour blue, made her exotic looking tan skin and brown eyes pop.

While packing up, she remembered that she did not always love and admire herself this much. Growing up in an interracial home to a white father and black mother was not always easy. While a few people appreciated her, the others mostly criticized her for the texture of her hair and the colour of her skin.

At a certain point in her life, she became very shy and withdrawn because she let the hurtful things people said get to her. Most nights when her mother caught her crying, she'd always remind her that the sun need not blend in with the other planets in order to light up the world.

Now, she's very different person from who she used to be. Stronger, wiser, full of self-love and confidence! She'd always tell people now that regardless of how much compliments or criticism you receive in life, what's really important at the end of the day is how much you love yourself and how much light and positivity you feed your soul because above all these, you matter the most.

"Hello? Earth to Jacqueline!!!"

Startled, she turned to see her coworker and best friend, Kim, snapping her fingers at her. "Oh dear! I was lost in thoughts."

"What were you thinking about? I've been talking to you for about a minute now. Are you okay?" Kim asked, wearing a worried look on her face.

"Yes darling, I'm fine. I had a little chat with Tatyana earlier and it made some things flood back into my memory. I've been waiting for you though. Are you ready to leave now?" Jacqueline asked.

"In a minute. Need to fix my hair. Let's grab some food on our way home because I'm starving." Kim replied as she looked in the mirror to adjust a loose hair extension attached to her long black hair.

Jacqueline was one to always remind her friend of her crazy obsession with colourful wigs and hair extensions which Kim says is part of her identity as an exotic dancer. She would always shop for bright colours like pink, purple, yellow, and red because they complimented her fair skin tone.

Kim always said that despite her love for different colours, her favourite remains blue because to her, the colour blue is not only beautiful, but also represents freedom, inspiration, imagination, intelligence, calmness, confidence and so much more. It's no wonder that the sky and the sea are both blue.

To Jacqueline, these colours did not only compliment Kim's style and outstanding beauty, they also helped showcase her selfless, caring, kind, and compassionate attitude. It's no wonder they were drawn to each other and became best friends shortly after Kim started working at the club 4 years ago.

"Okay, all done." Kim said as she grabbed her bag and proceeded to join Jacqueline as she walked out of the changing room.

After eating out, they both got back to their apartments exhausted. Jacqueline wished her friend a good night before getting into her apartment, which is opposite Kim's.

Immediately she got in, Jacqueline went straight to the bathroom to take a hot bath. When she was done, she put on her favourite pink night gown and looked at herself in the mirror. She observed a tiny scar on her right leg that formed as a result of a slight accident she had when she fell off the pole after she tried to perform a trick she had recently learnt.

She ran her fingers through her hair and put it in a bun after which she put some night lotion on her face, hands and legs to keep her soft, caramel toned skin hydrated. She got into bed, turned off the lights, and called it a night.

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