Red

CHAPTER FIVE

Rhiannon

You'd think my father was some sort of spy. He knew where I was, when, and somehow managed to get there in seconds. Like now. I'd not even got out the car, Jacob had only just pulled up and turned the ignition off, and he was already bursting through the tall, black gates like a bull that's saw red. In fact, you could call him a bull, because he did just literally see red. The sight of me in Jacobs car has most likely made his blood boil and burn.

He isn't earning six zeroes, I thought as I watched him storm towards us.

"Jesus, dad, you look like your blood pressure might be playing up again, are you okay?" I joked, but still feeling slightly concerned when I actually got a good look at him. He was red, very red.

"Don't start, Rhiannon Red!" Mother butted in just as angry as dad was. 

"Oh! Hey, Ma!" I joked again. "How lovey of you both to come down here and entertain us!"

Fucking idiots. Like I was going to put up with this.

"I told you to leave my daughter alone! And yet you drive her home!" He yelled, poking Jacob in the chest.

Was that steam coming out his ears?

"Dad! Leave it!" I pushed myself between him and Jacob. "Someone tried to rob me and I was just a little scared so he kindly offered to drive me home, okay"

I widened my eyes as I spoke, desperate for him to nod okay. Instead, he looked at me just as fuming.

"What do you mean? Someone tried to rob you? Where were you, Goddammit!" He was now screaming at me, it was as if Jacob wasn't even there anymore.

"Baby are you okay?" Mom asked in her angelic voice, rubbing her hand up and down my arm.

"Yes, I'm fine. What I mean dad is that someone came into the parking lot and I was the only one in there so they just attacked me. I'm fine, really."

He wasn't convinced, he looked stressed.

"You could of been hurt!" He shouted.

"Yes, but I'm fine. The most you could do is thank Jacob, god knows what would of happened if he didn't stop the man"

He waited a second then looked at Jacob and apologised.

"I'm sorry, thank you"

"It was nothing, I'd do the same for anyone else in that situation" he shrugged.

His words made my stomach drop. I'm not sure why, but to think he only saved me the way he did was because of convenience, not because it was me, wasn't something my body didn't want to hear. Albeit, it should be. I shouldn't be concerned with how he sees me, I can't have him anyway.

Is that why you keep teasing him? Is that why your panties are wet from just sitting in his car?

Suppressing an eye roll at my conscience, I turned to smile at Jacob and saw the anger in his eyes. Most likely pissed that my dad had screamed at him.

"Right well, shall we get tea on dear?" Mom suggested to dad and he reluctantly walked away with a nod.

When they were further away I spoke again.

"I'm sorry"

"Why?" He asked, clearly pissed still.

Ignoring his question, I snapped. "What's your problem? You haven't lost your job so why are you so pissed?"

"Nothing. I'm fine. See you next week"

Before I could reply, he was in the car, door slammed shut, and engine starting. What was his problem?

❣️❣️❣️❣️

"Yes dad, I'll be at the dinner tomorrow, not hungover, and on my best behaviour" I kissed his cheek as I made my way out the door.

As far as he was aware I was on my way to a night out with the girls, they covered for me too. They just wasn't fully aware of what I was doing, just that my parents could never find out .

My job wasn't looked upon as the best, but as mentioned before, it made me feel alive. I felt in control for once in my life because I was doing something seen as so negative.

I know for a fact that it would never sit well with a boyfriend, or anyone I dated, and it definitely wasn't CV material, but I wasn't bothered. Since I'd started the job I'd felt better in myself, more confident and independent. Maybe that defined me as fucked up in so many different ways, but again, I wasn't bothered.

As I clicked my heels across the pavement and pushed through the doors, I felt free. This was where I felt like a different person, not Rhiannon Red - controlled, owned by her parents, and forced to followed orders. As soon as I push past those double doors, and enter the sparkly, spot lights, I'm no longer Rhiannon. I'm whoever I want to be.

I'd been asked before if I was Rhiannon, if I was related to her, or my father, but I just shook my head and feigned not knowing what they were talking about.

So while I sit in my corner of the dressing room, applying my makeup, questioning which outfit, I pull on the blonde wig and glasses, and remember by new name for the next few hours. Libby.

Short for 'Liberty' meaning 'free' or 'freedom'. I picked it out personally, googled names, and when I saw the meaning behind this one I just had to have it.

I took one last look in the mirror. My blonde hair was styled in a ponytail, I had a silver, sparkly bra and panties on, and six inch heels. Perfect.

I stepped out into the bar and a smile spread across my face. Here we go.

There were podiums spread all around the bar with poles attached, booths for private dances, rooms for private dances, and a stage too. I made my way to the VIP area where I mostly worked, and pulled myself flush against one of the poles. I twisted myself around, slid down, and spent the next three hours in between private dances and flaunting it on the pole.

I was about to finish up after my last private dance, when I froze in my steps. I'd recognise that tousled dark hair anywhere. The sharp jawline, perfect kissable lips, grey eyes more sparkly than my dress jewellery. Jacob was here and, if I wasn't mistaken, he'd just recognised me despite my blonde wig and glasses.

I swallowed the huge lump lodged in my throat and slowly walked in his direction. He was staring me down, analysing my every move.

I got closer, his eyes still on mine, and stopped in front of him.

The heart-wrenching feeling I had in my chest was sudden and confusing. I felt shame for the first time since I'd started, the last thing I wanted was him seeing me. Yet, he was still looking at me like he wanted to Fuck me. Only, I didn't want him to look at me like that. I wanted him to look at me like I was more than that.

"What's your name, sweetness?" He asked and I was stunned. He didn't know who I was? Or was it a joke?

"Erm-er, excuse me?"

"Your name?"

He laughed, a deep rumbling sound coming from his chest, alerting my eyes straight at it. I noticed how tight his white shirt was, sculpted to his impressive abs and muscles. Good job it was dark in here or you'd see how hot and bothered I was by this man.

"Libby" I replied, and he smirked.

"Well, Libby, how about a private dance?"