My Stepfather, my Ruin

Nicole Harper

~•~

"I'm getting married to a billionaire!"

I didn't speak for a few seconds, waiting to see if she had more to say. When she didn't, I sighed. "Is that what you called me to say?"

"A billionaire, Nikky! I don't have to worry about money anymore."

"Is he going to help me pay off my debts?"

"He's not your dad, Nikky. Why would he do that?"

Just as I expected. "I'm behind on rent and I might get evicted soon."

"You should have told me earlier! I went shopping a few days ago and I removed the tags on everything. If you can wait for a month, I'll send you some money when he gives me my allowance."

I couldn't wait that long. My landlord had been accommodating enough. I was behind on four months' rent, but that was because one of my part-time jobs, the best-paying one, suddenly dropped me and my savings were forced out of me by my father's creditors.

I was broke and desperate and hearing my mother talk about her third marriage wasn't what I was in the mood for.

"Also, I sent you a picture of my ring earlier this morning. Did you see it?"

"I'm busy with my final project and part-time job, Mom. I don't have the time to check your messages."

My mother sighed exaggeratedly. "You're so boring. My friends have fun with their daughters but I can barely get a conversation out of you."

That was typically what happened when I had a lot to deal with, none of which included my mother's married life and her selfishness. 

"Anyway, make sure you come to the wedding."

I held back a sigh. "When is it?"

"April 23rd."

"Can't," I said without hesitation. "I'll be writing exams then.

"Are you really going to miss your mother's wedding?"

"I'll make sure to be present at your next one."

I hung up before she could complain further. My relationship with my mother was... weird, but she was also the only family I had left. Well, the only family whose location I knew. I didn't know where my father was and I wasn't bothered to find out.

Fine, I was, but I didn't have the means to find him so I didn't. I focused solely on graduating while suffering the consequences of his actions. 

I wasn't sure what I did in my past life to be born to selfish parents but I had no choice but to deal with it.

Pushing my parents to the back of my mind, I stared at my account balance. It was red. I'd gotten my weekly paycheck earlier, but I'd spent it all on food and a few debts as I'd borrowed some cash from my coursemates in the past week.

I don't have any hope of paying my rent, not unless an angel fell from heaven and stacked up my bank account. I had two weeks to leave before I got thrown out and I couldn't afford to lose my apartment at this point.

Aside from the fact that I wouldn't be able to afford any other apartment, the stress associated with searching for a new place was something I wanted to avoid. I didn't want to be distracted. I wasn't naturally smart. Unlike others, I had to study really hard to get an average grade. I couldn't spend that time searching for a new place.

I closed my eyes, throwing my head against my headboard. I was having the hardest time of my life. At least, I hoped life wouldn't get any harder than this. I was broke, dumb, and heartbroken. 

My boyfriend of three years had left me some weeks ago because I had too much baggage. I didn't blame him. I just hated that it happened.

My eyes drifted to one of my roommates as she walked past my room, then she paused, walked back, and peered into the open door. "Can I come in?"

I nodded. The door was already open anyway.

Clara walked in, looking around my room. It was almost empty as I had sold almost everything sellable just so I could afford food. "Still short on rent?"

"We might not be roommates in a few weeks," I joked, but the words came out dry.

She didn't laugh anyway. "Do you have anywhere to go after that?"

I shook my head, not bothering to hide the information from her. We lived in a shared apartment and the landlord wasn't exactly quiet whenever he asked for the rent. 

My best friend was abroad for an exchange program. I wasn't close enough with my coursemates to inconvenience them by living with them. If I had known things would be this hard, I would have taken a break to work for a year before I returned to school.

Clara sat on my bed gently, biting her bottom lip. She had something to say but was clearly hesitant about it. I waited until she did. "You have a history in dancing, don't you?"

"Yeah..." I drawled out, unsure where the conversation was going.

"Can I suggest something?"

As long as it was going to help my situation, I didn't mind anything.

"You know I strip, right!"

I nodded.

"There's a gig next week. You can join if you're interested. It's not a regular gig. It's a private one for a bachelor's party. The least cash you'd get is fifteen grand and that's beside what might get sprayed. It's easy money. Two to three hours of entertaining wealthy men and you'll be able to pay your rent." She paused and stared at me. "Would you be interested? It's a one-time job. Or are you not into that sort of thing?"

Clara stripped for a living and I never judged her but I'd never thought of doing that myself. Sure, I'd been dancing since I was a little kid. Back when I was a teenager, I even had dreams of being a dancer, but it had been almost three years since I last moved my body. I wasn't even certain if I could still dance in heels.

Fifteen grand was very tempting. At this point in my life, it was the kind of money that could make me lose my morals, if I had any, but I also didn't want to embarrass myself.

"You don't have to answer right now, but you also don't have much time to give me an answer. It's just one night. You'll have enough to cover your rent till you graduate and you'll be able to focus on studying." She stood up, patting my leg. "Think about it and let me know by Monday so I can talk to my boss, okay?"

I nodded and watched her leave. 

Fuck. I'd never done that in my life. Was I about to do it for the first time?