Chapter 12

• CRYSTAL POV
• "And look who we have here. THE VIRGIN STUBBORN STRIPPER".
• "You... you're the owner?" I managed to stammer, my voice barely above a whisper.
• A mischievous smile played on his lips as he nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Surprisingly, I am," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of laughter.
• My mind raced, trying to process this new information. How could I have been so oblivious? And what did this mean for me? The thought of working under him, of being at his mercy, sent a shiver down my spine.
• "Don't worry," he said, his tone suddenly flirtatious, "I'll be kind to you."
• "And don't even think about quitting," he added, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Remember, you signed a contract."
• "You know, when I heard that you're still a virgin from Angel, I was speechless. How can a sexy stripper like you still be a virgin?" he exclaimed, moving closer to me.
• "Well, sir, my night shift is over. I should be going," I said, not wanting a repeat of what happened the other night.
• "If you leave, you might as well not come back to work," he said, stopping me in my tracks.
• "I'm sure you value your job, don't you?" he smirked, implying that my employment could be at risk.
• If only my mom wasn't sick, I wouldn't be in this situation, let alone know him. I wish I could confront him and tell him to keep his inappropriate requests to himself. But I had to hold back.
• "But sir, my shift is over. Why are you stopping me?" I asked, trying to maintain a professional tone.
• "Perhaps a private performance just for me?" he suggested, raising an eyebrow.
• I scoffed.
• "Sir, I would appreciate it if you let me leave. Please show some respect while I am still being polite," I warned.
• He was my boss now, so I had to be respectful.
• "Alright, I apologise for my behaviour," he said,
• raising his hands in surrender.
• "Okay, I don't want to cause any trouble. I just want to be your friend," he added.
• "You want to be my friend? After what happened the first time we met? You almost assaulted me. I don't trust you at all," I firmly stated.
• "Babe..." he started.
• "Can I please leave, sir?" I interrupted, feeling my patience wearing thin.
• "Can I at least offer you a ride home?" he asked.
• "Oh, so now you want to give me a ride home? After what happened at the club? You think I would invite you into my personal space? Absolutely not," I replied.
• "No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I apologise for my actions that day. I was angry and lost control. I'm truly sorry for trying to force myself on you. I promise I won't do anything to harm you," he assured, raising his hand in a peace offering.
• There was sincerity and honesty in his voice as he spoke to me. I looked at him, dressed in casual attire and grey-black hair falling over his ears and forehead, looked at me intently with his hazel eyes, seeking answers. I nodded in response, and a bright smile spread across his face.
• Leaving the club behind, we made our way
• to the parking lot where a sleek blue car awaited us. Jim opened the door for me, a small gesture that made me roll my eyes playfully. He started the engine and we began our journey.
• "Care for a smoke?". He asked, offering me a cigarette.
• "No, thank you," I politely declined.
• "Ah, mom’s little angel, I see," he chuckled.
• We drove in comfortable silence, the hum of the engine filling the air. He broke the silence, "Do you mind if I turn on some music?".
• "It's your car, do as you please," I replied.
• He pressed a button, and the familiar tune of "7 rings" by Ariana Grande filled the car.
• "Hey, I love this song," I exclaimed, a smile forming on my face.
• "Really?". His eyes lit up with genuine interest.
• "Yeah, I love most of her songs," I replied.
• His sweet smile revealed a perfect set of white teeth, making me wonder if Damien, someone I had known before, also had such a cute smile. He never smiled.
• “Yeah, breakfast at Tiffany's and a bottle of champagne," I started singing along, enjoying the moment.
• "Do you like my hair? Gee thanks, just bought it," I asked, playfully.
• "I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it," we both sang the lyrics together.
• "Happiness is the same price as red bottoms," he said, looking at me with a smile.
• I smiled back and sang.
• "My smile is beaming, my skin is gleaming."
• "I want it," he sang.
• "I got it," I replied.
• "I saw it, I liked it," he continued.
• "I want it, I got it," I joined in.
• We continued like that until we reached my apartment.
• "Here! Stop here," I instructed him.
• "Thank you, boss," I said as I got out of the car and bowed.
• "Don't you want to invite me inside?" he winked.
• "Not a chance," I responded, teasingly.
• "See you tomorrow, virgin stubborn stripper," he laughed and drove off.
• Maybe he's not that bad, I thought to myself.
• "Geez, I don't even know his name," I realised.
• I noticed a car following him at a high speed. It seemed like he was being followed. I didn't care either way.
• I walked into my apartment only to be met with Adrian's angry face.
• "Oh no, I'm dead," I muttered.
• [ DAMIEN POV]
• I watched in disbelief as she hurriedly left. Where could she be going? Am I really that terrible that she couldn't even give me a heads up before leaving?
• Quietly, I decided to follow her. From the eatery to the club, and then suddenly she emerged with Liam. I couldn't believe my eyes.
• Is she out of her mind? How could she be with a man who almost assaulted her?
• Gripping the steering wheel tightly, anger surged through me. I fought the urge to get out of the car and confront that despicable man.
• As soon as he dropped Crystal off at home, I sped after him.
• Driving at an alarming speed, I swerved recklessly, causing him to collide with my car.
• "LIAM!" I growled, my voice filled with fury.
• "What the hell, man?!" he yelled, stepping out of his car.
• I lunged at him, landing a punch square on his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
• I continued to pummelled him, unable to control my rage, until he managed to kick me off.
• "What the fuck is your problem? Why are you hitting me?" he shouted, clearly bewildered.
• "STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM CRYSTAL!" I yelled, my voice filled with a mix of anger and desperation.
• "Crystal?" he asked, his confusion evident.
• "You mean the girl I just dropped off?".he chuckled.
• "Is she your girlfriend?".
• None of your concern. Just. Stay. Away. From. Her". I cautioned, uttering the words consecutively.
• "And what will you do if I don't?". He questioned, shoving me backwards.
• I continuously punched him un
• til he started bleeding. It bothered me that he wasn't fighting back.
• "Have you suddenly become a coward? Why aren't you defending yourself?". I shouted.
• He smirked.
• "Whether I retaliate or not, I will still be defeated by you. My abilities are insignificant compared to yours. Fighting back is futile". He stated.
• I ceased and gazed at him. I began to feel remorse for hitting him. Crystal wasn't even my girlfriend. Why am I so possessive and angry?
• He sat down and stared at me.
• "Throughout my entire life, I have always been compared to you. Liam, you are worthless. Liam, be more like Damien. Damien is superior to you. I always desired a son like Damien." These words haunt me every day. Damien is better, Damien this, Damien that. It has always been about you". He yelled.
• "My father has never once shown appreciation towards me. No matter how hard I try or what I do, I will always be compared to you. Whether it's grades or abilities, you have everything. All I ever wanted was to be loved and acknowledged. I don't want to be compared to you. I want my father to be proud of me. I want him to speak and praise me the way he praises you. But no, you were his ideal son. I am just a worthless individual". He shouted, crying.
• "All I ever wanted, you obtained effortlessly without even asking for it". He sobbed.
• "Liam!" I called, moving closer to him.
• "You knew I deeply loved Olivia, but you still took her away from me. I thought we were friends, but you betrayed me".
• "I didn't, Liam, listen to me". I said, sitting beside him.
• He suddenly embraced me.
• "Liam, that day I did not...
• "I apologise". He said.
• "But if you're still alive, everything I desire will only go to you". As soon as he finished speaking, I felt a sharp pain in my back.
• THE SILVER KNIFE??? NO NO NO
• "Liam, why?". I spat out blood, collapsing weakly to the ground.
• He removed the knife. I groaned in agony.
• The silver knife is the only thing that can end my life.
• "I'm sorry". He sobbed before fleeing.
• "C...rystal". Was the last thing I uttered before losing consciousness.