Chapter 4 I Am A Stripper

• Sophie stood still.
• “Who.. Who's there?” She asked nervously.
• A figure emerged from the shadows, “It's me.”
• Sophie wanted to scream her lungs out but she lost the desire to when the figure got closer…
• Larry approached Sophie with a small bag in his hand, “What are you doing here?”
• “I should be asking you that!” Sophie replied with a pointed finger.
• “Oh hello princess, look around, it's a store. I'm here for some flour,” Larry raised his hand so Sophie could see the bag in his hand.
• Sophie found this new stranger interesting, especially because he called her princess on the first meeting. How sweet.
• Sophie looked through the room,”Oh. I didn't know it was a store, I just ran in because I was trying to hide from Mr Russuo.”
• Larry chuckled, “Why are you hiding from my father?”
• “Oh he's your dad?” Sophie asked surprisingly.
• “Yeah, I'm Larry Russuo. You are?” Larry extended a hand to her for a handshake.
• Sophie shook hands with Larry and it seemed like Larry's soft rub on her hand made her unable to speak properly.
• “I'm.. I'm..Maria..Uh, no no. Sophie. Sophie Young.” She sputtered.
• Larry chuckled, he was used to this reaction from people, females especially.
• He was a very handsome man, not to mention the fact that he was also a flirt.
• Larry withdrew his hand and Sophie finally felt she was back to her senses.
• “So, for how long do you plan on hiding away in the store?” Larry questioned Sophie.
• “I was just about to leave…but I'm still not sure if it's safe to go out.” Sophie replied in a soft tone.
• Larry moved closer to Sophie, “Why are you so scared of my dad?”
• Sophie lowered her head to avoid eye contact with Larry, “Well, it's because he'll scold me if I try to enter the kitchen with these.” Sophie wiggled the broom and napkin in her hand.
• Larry's gaze moved to Sophie's hands, “Oh. I see…”
• “Give them to me.” Larry instructed.
• “Why?”
• “If you want to leave this store as soon as possible, give it to me.” Larry said, extending his hands towards Sophie.
• Sophie handed the items over to Larry.
• “Take this.” Larry passed the bag to Sophie.
• Sophie still looked nervous, “But he’ll scold me.”
• Larry smiled, “Not when you're holding a bag of flour. If he asks about me, just tell him that I ordered you to bring the bag of flour, I assure you, he'll nod his head and turn away.”
• “You sure?”
• Larry winked at Sophie, “Trust me princess.”
• Sophie turned away quickly to prevent him from seeing her flushed face.
• ***
• “Go serve the dishes before Mr Russuo comes down, it's almost seven.” Maria ordered the chef.
• The chefs were running from the kitchen to the dining table, each dropping a tray of beautiful delicacies.
• Maria quickly turned towards the kitchen, “That's enough, he's already here.”
• Mr Russuo wasn't visibly seen yet. All Maria heard were the clicking of his heels on the staircase and that was enough to stop whatever action that was going on.
• “Good morning sir.” The workers chorused upon Me Russuo's arrival.
• Russuo nodded subtly before taking his seat.
• Russuo always had something light for breakfast but he always made it the custom for them to cook at least three to four dishes for him to pick from.
• Russuo pointed at a dish and the chef started to dish his food immediately.
• When Russuo started to have his food, there was another clicking of heels on the staircase…
• It was Scott. Russuo's replica both in features and in character.
• “Good morning dad.” Scott greeted and took a seat.
• Sophie stood by Scott's chair while waiting for him to make his choice on what he wanted to have.
• “Morning son. Great day, yeah?” Russuo asked as he took a scoop of his salad.
• “Yes dad.”
• Russuo nodded, “I hope you're prepared for the meeting later today.”
• “Course.” Scott turned his plate to serve himself.
• Sophie moved closer to the table, “Let me help with…”
• “I didn't ask for your help kid.” Scott snapped at Sophie.
• Sophie retreated in embarrassment.
• Kid? Am I really that petite? Sophie wondered as she examined her body.
• “Morning big man!” Larry greeted joyfully while taking a seat beside Scott.
• “You lack courtesy Larry,” Russuo grumbled a reply.
• “Ugh, dad. You don't have to be so formal at the dining table.” Larry said as he turned his plate over.
• “Table manners, little brother.” Scott declared.
• Sophie reluctantly stepped forward, “Let me help with the serving.”
• Larry turned to Sophie with a smile, “Alright milady.”
• Larry turned back to position to meet his father's icy glare.
• *****
• Amanda took another sip of her apple juice, “Sophie, you've been missing classes lately. What's wrong?”
• Sophie tucked the falling strands of her hair as she walked, “I have only missed one class. Plus, it's just this new job I got.”
• “You still missed it. You're also always looking tired in class, few a times you sleep off. If your new job is going to stress you this much then I think you should just quit the job already.” Amanda suggested.
• “No.” Sophie replied sharply.
• Amanda frowned, “Jeez, it's fine. You didn't have to reply that way. What's so special about the job anyway?”
• “Umm..I'm sorry. It's just that you were suggesting such a bad decision for me, especially when you know how much i need the funds.” Sophie pressed her lips into a thin line as she finished.
• “It’s cool. What do you do though?” Amanda inquired.
• Sophie tried to change the topic, “Err..umm…Did Mrs Sharon give any class project?”
• Amanda halted in her tracks, “Don't change the topic on me. What's the nature of your job?”
• Sophie furrowed her brows, “It's not that important seriously. I'll tell you about it later.”
• “No Sophie. I want to know right now.” Amanda insisted.
• Sophie stood her ground, “I'm still not telling you.”
• “Alright. Don't tell me. But also never call me your friend because I'm ending our friendship.” Amanda declared and continued walking, this time faster than normal.
• Sophie watched Amanda walk away and then she wondered…
• Was she really going to end her friendship over a job?
• Asking herself that question made her realize the gravity of what was going to happen if she didn't stop Amanda.
• Sophie started running towards Amanda, “Amanda wait…please.”
• Sophie's words put Amanda to a halt but she didn't turn back.
• Sophie caught up with her, and stood in front of her.
• “Fine, I'll.. I'll tell you.” She said while trying to catch her breath from the running.
• Amanda remained indifferent but responded, “I'm listening.”
• Sophie pressed her lips into a thin line before speaking again, “Promise you won't judge me?”
• “You know I never judge you Sophie.”
• Amanda’s reply was just what she needed to hear.
• Sophie closed her eyes and opened them in a fit to muster the courage to speak.
• “Well..I started this job at a night club.”
• Amanda hit her forehead slightly, “Seriously? That's what you were afraid to tell me?”
• “No. I was afraid to tell you that I'm a stripper.”