Chapter 4

Lilith.

Finally, I decided to go to my friend.

The sound of loud music blasted my ears as I made my way into the club to see my best friend, Daphne.

Daphne was my childhood friend and my confidant. We met on the street after my father tossed us out of his mansion. For several months, her parents sheltered us until my mum was able to get a job to rent an apartment.

Unfortunately, before my mother was able to repay the kindness, her parents passed away in an accident.

Our relationship blossomed over the years, and we were more than friends. She was family. Daphne was sometimes mistaken for my sister.

I sighed as I made my way up to the unending stairs to meet Daphne.

Gesturing to Daphne, a small smile played on my lips when her eyes met with mine. She lowered her hand, indicating that I should wait while she attended the tables.

I couldn't remember the last time I smiled.

I pulled a chair, sitting far away from the nuisance of the club and pretending to be engrossed with my phone to chase away dickheads, while waiting for her to serve the tables.

“What is a pretty girl doing on her own?”

My blood boiled in rage as a masculine voice pierced my ears.

Fucking flirt.

“I know guys can be a pain in the ass but I can make you forget about him…” His flirty voice trailed.

I ignored his words, concentrating on my phone, hoping my silence would chase him away.

But I was wrong.

Despite my shabby dresses, I was very attractive and my curves were pronounced. I get a lot of stares from men while walking on the road.

It made me so worried, I wish I wasn't attractive.

“Why don't we take a few drinks and you could come over to my place,” he suggested with a flirty grin, spiking my irritation.

I hit the handle of the chair to voice out my irritation before letting out a loud hiss. “Leave, I'm not interested.”

“Rude,” he remarked before leaning towards me, yanking me up, and pinning me against the wall.

Panic shot through me as his fingers grabbed my waist before pressing it against his hardened shaft.

“It was an order. Let's leave,” he whispered against my ears before dragging me out of the club.

Alarmed, I struggled to free myself from his grip.

Fuck!

I shouldn't have stayed in the dark and secluded part of the club, now a stranger was about to kidnap me.

I resorted to kicking and biting him, but my strength was no match for him.

“Whores like you like it rough. Guess you are my type of bitch.”

I cringed at his harsh words.

“I'm not a whore. I came to see my friend and she works here. Leave me alone!”

“$500 for a night. Do I speak your language now, little bitch?”

“I'm not here for that.”

Before I could launch my fist at him, he swiftly grabbed me by my hair and turned me against the wall so that my chest would press against it.

My blood ran cold when I felt his palm spank my ass before giving them a hard squeeze.

But the next moment, his cries filled my ears and I felt his weight pulled off from my body.

“She said leave her alone!” Daphne screamed, hitting him again with the tray in her hand.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly and I could feel her anger building up.

“Get out or I will kill you!” She threatened, gritting her teeth with a friend on her angry face.

I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw him scurrying downstairs.

“Lily, you should be careful. I've always warned you to avoid dark areas,” she scolded. Concern and worry were written on her face.

“Did he…”

“No, but he was about to take me to his house,” I interrupted before letting out a deep breath.

“Every guy would. You are so pretty,” she complimented before giving me a hug.

“Where have you been? I came to your place several times but you weren't around,” she queried, pulling away from the hug.

My mother's image on the sick bed flashed across my memory and I broke down in tears.

“Is everything alright?”

“Mum's cancer has passed stage 2…” I said amid tears.

“Stage, what is it?”

“Does it matter? I didn't even bother to ask. The thing is I'm running out of time and Mum is dying gradually. I won't forgive myself if anything happens to her.”

“The doctor said the least payment needed is $3k. I was only able to give him $1k. That was my last savings, the money I earned from the cleaning jobs and part of what you gave me. I have nothing with me left. My boss sacked me without pay because I didn't agree to sleep with him like the rest of the ladies do.”

“That bastard!” She growled slowly.

“I was given this week to get $2k for Mum and Rose’s chemotherapy, coupled with Mum's kidney dialysis because her only kidney is failing.” I broke down, weeping profusely as I held on to her.

“That's a lot going on. I'm so sorry, Lily.” She sympathized with me, embracing me in a warm hug.

“I'm ashamed to ask for your assistance because you've helped me on this case countless times. I need some money, Daphne. But I understand if you are tied up at the moment.”

“Don't say that. She is my mum too and I'm glad to help anytime.”

She pulled away from the hug, scanning the environment before dipping her hands inside her side pocket.

“Here is the amount of tip I received today plus a part of yesterday's pay. I know it's not enough, but…”

I didn't know when I jumped on her in excitement after counting $700.

“Thank you, thank you,” I wept bitterly.

“I'll pay you back, I promise,” I assured, breaking the hug.

“There is no need, your mum is my mum too…” Her words were interrupted by a thought.

“You still need $1700. I wish I could help.”

“You've done more than enough, Daphne. I will seek funds elsewhere.”

“Speaking of seeking funds, why don't you visit your dad? It's even years since you heard from him. If you tell him about the situation, I'm certain that he will turn up. Meanwhile, it's been years. He is not that heartless to abandon your sister and mother in times like this.”

I let out a dark chuckle at her words as my father's last words before we were thrown out of his house echoed in my head.

“You all are dead to me!”

Meeting my dad was the last option and I knew it was futile.

He never searched for them all through the years of staying on the street.

He never cared and he never will.

“That man won't be moved by the sight of my mother's corpse. It's just a waste of time.”

Daphne rolled her eyes irritatedly, “Don't be optimistic. You never can tell. I might be punishing myself for throwing you guys out. Just give this a shot.”

“Fine, but just once.” I gritted my teeth in anger, staring into space as I made up my mind to meet my father and his bitchy mistress for help.

Fuck!