You Will Be Alright

by E. L. Todd

  “It’s okay,” I said. “I’m just glad it was Pike and not someone else.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “I hope everything is okay between you.”

  I nodded. “It is. He was hurt but…he’s okay now.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  I didn’t answer.

  “I apologize—it’s none of my business.”

  “He assumed I left him for you. I corrected him. And then I explained the nature of our relationship. When I told him everything, he was more comfortable with it. Then he left on good terms.”

  Arsen nodded. “I’m glad everything is okay.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “He’s such a wonderful guy. I wish I’d never hurt him.”

  “Love always ends in heartache,” Arsen whispered. “Whether by death or break up. But yet, we love again anyway. His heartache will fade, and he’ll love again. Just give it time.”

  I eyed him curiously. “When did you become such a wise old man?”

  He shrugged. “Through my adventures reading, I suppose.”

  I gave him a weak smile then dropped my arms to my sides. “Where’s Abby?”

  “In your bedroom,” he said. “I’m very angry with her right now.”

  “She didn’t know…”

  “Well, now she does. And I’ll make sure she doesn’t forget anytime soon. She’s grounded until tomorrow when I return her to her mother’s.”

  “You’re being a little harsh.”

  He flashed me a look of menace. “While I respect your opinion about many things, she’s my child and I will raise her how I see fit. She will learn from her mistakes and understand that just because I’m wrapped around her finger doesn’t mean she can do whatever she wants.”

  I knew I crossed a line. Arsen seemed laid back about a lot of things, but he was stern when it came to his daughter. “I apologize.”

  “It’s okay.” He still seemed stern.

  I walked to the couch then sat down.

  Arsen sat beside me. “Being a parent is much more difficult than I thought it would be. All I want to do is protect her. When I discipline her and make her cry, it kills me every time. But letting her get hurt because I didn’t teach her the rules would feel a million times worse.”

  I rested my hand on his forearm. “You’re doing a great job, Arsen. The parents that try to be friends with their children are the ones who fail. You could easily just be the fun parent and leave all the responsibilities to Lydia but you don’t. You don’t take the easy way out. And that shows a lot of character.”

  He stared at his hands. “I can’t believe I left her…”

  I knew he was talking about his previous life.

  “I can’t believe I took off without even leaving a note. Lydia told me she was pregnant, and I took off like a rat hiding in the sewer. I was a coward, a pathetic excuse for a man. I turned my back and never considered returning. I wasn’t there when Abby was born, and…” His words faded away.

  I listened to him patiently, not wanting to speak just in case he had more to say.

  “I regret how I treated you. You loved me, and I took that for granted every day. I kept waiting for you to abandon me, to take back what you said. And the longer you didn’t, the more I pushed you away. I hate myself for that, but it doesn’t compare to the guilt I feel about Abby.”

  I massaged his forearm gently. “We can’t rewrite history, but we can control our future. The important thing is you’re here now and you aren’t going anywhere.”

  “Abby says she forgives me, but I fear when she gets older and truly understands what I did she’ll want nothing to do with me.”

  “That’ll never happen.”

  He looked to me for reassurance. “Really?”

  “She loves you, Arsen. And that’s what she’ll remember. She isn’t going to recall all the years you weren’t there because she was so young to remember it. You came at the right time, the age that really matters.”

  “You make me feel better when you say that, but I can’t change my cowardice ways. I’ll always hate myself for that.”

  I touched his chin and turned his face toward me. “Never forget. But don’t hate yourself over it. Because Abby loves you, and so do I.”

  His eyes softened when he looked at me. He stared at me for a long time, like he was trying to memorize the moment for years to come. His face was close to mine but he didn’t close in. And, I wanted him to.

  Abby came out of my room with red eyes. “Daddy, I’m sorry. I won’t answer the door again.” She moved to his knees and looked up at him with pouting lips. “I promise.”

  He looked down at her then visibly softened. “Okay, sweetheart.” He picked her up and put her in his lap. “I’m sorry I yelled. I just want you to be safe.” He pulled her into his chest and rested his head on hers.

  “I’m always safe with you, Daddy.”

  Arsen closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  Watching them was too much. I looked away.

  Abby turned her gaze on me.

  I could feel her stare burn the side of my face.

  “Silke?” she asked.

  “Yes, sweetheart?” I turned to her.

  “Why don’t you live with Daddy?”

  The question took me by surprise. I didn’t even know how to respond. “Why would we live together?”

  “When people love each other, don’t they live together?” she asked.

  Arsen looked at me, his expression soft. He didn’t know what to say.

  Neither did I.

  Arsen cleared his throat. “Silke and I do love each other. But we aren’t ready to live together yet.”

  “But you will?” she asked hopefully.

  Arsen kissed her forehead. “I hope so.”

  Chapter Two

  Clementine

  Quitting my job wasn’t easy. I had no affinity for stripping and I didn’t love my job, but I loved getting paid and having security. Having the ability to pursue my passion for music and the lifestyle I wanted at the same time was a dream come true.

  But then Ward came along.

  He was completely destroyed that night at the strip joint. He usually became angry and yelled at me, making me feel small and guilty. But this time, he broke down. He was so overwhelmed with anger and pain that he just collapsed. He didn’t know how to channel his emotions so he just snapped.

  I couldn’t stand to watch it.

  There were tears in his eyes, and he was bent under the weight of his grief. He was a shadow of a man he once was. His broken body belied devastation and consuming pain.

  What was I supposed to do?

  I was upset with myself for giving in. I was changing my life to accommodate one man who I probably didn’t have a future with anyway. But yet, I still did it. This was probably a bad idea and I would have to live off my savings until I figured out what to do next, and I still went through with it.

  When I came to his apartment one night, he immediately stood from the couch and came to me. Hope and excitement shined in his eyes. His hands were at his sides, and he seemed to be restraining himself.

  “Did you quit?” he asked quietly.

  I nodded.

  He breathed a sigh of relief then lifted me from the ground. My legs wrapped around his waist and he gripped my ass. Then he spun me around, smiling the entire time. “Thank you, baby.” He kissed me while he held me in the parlor.

  I returned the embrace but didn’t say anything.

  “I really appreciate it, baby. It means a lot to me.”

  “I know,” I said quietly.

  He kissed my neck then held me close. “I really insist on paying your bills until you find something else.”

  “I don’t need your money, Ward.”

  “The offer is always on the table if you change your mind.” He lowered me to the floor then towered over me once again.

  “Okay.”

  “But if you really feel the need to strip, you can alw
ays give me a private show.” He gave me a mischievous grin.

  “We’ll see,” I said vaguely. I was a little resentful toward him because of my decision but I knew that wasn’t fair. I was the one who gave into him.

  Ward seemed to notice but didn’t verbally acknowledge it. “Or I can give you a private show.”

  That made me grin. “Oh really?”

  “Yeah…I can do a little dance for you.” He winked at me.

  “If only I had a bunch of small bills lying around…”

  “Small bills?” he asked in mock offense. “Girl, I only take Benjamin Franklin’s.” He snapped his fingers with attitude.

  I laughed. “You go, girl.”

  He guided me toward his bedroom. “I want to do something for you to show my appreciation.”

  “I’m listening…”

  His hands squeezed my hips as he guided me backwards. “I think you’ll like it.”

  “I have a feeling you’re right.”

  He laid me on the bed then moved to his knees in front of me.

  I knew what was coming and excitement coursed through me.

  He lifted up my dress then pulled down my underwear. “I almost forgot…”

  “What?” I asked as I felt his hair.

  He went to his nightstand then returned with a candy bar. “You can eat this while I do that.”

  I chuckled as I held the candy bar. “I think I’ll save this for later.”

  “Very well.” He pressed his face between my legs and made me forget about my lack of a job entirely.

  ***

  I deposited my final check and checked the receipt. After I glanced at it, I tossed it in my purse. But then alarm flashed through me as I realized what I just saw. I fished it out then checked it again.

  I had a substantial amount of extra cash in my checking account.

  What the hell?

  I logged onto my account from my phone then checked my account activity. When I saw an enormous deposit made from thin air, confusion took me. I didn’t deposit that money into my account. Where did it come from?

  Then I realized what happened.

  Ward.

  He was going to get an earful from me.

  ***

  I used my key to get into his apartment. “I have a bone to pick with you.” I put my hands on my hips and looked around. He wasn’t in the living room or the kitchen. “Ward, where the hell are you?”

  “Coming, darling.” Ward came down the hall with a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was damp and messy, and a drops of water still glistened as they fell down his powerful chest. He stopped when he reached me. “Everything okay?”

  My jaw dropped while I stared at him. He was all man, powerful and strong. I loved the way his massive size felt on top of me when he took me and pounded me hard. My thoughts trailed away and I forgot what I was going to say. I forgot why I was there at all.

  Focus, Clemy.

  “Did you deposit money into my account?” I pointed my finger hard in his chest. It was warm and a little wet.

  “Account? What account?” One hand gripped his towel.

  “My account!”

  He shrugged. “What money?”

  “Stop dancing around the question. Do you deposit money into my account or not?”

  He ran his fingers through his slightly curled hair. “Darling, you look ravishing today.”

  “Answer me!” I smacked his arm.

  “I’m famished. How about we get a bite to eat?”

  I growled. “Goddammit, Ward.”

  He dropped his towel. “Whoops…slippery fingers.”

  Against my will, I looked down and saw his long and hard cock, just waiting for me.

  He came closer to me, and his hand moved around my waist. Then his lips sought my neck.

  Logic came through the fog. “No!” I pushed him back. “Ward, you can’t seduce me and make this go away.”

  “Let’s go to bed,” he said. “I want you, right now.” He gave me a smoldering look. “I’ll do that thing you like.”

  “You ain’t getting nothing from me.” I waved my finger at him then picked up the towel and shoved it into his arms. “Now cover up.”

  He dropped the towel again. “I guess my fingers are still wet…”

  I was going to kill him. “Why would you do such a thing?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I know it was you, Ward.” I stomped my foot. “Now what the hell were you thinking?”

  He finally turned serious and addressed the topic. “I don’t want you to stress about money.”

  “I’m not stressed! I wouldn’t have quit my job if I couldn’t handle it.”

  “You did it for me and I want to make sure you’re taken care of.”

  “I’m a smart girl,” I said. “I have plenty of savings to get me by.”

  He sighed. “I feared you would act like this…”

  “Well, don’t put a yearly salary into my account!”

  “Okay, just listen for a second.”

  I glared at him. “I’m beyond listening at this point.”

  He held up his hand. “Just humor me.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and tried not to smack him.

  “Come with me.” He nodded toward the hallway.

  “Why?”

  “Just, come on.” He wrapped the towel around his waist then kept going.

  We went into his bedroom. Everything looked the same. His bed was perfectly made and the floor-to-ceiling windows didn’t have a smudge. When I looked in the opposite corner, I noticed a silver pole attached to the floor and ceiling. I turned to him, my eyes even wider.

  “How about you be my private stripper? You get paid the same and you work the same hours. Nothing is different. You just have one guy in the audience instead of several hundred. The money I deposited into your account is your yearly salary.”

  “You are crazy.”

  “No, I’m really not,” he said seriously. “This works out for both of us. You get to keep your job and I get to be a pervert in my own home. It’s a win-win.”

  I fidgeted with my hair while I considered it.

  “This is a real job, darling. You work for me. I’m your boss. You spin on that pole when I tell you to. You give me lap dances when I ask for them. You aren’t giving anything up for me. You basically just found a better job.”

  I considered his words with hesitance.

  “I’ll make your schedule every week.”

  “And when you’re in London?”

  “You come with me,” he said. “I have a stripper pole there too.”

  “I still work for the symphony. I can’t just up and leave all the time.”

  “Then whenever you can,” he said. “Just fly out when you have time.”

  “So, I’m commuting to work?”

  “On the company’s dime, of course.” He winked at me.

  “Ward, you’re absolutely insane.” I shook my head slightly.

  “Or just insanely romantic…” He leaned forward.

  “No, just insane,” I said.

  He walked to the pole then checked its sturdiness. “It’s safe and ready to go. And, I did already pay you so you’re technically indebted to me.”

  “I can give the money back in a heartbeat.”

  “I would never take it,” he said seriously. “You may as well work it off. It’ll save you time.”

  “I can just go down to your bank and deposit it,” I said.

  “Oh really?” he asked.

  “Oh really.”

  “What bank do I go to?” he asked.

  “Uh…”

  “How do you know I don’t bank in London exclusively?”

  Goddammit.

  “Your only option is to give me a check, which I won’t take.” He returned to me. “So, do we have a deal, Fantasia?”

  I shook my head incredulously. “You’re lucky you’re so damn hot.”

  He gave me a cock
y grin. “Why, thank you. And I take that as a consent. Welcome aboardd, Fantasia. You’re going to love it here.”

  ***

  Just like I did when I was working for the strip joint, I put on my slutty lingerie and pounded the make up on my face. I teased my hair and made it enormous. I looked like a prostitute about to head to the streets and find work. It was a big difference to strip for just one guy, but Ward was the only man I wanted to strip for anyway.

  I put on my trench coat and heels and headed to his place. Like usual, I let myself into his apartment then looked around. He wasn’t in sight. “Ward?”

  “In the bedroom,” he called back.

  I walked down the hall then entered his bedroom. The lights were off and he was sitting in a chair in the dark. It took me a moment to distinguish his outline.

  “Good evening, Fantasia.” He sipped his drank while one ankle rested on the opposite knee. He was wearing a suit like usual.

  I walked inside and leaned against the door. “Hello, sir.”

  He grabbed the remote then turned on the music. “Get to work.” The music was loud and it sounded the same as it did in the club. His arm was resting on the chair, and his fingers touched his lips while he stared at me. He suddenly snapped his fingers. “Now.”

  “Bossy…” I took off my trench coat then tossed it on his bed. Then I approached the pole and leaned against it. I was wearing a deep purple ensemble. I thought the color complimented my skin.

  Like at work, I danced on the pole and felt the music. Ward sat there silently, sipping his glass every now and then while he patiently watched me. He was like a pervert sitting in the dark, watching me from the comfort of his chair.

  I admit it was nice I didn’t have to deal with any weirdoes trying to grope me. I didn’t have to listen to catcalls or comments about the size of my breasts. No one tried to smack my ass as I walked by.

  I danced and spun around the pole, not looking at Ward as I moved. I felt like a puppeteer on his string. He could force me to do anything with just a look. I gripped the pole then pressed my back against it. Then I slid down, my ass pressed against it.

  Ward watched me intently but didn’t react.

  Then I gracefully unclasped my top and let it fall off my shoulders. I spun it in my fingers then tossed it aside. My tits were bare and the cold metal of the pole touched them, making my nipples harden noticeably.