Page 7 of Anastasia

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my phone from my pocket before typing the numbers on the card. Each number seemed to make my heart thump a little faster. Finally, I pressed the little green button signaling to call.

“How may I help you?” a lady asked over the phone. Her voice wasn’t exactly as welcoming as I expected it would. It seemed as though she were in a rush and the last thing she wanted was to be on the phone with some wannabe stripper.

“Hi, my name’s Anastasia. I was curious about employment,” I said, cringing. I sounded so awkward.

“Anastasia, hm? What are you, Australian, British?” she asked with a hint of curiosity. I didn’t even need to see her face for my nerves to flare up. Perspiration began coating my face and neck.

“Australian,” I muttered.

Annoyance settled in my gut. I hated how intimidated I was over absolutely nothing. It was very unlike me.

“Let me guess, you came here to America thinking it was the land of opportunity only to find out that it isn’t. Now, you have no money and no other choice but to strip or whore around, whatever the hell floats your boat, am I close?”

“Not even. I’m only calling because I need a job. I didn’t ask for your assumption of my backstory!” I snapped.

“Hmm, so you do have a little fire. I’m only a bartender, but how about I put you down for an interview tomorrow at noon? Since I like you, I’m going to offer you a little piece of advice?wear sexy lingerie under your clothes. Also, make sure you at least know the basics. See ya,” the lady said unenthusiastically before the call disconnected.

I stared down at the phone in my hands with wide eyes. That went a lot better than I had thought it would.

As I sat there in the parking lot, I turned on a video to show the introduction of stripping. Just as I was beginning to get settled, a knock echoed through my car from the window.

I looked over to see Liliana, who was looking at me as if I had just grown a second head. “Girl, what the hell are you still doing here?”

Finally, her eyes settled on the video playing out in my lap. When she saw the stripper showing off certain moves on my screen, realization settled on her features. I watched as she walked over to the other side of my car, where she climbed into the passenger side.

“Okay, help yourself.”

When I looked over at her, she had her lip gloss out and was applying it to her full lips. As soon as she finished, she puckered her lips in the rearview mirror with a smile on her face.

I watched with a raised brow as her body turned toward me.

“Did you call?”

“Yes, I called. They said I have an interview scheduled for tomorrow. Then, the girl went on to say that I should wear sexy lingerie and know the basics of stripping. I don’t know the first thing about stripping,” I told her honestly.

Clicking off the video, I went on to send a text to my little sister. I didn’t want to be out too late to the point that it would cause Alex to worry. Liliana only nodded her head as she continued to watch me.

Anastasia: Are you okay?

Her reply was almost immediate. I didn’t even get the chance to put the phone down.

Alex: Yes, I’m fine. I’m just bored.

Alex: Actually, the nurse just came in and gave me medicine, I think I am going to go to sleep instead. I’ll be asleep when you get here. Nighty, sis.

A smile made its way onto my face. My sister seemed to have that effect on almost everyone. She could make the worst person in the world smile if only she had the chance to.

Anastasia: Goodnight.

Just as I turned off my phone, I shifted over to face Liliana.

She smiled sweetly at me. “If you have time, would like to go to my cousin’s place. She could teach you a few things and tell you all about the place.”

I looked down at my phone once more before nodding. Starting up my car, the music began to blast as I drove out of the employee parking lot. Liliana was singing to every song playing on the radio, no matter what genre it was.

“Where do I go?” I asked, finding an excuse to turn down the radio. I thought it would finally cause a pause in her singing, but it didn’t stop her at all. All it did was make her sing slightly quieter before pointing to the left.

Following her directions, we finally made it to an enormous home resembling only something a millionaire would own. It looked so warm and nurturing due to the woods surrounding it. I was taken aback by its enthralling beauty.

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