Chapter 1

Sarafina, that was her name, a red hair lady whose priority was her family. As an only child, the responsibilities of her sick dad weighed heavily on her.

She had roamed from one job to another hoping to secure a well paid one, she had no one else except for her father and her mother, that's is if she's alive.

Sarafina grew up without a mother and she was contented with that

"Dad, the doctor said if you continue taking your meds as prescribed, you will be on your feet in no time" Sarafina beamed at her dad, she dropped his breakfast on the table next to him, adjusting his wheelchair to a more comfortable state.

"Those pills are so large and they taste as awful" sarafina's dad groaned, he reached for the plate of fried plantains seasoned well enough randomly picking at the thick piece

"I know but with time it will be over, trust me dad" Sh encouraged patting his grey hairs out of his face, he had refused to get a haircut to sarafina's distaste

"Of course, there's only two pills left in the pack"

Sarafina paused, worry creasing her forehead. The pills were what the doctor said would keep her dad going, his hypertension had gotten the most part of him.

Once while walking down the stairs, sarafina's dad had collapsed due to stroke. This had led to the paralysis of his legs, it could progress further, sarafina had seen some whose hypertension had led to their full body paralysis, she feared without the pills her dad could become a victim

"Dad!" She called panic thick in her voice.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier before now, I should refill it" sarafina rose from her kneeling position, she stirred the ginger tea and tasted

" Right to your taste, make sure you savour every drop. I should be on my way dad, take care and call me if anything goes wrong, the phone is right by your left"

By the time Sarafina completed her speech she was out by the door already.

She had no destination in mind, the thought of her dad's pill exhausting and leading to a serious health problem plagued her. She couldn't stay still and watch that happen, just last week Sarafina was fired from her job as a stripper, the pay from that day had been their only mode of surviving

It had rained yesterday, everywhere was wet and vehicles roamed through the mud filled road, children played in the puddle while their parents called out for them, the scene made sarafina smile, she had made her mind already, taking a sharp turn she dragged her feet briskly to the strip club she no longer worked at.

Sarafina adjusted her hoodie letting it drop over her face, her steps faltered and her breath hitched, taking in a deep breath to gather up courage, she resumed walking quickly.

Luck wasn't on her side, whatever or whoever she was trying to avoid chased after her easily grabbing her arm to halt her

" Sean, let go. I'm in a hurry" Sarafina attempted to snatch away, though successful but with a red painful mark, she muttered profanities under her breath. She continued walking ignoring Sean who trailed next her.

" Sarah, why don't you listen to me for once. You can't keep denying how much you love me" Sean declared. His feet thumped against the cold floor as he walked

"I don't want this anymore Sean, I don't love you, do let me go okay. We had a relationship, but it's over I no longer want to be with you. Do yourself a favor and stay off, away" Sarafina heaved, refusing to meet his gaze, she could hear the pause in his movement

"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into" She heard him say, the subtle threat in his words didn't go unnoticed, Sean always had difficulty taking no for answer, at first she admired that habit in him mistaking it for determination, he soon proved her wrong and pulling away was becoming a hard thing.

Pushing Sean and his obsessive behavior to the back of her mind, Sarafina arrived at the club sneaking her way into the backstage, she was sure to find who she came for there. The convenient room was filled with ladies changing their attire, each one recognized her as they threw familiar pleasantries

"Sarah, over here"

Sarafina grinned at her friend Amber, they had both met at the club and clicked right away. Amber was a tall lady whose mischief never failed to amuse people around her, she took the stripping job as her own rebellious stage in life as she would often be heard saying. Most times Amber spent her time as an escort.

" Hey, I need to talk to you" sarafina didn't bother to beat around the bush, the worry in her wouldn't allow her to, Amber looked around taking in her friends pale face, she could immediately sense something was wrong

Amber grabbed Sarafina's hand leading her to a secluded room where the voices of the changing women could be distantly heard.

" Talk to me" Amber demanded looking her friend dead in the eyes.

"I need help Amber, I don't want you to say no please" Sarafina pleaded taking Amber's palm and intertwining it with hers, the warmth radiating from their conjoined palms made her feel about calm from the inside, it gave her the thought that some one was there for her.

" Tell me Sarah, I will gladly help"

Sarafina took a deep breath knowing fully well that whatever she was going to say contradicted her principles and at the same time it was going to surprise amber

She clicked her fingers soundly urging herself to speak, the words seemed heavy on her tongue, she refused to meet Amber's impatient gaze and instead resorted to looking around to make sure they were really out of earshot. Satisfied, she drew a deep breath and blurted

"I wanna be an escort..."