Chapter 1
The neon lights flickered, casting an ethereal glow over the dimly lit stripper club where Iris worked. As she moved to the rhythm, she felt a heated gaze on her, and turned to where it was coming from.
It was rare to see men below 40 at the club alone, but it was even rarer to see one that looked so good. With his dark brown eyes and hair, and his chiseled features, he was hard to miss in the crowd.
She noticed his eyes fixed on her, Confusion and curiosity danced in her eyes as he motioned for her to join him.
"Hello sir, How can I be of service to you tonight"? Iris said.
"Sit" With a straight face, Ryan spoke sternly.
"i…I should sit"? Iris asked
"Don't ask me dumb questions; I said sit". With fear in her eyes, she sat down immediately.
" I have a proposal for you, and I want an answer right away", Ryna said
Uncertain of what to think, Iris thought within herself. What could that be?
He took out a document and a pen and pushed them at her and dropped the bombshell. "Marry me"!
Iris' eyes widened. "What!!!
"Ma..Ma..Marry you? What the heck are you talking about"?
"You just come out of nowhere and ask me to marry you? Who does that"? She said, with shock written all over her face.
"I don't even know you, what am I even saying, it's never gonna happen". She said
"Be quiet, and let me speak! The marriage will be for a year only. After that you will be free again" Ryan said. "I am still not interested in what you are saying". Iris spoke.
"How about I offer you a million dollars"? Iris' mouth drops in shock at hearing the amount Ryan was ready to offer.
"Wait, hold up! Are you serious about giving me a million dollars if I agree to marry you"?
Instantly, Iris thought about how she would use the money to pay for her mother's surgery and open her own fashion brand. A smile crept over her lips, the risk is worth taking,but she was skeptical about everything happening, her life was already messed up,she never envisioned herself a stripper but then again life has been brutal, not acknowledging pain and the need to pause when it hits hard.
"I don't have all day, you don't have to think too much about it". Ryan said, sipping from his Coupette Glass Of Margaritas.
She was brought back to reality, "Just for a year, you said, Mr…..?
"Ryan Kendrick", he said.
"How am I sure you don't want to abduct me or kill me or even sell my organs?" She folded her hands and raised her eyebrows. He chuckled, snapped his fingers, and two huge guys came out with dark sunglasses. Iris got scared and sank into her seat.
"I am not here for jokes. If I wanted to abduct you, I didn't need to say a word".
Iris looked at him and said, "I can't do it. I am sorry".
"Are you sure you want to turn me down? Think about your sick mother". Ryan said and chuckled.
With a questioning look, she said, " How do you know my mother"?
" Your mother is safe; you only need to sign this contract" Ryan said.
In that dimly lit corner of the club, surrounded by the pulsating beat of the music, she took the pen and read through the contract in front of her, her hands shaking, and her heart racing fast as she signed the contract.
"Good girl, he said". He took the contract and gave it to one of his huge bodyguards.
"I will come pick you up by morning, " Ryan said, and left the club with two girls, leaving Iris to think about what just happened and how her life is going to change for the next year.
Still in her thoughts, her friend walked to her and said, "Hey girl, what's up? I saw you with drop-dead cute Ryan Kendrick. "Omg, you are so lucky to have sat with him, talking, I have always wished to be with him, even if it was just for a night. He is everything I dream of in a man".
Still blabbing, when she noticed that Iris hadn't said a word, "IRISSSS… Skylar screamed, dragging the attention of people around them.
"What is it, Skylar? Why are you shouting? Huh"?
"Really Iris? Do you know how long I have been here talking to you? Obviously, I was talking to myself, not you, because you didn't hear a word I said. What is wrong with you"?
"Since Ryan Kendrick left, you have been mute. What happened between both of you"?
"I'm getting married, Skylar"!
"Hahahhaha, nice joke, Iris. You got me there; you really did, so now can you please tell me what I want to hear"?
"Skylar, I'm serious about getting married to Ryan Kendrick".
" wh.. what"? Skylar said.
"It's just for a year; it's a contract marriage".
" A contract, what? Iris, are you even listening to yourself? Do you even know who Ryan Kendrick is"? Iris looked at her and shrugged.
"Skylar, I need to do it. He is offering me a million do…"
"A million what"? Skylar used her hands to cover her mouth. "Are you being serious right now"? Iris nodded, "and it's just for a year, how bad can that be"? "Very bad, Iris. Very, very bad".
"You are just a stripper; how would you even fit into his lifestyle and personality? His parents won't even accept you, Iris. Can you just think for once"? Skylar said.
"Skylar,I have thought about all that, but I really don't care; all I care about is my mother's health and starting up my career as a fashion designer. That is why I need to do this".
"Well, if your mind's made up, I understand".
"So where's the contract"? Skylar asked
"I have signed it" Iris said
"Huh, so fast"?
" Didn't he give you time to think about it? No, he didn't".
" It's Iris", Skylar hugged her, and tears rolled down Iris' eyes. She had fought so hard to hold the tears back in, but Skylar's hug brought them out.
"Stop crying, Iris; you will be fine. You have me, okay"? Iris nodded and Increased her hold on Skylar.
"Return to your positions now," a wrinkled lady said to Iris and Skylar.
"There she goes again, Mama Peepee should give us a break" Iris said, with her fallen brows and protruding nose, they both looked at her and then at each other and laughed uncontrollably.
"Skylar I would report you to Mama Peepee, you wouldn't dare Iris, " Skylar said, still laughing so hard she said yes I would, still laughing and walking to her stripping stand.
She felt the need to use the restroom, she immediately beckoned on a standby stripper to stand in for her.
She entered the changing room, took her phone from her bag and went into the restroom, locked the door and was about relieving herself when her phone rang.
She looks at the called ID, unknown she wonders who it could be, she
picks up the call, "hello she said, Ir..Ir..Iris help me, the call ended, Mum? Mum! Mum"!