Alpha’s Virgin Stripper

Jojo:

I welcomed Valerie into my arms with more joy than I had felt in days. Seeing her here, happy about the news of our mother’s waking, everything felt so surreal. Way too good to be true. I loved her more than anything, and I loved my mother too. Mel had a short discussion with the doctor before he stepped out of the room.

I told Mel everything the doctor had said. She wanted us to tell Valerie, saying that the girl was old enough to understand some things, and we needed to let her in more. I could not agree more; we spoke to Valerie about our mother’s situation. She was sad that our mother could not use a part of her body yet, and that she was not awake yet. But, we did assure her that the doctors were going to do their best to ensure that our mother gets better.

She was very happy to hear that. I was angry with myself for doubting my sister’s capabilities in the first place. She had proven to me, time and time again, how strong she could be. Yet, I was still overly protective of her.

I cannot say it is all my fault. The world had been cruel to both of us. It was only normal that I tried to shield her from the wickedness, from the truth of how cruel the world could be. Mel did not think she needed protection, instead, she believed the girl needed ammunition.

“She cannot be under your wings forever; you know that right?” Mel always asked. And anytime she did, it got me thinking.

I was glad that I was given one week off. Mel, Valerie, and I agreed to visit the hospital every evening, just to make sure that my mom was well. I was going to spend the week with Valerie and we were equally excited. I could not thank the management of Rush Empire enough. I was given forty thousand dollars, part of which I used to pay off all of Val’s tuition debts and deposit front payment for two more sessions. Valerie was elated but insisted she would only resume after I got back to work.

I tried to disagree, believe me when I say that. But, it turns out Valerie was as stubborn as I was. So, when Mel was at work, we spent time in the living room, watching TV or listening to the radio together. We played games, went out, and had a lot of fun. We had even tried to get temporary dyes on our hair. Valerie used purple, because she was obsessed with the color, while I tried to get yellow. The dyes washed off the second water touched them, and it made us laugh.

On nights Mel was present, the three of us strolled to the park and lay down on the grass, with our faces to the sky. Valerie was becoming a big fan of stars and constellations. She could trace and describe every constellation in the sky and had a meaning for almost all the stars.

“Every star in the sky is there for someone.” She said, and Mel held onto her hand. I did too, she turned to me and smiled.

“I believe the brightest one is me, Jo. Which do you think is you?” She asked.

I looked up at the sky, before fixing my gaze on her.

“The one that’s always next to you, because that is exactly where I’ll always be.”

Valerie’s eyes sparkled underneath the sickle-shaped moon, her velvet eyelashes fluttered as her lips thinned in a broad and beautiful smile, exposing her first set of incisors.

My heart melted in my chest. I loved her in ways she could not understand, ways she might never understand. For her, I was willing to risk myself and jump into anything.

One night I stayed up late to wait for Mel, and I caught sight of a black limo dropping her at the door. She jumped out in a skimpy skirt and walked to the front door. I was there to open the door for her. When she saw me, she was both shocked and had a faint guilt in her eyes.

I did not speak. I allowed her to walk into the house before I shut the door behind me. When she was fully settled, after taking a shower and entering the kitchen to serve herself dinner, I walked into the kitchen behind her.

“Mel…” I began, but she quickly interrupted.

“Ley mentioned you were searching for a house for you two.” She started. I could tell she was trying to change the subject, but I allowed her.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

She poured drinking water into a glass cup and sipped from it before she locked eyes with me.

“You know you don’t have to, Jo. You two could always stay here with me.”

I shook my head vehemently.

“No way, Mel. I mean, I love staying with you, but I cannot allow you to bear the burden of accommodating us alone.” I replied sincerely. Staying with my best friend was bliss, but I would be selfish to leech off her patience and kindness.

She scoffed, and placed the glass on the table, before turning to me.

“Who said I have to bear anything alone? Come on! Okay, if that’s what you’re worried about, we could always split the rent, and every other bill.”

I stared at her for some seconds. It did make a lot of sense.

“Fine! That’s great! And I’ll be getting groceries too. That way, you’ll not need to do sexual favors for men anymore. And if a part-time job is stressful, you could always drop one and focus on the other. I have enough to take care of us, Mel. I just need you to allow me to do it.”

There it was! This statement could win an award for killing two birds with one stone.

She looked up at me and settled her butt on top of a kitchen counter.

“I know you’re not happy with the job, Jo. Or are you? Because I know there is a reason you haven’t told Ley what you do, there is a reason you would not tell her at all.”

Okay. That was a counterattack I did not see coming. Kudos to her on that one.

I heaved a sigh and folded my arms around myself. It normally got cold at night, and the kitchen window was wide open.

“Yes, maybe you are right. But, all of that doesn’t matter, I’m grateful for the opportunity. I mean, look around. It paid my mother’s bills, it got Valerie new clothes, it took care of her school, and it’s going to secure us our place. I might not like it, but I do not care that I do not, as long as it makes you and Ley comfortable, I’m good with it.” And I meant it.

I would scrub sewers with my skin if it meant I could take good care of both of them, just the way that girl took care of me.

“And as long as you’re glowing too, because girl, don’t think I don’t see the glitters on your skin! You need to tell me what’s popping!”

If only she knew, if only she knew.

I blushed and turned away from her.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Mel. I’m going to bed.” I headed towards the kitchen door, while she laughed and called out to me.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“You can’t run forever Jo; I’ll find you one way or another!”

“Hurry up and go to bed!” I called out, over my shoulder.

I walked to my room and slipped into bed, just beside Valerie.

This was the last night of my one-week leave, I had to spend it with my darling sister.