chapter 2🌀

Kunle

"Dad, I am done with those Russian investors," I said, walking past my dad who's eyes remained glued to his favourite family series. The Johnson's.

"What again?"

I seated next to him with a frown and exhaled. "They just decided they don't want to invest anymore but want to buy my hotel."

"Do you want to sell?"

"Never!"

He switched the channel to NTA. "Good, I would have strangled you right now if you had said yes." He turned with a smile that made my lips spread. "I entrusted you with my business son, I am sure you are knowledgeable on actions to take... I trust you."

Immediately, he placed the remote on the center table, stood and stretched his body.

"I called off the engagement," I said, seizing the opportunity to change the topic to my crashed relationship.

He turned to me, his hands still stretched out. "I don't think you know what to do when it comes to relationships. In fact, I don't think you know anything about relationship. I mean business, I can trust you with, but not relationship."

Sitting back beside me he continued, "Anyway, I knew you guys were never going to last and if your mum was alive, she will tell you the same thing, that girl laughs like a hyena."

My lips parted as my anger switched to surprise. "You are not helping matters Dad."

"What do you want me to say? I never approved of that relationship and you know that." He tapped my hands as a grin aligned his lips.

"Plus I don't want my grandchildren laughing like that," He continued, this time making faces and laughing.

Unable to cage down the roar of laughter in my chest, joined him.

"I am sorry son. I love you, you know that right?" He asked, patting my shoulders.

"I know sir."

"So to brighten your mood, I am taking you out."

Instantly I stood, ready to leave. "No, no dad."

"I have a feeling you are avoiding spending time with me."

Oh yes.

Ever since Mum died two years ago, Dad created this illusion of living his life to the fullest, which included doing things only teenagers are meant to do, not responsible old men of over 60 years.

"Dad you know it's not like that, I-"

"Just say yes son, you won't regret it."

"Yes?" I said, more like a question than an answer.

***

"I swear, I already regret this," I blurted, disappointed as he parked the car in front of a club called "Diva".

"Who brings his son to a strip club Dad?"

"You more like my paddy...and of course my son."

"Plus, a wise man once said the best way to forget a woman is seeing another woman," he added.

"Dad!"

"Son, I'm just trying to help."

I opened the passenger's door ready to leave the ungodly environment. "I am going home."

"Come on, Kunle."

I turned, staring at Dad in his grey suit, he was unbelievable.

"Why are we really here? you are a grown man."

"Ok, just one hour of your time."

"One hour and that's all, for Christ sake, no African dad will bring his son or daughter to a strip club."

A small smile crawled on his lips not touching his cheeks but swaying coyly with sadness. "I came here with your Mum, it's one of her favourite places."

"What?" My tone was unmistakable, I never knew mum to be a crazy woman... she was the perfect example of a well cultured Nigeria woman with religious beliefs at the tip of her fingers.

"She loved to dance," He continued, as a tear slide down his cheek.

Feeling a sudden wave of guilt I exhaled, the last time I saw him in tears was at mum's funeral two years ago.

"Let's go in."

***

"I need G and her friend, after their performance," I heard Dad whispered to a waitress who nodded and walked away with an empty tray sitted in her hands.

My eyes swivelled the club that was lit with blue and red disco light, it had one empty large stage and mini-stages that were occupied by dancing girls on poles surrendered by chairs of men, who were of different age groups and had companies of naked girls.

Why did I accept this?

I turned to the empty stage closer to the bar and just then a slender girl walked in through the curtains with a mask, covering her eyes.

I noticed the tattoos on her leg as she moved to the beat of the song blasting the speaker. She took her first swing of the pole and did a spilt.

"Damn," I whispered, my eyes glued to her every move.

She smiled and turned to another girl dancing around the stage, the girl in curly wig took her position on the pole, but my eyes were fixed on the previous girl who crawled around the stage, giving her hungry viewers a perfect view of her ass.

"Damn."

***

Feeling irritated by half-naked girls who couldn't help stopping by our table, I turned to Dad. "Can we go home now?"

"Five minutes, I need you to meet someone."

A bouncer in black shirt, walked to our table, whispered something to dad, who stood up and motioned me to follow.

We were taken to a room in a different section of the club, unlike the club, the room was lit up with a only blue bulb and had music on low volume, a long leather sofa was placed in front of a mini stage that had a pole.

I bowed my head, not ready to listen to what Dad had to say, it wasn't important and no explanation could get me interested in the club.

The door to the room opened, and I heard the clicking of heels. I raised my head to see our guest and my eyes immediately came in contact with hers.

I stared at her, lost in her world as she held my gaze, she had no mask on and had changed her black thong to gold a one with a fur and still had no wig like early on

"G, I want you to meet my son," My dad said, smiling and exposing all his teeth.

What the hell is wrong with this man? I thought, embarrassed by his behaviour.

"Hi." She smiled, exposing a dimple on her left cheek.

"And meet her friend Mona," He added.

"Hi," Her friend, the same girl on stage greeted.

"Ok Mona, you come with me, G can keep my son company," Dad said standing up.

I opened my mouth in shock but shut it as Dad walked out of the room.

***

"So-"

"So, I am being paid to dance, and that's what I am here to do." she stood up and took off her fur coat.

"Ok, but-"

"But?" She asked, cutting me short.

"You want to fuck? we don't do that here, we only dance," she added, her nose twisted in irritation.

I was thrown into a state of shock by her directness, I stared at her with furrowed brows and parted lips.

"I never said that," I said, standing up.

"And if I fucking want to fuck, I know what to do." I paused staring at her.

"And you know what? I don't fuck prostitute," I added, knowing the impact my words had. I moved always from her my lips pressed in annoyance.

"Where are you going to?" she inquired, her cracked voice filled with hurt.

I turned, stared intensively at her, and walked out the door.

I walked past the bouncer to the main club, where I saw dad sitting on a bar stool laughing with Mona.

"I am leaving," I announced and walked out, leaving him to say his goodbyes.