“Well, fuck it!” Stephen cursed out loud as he hung up and chucked his phone in the laundry basket.
His fiancé, Phoebe, stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a white bathrobe and regarded him with a cross expression. “What the hell is wrong this time?” She sounded annoyed.
“I’ve been trying to reach Davina since yesterday,” he explained. “She’s not picking up and I’m beginning to worry.”
Phoebe rolled her eyes and sighed. “She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.”
“She’s my best friend. I know she’s hurt and upset at me, but I can’t just let her walk out of my life.”
“Will you listen to yourself?” Phoebe scoffed. “I swear it’s as if you’re in love with her, not me!”
Stephen frowned and stood up from the bed. “Don’t start, please. I got down on one knee and proposed to you, not her.”
“Yeah, well maybe you’re having second thoughts, huh?”
“I didn’t think you were that insecure in my love for you.”
“I am not insecure!” She scowled at him. “Put yourself in my shoes for once. How would you feel if my best friend was a guy and we had a romantic history?”
Stephen stayed silent.
“Exactly!” Phoebe exclaimed in frustration before she marched back into the bathroom.
“Aw, come on, baby…”
She slammed the door in his face and locked it. Stephen exhaled his frustration and leaned his weight back against the door.
How the fuck did I ever get myself in this mess? He wondered.
He and Phoebe had been dating for a couple years and he truly loved her. There was no denying that he had a turbulent romantic past with Davina, but the reason why he had broken up with her all those years ago was because he felt she was too good for him. He had been battling too many demons then. The last thing he wanted was to drag Davina to Hell with him. He suspected that she was pushing him away now because he was getting married to Phoebe. As much as it hurt Stephen to think of living his life without Davina in it, he had to understand that she was hurting and needed space. Unfortunately, it was a lot harder than he had anticipated.
~oOo~
D A V I N A
I woke up feeling different this morning. I couldn’t figure out what had changed exactly, but I just felt… like I wasn’t myself. My reflection in the mirror proved otherwise. I still looked like the old me: long, dark disheveled hair, grey eyes, olive skin that was barren of any tattoos and piercings—except for my ears; I never took out the diamond studs Stephen had given me. We had been best friends since ninth grade, and this summer he was getting hitched. I should have been happy for him—and I was, except it hurt to let go of someone I was still in love with.
Davina…
I froze. A cool draft blew the blinds in my bathroom. I stood completely still and waited for that hushed whisper to echo in my ears, but nothing came. The blinds kept tapping against the window, so I close it and returned to the mirror.
Who am I? I said to myself as I traced the delicate shape of my face. Stephen used to tell me that I had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen; they were alabaster grey. Phoebe’s eyes were a dark forest green. She was what most men would call a “hot blonde” with big tits.
Blackness and silence…
A live podcast was playing on my iPod as I stepped back into my bedroom. Everything I listened to lately was melancholic and dark… I guess because I was in a dark place.
When I checked my cellphone, I noticed that I had several missed calls from Stephen. I could have called him back, but I didn’t want to. I was supposed to go up to his parent’s lake house this weekend, but it was still difficult to be around him ever since I found out about the engagement. I felt like I had lost my best friend, even though he had promised that he wasn’t going anywhere. I suppose I was the one who was running away now.
As I sat at my desk, I switched on my laptop and avoided opening my manuscript that was saved in a word document. I would have to tackle my writing at a later time. When I opened my email account, my heart began to race. I had received an email from Crimson Diamond Hiring Staff. They had accepted my online application that I had sent last week, and wanted me to visit the club that night for a face to face interview. Of course my mother had no idea that I was seeking a part time job as a stripper—but money was tight and I had to pay for my university expenses somehow. My father had bailed when I was young, and my mother had never remarried. If I wanted to get ahead in life, I had to make some sacrifices along the way. Even though I had promised myself that I would never take my clothes off for money, I had lost all my faith in love and relationships… I just didn’t care about anyone’s opinion of me anymore. I had to look out for numero uno.
While my friends were making minimum wage working at fast food joints and busing tables, I wanted to make big time money and pay off my tuition as fast as possible. Working as a part-time stripper seemed like a great opportunity; not one that I would live to regret. I had made sure to do my research beforehand, and the Crimson Diamond gentleman’s club ranked first place as New York City’s finest stripper joint. I was guaranteed to make lots of money and I wouldn’t have to sleep around to do it. I wasn’t going to tell a soul, of course. The last thing I needed was my family and friends judging me. This would be my secret; my burden to carry.
I didn’t have Double D’s or any kind of plastic surgery, but apparently I looked attractive enough to make the cut. When I had applied online, they had asked for five photos: one head-shot, and several body shots from all angles: front, back, and sides. I had attached some professional photos of me in a black bikini and heels. One of my best friends had photographed me a month prior because she wanted to expand her portfolio. I got to keep the extra copies on a USB for free. I had fun doing the shoot because I had got my hair and makeup done and felt like a supermodel. Nothing was airbrushed or Photo-shopped in my pictures, but I would have been content with some bigger boobs and a bigger ass. Mom always told me that I should be grateful to God for blessing me with beauty… But it was hard to believe that sometimes. Every young woman and girl can be their own worst critic at times.
As I signed out of my email, my phone rang again. Stephen was calling. I felt an uncomfortable pull in my chest as I ignored the call. I just needed some space. Didn’t he understand that? Clearly not.
“Davina!” Mom called out. “Breakfast is ready!”
I finished getting dressed and headed downstairs to scarf down some homemade pancakes before I’d mentally prepare for tonight’s excursion.
♱ ♱ ♱
“What news do you bring, Michael?” said the Legion commander, Archangel Gabriel.
“Lucifer has found the girl.”
“You’re certain?”
“Our efforts to protect her have failed, Commander. We have a traitor among us.”
“We are fighting a holy war. There are bound to be deserters along the way,” Gabriel sighed as he walked across the Great White Hall of the Lord’s Throne Room. His long white wings dragged across the marble floor behind him; a glorious, divine being he was; flawless in his physical form and essence.
“Have you spoken to Him?” asked Michael.
“I have. Our benevolent Father has decided that it is best you intervene and protect the girl. If Lucifer succeeds… there will be Armageddon.”
Archangel Michael bowed on one knee before Gabriel and said, “I pledge my eternal allegiance to the Divine Order, the will of our God who is most merciful and pure, and to you, my gracious Commander.”
“I know, my trusted friend. Many have betrayed our Lord Creator, but you have proved your devout loyalty time and time again. That is why He has entrusted you with this mission. His unwavering faith in us is the reason why we must carry out His will; we are indebted to Him forever. Humanity is in desperate need of our help, and we have promised to protect the children of God.”
“Please disclose the details of my mission,” said Michael, rising to his feet. “I wish to leave at once so that I may ease your burdens.”
Gabriel stood in front of his Legion corporal and pressed his fingers to Michael’s temples. Shimmering white light began to radiate from his hands as the archangel was given the ability to see great visions in his mind. Gabriel used his power of telepathy to communicate.
Gallant warrior of light and love, you will fall from the Heavens and be reborn as Nephilim: a hybrid human with angelic powers. Although it has always been forbidden to us to mate with humans, this is the only way for you to enter the living dimension of mortals; to be cast down to a lower rank than what you truly are. You are to assume the identity of a university professor, so that you may be Davina Faire’s mentor and protector. The Lord Almighty forbids any relationship of a sexual or romantic nature. If you transgress and defy His orders, there will be consequences. Be warned. If you fail to obey such commands, the punishment is the cost of your wings. You will be stripped of your divine title, cast out from the Legion of Light and forsaken by our Father. Go now, Michael… Godspeed.
~♆~
Crimson Diamond’s gentleman’s club was packed that Friday night, as exotic dancers slid down brass poles on a T shaped stage. Many men in expensive suits were sitting around the stage with cigars in hand, blowing out hoops of smoke in the air. Seductive music blasted from the ceiling speakers, which only added to the dark and sexual atmosphere. A few waitresses dressed in tight short dresses walked by and served the customers some drinks while the women on the stage dominated the spotlight.
A hot redhead and long haired brunette slowly spun around their poles in six inch heels before they met in the middle, kissed each other on the mouth, and switched places. Their bodies were thin and flexible. The redhead had on a green green-string, and the brunette was wearing red pasties on her nipples. As she teasingly removed them, the men began to hoot and holler, waving wads of cash in the air. She lifted herself up on the pole and wrapped her toned thighs around it before she shifted herself upside and spread her legs in an open V. The foxy brunette slowly slid herself down and did the splits when her curvy bottom hit the floor of the stage. The men went wild with excitement as they showered her in Benjamins.
There was an abundance of cash to be collected that night, and all the dancers were enthusiastically performing to meet their own personal quotas. The Crimson Diamond gentleman’s club was like no other stripper joint; only the highest paying clientele visited this establishment because the most beautiful women of all ethnicities were hired.
A broad-shouldered bouncer stood at the entrance of the club and opened its doors to allow the new guests inside. A tall man with short black hair emerged. He was dressed in a tailored Italian suit and had a beautiful woman on each arm: a short haired Australian model, and a black African beauty from Ethiopia.
“We have the VIP section reserved for you tonight, Mr. Helstrom,” said the bouncer as he raised his Zippo and lit his boss’s cigar.
“Excellent, Frank. Lead the way.”
“I can’t believe you own this place!” said the African model as they sat on a long white lounge sofa.
“What does a gal like me have to do to marry a billionaire like you?”
The wealthy club owner chuckled and puffed out a ring of smoke in the air. His blue eyes glimmered with mischief and mystery. Women never seemed to be able to keep their hands off of him. He had the power of persuasion and sinful seduction.
“Seriously, Lucifer…” The Aussie woman giggled. “If you put a ring on my finger, I promise I will…” she leaned into his ear and whispered something too scandalous to be said out loud.
His handsome lips curved up into a wicked smile. The other woman started rubbing his thigh before she reached for the snake that was coming to life in his pants.
“I’m going to pull out your cock, right here, right now,” Blondie teased. “And when I’m done stroking that big monster, I’m going to—”
“Suck it hard!” Her friend cut in, laughing up a storm.
He seemed amused by the thought and ordered them some expensive bottle service as they continued to touch and caress him shamelessly. He was used to this kind of attention. Every day there was a new woman in his bed, and usually, it was more than one. Lucifer Helstrom was the wealthiest man in the world. As a smart and savvy business man, a vast amount of his wealth was procured through the shadow market of the industry; a market that most investors had to be initiated into through a secret society known as The Light Seekers.
The sassy Aussie lowered herself between Lucifer’s legs and unfastened his belt. His ginormous length had tented his trousers and she giggled with excitement when she managed to free “the monster.”
“Mmmm… you have such a beautiful cock.” She licked the swollen head and swirled her tongue around until he finally gave her that drizzle of pre-cum she’d been desperate to taste.
