I let out a sigh, knowing I really didn't have a choice.
"I'd do it." I muttered finally as I didn't want to have to deal with the headaches.
Audition for Sir Dom's role? All I needed to do was to make mistakes and end up not being picked.
I took the phone and texted Ivy that she should come over to my place and pick me.
Ivy responded almost immediately with an okay.
When Ivy arrived at my place, it was already night. I had slept off and was woken by my phone ringing.
I picked the call with sleepy eyes.
"Hello," I muttered, almost forgetting that I was supposed to head out with her.
"I'm in front of your place, start coming out."
It was then that I rubbed my dizzy eyes and tried hurrying to prepare.
I heard the voice in my head as I put on my black jeans and a sweat shirt.
[That's ridiculous. No one wears jeans and sweatshirt to the club.]
I paused without saying anything, obviously smitten by what the voice said.
[Put on the yellow lingerie and wear a long jacket to cover it.]
No way, there was no way I'm doing that.
The voice sounded in my head again.
[I made you buy the lingerie for this purpose. If you fail to wear it, you fail the task, and you already know what the consequences are]
The voice was controlling me one more time, trying to force me into a life that was Bella's and not mine. I couldn't argue because I didn't want to die from the punishment of not carrying out the task.
I held the yellow lingerie and scrutinized it. When I put it on, it was even more skimpy than the red lingerie that I wore for Steve. The man at the store had chosen it for me, and if I knew that I was to wear it for this purpose, then I wouldn't have chosen it.
Before I could grab a jacket, I heard a knock at my door, and Ivy calling out to me.
"I've been waiting for you for ages," Ivy said as she stormed inside the room. Her eyes went over the thin clothing that I wore. "That colour is pretty and unique, and please hurry up."
I put on my jacket, and I also noticed that she was wearing a jacket, and probably wearing something skimpy under the jacket, just like me.
When I was done, I sprayed the perfume that stood at the vanity table.
"You'd dance better if you pack your hair into a ponytail," Ivy suggested.
I took her advice and packed my hair just like she said.
After I double-checked myself in the mirror and I picked everything I needed, I headed out of the room with her.
We entered the car. Ivy hit the road immediately, and soft music played from the car stereo.
The city's streets were dark, but still illuminated by the street lights and glowing billboards. The streets still seemed to be active, despite the fact that it was 8pm. During my time as Steve's wife, I was never a night person. I did all my activities during the day and hardly came out at night. It wasn't like Steve was the one who stopped me from going out at such a time. In fact, I doubt he would care where I went.
"I'm having a huge feeling that I won't be selected by the man," Ivy confessed, and lowered the volume of the music playing. "You know, all the skilled strippers from around the popular clubs would be there."
"You should just give it a try, who knows what may happen?" Deep down, I was excited by that little revelation from Ivy.
At least, now, I knew that I had a chance of not being picked since there would be better people there. I barely know how to dance, not to talk of stripping or dancing on a pole.
We stopped at a drive through shop to get milkshakes for ourselves before continuing.
"Have you finally ended things with Fred?" Ivy asked.
"I haven't,"
She gave me a look with an expression that I couldn't really name. Was it anger or irritation, I couldn't say.
"Bella, don't tell me you're still planning to let that guy into your life. He has done enough."
"I'd break up with him soon," I was tempted to ask Ivy what Fred did to Bella, but if I asked such, I stood the risk of Ivy thinking something was wrong with me.
If she was Bella's best friend, then I could definitely tell her about my rebirth. At least, if anyone should know about it, it should be a best friend.
Before I could speak, the voice in my head cut in.
[No one should know about this rebirth. Keep it private]
I swallowed hard as though something was stuck in my throat and kept mute. The car came to a halt as Ivy parked at the side of a gate.
We alighted from the car and she led me towards the building. From outside, I could see that there were a few cars parked outside, but it seemed like nothing was happening around there.
A woman met us outside. She looked like she could be in her late twenties or early thirties. "I've been waiting for you two forever, all the girls are already here."
We were stopped at the entrance and the bouncers demanded to see our IDs and tickets. The woman who I had gotten to know was Madam Betty because of her interaction with Ivy, showed them an E-ticket that covered all of us.
The bouncers still didn't let us in.
"Outfit?" He asked in a gruff voice.
I raised one brow in confusion, but later understood as I saw Ivy and the rest of the women take off their jackets.
He glanced quickly at the skimpy outfits underneath their jackets and let them inside.
When it got to my turn, I reluctantly took off my jacket. He glanced quickly at me and let me in. I wondered if my body wasn't worth a second glance, or maybe he was too used to seeing naked girls that nothing seemed new to him anymore.
Anyways, I was about to wear my jacket back when the attendant ordered that we hang our jackets behind the door. I stood mortified and wanted to oppose it. There was no way I could walk around with only lingerie.