I headed for the bedroom to pack my bags. I thought she was my friend, a real friend. I felt betrayed. I packed my bags with tears in my eyes thinking where I would go. It was dark where was I going to sleep. All these questions had no answers. After I finished, I went to the living room with my things, saying goodbye to them.

“Goodbye Naomi.. I hope you will be happy with Kevin”

Naomi: Yes that's it!

Here I am again on the street. This time, I really had no place to sleep. I would have liked to go to the hotel but it was too expensive for me and I didn't have enough money to pay for a room unfortunately! Oh Lord how was I seriously! I was completely lost. I looked at the time on my phone and it was already ten o'clock!

Now I had no choice, I felt compelled to sleep outside. I never could have thought that I Kassa Ashley, one day I will never sleep outside! It was the worst situation I could face!

Why me ?

Why ?

I didn't deserve this life. I wasn't cut out for that, not at all. I was not made to live like this! I was starting to complain, it was useless to me and above all it wouldn't help matters. I had to deal with it, maybe tomorrow I'll find a solution. In the meantime, I had to find a place to sleep and it was not easy. Paris is a big city but also dangerous since I am a girl, I had to protect myself.

I walked with my two large suitcases and my bags without knowing what my destination was. For at least half an hour I was walking, my feet and my legs were starting to hurt a lot. I felt tremendous pain so I sat on a bench thinking.

I couldn't sleep on a bench or in a metro station, a passer-by might steal my things. In front of me was a parking lot. There was a barrier that allowed access. I had no choice, I was going to spend the night in it. And then it was empty, there weren't many cars so I could go unnoticed.

I crossed the road then arrived in front of the barrier and I passed below it to enter inside. It was dark and very cold especially. On the left side, there was a kind of slope leading to an upper floor. I decided to go up to the second to be sure that no car would park here. But even in the second, there were a few. I went to the back so no one could see me.

Then, I positioned myself in front of a car. It looked like it had been parked for a long time, it was all dusty. I took out a small sheet that was in my bag then covered myself with it. I only took one of my little bags to use as a pillow, the floor was very concrete. It was impossible for a person to sleep on it with the dirt there was...

Where I was, it was not comfortable. Less than twenty-four hours ago, I could sleep on a bed and now a parking lot served as my place to sleep. Rejoice to have a roof, as long as you are there benefit! People complain but I don't think they realize how lucky they can be. Today, I am homeless, homeless, a tramp! Denied by everyone, having no home, no job, fate projected me into the streets of Paris.

I thought back to my life when I was surrounded by my family. It was a very beautiful life. I would so much like to go back, it was the good old days. Until now, I had not heard from them. None of them wanted to give me any.. I had the affirmation that they had erased me from their lives, each of them had boycotted me.. Yet I was their pride! But today I was their biggest shame.. Why don't you listen to me? A question that will probably never be answered in life. Under these thoughts, I fell asleep seeing again the image of my dear and tender mother who I missed enormously.

* 8:15..

I had to wake up. The cars were making a lot of noise around me. I couldn't sleep anymore. I had spent a very bad night, filled with nightmares it was hell! I started classes at 10:45 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. I didn't know how I was going to wash myself, or take my shower, or brush my teeth. I didn't know anything! I was beginning to hesitate to go to university. Meeting Naomi, meeting her gaze would be difficult for me! But a few minutes of reflection were enough to convince me to go. I had to face his gaze but too bad, my diploma will not come down from the sky.

When I got up, I saw a fountain at the bottom right of the parking lot. I first looked to see if there was anyone. Then I took my bag to take my toothbrush and a washcloth. Naomi please forgive me but I couldn't leave without the toothpaste I paid for with my money. I was doing like a grown-up. With the help of a simple and small water fountain, I was able to wash myself. I had to undress to be able to rub myself with the glove. I was panicked at the idea that someone would surprise me, they could have taken me for a crazy person.. But I was going to have to get used to this kind of life..

After I finished, I went to sit on the floor and started to revise. In two weeks, there was to be the catch-ups. I had to pass my year! I set myself this goal! As I told you, my studies were the only things I had left to make me proud of who I was, so I had to prove to my family that I was able to complete my studies with or without their support!

The hour passed very quickly, and I realized that I had to go to class. I had the idea to hide my things in a corner of the parking lot where nobody but really nobody could see. There were a few shrubs that could cover them even better. I was not very reassured but I had no choice either. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I was starving. Since the day before, I hadn't eaten so I took a few francs to go to a small supermarket and buy a few small things. While shopping, I only took a bottle of water with a sandwich and a candy bar. Here's my meal for today, I was hoping to hold on with this..

At the end of the day, I was totally exhausted! Apart from that, I was proud of myself because the teacher had just given an assignment for which I had 17.5/20! This advantaged me, thanks to this, I was already able to catch up with my delay of three points. I only had four more to be able to continue my next year in the third year of license! I was happy, at least good news for the day! In the auditorium, I had met Naomi who looked at me several times. I paid no attention to it because otherwise I would risk giving it too much importance.

I would be lying to you if I told you that it gave me no effect to have lost her. Of course, it broke my heart to lose a friend like Naomi, but now I had to live without her. She made the choice to listen to her boyfriend of eight months rather than her girlfriend of two years now.

It was now a quarter to 9 p.m. and the place I was in was hellish. I couldn't bear! My cough was coming back more and more because of the dust. It was very cold ! The smell of car engines prevented me from breathing properly. I couldn't stay another night here, I had to leave but I had no place to go! I no longer had a choice.

I had to accept the offer of the old man. I didn't think it was going to come to this but it was that or nothing else. I was going to accept his proposal to earn money and get out of this miserable life.

I took out my wallet containing the card and began to observe it. Was it the right choice? Should I really accept this life? Do I have the courage to spend another night in this car park? Too many unanswered questions.

I was still hesitating. My hand started shaking on its own. A moment of stress and panic for me. Ashley it's high time you made a decision! I took a deep breath and dialed the number on my cell phone. My heart was pounding on time. If I could have a heart attack on the spot, I would have. It rang once, twice and suddenly someone picked up..

-Phone call-

Hello ?

''...''

Hello ?

''...''

I will not repeat a fourth time hello?!

“A.. Hello..”

Who is this ?

"Bo.. Hello, this is.."

Oh ! Who is speaking ?

"It's the girl from the other time"

What a girl, I see girls every day. Can you be a little more specific?

“The one you gave your card to.”

Ah, you're the lady who lives with her friend?

"Yes.."

I told you that you were going to call me back. So what is your call worth to me?

''...''

You are still here ?

"I accept"

Really ?

"Yes.."

Well, I'm very happy! Come to the address indicated and we will talk about it properly

“O.. Alright”

Your first name ?

“Ashley”

So see you later Ashley..

-End of phone conversation-

Did I make the right decision for my future?

When the call ended, I took a deep breath and put the phone back in my pocket. I had just done it! I had just accepted his offer! I really didn't know if I had just made the right choice. I thought over and over and then I remembered that I had to go meet this man. I looked at the address and I realized that it was forty-five minutes from where I was so I decided to get up to go there.

The journey was rather long, but I finally arrived. Here I am in front of a strip club. The box was big, I could hear the background music even while outside. I was totally stressed out about going home. But when you have to go, you have to go! So I took a deep breath and entered.

Inside, it was dark. The lights were pink. I saw naked women waddling in front of lots of men. There were men sitting on armchairs, standing or sitting at the bar drinking alcohol. It was a totally different world for me. The music was sensual. I looked around me and I didn't know if I should stay there or not. But I couldn't turn back, it was too late.

I went to see a young lady who was trying to flirt with a man..

" Excuse me ? ''

Yes ?

"Uh.. I'm looking for the boss of the box"

ok follow me

" Thanks "

I started to follow her. We headed for a hidden door that left a "no public" sign. She opened the door and there was a long hallway. Then we arrived at another door and she knocked. The voice behind the door said "Come in!" so we walked in and the man was sitting on his desk. He was on the phone. When he saw me, a smile appeared on his face. The stripper explained to the boss that I wanted to see him.

Thank you Sandra, you can go back to work

Sandra left, there were only the two of us left.

So uh Ashley, is that right?

" Yes "

Are you doing well ? You look tired and then you have dark circles

"I'm fine thank you.. Uh yes, I didn't sleep much last night"

Hmm, and why?

“My friend kicked me out of her house”

Ah, damn, I'm sorry so you're on the street

" Unfortunately yes "

Alright I just got it.. Sit down

"Can I know your name please?" ''

james

" Thanks "

We talked for about thirty minutes. I had to tell him my "story" which had affected him enormously. He decided to host me at his place in one of his apartments for a while, the time that I could find mine. James was very nice.

At the end of his work, he had just returned to his office. He made me wait a few minutes in front of the club entrance. When I left, I stood there while he went to get his car. When he arrived, I saw a very nice car. It was a luxury car. My eyes were rather shocked, it was very rare that I saw this kind of car.

James: go up

“Oh uh, yes”

I got into his car and he started driving to his home. First, we went to the parking lot where I had spent the night to pick up my things. The journey took about twenty-five minutes. When I got there, I got out of his car and saw a very nice house. Say, I didn't know being a strip club manager paid so well. James took my things as he ushered me into his beautiful home.

James: well make yourself at home, I'll be back

"From to.. Alright"

I started to visit the places. The kitchen was very nice. Let's not talk about the living room! His house was decorated in a tropical style with orange, yellow etc. in short it was well decorated. James came back to the living room shirtless with only shorts. He has a very nice body.

James: well I want you to be comfortable in my house

" It is going to be difficult "

James: why? Because you don't know me?

"Yes.. I'm not used to living with a stranger"

James: I'm not a stranger but your boss

" Yes.. "

James: I'm pretty cool as a guy so don't worry I won't try to pick you up like the other jerk

I started laughing stupidly.

James: I have several rooms upstairs, you choose the one you want like that, I'll set up your things

"Oh don't worry I'll take them myself"

James: are you kidding me or what? Do you think I'll let you walk up the stairs alone with your suitcases? What next

" Can I ask you a question ? ''

james: yes

“How do you manage to live here? ''

James: I make a very good living being the owner of a strip club. And in addition I have rich clients who sometimes do their business in my box

“Clients.. Like? ''

James: bosses of big companies, businessmen or drug dealers

" Oh.. "

I was quite surprised to hear all of this. I was already preparing myself psychologically for the fact that I was going to have to dance in front of important people.

James: OK, did I answer your question?

" Yes yes "

I had been living with James for two weeks, and I was very comfortable which was weird because at Naomi's I was not. With James, I got on really well. He wasn't there often but that didn't bother me. He was a very nice man despite a few times when he could be bossy and harsh in some of his words but he was still a nice man.

What surprised me was that in two weeks, I had been able to fit in with the other dancers and they were nice for the most part. To tell the truth, some of them were also in the same situation as me, others were looking for money by going through the facility and others were doing it for pure pleasure, which I couldn't understand. During these two weeks, Sandra, one of the dancers trained me. I didn't know a stripper had to have many ways to finally dance if I knew it had to be sensual but in reality it was quite a process.

I understood all the steps and I was finally ready to dance in front of men. At first I had a lot of trouble because I didn't like the way some men were dressing me up. They were watching me in a way, it was unbearable! But little by little I was getting used to it and I was starting to like it. In addition, I received a lot of tips. Feeling all those eyes on me felt like I was being given importance and it was.

I was in full dance on a podium as usual I received whistles as well as tips. I loved it very much! I had just entered a world that initially disgusted me or made me feel uncomfortable. To be honest, my first days were very difficult because I felt completely different from the other girls, but after two weeks I forgot all that and that's good.

While I was dancing, I felt the intense gaze coming from a man. I could tell he was a regular because since my arrival I saw him. He was a very handsome man, but really! He exuded an exceptional charm! He was different from the other men looking at me. Men used to throw all sorts of compliments or whistles at me, but he was special. He was watching me, sipping his glass filled with alcohol.

After I finished my dance, I came down from the podium and James was waiting for me downstairs.

James: you danced very well

" Thanks "

James: I told you you were made for this, you didn't believe me

I laughed after what he had just told me.

James: come let's go to my office I need to talk to you

" OK "

I began to follow him to his office. It was the first time he had called me into his office after dancing. I was hoping it was nothing serious. Arrival in his office, he told me to sit down which I did immediately.

“Reassure me, it's nothing serious? ''

James: no don't panic

To be continued....