Etoson-anie Girl, you've been an amazing reader, and your comments have always lighted up my days. Thank you so much, dearie.❤️

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She walked into the room, and her jaw dropped on seeing the inside of the room. It was even better than the outside. Her eyes glanced around the spacious room that was painted with the colour pink. There were two bunk beds adjacent to each other, and there was a cupboard built into the wall in-between the two bunks. The floor of the room was covered with a black coloured rug. There were two boxes aligned to the side of the bunk on her left. The two beds on the left bunk seemed to already be in use, while the one on the right had only one used bed, and this was the top space. The down space was empty with a plain mattress on it.

Dominique guessed that this must be her own bed, and this was confirmed when Gen placed the blanket and bed spread on it.

"C'mon settle in." Gen said as she moved to spread the sheet over the mattress. Sharon ignored the two and climbed up the bunk adjacent to them, and began scrolling through her phone.

Dominique threw a glance at her wondering why the lady didn't seem to be the exact friendly specimen Genesis had said she is. Yet, she knew that Sharon was the least of her problems. She had bigger nuts to crack, and this included finding a job, and moving on just as she had planned to.

It was not going to be an easy search, but she was sure that she wasn't looking forward to giving up, and becoming another liability to this fortress. They had given her a home, and she is eternally grateful.

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"Minnie!"

She spun around and was faced with the thick mist. She could have sworn she heard him call her. She'll never miss his voice, and she would never deny his call.

"Alex?" She called out to the emptiness around her, but all she got was her own voice echoed back to her. Her eyes watered at the thought of the reality, at the thought of her being alone, at the thought of losing him.

The tears rolled down her cheeks effortlessly as she wandered deeper into the mist, "Alex, where are you?" She asked again, but the silence once again answered her, and she broke down unto her knees.

"Minnie?"

Her ears sprang up as she heard his voice clearly and closely. She looked up and saw a figure in the mist, and she squinted her eyes to get a clearly view of the figure in the distance. She peered deeper until the figure came in view.

"Alex!" She instantly shot to her feet and ran to him. Truly, he was there - just standing and watching with his arms crossed in front of his chest and his expression bland. She released the breath she wasn't even aware she was holding when she saw him, and her lips pulled out into a smile.

She moved to him, "Baby," and made an attempt to wrap her hands around him, but he pushed her with his hands, and she staggered back in shock.

"I wouldn't dirt myself with a slut like you," he said, and her heart literally ripped apart as his words sunk into her, "a prostitute and a motherfucking bitch like you shouldn't be given any chance to be loved." He continued to say as he moved closer to her, and she moved backwards suddenly terrified of him.

Her legs missed a step, and she tripped and fell, but he still kept coming to her, "You don't deserve to be loved. You are loser." He yelled at her.

"No, I am not!" She yelled.

"You are!" He yelled back at her, "You are not loved. No one cares about you! No one will ever care for you!"

"No!!!" She screamed out as the tears poured out of her eyes, and the pain gushed all through her body, "No!!"

Someone tapped her, "Dominique!" but she still kept screaming, "Dominique, It's okay."

The voice came clearer to her, as she parted her eyes slowly and was almost blinded by the brightness in the room. She closed her eyes, and slowly fluttered them open. She looked around her and it all came back to her - it was just a dream- she was safely in her bed, and Genesis was standing beside her with a concerned look on her face.

"Are you okay, dear? You screamed out."

Dominique wiped her face, and realized she was actually crying, but she smiled and covered it up, "I'm fine, Gen. Thanks, it was only a dream."

She stood from the bed, and realized that it wasn't just Genesis that was disturbed by her scream as Sharon was seated up on her bunk looking at her.

"Was it a scary one?" A voice from up her bunk caused her to look up and she saw another female there. The lady smiled and climbed down from the bed, and Dominique's eyes followed her, "I'm Anastasia." She introduced herself.

Dominique snapped herself out of her shock, and smiled, "Nice to meet you, Anastasia. I'm Dom-." But, Ana did not let her finish as she cut in.

"You're Dominique, my new Bunkie." Ana completed it for her.

Dominique smiled, "I guess so."

Ana came closer to her, and wrapped her arms around her in a light hug. Dominique was shocked at this, but she relaxed to Ana's touch.

"It's going to be alright, Dominique, no matter what you are going through." Ana added before she released Dominique from her hug.

"Thank you, Ana." She smiled and looked to Genesis, "You too, Gen." and, her eyes darted to Sharon who sat quietly at the side, and she smiled. Even if the girl doesn't like her, Dominique wasn't looking forward to hating her, "You too, Sharon."

Sharon's eyes widened and Dominique could tell that she wasn't certainly expecting a thank you from her. She let out a small smile, "Sure."

"Okay. Enough of this emotional thank you's'. Let's get ready for day." Genesis said breaking the sensation of the moment as the girls all dispersed to get ready.

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"Are you sure this is okay?" Dominique asked Genesis for the umpteenth time. She was about to go job hunting, and she was well aware how important first impressions are, and so, what she wears really matters. She had an excellent mark when it gets to dressing up, but she wouldn't want to appear as a sex doll to all the employers out there. So, this is why her outfit really mattered.

Genesis sighed, "C'mon girl, you look beautiful. To be truthful, I am even jealous of you."

Dominique rolled her eyes as her hands skimmed over the soft fabric of the knee-length blue gown with several coloured roses drawn over it. Well, it was manageable - not too exposing - sweet and innocent - definitely, something a good responsible girl would wear. However, her arms seemed too open, as the gown was armless and just held to her shoulders with a slight stringy handle - she should have gotten a jacket or a veil. She bit her lower lip as she rubbed her exposed arms.

Genesis noticed this and smiled, "You should have just asked." She commented and removed her shawl from her neck, and offered it to Dominique.

"Whoa, you need not give me your shawl too," Dominique said as she was overwhelmed by Gen's kindness - even to someone she barely knew - just like Alex had done. She instantly pushed away the thought and looked at the building up ahead.

Genesis said that's where she worked as a dancer, and she also mentioned they pay well - part of the reason Dominique jumped at the opening - and, treat their staffs well. It was a club though, and Dominique would never ever forget why she shouldn't work there, but this was the closest she had to getting a job - so, if it meant pretending to be a church sister all through - then, she was more than ready to do so.

This was the beginning of her second chance. Her smile brightened as she faced Genesis, "Thank you, Gen."

"Oh. This is nothing, Dom. Besides, what are sisters for?" Gen replied her and Dominique felt her heart warm up at this, "C'mon we have to go in."

Dominique nodded, and they both walked into the buzzing 'Lovers club'.

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