Chapter 21
Fun At The Crease

Edwin was getting restless with the passing time, not having heard about the progress of Iris's dad.

He was waiting for a call from Iris or at least a text from her notifying that the operation was a major success and stuff like that.

He was actually expecting to hear her cheerful voice from the other end.

He was fiddling with his phone when Stella came and rested on his lap.

Being home late last night he woke up late in the morning and the moment he woke up he was keen to know about the surgery.

Damn! Iris had taken a promise, not to call her or text her regarding the same.

She promised "I'll do it on her own. I beg please don't call me"

But he cannot blame her since she's been spinning around her work, her studies, hospital, brother that silly f**king bas***d who hit her. Her forgetting to call was quite normal.

Stella kissed him hard and he immediately kissed her back with full intensity. Her touch had that effect that he'd forget everything in the world.

All that mattered to him was their togetherness.

After they parted to breathe as it was a long and a passionate kiss she said ruffling his hair "My boy is not very cheerful in the morning today? Have all the stock of your love stories exhausted already?" She raised her eyebrows teasingly.

"Yeah I am all done with them. Can you help me refilling with the supplies" he said smirking now shifting on top of her making sure not to squeeze her under his weight.

Stella was curling her fingers in his hair staring into his goldens, her blues sparkling with excitement. She pulled him for a short kiss and asked, "How's your friend's father?"

Edwin went back to the backrest of the bed still feeling tired of last night and answered "The operation went well but he was not to come to conscious till in the morning. I was expecting a message or a call from my friend but I haven't got it as yet"

"If your friend didn't call you why not trouble your delicate fingers and call him" she said handing the mobile.

He couldn't call Iris so he tried to distract Stella and hugged her tight and pulled her to lie besides him and slept for a little while till it was time for office.

''''''''

Brent didn't have any office of his own and so Iris had to meet in the club where he's always there hooking up random girls being a pimp and looking for his commissions.

Iris was feeling guilty of not calling or informing Edwin about her dad but she had nothing to share.

She hadn't met or seen her dad conscious after the operation but she knew he would be restless so before meeting Brent at the club she finally texted him "Dad's okay. Don't call back."

Iris sat on one of the tables, her palms sweating. Every time Brent calls or meets her he has something dreading in store for her.

He was deeply involved in all the sex related crimes and even worst than that and girls like her were nothing but his stock in hand that he has to sell in the market.

Iris had almost a week left with Jason after which he had to lead her to other clients.

She wondered if it was worse with him or Jason.

After waiting for around an hour, he took her to one of the rooms in the club.

She hardly knew about the place. He spanked her on the butt cheeks following and leading her to his small office kind of place.

"Sit" he directed towards the only chair present in the dark room that had only a small bulb over the chair with hardly any powers.

This was meant to keep attention at bay. With loud music, drinks and bar dancers out in the club, this place hardly comes into notice so good for low profile jobs. It was a possibility that this place was meant to torture people who fell short of payment or stuff like that.

Iris lit her cigarette to display her non existing confidence and spat venomously, "Shoot what you have to say. I know you are not the kind with pleasantries."

He slapped her tight and pulled my hair, "I am the one in charge here, not you. So shut up" and he kissed her hard biting her lip hard till it bled.

She was on the verge of tears but she chanted in her head 'I am stronger than that.'

Roughness was ingrained in her life.......
"Listen lady I am not here to discuss or exchange pleasantries with you." Brent said in his usual 'I am the boss here' tone "You are nothing but my product that I have to sell in the market." and snatched the cigarette from her hand to take a puff.
All Iris could do was grind her teeth.

She was completely helpless in front of him. He was the ruler of the business in the area she was serving.

She dared not mess with him.
"So I come to the point. I have an offer for you with" Brent smiled his devil smile "which you can earn quite a lot. I pay you lump some against which you have to travel to one of the Arab countries and serve there. For security reasons I cannot mention the name of the country" he finished and waited for her reaction.

When he was expressionless he continued "But one thing is sure you'll earn enough to pay for your dad's hospital bill till he lives and so can send your brother to a special hostel where good care would be taken of him." He said as if he was bothered about both of them.
Iris chuckled to his words and said rudely and straight "Brent you are the king here but I no longer am a kid who's come to you for the first assignment." She broadened her shoulders. She wasn't confident but she was firm about her decision "The job you are telling me about is human trafficking in real sense and I am not being handsomely paid. I am sold. I am not INTERESTED."

Iris rushed out of the room.
The bargain was quite tempting.

Her single yes and her dad's treatment and brother's future would have been secure.

But for her it would be an imprisonment for a lifetime.

She would be nothing but a slave in the hands of her auctioneer who would hand her over to the highest bidder.

Thoughts of results itself are forbidden as the magnitude of abusing and impulsive sex could not be measured and her hopes of earning through a respectable job would die forever.

Also she'd long to meet the small family she had right now if she was miles away from them.

Her answer was a stern and straight no.

She needed to be in the proximity of the only family she had.

Both her father and brother needed her.

'More than that I need them for myself. I cannot live without them.' She wiped the stray tear falling down her eyes immediately
Her dad's progress was good at least as claimed by the doctors.

The whole week went okay with Iris managing to attend college even after ravaging sessions by Jason who once tied her to the chair undressed and had his say with his cane stick followed by long session which was rough like usual.

But college was inviting with Ben as her company, classmate and friend.

Ben had been so nice all the time at the college. She was no longer the shy introvert girl.

She had company. He made her feel so comfortable that she almost forgot about Rosie.

He did continue asking her out to be his girlfriend but she would clearly, coldly and flatly deny begging him to be my friend - A friend that she had longed for but was too scared to make one.

She was the first bencher, probably a nerd for all the class fellows.

But nowadays Ben would make her sit with him. He wasn't at all good in psychology. He didn't understand a bit.

Iris had to guide him through.

Rather she completed few of his assignments too.

She worried if he'd ever clear up with the course. Even his basics were unclear.

The college he last attended might have been bad. He doesn't even pay attention in the class what the lecturer says.

She has to force him to concentrate.

Iris hoped he makes it though. He was also not defined about his future.

He'd been a great friend too, always ready to help.

It was quite surprising that when Iris missed her class like yesterday since she had to take her brother for a dental check up she left early and missed couple of classes.

Ben even after constant disapproval by her came to her place with the notes that he copied while attending the class.

To sit attentively and copy notes was not the kind of thing that Ben would like to do but he did it for her. That makes her relax too that even if she misses the classes, he'll help her.

That probably would help him too because at least then he would concentrate on teachers and notes.

He also took her to one of his boxing rink, which he said was his favorite past time, no wonder he was so eager to jump into a fight.

She recollected that all this while whenever he'd helped her in the evenings she always found him fighting with someone and winning too.

This match although was a little different. There were crazy people around. Most of them had tattoos on them. They were shrieking and yelling and cheering I think their favorites.

Since it was an adult's only boxing club all the people were aged 18 to around 40's. Few of them looked a little older but each of them was excited.

Two guys were hovering around the strands murmuring something and also taking money from the people there.

Iris noticed them collecting the money for the bet.

Ben held her from her tiny waist like one does to his girlfriend.

To say she did not like it would be wrong because she was blushed pink for the first time in her life. He introduced her " meet my friend Thomas" they shook hands as he introduced "iris, my friend and would be girlfriend" he winked.

Iris simply blushed.

Thomas was a lean guy and Iris was glad to meet him because he mentioned once to Ben "Today since you are here I'll get my day".

Iris rolled her eyes at that not understanding a bit. Later than Ben handed him a 100 dollar bill and asked to bet only when it was a multiple of four.

They both gave each other a manly hug and Iris sat on the seats when Ben went to change. Though the guys around were a little intimidating but she was mentally strong and she knew Ben was there withher. He's quite strong for his own good.

Ben looked extremely sexy and hot and Iris couldn't help drooling when he changed into his suit which were bare chest and black and red shorts, complemented with red gloves and red wrist band a real delicious one especially for girls because there was a lot of ooh! and aahs! the moment he stepped inside the rink.

Iris did not know much about the game but the enthusiasm in the air with the spirit portrayed by Ben the way he was stretching and moving his muscles probably warming or pre match exercises that he was doing to prepare for the match.

Minutes later his opponent also landed on the rink. Oh my gosh! She shrieked mentally.

His opponent was twice the size of Ben. Though Ben looked strong and sturdy with a nice athletic body, this guy was a hulk kind of WWE player.

She was a bit scared but she trusted Ben and his confidence in the sport that he said he liked the most.

He stood in front of his opponent, nodding to what the referee was saying and they were ready.

For a split second they stood in front of each other looking as if challenging each other.

Iris gave a loud shout "Go man go! Show how strong your little arse is." He looked at her and nodded, smiling.

Right then the opponent took the chance and hit him on his face; Ben however showed his reflexes ducked him as he lowered his head reducing the impact of the punch.

Ben stood on his feet quickly and with a short jump launched a punch on the opponent who was dressed in royal blue shorts.

His name was Spiky because the crowd was cheering "Show Spiky show"

Ben got a blow right under his chin. Ben was taken aback and he stood back flipping his right hand behind and forcing cross punch but Spiky defended himself quickly by bending his legs.

Soon after that he blew punches at Ben who tried to save himself but in vain.

Spiky kept on punching till the referee blew the whistle. Thomas ran to Ben murmuring something. Ben nodded.

Iris was now rubbing her hands. Though she didn't know much about the game but she could get that Ben was losing and she hated it.

Thomas ran back to sit besides Iris and she smiled weakly at him not liking a bit of Ben's poor performance.

The second round started with Ben still struggling to defend himself from the punches jabbed by Spiky. After couple of minutes, Ben looked at her direction and nodded.

Iris did not know what to do. She was quite upset, not liking the idea of Spiky hitting Ben.

She was moments from running to the rink and scratching Spiky's face with long pointed nails ofhers.

Then Thomas immediately ran to the guy who was taking on the bet money.

It was then Iris realized that Ben had not nodded at her but it was some kind of coded conversation with Thomas.

When Thomas returned to his place with a huge grin on his face, Iris saw him concentrating in the game for the first time. He was nervous too as his hands automatically reached his mouth and he started nibbling his non-existing nails.

Iris kept his eyes on Ben ignoring the sudden changed behavior of Thomas who was getting restless.

Spiky marked another punch on Ben who side flicked and pushed his punch on Spiky's torso making him stumble for a split second, Ben took the moment and hit another punch on right side of his face, not giving a single chance to him. Spiky now managed to stand on his feet.

Ben then posed to punch on his face which he blocked and immediately Ben landed his punch on his torso.

The crowd jumped in excitement shouting "Ben... Ben... Ben..."

Iris was clapping happy that Ben was no longer hurting himself in the sport.

The whistle blew again and they took a break. Thomas now happily strode towards Ben giving him a high five.

He stood there for it was the last round where Ben punched once directly on the face of spiky and then quickly he hit forward twice on his torso making him fall on the ground

The referee was counting some numbers in the reverse order and then he lifted Ben's hand in the air. Iris knew this for sure that this was a sign of victory. She jumped up in the air doing a bit of happy dance and ran to Ben hugging him tight and he immediately lifted her from the waist.

She was floating in the air. "I had fun of my lifetime" she accepted as she smiled till he put her down Thomas handed him a lot of bills mostly multiples of four and thanked him over and over again.

He also put a lot of money much more than he had given Ben confirming that he had earned enough for the day.

"I am so glad that you joined me today." Ben said looking directly into her darks.

"Why wouldn't I? It was so much fun" Iris couldn't help her ear to ear smile.

"No girls my friends do not like the idea of boxing but you are different." He said swerving the key in the keyhole of his car trying to switch on the ignition.

"I trusted you and honestly I loved it, specially your victory" Iris said as she settled her hair in the mirror. They were messy by now, not that she cared but detangling later would need a lot of effort so why not be careful.

He put the break to the car and parked it on one side and said holding her hands "Tomorrow wherever we are but remember one thing I honestly think you are a nice person and I really enjoyed spending time with you."

"That's so very cliché'" Iris said laughing now.

She laughed because she did not want him to get wrong signals.

They were miles apart and that should be it. She did not want to complicate things.

He gave a big huff of his breath and started driving.

''#''

"Hi" a low feminine voice mumbled as she walked towards the club Jason called her today.

"Hi" I said faintly as I lifted my head up to see the same girl who was there with Jason on the night of my dad's operation and made me feel so low of myself. I however kept my composure and walked ahead.

"Can I talk please" she said humbly.

"Hurry up. My client doesn't like to wait." Iris said coldly.

"I know its Jason. I only want to apologize for my bitchiness the other day." She said looking down as if she was ashamed of it.

"No problem." Iris waved her hand dismissively.

"Rosie how do you manage?" she asked.

She stopped and faced her head on "Why do you do this job?" Iris asked.

"I am Lizzie." She offered her hand for a shake and Iris took it immediately without thinking.

She continued, "I need money for survival. I actually left my parents for modeling, which they didn't approve to be taken as a career. Till I get a good assignment, I need money. So here I am. But seriously that guy he is such a b##tard. How do you?" and then her sobs interrupted their conversation.

It was then Iris realized she had bruises on her hands and neck.

Iris took her to one of the tables and offered her water. She gulped in quickly breathing to live.

"He was so harsh and so rough. He tied both my hands and legs and whipped me so badly till I was close to being unconscious and then he threw cold water on my face, f##king me again and again as if there was no tomorrow." She took another sip of water with her hands shivering still now.

'It's okay. Relax" Iris cooed her rubbing her hands if that could help. "I know he's a tough one. You are new to this field?" Iris asked although she knew the answer was positive.

"I feel light after talking to you. I was so scared." Lizzie said honestly.

"Don't worry. Not all men are like this. Few of them are worst though. Be careful." Iris said as she took a deep breath remembering my time when she entered the field for the first time.

Immediately she brushed past the thought, tapped on her shoulders and walked ahead.

Iris took couple of steps and moved back to Lizzie "You are fortunate to have parents so go back to them", she advised and went for her work for the evening.

Wishing you and your family health and safety amid COVID 19.

It is tough times like this that define our character. We are all sailing the same ship of oblivion

let us all shine from this and wait patiently for the dark clouds to pass and reach the shore

Stay safe, stay blessed