My screaming and pleading meant nothing as his big fists connected to my face. Blow after blow I became more silent, only thing I can hear is his fists against my bones. Luckily, nothing made a cracking noise. Been there done that, it's not fun. Well, neither is being pounded on.

"I didn't fuck him!" I screamed and Andre grabbed me by my hair and pulled me onto the bed.

"Then why is he constantly texting and calling you? Bringing you home from work?" Andre asked and I started sobbing. The guy is just my partner in class. "Exactly!" He tore my leggings off and my underwear. He grabbed my vagina and I screamed. "IT'S MINE!" He yelled in my face. My face is aching from the blows and now my vagina is throbbing by the grab he just did.

"I didn't fuck him," I muttered now out of breath. This takes a lot of my energy. Night after night, day after day. This started about a year ago when he got released from prison and he couldn't find a job. I pay all the bills and groceries while all he does is sell drugs, actually he smokes them. I don't mean ganja, I'm talking about white girl or as some say booger sugar.

"Well he wants to fuck you," he slapped me for the first time tonight. "Get yo ass up and go make money. Fucking bills are due soon," he kicked me off the bed, literally and I got up limping to the bathroom.

I walked into the hot shower and cleaned myself. As I washed my face, blood mixed with the water. Why haven't I left? I don't know. I have no where to go, and no money to run. Plus we have a son together and he's a good dad. A horrible boyfriend but a wonderful father. I know how it is to grow up without a father and I never want that for my son even if that means taking blows to the face.

I got out the shower and stared at myself in the mirror. My face bruised everywhere with black and blue. My left eye circled with black and so is my jaw. I quickly oiled my body with coconut oil and then got dressed in a red leather dress that hugs my curves. I have no choice but to wear it, my boss gave the female bartenders two dresses and it has to be worn.

The club I work at is a very successful one. Famous people, bad bitches, regular broke people pretending they have money, they all come in because not only is it beautifully decorated or because the DJ's are always well known and famous, but they come in because of the ladies. The ladies who make the drinks, serve the drinks, make you buy them a drink, and the ladies you watch shake their asses as you drink. Part of the clubs success is from the beautiful women that work there.

I took my makeup bag from under the sink and began working on my face. Concealer is my best friend. It matches my skin tone so after I put foundation on top of it, there's no visible bruises on my face. I can still feel them, no one can see them though. I completely transformed my face and put my makeup bag away. My hair in a slicked down, low bun as apart of uniform. Simple diamond earrings and that's it.

"I'm leaving," I said to Andre and he rolled over and stared at me.

"You're so beautiful," he smiled then sniffed. His nose is bright red, meaning he just took a sniff of that shit. "Don't be a fucking whore," he warned and I nodded. I've never cheated on him ever, even while he was in jail. After giving my virginity to him, I've never been with anyone else.

"Mommy are you okay?" My blue eyed son asked, almost stumbling over his words. I ordered an über and then ruffled his short curls.

"Yeah Rico, I'm okay. Mommy has to go to work, go to bed," I kissed him and walked him to his bedroom. "I love you,"

"Love you more," he smiled. I tickled him.

"Not possible," I tucked him in and my phone alerted me that my über is here.

I glanced back at Rico then headed out the door. I passed a whole bunch of guys as I walked down the stairs.

"Looking beautiful, ma," Jason, one of the most talented ball player in our community, complimented me and I thanked him. Everyone in this building respects me (so they say), I don't know why they just do. Except for Andre.

"How are you?" The über asked and I answered with fine. He didn't talk for the rest of the ride, just played old school music. I didn't mind, it felt good to not hear the songs that they blast in the club 24/7.

"Enjoy your night," I said to the über and he thanked me. "Bug," I smiled at the bouncer who let me in.

"Ms. Grace, how you doing?" He smiled at me. I nodded and he let me through. I headed to my station and clocked in.

"Grace!" My boss yelled and I groaned. "Looking beautiful as always but you can't bartend tonight. The big man is in tonight. We need all the beautiful ladies around him and serving drinks,"

"Ask Shay, she'll gladly do it," I pointed to my coworker.

"No. I need you, Shay is very beautiful but I'm trying to show him that I got this and we all know she can get a little...." he trailed off and I nodded. Shay is a sweet girl but apparently so is her vagina cause she stays busy.

"Alright but who's gonna make the drinks?" I asked and Alex came over. I rolled my eyes and moved from behind the bar. Alex swears he's better than everyone. He acts more like a girl than I do yet he swears he's straight.

"Thank you," my boss led me over to the massive group of men. In my three years of working here I've never seen a group of men so large. But I expected this, 'the big man' that my boss referred to owns this club. He just can't be here all the time so he hired Roland, my boss.

"Gentleman this is Grace, she's one of your beautiful waitress' for tonight," Roland's gay ass introduced me and I faked a smile but only because my face is still throbbing. As soon as he walked away they began yelling different drinks at me and I couldn't hear not one thing.

"Hey," a voice calmly said and everyone shut up. They all looked to the back where the last seat is but I couldn't see anyone because he sat in the shadows. I guess this is big man. "Let the girl at least get her note pad out, yelling at her like she's a sciaquadell," the voice said again. His Italian accent deep, as if he belongs in one of those mob movies. The men laughed and apologized. I don't know what he said and I don't necessarily care.

I opened up the small writing pad and began taking all of their alcoholic orders. Most of them want the hard drinks that'll fuck you up within three gulps but the ones who sat further back in the shadows ordered the most expensive champagne.

"Is that all?" I asked and they took my body in as if I was food. They nodded and I walked away and I heard one make a noise.

"I wonder if it's real," he said. Everyone wants to know how I get my body. Honestly I have to say genetics because I've never visited a surgeon, I barely can pay all the bills. Why in Gods name would I get surgery. I have priorities.

"Here," I handed the two pages to Alex and his eyes widened.

"There's no way you can carry all these drinks. You're going to have to make them over there," he said and I shook my head.

"Those weren't my orders ," I said and he shrugged.

"I'm not doing it," he handed me the liquor bottles and the materials I would need and turned his back for another customer. I wanted to reach over and hit him in his damn throat.

"I'm sorry. The bartender doesn't want to do his job," I said as I walked back over to the herd. I began making their drinks in front of them.

"I don't mind. It's like a hibachi," one guy said, I think he's the one who commented on my ass.

"What's a hibachi?" I learned that the more you become friendly with customers the higher they tip.

"You don't know what a hibachi is?" His accent poked through a few words. I shook my head and he laughed. "It's where they make the food in front of you,"

"Oh," I made most of their drinks by now and poured whoever wanted champagne.

"What do you mean by the bartender didn't want to do his job?" The voice asked again and everyone stopped talking. Once again.

"He didn't think I could carry all your drinks over here, so he told me to make them over here. But that's not what I was instructed to do," I spoke to the man in the shadows.

"Is he always like this?" He asked. His voice is so smooth yet cold, it sent shivers down my spine.

"A narcissistic asshole who thinks he's better than everyone but can barely do his job? Yes," I probably shouldn't have said those words but the men laughed and so did the unseen man. I went back to making drinks. Everyone has a drink in there hand now and I'm just standing here for refills.

"Is your ass real?" He finally asked after four refills.

"Reno, c'mon that inappropriate," another guy said.

"Yes my ass is real," I answered Reno.

The night went on and I was their personal waitress because they didn't want anyone else over there. They drank and watched the whole entire club like hawks. By the time closing came around at 4am, I went to go throw away the now empty bottles and the table was empty when I came back but they left a whole lot of money.

"Bloodclaat!" I exclaimed and ran and stuff all the money in the, now empty, ice bucket. I had to walk slow to prevent the money from falling out. I sat in the back with the strippers and counted my money.

"Damn girl!" A stripper nicknamed Monroe said. That's her nickname because of her classy attitude.

"I know right," I smiled. I counted 2,048 dollars in tips and my eyes widened. I can't let Andre see this. One, he's gonna think I fucked around to get it and he's gonna beat my ass and two, he's gonna take it and buy his nasty ass drug with it.

I stuffed it in my purse and headed outside. I waited on my über to get me. New York is getting chilly but not too bad.

"You have a ride?" I heard the voice from earlier. I look to see Reno hovering over me.

"Yeah I'm waiting on an über," I shrugged.

"Just checking. You should smile more, brightens up your face," he massaged his knuckles and I see that their bruised.

"What happened?" I asked and he chuckled.

"You should already know," he looked behind him and then turned back to me. "I have to go but enjoy your night and get home safe. Thanks for being a good bartender," he kissed my hand and then walked to the black SUV and got in.

As soon as they pulled off my über came. "Why're you out so late?" The lady asked.

"Because I work," was all I said. I need to know what I'm going to do with all this money. Andre takes all my tips and spends it on his bullshit. I'm home now and I don't know what to do. "Can you stay here for a bit. I'll be right back," she nodded. I left my bag in the über.

I ran upstairs in my heels and opened the front door.

"Baby, I need that tip money," he staggered over to me. I ran past him and grabbed my scrubs.

"I just got called in," I said and he groaned.

"Better not be fucking. I'll know," he said and laid down on the couch. I put my scrubs in a duffle bag with my shoes then some underwear. I left the apartment and ran down and thanked God my über is still there.

"Thank you so much for waiting," I said and retrieved my bag.

"Where to now?" She asked and I gave her my partners address. It took her a while to get there but when she did it was around 6 and my class starts at 7.

"Grace?" Tre answered the door with no shirt on.

"Sorry it's last minute but I have to get ready here," I urged and he let me in. It may seem that I demanded him to let me in but this isn't the first time I've gotten ready here.

"Gracie!" Tre's wife hugged me and I laughed then rubbed her growing belly.

"She's kicking," she laughed as soon as I rubbed her belly. Tre and Sarah are my private friends. Andre doesn't allow me to have any and at first we fought about it but now I just let him have his way.

We talked for a bit and then I went to use their bathroom. As I showered I made sure to not get the water on my makeup even though 95% of my makeup is water proof.

I got ready in my scrubs and threw my clothes from yesterday into the duffle bag. Tre and I said bye to Sarah and headed to class.

"You just got back from the club?" He asked and I nodded. "Aren't you tired? Class at 7 in the morning, we work at 10 and don't get off until 7 in the evening then you go to the club around 10 and don't get off until 4 in the morning. That's only three different hours of sleep," little does he know that those hours are taken over by me getting my ass beat. My days off are Sunday's and I get enough sleep for the week.

"Life of a mom," I laughed and he made a face.

"You're not a single mom. Andre is around," Tre said. No one knows about the abuse. They just know that it's hard for him to find a job.

"Construction. My uncle does it, I can get him a job," Tre is always so kind and helpful but Andre always thinks he's trying to get in my pants.

"I'll talk to him about it," Andre is too hung up on drugs to want a job. We got to campus and headed for our classroom.

"Here we are," Tre laughed as we are the only ones in class. The professor and everyone else is late.

•

•

•

"Can you stop at the bank?" I asked Tre as he insisted he dropped me home.

"Sure," he stopped at my bank and I went inside to deposit half of the tips into my savings account and the other half into Rico's college fund. None of these Andre knows about.

"Thanks," I said to Tre as he dropped me home. "You do a lot for me,"

"Best friends," he smiled and I returned it.

"What I tell you bout him dropping you off?" I was dropped as soon as I walked through the apartment doors.

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