Alpha’s Virgin Stripper

Jojo:

I had never seen Mel this way before. Not because she was sad or wailing, not because she locked herself in her room and did not want to eat anything with the guise that she was reeling from heartbreak, but because she did the exact opposite.

Mel had really loved Shawn, she always spoke of how she was grateful to have him as a boyfriend and how he meant everything to her. She would often sit and imagine all the things she could do at their wedding. Once, she had even drawn and designed a funny looking dress. She held the picture out to me and asked me what I thought. Of course I said it was splendid, I’ll be a fool to say otherwise.

“I’m glad you think so. It’s your maid-of-honor dress.” She replied, in her usual over excited and enthusiastic tone. I remember myself choking on the water I had just gulped down. It was a life changing experience, I tell you.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

But something about her was different, distant. When she stepped into the living room and picked up a muffin from the tray, I could already tell something was wrong. She settled into the sofa and took a large bite of the muffin. She kept her eyes glued to the screen with no form of expression on her face. She only laughed when she needed to, smiled when she needed to. Mel paid no mind to Valerie and I, it was as though she did not even see us there.

It was obvious to see that she was in the first stage of grief; shock. It was later that evening she told me what happened. She did not cry; she was not dramatic. In fact, she seemed nonchalant.

All she did was stand by the door, lean on the metal frame and chuckle with her hands in her pocket.

“Shawn came all the way here to break up with me. Can you imagine that?” She asked bluntly. I looked up from the cookery book on the bed to stare at her. I narrowed my eyes on her, but she did not give me any reaction. I stayed silent, waiting for the tears to come, the cry of anguish. I waited for her to lay beside me and rest her weeping head on my thighs. Do not get me wrong, I did not wish for her to be sad or cry, I was only bothered because IT WAS THE LOGICAL THING TO DO WHEN YOU LOST SOMEONE YOU LOVED.

“Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, putting my book aside and calling to her.

She scoffed.

“Of course, I’m okay. It’s his loss anyway. I gave the best blowjob he’ll ever receive.”

I felt myself flinch at the last statement. That was the proof I needed to know that my friend was not okay. For the rest of that day, she busied herself with trying out new recipes we had formulated, in the kitchen. Not once did she stop to do anything else.

She sampled starters, appetizers, and desserts. The aroma continued to ooze out of the kitchen, while I remained in the living room with Valerie watching children’s cartoons.

When we heard footsteps walk down the stairs, both Valerie and I turned our heads to find Mrs. Smith stepping down the stairs. Her blonde hair was tied in a messy bun above her head and she held onto a drawing board. I knew that her drawing-room was air-conditioned, but she still had beads of sweat on her forehead.

It was hard for me to look at her without feeling immense gratitude and guilt. Gratitude because she had given my entire family a chance for a new start, even without knowing anything about us. And guilt? The guilt was because I was keeping a secret from her. It was a very big one because it would add one more present to her house.

The secret was my pregnancy. Yes, I was yet to tell her I was pregnant. Although Mel and I had plans to move out as soon as we could place our feet on the ground, she still needed to know that there was a probability a baby would be joining the house. For the sole reason that she had helped us, she deserved to know.

Mrs. Smith walked into the living room with a tired smile on her face. I watched as Valerie rose from the sofa and rushed to meet her.

“Mrs. Smith, do you need help with your drawing board?” She asked. I watched as the woman smiled and gave Ley a tap on her head.

“Thank you dear, but I can carry it on my own. Have you had dinner yet?” As she asked her, Mrs. Smith’s eyes rose to meet mine.

Before I could speak, Valerie answered.

“Aunt Mel is making dinner, so we would eat soon.”

My sister was growing more confident, happy and physically big as the day went by. That was a transformation I was more than happy to see.

“Alright then.” She pulled out a five dollar note from her back pocket and handed it over to Valerie.

“For biscuits, alright?”

“Thanks, Mrs. Smith, but you don’t have to worry, the fridge is stocked with biscuits,” Ley replied. I found myself shaking my head and hiding my laughter. The girl was too adorable.

“I insist.” Mrs. Smith replied. Valerie eventually took the money and Mrs. Smith flashed me a tired smile. I knew that it was not the right time to drop such a big news on her ears, but if I did not speak now, I was not sure I could muster the courage to do so again.

“Mrs. Smith,” I called her when she was halfway across the room. She turned to me.

“Yes, Jojo?”

I rose from the sofa and began to walk towards her.

“Can I speak to you? Outside?”

My question caused her to arch a brow. She heaved a small sigh and nodded, gesturing for me to follow her outside. I walked behind her and when she stopped in front of the door, I stopped as well.

“Is everything alright, Jojo?”

I found myself intertwining my fingers while I stared down at the floor. I cleared my throat repeatedly, and I could feel her gaze darken on me.

I raised my eyes to look at her and I started to speak.

“Mrs. Smith, I really appreciate everything that you’ve done for my family and I. No one has ever been this kind to us for any reason. I cannot repay you even you asked me to. That is why I need to tell you something really important.”

Her left brow raised even higher than it was before. I swallowed hard, gulping the huge lump in my throat.

“I am pregnant, seven weeks gone.” There it was! There was no taking it back now.

“I couldn’t speak before because I was scared that…”

I stopped talking when I felt a hand touch my right shoulder. She flashed me a small smile and shook her head.

“You do not need to explain anything to me, Jojo. You’re a strong and brave girl and…” She pulled her hand away from me.

“I believe you know what you’re doing.” I could hear the sincere care and the blaring warning in her statement. The first melted my heart, while the second caused me to stand still.

I still wasn’t sure I knew what I was doing.

“Goodnight, Jojo.” She said again, before turning her back towards me and disappearing into the night.

I stood there, watching her leave.

A huge part of me was grateful she did not ask of the father, I did not want to think of what I’ll have had to say.