CHANTEL

CHAPTER 1

"Good morning," Chantel greeted.

"Morning, Chantel. I called you to ask if you'd be free to dance for my customers this evening," Mrs. Andy said, offering Chantel a seat.

"How much?" Chantel asked.

"₦10,000."

"Make it ₦15,000."

"Alright."

"By what time?"

"Early in the evening, by 6:00 PM."

"Till?"

"Till 9:00 PM. Please come with your girls."

"Alright," Chantel said as she stood up and left.

Chantel was a 22-year-old famous club dancer. She danced at strip clubs and was the leader of a crew called The ZOOMERS.

Chantel came from a poor home. Her mother was wealthy, while her father was a beggar. She was an illegitimate child. Her mother, an Englishwoman, had a one-night stand with a man during a business trip to Nigeria and got pregnant with Chantel. Ken, Chantel's father, took Chantel away from Henrietha, her mother.

Chantel inherited her mother's fair skin, but the Nigerian sun had given her a tan. She had unusual hair—long like her mother's but with a wavy texture. 

Chantel grew up under her father's disdain. He hated seeing her because she reminded him of Henrietha. He forced Chantel and his other two daughters to dance in clubs to make money. Though Chantel initially hated it, she eventually got used to it. Her curves were tempting, and every guy wanted her. She became known as the #WaywardVirgin. She lived without a mother, believing Henrietha had died after giving birth to her, and endured a pathetic life with her father and sisters.

"Jane and Jade, we have to perform this evening," Chantel said when she got home.

"But why?" Jade complained.

"We've got exams to study for," Jane added.

"We need to make money for Father. He disturbs a lot."

Jane and Jade were Chantel's stepsisters. Their mother had died after giving birth to them. They were twins with opposite temperaments.

"What kind of man is he?" Jane cursed.

"Jane, do you think he will let you sit for the WAEC? He promises and fails. Dad doesn't keep promises. I struggled hard before I wrote my WAEC," Chantel frowned. "So, you guys have to work hard. Mrs. Andy is paying us ₦15,000, so we will share it among ourselves, okay?"

"Okay," they both chorused sadly.

*******

"Jane, Jade, and Chantel, come here now!" Ken yelled.

"Yes, sir!" they chorused, rushing from their bedroom to the living room.

"Sit down!" he commanded, and they obeyed. "I need ₦10,000 now!" he ordered.

Chantel's eyes widened in anger. What did he take them for, a central bank?

"How do you expect us to get that kind of money?" Chantel complained angrily.

"Are you questioning me? Are you mad?!"

"Dad, are we money-making machines?" sharp-mouthed Jane yelled.

"Hmmm, it seems like you've grown wings. Jade! Get me my whip!" he yelled at his most obedient daughter.

"What are you trying to do? Hit us?" Chantel yelled.

"Watch me!"

Jade hurriedly gave him the whip to avoid being found at fault. Jade was wimpy, while Jane was wily and stubborn.

Ken started with Jane, whipping her mercilessly, but she didn't make a noise—she was already used to it. Then he faced Chantel. He hit her once, twice, but the third time she grabbed the whip and forcefully threw it away.

Ken was shocked. It was the first time Chantel had ever acted this way. He stood there, staring at the quivering Chantel, who went straight to her room.

Ken sat confused on the couch. Jane and Jade went to check on Chantel. She was packing.

"Channy, where are you going? Please don't leave us here," Jade cried pathetically.

"Pack your bags if you want to go with me," Jane said to their surprise.

"Are you serious?" Jane asked, already packing. Jade followed.

They packed all their needs and tip-toed to the parlor, hoping Father wouldn't catch them. But his voice made them pause.

"Oh, you guys are finally leaving?"

"Oh yes, Daddy. And we are leaving for good. We won't have to live under your roof anymore," Jane said sharply.

"Do you know how long I have waited for this day?!" Ken jubilated.

Chantel gave him a strong look and made the first move, then the twins followed. Jade was the only one who said 'bye' before leaving.