"Kim?"
Kimberly quickly wiped off her tears on hearing her brother's voice behind.She had stood there lost for minutes staring at her sick mother. Shortly after their father's death, her mom was diagnosed of diabetes, and ever since then, Kimberly has been the one pushing hard for their survival."Common Kim, You can't be doing this everyday, give yourself a break," Josh her younger brother retorted walking closer to her."Hey kiddo, I thought you left for school already? What are you still doing here," she asked."I don't think I want to go to school anymore," he mumbled."What?""It kills me to see you bear the pain of carrying the family's burden on your shoulders alone, I want to help out in any little way I can, maybe I can get a job or something," he said.Kimberly let out a heavy sigh trying her possible best to hold back the tears threatening to roll out of her eyes."Josh please, we've talked about this, you can't drop out like me, you've got a whole bright future ahead of you.""But you are suffering, I don't like to see you in pain Kim," he mumbled."Look at me," she placed her hands on his cheeks stroking gently. "You don't have to worry about me okay? I'm doing just fine and everything is going to be alright soon, I promise you, I have everything under control, just promise me that you will go to your room right now and prepare for school.""Even if I want to go back to school, there's already an outstanding bill to clear up, and you already have mom's hospital bills on your neck, this is all just messed up,"Josh replied.Kimberly drew in a sharp breathe, taking her hands away from his cheeks and turned around."You know what Josh? Go to school, when you get back, there's something I want to show you," Kimberly found the words rolling off her tongue.How and why she said those words was beyond her, but one thing is sure, she has raised Josh's hope and she can't dash them to the mud, she had to do something and she must do it fast."Really?" Josh's voice snapped her out of her trance."Yes, just go." she whimpered holding up strong not to burst into tears."Kim, are you okay?" He asked following the sound of her voice."Josh please, just go to school, you are running late already." "I'm not stepping an inch out of this house if you are not okay Kim," Josh retorted.She turned back towards him with a wide smile."I'm okay, see? Now run along and don't be late, but if you don't, then I have nothing to show you anymore ," she teased."Fine, be good okay? I love you," he leaned closer and kissed her on the forehead."I love you too," she mumbled watching him as he walked back into his room, the tears finally rolled freely down her cheeks.Her only wish was to see a way out of their predicament, to see a smile on her brother's face and that of her mom as well, she had almost forgotten what her mother's smile looks like.She was now faced with the sudden promise she made to her brother, she made a promise and she was going to fulfill it, even if she didn't know how.But then, she had one scheme, one that she had dreaded all her life, but she had gotten to a point where she had to hit a different button.***Kimberly stood at the strip house entrance, tears clouding her eyes, she could remember Mrs peterson, the owner of the strip club, reaching out to her several times but she turned her down every single time, she detested the club and the person running it, now she was running back to it on her knees, but then again, she had to do what she had to do.Taking a step forward, she had a sudden change of mind, maybe she didn't have to do this to sustain her family, maybe there are other ways out.She turned around and started heading out.Almost immediately, a black flashy car drove past her into the club house, then suddenly stopped and reversed back towards her."Well, look who we have here," she heard Mrs peterson say as she pulled up beside her."Hello Mrs Peterson," Kimberly greeted with her head bowed."Kimberly, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" She teased.Kimberly slowly pulled her lower lip into her mouth, her head hung low in embarrassment."Uhm, I'm sorry, I.. I shouldn't be here, I have to go now," Kimberly stuttered and ran out.Mrs peterson drove after her."Get in the car," she heard as the car pulled up beside her again. "Quick, I don't have all day." Kimberly swallowed hard, opening the back seat and climbed in.***Mrs peterson sat comfortably on her elegant office chair, staring intently at Kimberly who stood before her, hands behind her back and head hung low."So, you've made up your mind to come and work for me yeah?" She suddenly blurted out."Y.. Yes ma'am, I will try," Kim stuttered.Mrs Peterson gently stood up and approached her."Here Kim, you don't just try, you put in your very best to satisfy my customers, that is where you are getting paid from do you get me? You can't be seen jeopardizing that," she said hovering over her. "I always wanted you to work with me because I see potential in you, I know for sure that you will keep my customers entertained, don't disappoint me.""I promise to put in my very best Mrs peterson," Kim muttered, though she felt bashful about the whole thing, she knew her dad would be extremely disappointed if he could see her, and her mom too if she finds out, but at that point, she knew she didn't have a choice anymore."Good." Mrs Peterson walked back to her seat and dialled a number on the landline."Beatrice, come to my office now." She spoke with so much power and superiority.She turned towards Kim with a sweet smile. "Have a seat Kim, you belong here now." Slowly and carefully, Kim sat down on one of her office chairs, her hands on the hem of her shirt, fiddling nervously.Shortly afterwards, a young girl who seemed to be of the same age with her walked into the office."Mrs Peterson," she bowed slightly."Beatrice, this is Kimberly, my new intake, I need you to take her to the show room and dress her up, she's gracing the stage tonight," Mrs peterson said."W... What? Tonight?" Kim stuttered."Yes tonight Kim, you got a problem with that?""You promised Josh Kim, you made a promise, you can't back down now," her subconsciousness whispered to her."No, not at all, it's just that I don't..""Don't worry about that, beatrice will guide you, and I trust you, even if your steps don't get me good sales yet, your body will, I have no doubt," Mrs peterson winked smiling sweetly at her. "And if you impress me, you will be surprised by the pay you would be getting for just today." That seemed to lift her spirit, she would be able to pay off Josh's school bills and also afford to provide his allowance, finally she could settle him and see him happy again, and maybe if she continued working for Mrs Peterson, she could also afford her mom's hospital treatment, she finally found a way out, she knew it wasn't the best way but then it is surely a way.Kim made up her mind to quit once she has made enough money to sustain her family.***She followed beatrice to the show room and she picked out an outfit for her."Mrs Peterson is right you know, you don't need steps to impress customers, you've got the baddest curves girl," beatrice squealed immediately Kimberly changed into the outfit.Kim flashed her a grateful smile and followed her out towards the stage.***Kimberly held the stage poll, nervousness and fright washing over her.Taking in a sharp breathe, she swerved into action, twirling her slender body, following the background music.After a short while, she raised her head up, her eyes suddenly ran into a strange peer of eyes staring intently into hers.***Almost immediately, one of Mrs Peterson's girls walked up to her on stage."I will take it from here, you are needed at Mrs Peterson's office, I think you've got a private dance request," she whispered to Kim."My girl," Mrs peterson smiled as Kim stood in her office. "I knew it, I knew you would make a great fortune for me.""What's going on Mrs Peterson? Kim asked timidly."Oh you just landed your first private dance, it took my girls weeks to do what you just did in few hours," she replied."I'm really impressed, this is good, for me and for you as well.""I'm sorry Mrs Peterson but I can't do it, this isn't part of the deal," Kim stuttered."Of course it is Kimberly, you don't expect me to pay you my hard earned money for just dancing on the stage, this is where the money comes from massively," Mrs Peterson said."But I...""No buts Kimberly, it's either you do it or you leave this minute without any pay," she snapped."What if he tries to have sex with me?" A soft laughter rolled out of Mrs Peterson's mouth."You worry too much Kim, this is a safe environment, he won't try anything funny with you, if he wants such service, he will request for it and it will be up to you to decide on t
Kimberly walked into Josh's room beaming all smiles."Geez Kim, ever heard of knocking?" Josh snapped holding tightly onto the towel wrapped around his waist."Really? What are you hiding? Aren't you my little boy anymore?" She teased."I stopped being your little boy years ago, I'm a grown young man now so please, knock before you enter my room," he replied. "What are you doing here anyway?"Kim chuckled and walked closer towards him."Are you saying I can't check on my brother anymore?" She teased."Kim what do you want for goodness sake?" Josh breathed out in frustration. "Wait! You said you had a something for me."Kim finally pulled out her hand from her back, and dropped a bundle of money on his bed.Josh gasped in shock. "Holy shit,""This is gonna be enough to clear up your bills both at school and around," Kimberly said."First off, where did you see such amount of money from? Kimberly what did you do?" Josh scolded.Sometimes he acts like the older brother, and he calls her
Kimberly stood in front of his room door with her heart beating in her chest.The same room that landed her in the situation she was at the moment, she wondered what it held for her this time."The more you waste his time, the more trouble you cause for yourself," one of his men said to her.She slowly pushed the door open and sauntered in.There he was sitting on the couch per usual, clad in an all white outfit."Nice decision," he muttered as he noticed her walk in. He picked a menu like paper and dropped it on the center table."In there is a detailed description of how you will pay back my money, go ahead and sign it." He said.Go ahead and sign it? Wasn't she allowed to accept or reject the offer? Kim pondered staring nervously at the paper.As if he heard her thoughts, his next words sent her almost crawling on her knees."You don't have a say on it, only your signature is needed for legal validation." "It's over for you Kimberly," she cried inwardly.Without reading it, she a
Kimberly opened her eyes blearily and found herself lying on a bed in a strange room.She groaned and struggled to sit up as the memories of the events of the past few days came rushing back to her head in a heavy rush.She had remembered meeting up with Mr grumpy after leaving her family at the hospital, she also remembered falling asleep halfway through the journey.With her head banging heavily, she slightly looked up and discovered she was in what felt like a hospital room.Almost immediately, the door opened and a strict looking lady walked in.Kimberly quickly sprang up on her feet ignoring the headache threatening to pull her head apart "Hey, where am I? She asked impatiently but the lady ignored and approached her with a syringe."You are at the "SQUAD ACADEMY," she said simply as she came up to Kimberly with the loaded syringe in her hand."What... What are you doing? Don't you dare touch me," Kimberly growled moving away from her.She rolled her eyes and sighed in obvious f
After walking through the passage for a long time, they finally got out to the open space and kimberly's hands unconsciously flew to her mouth on sighting the buildings in front of her.It was more like she had entered a different world as soon as they stepped out of the passage because the sight in front of her, she couldn't describe.She could only see Paradise right before her.Ranging from the massively large environment to the tall glass buildings, there was a big fountain fall in the center of the building, bringing out sparkles as it flowed.Kimberly spotted lots of boys and girls walking all over in groups, those of her age and those older than her."Common Kimberly, I don't have all day," the lady's voice snapped her out of her fancy trance.Kimberly realized that she has been standing lost on a spot, staring around timidly, she quickly hastened her steps towards him.As they journeyed, Kimberly couldn't help but wonder how she was going to cope in such a strange place alone.
Kimberly flinched back in fear, turning around swiftly to find out who it was.She breathed out deeply on seeing the girl that bumped into her earlier."Woah, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she apologized."Oh no, It's fine," Kimberly replied.She nodded and turned around to leave."Hey, Uhm, about earlier, I'm really sorry," Kim said."Common now, it's in the past, we are good," she replied.Kim nodded with a small smile."So... Your family huh?" She retorted."Yeah, my mom and kid brother, you know it's only being few hours but it feels like decades already, I miss them so much," Kimberly replied."You are lucky to have that, not everyone is opportune to have a family you know.""Okay? I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that, everyone has a family, I mean no one fell from the sky," Kim teased."You'd be surprised," she retorted.Kim noticed the small frown visible on her face." "No one ever cares," why did you say that?" Kim asked."Sorry if I'm being a little bit extra,
Kimberly stirred in her sleep and nearly cursed out as she felt a hand repeatedly slapping her cheeks.Slowly opening her eyes, she discovered it was her sassy roommate standing over her bed poking her cheeks."Sorry, do you need anything from me?" Kimberly asked and she chuckled."What can I possibly need from you huh!" She snapped."Then why are you waking me up from sleep?" Kim snapped back.This time, she laughed out loud."You know what? Pardon me for thinking you are dumb, now I know you are truly dumb, aren't you one of the new intakes? Have you forgotten that your orientation is today? Matter of fact, it's in the next 30 minutes and here you are, sleeping like a duck," she said."Oh shit!" Kim cursed rushing out of the bed and ran all the way to the bathroom almost missing her step.She suddenly poked her head out of the bathroom door."Hey, Uhm, as much as I appreciate the kind gesture, it will be best if you slowed down with the name calling, I find it really offensive," she
"Shoot me," Kim muttered under her breath as she stared blankly at him addressing the students.Maybe she was hallucinating, she raised her finger to her skin and pinched herself hard in an attempt to snap out of her trance, but he was still standing right there in his glory, his plump pinky lips moving perfectly like it's being automated by a system or something.Never have she seen someone that complete before, he had the look of a fallen. angel.Kim could hear the other students gasping and gushing over his magnificence. "There's no way he's a human breathing in air like me,""I can't believe the rumors are true,""I could stare at him all day,""I wish he would notice me,""I would give everything to be with him,""Please notice me sir!""I wonder if he has a girlfriend, he better not cause I'm the one for him," Kim couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips as she heard the students behind her murmuring to themselves.She turned towards Claire who was also busy just like the