Chapter 1

"Hello, Cindy. Thank you for coming. I am so excited to create a masterpiece with you." Salazar Simmons, a renowned painter.

Salazar's favorite subject is teenagers, especially teenage girls. Like what he said in one of his many interviews: A teenager's eyes speak a thousand stories. About their happiness, their sadness, their hopes, and dreams. And loves bringing those in their eyes through his paintings.

"Thank you for having me, Mr. Simmons. This is my greatest dream. The first time I saw a painting of a woman, I wanted to see myself in painting one day. It's just that my parents don't want to model. That is why I didn't tell them that I'm coming here." Cindy said.

"I have painted so many teenagers like you, Cindy. You have no idea how many parents don't want their kids modeling for a painter. But eventually, as they see their kids getting featured on magazines, tv, and commercials, they always learn to accept it."

"I hope that will be the same for my parents," Cindy said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

Salazar Simmons smiled at Cindy as if trying to comfort and give assurance at the same time. He led Cindy into his home studio and gave her a glass of water. It was a very professional start. He explained the process, what will happen and what Cindy has to do. The poor teenager was quick to trust him because of his knowledgeable and accomodating approach. What Cindy didn't know is the horror that awaits her.

After Salazar painted her image on a canvas, the real him was revealed. Cindy wiped the sweat on her forehead with tissue from the box that Salazar gave her. He even gave her a baby powder so she could freshen up a little bit.

"Thank you so much for this wonderful experience, Mr. Simmons," Cindy said sincerely.

"You're welcome, Cindy. Although, we're not yet done." A sinister smile formed on Salazar's face.

"But I thought that the painting was done. Is there a problem with it?" Cindy asked in confusion.

"Oh, no, There's no problem with the painting. But I still need you." Salazar then grabbed Cindy by her arm and dragged her to the couch.

"No, please, Mr. Simmons. Don't do this! I'm begging you!" The terror on Cindy's face only added to the excitement that Salazar is feeling.

Instead of his conscience, his monster self spoke to him. Like a gust of wind, only clearer. Cindy started clawing, trying to fight back. But her small feature is no match against a grown man. She screamed for help, but Salazar just laughed at her effort.

Cindy silently cried for her parents to come and save her. The regret of not following their advice automatically kicked in. If she just listened to them. If she just obeyed them. None of this would have happened.

Cindy's body trembled as tears fall down her face continuously. Slowly, despite the pain she feels both physically and emotionally, Cindy grabbed her clothes and took them on.

"Don't tell this to anyone, or I will ruin your life. Do you understand?" Cindy nodded without even fully understanding what Salazar said. He threw her a bundle of money before opening the studio's door. "Go. Get out of here." The friendly voice of Salazar is now gone.

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7 pm

Amara Keener is on her way to her client's location. A five-star hotel in the next town. Amara has been an escort girl since she was sixteen, the time when she arrived in the city of Martindalle. Since then, it's how Amara turned her life around.

Growing up in a violent neighborhood made Amara grew up as a strong and independent woman. She never needed a man in her life aside from money. For her, men are a means to an end. Same as how men see women as a toy.

"Mr. Cheng! Hello!" Amara greeted her customer for the night when she arrived at the hotel's restaurant.

Mr. Cheng is one of her long-time customers. Someone who has given her so much over the years. He even offered Amara to be his kept woman. He promised her a house, car, bank account. But Amara is not the kind of woman who will say yes to those things.

Amara loves her freedom. She loves having a choice all the time. In her long career, Amara acquired a number of good and loyal customers who only come back for her.

"Amara! How are you, sweetheart?" Mr. Cheng greeted Amara happily.

"I'm better now that I see you. I thought you already forgot about me." Flirty, sweet, seductive, a body to die for, and most importantly, beautiful. Those are the traits of Amara that make men crazy about him.

"Well, I have a gift for you, sweetheart." Mr. Cheng responded in a happy tone.

Amara expected it. Among all her customers, Mr. Cheng is the only one who will buy her anything and she doesn't even have to ask. He's just generous when it comes to her. He always brings her gifts every time he would travel. It's his form of saying sorry whenever he couldn't visit her in a long time.

Mr. Cheng took out a velvet box and Amara acted surprised. But in reality, she is used to receiving fancy gifts from customers who are trying to win her heart, or whatever part of her body that it is they want.

"Oh my God! That is beautiful." When Mr. Check opened the velvet box, Amara's face brightens up. "This is too much, Mr. Cheng." Amara acted.

"Nothing is too much when it comes to you, Amara. I will buy the moon for you if a could." Mr. Cheng said emotionally.

Amara wanted to laugh but she maintained her teary-eyed and happy face. Mr. Cheng is one of her best customers so needs to be careful about how she will act in front of her. After a short while, Mr. Cheng left his seat and place the beautiful white gold necklace with diamonds on the pendant.

"Perfect!" Mr. Cheng exclaimed happily after seeing how pleased Patricia is with his gift.