If he returned home that quickly, Lucas would take advantage of the opportunity to try to defile her.When night fell and it was time for the library to close, he walked home and found his mother asleep in front of the television.He hated his mother.The next morning, Claire cried in her room. She was filled with doubt and fear. She couldn't decide whether to continue on to her job or not.She needed the job and she needed the money. The salary from that place was crucial for providing food at home. She had no other choice but to go back to work.Claire stood up and began changing clothes. She cursed herself for being foolish enough to return to that cursed place. But what could she do?She thickly applied powder to the bluish parts of her face and couldn't hide her blackened, slightly swollen eye bags.From the mirror's reflection, she stared at her face for a long time. A drop of tear suddenly fell down her cheek, ruining her powdered makeup.The storm will surely pass... a strong
Keaton, a skinny man with round glasses who looked like a bookworm, was seen sitting in Alex's office explaining what happened to Claire with a serious expression.That night when Alex called him, Keaton immediately came to the university, and Alex provided him with information notes about Claire, complete with her home address taken from the university files."I want to know what happened to this girl and why she has a blue bruise on her face."Keaton just nodded, without asking much, the man quickly disappeared from Alex's sight to start his work. The next morning, he was already on Alex's front porch."The girl's mother sold her to Markus, the owner of Mark's Burger where she works," reported Keaton, then continued with Markus's actions towards Claire.Keaton was a former police officer who now worked as a private detective and had worked for Alex several times before.The man had been asked by Alex to investigate people in his company who planned to steal their chemical product fo
Three days later, Alex visited Markus again.Alex didn't say anything. He just handed over the documents containing the agreement to buy Mark's Burger restaurant.Markus looked at Alex with anger, "I know it was you."Alex looked at Markus's face, which appeared ten years older than it did three days ago. However, there were no bruises or signs of being hit on his face. "Do what? You look fine.""You bastard!" Markus said, trying to stand up to hit Alex, who was immediately restrained by a guard who had been observing Markus. "You told them to beat me, squeeze my fingers, urinate on me, force me to swallow their urine, sodomize me, and do all that. Bastard!""I didn't know about that," Alex replied, pushing the sales agreement documents in front of Mark, "Sign this and you'll be free.""You even sent me straight to jail without a trial," Markus retorted, his eyes wet and his body trembling with fear. The fierceness in him had vanished. Markus then picked up the paper in front of him,
If anything could surprise Claire, it was when she saw Alex in front of the entrance to Mark’s Burger. The professor looked around hesitantly, then pushed his wheelchair inside, heading towards an empty table.Claire could sense Alex's awkwardness and felt compelled to help. After all, she was an employee at Mark’s Burger."Mr. Alex," Claire replied cheerfully, addressing her professor as she walked towards the table and pulled out a few chairs to make room for Alex's wheelchair. Lately, she had been cheerful, as many of her life's problems were being resolved at once.Her meals were regular, her salary was decent enough to pay off old debts without incurring new ones, and she even had a bit of extra money that made her very happy. Life was starting to look beautiful.Alex appeared surprised, then gazed at her deeply, remaining silent for a while as if trying to remember something."I'm Claire, one of the nursing students," Claire answered, trying to help, perhaps Alex didn't recogniz
Alex smiled happily, enjoying their conversation, of which he himself had forgotten what they were actually talking about. Perhaps it was about the chemistry in making soda or Claire's ability to eat that big burger.Alex didn't expect Claire to be such a pleasant and talkative person, unlike himself who often appeared quiet at university.In the end, Claire offered to push Alex's wheelchair to the university. Alex looked at Claire's soft pink lips that seemed so gentle. "I don't want to trouble you," Alex whispered shyly even though every cell in his body was screaming for it."Don't worry, we're heading to the same place. And I can return the favor for lunch earlier," Claire's eyes shone as she looked at him. She didn't want to part with the lecturer who turned out to be warm and pleasant, completely different from a cold-blooded lecturer.Throughout the journey, Claire kept talking about chemistry lessons and other things. Alex chuckled. He felt Claire was speaking at a high speed
"No." Claire stared out through the glass window of the restaurant, looking at her university and the students coming and going. Her eyes hinted at sadness. Unbeknownst to her, one semester was about to come to an end. All her happiness would soon come to an end, and she would soon leave the university. A smile appeared on her lips. At least I've been a student before."Isn't there something you want to share with a friend?" Claire was surprised to hear it and looked into Alex's eyes, which were looking at her very gently."Thank you," Claire whispered softly. Unconsciously, her eyes became moist; her heart truly felt pain at the thought of leaving everything behind. She had just begun to feel like she was truly starting something for herself. However, she realized she couldn't be too greedy. She had received a scholarship for one semester that she should be grateful for. Soon, she would leave everything behind and start working, for her stepmother and stepfather. Entering a more bori
A few weeks ago, Alex found out that Claire entered university through a special program. This was after he read a complete report about Claire from Keaton.Since the incident with Markus, Alex has known about Claire's family situation and he feels the girl may only be able to survive one semester. Which will soon be over.Alex sighed and leaned back in his office chair. He could never imagine how Claire could endure so many difficulties in her life. Considering her small job salary had to support her mother, stepfather, and a sibling. It all made him feel pain. He felt sad.Truly, Claire's struggle amazed him.He himself wasn't sure if he would still be able to smile if he were in Claire's shoes. In Claire's small body, there was so much strength and resilience.Alex wiped his tears. He knew it was impossible for Claire to pay for the next semester's tuition, given that tuition fees were not cheap. He began to think of many ways to help Claire. Until finally, the opportunity came to
“Forgive me?” Claire stared in disbelief.The world she knew began to crumble.Was it my fault when she stole my money? Is she forgiving me?“That money was for my education,” Claire whispered, trying to get an explanation from her mother. Or perhaps a little guilt...“I've always said it, what's the point of going to college and secretly being a prostitute? You're better off being a full-fledged prostitute like me and starting to make money. You're young and beautiful. The college boys will come to you without you going to college. I can introduce you to some of my friends. They'll be happy with you.”Her mother smiled. “My child, make good use of your youth. You'll regret it when you're old like me. Listen to your mother's words. You'll never go wrong. A mother would never harm her child.”“No...”