"You're staring blankly in the air again. Back to earth, Angela," I was able to get back to my senses when I heard Bel's voice. I scratched my right eyebrow and fixed myself before looking at her.
"You're thinking of him again, aren't you?" she asked while busy lighting the cigarette.
"Uhmm... I can't help but think of him, Bel. He's my sweet memory from my past," I sighed after saying those words. I hugged my knees to comfort myself as I sat on her bed.
She glanced at me and puffed a cloud of smoke in the air.
"You're really in love with your childhood friend. Errr... What's his name again?" she asked out of curiosity and raised an eyebrow. Her forehead furrowed as if she was trying to remember what was the latter's name.
"Clark..." I answered shortly. I tried to suppress the smile that wanted to escape on my lips.
What was that? It was just his name but there was already something like butterflies roaming inside my stomach.
What a feeling...
"Ayieeee! This girl is in love! At last!" she teased and poked my side. I was startled and tickled at the same time by what she did.
"Stop!" I pretended to be angry just to hide my feelings. I felt embarrassed but I couldn't deny the fact that it feels good.
"I know... I know you're thrilled and I know you like that person so much. It is just a name and you acted like that. How much more if he will lie next to you in bed—ouch! My goodness, Angela!" she winced in pain and held her head immediately where I hit the pillow.
Sometimes, this woman didn't know when to stop her mouth from talking. Such a bully!
"Angela! Why did you do that?!" she ranted and pouted her lips. She looked at me like a lost puppy—trying to get my sympathy.
Huh! You wish!
"You make me do that! You're bullying me! If you don't stop teasing me, I'll make you stop your addiction," I tried to threaten her and lowered my gaze at the cigar stuck between her fingers.
"You're so serious! Come on! I'm just kidding here so don't touch my weeds. Promise, I won't annoy you anymore," she said and chuckled nervously while adjusting her seat. Looked like she was already threatened.
She took the weeds again and puffed a cloud of smoke into the thin air.
We fell in silence for a moment.
"Uhmm... Can I ask where is he right now? Your childhood friend that we're talking about?" She broke the silence by asking me a question about Clark.
I was silent for a second and looked outside the window before I spoke.
"I don't know, Bel. The last time I saw him was seven years ago. All I know is they flew to America with her family for business and he will continue his studies there as well," I said sadly as I played with the ring that I wore on my pinky finger--in my left hand.
He gave me this ring before he left the country.
"Is that so?" she asked. I just nodded to her as a reply and smiled sadly.
"Haven't you heard anything about him since then? Don't you know when he will come back to...you know...to continue what you and he started before? The amount you endure in your life is indescribable. You deserve to be happy and be loved by someone you truly love Angela," she said.
I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling—thinking about what she said.
"I don't know, Bel. I don't know if he will come back here or not. He promised me that he would come back but it was seven years ago. I'm still looking forward to keeping his promise. I hope he doesn't forget that. But the problem is... If he does come back, I don't know if I'll show up in front of him."
Her forehead furrowed after hearing what I had said.
"Why?" she asked in confusion and threw the weeds. She came over to where I was sitting and sat at the edge of the bed, patiently waiting for my response.
I sighed and stared hard at the ceiling before I closed my eyes.
"Because..."
"...I don't have dignity anymore."
"I...don't have a face to show."
* * * *
"Whoooooooo!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Yeah!"
"You're beautiful, Magda!"
People kept on shouting here and then in the entertainment club as I danced on the stage. My name in the club was Magda. I didn't use my real name here just to hide my identity even if my neighbors already knew what kind of woman I was.
I kept on dancing on the stage. The enticing lights matched the melody of the song in the four corners of the club.
"Shake it off, Magda!" the crowd shouted in lust. I slowly removed the clothes that hid my slender body. Every corner of the entertainment club was getting wilder because of the greedy people craving lust.
Although I felt sorry for myself, I just tried to be strong, thinking that the money I'll earn for this club is for my siblings.
Only two thin clothes were left that covered the sensitive parts of my body. The sensual melody of the music continued to play. The crowd seemed set on fire in their seats because of the sight.
When the music was over, I stopped dancing and immediately got off the stage. I went straight to the dressing room.
While changing clothes, I couldn't help but look around. My co-workers were staring at me badly.
They were always looking at me like that. Bel told me before that they were just jealous because they didn't make money. Big clients are always looking for me instead of them.
Are they envious? Should they envy me? If they only knew what I've been experiencing with sadistic clients.
"Angela..." Kenny called my attention. He was a gay who managed the club. The boss trusted him so much because of his excellency in managing.
"Why, Sir?" I replied politely and bowed my head.
"Someone bought you today. Go to the VIP room. I'm really lucky for you. The income of the club was stable because of you," he said excitedly. Maybe for him, it was a huge compliment but for me, I hardly see it that way.
I just smiled a little and sadly went to the said place.
When I stepped my feet inside the room, I stopped for a moment. It was a bit dark. I adjusted my vision and looked around.
Later on, the lights suddenly turned on which made me able to see an old man wearing a suit and holding a glass of wine. He was staring at me maliciously.
"I've been waiting for so long, Magda. Come here... Pleasure me..." he said and smirked devilishly.
I gulped hard as I closed the door. I approached his direction.
* * * *
The client was satisfied with leaving the club.
Tears escaped my eyes. I wiped it right away as I stood up from the bed and got dressed.
I left the VIP room and walked towards the exit door. But, I was suddenly stopped by the hand holding my right arm firmly. I shifted my gaze and looked at who was stopping me.
I gulped after I realized who he was.
My boss.
"How are you, Magda?" he asked and smiled devilishly. He ran his tongue on his lips and smirked.
I trembled in fear at what I saw.
"I-I'm g-good, boss," I stuttered and gazed at the floor. He didn't let go of my arm.
"Hey! Relax... Don't be afraid. I came here just to see you. I just wanted to say thank you. Because of you, my club is still alive," he said and evilly laughed. I didn't utter a word after hearing it. I just bowed my head and kept on telling myself not to cry. I needed to be strong for my siblings.
I thought he would let go of my arm after what he said, but, unfortunately, his grip became tighter as he came closer to me. He placed his lips on my right ear.
"Don't you ever try to run away. No one is gonna accept you because of your dirty work. Only me, only this club. Don't you ever try to run away or else..." he paused for a second and breathed.
"Just be good and I'll be good," he ended.
I felt my knees trembling after he whispered it in my ear. He finally freed my arm and walked away.
I managed to place my right hand against the wall to support myself. I felt weak and my body was shaking at the same time.
One thing was echoing in my mind.
" Just be good and I'll be good."
"Our boss isn't ashamed of what he is doing but—there's nothing we can do. Once you enter the entertainment club, there's no way out," Bel said in a sad voice. She sighed because of that thought. I just kept walking while carrying three pieces of bread that my siblings and I would be going to eat tonight. "He's right, Bel," finally, I spoke. "What?! What's right there?! Do you know that what he did to you sounds like a threat? Come on, Angela! That’s absurd!” she hissed and shook her head in disagreement. "He said no one would accept me and it would be difficult for me to find a decent job. I hadn't finished school and another thing is I work in the entertainment club or should I say— s*x club. After he said that, I can finally say he is right." I said sadly and sighed. I felt my heart start to feel heavy. A few more steps, we were already at home. Our house was small. It was unfinished and not yet furnished. I held the food very carefully before I opened the door. I saw Kokoy an
"C-Clar—" I didn't finish what I wanted to say when he suddenly pulled me to the sofa. He sat there and pulled me in his direction to make me sit on his lap. "You're alluring lately," he said while smiling. "By the way, what's your name, miss?" he asked after sipping wine. He didn’t take his eyes off me while gulping an expensive kind of drink. Does he not know me? Does he not know me anymore? Does he not recognize my face? I asked myself in the back of my head. Suddenly, something I had never done before sank into my mind. My mask... I immediately touched my face to make sure. And, I was right. My mask was still on my face. I forgot to take it off after I danced on stage. "Hey?" he gently calls me. I shifted my gaze to him again. There was only one thing I could say now. He was so handsome. He looked more gorgeous than the last time I saw him way back seven years ago. Wait! What was this man doing here? How did he end up in such a filthy place? Was he look like the other me
"Big sister, I'm hungry..." Maymay said while sobbing. She sat on the floor while holding her aching stomach. I approached her gently and bent my knees in front of her to make eye contact. "Uhmm... Maymay, wait a minute. I'm waiting for your Auntie Bel's reply," I explained to her. I turned my attention back to my phone and fiddled with it. To Bel: Bel, can you lend me ten dollars? We just wanted to buy something to eat for tonight. I ran out of money. Sent! This was the third time I texted Bel, but there was no reply. What happened to that woman? I stood up and went back to the kitchen. I massage my temple out of frustration. My boss didn't give me my salary from the club for this month. This was how they work. They treated me like that. Just one complaint, someone will point a gun at your forehead and you will receive all kinds of insults but—I worked for that money. I worked for it but they didn't give it fully. "Big sister..." Maymay called while crying at the salas. "Ma
Almost a week ago was the last time I saw Clark here at the entertainment club. After that, he never showed up again. For those weeks, I couldn't believe myself to be getting excited. I was looking forward to the night. Just in case he came back. I sighed as I watched the reflection of my face in front of the vanity mirror. "Angela!" Our manager called. I looked in his direction. "Someone bought you today! Your sales are really great!" he exclaimed excitedly and caressed my hair. I smiled at him a little. "Go to the VIP. Enjoy..." There was an obscenity in his tone at the last word. I just shook my head before I excitedly went to the VIP room. Is that him? I hope so... I almost stumbled while heading to the said place. I wouldn't mind the height of my heels and the possibility of tripping over. I was excited to see him again. When I was at the front door, I immediately opened it and took a step forward. After a few minutes of scanning the place, the smile I wore on my face was
Overcrowded places, tight roads, and dirty surroundings came across as I was driving towards Angela's place. The people kept on staring at my car as I made my way. It was visible to their eyes the curiosity and wonder as to who was the driver of the expensive car. I stopped the car when I reached Angela's house. I found a little house made up of some hollow blocks and woods. It looks unfinished. It looked like I am already here. I immediately grab the brown envelope that John handed last yesterday and scanned the papers. After I saw the records of Angela printed on the paper, I was now one hundred percent sure that this is the house where she lives. I quickly removed my seatbelt and got out of the car. "Psst!" The drunk neighbors whistled at me. "Let's get drunk, sir. Give us money!" The drunk man greeted me in not a nice way. I ignored each one of them and just kept on walking. I had no business with them and I didn't like to waste my time. "Where's the doorbell?" I asked as I
Angela's POV "Big sister!!!" Maymay greeted me excitedly when I entered the house. I gladly hugged her tightly. After a second, she let go of the hug and helped me with the bags of food that I was carrying. "Where's your brother Kokoy?" I asked and roamed my eyes around. "Brother is in his room, sleeping," she politely replied. From what I heard, I nodded and we walked together toward the kitchen. She placed the bags on the kitchen table and excitedly picked up the cooking utensils that were going to be used. I also started to take care of the ingredients. "Big sister, someone came here lately. He's looking for you," Maymay said while she was busy with what she was doing. "Who is it? But hey... Remember what I've been always reminding you and your brother, huh? Don't talk to someone you don't know. Maymay, it's dangerous," there was a melody of concern in my voice as I sliced the vegetables. "But big sister... He knows you well and he said you also know him—" I rose my right
Clark’s POV "H-hi..." she stammered while looking at my face. Looked like she was surprised by my sudden appearance, right here in front of her after seven years ago without seeing each other. "C-Come—come in..." she added and shyly bowed as I entered their humble home. "Sir Clark!!!" Maymay suddenly showed up like a mushroom and jumped up to hug my waist. I laughed a little and smiled while looking at her innocent face. I glanced in Angela's direction who was now confused by the scene. "Sir Clark..." Kokoy called me from the kitchen and greeted me. I just nodded and smiled back in response. After a minute, Maymay finally let go of the hug and play her toys on the salas. "How?" my gaze shifted to Angela. "I came here yesterday," I explained and smiled sweetly at her. She was surprised by what I said. "Since when you came back?" she asked in confusion while her forehead furrowed. "It's not important anyway. What matter is now," I answered and smiled for the nth time. "You woul
"Take care of yourself, huh? Be careful there.""Of course Angela, I'll be careful as you wish.""Uhmm...""Hey? Are you crying? What's the matter?""No! I'm not crying. It's just... I'm just going to miss you.""Aw... How sweet of you, Angela. Come here, I will hug you.""Wait, Angela! Before I forgot! Here, take this. Promise me you'll always wear it.""A ring?""Yep!""I bring a gift to you too.""A picture of you?""Yes. So you won't be able to forget me.""Haha! Of course! I'll never forget you.""Uhmmm... Clark?""Yes, Angela?""Hey, Clark sweetie! Come on! We're leaving!""Come on, spill it! Mom's calling me.""What are we?""Haha! Of course, we are---""Clark!!! How many times do I have to call your name for you to come over?! We're late for the flight!""Mom's getting angry. I gotta go Angela.""Uhmm... All right. Be careful there, huh? Take care of yourself, always.""I will. Come here, I'll kiss your forehead. Mwah! There you go..." (Giggled)"You're making me miss you even