Chapter 3| Returns

"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 and Maymay doing their homework on a small table. They were sitting on the floor.

After a second, Maymay noticed I was standing at the front door.

"Big sister!" Maymay clapped happily and ran excitedly, approaching my direction. When she got closer to me, she hugged me tightly. I smiled at her sweet gestures.

"Auntie Bel!" She also called my friend and hugged her before she went back and did her assignment again.

Kokoy also approached my direction and took the bag of bread I was carrying.

"Alright, Angela... I'm going home. Nice walking with you. I just want to make sure you're safe. There are still many bad guys out there, in our village that would take advantage of you," she bid goodbye. She was about to walk out of the door when I suddenly took her hand which made her stop. She looked at me in surprise.

"Why, Angela?" she asked in confusion and approached me. I removed my grip on her hand.

"Have dinner here. Let the four of us enjoy the bread I bought," I offered and smiled at her. She smiled back at me and scratched her head shyly.

"No, it's okay Angela. You and your siblings should eat that bread so the three of you will be full. Don't you worry about me, I'm all good," she replied and giggled slightly.

"But we took so long walking earlier, Bel. I know you're tired and hungry too so—let's go! Eat dinner with us as my form of saying thank you for taking me here safely. And then, we will go together to the entertainment club later. How was it? Is my suggestion okay? " I asked which made her scratch her head and thought for a second.

"Fine."

In the end, she agreed. We had dinner together with my siblings.

*  *  *  *

"Angela! Come on! We're late! We should arrive at the entertainment club before ten o'clock in the evening," Bel shouted outside of my room.

"Wait a minute, Bel! Just lipstick and I'm done!" I shouted back and quickly took the lipstick out of my purse and put it on my lips. After tidying up, I left the room.

"Wow!" she uttered in astonishment. I immediately approached her and placed my index finger on her lips as a sign to not make any noise.

"Tone down your voice, Bel. My siblings are already asleep. They might wake up," I reminded her.

"I just can't help but be stunned, Angela. As time goes by, you get better and more beautiful than ever. No wonder why our boss doesn't want to let you go," she commented on my appearance.

I smiled bitterly. I had never been happy when I was told something nice about my looks. For me, beauty is a curse.

I just kept silent about what she said. I quietly took her hand and pulled her outside of the house. I also made sure that I locked the door to keep my sleeping siblings safe.

While we were walking, heading to the entertainment club, a group of men whistled at us at the side of the road.

"Miss! How much?!" a man asked and they all laughed in unison.

I unconsciously clung to Bel's arm. I felt she was stunned for a moment due to what I did and shifted her gaze from the group of men to me. I could see the line of concern drawn on her beautiful face. Suddenly, she stopped walking and faced the group of men who had been whistling at us earlier.

"F**k your d*mb ass! Shut up!" she shouted angrily to the man who asked how much. My eyes widened in horror because of what she did. It made me panic.

I quickly approached her and pulled her away from the group of men and moved more quickly.

"Are you out of your mind?! You'll be in trouble for doing that!" I hissed as I pulled her arm. When we were finally far away from the scene, I freed her.

"Those stupid bulldogs!" she commented angrily and brushed her hair out of frustration. I looked at what we were wearing. Tube in nude color done with sexy shorts and high-heels. I just sighed and started walking. She immediately followed me.

No wonder why that group of men whistled at us. In our village, they knew we were a prostitute.

A few minutes later, we were already here at the entertainment club. Too many people, thick smoke in the air, and liquors everywhere. Tonight, we were going to start working so I walked to the stage and started dancing.

After I finished dancing, Kenny rushed over to me.

"Angel!" he breathlessly called. When he was already near me, he immediately smiled.

"Why?" I responded politely while wearing a robe to cover my almost naked body.

"Someone bought you, go to the VIP room. Seriously, you're in demand girl!"

As I expected, my co-workers were looking at me badly. Maybe they heard what Kenny said.

I just smiled bitterly at Kenny and went to the said place. I didn't even pay attention to my co-workers while walking in their direction.

Right after I entered the VIP room, I stopped for a moment. It was a bit dark and I needed to adjust my vision first. I slowly approached the figure I could see. He was standing next to the window— holding a goblet of wine.

"Hello—" I was suddenly cut off from what I was about to say after I saw the man in front of me.

Short blonde hair and tall.

After a second, he turned around and faced me.

"Hi," he greeted while smiling.

I, meanwhile, took a step back out of confusion.

"C-Clark?" I whispered and blinked a couple of times.

Clark? My childhood friend way back seven years ago?