"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?
"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
Clark's POV"I'm happy to see you again, Angela," I uttered lovingly and held her right hand. I placed it on the top of my chest where she could freely feel my heart beating with love and joy.I'm longing for this moment to happen. I am happy that I'm already here in our homeland. I am ready now. I know. "You don't have any idea how much I miss you... I am always thinking of you every single day." I added and smiled at her sweetly. Being there in the States without a glimpse of her is freaking difficult. There is always sadness here inside my chest. I always look up at the sky. Watching the moon, hoping she's looking at the moon too. And waiting for the stars to fall to make a wish to fast forward the time. When it comes to her, my heart really softens. Fortunately, Angela and I were having a moment alone this time because her best friend was outside of the house. Talking to someone over the phone. I don't know what's up with her best friend. It seems she's jealous. But why? We w