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 slowly fading like a melting candle. The hopes that had been formed were shattered once again because the client for today was not him, but an old man who you would notice is rich because of the expensive kind of clothing he was wearing. Add the lit cigar stuck between his fingers. His hair was also a bit fuzzy.
"Come here slut. F*ck my dick and give me a happy time," he said and a devilish smile crept on his lips.
At what I saw, I secretly swallowed.
Tonight, my miserable life in the entertainment club would begin again.
****Clark's POV
"How many times do I have to tell you, mom? I can't marry Natasha," I get frustrated talking to my mom in front of the screen of my laptop. We were talking through video calls and the topic for today was stressful.
My mom and dad were in America while I was here in the Philippines, alone.
"But sweetie, you need to. It's for the sake of our company," mom said softly.
I buried my face in my palm out of frustration and let out a deep sigh.
"Company, company, for the sake of the company. That's absurd! I can run the company without their help!" I couldn't help but let go of the feeling I had been wanting to release.
"Hey, Clark! Watch your mouth!" mom said angrily to me. I tiredly put my two elbows on the table and buried my face in my palm once again.
"But, mom! I jus—"
"Don't shout at me! I'm your mother!" I was stopped from what I am going to say after I heard it.
"I'm sorry," I apologized and sat down properly on the chair. I calmed myself down to avoid having a bad conversation with my mom again. Even if she was a dictator, she was still my mom. I should respect her.
I heard her sigh to the other line.
"Look sweetie, we need the family Sy for our businesses there and also here abroad," she explained. I shut my eyes tightly and looked up at the ceiling.
"Sweetie? Sweetie?" she called. I shifted my gaze once again to the screen.
"I'm sorry, mom. I can't. I can run the car company without their help."
Pure determination was visible in my voice.
"What's wrong? What's wrong with Natasha? Why couldn't you love her? Why can't you marry her? She's a beautiful woman and—"
"Mom, enough. Yeah, yeah I know she's beautiful indeed but... but..." suddenly, the image of Angela flashed in my mind. She was smiling sweetly at me while wearing our school uniform before. The only beautiful angel I had ever met seven years ago.
"...but I can't. I just can't. Please, mom, do understand me. I do not love her. Please..." I pleaded.
"Tell me. Is it all because of the girl, huh?" she asked. She was pertaining to Angela. I kept silent in my seat and didn't answer her back.
"My goodness, Clark! It's already seven years! Just move on, okay? Just forget about her. The Philippines is big enough to search for a small little kitten that keeps on hiding," she frustratedly said.
"I can't marry Natasha. That's final. Goodbye, mom," I said softly and dropped the video call. I leaned back in my seat and tried to calm myself down.
A lot of stress from the company's problem and also mom insisting on marriage.
I closed my eyes first and took a deep breath.
Inhale... Exhale...
I was startled and my eyes widened due to the image suddenly popping out in my head.
The woman in the entertainment club.
"What the…" I held the ballpen and then tapped it on the table repeatedly while thinking.
What was happening to me? I couldn’t erase her in my head. Why did I suddenly behave like that when I was in the club?
I was trying to think of the reason but there was still no clear answer.
Arg! Why I couldn't forget that woman?! Was that because she has a vibe of my childhood friend, Angela?
And the mask, especially her mask. I was intrigued by what was behind her mask.
I couldn't understand why I felt sorry when I needed to leave the entertainment club at that time.
I stopped from my deep thoughts when the sudden knock on my office door heard.
"Come in," I said and sat down properly.
"Good afternoon, Sir Clark," John greeted with a bow. He was a private investigator. I was looking for someone that I look forward to seeing again.
"Did you already find her?" I immediately asked. I didn't waste any more greetings or anything else to spice up the conversation. All I wanted was to hear if he has found her.
John handed me a brown envelope which I immediately accepted.
"All the information about her was written on that paper. Every single detail about her."
"Good," I shortly replied.
"So..." I put my hands down on the table and intertwined them.
"Did you already find her?" I asked while staring straight into his eyes.
"Sir, I apologize—"
"Damn!" I couldn't help but shout in disappointment.
The same result last week and today. Was he really good?!
"Are you doing your job well, huh?" there was a hint of sarcasm in my voice.
"Yes, sir. I always do my best. All the information about her on that paper was all true. I figured out that she was living in Tondo, in the squatters area. I sent a man to her house to confirm if she was living there but they responded 'negative'." John explained.
"Are you sure about this information?" I asked and waved the paper on his face.
"Y-yes, sir. I'm one hundred percent sure. I am not convinced by the girl who said that your childhood friend was not living in the said house. I know, it's her house. I'm sure about it," he explained in front of me. I sighed at what I heard and crossed my arms.
"Okay. Get out."
He politely obeyed my cold command. I immediately picked up the pages of paper and scanned them.
Didn't he make a mistake? Is this the address?
"If that's the case, I'll be the one who'll go to this address," I decided. I turned my gaze to the drawer and pulled it out.
After about a few minutes of searching, I found it. It was Angela's photo. It looked old but the image was still clear.
Before I left the country, she handed me this photo. She gave it to me so that I would never forget about her. As for me, I handed her a ring.
Kept on thinking about the past makes me smile.
"I'm back, Angela. Just wait for me. I'm willing to search the whole damn zoo just to see you again," I whispered as I got up from my seat and immediately took my car key and left the company.
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
“I'm prosti-" Ting! Her words were cut off when my phone rang. Indicating I received a message. We both shifted our gaze to the table where the phone would be found. I chose to ignore the text message and didn't bother to check it. I looked back at the woman I love and put a smile on my face. "What is it again, Angela?" I asked and tuck her some baby hair at the back of her right ear. She breathes deeply and slowly releases it. Looks like she's nervous. After that, she spoke. "I am a pros-" Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting! The text message's tone alert ruined our conversation for the second time around. I gasped, shut my eyes, and later sighed in annoyance. "Uhmm... Check your phone, Clark. It seems important," she uttered and caressed my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at her deeply. I don't want to ruin our moment but my phone keeps on ringing with a message tone alert. The hell? She just caressed my cheek then after a second, I sigh for the nth time and nodded as I
Shall I kiss her? I could feel her heart beating so fast, so am I. I was also deaf and felt numb because of my abnormal heartbeat. We were only a few inches apart when I stopped when someone suddenly sneezed behind me. "Hachoo!" she exaggeratedly sneezed and afterwards cleared her throat. Angela blushingly took a step back away from me and pinned her hair behind her ear because of the thought we were almost caught kissing. I shifted my gaze at my back just to see the one who interrupted our moment. And here was the culprit. None other than Bel. "Uhmm, Clark. Maybe, you should go home. I bet your mom is looking for you right now. I'll take you to your car," Angela said hurriedly and pulled me out of the kitchen. I looked again at Bel who was now just staring at me. There was no emotion drawn on her face. "Maymay! Kokoy! Say goodbye to Sir Clark,” Angela called her siblings. Maymay ran in my direction and hugged me tight. "Goodbye, Sir Clark. Please, come back here again soon,” M
Clark's POV It was already six forty-five in the evening. I was at the venue where my first dinner date with Natasha would be conducted. Honestly, I was not considering this night as a date. It was just like, you were eating dinner and making chit-chat with her. That's all. No string attached. After I entered the five-star hotel, an employee approached and greeted me. He immediately accommodated me on my way. "Good evening, Sir Clark! This way," he greeted me and gave me his best smile. He motioned the way where the venue could be found. I already knew this place because we own this. Oh! Let me rephrase that. My parents own this place but soon, the responsibility of this hotel will be put in my hands. It answered why the employee knew my name. I sighed as I viewed the place. My mom undeniably planned this. I could see it in the romantic red color decorations all over the place. She was desperate for me and Natasha to be lovers someday. I sat down at the table where our dinner p