CHAPTER 2: MORNING ESCAPE

I woke up in an unfamiliar room and I can feel my body was in pain.

And then I saw two suitcases next to me. I slowly sat up and saw the clothes that i was wearing isn't the one I was wearing last night.

Then i remember... what happened last night..

My body hurt because of memory. Everything flooded back. Him. His hands. His words. The way he regarded me as though I were something he possessed and like I was his. And now… he wasn't. I don't know either why I let my guard down.

No trace of him. No note. Not even a farewell. Just those two suitcases. I hadn't even opened them, but I already knew what was in there. Money... the payment. His f*e for using me..

Not even a goodbye? Was I just a deal made under the covers? Is that what men are like? Just like dad was.

Slowly, I took a breath and kicked my legs over the bed. I rose from bed and looked for my clothes and saw them folded carefully on the armchair. I dressed in silence as my eyes catching sight of myself in the gaudy mirror placed on the wall.

"I.... look different." I said as I caressed my face. A tear drop fell from my eyes.

I appeared different. Not in looks but in being. Like something inside of me had changed. Was what I did was the right thing to do?

I sighed, running a hand through my hair, attempting to dispel the thoughts. Then, at last, I went over to the suitcases. My hands paused over the latches. And I opened them.

What's inside the first suitcase verified my suspicion. Stacked bills, all crisp and bound. More cash than I'd ever seen in one place. It should've made me feel happy because this is why I let this happen. But instead, I felt empty.

But it was the second suitcase that caught my breath. There wasn't more money inside, but a one-piece black dress. Simple and classy, in fine material. I held it up, examining the cut, the make. It was lovely and flawless. Too flawless. And I noticed a sticky note, folded away inside. My hands shook a little as I took it out and read the message, in bold, accurate handwriting.

> "8 AM, Las Espanya."

My heart raced, and I looked at the note, wondering what to be feeling if it should be supposed to be anger? Curiosity? Fear? Or perhaps, excitement.

Why tomorrow morning? Why not tonight? He's too finicky as if I'm actually going. There's no way I'm going with him and pursue this idiotic notion of mine.

Then, out of the blue, a voice outside the room area shouted, "Is anyone there??" a woman's voice called out, shocking me.

Crap. Perhaps she's the one who has to clean out the room today. Where will I hide? But she might not be permitted to enter in here, right? Unless, of course, she was allowed by our head, Ms. Fernando. Shit. How do I escape? What if they suspect me of theft? That's definitely going to get me fired.

"Anyone—" she called but cut her tongue.

"Wait!" another woman come towards her. It appears to be Ms. Fernando.

"Why, Ms. Fernando?"

"You're not yet supposed to clean this room because Mr. Windham specifically instructed me that his wife is sleeping in here and we shouldn't wake her up."

"Wife??!!!" the girl startlingly inquired.

"Don't ask me, okay? I'm as surprised as you. I did not even know that he had a wife. But what is important now is we leave before he gets angry because we disobeyed him."

Wife? Has that guy lost his mind? I am not his fucking wife—not even a girlfriend. Why should anyone even care about his personal life, anyway? Well, he's a VVIP. Not questionable why they cared about him. Wait—Mr. Windham? Does he have something to do with the owner of this hotel? Never mind. Everyone can have the same surname.

I heard their footsteps fading slowly, but then it also halted a few steps ahead.

"Why, Ms. Fernando?"

"Are these not Valerie's shoes?"

Shit. I forgot that I left my shoes. Damn it. Seriously, Valerie? I'm really careless.

I attempted to conceal myself in the cabinet, but it was useless because I could not fit in. Damn it. What to do now?

"What the hell are you doing in my room?" a deep voice thundered.

"S-Sir."

"I distinctly told no one was to go into my room. Didn't I?"

"S-Sir, someone might've slipped in—"

"There is no one else inside that room but my wife. Do I need to spell it out?"

"B-but—"

"LEAVE!" he bellowed. I didn't see what was taking place outside, or their faces, but I was convinced they were shaking in their boots.

Only the tone of his voice would make anyone become paralysed. But who is he to intimidate me? We're even now because he paid already.

I quickly repaired the two suitcases and concealed myself behind the door.

The moment he opened the door, I slipped out unnoticed. I don't ever want to see him again. This is enough. I don't even care if he never pays me on a daily basis as promised because i am no longer continuing this deal.

I took small steps from the room.

"Stop playing games, woman," he shoted in the room trying to find me, using a commanding tone. I heard it just as I was preparing to leave the condo.

Whatever.

Even if I have no idea what to do next, I managed to keep my wits about me and devise an escape plan from the hotel. And just in the nick of time, I spotted Camille. My best friend ever. I whispered softly to get her attention.

"Valerie??"

"Shhh. Don't make a sound. Please help me escape the hotel."

"Where the hell did you go last night? And what is this you're carrying?"

"I'll tell you everything later. Just help me first."

"Alright, I'll manage. By the way, I told them why you weren't here yesterday because I sent you home since you were not feeling well. That is what you need to tell Ms. Fernando."

"Alright. Thank you, bestie."

"Okay. Just wait for my cue." She instructed and then proceeded to walk away and keep our colleagues busy.