“A playground?” I asked the obvious when we got to the field. Was he serious? A playground? “Yes, do you like it?” He asked. I looked from the playground to the man who was asking me such a question. Why would Mr. Lance bring me to a playground? “What are we doing here?” I asked, confusion written all over my face. “To brighten your mood. You aren't in a good mood, right?” I paused, not knowing what to say. How did he get to find out that I loved the playground? Was he spying on me? That's not possible even because I can't remember the last time I went to the playground for fun.It was my favorite place when I was little till I lost my parents and I had to take care of Anna all by myself, meaning I had to grow up quickly.It's been so long, years even so how did he know that I loved the playground?When he saw that I wasn't going to respond to his question, he pulled me to a swing and made me sit on it. My fingers wrapped around the iron handles as I sat on it. My heart swells wit

Maria J's POVI blinked my eyes open slowly, looking around, I found myself in my room. I tried to get up only to hold my head with both my hands and fell back on the bed. Anna had already left for school because she wasn't in the room. Checking the time, it was 9 am already. I gritted my teeth, how the hell did I wake up late again today? I was about to stand up again when I recalled the event that happened last night.“Fuck!” I jumped on my feet. What then happened? How come I'm in my room?Where is he? Mr. Lance? Did the Becker come? How the hell did I end up in my room and also without any broken bones? Last night, I was so sure I'd either die or break a lot of bones. How am I here, alive and strong? What happened?Questions filled my heart and I was in need of an answer when my phone rang, “Hello?” I answered the call. It was Sofia. “Where are you? Don't tell me you aren't coming to work today too?” I furrowed my brows, why does she care? Was it because she really cared or

“And what can I do for you, James?” I asked, my arms folded. “There's a little something for you at the back of the restaurant” he replied. I narrowed my eyes at him before saying, “I'm sorry, I don't have the time to go back and look at whatever is going on at the back of the restaurant,” With that, I began to walk away from him “Maria J!” He yelled but I waved my hand at him as I walked away, “Sorry, James, but I'm not interested,” James kept tailing me, he didn't think I knew but I did and I was preparing to give him the beating of his life with that wood by the side of the bench at the bus stop.I was almost close to the bus stop when the screech of a car made me snap my head to look towards my left.“Holy fuck!” I exclaimed in shock, moving backward in speed. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who the fuck it was, Mr Lance of course. I stood there with my hands folded, “Hello my dear,” he came down from the car and walked towards me with his hands inside his pockets.“M

Maria J“Ouch…” “Sorry, honey” Aunty Claire whispered as she tried to position Uncle Jimmy well on the couch. I just stepped into the house to see them in that position“You!” Uncle Jimmy raised his finger at me but I wasn't in the mood for their talks. I needed to leave the house to go to the club already. My eyes gaze around looking for Melinda but only Uncle Jimmy and Aunty Claire were in the living room. I walked right past them and went straight to the room to dress up for work at the club. I saw Anna on the bed in a different position than usual, from where I stood, I could hear her gentle sob“Anna?” I called in surprise. Why was she crying? I rushed to her when she didn't respond to her only to raise her head up to see bruises on her face.“What the fuck!” I yelled so loud that I had totally forgotten that I shouldn't cuss in the presence of my younger sister. “Who the hell did this to you?!?” Anger gushing through my veins. I'll tear this family apart if it happens to be

For the first time since I met Mr. Lance at the club, he wasn't available today. My eyes scanned the entire club but couldn't find him. If he had been here, his cologne was the first welcome I would have gotten but he wasn't. I was sure of it.I didn't bother to go down to the crowd to dance with anyone, Melinda also didn't show up today, guess who made her absent at the club tonight?“Are you okay, Red?” Henry asked me after I was done changing to my usual clothes. “Hm, yeah. Why do you ask?” “Huh, you didn't make much today. Where is your favorite client? The one that normally gives you more than enough just for a dance?” I rolled my eyes at Henry before moving to Boss's office to drop my tip for the night. When I got to Boss's office, he was with one of the new girls,“Boss,” I called, ignoring what I was obviously seeing. They were making out in the office. “Red,” he stepped away from the girl who I saw to be Hailey, the idiot who didn't have fear but came to dance for Mr. Lan