CHAPTER 3: Caught Stalking Ex's House

TYSHA

"Girl!" Barra's voice sliced through the club's noises, and her grip on my wrist was strong and urgent.

"Barra!" I replied, half-surprised and half-relieved. She guided me swiftly through the bustling crowd, a silent command to follow her.

"This way. Quick. I need to work," she said, pulling me along, her movements confident and purposeful. I complied, trailing behind her. The air was filled with pulsating beats and the hushed whispers of covert conversations.

As we moved, I took a moment to glance at Barra. She was already in the attire of her trade, a daring ensemble that left little to the imagination. Her silver lingerie sparkled under the neon lights, complementing her curled blonde hair and the vibrant makeup that adorned her face. A cute bunny headband perched on her head added an unexpected touch of innocence to the overall daring look.

She looked dazzling, captivating the attention of anyone who crossed her path.

Finally, we reached our destination – backstage, where the performers prepared for their acts. From there, we entered a private room that I assumed belonged to Barra. Personal belongings were scattered around, and a vanity table showcased a meticulous arrangement of makeup products. On it, I spotted her car key, adorned with a recognizable emblem that hinted at a luxurious car waiting outside.

Our lives had taken different paths, and the stark contrast struck me. The thought lingered: If I had made the same choices as Barra, would my life mirror hers now?

"Sorry if I bother you. We just need to pay for Mama’s hospital bills," I started, my words carrying the weight of desperation.

Barra stared at me, her gum-chewing soundtrack emphasizing her nonchalant demeanor. She seemed unmoved by my reasons, perhaps accustomed to stories of financial strife.

The truth remained, though. We were trapped in a financial bind, unable to bring Mama home until we settled the mounting hospital bills.

“It’s alright. Here. Keep it.” Barra's response surprised me as she casually tossed a huge sum of money in my direction. I caught it with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. The weight of the cash in my hands felt like a lifeline.

“Oh gosh. Thank you so so much, Barra! If you only know how I badly need this right now,” I expressed my heartfelt appreciation, and tears threatened to spill from the corners of my eyes.

Barra's response was a simple nod, a gesture that carried a mix of understanding and detachment.

“How are you going to pay that?” Barra's direct question demanded an answer, and I hesitated for a moment.

In all honesty, the prospect of repaying my debts seemed like an elusive goal. As I contemplated my response, Barra's raised eyebrow prompted me to discard any illusions and embrace the honesty she seemed to demand.

“Uh… I still have no idea—but I assure you, I’ll pay all my debts right after I get back my money from my ex —” I began my explanation, but Barra's dismissive gesture cut me off.

“Okay. Whatever.” Her nonchalant response signaled a lack of interest in the details. The weight of my debts, it seemed, held little significance in the larger narrative of her life.

Silence stretched across the room like an unwelcome guest, prompting me to scramble for a new topic to break the awkward quiet. It felt awkward to consider leaving immediately after securing the money. A lingering moment seemed necessary.

“Looks like you’re gaining a lot here,” I offered, my attempt to initiate a conversation and extend my stay.

Surveying her room, I couldn't help but notice the opulence that surrounded her. Branded makeup items adorned her vanity, and luxurious bags were proudly displayed. It was a stark reminder of the glaring contrast between our lives. The message seemed to echo: "you're broke." A humbling and somewhat humiliating reality.

“Of course,” Barra responded enthusiastically; her tone almost boastful. “I told you before. You should have applied here with me. For your information, I currently have five sugar daddies. Isn’t that great?”

My jaw dropped involuntarily. Five sugar daddies? The sheer audacity of it left me momentarily speechless.

“See that? I gained that tonight within two hours,” she continued, pointing to the extravagant items around her as if to emphasize her point. “Anyways, are you interested now in this kind of work?”

I couldn't help but smile at her audacious question. Thinking about going into her world, all shiny and kind of fancy, felt like reaching for the moon. But for her, it looked like an option to get rich quickly.

I just smiled at my friend's question. 

To be honest, I don't know what I want now. I'm not sure if I had taken the right path to finish my studies, following what my family wanted me to do. Because look where I am. Still at the bottom of society despite finishing a degree. 

To think that my family once told me to stay away from Barra because she’s a “bad influence” on me. Though look at us now. Barra was the one who was helping me. 

I'm currently unsure of my life goals. But I am desperate to make money, especially since we are having trouble with my mother in the hospital.

“Silence means yes, girl." Barra considered my silence as a yes. "You know what? Right timing. I have a more decent job to offer.”

A spark of excitement flickered within me. "Really?!"

“Yes! It’s perfect for you.” Barra's enthusiasm matched mine, and she scrutinized me from head to toe, her gaze lingering on my chest.  

She then looked at my whole body. She stared at my chest intently which made me gulp. 

"Your melons are big enough, I'd say," she uttered vulgarly—with a slight insult. It was understandable though. Compared to hers, mine would be six out of ten. 

Then she turned me around. Without an idea what she was thinking, I followed her lead only to get my ass slapped. 

"And your peaches are kinda thick. You're all good."

What?

My forehead wrinkled.

I guess, the job she was referring to is somewhat like her job but more decent. 

After that "examination", I blinked in disbelief. What had I just gotten myself into? The blend of confusion and amusement created a surreal image of my unexpected adventure into Barra's world.

“One billion will be all yours. All you have to do is to set fire to a billionaire’s lust.” Barra casually dropped, leaving me dumbfounded.

What? Did I hear her right?

She playfully raised her eyebrows, confirming I heard correctly.

“Are you… being serious right now?” I asked slowly, unsure if she was just being sarcastic.

“Do I look like I'm kidding?”

I parted my lips, momentarily speechless.

Really?! One billion? Not a million but a billion?

As I exited her room, a surreal sensation lingered, indicating that my life had unexpectedly taken a confusing and bewildering turn. Despite my attempts to comprehend Barra's proposition, the idea of teaching a billionaire the art of seduction remained a perplexing puzzle.

Why would a billionaire need such lessons? Wouldn't they typically hire professionals for such matters?

Images of billionaires, both from real life and fiction, flashed through my mind. In novels, billionaires were often depicted as attractive, towering figures of wealth. If that's the type Barra was referring to, well, it might not be such a bad idea after all.

Who am I kidding?

That was wishful thinking. In reality, billionaires were often older, appearing worn-out and stressed. The likelihood of encountering a young, handsome billionaire was slim, maybe 5%.

My initial excitement faded at this realization. Could I truly handle such a situation?

Alright, maybe I'm being a hypocrite. I've always criticized people for making quick judgments, especially when it came to Barra. Now here I am, passing judgments without giving it a fair chance.

But honestly, the idea terrified me!

In the chaos of my thoughts, where a multitude of ideas fought for attention, not a single word found its way out of my mouth. Barra, sensing my hesitation, tried to make the proposition more appealing.

“Consider it, Tysha. It's a fantastic opportunity. For your mother, for your debts, for your life.”

Despite my mind grappling with the sheer absurdity of the offer, her words struck a chord. The weight of hospital bills and the burden of debts loomed large. The prospect of securing my family's future was tempting, but the journey toward it seemed fraught with uncertainties.

As I stood there, torn between financial desperation and moral discomfort, Barra's words hung in the air, echoing the internal struggle I now found myself entangled in.

“HEY, did you hear? Your ex is back in town!” Amara, whose sister was in the same hospital as my mom, blurted out the news the next morning.

"Huh?"

I'd been deep in thought about Barra's proposition, but Amara instantly grabbed my attention with the mention of my ex.

So, that jerk is back in the city, huh? That's just great!

I stayed by Bryse’s side when his great grandfather wanted him to marry a rich girl. I even lent him our savings when he said he needed it. But when I asked for the money back, he got all cold on me. Total jerk.

"Bryse, we gotta talk," I said that time as I confronted him, feeling a mix of frustration and worry. We went through a lot, and the money we saved was supposed to be for our future.

Bryse looked away, not meeting my eyes. "Yeah, about that," he started, sounding unsure. "I'm having some money problems, and I thought I could borrow the cash we saved together."

I was confused and frustrated. "Borrow? Bryse, that money is for our dreams, the things we planned."

He shifted uncomfortably, not looking at me. "I know, Tysha, but I promise I'll pay you back. It's just a temporary thing."

I reluctantly agreed, thinking of our history together. Little did I know, it was a decision I'd regret.

Weeks passed, and Bryse's promises turned into nothing. Every time I asked for the money, he had excuses.

One day, I found myself alone, looking at my empty bank account. The money we saved for our future was gone. Bryse vanished, leaving me with nothing.

The memory stuck with me, a painful reminder of a love that fell apart and the harsh truth that sometimes, the ones we trust can leave us with shattered dreams.

Now, all my love for him is gone. The only thing left for him is my anger and eagerness to get my money back.

So, when the night fell, I decided to go to their old house with the hopes of talking to him. Fueled by anger and the need to get back the money he owed me, I moved in the quiet night, sticking to the shadows, scanning every window for a glimpse of that jerk.

Finally, I spotted Bryse through a living room window. My heart raced – this was my chance to get what he owed me.

I thought I was being all sneaky. But just as I was about to confront him, I heard a deep voice from behind. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

Shit! Shit! Shit!

I was frozen for a moment when I realized someone caught me. And when I turned around, I saw a guy in his formal suit gazing at me intimidatingly. Although, I could not see his face properly because of darkness, with his height, stance, voice, and scent, I therefore conclude he’s drop-dead gorgeous.

I felt a feeling a mix of embarrassment and fear. Caught red-handed, I mumbled, "I... I was just looking for someone. It's a misunderstanding."

The guy looked at me like I was some kind of intruder. "Someone? At this hour? Explain yourself."

Oh no!

Caught in the act, anxiety took over. Instinct and fear of being sent to jail pushed me to run away as fast as I could.

The guy shouted, "Hey! Come back here!"

I didn’t look back, but somehow, his voice sounded familiar, like I'd heard it somewhere before.