Angela's POV
I was doing my job tonight. Pleasuring my client that made him says vulgar and nasty words. Even if I tried to be deaf to the obscene voices coming out of his dirty mouth, I still couldn't escape the fact that he owns me at this time.
My hair almost stood up as he applied roughly his nasty thought. He screamed and cursed by the pleasure he was feeling right now. With that, he became even more aggressive towards me which made me feel sick.
I could do nothing but to reciprocate what he was doing to me even it's against my will. Someone like me had no room to complain in this kind of world. I chose this for my siblings. I chose this to keep us alive.
After a minute, he stopped and sat on the bed and so did I. He smiled at me devilishly while eyeing me from head to toe. This rich old man's eyes were full of lust and hunger. My body shivered at that sight.
I held the bed sheet tightly out of fear. He started to come over and do his next move that makes me dumbfounded for a second.
My body froze on what he wanted me to do to him. The disgusting words that came out on his lips are giving me chill in every strand of my muscle which turns my stomach upside down.
I'm doing this kind of job for over a year.
Why am I still not getting used to it?
Why I still feel disgusted every time?
Why I can't be numb in this kind of situation and just do what the client wants?
I still feel new.
The dark ambience, the feeling of nowhere to run, the feeling of being slave by the hands of the sinner man who only want is to devour me. This heavy feeling. I'm tired of carrying this burden but I have nothing to do about it. It was the only way I can afford food and education for my siblings. I had to sacrifice for them—for their future.
He bursts into anger when I didn't follow immediately his command—on what he wanted me to do to him— just because of making him wait.
I swallowed hard. I started to do what he commanded. My tears started to pool—feeling degraded.
He kept on cursing, saying nasty, and perverted words in my ears. He kept on doing it but stops when I unfortunately did something that I think he couldn't forgive.
"Ouch! G*d d*mn it! F**k!" he gasped and immediately pulled away from me.
He looked at me in rage and greeted his teeth. I trembled with fear after seeing it. I bowed my head immediately and couldn't even look at him in the eye out of fear.
"You, motherf***er! Why did you bit it?!" he screamed at the top of his lungs and the next time I knew, he slaps my face pretty hard.
I was almost deafened for a second by the force. I could feel my cheek heated and thickened at the same time. He annoyingly grabbed my hair and pulled it. I quickly held his hand to ease the pressure given on my scalp.
"I'm s—sorry." I tremblingly apologize. Wishing he will forgive me for what happened lately.
"F**k you! After you bit it you just only apologize?!" he scoffed and sarcastically puffs out of breath coming inside of his mouth.
He immediately stood up and dragged me away from the bed. I could do nothing but hold his wrist to regain my balance while he was dragging me. He slammed me against the glass wall and it creates a tug sound.
I winced and writhed in pain but it seems he was still not satisfied. He slapped me again from left to right. He grabbed my right arm tightly and turned me to face the wall. He started doing nasty things to me for the second time around behind my back but this time, he did it in a rude and ruthless way.
I shut my eyes in pain as I placed my two palms against the glass wall and silently prayed that this night would be over soon.
"Save me, Clark..." I whispered as a tear dropped from my left eye. I sadly stared outside the window.
What a rainy night...
* * * *
"Now, what? Your client last night is a demon, isn't he? " my best friend, Bel, asked. Looks like it was not a question. It was more likely a statement.
Bel doesn’t get away from me either. She was also a prostitute. We're living in cruel world.
"Yeah," I answered sparingly while brewing coffee. I placed my hand on my right cheek and winced. I got bruises on it because of what happened last night.
"That old man is stupid!" she hissed while shaking her head as if she was very disappointed in that man.
"Big sister! Big sister!" Maymay shouted. She's my younger sister. She was approaching my direction.
"Here is the pandesal you told me to bought from a bakery." she cutely said and smiled at me sweetly.
Pandesal is a kind of bread.
I reached for what she was carrying and bent slightly to make an eye level to her.
"Good girl!" I complimented while ruffling her hair then squeezed her cheek. The little one pouted her lips because I ruined her hair and it made me laugh.
"It's okay! Come on! Go ahead! Wake up your older brother and prepare for school," I said and she immediately complied.
Afterwards, I headed to the kitchen and there, I saw a small table and four chairs made of pieces of old wood. My bestfriend was prettily sitting there.
"Wow! Pandesal! Give me some!" she excitedly exclaimed like a child as her eyes shone looking at the food I was carrying. I shook my head and smirk. I took a plate and transferred the food onto it. After that, I looked in her direction.
"You don't have penny to buy your breakfast, do you?" I asked and crossed my arms. She winced and gave me a forced smile. She made a sign of peace as if she was excused herself for being caught about her agenda.
I sat down and sipped my coffee.
She was still staring at me in her seat while doing puppy eyes. I sighed and set the cup down on the table. I barely nod to her. Meaning, I agreed that she could take bread on the plate.
"Yes!" she yelled in joy and immediately picked up the bread.
"Hey! Take three pieces only!" I reminded. She just nodded and immediately put the bread inside her mouth.
"Oh! Kokoy! Maymay! Come here! Have breakfast so you got some energy in school," I called my two siblings when I saw them in the living room.
Kokoy is twelve years old while Maymay is eight. They both attended in public school. We were completely orphans. My mother was in heaven while my father was with another woman. I supported my siblings alone in terms of financial. I supported our lives in a dirty way.
After eating breakfast, they arranged their belongings that they'll going to use in school.
"Be careful, huh? Study hard!" I yelled from the kitchen.
"Yes, big sister!" the two answered back in unison and left the house.
I turned my gaze to Bel who was use the coffee as a mouthwash inside her mouth. I winced in disgust.
"Why are you still here?" I asked while picking up the plate and mugs. I put it down to the sink.
"Feels like you don't want to see me, huh?" she singingly answered and chuckled. I threw a plastic cup in her direction and laugh too.
"Seriously, why are you still here?" I asked once again and started cleaning the plates.
Usually, after she ate breakfast, she immediately left the house so that she could start doing her bad habit.
This woman was a drug user.
"Do you know Marie? She has laundry today and I offered if you can do it for her and give you penny in exchange. Do you want to take the laundry?" she replied and put her feet on the top of the table.
"Of course, Bel! Big help! Thank you!"
"Come on! Small thing! I know you have family need to feed," she said. Her voice was filled with concern.
"Yeah. Where is Marie's house? " I asked after I finished washing the dishes. I wiped my hand on the hem of my old shirt then faces Bel's direction.
"I'll accompany you. Hurry and get dressed." she offered. I immediately left her in the kitchen and go to the room to change.
I wore a white t-shirt that I partnered with an old long skirt that almost reaches my toes. I went out of the room only finding her scratching her leg and killing the mosquitoes that landed on her skin.
"Let's go..." I asked while adjusting the t-shirt.
"Wow, friend! Why your outfit looks like that during the day? You look like an old lady or a nun but at night you only wore two pieces of thin cloth—"
"Stop!" I cut her off on what she was going to say. She quickly shut her mouth then scratch her head.
Of course, I know what she meant for.
Every night, my soul and dignity were worn out and taken away from me because of my job. But, that doesn't mean I was still the same person in the morning.
Even in the moment of escape, I want to feel in my own that I am still a woman, that I am rightful to be respected. But, when the night comes, my world was turning upside down.
"Come on! Let's go to Marie's house," I said just to break the silence. She nodded at me as a reply and we left the house together.
"You're staring blankly in the air again. Back to earth, Angela," I was able to get back to my senses when I heard Bel's voice. I scratched my right eyebrow and fixed myself before looking at her. "You're thinking of him again, aren't you?" she asked while busy lighting the cigarette. "Uhmm... I can't help but think of him, Bel. He's my sweet memory from my past," I sighed after saying those words. I hugged my knees to comfort myself as I sat on her bed. She glanced at me and puffed a cloud of smoke in the air. "You're really in love with your childhood friend. Errr... What's his name again?" she asked out of curiosity and raised an eyebrow. Her forehead furrowed as if she was trying to remember what was the latter's name. "Clark..." I answered shortly. I tried to suppress the smile that wanted to escape on my lips. What was that? It was just his name but there was already something like butterflies roaming inside my stomach. What a feeling... "Ayieeee! This girl is in love! At
"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 an
"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
"A ring?" I uttered in astonishment and disbelief as I examined the ring on the tissue. I took another tissue to wipe it again. I was about to wipe the ring but stopped when I noticed something written on the tissue. I read it in curiosity."Will…" I read. I took another tissue and something was written again."You..."I picked up another one but this time, I placed and laid it on the table so I could read it properly."Will you marry me, Angela?"I was stunned and shocked after I read those words. I stared at the ring that I was holding and looked at my siblings and Bel who was now smiling at me so dearly.I sighed and lazily stared at Bel."What is this, Bel? Is this a prank?" I asked in assumption and looked at them boringly."You are fooling me," I concluded. Bel and my siblings just laughed in their seats. Later, the waiter approached me.My siblings and even Bel started screaming and shouting in amazement and excitement. I looked around and realized that there was no one else in
"Big sister, come on! Hurry up! We are going to be late if we stay here for more minutes!" Kokoy shouted in a hurry outside my room. I quickly tidied myself and hurriedly reached for my bag then opened the door. I saw Kokoy fully dressed with his basketball jersey while Maymay was sitting on a wooden chair in the living room."Come on, kids. Let’s go," I said. They approached my direction and we left the house together.As I locked the door, I saw Bel waiting for a vehicle that we could take a ride. Moments later, a bus stopped in front of us and we immediately stepped inside. Kokoy and Maymay were very excited to go to school. They both went to the same school.Bel and Maymay ended up sitting on the right side of the bus while Kokoy and I were on the left.After I paid the fare fee, I caught a glimpse of Kokoy who now had a smile on his face but you could see he is undeniably nervous as well.I just tapped his shoulder twice to give him courage. The two of us looked at each other and
"You're staring blankly in the air again. Back to earth, Angela."I got back to my senses when Bel suddenly appeared right behind me. I laughed and smiled at her."You are missing hi—Ouch! What is that for, Angela?!" she stopped from what she was going to say when I slapped her on her right arm. She immediately touched her arm that I hit and glared at me."I'm staring blankly then you showed up just to piss me off? You're a very supportive friend, Bel," I uttered sarcastically then chuckled.She sat down next to me on the wooden chair here in the backyard of the house."Well, it's true. Truth hurts, right?" she countered while gently caressing her arm.I smiled sadly and looked up at the sky. Every time a plane passes by on the horizon, I always get out of the house just to look at it. Not because I just want to see a plane, but because I think that maybe, on a plane I looked up in the sky, Clark is one of the passengers.Bel seemed to notice the changes in my mood. She sighed heavily.
While I was inside the car, tears continued to fall from my eyes. Every sob was painful. Mrs. Clarkson who was now sitting next to me inside the car glanced in my direction. I heard her sigh because of my behavior."Do not worry. You can forget him soon...""You made the right decision, Angela. Don't cry too much. The sacrifice you made for Clark is for his sake and good condition. You just made the right decision. Maybe Clark will be angry with you first but you know my son. In the long run, he will understand why you chose to free him instead of keeping him with you," she comforted me which made me cry even more.Thinking that Clark would be separated from me, my heart was crushed by the extreme pain.Hopefully, what Clark's mother said will come true. I hope it crossed Clark's mind that my decision is for his best.I glanced outside the window. Buildings and spacious roads turned into narrow streets and close-knit wooden houses after a half-hour of a long ride. I could say we are no
I hurriedly got off the bus when it stopped near where Clark lived.I walked quickly under the sun. When I was in front of Clark's mansion, I took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.Just a few seconds later, the huge white gate opened in front of me. There, it appeared an old woman who I assumed was their housemaid."What do you need, ma'am?" she asked politely while looking at my face.I blinked a couple of times and cleared my throat before answering her."I-Is Mrs. Clarkson there?" I asked the maid anxiously and swallowed hard.The person I was looking for is not an ordinary woman in this society. She was well known for being rich and having businesses across the globe. That woman was Clark's mother who was extremely wealthy.My knees were shaking out of fear and nervousness. Nervous due to the idea that Clark and his mother got into trouble because of me. Getting nervous because I know Clark's mom already knew that I was a prostitute.What kind of face am I going to show to
"Clark..." I whispered as the tupperware fell to the ground. I walked a little bit closer just to make sure that the man who was mixing the cement was Clark."Clark! Hurry up!" the man who I think is the foreman shouted to him.My tears rolled onto my cheeks after I heard what the foreman said. I slowly took a step backward and then ran away. I looked for a bus and went inside. After paying the fair fee, I looked outside the window. My tears started to flow. I wiped it away but it seems it was like a river that never stops falling.Why did he lie to me? In one month? And what is he doing there? Did his mom know already about me? Did his mom know that I am a prostitute? Don't tell me he suffered like that because of me?I broke into tears as I stared outside the window. When I was finally in our village, I got out of the bus and walked straight inside our house. I went to my room and sat on the bed. I slowly hugged my knees as I was thinking about what happened during my one month of me
I slowly opened my eyes when I felt someone caressing my cheek gently. The first thing I saw was the warm smile of the beautiful woman living here on earth. She gently caressed my right cheek repeatedly while staring at me lovingly."Good morning, Clark," she whispered, then caressed my hair with her fingers.A smile automatically decorated my face. My heart was melting every time Angela showed me this kind of gesture. Even if I only got two hours of sleep, my day got fully energized when I got a glimpse of her in the morning.Come on, Clark. So cliché.I teased at the back of my mind."Get up, my love. You are going to the office," she reminded me and got out of bed.She held my both hands and pulled me just to make me sit on the bed. I laughed when she couldn't pull me. She was using her full force and it was visible on her face she was having a hard time.I laughed again as I pulled her in my direction. She fell on top of me. She got frozen when our faces were just a few inches away
"It is so refreshing to see you here in my office. The day I became a shareholder in your company, you never visited me, Sir Clark," he uttered then chuckled again.I felt embarrassed and angry at the same time. I was now applying to this old man's coffee shop."Actually, I received an email from your mom saying don't bother to accept you if you ever seek a job at our business firm."I gulped and clenched my fist. No wonder how he got that email. My mother knows him well too.Mr. Montenegro stared at me deeply then after, he sighed. He put his both hands on the top of his office table and intertwined them."Are you aware that finding a job in this country is tough for you?" he asked.I cleared my throat and sat up straight."Yes. I'm aware," I answered and it earned a smirk from him."Your mom is so powerful. It's a wrong move to disobey her. Choosing a prostitute woman instead of your mother," he commented that making me grit my teeth."You don't know anything, Mr. Montenegro. If you
After taking a bath, I quickly approached my baggage just to find a formal suit. When I'm done tidying up, I quickly left the room and went to Angela's room.As I entered, I saw Maymay looking at her big sister Angela who was sleeping on the bed. I could see the sadness on the child's face.I took a deep breath and released it slowly. I knocked on the door just to get the child's attention and I succeeded.She quickly wiped away her tears and cleared her throat."Sir Clark," she uttered in a weak voice. I walked to approach her. I sat on the bed next to Maymay and glanced at Angela."She will be fine soon, Maymay," I reassured her and averted my gaze back to the child. She lowered her gaze. It looked like she was embarrassed to show her weakness in front of me.Without any hesitation, I hugged her tightly which made her break into tears. She hugged me back while crying her heart out.She was so broken by what happened to her big sister. Even though she didn't know the real reason why h