Chapter 2| Chained

"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 last!" she teased and poked my side. I was startled and tickled at the same time by what she did.

"Stop!" I pretended to be angry just to hide my feelings. I felt embarrassed but I couldn't deny the fact that it feels good.

"I know... I know you're thrilled and I know you like that person so much. It is just a name and you acted like that. How much more if he will lie next to you in bed—ouch! My goodness, Angela!" she winced in pain and held her head immediately where I hit the pillow.

Sometimes, this woman didn't know when to stop her mouth from talking. Such a bully!

"Angela! Why did you do that?!" she ranted and pouted her lips. She looked at me like a lost puppy—trying to get my sympathy. 

Huh! You wish!

"You make me do that! You're bullying me! If you don't stop teasing me, I'll make you stop your addiction," I tried to threaten her and lowered my gaze at the cigar stuck between her fingers.

"You're so serious! Come on! I'm just kidding here so don't touch my weeds. Promise, I won't annoy you anymore," she said and chuckled nervously while adjusting her seat. Looked like she was already threatened.

She took the weeds again and puffed a cloud of smoke into the thin air.

We fell in silence for a moment.

"Uhmm... Can I ask where is he right now? Your childhood friend that we're talking about?" She broke the silence by asking me a question about Clark.

I was silent for a second and looked outside the window before I spoke.

"I don't know, Bel. The last time I saw him was seven years ago. All I know is they flew to America with her family for business and he will continue his studies there as well," I said sadly as I played with the ring that I wore on my pinky finger--in my left hand. 

He gave me this ring before he left the country.

"Is that so?" she asked. I just nodded to her as a reply and smiled sadly.

"Haven't you heard anything about him since then? Don't you know when he will come back to...you know...to continue what you and he started before? The amount you endure in your life is indescribable. You deserve to be happy and be loved by someone you truly love Angela," she said.

I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling—thinking about what she said.

"I don't know, Bel. I don't know if he will come back here or not. He promised me that he would come back but it was seven years ago. I'm still looking forward to keeping his promise. I hope he doesn't forget that. But the problem is... If he does come back, I don't know if I'll show up in front of him."

Her forehead furrowed after hearing what I had said.

"Why?" she asked in confusion and threw the weeds. She came over to where I was sitting and sat at the edge of the bed, patiently waiting for my response.

I sighed and stared hard at the ceiling before I closed my eyes.

"Because..."

"...I don't have dignity anymore."

"I...don't have a face to show."

* * * *

"Whoooooooo!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"Yeah!"

"You're beautiful, Magda!"

People kept on shouting here and then in the entertainment club as I danced on the stage. My name in the club was Magda. I didn't use my real name here just to hide my identity even if my neighbors already knew what kind of woman I was.

I kept on dancing on the stage. The enticing lights matched the melody of the song in the four corners of the club.

"Shake it off, Magda!" the crowd shouted in lust. I slowly removed the clothes that hid my slender body. Every corner of the entertainment club was getting wilder because of the greedy people craving lust.

Although I felt sorry for myself, I just tried to be strong, thinking that the money I'll earn for this club is for my siblings.

Only two thin clothes were left that covered the sensitive parts of my body. The sensual melody of the music continued to play. The crowd seemed set on fire in their seats because of the sight.

When the music was over, I stopped dancing and immediately got off the stage. I went straight to the dressing room.

While changing clothes, I couldn't help but look around. My co-workers were staring at me badly.

They were always looking at me like that. Bel told me before that they were just jealous because they didn't make money. Big clients are always looking for me instead of them.

Are they envious? Should they envy me? If they only knew what I've been experiencing with sadistic clients.

"Angela..." Kenny called my attention. He was a gay who managed the club. The boss trusted him so much because of his excellency in managing.

"Why, Sir?" I replied politely and bowed my head.

"Someone bought you today. Go to the VIP room. I'm really lucky for you. The income of the club was stable because of you," he said excitedly. Maybe for him, it was a huge compliment but for me, I hardly see it that way.

I just smiled a little and sadly went to the said place.

When I stepped my feet inside the room, I stopped for a moment. It was a bit dark. I adjusted my vision and looked around.

Later on, the lights suddenly turned on which made me able to see an old man wearing a suit and holding a glass of wine. He was staring at me maliciously.

"I've been waiting for so long, Magda. Come here... Pleasure me..." he said and smirked devilishly.

I gulped hard as I closed the door. I approached his direction.

* * * *

The client was satisfied with leaving the club.

Tears escaped my eyes. I wiped it right away as I stood up from the bed and got dressed.

I left the VIP room and walked towards the exit door. But, I was suddenly stopped by the hand holding my right arm firmly. I shifted my gaze and looked at who was stopping me.

I gulped after I realized who he was.

My boss.

"How are you, Magda?" he asked and smiled devilishly. He ran his tongue on his lips and smirked.

I trembled in fear at what I saw.

"I-I'm g-good, boss," I stuttered and gazed at the floor. He didn't let go of my arm.

"Hey! Relax... Don't be afraid. I came here just to see you. I just wanted to say thank you. Because of you, my club is still alive," he said and evilly laughed. I didn't utter a word after hearing it. I just bowed my head and kept on telling myself not to cry. I needed to be strong for my siblings.

I thought he would let go of my arm after what he said, but, unfortunately, his grip became tighter as he came closer to me. He placed his lips on my right ear.

"Don't you ever try to run away. No one is gonna accept you because of your dirty work. Only me, only this club. Don't you ever try to run away or else..." he paused for a second and breathed.

"Just be good and I'll be good," he ended.

I felt my knees trembling after he whispered it in my ear. He finally freed my arm and walked away.

I managed to place my right hand against the wall to support myself. I felt weak and my body was shaking at the same time.

One thing was echoing in my mind.

" Just be good and I'll be good."