3

“Last stopover, we’ll arrive in Liberdad in about an hour,” Lita reminded me as we got off the bus. I went to the restroom because I needed to, while she smoked a cigarette. She said her tongue itches if she doesn’t smoke after eating, so I waited for her to finish.

The wind was different here, and there were many establishments around, competing for attention. It was dizzying. Even though I’m twenty-three now, this is still the first time I’ve traveled for work.

An hour and a half passed, and we got off in front of a low-cost apartment complex. I’m used to seeing places like this; there are many of them in town. People from the city work here, and they don’t have their own homes.

“This is where I stay, you can stay here for now until you have your salary. Just leave when you find another place,” Lita said.

“Don’t I stay with my employer?” I asked, thinking that maids usually stay in. Based on the researches I did, I mean, it’s city, I’m not dumb, but it will be easier if I’m accessible by them, right?

She stopped for a moment, “Yeah? I thought maids usually stay in. Oh well, that’s fine. Maybe you’ll adjust.”

I didn’t bother unpacking my things yet. Lita went out to buy food and said she’d take me later to get familiar with the route. I just let her, she knows what she’s doing.

Her apartment was almost half empty. Two single sofas, a small rattan table, her bed at the other end, opposite her bed was her bathroom, there was a vanity table with some of her things on it for grooming, next to it was a closet, I assume her clothes are there.

“Hey, eat first, then take a bath, I’ll wait for you.” I just nodded and ate, took a bath, then put on black pants and a blouse, “We have to go there at twenty,” I nodded to her without saying a word.

I brought all my things; her apartment was just about ten minutes away. I expected her to take me to a house or a condo, as our neighbor said, but she took me to what seemed like an establishment with many lights. I’m not stupid not to realize that this is a bar.

“What are we doing here?”

She didn’t answer and just took my hand. I struggled to carry my luggage, so I stumbled a bit.

“Wait,” she didn’t let go of my arm and looked for someone, a man pointed to the person she was looking for. On the other side was an old woman holding money, old but sexy, with long hair and many accessories. Just then, she looked at our direction.

She walked towards us and kissed Lita on the cheek, “Oh, is this the one you said you’d bring in?”

“Yes, ma’am. She’s fresh, just from us,” Lita winked as if there’s something amusing about what she said.

Fear and anger consumed me, I didn’t know why I was here. Why here? I saw how Lita was handed a wad of cash, and how she grinned while counting it.

“What’s my job here?” I just wanted to make sure.

“It’s easy, dear. You’ll just serve tables, entertain our VIP guests. You won’t be taken home; you’ll be in charge of them for their entire stay here. The VIPs have their own rooms, and when they call for you, you go to them.”

“So, what you’re saying is I’ll do everything they want while they’re here?”

She nodded and grinned, “What are you thinking, dear? In other countries, being an escort or a stripper is legal. Many get rich there, so it’s not bad. I know you think this is illegal, but it’s not, it’s already this day and age, be liberated.”

I didn’t know what came over me, my hand immediately went to her face, causing her to stumble, then I quickly grabbed my things and ran out of the bar.

“Get her! You bastards!” I heard her shout, making me even more scared, so I ran faster, even though I didn’t know where to go. Whatever, as long as I get away from them. They’re crazy!

“Look!” I widened my eyes and looked behind me, someone was running towards me, they had ‘Bouncer’ written on their clothes, they were big and looked like they could kill.

Where do I go? Where do I hide!

Shit, this isn’t my fucking place! I don’t know this goddamn place, where do I fucking hide?!

There were fewer people around, and most of them didn’t care about their surroundings. My vision was also getting blurry from the tears in my eyes, if I knew this was going to happen, I wouldn’t have gone with that woman!

I ran and crossed the street when I noticed a car approaching. It was too late to avoid it, so I just waited for it to hit me, but I didn’t feel anything, so I slowly opened my eyes. A tall man in a suit was standing in front of me now.

“Are you okay?” he asked and reached out his hand, which I took to help me up from where I fell. Some people looked, then quickly left.

“S-sorry. I d-didn’t s-see.” I still felt the tremors of fear and shock in my knees.

“That’s alright. You must be the new maid?” I nodded, “May I see your CV?” I took out my crumpled folder from my bag containing my resume, “Oh, okay. Come on, I’ll show you the unit.”

Wait, a maid? Me? Didn’t Lita bring me here to be an escort? “Wait, a maid?”

He stopped for a moment, “Yeah? I called the agency two days ago, and you’re the one they sent, right? Don’t worry; I’ll call them tomorrow to verify that it’s you.”

I just nodded, feeling like I dodged a bullet, I found a job.

Fuck, I should’ve run earlier!