Chapter 1: It Was All Planned

“Rosa,” a weak, trembling voice called out from the other end of the line. She recognized it immediately. “Someone molested me here at the club. Please... come to room 808.” The voice, which belonged to her friend Sheena, broke into sobs before the call abruptly ended.

Rosa froze. Her chest tightened with worry, and without hesitation, she grabbed her belongings and rushed out of the house. Her hands shook as she gripped the steering wheel, replaying Sheena’s shaky and distressed voice in her head. Anger bubbled beneath her fear, her fists clenching every time the memory of that desperate phone call surfaced.

Room 808.

Standing outside the room, Rosa stared at the doorknob. Her eyes darted to the brass plaque above it, engraved with the numbers “808.” An uneasy feeling clawed at her chest, but she brushed it aside. Sheena needed her. She pushed the door open without knocking, calling out softly, “Sheena?”

The room was pitch black. The silence was deafening, making her heartbeat thunder in her ears. Before she could react, a strong hand grabbed her arm and yanked her inside. The door slammed shut behind her.

“Let me go! W-who are you?!” Rosa screamed, her voice trembling with terror. She struggled, but the man’s grip was like iron.

She couldn’t see his face, but she could sense his towering frame in the dark. His presence radiated danger, and she instinctively knew he was someone to fear.

“Do as I say,” he ordered in a cold, detached tone. “If you behave, nothing bad will happen.”

Before Rosa could protest, he shoved her onto a sofa. She tried to get up, but his weight pinned her down. A cry of pain escaped her lips as his hands restrained her, and her struggles grew weaker.

“Stop it! Let me go!” she screamed, flailing against his hold, but her strength was fading. The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers, harsh and forceful. Her muffled screams filled the room, but he didn’t stop.

Rosa froze. Her body betrayed her, reacting to the icy press of his lips. She felt an unfamiliar heat creep over her skin, and she hated herself for it. She still couldn’t see his face, but his scent—minty and sharp—burned itself into her memory.

+++++

An hour later, Rosa staggered out of the room. Her clothes were disheveled, her body trembling. Tears streamed down her face, but her thoughts were not of herself. They were of Sheena.

Was she safe? Where was she?

As her blurry vision adjusted to the dim lighting of the hallway, her eyes landed on a cellphone lying discarded on a table. She reached for it, intending to call someone—anyone—but froze when she noticed she wasn’t alone.

Two figures stood under the faint glow of a distant light. Long hair framed their silhouettes. Her heart raced as she stepped closer, realizing who they were.

It was Sheena, hand in hand with her stepsister, Andrea Melendez.

Their smirking faces sent a chill down Rosa’s spine. The weight of betrayal crashed over her like a tidal wave. She finally understood—this was all a trap.

“How could you do this to me, Sheena?!” Rosa’s voice cracked, filled with a mix of anger and heartbreak. “Why would you betray me?!”

Sheena rolled her eyes. “Do you even need to ask? You’re so easy to manipulate, Rosa. It wasn’t even a challenge.”

She let out a cold, mocking laugh as Rosa’s body quaked with rage and despair. Sheena continued, her tone dripping with malice, “You think I ever saw you as a friend? You’re nothing but a tool—someone to use and discard. You’re pathetic.”

Andrea stepped forward, her lips curling into a cruel smile. “You really thought I considered you family? Please. Watching you suffer is the most fun I’ve had in ages.”

Rosa dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Why? What did I ever do to deserve this?” she whispered, looking up at Andrea with pleading eyes.

Andrea sneered, pulling out her phone. “Oh, I don’t need a reason. But here’s the cherry on top: I’ve got pictures. Let’s see what Dad thinks when he sees how you’ve been selling yourself to men in this club.”

“That’s a lie!” Rosa shouted. “I would never—how could you make this up?!”

Andrea shrugged. “Who cares what’s true? The evidence is all anyone will see.” She grabbed Sheena’s hand, pulling her toward the door. “Come on, Sheena. Let’s leave this trash where she belongs.”

They walked away, leaving Rosa crumpled on the floor, alone and devastated.

+++++

Three days later…

Rosa stood in front of her father, Jon Melendez, trembling under his furious gaze. He slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming through the room. “I didn’t send you abroad so you could disgrace this family, Rosa! Selling yourself in a club?! How dare you?!”

“Dad, it’s not true! It’s all a lie—”

“Don’t lie to me!” he roared, throwing a book across the room. “Do you think I’m a fool? How did I raise a daughter as shameless as you?!”

From the sofa, Andrea watched the scene unfold with a satisfied smirk, her jewelry glinting under the light. She added fuel to the fire, her voice dripping with contempt. “Maybe she just needed extra cash. Or maybe she liked it.”

“Stop it!” Rosa sobbed. “I didn’t do anything wrong!”

Her father’s hand struck her cheek, the sound echoing through the room. Rosa stumbled, clutching her face as tears poured down. Her heart shattered—not just from the pain, but from the realization that her father believed Andrea’s lies.

“I can’t bear to look at you anymore,” Jon spat. “Get out of my sight!”

Andrea leaned against the staircase, savoring her victory. Watching Rosa crumble gave her an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. To her, Rosa’s suffering was the ultimate triumph.

Rosa retreated to her room, locking the door behind her. She collapsed in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with hollow eyes. The memories of that night replayed in her mind like a nightmare she couldn’t escape.

“You’re disgusting,” she whispered to herself. “So disgusting…”

Her fists struck her reflection, over and over, as she sobbed uncontrollably. The betrayal, the shame, the helplessness—it consumed her, leaving her a shell of who she once was.