Chapter V: Things That Shrink Her

I decided to go back to the pub, not only because of the money I earn there, but also because I don’t want to meet that guy again. For sure, Sir Atlas will be surprised that I’ll be here despite of being suspended but I don’t care that much.

“It’s so funny, right?” I heard a familiar voice of a woman inside the locker area, she’s talking to someone else and they’re both sniggering. “They believed my lies just like that.”

“So, you’re telling me it’s you who put a dagger and cocaine in Gia’s locker?”

"Exactly! And look at her now, she’s---”

“You really thought I’m gone?” Before I let her finish, I entered the room and I saw their startled look.

“G-Gia?” Celine stuttered.

Even though I don’t trust anyone at all, I can’t help but admit that I did not expect Celine to do this to me. It’s been nine years since we met here in the pub. So, I didn’t think of her doing me dirty like this.

"What? Did you enjoy your show?” I sarcastically asked her. Our other co-worker who’s been with her immediately went out of the locker room.

A grimace formed in her face. Her disconcerted aura awhile ago was now mixed with wrath. I saw how her jaws and fists clenched as I glare unto her.

“Why did you come back here?” she monotonously queried.

“It’s not you whom I want to hear ask me that…” I smirked and her brows arched in abrupt. “What about I tell Sir Atlas about the truth?” I raised my phone and I acted like I recorded everything she said earlier.

Instead of saying a thing, she pushed me off her way and she went out. I know where she’s going so, I then followed her there.

“Gia’s here!” I heard Celine complain to Sir Atlas before I entered his office.

I smiled unto him as if nothing just happened last time I came here. Well, I did nothing wrong so why should I be afraid of facing him assertively?

“I’m telling you, sooner or later, you’ll be needing me,” I playfully dared Sir Atlas while he’s just glowering at me.

“Sir, you know what she just---”

We heard Leila yelling panicky even before she could enter the office, “What will we do, Sir? Sir Felix is looking for Gia, but Gia is not… here… anymore…” She started pausing on her words when she came in.

 I looked at Sir Atlas. “See?” I friskily said to him and grinned. “Tell him I’m on my way, Leila.” She nodded and walked away.

“Sir, listen to me. This is not fair. Gia just did something---”

“Enough, Celine.” Sir Atlas’ words made her jaw drop in disbelief while I just leer.

Sir Atlas went out, leaving the two of us here. I heard her heave a deep sigh, looking like anytime soon she’ll burst out in anger. Before she could go away, I glared one last time at her.

“One more wrong move to me, I promise that you’ll lose everything you have,” I tediously said.

After that incident, I already left the pub to meet Sir Felix. And as his request, I had another car entertainment with him. Gladly, I wasn’t bothered by his old wife like the last time.  I don’t f*cking care if Sir Felix’ age was half of mine, I am just doing this for money.

And it’s already dark when we finished. I just had some drinks in the pub before I walked home. It was so lucky of me that there’s no Toby outside my workplace.

While I was staggering along the road, I was interrupted by what I saw. With my s*x work, two people kissing in a public place shouldn’t have been an issue to me. But what made it unpleasant, wasn’t what they’re doing, but who the hell are doing it.

It was Orlando.

The f*cking cheater husband of my Aunt Emily. It’s him again. For the nth time.

 I abruptly dashed towards them. I dragged the hair of the woman he’s kissing, from behind and I smacked his face with all the force I have.

“What the heck do you think you’re doing?!” he pushed me away, with no remorse at all.

Since it’s been ages since I had the guts to confront him whenever I see him like this. But my Aunt still doesn’t want to end their relationship. And for that, I don’t know if I’ll pity or get mad at her for letting him fool her around.

“And you still have the courage to ask me that?!” I yelled.

“Hey, stop acting as if you’re pure, you whore! Aren’t you working in a pub just like me too?!” the lady raucously answered.

My ears rang after hearing her that’s why I immediately slapped her face again. The old man defended her from me. And once again, he pushed me away. He would have slapped me if he hadn't been stopped by someone.

When I looked beside me, Damon was holding his fist and he punched Uncle’s face, making him fall off the road. Instead of fighting back, they just ran away.

“Are you alright?” he then asked me, and held my cheeks if I were hurt. But what he did made me hate him more. I shoved her hand away from my face.

“Can you please leave me alone? I don't need your help.” 

I left him there alone and went home. I need to make sure my Aunt will end it with him tonight. He’s just a burden to all of us.

When I entered the house, I saw my Aunt in the couch, and as usual, with her watery eyes. And she even has another bruise on her left cheek.

“Where is he?” I asked monotonously and started walking toward their room.

“Gia, calm down---”

“Break with him now, Aunt…” I tried to contain my own emotion as I almost beg her to split up with his husband. “He’s just fooling you,” I added.

“I know.”

What she said made me look at her in confusion.

“I know everything, Gia…” Aunt Emily started to speak. “Even the first time I saw him with another woman, I just stayed silent because those times, he was the one who sustained your fees and needs in school…”

It felt like my heart was pricked by thousands of needles while hearing her words and her voice starting to break. What makes it more painful is seeing her smile despite the fact that for sure, this has been killing her heart for years.

“I didn’t want you to stop schooling just because I am hurt. Just because I’m suffering. That’s why I endured it all… for you.”