Debt of Dusk

After giving her the medicine as she was done taking them, I laid by her side, my grasp gently holding her like a warm hug. I didn't want to lose her.

I didn't know when I eventually fell asleep. My eyes fluttered open from the rays of the sun as I shook awake.

I slowly stood up, my gaze on my mom, who was still slumbering. The sight seemed to take away the ache in my heart.

A knock caught my attention later, and I slowly approached the door. It was the landlord.

"Good day, Miss Sierra. I can see you've just woken up. I hope I didn't disturb your sleep. It's quite shocking to see you sleeping so peacefully, even though you owe me a lot," he said.

"I know you're here for the money, Mr. Ambrose, but I promise to get it. Please, can you give us some more days?" I pleaded.

"And how many more days will I always give you? I mean, this 'few days' doesn't seem to end in your calendar," he uttered as I watched his steps getting closer as he entered the house, giving a swift glance.

"So many things to fix. I just have to ask, why do you do this to yourself?" he asked.

"What?" I questioned.

"Why don't you just let me... Just be mine, and I will take care of all this. Just be mine for two nights, that's all I ask," he said, his expression changing as his legs grew closer to me, and mine retreated slowly until I gently leaned my back against the wall.

"Why don't we just let this—" he continued, his hand reaching for my face, but I flinched away from his direction.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ambrose. You must be mistaken. I'm not like that. Please..." I said, pushing him away from my side as I stepped away from him.

"You're not like that?" he scoffed. "Come on, you think I don't know what goes on there?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The Moonlight Club? I know what happens there with you," he stated.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Ambrose. Please leave. I'll make sure to get you your money soon," I said, wondering how he knew about me working at that club. Many had seen me coming out of the club, and a lady coming out from such a club is always labeled with the same assumption. Could he have possibly seen me at the club?

"Now, now, don't change things, Miss Sierra. I'm sure your dear mother doesn't know what you do for a living—how many men you've been with..." he said.

"Watch your mouth, Mr. Ambrose!" I uttered, blurting out in a raging flame before lowering my voice, remembering that my mom was just in the other room. The last thing I wanted now was for my mom to find out that I was involved in such activities.

"If it's your money, I can assure you that your money shall be brought to you, so please leave now, Mr. Ambrose," I told him, my voice firm despite my fear.

"Money? Well, if it's all about that, I would've surely kicked you out of the house a long time ago. But I just stood to be impressed. I wanted you, so I decided to let things slide. But if you choose to disagree, things aren't surely going to go as well as you may think. You wanna imagine having no home to stay in with your sick mother, roaming through the street? But nevertheless, I will give you just five days to think about it," he said, lighting up a cigarette and inhaling the smoke as he approached me.

"I hope you choose wisely now, Miss Sierra. You have been with many, so adding me up shouldn't be that much of an issue to you," he said before leaving.

I crumbled to the ground at the mere sight of him. But no matter what, the truth stood glaring at me. No matter how much I denied it, I knew it was true. But yet, I would see to it that I pay him. I can't imagine him and—no. But if I don't end up paying the money...

My mom? I can’t let that happen. Her condition was still critical, so I had to ensure her treatment and all. All I could hope was for her to get better.

And not to think that she was a burden, like she had always thought. Gently managing a step, I stood up, wiping out the little tears I had noticed crumbling down as I gave a sigh and then walked into the bathroom, bathing and washing up.

After getting dressed, I found my mom still asleep. Really, it felt nice to see her so fast asleep. It had been a while since I had seen her like that, so it felt overwhelming.

I wanted her every day to be like that—a day without any worries and many more days in pure health.

Approaching the fridge, I opened it up, my gaze upon the little portion of food left, which I was sure could not last us longer than today. I had to get some groceries now. As I checked my purse, my hope flickered at the moment. The little penny wasn't even enough for me to take a cab.

Where could I possibly be able to get any money today? I could only hope it was possible for me to earn just a small amount today. If I wasn't able to get some groceries today, it wouldn't be good. The last thing I would want was for my mother to be starving, even though she was sick.

Warming up some food, I left them covered for my mom before leaving the house after and walking through the road, bumped by each person passing by. Work days were usually crowded, especially in this area.

But now, knowing that the landlord knew about me working in the Moonlight Club, I had to watch my steps. I wouldn't want another person, who I knew, finding out. Today i was lucky, some other day I might not be, and my mom might find out.

Battling through the crowd, I finally arrived at the club. I gave a swift glance to my left and right before entering.

As always, the smell of burnt cigarettes and alcohol lingered in the air as the grasp of some drunken men came upon my wrist, which I quickly flung off.

"Come with me, sexy. Let's have some fun," one of them slurred.

I paid no attention to them as I walked up the stairs, entering the workroom. I sat down, my gaze on the mirror as I released a breath after another, applying some lipstick.

My ears picked up a knock at the door. "Come in," I uttered, only for my eyes to land on Nate entering.

A reminder of the last time still echoed in my head.

"A new customer has booked you, and they'll be coming soon. I hope you don't disappoint like the last time. This time, you won't be getting out of it that easily if any of the clients ever lay another complaint on you," he sneered, leaving in an instant.

I was lucky to be alive, I would say. The club was owned by one of the most feared mafia lords, and I had tried drugging one of his customers with sleeping pills, aiming to extract some money from him while he was fast asleep. They didn't pay me well here; I was only meant to obey and never turn my eyes away or run off.

I had heard of many who had tried quitting or running away after signing and violating the contract—all of them had gone missing, none to be found.

Nobody knew if it was due to fear or if something had happened to them.

It reminded me of Rose, a girl whom I had met here on my first day. She was always smiling, until one day, after so many years, I watched that smile wear off and turn sober. She had confided in me that she was going to escape from this place and run away. I warned her so much against it, but it was all in vain. After she took action, I hadn't been in contact with her for five months now, which stood to my wonder, for it wasn't like her not to call me up after finding a safe place.

All I could do was hope that she was alright and unharmed.