“What?! He asked you if you know Magda?! My god! It’s… It’s breathtaking! It will give me a heart attack!” Bel commented and brushed her short hair with her fingers. She was shocked about what happened a while ago on my dinner date with Clark.
I am now at home. Clark gave me a ride. He just left a few minutes ago and right now, Bel and I are seriously discussing the shocking happenings I encountered at the restaurant.
“If you only knew what I’ve felt earlier. I couldn’t even move a little. I thought it was my last day here on earth,” I replied as I embraced myself to make myself calm but failed. I could still feel my heart pounding hard and fast.
“So… what are you going to do now?” she asked with a hint of concern in her voice.
I shut my eyes tightly and gulp. I thought deeply but my mind today was twisted by what happened earlier. I slowly opened my eyes. I frustratedly looked in her direction.
“Where are my siblings?” I asked instead of answering her. I sat weakly on the chair in the living room. I put my elbow on my lap and then buried my face in my hands.
This is stressful.
“They are already asleep. I cooked food for them earlier for dinner before they go to bed. I don’t want them to sleep with an empty stomach,” she answered and sigh. She sat right next to me and caressed my right arm. Looked like she was trying to calm me down and comfort me with her gestures.
I felt something warm inside my chest. It somehow made me relax.
“I’m sorry Bel if you did the responsibility that is supposed to be me,” I thanked which made her laugh. She even slapped my arms while chuckling.
I was referring to taking care of my siblings.
“Come on, Angela! It’s okay. No worries. You are no longer a stranger to me. You are important to me and also your siblings,” she replied and gave me a warm hug.
I let go of all the frustration and heavy feelings I have felt in my chest by sighing heavily.
“Thank you very much, Bel. You are a gift to me from heaven. I am lucky to have you,” I hugged her back and closed my eyes; wishing these frustrating events will be okay soon. I need to take action to resolve this.
“Tomorrow, I’ll send to our boss my resignation letter,” I whispered. She immediately let go of the hug and looked at me with eyes wide open.
“Are you sure about that?” she asked worriedly and stared hard at my face. It looked like she was measuring if I am dead serious about what I had said.
I just put a reassuring smile on my face. I held her both hands and played with her fingers. Hoping in these gestures will lessen her worrying about me.
There was no drama in her life before. She was content with going to the club and doing her bad habits. She was not into any drama but when I came into her life, her world suddenly changed. She got stressed every time I shared my problems and issues in life. Just like my problem is her problem too. We’re indeed best friends. I am thankful to have her in my life.
“Yeah. I have thought about this a hundred times. And tomorrow, I know I am ready,” I answered with full determination. I took a deep breath and released it slowly.
She sympathetically smiled at me for what I did. She knew I am nervous about my plan for tomorrow but I know she knew I will not let the day end tomorrow without doing anything about my current situation.
She let go of my hands and hugged me again. I hugged her back and rested my chin on her right shoulder for a minute.
I closed my eyes.
I hope everything will be fine tomorrow.
* * * *
“Angela? Why haven’t you dressed yet? Come on! It’s your dance number after a minute,”
Manager Kenny asked while looking at his wristwatch. I was not wearing my Magda outfit; most especially my signature mask.
I sighed heavily which made him look at my face.
“Sir Kenny…” The first words came out on my lips. He looked at me weirdly and then, later on, his eyes landed on the blue transparent folder I am holding.
He immediately looked at my face again with a shocked expression in his eyes.
“Are you going to resign?” he asked in disbelief and took a step closer to my direction. My co-workers immediately look in our direction. It looked like they heard what Sir Kenny said.
When Sir Kenny felt my co-workers put their ears on us, he held my wrist and dragged me into the dressing room.
As we entered, he saw other prostitutes wearing their costumes and makeup.
“Girls!” he called.
“Leave this room for a minute. Come on! Come on! Chop! Chop!” he commanded and even claps his hands as if he is sending a signal to the girls to hurry up.
When all the girls went outside of the room, he closed the door and locked it.
“Angela…”
“Do you know what you are going to do is dangerous?” It seemed like it was a reminder, not a question. He quickly approached me and wore his serious face but his eyes had a hint of concern.
“I know…” I whispered and bowed my head because what he said was true.
“So what’s this?!” He grabbed the folder in my right hand and lifted it in front of my face.
“I can’t do this anymore!!!” I burst out in frustration and broke into tears.
All the frustration, pain, stress, desperation, and hard times I felt and endured when I started prostitution up until now rush to my mind. I weakly put my hands on my knees.
“I can’t do this forever, Sir Kenny. I want my freedom… Please… Sir Kenny… Let me go,” I cried. I stood up straight and looked at him. I could see in his eyes he was hurt and worried about me.
He took a step closer to me and surprisingly hugged me.
“Hush…. hush…”
“Don’t cry…” He let go of our hug and held my both shoulders.
“Okay… okay… I understand. You serve the club for over six years. Asking for freedom it’s not quite easy for you because you are an asset to this place. Expectedly our boss will deny your resignation and what’s worse is he will give you a punishment for making a move to cut the ties between you and the club,” he sighed heavily and looked straight into my eyes.
“You know how dangerous our boss is. He has illegal transactions and has connections in the black market and also in authority. But… if this is what you want… asking for the freedom to start again and face this world with pure soul and dignity… I’ll accompany you to our boss. I’ll help you to get out of this club.”
I looked at him in disbelief. After a second, I hugged him tightly and cried again.
“Thank you, Sir Kenny! Thank you so much… Thank you!” I cried while hugging him.
He hugged me back and tapped my back; as if he was comforting me.
“You are the greatest woman that I have ever met Angela. Even though you work here for almost more than a year, you never lose the kindness you have inside your heart. I always feel it Angela even though we don’t have a serious conversation except at work. I always see it in your eyes. Everything is gonna be okay. Let’s pray this thing will run smoothly.”