Chapter 3 Returns

• "Our boss isn't ashamed of what he was doing but—there's nothing we can do. Once you enter the entertainment club, there's no way out." Bel said in a sad voice. She sighs because of that thought.
• I just kept walking while carrying three pieces of bread that my siblings and I would be going to eat tonight.
• "He's right, Bel." finally, I spoke.
• "Ha?! What's right?! Do you know that what he did to you sounds like a threat? Come on, Angela! That’s absurd!” she hissed and shook her head from left to right in disagreement.
• "He said no one would accept me and it would be difficult for me to find a decent job. I hadn't finished school and another thing is I work in the entertainment club or should I say— s** club. After he said that, I can finally say he was right." I said sadly and sighed. I feel my heart starts to feel heavy.
• A few steps, we're home. Our house was small. It made of pieces of the roof, hollow block and wooden sticks. I hold the food very carefully before I open the door.
• I saw Kokoy and Maymay doing their homework on a small table. They're sitting on the floor.
• After a second, Maymay notice I am currently standing at the front door.
• "Big sister!" Maymay clapped happily and run excitedly to my direction. When she got closer to me, she hugged me tightly. I smiled out of her sweet gestures.
• "Auntie Bel!" she also called my friend and hugged her before she runs away back and does her assignment again.
• Kokoy also approached my direction and took the bag of bread I was carrying. He will prepare it so we can eat dinner.
• "Alright, Angela... I'm going home. I just really walked with you to ensure you're safe. There are still many bad guys out here in our village that would take advantage of you." She bid a goodbye. She was about to walk out at the door when I suddenly took her hand which made her stopped. She looked at me in surprise.
• "Why, Angela?" she asked in confusion and approached me. I removed my grip on her hand.
• "Have dinner here. Let the four of us enjoy the bread I bought." I offered and smile. She smiled back at me and scratched her head.
• "No, it's okay Angela. You and your siblings should eat that bread so the three of you can be full. Don't you worry about me, I'm all good." she replied and giggled slightly.
• "But we took so long on walking lately Bel. I know you're tired and hungry too so—let's go! Eat dinner with us as my form of saying thank you for taking me here safely then, we will go together to the entertainment club later. How was it? Is my suggestions was okay? " I asked that makes her scratch her head and think.
• In the end, she agreed. We had dinner together with my siblings.
• * * * *
• "Angela! Come on! We're late! We should arrive in the entertainment club before ten o'clock in the evening." Bel shouted outside of my room.
• "Wait a minute Bel! Just lipstick and I'm done!" I shouted back and quickly took the lipstick out of my purse and put it on my lips. After tidying up, I left outside the room.
• "Wow!" she uttered in astonishment. I immediately approached her and placed my index finger onto her lips as a sign to not make any noise.
• "Tone down your voice, Bel. My siblings are already asleep. They might wake up." I reminded her.
• "I just can't help to be stunned, Angela. As time goes by, you get better and more beautiful than ever. No wonder why our boss doesn't want to let you go." she commented on my appearance.
• I smiled bitterly. I have never been happy when I am told something nice about my looks. For me, beauty is a curse.
• I just kept silent on what she said. I quietly took her hand and pulled her outside of the house. I also made sure that I locked up the door properly to keep my sleeping siblings safe inside.
• While we're walking going to the entertainment club, group of men whistling at us on the road.
• "Miss! how much?!" a man asked and laughed.
• I unintentionally clung to Bel's arm. I felt she was stunned for a moment at what I did and shifted her gaze from the group of men to me. I could see the line of concern drew on her beautiful face. Suddenly, she stopped walking and faced the group of men who had been whistling at us lately.
• "F**k your dumb ass! Just shut up!" she shouted angrily to the man asked how much. My eyes got widen in horror because of the scene which made me panic.
• I quickly approached her and pulled her away from the group of men and moved more quickly.
• "Come on, Bel! Are you out of your mind?! You'll be in trouble for what you're doing!" I hissed as I pulled her arm. When we finally far away from the scene, I freed her.
• "Those stupid bulldogs!" she commented angrily and brush her hair out of frustration. I looked at what we were wearing. Tube in nude colour done with sexy shorts and heels. I just sighed and started walking. She immediately followed me.
• No wonder why that group of men whistled at us. In our village, they knew we're a prostitute.
• A few minutes later, we are already here at the entertainment club. Too many people, thick smoke in the air and liquors everywhere. Tonight, we're going to start working so I go up to the stage and start dancing.
• After I finished dancing on the stage, Kenny rushed over to me.
• "Angel..." he breathlessly called. When he approached my place, he immediately smiled.
• "Why?" I responded politely while wearing a robe to cover my almost naked body.
• "Someone bought you, go to the VIP room. Seriously, you're in demand girl!" he was happy to pronounce. As I expected, my co-workers are looking at me badly. Maybe, they heard what Kenny said.
• I just smiled bitterly at Kenny and went to the said place. I didn't even pay attention to my co-workers while walking on their direction.
• Right after I entered the VIP room, I stopped for a moment. It's a bit dark that I needed to adjust my vision around first. I slowly walk towards the figure I could see. He was standing next to the window— holding a goblet of wine.
• "Hello—" I was suddenly cut off from what I was about to say after I saw the man in front of me.
• Short blonde hair and tall.
• After a second, he turns around and faces me.
• "Hi..." he greeted me while smiling.
• I, meanwhile, took a step back out of confusion.
• "C-Clark?" I whispered and blinked a couple of times.
• Is he Clark? My childhood friend way back seven years ago?