Chapter 2 2

Natasha's POV.

Life is unfair, isn't it? Being poor is unfair too. But the saddest part is being abandoned by your own family; that's the real injustice. You've given your best, but for them, it's still nonsense. You're the unlucky one who's willing to give your all, but unfortunately, they don't care. None of them appreciates your efforts.

How poor are we, right? It's disheartening when you realize you're not as important to someone as you thought. It's sad, but it doesn't mean you should give up.

I'll never give up because of this tough chapter in my life. I'll keep going, maintain the flow to normalcy, and attain the joyful life I want. Someday, I know I'll find the most amazing chapter of my life.

"Sinabi ng ayoko!" It's almost ten pm, but the show still hasn't started. Ma'mang lacks a dancer. Since the new girl refuses to change, I signaled Abby to leave, the one forced to dress up.

"I'll do it," Abby sighed, standing up and turning away.

"What a waste, you're so beautiful!" She almost hissed at the new girl, clearly sold by her aunt.

Tsk.

I sighed while leaning on the side, observing her. It's been almost a year. How many years have I been here? Four years? I guess that's how long I've been here.

I've learned to earn money from other men's wallets. Just sit at their table, be part of the drinking session.

I can say it's a bad influence working here. Why? Because you'll learn to drink, socialize with any man, and be wild. But I'm not that wild. Maybe my mind has been influenced by my surroundings.

Do you get what I'm pointing at?

I'm still a virgin, but my mind is already creating countless fantasies.

That's it!

"If you just cry all night, you won't gain anything," I told the beautiful girl. She rolled her eyes. Why so attitude, girl? I cried too, maybe I filled ten buckets of tears, but I can't do anything about it.

I'm here, rejected by my own mother who looks like ten thousand pesos.

Look, I'm only worth ten thousand for her, just money.

"You can't force me, I don't want this!"

"Oh, you don't want it. But let me tell you, ma'mang won't let you go because he paid a large sum to your aunt." She looked up at me, cheeks wet but still beautiful. What a waste of a girl. Her future will be ruined here.

"You know, almost everyone working here is like you. You have no choice but to follow that old man's wishes." I turned away; I can't convince her because I know it's tough in the beginning.

But I know she'll eventually accept it if there's really no other choice.

"She really doesn't want to, ma'mang." That's how I started the conversation with Mrs. Dahlia. She's changed now, a bit older but still looks moneyed.

"Fine, start even if you're short." I nodded; I didn't want to dance. I'm just here for the table, and that's what Mrs. Dahlia wants because, aside from entertaining customers, I also help take their orders.

I can dance, but I'm not comfortable with it.

"We need to add more girls." I sat on the side while watching them dance. The old men are so amused, as if they don't have wives waiting at home.

"I'm still wondering if they give their entire salary to their wives, tsk. They're fond of women, so I talked to ma'mang not to assign me to his older clients; isn't that too demanding on my part?

But it was followed by my regular customer. Maybe he's almost my age, and he frequents this place.

"I don't know where to find them, ma'mang, and besides, it's probably better to post outside that we're available...," he turned to me, seemingly interested. "Because if you forcibly recruit, you'll end up with a large sum, it's better if they come in willingly."

"I've done that, haven't I? I haven't found anyone good-looking; the interested ones are almost ugly. It's better with pimps."

I sighed; he really wanted it done forcefully. As if he's beautiful, when in fact, he's just covered.

"Here comes Apollo," Abby slipped in front of me, ma'mang nodded before turning away.

"Go to your customer; he'll surely give a lot of money again." I smirked without him seeing; I know Apollo Reivas is rich, and he's a criminology student at Fatima, probably in high school.

He's loaded, I know.

"He's also with someone, our regular customer," I raised an eyebrow. "Monteclaro," ma'mang grinned, and I know that Monteclaro. He's always here, and I'm annoyed because he doesn't even recognize me. It's a miracle that he's with Apollo. Do they know each other?

"Okay, go ahead."

Abby and I walked towards them, wearing a gold skirt and a black sleeveless top paired with one-inch sandals.

Apollo smiled when he saw me, but it seems like he really can't remember me anymore. While I vividly remember that night.

"Hi," Apollo greeted me, smiling at me as the waiter served drinks to their table. I smiled back before sitting next to him.

Abby stood beside the tall guy with a charming smile.

"I didn't go out last night; it was enrollment yesterday," I nodded to Apollo; that's all he wants. To drink while he's beside me. He doesn't want me to have another table because he wants to be my only customer.

He's kind and too talkative; he tells me everything that happened to him all day, even though I have no idea.

"This is Noah," he introduced the guy with him, even though he wouldn't introduce him, I already know his name.

Noah smiled at me; I was startled when he extended his hand to me.

"Hi, you are?" I accepted it, not saying my name because his hand was cold, soft, and seemed well-bred.

"Oh, are you a waitress here?" I withdrew my hand; do I look like a waitress here?

"No, she's with us," Abby answered, nodding while I glared at her. He doesn't recognize me, and he even mistook me for a waitress here.

Different.

"I just saw her here now," he sipped from his glass, just now? Does he have brain damage to forget my face? We've met several times, not just once. But he says he only saw me now?

Is this guy senile?

"Did you have a table last night?" I asked Apollo.

"I just served last night, there were a lot of customers."

"Every night."

"Day and night, many customers here," Apollo nodded, besides being a club at night, it's also a restaurant in the morning. Many people eat, and I do extra work as a server in the morning.

Mrs. Dahlia is definitely rich.

"Do you want to go with me?" I heard Noah's voice whispering; I don't know why I'm starting to hear him so sharply whenever he speaks.

Annoying. He could have been handsome, but I'm irritated.

It's annoying that he doesn't notice me.

"I can't, Giovanni will come later," Abby's answer seems to disappoint Noah.

"Ow, that Martinez," I rolled my eyes, his annoying voice.

"Yes, it's that your friend, right?"

Noah nodded. "Yes," he sipped from his glass and then looked at me. We're facing each other in our seats, and I can clearly see his body, even his face that has matured over time.

"How about you?" He's looking at me, how about me?

"Huh?"

"Nevermind.." she leaned on the sofa, I was a bit irritated by her abrupt interruption. Tsk,

By that time, Abby left, and Noah's friends, known here as Adonis, arrived.

Adonis indeed, they're handsome, especially the guy with thick eyebrows.

"The club is too wild, can we go outside?" I heard the familiar voice from the bathroom; I left Apollo there, thinking he might leave soon.

"Sure.." I heard the girl's voice, opened the door, and there was Noah, with his back turned, kissing the girl we were with.

Ice ran down my spine; this wasn't the first time I saw a scene like this. But why does it feel different this time?

Sh*t.

The way he led his lips on that woman's neck amused me. Is he an expert?

An expert playboy.

"Let's go?" They didn't even notice me, either they didn't see me, or they simply didn't care as they were eager to go somewhere.

I pondered where they would go after leaving the bathroom.

And I kept wondering why I couldn't erase that image of Noah from my mind.

D*mn it, Natasha!

__

"Do you know where you can meet..."

"I will never do what you want.." she rolled her eyes, turned away from where she lay.

So much attitude.

"Your name is Shaira, right?" She didn't respond, but I planned to convince her to follow Ma'am Dahlia's wishes.

And also, if she doesn't obey Ma'am Dahlia and continues to defy that old lady, she might be sold for a large sum. I don't want that to happen; she's too innocent. It's better to persuade her to work than be sold to someone else.

"I'll help you escape once you've saved enough; I've got you."

And that's the promise I left her with, so I convinced her to work. I don't know if I can keep that promise, but she did follow Ma'am Dahlia's wishes.

Ma'am Dahlia's money increased because of her; many customers were eager for Shaira because her face was hidden with mascara while she danced.

And that's the night she started training as a dancer. But one day, she cried after talking to her parents.

And I know what she needs; I asked her for a beading. She would earn a large sum, but in return, it's just her body.

That's the work I can't do. Ma'am Dahlia has been wanting me to participate in a beading with customers for a long time, but I refuse. I can still earn money somehow.

"Relax, Shaira. It's okay; surely someone kind will buy you." I didn't want her to do this; even though we've known each other for a short time, I became close to her. I felt more comfortable with Shaira than with those I've been with for a long time.

Maybe because we share similar experiences.

"I-I'm nervous.." her voice was shaking; I could do nothing but strengthen her resolve. Especially when Ma'am Dahlia came out to instruct me to speak on stage, the club is too exciting for this beading. They were eager to get the girl behind the mascara.

But as I stood on stage and saw Noah on the side, is he interested in Shaira?

He's joining the beading because he has a piece of paper. And of course, he didn't notice me again. Always, every time we meet, he often asks if I'm new here.

I want to slap his face; I'm annoyed and irritated that he never remembers me.

"250,000..." The bid of 50 raised the stakes, and I felt nervous, fearing he might outbid for Shaira. But when Noah spoke up, surpassing the old man's offer, I was left speechless.

"500,000..." That's too much money; he could lose thousands just to take Shaira out. Wealthy as he may be, I couldn't agree with what was happening. I didn't know what to do.

"This is the money percentage..." Noah handed something to Mrs. Dahlia as Shaira and I stood on the side. I felt Shaira's hand trembling as she held onto me.

"Hey, it's okay. He's the one who bought you."

"I-I'm still nervous..."

I took a deep breath, but when Noah approached us, I suddenly felt small. He was so tall, almost engulfing me as he stood beside.

"Let's go?" Noah gently asked Shaira, who now wore a robe before he approached. "I'll put this on you, okay?" His voice was soft. Was he being kind to Shaira because she's beautiful and smooth-skinned?

I'm beautiful and smooth-skinned too.

I rolled my eyes, but he ignored me as they left. Shaira didn't even glance back, her eyes covered.

And that was the last day I saw Shaira and that Montecarlo.

"Someone will order there, Natasha..." Dianneya, a regular customer, approached me since Apollo wasn't around.

I sighed. The last time I saw Apollo was during the chaos with Stanlee and Jacob.

Surprisingly, Noah wasn't the one who bought Shaira. I was happy for my friend, finally free from this place, while I saved up to leave this dreadful job.

"Who?" I asked, reaching for paper and pen.

"At table 15..." I nodded and walked towards the table, but when I saw who it was, my eyes rolled.

After all this time, we meet again.

"Will you order?" I said calmly, but inside, I felt irritated. Why am I irritated? Is it because he doesn't recognize me?

He shook his head, tapped the sofa before looking at me. "No, but sit down."

"I can't be tabled right now." He raised an eyebrow. "Are you ordering or not? You're wasting my time."

"I'm not ordering, but sit here and join me." He grinned, but I wasn't in the mood because I was irritable.

"Do you want me to repeat what I said?" His grin disappeared. "You don't need anything, so I'll leave."

"Oh, I knew it. Are you Natasha?" I raised my eyebrow. How does he know my name? Did he ask Shaira my name? Why would he ask Shaira?

"Well, I'm also friends with Shaira. Sit down; I'll take care of you."

I smirked, put down the paper before looking at him again. "I don't have time to talk to you. If you want company, I'll call someone for you."

"You're so dramatic." He furrowed his brow. "You're not even pretty."

I was taken aback by what he said. Of all the men I've met, he's the only one who said I'm not pretty.

"Do you think you're handsome?" I wanted to kick him, but I might get in trouble because he's rich. "You look like a squashed grasshopper!"

"W-what did you s-say?" He couldn't believe what I said, and until now, I can't believe he told me I'm not pretty.

"Your eyes are so small..." I whispered, but it seemed like he heard.

"Do you think you're beautiful? Your body is ugly, so pretentious."

I blinked. It's two times insulting for him. How dare he say that to me? I'm beautiful, and I know I'm sexy because I'm blessed with a good chest. And here he is, insulting me.

"Do you think I'll show my body because you said that? Tseeh!"

I walked away, enduring the insults I received that night, almost unforgettable. And that night, I promised myself that I would prove him wrong.