Chapter 2 Penny

No one cared to ask how my first experience as a level one was and I didn't even feel any inclination to tell. I just placed my thoughts and my whole being on the goal my second chance at existence is meant to achieve, which is my revenge against my best friend and my ex-husband. I must make them pay for what they did to me and nothing in hell will stop me.

I went back to the boss' office on my own and I settled myself quietly on a cushion in front of her.

"I didn't even tell you to sit yet", she puffed up a smoke from her cigarette.

"You're one hell of a kind". She added seeing that I made no move to undo what I've done.

She stood from her position and approached me.

"Stubborn, yes. Unbelievably mute yet fascinating but you gotta knock it off when it comes to customers and might I add when you're in my office". She halted in very close proximity to me. "Do you understand, Ana?"

I nodded and she scoffed. "Use your vocals for heaven's sake!"

"Yes boss". I said much to her boredom.

She retreated back to her seat. "You can call me Manie."

"Yes". I responded. I had one question hitching my lips to blab and decided to just ask away instead of grooving in assumption.

"Manie, to what extent do I have to go to get to level two?"

"Woah.. I see someone's already impatient", she laughed out loud almost in mockery.

She eventually stopped laughing and plastered a frown on her face.

"Depends on the rounds you're able to function for; every night for eight weeks. Not to talk of the customers feedback on your inclination".

I had a brazen idea it'd be that way.

"But luckily for you, there's a shortcut to utter freedom up to the sponsor level three". She tried to force a smile on that note. But I still expressed no emotion whatsoever. I just waited for her to tell me the obvious short cut because I could tell my bones shivered in desperation.

"You'll have to work for the big daddy as his plaything for six months after which, you'll get your promotion to sponsor level three and thus, live as a free woman." She watched my emotionless face for a while.

"You'll get paid though and probably even a higher pay when you decide to live with him". She said.

I pinched myself. I obviously can't let myself falter.

After I made it out of her office, Clara had expressed utter pity for me when I told her about my resolve to live with big daddy. She didn't receive this kind of luck in her time but she told me that big daddy was a hideous man and one I'd hate to get involved with but I was adamant on my goal and I can't just lay around and do nothing when I could actually go 'all in', in this business.

Big daddy was described to be the devil and not many women could cope and complete their contract at the end of the day. He treated women like objects, he beats them and most cases torture them when they don't comply and just then, cold shivers ran down my spine but as I sat on my tiny bed and saw the little girl that stood by my door, carefully watch me as if my frame was melting to the earth, for a moment I felt strange sentiments towards her.

The fact that she has no choice but to live and grow up in this fucked up environment filled with eager prostitutes like myself, brought tears to my eyes. A sudden feeling to make it all better came to me but right now, I don't have the power to make it better.. yet, but I'm obviously on the route to settle scores. The little girl smiled at me.

A smile so contagious that it made my brain for a moment think to reciprocate but I couldn't. All attempts flew out the window and I just sat there as I watched her scurry away from the door.

The chance of becoming a mother slipped through my hands. The thought and memory still hunt me and it's still almost paralyzing but I need all I can get to get my revenge. The pain they all made me feel won't elude them and I'd make sure of that.

I don't have any exact plan carved out but I guess it's enough to say that I'm going all in for this adventure, I'd make it worthwhile.

The thatched roof that formerly hung loose, has now broken away releasing all the mice that found it a sumptuous abode. My nails dug sharply into my palms as I felt an excruciating pain in my system.

I clutched my belly tight silently praying it'd go away but that was even when it toppled me over to the ground and what's worse is the fact that I couldn't find my voice to call for help, even the little girl from before was nowhere in sight.

It's all too similar to five years ago as I was pushed down the cliff, the muffled screams only shook just my walls and no one else's. I was the only audience and even now, my groanings didn't even breach my door.

I tried to crawl my way to the door struggling on the rocky floor that brought more bruises to my body adding to the ones I had earlier obtained when I fell off the tiny bed. I struggled with muffled groans for minutes trying to get to the door that was just a few feet away from the bed.

As I struggled in that state, I realized fully how empty and demeaning my room was plus how pathetic my life's turned out. Still clutching my stomach, I gave up trying to seek help as I resolved to lie on my back. I wasn't going to die because death was already miles away from me, I could just endure all the pain till it goes away or when someone finally finds me; demise is far from me because even death wants me to live enough to get a full scale revenge.

I shut my eyes, possibly willing the tears to disappear but it still managed to drip, leaving bold dents on the floor. The last thing I heard were anxious cries and mumbles as I felt a rigorous shake on my body by people who cared enough to want to 'revive' me.

My peanut earnings from being a level one was laid out like cards in the open and the only thing I thought to establish is the fact that it shouldn't grace any hospital's reception because all I felt I needed was adequate rest, a couple of random painkillers and a cold route to revenge, just to be able to live and breach this life. I didn't care about anything else. My sole purpose in this life was revenge. It's the first air I breathe in when I wake and my tattered duvet when I lay my head to sleep at dusk.

When I opened my eyes, I quickly shut them because the lights had a blinding effect on me. Then I slowly opened them again, willing my orbs to adjust to my environment. I heard faint noises and then I sat up, I was in a stupid ward in a hospital. Heck! Who the hell brought me here just to suck up my little income?

A few pangs weighed on my chest and I was dizzy and still felt like I'd slept for months. God! I swear I don't need this now.. I shouldn't be bedridden when I should be out there making a freaking living for myself. Exasperated, I tore away the drips connected to some parts of my body, why do I even need this much?

True, I was still tired and I wasn't feeling myself and I also felt some crazy emotions piling up but that didn't matter right now because I should be off and on that stampede to get my revenge.

As I got down from the bed and as my feet came in contact with the cold floor, I saw the door slide open and in came Clara and Manie accompanied by a huge guy that appeared to be a bodyguard but obviously not Manie's. Clara walked up to me like she was going to scold me for getting rid of my drips and treatment.

"You didn't look to be this weak the last time I saw you," Manie eyed me up and down. "It's really annoying you end up here after a couple experiences and I have to clean up after you."

She scoffed. If by 'cleaning up after me' she meant things that included taking care of my hospital bills, then it means that my level one income was still alive and breathing still in my possession. I was relieved.

"Are you okay?" Clara asked me, looking for my eyes. I nodded as I heard her sigh a bit in relief.

"Clara.." Manie spoke up. "Clean her up and get her ready, we're leaving."

And as if Clara had been pre-informed, she was eager to pull off her assignment as she first grabbed my frame carefully and started to undo the hospital robe. Clara was going to change me into a new set of clothes and none of my audience even cared to give me some privacy or even turn their backs at least in an attempt to preserve my dignity.