A Touch on my Heart (The English Edition)

Watching the people around me is terrifying. It does show how different I am to them. It does provide the answers to my questions. Why were they given the things I asked for? Or is it better to say "she". Why was she given the man I asked for?

On this day, the future we once dreamed for is already shattered, broken, and will never be fixed again, like my heart. I want to ask why but I won't stoop that low again. I want you to tell the reasons without me asking. I want you to come back to me without me begging. Because the last time I asked you, your answers didn't make me happy. And every time I think about everything, I don't deserve you as much as you don't deserve me.

From this day until your last breath, you will face and greet the mornings with her face as your first view. You will be eating breakfast with her and much worse you will be eating her for the rest of your life.

I chuckled because of the thoughts running in my mind.

I gathered all my remaining strength and finally showed up.

All eyes looked at me as I walked through their backyard. Despite the pain and betrayal I'm feeling, I smiled. I know that all their eyes are on me now.

"Who is she?"

"Hmmm, she's familiar,"

"She was Jake's date in his last event!"

"The one who look like trash?"

Then they all laughed.

"Is she even invited here?"

"Well, you know the trash...they still come to a party even if they don't belong to it."

I took a deep breath to hide that I was affected by what they were saying. I didn't let them see that I was hurting to all their hurtful banters.

"Congratulations... Allison, and my ex-fiancé, Jake." I gave them my sweetest smile. With their faces now, you'd think I was Malificent ready to curse them.

Jake grabbed my hand and whispered in my ear. "What are you doing here? Please just please." I can hear his begging voice.

"You didn't invite me. I just came here to greet you and also to witness the wedding I sho--" I was stunned when he pulled me away from there.

"Are you really not going to ignore us? Ash please! Move on!" He asked as his eyes blazed with fire.

I removed my hand from his grip because of what he said. How dare he? How can he tell me to move on despite the things that he's done? The thickness of his face.

I looked at him directly in his eyes.

"Move on? No. Of course not. I won't move on. I will let you and your wife feel the pain you let me feel-"

"I swear, if you did something bad to my wife and to my family, I'd kill you" he cut me off only to hurt me with his words.

I smiled. Despite the pain that I was feeling because of his words, I smiled. In spite of all the things that he has done to me, I smiled. I managed to smile yet I wasn't happy.

I grabbed his collar and kissed his lips. He tried to push me but I tightened my hold on him. I'm waiting for him to push me with all his strength but he didn't. My hopes arise.

He still loves me! I knew it!

I put my hands around his neck and kissed his lips even harder. This time, he stopped escaping and let me kiss him. He's not responding to my lips but the fact that he's letting me savor his lips feels like heaven to me. I tried to enter my tongue on his lips but I can't because he's greeting his teeth. I stopped kissing him and looked him in the eyes.

"Have you forgotten how to kiss? Why? Aren't you kissing your friend? Or isn't he delicious unlike me-"

I couldn't finish what I was going to say when he suddenly pressed me against the wall and kissed me deeply. My eyes widened but after a few moments, I responded to his kisses when he entered his tounge on my mouth. I opened my eyes only to see his wife, Allison, watching us. I can see the pain and hatred in her eyes and I feel satisfied.

I moaned as he kissed me harder. He's now kissing me on my neck when Allison spoke. "J-jake, s-stop." Panicking, Jake pushed me against the wall and turned to his wife. Jake didn't even ask if I'm okay.

He immediately went to his now crying wife. He wrapped his arms around her while muttering something.

I know what I did was wrong but I felt satisfied. I stood up and walked towards them. I stopped in front of them.

"Congratulations for the wedding, Allison. And for Jake, your lips still taste sweet. But you seem to be fading." And passed them both. I can still hear Allison's curses towards me but I didn't bother to look at them.

I stopped when an arm grabbed my hands. "And for you Ash, what we had was nothing. I don't even know why you're hurting. I paid you, have you forgotten? Allison and I were in a relationship back then. And all of us? It was nothing and a joke. You are nothing but a whore, a mistress. Always remember that...bitch."

My tears fell one after the other. I don't know why I still hurt like this. I thought I was used to hurting myself. So that when I face them, I won't be hurt anymore. But I was wrong.

Maybe because this is not what I expected for. Deep inside my heart, no matter how many times he hurts me and says that he no longer loves me, I still expected him to beg at me. That he would ask me back in his life because he once told me that he couldn't live without me. But looking at the situation right now, it seems like all of those were mere lies and my chance is now broken.

I was like a wave that is always coming back and forth to reach the shore, and that is me...who always comes back to his life, trying to reach the only dream I have, to be married to him...but fate doesn't want me to.

I think, no matter how hard we try to get the things we want, when fate refuses us to, nothing will happen, aside from us being broken and shattered... into pieces.

I couldn't really get fate. I asked and tried everything I could to end up with him. But I just ended up in my bedroom with tears cascading down my face.

I looked in the mirror with a smile. After this, I promise...my heart will be alive and free again.

I still need to get hurt again to learn that there really isn't any more. No matter what I do, it's gone.

What are they doing now? Are they enjoying this night with them being married? I wanted to run to my car but I had to stop myself.

I quickly went down to take the rope I had. When I saw this, a smile appeared on my face.

I went up to my room and did the right thing. This is the only thing I know to stop my self from doing something I don't want to do.

I tied my feet to the bed tightly. I can't even feel the pain. I feel pain, but not physical pain.

I was about to do the same in my hands when the door opened. I smiled when I saw him.

"Atlas! T-help me--" I stopped when he enveloped me in his arms and started crying. I don't know what's happening to him.

"I-I'll help you p-but... Ash n-help yourself too," He said while crying and sobbing.

"Hey w-what are you doing! W-I'm fine I just need your help. Help me tie my hand please?" I smiled and did everything I could to look like a cute puppy. I know he couldn't resist me when my face is like this.

He did nothing but hug me though and I don't know what happened but I just found myself crying out loud. Shouting because of the physical pain I'm feeling on my foot that I didn't feel before.

I heard him say I love you to me until everything went to black.

We just finished giving medicines and ready-to-eat foods to people living on the streets. I want to give them a house that they can live with. But I don't have the means to do so. The only thing I can provide is my service, this is the means I have that I was talking about.

I stopped what I was doing when a group came inside the organization. They are loud. And it seems like they are arguing about something. My eyes focused on a man talking to a woman with a serious face. I think I've seen him before but I just can't figure out where and when.

I just shrugged off all the thoughts running in my mind.

I continued fixing my bag when Gizelle bumped my shoulder.

I looked at her and raised my right eyebrow.

"Let's eat first," she said while smiling.

I nodded and took all my things. This is Gizelle's nature. She always asks and invites me to eat before going home. And throughout the months that I am beside her, I get familiar with this kind of actions by her.

"I had planned to save money, but because there are so many delicious foods today, I'm feeling hungry," she stopped talking when I was suddenly bumped into by a hurrying man.

"Come on! Ash, your things are scattered!" Gizelle stated the obvious.

"Miss, I'm sorry." the man apologetically said.

"No, it's okay. I can manage it," I said when he knelt down to pick up my scattered things. But it was as if I said nothing to him because he continued doing what he was doing.

When he finished, he stood with me and presented me with my things.

He then smiled. "I am very sorry, Miss." I returned his smile but he didn't see it because he was in a hurry to leave. And when I looked at my back, him rather, I saw him on Atlas' office.

"Hmmm, I don't believe in love at first sight because I never felt it before. But looking at my friend right now, I think I'm gonna believe that it happens to other people." she then giggled.

I looked at Gizelle who now had her hand on her chin as if thinking.

I just shook my head at her and left first. I heard her calling me but I ignored her because I knew she was still going to chase me.

When I left the organization, I saw the man I was talking about earlier, who was also looking at me.

I then avoided his gaze when I saw Gizelle approaching. I opened the door and waited for Gizelle. And we left the organization together to eat and go home as what we have planned.

I was looking at my notebook while holding my guitar. I really want to write a song but until now I still don't know what or who I should write a song for.

I'm humming the tone that I want to use in my song when my phone beeped. I saw an unregistered number there. I just let it die.

But my thoughts were interrupted when it rang again. Because of annoyance I just answered it.

"Yes?" I tried my very best not to be rude but I think whatever I do, it will still come naturally.

"Ash, can we meet again? Promise... my fiancée and I had already broken up and I already called our engagement off-" I cut him off.

"Don't you dare call me again. And what happened with us is just a mistake that must be forgotten, it's disgusting." I hung up and then I blocked his number like I used to do.

I've changed my phone number countless times already but he still gets it from whoever it is.

It's been a month since that thing happened. I didn't know that he has a fiancé and when I learned about it, I stopped and tried to do everything I could just to keep myself away from them.

I took a deep breath when I couldn't continue my meditation. I jumped off my bed and got myself a bottle of milk.

I finished drinking it and gathered myself to sleep.

*****

"Ash, how are you doing there? I hope you don't tire yourself too much there. We are not there to take care after you," I smiled when I heard my mother's very soft voice.

"Tell Ash not to stay up all the time," my smile widened when I heard my father's shout on the phone.

"Mom, tell dad that I'm not neglecting myself. Besides, I'm a grown woman now, I can take care of myself," I promised with a smile on my face.

"Well, just make sure, Ash," my mother said.

I looked at my phone when my mother on the other line suddenly went silent. I thought it had died, but it didn't.

"Uhmmm, by the way Ash... maybe I won't be able to send you your allowance for this month, because we still have such bills that needed to be paid,"

I stopped and blinked as the sadness and regret in my mother's voice softened. "It's okay, mom. I still have money for this month and maybe I'll send you money the next day." I blinked away the tears in my eyes and raised my voice.

I don't want my family to think that I'm struggling here. I don't want them to know that I am going through so much pain and disgusting scenarios and jobs... just for me... to survive.

I help other people who are in need. And I also help others who are in need... of sex. Those who desire to fuck. And that's my job.

No one in my friends and my co-members in the organization know about it. Even Gizelle. Aside from it might ruin the image and face of the organization, I don't want them to think that I am that kind of girl.

Paid, low, flirtatious, and gold digger-even though these words are adequately fit to characterize me. To describe me.

I want to already end it but I can't. Everybody has the right to choose, but not everybody is given the privilege to benefit with the choices they have.

I used to think that our life will be in the right place when we choose what is right. But, for the people like me, who have this disgusting job and unwanted situation, whatever decision we make... we will never be in the right place... because the decision we made... was forbidden... to begin with.

In the world I live in, nothing is right. Everything is wrong. It doesn't include morality. When the client wants you, you have to oblige because the exchange is heaven. But somehow I still know how to limit myself and choose.

I always ask if they are committed to someone and when they are, I don't accept their proposition even though the payment is bigger than the value of my life.

But someone got through. I thought my client a month ago was single and not committed to anyone because that was what he said. But it turned out, he was.

I hated myself because of it. I didn't accept the money. My manager was very angry at me and didn't give me any client until now... and I didn't care.

But now that I need money, I think my decision was wrong. I could've just accepted the money and forget about everything. Because that's what I am, a paid woman.

I got the call off and called my manager's number. It rang three times before she answered my call.

"What?! Please Ash, if this is another one of your stubbornness, stop, and don't add to the heat of the ul-"

"I need a job, Mama." I interrupted her long litany.

She stopped because of what I said and she didn't seem to expect me to call her for work myself.

"Uh-huh, after a month you're just going to call me again now? When you need something, you'll call, huh? And do you expect me that I'll offer you a job, hmm?" she challenged me.

"What I did was wrong, Mama. And I'm very sorry for that. I just need a job right now." I heard her laughter on the other line.

"Hmmm okay then. I'll just call you if I have something to offer you." then she cut off the call.

I know she will not refuse my request. She receives a large commission every time I am being send for a client. Because if the payment is big, her share would be bigger.

I took a bath then prepared myself for school. And I was almost late because the traffic was so heavy. I ran the remaining distance to my class today.

And when I showed up in the door, all eyes looked at me. I didn't know what's up but I didn't mind it and just got myself a seat.

I was about to sit when a voice stopped me to do what I planned to do.

"Aren't you going to greet your professor before coming into this room? Aren't you going to say sorry because you're 10 minutes late?"

His cold voice sent shivers down my spine. He asked me those questions in a gentle way... but I felt nervous. He didn't even shout at me... but my heart is starting to beat fast already.

I looked in front because of the shock and it was too late when I saw that our Professor was already standing there! He looked familiar. I frowned because he really looked familiar.

I just ignored it and looked around me. That's why the whole class is so quiet.

I bowed my head and said sorry to him. I also greeted him a good morning and when he gave me the permission to sit down, I nodded my head and politely said 'thank you' to him.

He continued to teach and I had nothing else to do but listen. I know that he may give a quiz or maybe give an activity, so I didn't waste time on other things.

And just like what I imagined, he really did give us a quiz. The 30-item quiz was checked after we finished answering it.

"Congratulations to Ms. Olivia for having a perfect score," compliments started to praise her. "I am just a substitute so expect that your real Professor might be present tomorrow." I even heard the whining of others but I didn't join in.

I then started fixing my things when I heard my Professor call my name. I gave him my attention then asked him what he needed.

"Get these papers and come with me in Faculty." he then left.

I frowned at what he said but followed anyway. I made my way to the faculty with a frown.

And when I arrived, I didn't open the door. I waited for almost three minutes before I knocked. And when no one answered, I opened the door then let myself be welcomed inside the office.

Various desks are placed in the Faculty. The seats are very neat and very clean.

Only one picture caught my attention. It was a picture of a girl. She was smiling as well as her eyes, her black hair is fixed neatly, she has a chunky eyes, red lips, and fair skin color. She's pretty.

I approached that picture. I was about to touch it when I heard a voice behind my back. I looked at it and saw the person whom asked me to come with in this office.

He took the picture I was looking at and put it in his drawer. He then looked at me and watched my whole being from head to body to my toes.

I didn't like the way he was looking at me so I closed my eyes causing his gaze to return to my eyes.

"Have a seat," he then pointed his hand to the chair in front.

He sat down to his chair and I also did what he did.

"I called you to ask if you have been informed by your manager about the arrangement." I frowned at what he said.

"Sir?" I asked him with furrowed brows. I didn't get what he said and before he answered my question, a phone call interrupted us.

I excused myself to accept the call from my manager.

"Ash, I already sent in your email the job you are looking for. The payment, contract, and every detail are included in that file already. Good luck!"

She didn't wait for me to answer and hung up.

I checked my mails and saw the file she was talking about. I opened it and when I read the name of the client I am going to give happiness with, my body got frozen.

I re-read his name countless times but nothing was changed. He really is.

Jake Bryan Valenzuela is my new client for a month.

Just now what my professor said earlier has sunk into my brain. About the arrangement, huh?

I took a deep breath and looked at him who was already looking at me. And by the look of it, he was watching my every move.

I went inside again and offered my hand to him.

"Deal."

"Deal, then." he then accepted my hand and we did a handshake before everything came to where it is supposed to be.

"Hey Ash, you've been quiet for a while now. I've been talking to you and you're not even listening. Are you still thinking about what happened yesterday?" I turned to Gizelle who looked at me sadly.

"Of course not, I'm just not really in the mood to talk." I lied.

She winced because of my answer. Well, I'm not talking because I'm not in the mood to do so. I do not know. Since what happened yesterday, I have already lost my appetite.

"It's better if we go back at the organization a minute before our break is over." said Gizelle.

We just threw away the plastics of our food and then we went straight to the organization. Every week, donations come to the organization and every week we also prepare them before handing them out to the poorest of the poor.

"Gizelle, count the canned foods so we can divide how many canned foods we will give to each one," said Joy, one of our fellow volunteers.

Gizelle frowned because of Joy's order. I don't know about Gizelle. As soon as I entered here, she didn't really like Joy anymore. I didn't ask her about it because I don't want to gossip around. But what they say is really true huh? Time is the best truth teller.

"How dare she order me? Does she think she was the one who built this organization? Tsk, we're just volunteers here." I heard Gizelle's whispers.

I just shook my head at what my friend said. Since I've been here for a long time, I know the things she usually does and says when she doesn't like someone. Well, specifically if it's Joy.

I didn't pay any more attention to it and just started counting the cans. I saw from the corner of my eyes my friend who just continued countng too. She also knows that she won't win with Joy.

After we counted the cans to be distributed, they also started putting them in each bag. These are the only foods missing as we already put the other foods and other necessities in each bag.

After distributing the canned foods in each bag, we put them in a safe and secluded area and we made sure that it is safe.

Tomorrow afternoon, we plan to distribute them. Atlas ordered us this so that we will have time tomorrow to go to Church.

"Hoo! It's finally over," Gizelle sighed heavily and secretly looked at Joy.

"I'm really disgusted with that Joy, huh. What? Does she think of me as her servant? Tsk, she's a witch for assuming things." she stopped in her litany when I stopped walking and sat on the bench of the waiting shed.

"Why are you really upset with Joy? Is it really because she commands you? Or are there any some other reasons?" she tormented me when I caught the real reason why he was annoyed with Joy.

"Ah, I'm just annoyed with her! She and Atlas are just same..." She then sat after me.

I looked at her then wondered why she's acting this way? Earlier she was only annoyed by Joy? Why now with Atlas?

When she saw my stupid look, she looked away like she was guilty. Well I have a feeling that she really is.

*****

I watched Gizelle as she rides the tricycle. There was only one seat left, so I just let her ride it. After all, their house is much farther away compared to mine and even more dangerous at night.

"Are you really sure?" she asked which I immediately nodded and smiled in return. "Oh fine, just call me when you get home, okay?"

I said yes to her so she could go home already. Now, I'm all alone in this waiting shed. I looked at the dark sky.

It seems like the sky won't be on my side right now, huh? And I wasn't wrong because not long ago, it started to rain heavily. Fortunately, the waiting shed here is quite big, so I can avoid myself from getting wet.

I keep looking at the road, trying to find a tricycle but it seems difficult to find now. It's getting late already. I opened my phone and checked the time. It's already 5:57.

Mosquitoes are also getting on my face now but until now, I haven't seen anything that I can ride with. If any tricycles passes by, they are already full and don't have any available seat.

I just returned to my seat while waiting for a tricycle to pass by when suddenly, a car stopped at the side of the waiting shed.

I ignored it because it might just be waiting for someone else. Ten minutes passed but I still couldn't find a tricycle. The rain has stopped already but I'm still here in the waiting shed, still waiting.

I turned to the parked car when it suddenly opened. Shock filled my system when I saw who it was. I blinked my eyes and squinted to regain my previous posture.

I stood up when he got closer. He raised a brow at me then smirked.

"Do you need a ride?" he still couldn't remove the mischievous grin from his face. I know this very well.

I looked around again, and saw that it was already dark. I had no choice, so I agreed. Rather than wait here for a long time, it seems that there are no tricycles available to pass here anymore.

"Is it okay, Sir? I can't find a tricycle anymore, so if it doesn't bother you, I'll accept your offer."

The smile on his face that he had been wearing suddenly disappeared. I expected him to deny it and say that he was only joking because he immediately turned around... but I figured out it was only to open the door on the other side.

We have been quiet inside his car as he drove to the house where I live.

"Do you always go home late like this? Today is Saturday and you don't have a class. Where have you been?" I turned to him because of shock when he suddenly asked.

He looked at me, maybe sensing my shock. I took a deep breath to calm myself down before answering.

"Uhm, I don't usually go home late. It's just now because I have nothing to ride in. Also, there's an organization where I'm one of the volunteers, I work there..." I smiled at him sparingly.

I saw him tighten his grip on the steering wheel and tighten his jaw as if he was trying to stop himself from asking more questions. A few minutes passed and he didn't speak again so I asked.

"How about you, Sir? What are you doing there? I thought you were waiting for someone so you stopped there."

"Stop calling me Sir. I am not your Professor anymore. I was just a substitute. And to answer your question, there is... but it's not your fault, huh. She texted me that she doesn't need a ride anymore ." he could tell from my face that I was guilty. I feel like I'm the reason why he didn't wait for what he should have waited for. "I said stop thinking about it because it's not your fault." I could hear the slight irritation in his voice.

Is it forbidden to be guilty? I didn't speak anymore just to avoid problems. After minutes of driving, we've finally arrived at my home.

I looked at Sir Jake and smiled. "Thank you for the ride, Sir."

"I said stop calling me Sir. Call me Jake." now he was looking at me darkly.

I bow down. "I'm sorry, J-Jake." I hesitated at first because I used to call him 'Sir'."

He just nodded at me and I was about to open the door when he suddenly spoke. I turned to him when he handed me an invitation.

"On Friday night 8:00 pm. It'll start your job on me. I'll pick you up." said Sir Jake while looking away from me.

I accepted the invitation letter then went out from his car. I entered my house when suddenly something came to my mind. How did he know that I live here?

The day passed quickly and now we are here at the mall to find clothes and masks for me to use. It's a masquerade party so I need a mask to cover up my face.

Gizelle and I have been looking for it in various places for a while but until now we still can't choose anything. At first, Gizelle didn't even want to come.

If I hadn't said that the fare and food were free, I might still be forcing her to join me.

"Ash, the moon will fall first before we find you something to wear," Gizelle said while scratching her head.

An hour has already passed and still... there's no dress that fits our tastes. When I noticed that it was time for lunch, I invited Gizelle to eat at a nearby cafeteria.

I ordered four cups of rice and three different dishes. I also ordered drinks for us because I know how tiring the things we did.

"I'll go eat already, Ash. I've been really hungry for a while now." Gizelle said after serving the food I ordered.

I just grinned at her then started eating too.

We were in the middle of finishing our food when my phone rang. I looked at whoever's calling me and it's Jake.

I quickly picked up my phone and informed Gizelle that I would answer the call first because it was important. Jake initiated to put his number on my contact list. I don't know what for but now... I think his idea was great.

"Hello Ash." he answered from the other line. "My bodyguard called me and says you're not in your house?" I frowned at his question. Why does he have his bodyguard follow me?

"A-Ah, we're here today looking for a dress to wear for your party. But we haven't found anything yet, so we're still here-" I was cut off by him.

"No. You don't need to search for it. I already sent your dress for Friday. Don't worry because it suits you too well." he then put down the phone.

Maybe, that's the reason of why he knew I was not at home.

*****

"Huh? Going home? We haven't found anything yet?" Gizelle asked me when I asked her to go home.

I told her that I already got my dress delivered to my house. There was still confusion and wonder in her eyes but eventually, she agreed.

And that's exactly what Jake said. I have something here to wear already. Different accessories were also included. You can see that the materials used in this dress are really well managed.

The dress looked like a gown. It's simple but elegant. Its beauty can be seen by just looking at it once. I never imagined myself wearing this kind of clothes. Because the only right dress for me are the clothes that can be bought at ukay. Because those clothes were just the clothes I could afford to buy.

The day passed quickly and now, I'm getting ready for my face. I only put on light make-up because I don't really like thick make-up. After putting make-up on my face, I fixed my hair.

I stood up and left in front of the mirror to put on the clothes that were ready for me. The dress just fit perfectly on me. The color red dress with shining gold in it. The dress just perfectly fit on my fair skin.

I looked at myself in the mirror and when I received a message from Jake, I went downstairs.

I saw him on his car. He was leaning on it while staring at me, gaping. If I didn't know why he was here... I might think he was in love.

"Damn you're so beautiful," he said with full of adoration, desire, and hunger in his eyes.

My cheeks warmed a little because of what he said. This is not the first time I got complimented for my beauty but this is the first time I feel pretty because of the compliment that I have received.

"Miss, will you let me guide you in my car?" he asked me while in the act of asking for my permission.

I grinned a little and shook my head before accepting his hand.

"Yes, Jake," I said with a smile on my face.

He helped me into his car and when we got inside, he suddenly kissed my hand. His lips lingered there for a moment before he removed them.

He didn't waste any more time and got into the driver's seat and drove the car to the venue.

"The dress just fit perfectly at your body and beauty." Jake praised me.

He couldn't stand the silence inside his car anymore so he started to talk.

I gave him a small smile. "T-Thank you," then my eyes snapped down his suit. "Your suit just fits perfectly on your body and muscles too, Jake."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I love that dress. But... it's too bad it might just get ruined later," he said meaningfully and I know what he means by that.

I am not surprised by this because I know the reason why he is doing this.

He paid me. And I must abide and oblige to everything he asks me to do. I saw many fancy cars parked in front of a big house. I guess this is his house.

But before we got there, he stopped his car in a dark part. He removed his seatbelt then went near me.

"Fuck, I can't stop thinking what it must be like to kiss your lips and body," he touched my face then guided me to his lips.

He kissed me with so much pleasure and hunger. I felt my body being surrounded by heat and I knew what it was.

I pushed him for a while and took off my seatbelt. I then kissed him back with the same intensity he was giving me. We kissed and savored each other's lips like it was our first time to drink water.

We were both panting when we stopped kissing. He smiled and straightened himself before looking at me who was still stunned by the kiss we shared earlier.

"Fix yourself. I'll wait for you outside." he then walked out of the car.

I was left stunned there. I looked where he went but he didn't go far. I swallowed all the shame and pain I was feeling and composed myself.

I called him up when I was already done fixing myself. I didn't look at him again until I got to his house. He told me to put on my mask before opening the door for me.

He took me by the hand before leading me inside his house.

People treat you better when you are beautiful... because that's what only matters to some of them. Only the beautiful things. And when your beauty starts to fade... those who confessed that they love you... starts to fade too... as the time passes by.