Courtesan

Hello! I'm Harper Walker, the escort later named Walker Blue the Courtesan!

I am the last child of Robert Walker and Susan Walker. I have an elder sister named Sincere Walker and a brother named Philip Walker. Philip has a different mother-he was born to my father's mistress, Rose.

He was hidden away from the family until the day I was born and my mother died. That was when Philip was brought into our lives-not just as the only son, but as the illegitimate child who was suddenly placed above everyone else.

Philip and I were three years apart. Which meant my father had a child outside his marriage for three whole years... without my mother ever knowing.

This is a world where the name Walker changed everything. A name that erased who I was and forced me into the courtesan house.

This is my story...

Robert and Rose paced back and forth in front of the surgery room. The walls felt too white, the lights too harsh, and the air too heavy with tension.

Rose clutched her purse tightly against her chest, her lips trembling. She looked terrified, the kind of fear that aged a person in seconds. Robert's jaw was clenched tight, hands stuffed in his pockets as though holding back everything he couldn't say.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the surgery room door creaked open.

The doctor stepped out, pulling off his nose mask. He looked exhausted-eyes sunken, face pale, shoulders weighed down like someone carrying bad news.

They rushed at him.

"How is he?" they both asked at the same time, voices overlapping in a frantic blend of desperation.

The doctor sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck before looking them in the eye.

"He is not getting any better. We need money to place him on treatment."

Rose's voice cracked as she stepped forward. "Can't you just do something, doctor?"

He shook his head. "The cancer was already bad as it is, and now he got hit by a car. It's dangerous for him! But firstly... we need a blood donation."

Robert's eyes lit up with sudden hope. "Sure! Harper is here-she will donate for him."

The doctor's brows furrowed in confusion. "That little girl?"

He glanced over at the corner where Harper sat. She was curled up in the chair, hugging her knees, her wide eyes filled with fear. She looked like she wanted to disappear.

"She's not a little girl, she's fifteen!" Rose snapped, her tone sharp with urgency.

The doctor hesitated. "Mrs. Walker... there's definitely a limit to how far we can take someone's blood. That girl has been donating blood for Philip since he was five years old. We take her blood almost every month."

Rose scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "She wasn't the only one donating for him. Her elder sister did too!"

The doctor narrowed his eyes. "But she has been the regular one for a while now."

He sighed. "Since Philip has a rare blood group, only his sisters have the same blood group. They have to donate to save their brother."

His gaze sharpened. "Then where is the elder sister?"

Rose and Robert exchanged a glance-one of guilt, one of discomfort-and looked away from each other.

"She ran away," Rose blurted out, eyes fixed on the tiled floor.

"She did?" the doctor asked, raising a brow.

"Yes, doctor. So the only person who can save Philip till his cancer leaves... is Harper."

The doctor looked pained. "Maybe we should check out other hospitals for blood."

"We do not have the money, doctor!" Rose snapped, her voice rising with frustration. "For the past how many years, we spent all our fortune in this hospital and y'all didn't even cure Philip! What the hell!"

Robert stepped in, rubbing his temples. His voice was strained. "We've tried everything."

The doctor put his hands up in defense. "I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Walker. We are also trying our best to treat him. He was fine for a while, then it started acting up again. This is cancer-it's not just any disease. But I promise you... this time around, once we get the money, we will fly him out of the country and give him the best treatment."

Robert stepped closer. "We have your word?"

"Yes! One hundred percent, sir!"

Rose suddenly turned and called out. "Harper! Come here!"

Harper flinched, hesitating for a moment before rising slowly. She moved closer, her legs shaking slightly, voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm here."

"Follow the doctor. They need blood for Philip."

"Mum..." Harper's voice cracked.

"Go! Now!" Rose yelled, her voice laced with panic and something sharper-command.

Harper looked up at Robert, searching his face for some sign of support.

He looked away.

"Follow them, Harper. We need to save your brother," he muttered, not meeting her eyes.

Tears welled up in Harper's eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Her feet felt like they were dragging through cement, but she turned and followed the doctor out of the hallway, silent sobs shaking her small shoulders.

Harper came outside after a while and sat down quietly in the cold hallway. Her small hand trembled as she held the piece of cotton wool tightly against the crook of her arm, trying to stop the bleeding. Her skin was pale, and her lips slightly parted as she took slow, shallow breaths.

She leaned against the wall, her head tipped back, eyelids fluttering with exhaustion. The fluorescent light above her buzzed faintly, casting harsh shadows across her tired face.

Almost an hour passed. The air was tense and quiet except for the occasional footsteps of nurses and murmurs from passing staff.

Then, the nurse came out from the surgery wing with a worried look on her face. Robert immediately stepped forward, his eyes searching her face for answers. Rose crossed her arms, already bracing herself for more bad news.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Walker, but your son lost a lot of blood. We need one more to make sure he is fine."

Robert blinked in shock. "He needs more blood?"

"Yes, sir. We have contacted the other hospital and luckily they have the blood. We can have them send it down here-just make payment at the counter."

"Alright nurse, we will do that," Robert replied quickly, already reaching for his wallet.

But Rose turned sharply toward him, her eyes narrowing into a glare.

"We are definitely not doing that!" she snapped. Her voice was sharp enough to turn a few heads in the hallway. "Why do we have to buy blood when Harper is here? Did you draw her whole blood previously?"

The nurse looked uncomfortable, glancing between the couple. "No, ma'am, but she's weak now. We can't draw her blood anymore."

"I will take care of her when we get home. Just take more from her, please." Rose insisted, stepping forward as though sheer willpower would change the decision.

Robert moved closer and whispered sharply, trying not to cause a scene. "Rose! What are you saying? We can still buy the blood. What if Harper dies?"

Rose scoffed, her arms flailing in frustration. "Who dies from having their blood drawn? Are we that rich enough to be lavishing money at the hospital? We need $150k to treat Philip's cancer and $50k to settle the hospital previously. Why should we pay for blood?"

The nurse's face tensed as she turned to Robert. "What do you say, sir?"

He hesitated. His eyes fell on Harper sitting slumped on the bench, her head down and arm clutched tightly to her chest.

"Take Harper away, then," he said quietly, avoiding her gaze.

"Dad!" she called out suddenly, her voice broken and soaked with tears. Her shoulders shook as she cried, eyes red from both pain and disbelief.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. Just do this for your brother, okay? It's just a little bit more-he will be fine."

Harper shook her head, barely able to keep her balance as she tried to sit up straighter. "Dad, I'm not feeling well... How could you do this?"

Robert winced, but didn't answer.

Then Rose snapped. "You are not feeling well or you are just being lazy? Do you want to watch your brother die, Harper?"

Harper's mouth fell open, her voice stuck in her throat. Her eyes pleaded, darting from her father to the nurse-anyone who might stop this.

"But mum... you can buy the blood."

"We can't afford it, so follow them right now!" she stated sternly. Her voice was cold and final.

Harper stood up slowly, legs trembling beneath her. She swayed slightly before finding her balance. The hallway blurred through her tears as she began to follow the nurse again, her heart pounding against her ribcage like a warning bell.

Her footsteps were light, but heavy with pain.

"How is he?"

"He is fine for now."

Rose exhaled sharply, the tension in her shoulders barely easing.

"Where is Harper?"

"We admitted her too."

Rose snapped her head toward the nurse. "Whatever for?"

"She is weak already. We are giving her IV drops to replenish her energy."

Rose narrowed her eyes. "Isn't that an additional bill?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Discharge her. I will take her home."

"She has one more to take."

"After this one, discharge her."

"But Mrs. Walker-"

"I said discharge her, please!" Rose's tone was sharp and final.

"Alright, ma'am."

Moments later, Rose stormed out of the hospital doors with Harper, half-carrying, half-dragging her frail frame toward where Robert was standing by the curb. Harper looked like a ghost - pale, her eyes sunken, her body trembling with every movement. Her hand still clutched the cotton taped to her arm, and her knees buckled slightly.

"What's wrong?" Robert asked, concerned as he reached for Harper.

"Take her home."

"She's not feeling well yet."

"I said take her home! The more she stays here, the more we have to pay for!"

Robert hesitated, but her glare silenced any protest. "Alright, I understand." He helped Harper gently into a taxi parked outside, her body limp and head lolling against the seat.

"Please take her to this address," Robert said to the driver, slipping some bills into his hand.

"Okay, sir!"

"Dad, are you not going with me?" Harper asked weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why should I go with you? Are you a kid? I need to watch over my son - he is seriously sick."

"Dad!"

Robert turned away quickly. "Please take her home, sir. Thank you!" He shut the door and stepped back.

"I'm starting your journey!" the driver called and drove off.

The road blurred in Harper's eyes, and her head throbbed with every bump. Her breathing became shallow, and her body was heavy - too heavy to carry. It felt like she might die in that car.

When they finally arrived at the house, she struggled to open the door. As soon as she stepped out, her knees gave in. She collapsed onto the ground with a thud.

With tears brimming in her eyes, she picked herself up slowly, grabbed her bag, and staggered to the front door. Her hand shook as she twisted the knob, and once inside, she barely made it to her bed.

She dropped the bag and fell face-first onto the mattress. Sweat streamed down her face. Her lips trembled.

"I'm dying," she whispered, her voice breaking as the tears fell freely. "I miss my sister so much... I really missed her. It's been 5 years since she left. How could she leave me behind and run away? How?" Her voice cracked again.

She curled into herself and passed out.

Back at the hospital, the tension hung like smoke.

"So what do we do now, Robert?"

"I have absolutely no idea."

"Why don't you have any idea? We are talking about Philip here! His life is at risk if we don't act fast."

"What do you think we should do? We have no means of getting $200k. Where are we gonna get that from?"

"We just need to think of something."

"Something like what? Should I draw out my insurance? There are millions in there."

"No! You will not do that! We saved that for Philip."

"We still need it anyway. After his surgery, we need to send him to the best school here and also get him a car. We need more money to do that, so we can take out the insurance."

"No! We will not take out the insurance until Philip is grown and ready to start his own company."

"Then what should we do?"

Rose's eyes lit up with a disturbing clarity. "Honey, we have Harper."

"What does she have to do with this?"

"Harper is just a girl and she's not useful for anything. She will eventually get married and forget your existence. She is different from Philip who will take on the family line."

Robert stared at her. "What are you insinuating?"

"We can talk to Ross to take Harper away and give us a substantial amount."

His face twisted in horror. "Rose!! Why should I do that? Do I even know what Ross is up to? He is a human trafficker - if not organs as well!"

"He is not! He just deals with drugs and needs people to work for him! He takes girls mostly because they're not easily detected by the police. He uses them for work."

Robert rubbed his face, disbelief washing over him. "You definitely know that once we give Harper to Ross, we can never ask of her again. We won't hear from her anymore."

"Why do we need to hear from her? Is there any important information that she needs to pass to us? Of course not! We don't need Harper for anything. Only Philip is our priority."

His voice dropped. "But Rose... she is my child."

"So? Is Philip not your child? Why are you so heartless, Robert? Do you wanna watch my only child die just because you wanna keep Harper in the house for no damn reason? If Philip should die, your whole family is over, Robert!" She broke into sobs.

Robert's lips tightened. "It's fine. Stop crying. I'm gonna talk to Ross tomorrow."

"Yes, you should do that! We need to save Philip quick."

"Yes, we will! We will save him..."

Ross leaned back in his chair, a smug grin spreading across his face. He crossed his legs slowly, fingers stroking his neatly trimmed beard.

"What's funny, Ross?"

"And why should I give you that much money? $500k for one person? What is she capable of?"

"She can do anything, Ross."

"How old is she?"

"15."

He raised a brow. "She's just a minor. She can't do anything that will fetch me $500k, Robert."

"Ross, I know it's hard, but she will serve you for life. She is worth it since she's serving you for life."

"True! But I'm not paying such amount for a minor."

"Then how much can you give us?"

Ross grinned wider. "Hmm... let's see? Where is the girl?"

"She's upstairs."

"Let me see her."

"Sure!" Rose said quickly and bolted upstairs.

She barged into Harper's room, and the girl jerked awake.

"Mum?"

"Come with me!"

"Where to?"

"Don't question me. Just follow!"

She yanked Harper by the arm and dragged her downstairs. Harper's eyes widened as she saw Ross seated with two intimidating guards flanking him. Her feet froze for a moment.

"This is the girl?"

"Yes."

"She is beautiful."

"Very very!" Rose beamed proudly.

Ross stood up, his shadow looming over Harper. She instinctively looked away, but he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"She looks tough! She looks like she will be very successful in life."

"How do you know that just from seeing her face?"

"She has a strong aura."

"Really? This dimwit?"

"She's no dimwit, Rose!" Ross chuckled. "Well, let's see. She looks sick. How can I pay such amount for a sick person?"

"She just had a little fever. She will be fine soon. Don't worry about that."

"Okay."

"You can go back to your room, Harper!"

"Yes, mum!" she said and darted upstairs, slamming the door behind her. Her chest heaved. What was he talking about? Paying such amount? Are they trying to make me work for that scary-looking man? Ohh! She gasped. I definitely can't work for someone like that!

Back downstairs:

"Ross, what's your bid?"

"Since she has such a strong presence, I'm gonna pay a lot for her."

"Good!"

"$300k is good."

"What? Ain't you going to pay $500k?"

"That is if I will be selling all her organs."

"What?"

"Just kidding!"

"Oh!" Robert laughed nervously.

"Give them the money," Ross said. One of his guards stepped forward, opened a locked box, and laid out three neat bundles of cash.

"That's $100k each. Money complete."

"Oh thank you so much, Ross."

"Do not thank me. It is a business." He raised his hand, and the guard passed him a paper.

"Your thumbprint."

"Sure! Where is the ink?"

"Nope! Your blood!" He handed over a needle and grinned.

Robert hesitated, then took the needle and pricked his thumb. He pressed it to the paper.

Ross snatched the paper and smiled. "Harper is no longer yours. She belongs to me now."

"Yes, we know right."

"Asking for her means your death, Mr. and Mrs. Walker." He smirked as he said it.

They both laughed nervously.

"Sure, sure, Ross."

"Deliver my order tonight, Mr. Walker!" Ross adjusted his suit and strode out.

"Oh my, he is so scary."

"He definitely is!"

The moonlight streamed faintly through the closed curtains, painting pale streaks across the floor. Harper lay on her bed, her knees drawn to her chest, flicking mindlessly through a book she wasn't reading. Then-a soft knock.

Her head snapped toward the door. Her heart thudded. She scrambled off the bed barefoot, her hair slightly tousled, and pulled the door open.

"Mum!"

Rose stood there, her posture strangely gentle. Not stiff. Not cold. Just... unusual.

"Hello sweetheart."

Harper blinked, uncertain. Her voice was cautious. "Do you want something?"

"Not really! Can I come in?"

Harper hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Sure." She opened the door wider.

Rose entered slowly, glancing around the tidy little room like a visitor. She lowered herself onto the edge of Harper's bed, hands folded in her lap, and offered a warm, unfamiliar smile.

"Why do you look so nervous, Harper?"

Harper scratched her head and laughed awkwardly. "Huh? Oh, I'm not! It's just surprising seeing you ask for my permission to come in here."

"I'm trying to be polite."

"That's cool!" Harper shrugged and leaned against the doorframe.

Rose's eyes softened. "I'm sorry for everything, Harper."

Harper's body stiffened slightly. Her fingers curled around the door handle.

"Sorry?"

"Yes sweetheart! I raised you up but I have never been a mother to you. I feel so remorseful about everything I have done to you in the past, including forcing you and your sister to give blood to Philip."

Harper looked away, biting her lower lip. "It's fine! I know you were just trying to save Philip... but I'm not gonna lie, he is not worth it. He is such a bully."

"You!" Rose chuckled softly, the first trace of amusement Harper had seen in weeks. "I understand! You know he is just a boy."

Harper's face twisted in frustration. "Because he is a boy doesn't mean he shouldn't have manners. He behaves as if he is above anybody else."

Rose sighed deeply, rubbing her palms together. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm deeply sorry about everything. I promise to make it up to you."

Harper's voice was small but forgiving. "It's fine, mum."

"I brought you this fruit. I know you like eating fruits."

Rose reached into a small bag and offered a plate of freshly sliced apples. They glistened under the light.

"Thank you, mum."

"I will take my leave now!"

"Alright."

As Rose stepped toward the door, she paused and glanced back over her shoulder.

"Do not sleep late so you won't be late for school tomorrow."

"I won't."

Her eyes lingered. "Also," she said more cryptically, "always keep what is important to you with you at all times. Who knows where you might be tomorrow."

"Sorry?"

Rose simply smiled-warm but unreadable-and pulled the door shut behind her with a soft click.

Harper stared at the closed door, frozen. Her face twisted in confusion, then slowly hardened into suspicion.

"What is she talking about? Is she trying to steal what is important to me? Oh my!" Her voice grew panicked.

She dashed to the closet, flung the doors open, and began throwing clothes aside until she found a small box tucked in the corner. Inside, nestled in cloth, was a delicate necklace.

She clasped it around her neck quickly, hands trembling.

"I know right! She will definitely try to steal this necklace and give it to Philip when he gets back. He already beat me up several times to collect this from me, and it's the only thing my mum left behind. My sister gave it to me before she ran away."

Her face crumbled. She sank onto the bed.

"No! She didn't run away. She was missing. Why would she leave me and run away? It's not possible!"

Tears welled in her eyes, but she wiped them away quickly and reached for the apple slices.

"Where could Sincere be? She was probably tired of being treated badly and left the house... I'm gonna find her anyway I can!"

She bit into one of the slices. Her brow furrowed immediately.

"Huh! This apple tastes weird! Oh no! It's sour!"

She licked her hand and swayed slightly. Her eyes rolled shut. She collapsed onto the bed, the plate clattering beside her.

The door creaked open again. Rose stepped in, careful not to make a sound. She peered over her shoulder, then whispered:

"She's asleep. Come inside!"

Robert crept in behind her. He stepped to the bed, gently lifted Harper's limp hand and let it fall. No response.

"She is fast asleep."

"Yes! Carry her outside!"

Robert hoisted Harper over his shoulder like a ragdoll. Rose kept glancing around nervously as they made their way downstairs.

Outside, the night was cold and silent. The car engine purred as Robert opened the back and laid Harper inside.

"Be careful, Robert! Avoid the police."

"Sure! I will be back soon!"

The tires crunched against gravel as the car disappeared into the darkness.

Fog blanketed the docks. The ship loomed in silence under the dim lights of the harbor.

Robert's car rolled inside the loading area. He stepped out, adjusting his coat. Ross waited by the ramp, looking impatient.

"You are late!"

"I'm very sorry, Ross! You know I have to be watchful."

"She is your daughter. Who are you watching?"

"I still need to be careful to avoid a disaster."

"Take her out!"

Robert opened the back door, and two guards helped him lift Harper's limp body.

They carried her down a steel hallway and dropped her into a dark, windowless room. The door shut with a hollow clang.

"Thank you so much, Ross. I will be leaving now."

"Alright! Looking forward to our next business."

"We have no business together again. I have no more child to give out!"

Ross laughed coldly. "We might meet again, Robert! You should go now."

"Yes!"

He turned and left quickly. The ship rumbled beneath their feet, then a loud horn blasted into the night.

"Let's move!" Ross shouted.

The vessel pulled away from the dock. Onboard, Harper lay still in the shadows-unaware that her life had just changed forever.

Robert stepped into the house, the guilt of his actions clinging to him like sweat. Rose met him in the hallway.

"How was it?"

"I have dropped her there."

"Oh!" Rose sighed with relief, pressing a hand to her chest. "That's good to hear. You have worked hard, Robert."

He collapsed into the chair, staring at the floor.

"I'm so worried, Rose."

"Worried? Why are you worried?"

"I won't see my girl anymore. She is gone forever."

"Why do you need to see her? She's not needed here. Only Philip is important to us, and we are going to save him."

"I'm scared that this will backfire on us."

"It will not! What power does Harper hold? Ross will definitely take care of her."

"Are you sure? We know Ross is doing an illegal business. What if he killed her or something?"

"He will not do that. He just needs her to work for the money. She's just gonna be working over there."

"True."

"If you're so worried about this, when Philip's surgery is over, we can move to another city and leave here. No one will ask of Harper if we move to a new city and start a business in there."

"We can do that?"

"Of course we can! We are paying $150k for total treatment. We still have enough to get an apartment and start something up-can open up a factory or something."

"We don't have enough for that."

"We take out your insurance then."

"Rose! You said we can't take it out. That's why we sold Harper away."

"But we need it now, don't we? We can take it out and start a new business, send Philip to a nice school, and get him a car. When everything is done, we can give the business to him later on."

"That's right!"

"Yes, just follow my advice and let's do this! Few months, we can move out."

"I will make plans on it."

"How about the money?"

"I will deposit the money at the hospital tomorrow, then take the rest to the bank."

"No! Please, why would you take it to the bank? We move everywhere with cash only! The only money that should go into your account is your insurance. We don't want police tracking where money came from later on."

"You mean they will catch on?"

"They will! Having that much enter your account at once is questionable, don't you think?"

"I have always had more than that before."

"But not anymore! That was then! When your business was thriving, but now you're barely earning $5k per week. Just leave it! Anytime we need money, we do cash."

"Cool then! That's a brilliant idea."

"Yes, hubby."