Chapter 2
2845 Words
“Sorry. I think I’m bothering you. You weren’t supposed to be an escort but you’re here,” he said. “I’ll see to it that you get to be paid more tonight.”
My eyes widened. “No need, Sir—I mean, Chadrick. It’s okay. I was asked by the operations manager. I will always comply to her orders.”
Chadrick smiled and nodded. “Okay. But then, you don’t seem comfortable with your clothes,” he chimed. “Next time you cater to me, wear your most comfortable outfit.”
I blinked at him. Next time? Will there still be a next time?
A big part of me doesn’t want a next time. A small part of me does.
“What do you want to drink?” he asked me casually.
I’m really amazed at how he’s acting now. He’s acting like we’re friends when he’s been sending me daggers the whole night. But then again, I shouldn’t be complaining, right? It’s a relief that he’s acting like this because it lessens the tension in the atmosphere.
“No. I’m okay,” I refused. I can’t drink because I will go to my mother after this. Aunt Georgina is going home to Hawaii in the morning so I need to be there for Mom.
Come to think of it, I can use my reward of a paid leave starting to tomorrow. I’m going to inform Miss Bea about it tonight. She’s a little intimidating but I know that she’s considerate, too. So, I’m feeling positive about it.
Chadrick nodded and then downed one more shot. He leaned and rested his elbows on his knees while his eyes darted back to me. “How old are you?” he asked.
“Twenty,” I replied.
I wanted to ask for his age too but I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of him anymore. But from what I see, I feel like he’s in mid-twenties.
He raised his brow and nodded. He laced his fingers together and looked down, seemingly in deep thoughts. Or maybe he’s already tipsy.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He slowly looked up and my whole world seemed to stop. His gray eyes were deep and intense as he looked at me. He licked his lower lip, making me stop and move back. He smirked and nodded. “I’m good,” he replied.
My breathing hitched and I held my breath. How can he look at me like this? He looks so intoxicated and I don’t like what I am feeling!
“What are you doing after this?” he asked as he leaned on the couch again.
I blinked several times. What does that question mean? “I need to go somewhere,” I replied vaguely because I don’t want to give him a chance to take me out later.
He nodded. His index finger brushed his lips before taking another shot in one gulp. He winced a little with the taste. “Will you be here again tomorrow?” he asked.
Okay. What is happening?
“I don’t know yet.”
He nodded again. “I’ll be here tomorrow,” he informed me.
Okay. He’s fast to act, huh? We just met a few hours ago and it looks like he is hooked.
“Good. Then you can ask for another escort,” I told him and smiled. “I don’t think everyone is booked tomorrow night so you can ask for one who could fulfill your needs.”
He raised his brow as the side of his lips rose. “Fulfill my needs, huh?” he asked with a voice laced with sarcasm. “You have no idea what my needs are, Blythe.”
Blythe. Blythe. BLYTHE.
I have never heard my name pronounced this good before. His articulation felt different from other people because for the first time, I felt like Blythe, my name, is my favorite word.
He chuckled lowly and even in the loudness of the music, I heard it. I heard his chuckle. “I don’t need an escort if I want to f**k someone. I don’t need to book an escort.”
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped at his vulgarity. I cannot believe it! Am I really having this kind of conversation with him?
Oh, please, Blythe. You’re the one who talked about fulfilling of needs first, you stupid brat!
Chadrick looked at me and smirked. “Do you think everyone people who book escorts need s*x?” he asked me.
I frowned at him because his sounded so judgmental of me. “I didn’t say that.”
He raised his brow. “Then why does it seem like it? You told me that I need to book someone who could fulfill my needs.”
I narrowed my eyes at him—already feeling offended that he thought of me thinking of escorts that way. “Well,” I let out a deep breath. “My statement depends on your interpretation of needs.” I said.
He doesn’t know me well. I am an aspiring lawyer so I am good at rebuttals. I can reason even when I’m sleeping so he should stop now because he unravels that part of me tonight.
And just like that, I feel like all the awkwardness because of his handsome face and intense stares are gone. I am now on my serious and savage mode now. I won’t let him ruin me.
He nodded and shrugged. “Fair point,” he said. “So, have you been living here all your life?” he asked me, changing the topic which made me breathe in relief as well.
I shook my head and fixed my skirt. “My mother lives here. I was living in Chicago for three years because I study there.”
He paused and stared at me. “Chicago?” he asked.
I nodded. “My father is from Chicago,” I replied. “He has business there.”
Chadrick nodded. “So, you’re rich?” he asked again. He leaned closer and placed his elbows on his knees again. I can even see his biceps flexing with his move.
I shook my head. “I don’t have money. I don’t ask my father for anything. I’m on my own,” I replied.
He stared at me, curious and attentive. It’s as if he saw something on my face that fazed him. “Independent,” he stated and then smiled. “So why did you move back here? Aren’t you studying?” he asked again.
I pursed my lips on his question. I don’t know if I am capable of answering that without breaking down. I loved my studies but I love my mother more than everything in the world. She did everything for me. She made ends meet even if it seemed impossible just to send me to my dream school.
“I…I stopped.” I looked down.
It was hard for me to give it up but when my mom’s life is already on the line, I would choose her no matter what. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m working my ass off so I could earn the money we need for her heart transplant.
Chadrick turned quiet but his eyes are looking at me. His eyes seemed to show me what he’s feeling inside. He’s definitely feeling pity for me but I don’t need that. I don’t need pity because I am doing this for my mom. It’s not a sacrifice. It’s a voluntary offering.
“But it’s okay. I’ll go back soon anyway.” I smiled reassuringly.
He nodded and his face seemed to relax but I can still see that he’s concerned.
“Are you from here?” I asked him first so he wouldn’t ask more of my life. The last thing I need now is some stranger asking me personal questions.
He shook his head. “I’m just passing by,” he replied.
I nodded. “So you travel?”
He grinned. “You can say that,” he uttered as he took another shot and gulped it down. He put the shot glass down and then looked at me. “I’m planning on staying here a little longer.”
I blinked at him and stopped when I was caught inside his gaze once again. I bit my lip and looked down immediately to get away from the awkwardness.
“I hope to see you around,” he told me.
I paused and looked up to him. He’s smiling at me widely like he’s a whole new different person than the intimidating man he was a few moments ago.
“What?” I asked.
He chuckled and bit his lower lip. “You must be tired. I’ll call in and tell them that you’re coming with me.”
“What?!” I asked, slightly raising my voice because of my shock.
He stood up before looking at me. “Don’t worry. After we get out of the door, you can go home. I’m a little tired now, too.”
I looked at him, confused at why he seemed so concerned about me. I watched him walk to the bar and talk to Miss Bea who’s supervising the operations. I can see that her eyes widened as she listened to what Chadrick was talking about. She nodded and then motioned to the door of the dressing room.
I sighed and looked at my outfit. I was thinking if I was going home on this but then a paper bag appeared in front of me.
I looked up and saw Chadrick smiling down at me. “Go and change. You can’t go out in that outfit,” he told me softly.
My lips parted but then he waved the paper bag in front of me making me snap out of my daze. I stood up and took the paper bag before running back to the dressing room.
Miss Bea smirked at me. “He’s handsome,” she told me.
I frowned at her. Is she thinking that I am going to come with him somewhere? Well, that’s what everyone would think of right? Since I entertained him for the night.
“Ma’am, can I claim my paid leave next week?” I asked her.
Miss Bea smiled and nodded. “One week?” she asked.
I nodded. “I need to be with my mom in the hospital. My aunt will go back to Hawaii for a week so she’ll be alone.”
She nodded. “Okay. You can have your paid leave tomorrow. Take care of your mother,” she told me and I replied nothing but gratefulness.
I went on to change and then ran off to table four where Chadrick is already waiting. He looked at me from head to foot and must have noticed how different I am when I dress normally. I am only wearing a plain white shirt, a pair of ripped jeans and white sneakers.
“Too plain?” I smirked at him.
He smiled and shook his head. “More you and that’s better,” he replied as he led me out of the club.
But while we’re headed out, I can’t keep thinking why he said that it’s better for me to dress this way. Is it because those revealing clothes don’t match me? Don’t I suit them? Are these the only clothes that suit me?
I sighed and shook my head to shake my thoughts away. I shouldn’t care about what he thinks of me. He’s handsome but he’s definitely not my type. And besides, I don’t even know him. I just met him tonight. He shouldn’t affect me at all.
“Will you go first?” he asked me when we reached the exit.
I looked at him and nodded. “Thank you for the early out,” I told him.
He smiled and nodded. “No worries. Thanks for your company tonight. I had fun,” he retorted with a wink. “Since you work here, I’ll be coming here more often.”
I raised my brow and smirked. “Don’t fall for me, Chadrick,” I told him in a joke.
He laughed out loud and shook his head. “I’ll see you around, Blythe,” he uttered, ignoring my last sentence and walked to the parking lot. “Take care of yourself!” he beamed as he turned his back on me.
I smiled and watched him go. Well, he’s not that bad.
***
I was with Mom for a while week. I also accepted some proofreading and editing works so I could do it beside her in the hospital.
She told me she’s already feeling fine but I doubt it. She’s only telling me she’s strong so I wouldn’t worry but I can see how she’s struggling.
“How’s your mom?” Aunt Georgina asked me. She called me to check up on us.
I looked at Mom who’s lying on the bed, sleeping. “She’s sleeping right now. She tells me she’s alright,” I replied.
In all honesty, my heart is breaking every time I see Mom lying on the hospital bed. I feel like my world is shaking and it is facing its ending.
Tears formed around my eyes that it stung. I shut my eyes forcefully and looked away. I couldn’t afford to have her witness me crying over her. She’ll just tell me that I’m crying for nothing and that I’m just wasting my tears.
“Are you okay?” Aunt Georgina asked me again.
I bit my lip to prevent the sobs from coming out. I took several deep breaths to calm myself. “Y-yes,” I replied, almost voiceless.
I heard Aunt Georgina’s loud sigh from the other line. “I’m sorry, Blythe. I’ll come back tomorrow. I also got some cash because I sold one of the lands of our parents around here. We can add it to the money for Czara’s operation.”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see it. “Thank you, Aunt Georgina. You don’t need to feel the rush to come back here. I am good. I can still manage. Have fun and a lot of rest in Hawaii first…” I told her.
Aunt Georgina had been looking after my mother since I started studying in Chicago. She didn’t have time for herself anymore. She’s on her late thirties so I think it’s only right for her to have time for herself from time to time. She needs to marry too and have children of her own.
“It’s okay, Blythe. Besides, I can’t stay put here when I know that your mother is in a critical condition.”
I smiled. Everyday, I thank God for Aunt Georgina. She’s my second hero. She’s my second mother and also my second best friend.
“Thank you, Aunt George,” I said softly.
“I don’t want to cry here, Blythe. I’ll pack my bags and head over the airport now. You can expect me to arrive first thing in the morning,” she told me. “I need to hang up now.”
“Take care, Aunt George,” I reminded her.
“See you tomorrow.”
I ended the call and sighed. I looked at my mother and sat beside her. I held her hand and caressed it with my heart breaking apart.
“You’ll get better, Mom. It will all be better for all of us,” I whispered like a prayer and a promise.
- Writer
