In the dark and luminous sky, a luxurious car was seen driving peacefully down the commercial street. It's sleek, black color blending in with the night sky. Inside the car the seats were made of fine leather, smooth and cool to the touch. Soft ambient lights traced the edges of the doors and dashboard, casting a gentle glow that made the space feel more like a private lounge than a vehicle.
Every surface—from the glossy panels to the metallic accents—looked meticulously crafted. The air inside smelled like expensive cologne, lulling the passengers into a comfortable nap.
In the heart of the car sat the woman whom businessmen fear, but also curry favor to—Thera Anerea. From a young age, this business powerhouse had showcased impeccable business acumen, and had inherited Weaver Inc., a major business in the country.
True to the people's expectations for her, she not only maintained the successful streak of the said corporations, she even further developed it. Turning the Weaver Inc. to a major corporation, to the leading one in the country. However, this outstanding woman is now in deep trouble.
Her mother had just called, telling her to accompany her mother's friends' children at a "club". She tried to reason with her mother, of course, but it proved to be futile as she just got screamed at. Thera sighed as she looked out the window, she didn't want to go to the club. It was messy, noisy, and overall... Filthy.
Yes, you can get pleasure there, but what if they carry some sort of disease? What if the disease gets passed to her? What if it was life threatening? What would happen to her children? Thera sighed as she closed her eyes, resigning to her fate.
'I'll just stay for a few minutes and then, I'll leave.'
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
"Having fun?" The woman, who was called Angel, asked Arnel. Arnel glared and ignored her. It has been 30 minutes since he started this "work" and as expected, it was far from pleasant. He has been groped by not only grown men, but also women. He wanted to scream and report them to the police, but this was one of his "duties" written in the contract.
Furious but unable to leave, Arnel sucked all of the rage inside and went whatever the customer wanted even though he was disgusted. 'For a hundred bucks,' he reminded himself, to not lose his mind.
Just then, a man beckoned him to get closer. Arnel didn't want to, but he moved and plastered a small smile on his face. The man grabbed his waist and laughed boisterously, "Man, ain't he cute? What do you think, boss?" The man said as he looked with sparkling eyes at the corner of the sofa.
Arnel just smiled absentmindedly, looking at his feet. He was just nodding to whatever the man was saying, not really having any energy to deal with this anymore. However, he was forced to snap out of his thoughts when his vision darkened as a shadow covered him. Which wasn't surprising as he is quite small for a man.
Arnel looked up, expecting a burly, rugged man, but he was greeted by a towering beauty. She looked like a greek goddess that came to life. Arnel snapped out of his thoughts when the "goddess" held his chin and examined him.
She hummed as she looked at Arnel. She nodded approvingly and straightened up again, "How much for this man?" Her clear and velvety voice was pleasing to the ears, but the words she uttered were concerning.
"...What?" Arnel let out, too shocked at what the woman said. Before he could ask for another clarification, Angel suddenly appeared beside him, clamping her hands around Arnel's shoulders and flashing a bright smile. Arnel turned to her, about to brush her hands off, but Angel just tightened her hold on Arnel. Arnel winced at the pain and looked at Angel with bewilderment and shock.
"Why hello there, Madam. This one—" Angel gestured towards Arnel with her eyes, "is new here. If you're planning to "buy" him, his price is a bit astronomical." Angel laughed fawning. The woman shifted her attention back to Arnel, then back to Angel again. "Name your price," she said. Angel's eyes widened and she laughed even more shamelessly, "My, my, what a determined madam. Please, right this way," Angel said, gesturing at a door hidden in a corner.
The woman nodded to them and went to the door. "Quite lucky, aren't you?" Angel whispered at Arnel. Arnel brushed Angel's hands off his shoulder and glared at her. In return, Angel just laughed and shrugged, following Arnel. "Come on now, I helped you didn't I? Can't I at least get a 'thank you'?" Angel said, further irritating Arnel.
Arnel's reaction was predictable, after all, they just talked about him just like a cheap product in a wet market. It was offending, not only that, it made his viewpoint in life change. 'Rich people really do treat those below them equal or worse than trash,' Arnel thought bitterly.
He wanted to interject earlier, but seeing the cold and predatory gaze of the woman, forced himself to shut up. He felt upset, not just to his environment and how people were treating him, but also at himself. He was upset because he was such a big coward, not voicing his thoughts even though his life was practically on the line. For crumbling down to pressure and impulsively signing up for this job.
He was upset with everything and everyone. But... 'This is my own choice.' Arnel thought bitterly, his eyes stinging, but holding himself back from crying. This was something he signed up for, so he didn't have the right to complain nor be mad at anyone. Hell, he shouldn't feel upset about how Angel acted, she was just doing her job after all.
Arnel sat down and rested his eyes, "This is all my fault." Arnel muttered to himself.