Chapter 3. Marco Likes You

I almost hugged myself when I entered his room. I was scared when I entered it was dark. My whole system was shaking! Even my knees were shaking like I was going to fall. Besides the darkness, I saw him.

His bed is gray; the ceiling is white, and the floor and everything else are black. In front of the bed, there is a large flat screen TV. On the side near the veranda, he has a study table with a laptop turned on. On the wall, there is bookshelves. I sighed immediately to relieve the nervousness I felt. Marco own me tonight! I am his tonight!

Maybe this is my destiny? Losing what I value most isn’t that bad. I close my eyes tightly, but it worsens when I feel his breath behind my ear. His hands touch my waist languidly. Oh my god.

I almost wanted to pray that I would disappear like a bubble immediately. The hug of the person I had just admired in the distance was so different now.

“Sir—” I was stopped as he violently pulled me closer to him. My eyes widened! I think I’m about to explode because my heart is beating like a bomb. He looked at me seriously. I’m having trouble breathing right now!

“Sir! Not now—” He hushed me and put his index finger to my lips. I was immediately close to the heat brought by his skin.

Tears welled in my eyes, maybe because of the various emotions now enveloping my system. I’m afraid of what might happen, but I’m ready. He paid me for tonight. He own me for tonight.

“You look like a kid.” My chest throbbed at what he said. What he just say?! His eyes lingered on my chest. Shit! Did he notice that my body and face didn’t fit when I said I was nineteen?! Shit!

“I-I’m not k-kid anymore.” Trembling, I said. He looked at me apprehensively.

“Now sleep.” Marco commanded, and my lips parted. I thought he would bed me tonight, but he demanded me to sleep instead! I thought he was like everyone else who would buy the woman at the club to be used and paid for.

He pointed to the bed.

“Huh? I-I thought—”

“You thought… what?” He said in a playful voice. I bowed when he touched my elbow, and one of his hands held my chin. He’s so tall so I’m only almost up to his shoulder. I heard he’s twenty-five. “I didn’t pay you to abuse you.” He sighed and pointed the bed. “It’s late so go to sleep. Maybe I’ll change my mind.”

He immediately turned around and went to his laptop on the table. The weight I felt suddenly disappeared because he was not like everyone else. In contrast, I was stunned by what he said. Now I was even more amazed. He wasn’t just kind. He’s a good person too. He respected me.

It’s different when we’re together. I found out something I didn’t expect.

That morning he drove me to my dorm early. When I came down from his car, he gave me five thousand. But I didn’t accept it. I don’t know why I was hurt because of that. I think he just felt sorry for me. Could he have paid me to sleep there and fed me because of pity? Shit.

***

“Maria Isabella!” my teacher’s shout made me turn around. I didn’t notice that I had fallen asleep in the room. Shit! My classmates immediately whispered and yelled at me. The men winked at me.

I closed my eyes tightly and sat up. “Ah! I’m sorry!” I’m sorry.”

My professor sneered and rolled his eyes. “If you’re going to sleep in my class, Maria, you’d better just go out! Now, get out!” He shouted. I immediately stood up in nervousness and embarrassment. I heard my classmate’s laughter, and I left the room. Just like once, I was let out because I fell asleep.

I felt so exhausted. I was tired of everything. This is not new to me. Because it was my last subject this afternoon, I left school.

Our uniform was a red checkered skirt. There is also a red checkered necktie. Our skirt was knee-length with a slit on the side. I first approached the vendor, Susan. She was kind; I guess she was one of those who treated me well.

Even from afar, she was already smiling at me. She has a drunkard husband and a son who is the same age as me, who I also met on the street. Like me, they’re living a poor life too.

“Oh? Maria! Will you buy?” she asked vigorously.

I smiled. “Yes! The four spicy ones.” I said and took the money. I immediately handed to her then she handed me the paper plate with food.

“There! That’s too much for one, isn’t it?!” Smiling, she said to me. “You’re really beautiful Maria. I hope you can graduate and achieve your dream,” she said to me gently. My expression became soft. I immediately longed for a mother. I nodded and smiled.

“Of course, that’s why I’m trying.” Immediately my tears welled up. “Ah! I’m leaving ah! I might be up at night.” I said and left before my tears fell.

I immediately trembled at the time of not being able to cry forever. What if. Did I grow up with a parent? I was so jealous every time I saw a complete family. What’s the feeling of having a mother and a father? I bit my lip to suppress my sob.

I have to accept the fact that maybe they are dead. Right now, I’m the only one I can count on. So I became practical, and because of my state, I became courageous.

I get nothing if I become weak. It is necessary to hide the weakness and pretend to be strong. That’s me.

Pretending to be strong, but the truth is I am fragile.

***

“Maria! Oh, what happened last night?” Red immediately greeted me when he saw me wearing heels.

Here I am again at work.

It wasn’t quite here inside. There are already a lot of people. Maybe right now, there is no Marco to show up, right? I hope so.

I shook my head and continued. “Nothing.” I answered simply. My other colleagues got up and looked in the mirror.

Red gasped unbelievably. “Really? Marco didn’t bed you?” His eyes narrowed as he faced me. He didn’t seem to believe.

I shook my head and grinned. “No! I’m still young! And I don’t want to either!” I mocked, and I bunked my hair. I put red lipstick on my lips. I bought it earlier on the street.

Red laughed and waved his hand at my side. “Awful! All right, I believe, because if he beds you…you would not be able to walk now. Because you know, they said…his dick—”

“Ugh! Shut up, Red!” I hissed loudly. Gosh!

He burst out laughing. “Oh! Alright! Get dressed, virgin! So you can have more!” he said playfully before leaving. I smirked at my gay friend. I don’t know why I’m trying to force myself now. Because maybe I was hoping he was here? I sighed nervously. I would have gone out, but the door opened again, and Red peak there.

I shot up my brow and waited for what he would say. His face looks like he wants to shout or something! But it ended; he screamed and pinched me!

“Why?” I asked in surprise. He waved his hand in the air, and I saw there that was pure thousands of money. I can’t count how many it was!

My eyes widened, and my lips parted. “Marco wants you again tonight. He said you sit with him for a while, and he wants you with him again!” He pinched me on the side again!

I’m speechless. I seem to have lost a word. What?

“I think Marco really likes you, Maria! Oh! Be careful! Marco Mondragon is the most playboy of his batch mates, Maria! He is more playboy than the Montemayors at HMU! You know them?”

I nodded gently. I was trying to process what was really happening.

“Now… get out.” Red pushed me without me saying anything. I sighed heavily and left the dressing room. I can’t express my emotions. All I know is that my chest is throbbing violently.