I was already in bed when I woke up. Aaron's snoring loudly beside me. He must have brought me here. He's such a caring guy. I can't afford losing him again. He looks so cute when he sleeps. I moved close to him, so close that our lips almost touched, but he snored and rolled on his side.
It's already midnight. I shouldn't disturb him. I stood up and went to the toilet to pee. Then I went back to bed and slept again. Aaron had rolled over and hugged me. I felt his arms around me all night.
On the next day, Aaron and I went to work as usual. I feel a little bit lighter, as if the burden of guilt had been lifted from my shoulders. We held each other's hands, like a normal couple, as we walked down the streetside to the bar.
"Seems like you're closer than I thought," Fatima said, standing in front of the club with her black duffel bag.
"Good morning, ma'am." Aaron bowed his head like how Japanese people greet each other to show respect.
"Such a gentleman." Fatima slightly bowed her head too. "Come, let's get inside together. Tricia's so lucky to have you. You should take care of this man if you don't want other ladies to steal him."
I blushed at what she said. She seems to know that Aaron and I are in a relationship. Some humans are indeed intuitive and discerning. I followed them inside the club. It's still early, so there aren't many people yet; most of them are performers, preparing themselves. Some girls are putting on makeup, others are wearing their clothes, and a few are wiping the chairs, tables, and counters and mopping the floor.
The day passed by quickly until it was already night. I've been busy serving drinks to those men. They were so opportunistic. I had physical contact with them more times than I could count. I noticed Aaron staring at me. He's also being surrounded by those flirty sluts. I avoided the drunk men, as I don't want to create a misunderstanding between us. My body only belongs to him, and I'd never let anyone else touch me.
Another drunk man signed for me to come close. I thought he wanted some more drinks, so I approached him, but he touched my legs and thighs, so close to my private part. I almost kicked him, but I distanced myself instead, as I don't want to cause trouble.
"What's wrong?" he asked in a drunk voice. His face is as red as a ripe tomato. There's an almost naked woman beside him, but he doesn't seem satisfied with her. "Don't you want to have fun with me?"
I moved away from him, but he grabbed my wrist. If he weren't a customer, I would have already punched his face. Fortunately, Ma'am Fatima arrived to my rescue. "Let her go," she said.
The drunk man hesitated.
"I said let her go if you don't want me to call the guards and drag you out of my club," Ma'am Fatima warned.
The drunk man finally let me go. He stood up, but he couldn't even walk properly. The almost-naked woman helped him to the exit.
"Are you okay?" Fatima asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for saving me," I replied.
"Sorry for that. There are really those kinds of men. Even if you decline, they'll keep insisting. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I just need to take a break." I went back to the counter. Aaron and those girls weren't there anymore. I wonder where they went. I put the tray on the counter and went to the toilet.
At the narrow alley, I saw three girls laughing. They were obviously drank.drunk. They were holding their phones, taking a video of someone. Then I heard some weird sounds made by a man and a woman. I continued walking and saw Aaron and that blonde-haired slut he was talking with earlier. My eyes turned wide when I realized what they were doing there in the dark.
Like a statue, I froze on my feet. My hands flew to my mouth, unable to react. Tears stream down my eyes. I don't know how he could do this. I thought he loved me, but I wasn't enough for him. Maybe he's doing this to take revenge. He's such a liar.
The sight was too painful to see. I turned back and ran away as fast as I could before they could see me. I felt a sharp ache in my heart. I don't know how he could cheat on me. Didn't I give him enough? I loved him with all my heart, but he still had sex with other girls. I'm such a fool. I let him fool me. I knew from the start how flirty he is, but I still fell in love with him.
Tears continued streaming down my eyes as I ran. The surroundings blurred. I ran so fast I didn't notice a truck. Aaron's face flashed before my eyes like lightning, and then everything turned black.
When I opened my eyes, I saw my father in front of me. He looks so worried. There's something around my head. I can't move my body at all. Blurry images flash back in my mind. Fragments of what happened. My head ached.
"Tricia, Tricia, are you okay?" My father panicked. "Doc! Doc! Help! My daughter!"
A doctor rushed inside the room and injected me with something until I calmed down. I felt like I was already in heaven. I couldn't feel anything until I fell asleep once more.
In my dream, I saw my mother. She was happy to see me. She said she was waiting for me. Her face suddenly turned black, like that of a zombie. I woke up from the nightmare. I could hear the loud sound of the machine that monitors my pulse. Doctors came rushing inside my room again.
"Take a deep breath," the doctor said. "Calm down."
My breathing's shallow. I tried my best to forget that nightmare, inhaled slowly, and then exhaled. I did it again and again until I calmed down. Then my father hugged me.
"I'm glad you're alright," he said. "You've had an accident. The truck hit your head. Fortunately, the truck didn't run over you, or else you'd be..." He made a long pause, unable to say the word. "D-Do you remember what happened?"
I nodded. I remember it now. How, Aaron... How he... I still find it difficult to say. He's such a liar. I thought he only wanted me, but how could he have sex with a whore? I still can't believe it. If it was a dream, it was the worst nightmare I've ever had.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Father asked. "Why are you crying? Does your head still hurt?"
I can't even feel the pain coming from my head. All I feel is the aching of my heart. Aaron broke my heart again. He was so shameless. I'd never want to see his face again.
Father wiped my tears and hugged me. "You should get more rest so that you'll get better soon. I'll stay here beside you," he said.
I hugged my father. I don't even care who hit me. It was my fault anyway for running without looking where I was going. I feel so sad right now; I just wish I had died when that truck hit me. Dying is better than living with this sadness. I kept crying, not even caring about the doctors watching us. They finally left the room to give us some space.
"It's alright now. You're fine," Father said.
I'm fine physically, yes, but how could I be fine if the man I love cheated on me? I can't stop the tears from streaming down my eyes. My father gave me a lot of tissue. I kept wiping my face and nose. I felt bad for causing him troubles. I was so careless. We're just starting a new life, and we'll need money to pay my bills again.
My father fell asleep beside me. He must be exhausted from watching over me all day and night. I lie down and get some rest too, hoping that I won't wake up again. My mother's waiting for me. Maybe it'll be better to just be with her.