Her Redemption

Chapter 9 – Her friends

When Nia heard about it, she’s starting to realize how she’s affecting their lives. It’s one thing to be messed with about your own issues, but to be judged because of someone else? Yeah, she could understand why Lara doesn’t like her.

She supported Mark’s decision to beat the guy in question. He grinned at her older sister.

“I knew I did well.” He sounded proud.

“How’s Lara?” She hesitatingly asked.

“Well, she’s got a few good friends. She’ll survive.” Mark replied.

“She’s a tough girl.” Their mother affirmed.

Well, aren’t they all? It’s a pity she and Lara don’t see eye to eye.

Yeah, she chose something unpleasant in the eyes of the society but it’s doing good to them financially.

Life continued for all of them.

One time, Nia was having a leisurely walk in the town center when she met a somewhat familiar face. She squinted at him when he waved. She even looked around to make sure he’s looking at her. He chuckled as he approached. A man in uniform, she finally noticed. He was already standing a few steps away from her when she finally recalled who he is. A neighbor from their old residence and a school mate. He was already in high school when she started grade school.

“Troy! You look good. How long have you been working?”

He was one of those people who were introverted. They don’t talk much but they smile a lot. Nia wonders why he’s approaching her.

“It’s only been a few months. I graduated last year. How are you? You guys haven’t come back to visit.”

“I’m alright. Yeah, we’re all busy with school and work. Our new house is close to my mother’s hospital, so…” Why is she even explaining? It’s not like they were close… they weren’t.

“I see. Do you think we could hang out some time? I should visit your mom. Haven’t seen her in so long.”

Nia recalled that her mother was fond of him. He was a likeable kid. The elders admire him for some reason.

“Sure. My mother would like to get a new visitor.”

They stood there awkwardly for a moment.

Troy reached into his pockets and withdrew a card from his wallet. “I have my number here. You can tell me where to go when you want me to visit. I’m gonna get back to work now. It’s nice to see you again.”

Somehow, his smile looked very refreshing and seemingly contagious. Nia smiled at him as well.

She entered a shop and saved his number on her phone. She’ll visit her mom later and see if she wants a new person to talk to.

She bought fruits and flowers on her way to the hospital. She grimaced and her expression turned sour when she got a call from her current client. He wants to meet later. Nia checked the time on her phone after hanging up.

She schooled her features before opening the door to see her mother.

“Hi, mom.” Thankfully, she’s awake.

“Nia…” Her smile always assures Nia that she’s really getting better.

“I got you some fruits and you might want to stare at these beautiful flowers.”

She received the flowers warmly into her arms. They’re white roses. Calm and peaceful.

“You look like you’re in a rush. Are you going somewhere?”

Nia didn’t think she would still notice.

“Uh, yeah. I’m meeting someone tonight. Right, mom, do you remember Troy?”

The hesitance in her tone was gone when she mentioned Troy, so her mom let it go.

“Troy? Our neighbor? He’s older than you, isn’t he?”

Nia grinned. Her mom’s memory is still good. “Yeah. I saw him earlier today. He’s a police officer now. Said he only started a few months ago. You know how we’ve moved to a new apartment so we haven’t been to that neighborhood for a few months now. He asked if he can visit you.”

Her mom smiled, “Such a good child. He had always been kind and gentle. His work seems fitting to him. Well, if he can find the time, I would love to chat with him. You don’t know, he used to help me carry things when I used to sell at the market.”

“Really?” Nia didn’t think they were actually close.

“Oh, yes. He was a young man already, helping out an old woman. He goes early to school, as early as I go to the market. I’d see him on the road. Took him a while before he offered help, such a shy child. He realized I go to the market every morning so it eventually became a routine. Even on weekends, he would come out and help me carry them towards the market. He didn’t have to go to school then, and he could have chosen to sleep in.”

Nia felt moved as she listened to her mother’s stories. She didn’t think there would be more people who helped them out in their own little way. She recalled Troy’s expression, no wonder he wanted to meet his mother. His family is one of those who would offer her family food any day of the week, ever since her mom was hospitalized.

They’re good people, but they can only help as much.

Nia gave Troy’s number to the caregiver and told her to contact him. She only needs to mention her mother’s name.

“Mom, I’ll go first. I need to change before my meeting.”

Her mom frowned at her. Is it one of those meetings? She would never feel comfortable about it. Nia pursed her lips into a thin line and waved.

“Give me a call later, when you’re free.”

“Yes, mom.”

She’d call the caregiver and the elderly woman would let her know if her mom is still awake.

When she saw Martin, she sighed. His expression doesn’t look good. He must be in a bad mood. From what she knows, he went to a business trip to negotiate a contract. It might not have gone well. In this case, she needs to be very quiet and listen to his rant and complaints.

Nia shivered a little as he walked closer to her and reached for her clothes. He likes being in charge. He started undressing her. Nia slowly took a deep breath. She’s used to this. That’s what she keeps telling herself whenever she feels disgusted or cowardly.

Sometimes, those seven years would not matter. They didn’t happen in this life anyway. She would feel bad about the situation but she would always force herself to suck it up.

It has been more than a year. She would find herself wondering if those years, with her vivid memories of certain events that happened then, were real or what did exactly she experience?

She panted as Martin groaned by her ear. What is she doing? She was actually having s*x with this man while her mind was elsewhere. Did he notice? It doesn’t seem like it. She gingerly held his shoulders, somewhat pushing him away. He doesn’t like being touched but he would allow it sometimes as long as she’s not clingy. Her body betrayed her. Or was it a good thing? Her clients liked how responsive her body was.

Given the profile and character of her clients at the club, she’s not entirely disgusted of the experience. There were times that she would feel wicked and enjoy the job. Even now, she still sways from being disgusted to thoroughly enjoying the bedroom activities.

Their sweat glistened on their skin and the man pounded into her more, chasing his release. Her insides clenched around his length as she reached climax first.

She would never ever try the b**m guys. She heard women would be punished for climaxing without permission. How do they even stop themselves from coming? She couldn’t fathom it. And there was a range of punishments available to them, she didn’t like hearing any of them, much less experience them first hand.

There was this woman who chatted with Desiree and she was there to listen. She felt a little envious. Apparently, she earns three times the usual rate. That means Nia could work herself for three years while the other woman could work for a year and they would have earned the same amount of money.

She got inside information. You can earn five times more when you service the older men. But she’s really not willing to go that far. Shorter time? She’s tempted sometimes.

After a while, this woman had a name. Camilla. She would show up at Desiree’s office at the same schedule as Nia’s.

Nia curiously asked questions. She didn’t want to offend her with genuine questions, but Camilla proved to be very understanding. She took everything in stride.

“You can just say I’m tougher than you. They’re all men anyway. I can blur their faces and bodies in my mind, imagine them to be much better-looking and younger. Age and looks don’t matter to me that way.” She explained.

“How about the dominant stuff? It hurts, doesn’t it?”

Camilla chuckled at her expression. She’s cute. She sounds a little pure because of her questions. She started probing about her story.

Nia only hesitated before treating her as a friend and sharing her story.

“Sounds typical.” Camilla concluded with a frown.

“Yeah? What’s not typical? What are you doing this for?”

Desiree already knew, so she let them have a conversation while she continues her work.

“I plan to live in a remote island after this. You will never be able to tell, but I’m actually introverted and I like to be left alone. There are a lot of things I would like to try. Hobbies and interests that I haven’t been able to invest time in. There’s the lack of money as well. Certain hobbies require funding.”

“What do you like to do?” Nia’s gotten interested.

“Crafts. Mostly sewing. I wanted to be a fashion designer, you know? Except my designs are eccentric to myself. I like lace and cloths. I used to make dresses for my dolls when I was a kid.”

“How about your family?”

Camilla sighed. “I’m on my own.”

Nia was surprised but she was afraid to do a follow-up. Is her family dead? Or was she abandoned? Or did she run away?

Camilla smiled at her complicated expression. “I’m an orphan.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Tough times. There was so much I wanted as I was growing up and I’m determined to have them in this life. The sooner the better.”

“Why?”

Camilla grinned. “So, I would still have the energy to do what I want. Do you know what they say about retirees? They have the money and the time, but not the energy. I want to achieve what I want as early as now. I’ll stay until the end of the year, then I’m off to my little island. The ones in Asia look really nice.”

“You’re already eyeing islands?” Nia seemed surprised. Her dream is a bit… unique.

“Of course. There’s actually so many choices, it’s getting a little difficult to choose one.”

“Why don’t you hop around?” Nia recalled going on an island-hopping trip with her classmates early in high school.

“I actually don’t like travelling. I only force myself. Once I’m out of here, I’ll be sticking myself into an island for a few years. Unless I like it there so much, then I might as well die there.”

“What?” Nia’s expression ended up becoming comic. She’s really… odd. The good kind of odd, and it’s baffling to her.

“But how did you end up in this club? I’m curious about that.”

“Oh, that? I overheard two gentlemen at a bar. I sidled close to them and asked the right questions.”

“Gentlemen, huh?”

Camilla grinned and winked. She wasn’t an innocent when she met them. In fact, the moment she heard them, she has decided.