MATILDA MEYER’S DOUBLE LIFE-E

(WARNING =DEALS WITH OPIOID AND ESCORT ISSUES)

Astrid closed her stall and looked at her watch. It was late. She closed it at 6.45 pm and her classes were starting at 7.00 pm. Not to mention it took a good 20 minutes of walking from Westwood Street to Lacroix Business School. She groaned in annoyance. Fuck, I hope the lecturer won't lecture me for my tardiness.

She had an option to use the shortcut, cutting through a back alley towards her business school. She calculated the risk and decided against it. She feared for her safety because that back alley was heaven for junkies. Astrid decided to speed walk. She passed by Westoria Hotel, five-star hotel and glanced at the lobby but something made her stop in her tracks.

`You got to be fucking kidding me', she whispered loudly.

Matilda Meyer was on the front lobby holding the arms of a middle-aged man, wearing a revealing dress and impeccable makeup. She wondered what got into her and proceeded to walk towards her but she was shocked to see her kissing the man. Astrid hid behind a flower bush and dialled her number. Matilda's phone was switched off.

Astrid waited for the couple to exit the lobby, which they did after 15 minutes. The middle-aged man sat in a BMW and drove away, leaving Matilda in the lobby. Her entire demeanour changed after he left. Her shoulder slumped, the smile was wiped off her face replaced with tiredness and she spoke to someone in the lobby who called for a cab. Matilda took her heels off and sat on the couch.

Astrid took her chance and ran towards her. Matilda was speechless to see Astrid running towards her.

`What are you doing here?', Astrid, slightly winded from running sat close to Matilda and grabbed her hands.

`What do you mean?', Matilda was composed and calm.

`I saw the old man, leaving you behind', Astrid prodded further.

`Oh, he is just a friend', Matilda brushed the air with her hand as if he meant nothing.

`Yeah, cut the crap. Friends do not kiss', she narrowed her eyes. `Is he your sugar daddy?'

Matilda was visibly shocked, but she quickly masked it with a blank face.

`And do not lie to me', Astrid was firm with her voice.

Matilda sighed heavily. `It is not something I am proud off, okay. I need to support my family', she spoke in a low voice and stared into Astrid's eyes. Astrid saw fear, guilt and shame in her eyes, the real Matilda was broken inside. Did she not have parents or enough money to get by? Dear Lord, help me so I can be of help to her.

`I have a sister in school and a brother in college. My mom is a junkie and my dad. I wish I knew where he was', Matilda looked at their hands and spoke at last.

`Does your family know?',

`No, I have been very discreet about it'.

`How long?', Astrid feared her answer.

`3 years now', Matilda replied with sadness in her eyes.

Astrid gasped and closed her mouth quickly. She felt her vision blur and a tear dropped from her eyes. That long? And she kept it under wraps from everyone? How did she live her double life? How about her siblings? Did they never question her?

`Shhhh, do not cry. It is not a big deal for me. It was initially, but after some time feelings numb', Matilda had a faraway look in her eyes, reminiscing of her past. She did not tell Astrid of her use of OxyContin. She needed opioids to relive her anxiety issues over money. Something she is not proud of, knowing if she overdoses on it, she will be creating her own path of destruction leaving her siblings behind to suffer.

FLASHBACK

She remembers her first anxiety attack, she had returned home from high school only to see her mother high on drug abuse and lashed at her for failing to buy dinner. Matilda was tired of the constant bickering and fights with her mother. She ran to her cupboard and rummaged her drawers for her hidden money. She was surprised to find her money envelope opened and tampered. When she looked inside, she was surprised to find $100, when she had saved up to $300 from her part-time jobs. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks and she stormed out of her room screeching at her mother.

`YOU BITCH! How dare you take my money! That was meant for our meals and groceries. How could you? You are a tramp of a mother!', Matilda lashed her mind and pushed her mother back. There wasn't any respect left for her mother, just an empty shell of feelings, caused by years of mental abuse.

`Matilda!', her mother gave her a backhanded slap. Matilda almost had whiplash from the sudden force used against her.

`You are one hell of a mother deserving nothing but death', Matilda spewed obscenities at her.

Katherine, her mother saw red with her sudden anger outburst and lurched at Matilda, gripping her neck, and started choking her. Matilda tried to pry her fingers away but could not. That is when she had her first attack. She started trembling, feeling chest pain and shortness of breath. Matilda's hands were flailing desperately, pushing her mother to release her. She started seeing black dots and her vision was failing her. Matilda stopped pushing and she embraced the blackness that had started to take over. At least death was easier.

When she woke up, her siblings were with her, beside her. She was on a hospital bed, saved at the nick of time when her neighbour heard her shouts and bolted the door to help her. Matilda cried silently and vowed to protect her siblings no matter what. Her mother was arrested soon after and they were placed in foster care until she turned 18. By then she took full custody of her brother and sister and saved enough to pay the bills.

Lucky for her, the house was still intact and in good condition for her siblings to stay in. Matilda raked her brain to find a steady job, knowing full well education and meal cost money. A lot of money.

By chance, she had an encounter with a woman whom she bumped at a supermarket. The lady was dressed immaculately, and a business card fell from her pocket. Matilda picked it up and it read Escort Fairy with a number at the bottom. Matilda knew what she was getting into, and she held on the card for days before calling the escort service.

The lady had a nickname (Lily), refusing to indulge in real name and asked her personal questions. The escort service takes a 30% cut of each client, health tests every 6 months are mandatory, protection to be used at all times and any anal or oral is strictly prohibited. Matilda agreed to the terms and signed a memorandum with Lily.

Lily was a professional and took her job seriously. When Matilda mentioned she was a virgin, Lily was taken aback and decided to meet Matilda. Lily wondered why an 18-year-old was eager for an escort service and Matilda told the truth. Lily felt sorry for her. She made sure Matilda had a makeover and decided to put up her name with her regular clients for a higher fee. It was a business transaction for Lily with Matilda's virginity as the asset.

The highest bidder took her out for a trip to St. Tropez on his yacht and she had a wonderful time. Her experience changed her perception of life completely. She never looked back and embraced her double life. If it meant to keep her siblings educated, fed and a roof to live she would do it again and again.

END OF FLASHBACK

All the times they spent in Mc Phearson's was just a façade to cover her real feelings and fear of being caught. Astrid hugged her tightly and held her hands again. Both sat without a word, just feeling each other's warmth and taking solace from it.

A valet approached them telling them of her ride.

`I have my night school, Matilda. I will call you tonight. Don't turn off your mobile', Astrid stood up, still holding Matilda's hand.

Both walked to the cab and Matilda faced Astrid. The pain was visible in her eyes. Astrid felt helpless when she realized how lucky her life was compared to others. It dawned to her despite having the ability to alter nature, it came was of no assistance when it came to her friends. What is the point of having it? If I have to hide it away from people?

`Astrid, will you still be my friend despite all this?', she looked at her feet, ashamed to look at Astrid.

Astrid lifted her chin and hugged her again before saying `Have I ever said no?'.

Matilda smiled and sat in the cab. Astrid waited until the cab left her sight and she made a run to her school. Fuck, I am late by 30 minutes.

By the time she reached her night school, her professor Mr Jamie asked her annoyingly `Why are you late, Ms Kaija?'

`Err, the dog ate my note?', she replied, earning a snicker from the class.

`Go, sit down. First offence I am letting you off. No second time', he peered at her through his glasses.

Astrid nodded and walked to the back of the lecture room. Her mind was focused on Matilda. It's going to be a long night today.