CHAPTER 12 – UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

While Althea is in the bathroom, she is looking at the small monitor she is carrying which is connected to the hidden camera.

She first made sure that the old Don slept soundly before coming out.

When she was sure, she quickly went out of the bathroom.

Althea then removes the remaining covering of the old Don and then getting the red liquid in her bag and dropping some tinge in his male part, after doing so…………. she then drops some little blood at the bedsheet as well.

When she finished doing everything, she double-checked first if everything is executed perfectly.

When she is satisfied with her work she immediately took the camera and then washed thoroughly the wine glass, making sure there is no trace of the medicine she put.

After her final check, she finally leaves the room……patting her back for the job well done….again.

The young prostitute immediately went to Mr. Tony's office, to take her payment for that night services she rendered to the old Don.

The girl knocked first when she heard the voice of Mr. Tony saying come in, she then entered.

"Oh, Althea how is Don Fabian?" He immediately asked the girl with a big smile.

"He’s knocked out uncle, he slept soundly, and I certainly make him tired." Proudly answered the girl.

The leader of the syndicate just shook his head at what the girl said.

“Congratulation Althea, all your customers are really satisfied and please with your services. Here is your payment, the elders gave you so much Althea, this is a very large amount ……… you will soon redeem the children from me. ” There is sadness in Mr. Tony’s voice.

The truth is, he is happy for the girl......... finally she can get away from this forsaken place …..if he just didn't need the money, he would have left the children to the girl for a long time.

But he also needs a large amount of money, since he has a large debt to the bank and also to pay for the protection of the women working under his care.

Althea is the only one who has customers who pay her so much.

Because if he doesn’t have protection from the police, many syndicates will mess up his establishment and the woman working with her will also put in jeopardy.

He did not want to repeat what had happened to the mother of Althea's adopted siblings.

Mr. Tony makes sure that his girls are properly protected.

"Uncle, don't be sad anymore, don’t worry even if I don't work here, I will still help you."

“What are you saying, my child? You should be the one I should help…..since it will be difficult for you to find a job because of the kind of work you have now? ” Mr. Tony was confused.

“Don't deny it, uncle ……… I already know everything and I’m sure if you just don't have a huge debt in the bank and spending a large amount for our protection, I know without hesitation you will give my siblings to me. ” Althea, proving Mr. Tonyo what he goes through.

Mr. Tony, on the other hand, stood up in his chair in shock at what Althea was saying.

“Ho…how did you know all of these? The only words that came out from the mouth of the leader.

The young woman suddenly approached the old man she considered as her second father and hugs him.

Althea has a lot of respect for her uncle Tony, so it hurts her to see him in discomfort and fraught.

"It's not important anymore uncle…… as long as I promise you ……. Someday you will live in peace and accord. I know you only put up with this kind of work because of my colleagues." Sentimentally uttered the girl.

“Ow…..Althea my child, thank you dear for understanding.” Mr. Tony is now in tears.

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“Hey, Bes, where have you been and your face looks like it can't be painted. Have you been in a fight? Or maybe you saw your ex and her paid woman? ” Sheila asked her friend who was now just sitting at their table with a disdainful face …….at the same time drinking her alcohol in one gulp.

“Rhi? Take it slow nobody is competing with you?” Castigated her younger sister, as if consuming the liquor like water.

“What’s wrong with you?

And I thought you are just going to the comfort room? Why you’re taking so long?” Nadine, followed by a load of questions to her unbothered sister.

“Yah I did went to the comfort room, it’s just too many people were on the line that’s why it takes me a while to come back her…..that’s it.” Reasoned the young swimming instructress.

“Are you sure Bes you didn't encounter any trouble there? Since you came and until now your eyebrows are still furrow. ” Her friend is not convinced of her reasoned.

“Shei can you stop interrogating me, nothing happened okay, It’s just too many people were falling in line and I just want to pee that time……understand?” Assuring answered to her concerned best friend.

“Okay Bes, if you say so.” Finally surrendering.

Maybe where else will their conversation end? Rhian is obviously irritated.

After a few hours of hanging out and drinking, Nadine persuades them to leave, since it’s already one o’clock in the morning and she needs to wake up early later.

“Rhi, Shei let's go? It’s getting late and we certainly witnessed the runaway prostitute earlier with your ex, who I think is so into that woman who’s not giving damn about him by the way. ” The older Howell offered and giving a side comment on what they saw earlier.

The two just agreed without questions, because what the older Howell say was true indeed.

They are now stepping outside the bar when the swimming instructress captures a glimpse of the woman she bumped earlier, whose getting outside a room that she thinks it’s the bar office when she notices a word in the door saying ‘OFFICE’.

“Mmm…….Nadine, Shei you can go ahead. I'll just take a taxi since my apartment is just near here. I can just even walk from here so that Nadine can rest ….. Because if you send me home, it will take you longer to get home. ” Rhian spoke suddenly and at the same time, the two stopped walking and looked at her.

“Are you sure Rhi?” Hesitantly questioned her sister.

“Yes I’m sure Nads, don’t worry I just ask the help of a worker here to get me a taxi, so I would not wait outside.” Surely answered the young swimming instructress.

“Okay…..just text me if you’re in your apartment already…..okay?” Nadine has no choice but to agree.

“Okay then take care Rhi.”

Kissing her check and bidding farewell.

“Bye Bes, they should watch for you.” Saying goodbye and jokingly added her best friend.

The young Howell just waves her hand, when she is sure that the two are out of sight she immediately pursue the young prostitute.

When she couldn’t find the woman inside the bar, Rhian then went to the employee exit.

As she was nearing the exit, she saw a woman’s silhouette going outside the bar……..Rhian immediately chases after the woman.

She saw her nearing a car and about to open, the swimming instructress call out the girl before she could get inside her car, that Rhian assume.

“Hey!! Wait!!” Shouted Rhian, running towards the confused woman, when she turned around to see who was stopping her.

“I’m glad I caught up with you.” Grasping for air as she gets close to the confused lady.

Glaiza is still staring at the woman so muddled.