Chapter 6

I couldn't shake off the fear I felt earlier when Logan confronted me. I vividly remember his seething anger because I saw him last night. If only I could change what happened, I would choose not to have seen him. Aside from closing my eyes every time I recall it, I also have a secret to hide.

"Hey, Cassidy!" Sophie called out to me as she caught me in a daze in the Lounge. I was ready for the part-time job she mentioned. I believe it doesn't involve selling anything inappropriate because she showed me some pictures on her cellphone.

"Are you ready? What will you bring?" she asked. She just arrived. It's already five in the afternoon, and I've been ready for that part-time job since earlier. She mentioned that we usually leave at eight in the evening for various bars.

"What should I bring? I thought there were clothes there?" I said. I was just wearing a simple tee shirt and shorts. I expected there will be clothes there, so I didn't think I needed to bring anything.

"Pumps? Makeup?" Sophie raised an eyebrow.

My jaw dropped. "I don't have those."

"What?" Sophie had a big "O" with her mouth. She looked at me with raised eyebrows. Goodbye, 300 bucks! It seems like I won't get it tonight. Maybe I need to buy pumps and makeup so that by Friday, I'll have them.

"Okay, I'll lend you some!" she said and rummaged through her locker. I felt relieved by what she said. "It's a shame if you can't join tonight." I stood up and approached her. I could clearly see her slightly worn gold pumps. I need to add pumps to the list of things to buy. As long as tonight's outcome is good, I'll make sure to buy a pair.

"Oh, Sophie, sorry, okay? You don't have to do this, but I need the money. I'll buy something like this," I said.

"Don't worry about it, Cassidy. Those heels are a bit broken, so just be careful. Don't jump too much," she said, putting the pumps on my feet. I tried walking in them.

"Do I have to jump for this job?" I asked.

She laughed. "No, but you might decide to jump and dance when you get to the bars we're going to."

I didn't understand what Sophie said because I haven't been to a bar before. The closest thing to a 'bar' that I've been to is the drinking session in the corner of Auntie's muddy place. I just followed Sophie until we reached a building. We entered several doors until I saw the logo of a popular cigarette brand. We went inside, and I immediately saw a few women putting on makeup and wearing red dresses—short enough that a slight bend would reveal their underwear. I wasn't sure if I could handle this. But every time I thought about just standing and earning a hundred, I felt encouraged. No fuss, Cassidy.

"Good evening, ma'am. I have someone with me," Sophie pulled me towards a gay man. 'Ma'am.' I should also call him that.

"Good evening, ma'am," I greeted as he scrutinized me from head to toe.

"How old are you? Are you even eighteen?" the gay man asked.

"I'm twenty, ma'am," I replied.

"Ma'am, she's twenty. She's working at the Van der Bilt. She's with me. She's also a janitress," Sophie added.

"Alright. There are uniforms there, on hangers. Get your size there and start getting ready. We leave at 7:30. Make sure you've eaten," the gay man said, and Sophie immediately pulled me to a corner where red uniforms were hanging. My fear of this being a scam was somewhat alleviated.

It's legit! The uniform even had 'The Barbs' written on it!

No one cared about changing. The only man there was the gay 'Ma'am.' Sophie quickly took off her clothes. In an instant, she was only in a bra and panties. "Hurry up, Cassidy!" she scolded me because I was still hesitant to undress. I glanced at the women there, and they weren't watching.

They were more concerned about applying lipstick and fake eyelashes. It reminded me of the feeling when my mom put those on me during prom. I felt so beautiful then. Unfortunately, the prom didn't turn out well because I got into a fight with my cousin Janice, she was also my school bully.

After dressing up, I found myself constantly adjusting the short skirt, clinging tightly to me. Sophie would reprimand me with a slap on the hand each time. "Enough, okay? Let it be. That's what sells for us. The shorter it is, the more you can sell," she'd say, proceeding to apply mascara to my eyes.

"Huh? We might as well be prostitutes doing this." Sophie frowned, as if I insulted her.

"Cassidy, this is an honorable job! But that's how it is. That's the truth. Those bars are full of rich men who waste money. They can buy cigarettes elsewhere, but we'll convince them to buy from us because we're attractive." I bowed my head, acknowledging the truth but feeling uncomfortable. Maybe I should just focus on the money. "Those rich guys, oh! Just show them a little affection, and they'll buy. 'Sir, do you smoke?'" She acted in a sweet voice. I smiled at what she said. "Want some cigars?" She winked at me. "That's it, Cassidy. And voila! Someone already bought. Once someone buys, more will follow, so you have to be the first."

After she finished applying makeup to me, it was my turn to do the same for her. She lectured me on how to sell cigarettes in bars and told me about getting tips when customers liked you. It means you often earn double the money.

"Those rich people just waste money, so the excess goes to you." Sophie laughed when she finished doing my makeup. I nodded and kept all her advice in my mind. Ma'am applauded, and we quickly lined up in front of her. Sophie was right; her pumps were a bit damaged, so I wasn't moving abruptly.

"Same instructions, same rules! Go!" Ma'am said, and ten girls immediately exited, including Sophie and me. I didn't know what instructions and rules she mentioned because she said it briefly. I had to ask Sophie, and she said I didn't miss anything.

"When will they give us the money, Sophie?" I asked as we squeezed into the van.

"Here in the van. We'll only stay until two o'clock, Cassidy. After two, we'll come back here, and they'll give us the money, and we can go home." I nodded and put on the bag with the cigarettes. I studied where to put the money in the bag.

"Okay, girls. Thirty minutes here," Ma'am said from the front seat when the van stopped in front of a square with many people and loud music. "It's not the peak of the party yet because it's still early, so after thirty minutes, come back here immediately." We exited the van like birds released from a cage, quickly heading to the left side of the square with my companions.

Mia pulled me to the right. "Sophie, don't you have-"

"Sir, would you like to buy a cigar?" Sophie sweetly smiled at an old man smoking. I gulped and realized I needed to imitate her. I stood there, awkwardly watching Sophie.

"Hi miss, are you selling cigarettes?" A guy approached me.

He was slightly Chinese-looking and had a similar companion. They were my age, and they smelled rich. I nodded immediately and showed him the cigarettes. "A pack, please." The Chinese guy smiled at me. I nodded again and gave it to him. I made sure he paid. I was about to give him change, but he shook his head. "Keep the change," he said crisply. My eyes widened. My very first tip!

The guy's companions also followed in buying cigarettes. I sold a lot on that side, and two people tipped me. It turns out this job isn't that bad. Maybe I just thought it was dangerous because of the drunk and disrespectful men.

I entered the van with a big smile after thirty minutes. The other girls remained silent, as if they didn't know each other. I wonder if they're acquainted.

"Sophie, don't you have friends among them?" I asked when it was already ten o'clock, and we had been to several bars.

Sophie shook her head. "Crab Mentality," she explained. "They don't want to have friends. Sometimes." She pointed to the mestiza and tallest among us. "That's Blair. She was my friend. We were high school classmates, then became buddies. We were always together, but one night, she got mad at me just because I sold more than her." I nodded while looking at Blair, who was retouching. Blair was beautiful. Sophie was beautiful too, but Blair's beauty was more natural.

She caught me staring at her, so she looked back immediately. I smiled, but she just smirked at me. I turned to Sophie, who was still talking.

"I don't know why she got angry; it's the same thing. Even if you sell fifty all night, ma'am will still give you a hundred. Who cares? Bair has a big problem." She rolled her eyes.

She looked outside, and her eyes gleamed as we reached a large square with numerous bars. I could see the artificial coconut trees in every gutter as decorations for the entire square. Others were doing retouches, including Sophie. Since I didn't have makeup, I just stared.

"This is one of the most expensive bars in the area. We're often brought here by Ma'am around ten or eleven because at those times, people aren't too drunk yet, and they can still buy properly." Sophie explained while puckering her lips again. I nodded, and she also put lipstick on me and slapped the other cheek. "I'm sure you'll get a lot of tips here. You're new and beautiful." She winked at me and pulled me out of the van.

As soon as we got out, I quickly realized Sophie was right. The people here were wealthy. Some celebrities entered a bar at the same time as us. An artist bought from me, and my tips increased immediately.

"Cassidy, you stay here, I'll be over there. It will only be an hour. Then after 5 minutes, we'll meet here again. Let's move to the next bar."

I nodded and headed to the other side of the bar. "Sir, do you smoke?" I asked.

"Yup. A pack, please." A guy said to me. I smiled. He stopped in front of me, returned my smile, and said, "What's your name?"

"Cassidy." I smiled again.

He nodded. "Thank you, Cassidy. Is this really your job?" He asked, even though I struggled to hear him due to the loud music. He raised an eyebrow, and I could see the tattoos on his arm.

"This is my first time." I explained.

He nodded and said, "That's why. Girls who approach me are usually more aggressive." He smiled.

After five minutes, Sophie and I moved to the next bar, which had more people and looked more upscale. The time limit was fifteen minutes, according to Sophie. I became more aggressive to sell more and get more tips. I found myself headbanging to the loud music of the entire bar and the noise of people on the dance floor. I accidentally bumped into someone when I passed by the side, so I chose to go through the tables and sofas.

At one table, I saw someone smoking, so I approached him immediately. "Excuse me, sir. Wanna buy a stick?" I mimicked what a companion said earlier.

My eyes widened when I saw which table I ended up at.There were four guys and three girls.

 Alex ran his fingers through his long hair and glanced at me. "Cassidy?" Alex's eyes widened.

 "Good evening, Alex." I smiled at him. He looked at Chris and Logan. Chris was looking at me, holding his lip, scrutinizing me. 

"Do you work at night? Barbs?" Alex asked. 

"Yes, part-time. Do you smoke?" I asked. 

"Tens, gold." Alex said, handing me more money than the cigarette's value. My cheeks flushed.

 It's okay to receive tips from strangers, but receiving one from someone I know is unbearable. I took the correct change and gave it to Alex. He immediately brushed it aside. 

"Introduce me to her, Alex. A co-model?" The guy on the other sofa, the fourth one among the three, raised an eyebrow. 

"Uh, no. She works for Logan." Alex explained. The guy with an open mouth glanced at Logan. I looked at Logan, who was avoiding eye contact and talking to a famous model.

I bit my lip and wondered if that was the person he was with in the office. I can't look at them. I'll think about it when I see the two of them together.

"She's a janitress, Marcus," Chris said while his hand was busy caressing the thighs of the girl next to him. 

"Oh?" The guy winced. "Too hot for a janitress. What's your name? No one's introducing. Well, you can't expect Logan to introduce his employees."

 "Cassidy." I smiled. 

"You got a beautiful name. Gold, tens, please?" He smiled. "I'm Marcus." Marcus extended his hand, and there was the money he'd use to buy cigarettes. 

I nodded and accepted his hand. He didn't immediately let go. He stared and gently caressed my hand.

 "Marcus." The mestiza woman beside him said grumpily.

 "Sorry, Kate." Marcus laughed and returned to his seat, still staring at me. I returned Marcus' change, but he didn't accept it. I wanted to leave, but I didn't want to be rude.

"How about you, Chris?" I asked. 

"Pass," he said while the girl beside him was being fed a lemon. I nodded and turned to Logan.

 "What about you?" I bit my lip. He sighed and took money from his wallet without looking at me. So... he smokes.

 "Tens, black." He clenched his jaw. I quickly took what he wanted. I glanced at the tan-skinned woman. I knew her. She's a model, often seen on TV and billboards. I'm sure about that. Her wavy hair curled as she played with it, and her red lips were pouting as if impatient because Logan was talking to someone else, even if only for a moment.

Logan handed his payment, and it is way bigger, different from the usual bill I usually received. I quickly fumbled for the change. I'm sure this isn't a "keep the change" situation! 

"Here's your change," I said, presenting the money in front of him. 

"Keep the change." He said coldly. Some people say it's wrong to accept a tip from him, but it's weird not to, so I quietly put it in my bag.

 "Thanks," I said. He looked at me sharply. My heart pounded with the intensity of his gaze. Shit! It's too strong! I feel like he hears that I'm nervous from his gaze. "I'm leaving." I said to everyone, but I couldn't take my eyes off Logan. He raised an eyebrow at my gaze on him.

 "Logan..." the tan-skinned lady called. She even touched Logan's cheek to make him face her again. Logan responded, so I walked away. But I couldn't help but look back at their table. My heart pounded when I saw Logan gradually turning his gaze towards me, his beautiful eyebrows furrowed. I quickly looked away and closed my eyes. What am I doing? I cautiously looked back at him and saw that he still hadn't taken his eyes off me.