Chapter 1: Job

"Always put in your mind the reasons why we're doing these—helping other people, giving them their needs, and providing everything we can to make their lives be more comfortable... for them." he looked at us one by one and then he nodded.

This is how I see my life—meaningful. Helping other people who are in need is one of the things I like to do. That's really it, isn't it? When you have the means of helping other people, you must help them without expecting in return.

"Ash, let's go home together huh? I'll just get my things." said Gizelle.

This is my fifth month here in this organization. And during those five months, I became closer to other members just like Gizelle.

I nodded to her and went straight to my things to get ready also.

We just finished giving medicines and ready-to-eat foods to people living on the streets. I want to give them a house that they can live with. But I don't have the means to do so. The only thing I can provide is my service, this is the means I have that I was talking about.

                                                         

I stopped what I was doing when a group came inside the organization. They are loud. And it seems like they are arguing about something. My eyes focused on a man talking to a woman with a serious face. I think I've seen him before but I just can't figure out where and when.

I just shrugged off all the thoughts running in my mind.

I continued fixing my bag when Gizelle bumped my shoulder.

I looked at her and raised my right eyebrow.

"Let's eat first," she said while smiling.

I nodded and took all my things. This is Gizelle's nature. She always asks and invites me to eat before going home. And throughout the months that I am beside her, I get familiar with this kind of actions by her.

"I had planned to save money, but because there are so many delicious foods today, I'm feeling hungry," she stopped talking when I was suddenly bumped into by a hurrying man.

"Come on! Ash, your things are scattered!" Gizelle stated the obvious.

"Miss, I'm sorry." the man apologetically said.

"No, it’s okay. I can manage it," I said when he knelt down to pick up my scattered things. But it was as if I said nothing to him because he continued doing what he was doing.

When he finished, he stood with me and presented me with my things.

He then smiled. "I am very sorry, Miss." I returned his smile but he didn't see it because he was in a hurry to leave. And when I looked at my back, him rather, I saw him on Atlas' office.

"Hmmm, I don't believe in love at first sight because I never felt it before. But looking at my friend right now, I think I'm gonna believe that it happens to other people." she then giggled.

I looked at Gizelle who now had her hand on her chin as if thinking.

I just shook my head at her and left first. I heard her calling me but I ignored her because I knew she was still going to chase me.

When I left the organization, I saw the man I was talking about earlier, who was also looking at me.

I then avoided his gaze when I saw Gizelle approaching. I opened the door and waited for Gizelle. And we left the organization together to eat and go home as what we have planned.

I was looking at my notebook while holding my guitar. I really want to write a song but until now I still don't know what or who I should write a song for.

I'm humming the tone that I want to use in my song when my phone beeped. I saw an unregistered number there. I just let it die.

But my thoughts were interrupted when it rang again. Because of annoyance I just answered it.

"Yes?" I tried my very best not to be rude but I think whatever I do, it will still come naturally.

"Ash, can we meet again? Promise... my fiancée and I had already broken up and I already called our engagement off-" I cut him off.

"Don't you dare call me again. And what happened with us is just a mistake that must be forgotten, it's disgusting." I hung up and then I blocked his number like I used to do.

I've changed my phone number countless times already but he still gets it from whoever it is.

It's been a month since that thing happened. I didn't know that he has a fiancé and when I learned about it, I stopped and tried to do everything I could just to keep myself away from them.

I took a deep breath when I couldn't continue my meditation. I jumped off my bed and got myself a bottle of milk.

I finished drinking it and gathered myself to sleep.

*****

"Ash, how are you doing there? I hope you don't tire yourself too much there. We are not there to take care after you," I smiled when I heard my mother's very soft voice.

"Tell Ash not to stay up all the time," my smile widened when I heard my father's shout on the phone.

"Mom, tell dad that I'm not neglecting myself. Besides, I'm a grown woman now, I can take care of myself," I promised with a smile on my face.

"Well, just make sure, Ash," my mother said.

I looked at my phone when my mother on the other line suddenly went silent. I thought it had died, but it didn't.

"Uhmmm, by the way Ash… maybe I won't be able to send you your allowance for this month, because we still have such bills that needed to be paid,"

I stopped and blinked as the sadness and regret in my mother's voice softened. "It's okay, mom. I still have money for this month and maybe I'll send you money the next day." I blinked away the tears in my eyes and raised my voice.

I don't want my family to think that I'm struggling here. I don't want them to know that I am going through so much pain and disgusting scenarios and jobs... just for me... to survive.

I help other people who are in need. And I also help others who are in need... of sex. Those who desire to fuck. And that's my job.

No one in my friends and my co-members in the organization know about it. Even Gizelle. Aside from it might ruin the image and face of the organization, I don't want them to think that I am that kind of girl.

Paid, low, flirtatious, and gold digger—even though these words are adequately fit to characterize me. To describe me.

I want to already end it but I can't. Everybody has the right to choose, but not everybody is given the privilege to benefit with the choices they have.

I used to think that our life will be in the right place when we choose what is right. But, for the people like me, who have this disgusting job and unwanted situation, whatever decision we make... we will never be in the right place... because the decision we made... was forbidden... to begin with.

In the world I live in, nothing is right. Everything is wrong. It doesn't include morality. When the client wants you, you have to oblige because the exchange is heaven. But somehow I still know how to limit myself and choose.

I always ask if they are committed to someone and when they are, I don't accept their proposition even though the payment is bigger than the value of my life.

But someone got through. I thought my client a month ago was single and not committed to anyone because that was what he said. But it turned out, he was.

I hated myself because of it. I didn't accept the money. My manager was very angry at me and didn't give me any client until now... and I didn't care.

But now that I need money, I think my decision was wrong. I could've just accepted the money and forget about everything. Because that's what I am, a paid woman.

I got the call off and called my manager's number. It rang three times before she answered my call.

"What?! Please Ash, if this is another one of your stubbornness, stop, and don’t add to the heat of the ul-"

"I need a job, Mama." I interrupted her long litany.

She stopped because of what I said and she didn't seem to expect me to call her for work myself.

"Uh-huh, after a month you're just going to call me again now? When you need something, you'll call, huh? And do you expect me that I'll offer you a job, hmm?" she challenged me.

"What I did was wrong, Mama. And I'm very sorry for that. I just need a job right now." I heard her laughter on the other line.

"Hmmm okay then. I'll just call you if I have something to offer you." then she cut off the call.

I know she will not refuse my request. She receives a large commission every time I am being send for a client. Because if the payment is big, her share would be bigger.

I took a bath then prepared myself for school. And I was almost late because the traffic was so heavy. I ran the remaining distance to my class today.

And when I showed up in the door, all eyes looked at me. I didn't know what's up but I didn't mind it and just got myself a seat.

I was about to sit when a voice stopped me to do what I planned to do.

"Aren't you going to greet your professor before coming into this room? Aren't you going to say sorry because you're 10 minutes late?"

His cold voice sent shivers down my spine. He asked me those questions in a gentle way... but I felt nervous. He didn't even shout at me... but my heart is starting to beat fast already.

I looked in front because of the shock and it was too late when I saw that our Professor was already standing there! He looked familiar. I frowned because he really looked familiar.

I just ignored it and looked around me. That's why the whole class is so quiet.

I bowed my head and said sorry to him. I also greeted him a good morning and when he gave me the permission to sit down, I nodded my head and politely said 'thank you' to him.

He continued to teach and I had nothing else to do but listen. I know that he may give a quiz or maybe give an activity, so I didn't waste time on other things.

And just like what I imagined, he really did give us a quiz. The 30-item quiz was checked after we finished answering it.

"Congratulations to Ms. Olivia for having a perfect score," compliments started to praise her. "I am just a substitute so expect that your real Professor might be present tomorrow." I even heard the whining of others but I didn't join in.

I then started fixing my things when I heard my Professor call my name. I gave him my attention then asked him what he needed.

"Get these papers and come with me in Faculty." he then left.

I frowned at what he said but followed anyway. I made my way to the faculty with a frown.

And when I arrived, I didn't open the door. I waited for almost three minutes before I knocked. And when no one answered, I opened the door then let myself be welcomed inside the office.

Various desks are placed in the Faculty. The seats are very neat and very clean.

Only one picture caught my attention. It was a picture of a girl. She was smiling as well as her eyes, her black hair is fixed neatly, she has a chunky eyes, red lips, and fair skin color. She's pretty.

I approached that picture. I was about to touch it when I heard a voice behind my back. I looked at it and saw the person whom asked me to come with in this office.

He took the picture I was looking at and put it in his drawer. He then looked at me and watched my whole being from head to body to my toes.

I didn't like the way he was looking at me so I closed my eyes causing his gaze to return to my eyes.

"Have a seat," he then pointed his hand to the chair in front.

He sat down to his chair and I also did what he did.

"I called you to ask if you have been informed by your manager about the arrangement." I frowned at what he said.

"Sir?" I asked him with furrowed brows. I didn't get what he said and before he answered my question, a phone call interrupted us.

I excused myself to accept the call from my manager.

"Ash, I already sent in your email the job you are looking for. The payment, contract, and every detail are included in that file already. Good luck!"

She didn't wait for me to answer and hung up.

I checked my mails and saw the file she was talking about. I opened it and when I read the name of the client I am going to give happiness with, my body got frozen.

I re-read his name countless times but nothing was changed. He really is.

Jake Bryan Valenzuela is my new client for a month.

Just now what my professor said earlier has sunk into my brain. About the arrangement, huh?

I took a deep breath and looked at him who was already looking at me. And by the look of it, he was watching my every move.

I went inside again and offered my hand to him.

"Deal."

"Deal, then." he then accepted my hand and we did a handshake before everything came to where it is supposed to be.