Chapter 4: Escort

The cool breeze caresses my skin. I closed my eyes as I felt the coldness touch my skin. I breathed in and out deeply. I put both my hands on the hot cup in front of me. I took a small sip of my hot coffee.

Whenever I can't sleep, I just get myself a coffee and feel the cold breeze in the middle of the night. I looked at the sky full of stars.

This is the life I wanted and dreamed for. A peaceful life.

But I know that when the morning comes, everything will be back to normal. A stressful life and noisy people. Sometimes I wonder, if everyone was given the privilege to choose the kind of life and family that they live with, would everyone be at right hands and right path?

But if I was given a chance? I think...I will never choose another family to live with...because the family I have in this lifetime, is beyond astonishing and amazing. I might feel unfortunate sometimes but I would always tell myself that it is okay in a family.

I smiled at my thoughts.

I was trying to call my mother on the phone but she's not answering. I bet they're already sleeping. It's been a week since the party happened. I have also sent money to my parents. I have also paid my pending fees at TSU until my last year there and my fridge is now full of vegetables, meat, and other foods.

The money I got from my job is enough to survive. There is even more.

When I finished my coffee, I went upstairs to continue my interrupted sleep.

The sound of my phone ringing woke me up in the morning.

I haven't even slept well yet, is there trouble again?

I covered my ear with one of my pillows.

But it seems that the caller has no intention of putting me to sleep today.

I picked up my phone and answered the caller. I was ready to get mad at whoever disturbed my sleep when I was overtaken on the other side of the line.

"What the hell Ash?! You've been calling me for a while now? What? You just got the money and you're not going to answer my calls anymore? Well Ash! If that's the case then you'll only call me if you need something You tell me! So I know if I'll still give you what you earned or not!" Mama Nicole's long litany.

I scratched my forehead because of what he said. Isn't that true? I just didn't answer his call and his litanies to me immediately?

I took a deep breath and sat up.

"Mama, what's wrong? Your morning is so-" she cut me off.

"My god Ash! It's already 1 in the afternoon for god's sake!"

I widened my eyes and looked for a clock because of what she said. And damn, she's right!

"Mom, I'm sorry if I didn't answer your call. I just couldn't sleep last night that's why," I explained to her.

"And it's my fault?" He was grumpy.

"It's not. I know that it's my fault that's why I'm saying sorry right?" I gently answered him.

"Ah just tell me if you don't want to continue with my line of escorts! So that I can find a replacement for you. It's not easy to replace you."

"I'm sorry again, Mom." I said sincerely.

I checked my phone when silence enveloped in the other line. I thought she already ended the call but she didn't. It's still on-going.

A deep sigh enveloped my ears.

"Hmm I have something to offer you. Come to the Bar later. You know where it is, Ash? No buts and no excuses." She then ended the call.

I took a deep breath because of what he said. He knew I would refuse that's why he went ahead of me.

With what she said, I already know what she is about to offer me. Another job means another man to pleasure and entertain. It also means another money.

I got up from sitting and went to the bathroom to take a shower. I planned to clean my house today since it's Saturday but I know I have no time left. That's why I just arranged the inside of my room. The whole house is open.

After what happened at the party, Jake never contacted me again. Our last interaction was at the school. Sometimes, we see each other in the hallway but he never struck up a conversation with me. The same is true in class.

I thought that he would not be the Prof. last week but it turns out that our real Professor is still sick.

I rode a tricycle to the Bar owned by Mama Nicole. I was going to wait for the driver to fill the tricycle but I said no and I'm ready to pay.

I just don't want Mama Nicole to be mad at me again because I'm late. I know he has a temper with me that's why I won't make another reason to make his temper worse.

I paid the driver when we got to the opposite Bar. I just say thank you to him then lead my way up to the hallway of the Bar.

Loud music, people dancing, and people performing miracles enveloped my hearing and vision. I made my way to mom's office and knocked three times.

"Come in!"

Mama Nicole is sitting on her chair while talking to someone on the phone. "Yes yes, Albert. Okay. I'll just call you again later. Bye." she then dropped her phone on her table.

She looked at me and pointed to the visitor chair in front of her table. I immediately sat in the seat he pointed to.

Looking at mama's face, you can easily identify her beauty. She's 47 already but her body shape and face is still so young and sexy and hot as fuck. You can't deny the beauty she has.

"You probably know why I sent you here today," he began.

I just nodded my head at her. She's right. There's only one reason why she called me to come up in her office.

"There is an offer to you, exclusively. Andrei Carlson wants you to be her date for a week."

I frowned at what he said. I already have an idea about what this meeting is, but... I can't understand her. She knows that I still have my contract on Jake and...she accepted another project again?

"Mama, don't you think it will complicate my schedule with Jake? I still have a contract with him and that's a month! One week has already passed but there is still 3 weeks! I cannot cut myself into two and pleasure two men and a ti-" I argued which he immediately cut off because of a laugh.

"Ash, do you think I'm dumb? Do you think I didn't think of that? Of course, I've thought about those things too! God!"

"Then why are you offering it to me, mom? Can't you give it to other models, mom?"

"I am offering this to you because the client wants you exclusively! Are you not listening? Andrei wants you, not the other escort! I am offering this to you because your contract with Andrei will start when your contract with Jake ends! And what models are you talking about? You think so highly of yourself! You are escorts not models, stupid!" his long litany.

The irritation on his face was obvious. He took a deep breath to calm himself before turning his attention back to me.

"Okay, now I want you to know the contract you have with Andrei. It is far different from Jake. Jake applied for a perfect combo while Andrei just wants you to be his date. Parang alalay. No touching. No kissing. No sex .Understand?"

"Mama, can't you give it to your other girls-"

"Oh God, Ash! The client wants you, exclusively! Meaning he only wants you! Damn you are so stupid! Get the contract and leave my office. Now!" he promised contemptuously.

"Yes, ma." I only said then left her office.