LOVE WOKE UP to the clatter and shouts outside the house. She has hardly slept yet. Every minute she could have to be able to sleep was important to her.
She scratched her head as she stood up. “What’s that noise? What a nuisance.”
Her life had been different ever since they moved into that ‘apartment shack’. Her neighbors seemed to be always on edge. She would always be surprised whenever there were upset women pulling each other’s hairs or drunk men chasing everyone with a knife. People there have different behaviors. Lovellia had no other choice but to stay there because that was the only place her earnings could afford.
Kulas came rushing through her room and immediately put the sunglasses on her. "Ate, the hoodlums are outside."
“Why? We have a week before the payment date!”
She really hated it when those people just barged in here even when it was not yet time for the payment.
Though they are never late when it comes to collecting their payment, and they don’t force her to pay, especially when she exceeds her payment sometimes.
But they were making trouble today.
“Baste! Get out of there, Baste! ” shouted the leader of the collectors, Epong.
"Kuya, my father’s not here,” she said as she got out of her room.
The men were already inside their house.
Epong pointed at him. “Hey, Blind Girl! Someone told us that your father was here last night. So take him out here if you don't want to get hurt!”
LOVE WOKE UP to the clatter and shouts outside the house. She has hardly slept yet. Every minute she could have to be able to sleep was important to her.
She scratched her head as she stood up. “What’s that noise? What a nuisance.”
Her life had been different ever since they moved into that ‘apartment shack’. Her neighbors seemed to be always on edge. She would always be surprised whenever there were upset women pulling each other’s hairs or drunk men chasing everyone with a knife. People there have different behaviors. Lovellia had no other choice but to stay there because that was the only place her earnings could afford.
Kulas came rushing through her room and immediately put the sunglasses on her. "Ate, the hoodlums are outside."
“Why? We have a week before the payment date!”
She really hated it when those people just barged in here even when it was not yet time for the payment.
Though they are never late when it comes to collecting their payment, and they don’t force her to pay, especially when she exceeds her payment sometimes.
But they were making trouble today.
“Baste! Get out of there, Baste! ” shouted the leader of the collectors, Epong.
"Kuya, my father’s not here,” she said as she got out of her room.
The men were already inside their house.
Epong pointed at him. “Hey, Blind! Someone told us that your father was here last night. So take him out here if you don't want to get hurt!”
The men applauded. “Finally, we could have a better-looking woman at the club. Those businessmen and politicians have taken all our beautiful women. Those new recruits are not good-looking enough for my taste.”
“Boss, if she’s not singing, maybe she can give us a massage. She’s good at it even though she was blind,” said the skinny one among them.
"How was it? You heard their suggestions, right? They want you to sing, massage, and entertain them.”
Epong put back Love’s shades over her eyes and handed her the walking stick. “We will definitely earn a lot from you. Men will not really care if you're blind since you're beautiful enough.”
Love kept her silence. Her open disagreement might put her into a worse situation.
She didn’t know why she had to suffer this. What did she ever do wrong?
She wouldn’t let herself be beaten. She never wanted to be a cheap woman who performs to arouse the lust of men. Her parents raised her well. And she could not bear to work for these scums. She would never sell her soul.
"I'll find the money to pay you."
One of Epong's men pulled her hand forcefully. “How about coming with me now? I will pay your debt for you. Just satisfy my needs.”
She screamed and escaped from his grip. "No! Let me go!"
Kulas hugged her tight to protect her. “Please don’t take my sister now. We will find the money. We will pay you.”
“Marlon, let her go. A woman of that beauty has a very high market value. You cannot afford it. “Marlon let go of her but she could still feel the lust in his eyes. “Well, let’s just meet in two days. We’ll be here…very early in the morning.”