Once Upon A Prostitute

CHAPTER 9 - REJECTED

Mina

It's Wednesday, so I will be playing the piano tonight. I'm not exactly really looking forward to it but I need the distraction. I tend to forget my worries when I play. Lately, I've been doing a lot of worrying most about Tetura.

I had dropped a Facebook message for Tekena. I just enquired on how he and papa were doing and explained that I lost my phone. I miss them so much, and I know they've been trying to reach me. It makes me feel extra guilty for being deliberately unreachable while in the ring. The few times Tekena called, I was distant and pretended to be busy, often lying about having classes in a school I never attended. I couldn't afford to be chatty with him. I was afraid I'd slip up and say something off. I couldn't afford to let them know. It'd have broken their hearts. I have barely spoken with Papa either. Twice he called and I pretended I couldn't hear due to poor network. I resorted to sending him messages once in a while. Tetura had scolded me for that, but I was tired of her acting like a big sister that knows it all, so I ignored her. I still can't bring myself to speak with Papa or Tekena. Not when I'm like this. I need to make things better first. I need to be better.

For tonight's performance, I'm dressed up in Mae's gown and a pair of high-heeled sandals she gave me to match it. Turns out we have the same feet size. I'm beginning to feel like I'm destined for hand-me-downs from the sisters. The gown's not bad though, and you could never guess that it didn't come straight from the store. It's a brown shimmery outfit that blends well with my skin. But it's skimpy and I feel self-conscious and kinda slutty in it. These full breasts of mine are straining to pop out everywhere. I end up getting a shawl from Eve to drape around my shoulders. I swear once I can afford my own clothes, I'm going shopping. But I can't be choosy right now. All I have are my jeans and t-shirts, and the blue gown I wore for my interview. I don't think I should be up in the spotlight looking all drab even if I'm broke. Being broke sucks.

I walked out to the customer area to see Eve looking around dreamily. "Hey, I'm thinking of bringing some sofas in here". she says when she senses my presence me. ''we can line them up by the walls towards the back there. It will give the place a cosier and more relaxing ambience, don't you think?"

"Absolutely" I agree. "I think it will be cool"

She turns to me and smiles as she takes in my appearance. ''you look beautiful.''

I don't feel beautiful. I feel like I am on display be all over again, just like that first night when...

"Are you ok Mina", Eve asks with concern in her voice. "We can skip today's performance if you're not feeling up to it."

"No, no problems at all. I'm fine" I reassure her. I walk over to the piano and sit. I'd just play some lazy-ass cool love songs all night.

************************
Luke

Olivia has been bugging my phone all morning. Someone, I'm guessing one of her nosy fake friends, saw me talking to Miss Jaja at the caravan yesterday, and now she's asking all those insecure questions girls ask. I don't have time for it. I have a test tomorrow morning and I have barely read a thing.

After the caravan inspection yesterday, I drove straight to school. I was a little tired, so I slept the rest of the day, well, until Elijah woke me up and dragged me out for a drink. Elijah is my closest buddy. I have a group of friends but Elijah is like a brother. We were out drinking till 11:30pm. I woke up by 10am this morning with a headache and a hangover. I make terrible choices when I'm with Elijah... that idiot. And to add to my throbbing temples, Olivia has been dropping whiny voice messages on my chats.

I put my phone on silent mode and turn it face down. I am tired of explaining. She'd come around eventually, especially since she wants me to show up at her party next week with an expensive gift. Don't ask me how I know. I know her. Part of me wonders if this is all just a scheme to guilt me into buying something pricier. I wouldn't put it past Olivia. She knows I check out other girls once in a while, I think every guy does that. It's no big deal. Besides, our relationship is simply a business arrangement. No need for her to act all territorial.