The Virgin Stripper

14

VV

"It's nice and cool here," the woman said, settling into her seat.

"Shall we order?" she added with a warm smile.

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my cool.

I didn't order much, but Elijah, as always, ordered for me.

"Umm, their avocado shake is delicious here. You wanna try, anak?" she suggested, glancing at me with hopeful eyes. The man beside her was busy on his phone.

"Avocado?" I scoffed under my breath, silently rolling my eyes.

"She's allergic to avocados maam," Elijah chimed in politely, his voice gentle.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, anak, I didn't know," she stammered, looking embarrassed.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, my emotions mixed. I was glad they wanted to talk, but part of me was still struggling to forgive them.

"Val, anak," she started, a little hesitant but determined. "I want to take you home, so we can get to know each other. Meet the family."

I folded my arms and sat up straight, preparing myself. I wanted to hear their side of things, but I wasn't sure I was ready to just forgive them.

"Start your story," I said, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil inside me. They began to explain how they had been young when they had me, how they had to leave me at the orphanage and promised to come back. But their business took off, and they never returned. They also told me about a younger sister, Stefanie, who was four years younger than me.

It was a lot to process. They could've easily gone to the Philippines and look for me, since their business was successful right?

"So, Valerie," the woman continued, her voice softer now, "we really want to get to know you. Please stay with us for just two weeks, so we can bond."

I looked at them, the sincerity in their eyes evident. Elijah glanced at me, waiting for my response.

"I have a home," I said, my voice firm. The two of them looked at Elijah and back to me, waiting for more.

I wasn't sure if I really believed they were my parents, but looking at the woman, I could see some resemblance. Hazel eyes, small but beautiful lips, and the way she looked at me... I could see myself in her. My father, on the other hand, I could tell I took after him more. We both had a hint of brown in our hair. The nose, though, I wasn't sure about.

"Love, you can stay with them for a while, and you can always visit me," Elijah said, his voice gentle.

The woman and the man looked at me, hope in their eyes.

"Okay," I said, my voice quieter than I intended.

"Great!" the woman smiled, relief washing over her face.

"Tomorrow?" the man asked, his smile matching hers.

The next evening, as I sat on the couch, Elijah beside me, I couldn't shake the uncertainty.

"Love, are you sure I can do this? Twenty-two years have passed," I whispered, leaning closer to him.

"Of course you can," he reassured me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "You even have a sister now. It'll be okay."

I wasn't so sure. I wanted to believe it, wanted to open up, but there was still a wall inside me, one I wasn't ready to break down.

"You think so?" I asked, my voice uncertain.