Forging Resilience: A Tale Of Betrayal, Belonging and Triumph

Making A Good, But Dangerous Decision

"Should I follow the lady's advice or should i report to the police? If I report to the police, I will not get enough money from him and I will also be at loss because I will have to get a lawyer and if his wife finds out, he won't have the money to compensate me" I thought as I walked to the counter and paid the bills.
I had to walk hurriedly to the entrance so that my boss won't see me like this.
As I walked out of the coffee shop, I bumped into someone who turned out to be Sandra. She was dressed in a pink see-through dress which exposed her thighs, boobs and back. I was surprised but I just overlooked it and greeted her.
She greeted me back and she looked at me with a disgusting look.
"You don't have to look at me like that, just ask?" I sighed. "You look awful, but that isn't my business. I need a place to stay for two months" Sandra was chewing gum loudly.
"Did she just say it wasn't her business? When I was looking like this?" I was shocked to the bones. This isn't the Sandra I know.
I was expecting her to hug me and start crying, but instead she said it wasn't her business?
"I'm sorry Vicky, I was just pulling your legs. How are you doing and why are you covered in bruises" Sandra finally asked after she noticed how quiet I was.
"Well" I sighed "I'm like this because of a man I was in love with" I answered her with tears almost falling off my eyes.
It was so fucking painful and hurtful. I felt like my whole world was crumbling. "Ohh" Sandra covered her mouth with her hand. "Why would you let a man do this to you?" she rolled her eyes.
I could see that she wasn't really interested in what happened to me, but I still wanted to tell her everything; she was like the closest relation I had right now.
"Let's talk about this in the taxi" I took her hand into mine, and led her to the road.
We stopped a taxi , and we entered.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her exactly what happened between Steve and I, so I didn't continue the conversation. I also felt that she was still a kid, and telling her something like that would be bad for her.

Sandra suddenly threw out her gum and suddenly turned to me "Are you fucking kidding me? You allowed a guy to do this to you? Even I, who is a striper and prostitute can never allow any of my customers to do that to me"
My eyes widened when I heard what she said "A striper? What has gotten into you? How will you sell your body for money" I yelled out her like an elder sister would do to her younger sister.
She rolled her eyes, "You don't have to shout that way" she continued "Short story. I ran away from the orphanage and I got a job at a club as a full-time striper, and part time prostitute"
"What? Why would you do that? What for?"
"For so many things, Vicky. As you are looking at me now; I'm a 200 level history student in one of the best private universities in the country" She boasted.
"Really?" I asked in shock. I shook my head in shame. She finally got her dream fulfilled, while I just got raped. "Yes. I found a sugar daddy two years ago, and he has been the one sponsoring my education" she said smiling proudly.
I shook my head and decided not say a word in response to what she said.

We got home and settled in.
I took my bath, and lay on the bed in pains. I really needed a long sleep.
"Vicky, I'm going out for shopping, you want to tag along?"
I answered in affirmative, but decided to ask her a question that has been on my mind "Why do you want to squat with me when you have a RICH sugar daddy?" I stressed the word 'rich' on purpose.

"Ohh, I'm tired of staying in the hostel, and he said to give him two months to get an apartment for me" she answered me while putting some makeup on her face. It was then I realized something; Sandra had changed.

I got cleaned up and wore a sweatshirt and pants so that it could cover the bruises. I also took some pain relievers, before heading out.
Sandra had really changed; she was always outspoken and always wanted a good and comfortable life, but I didn't expect her to go this far.
During our outing, she kept flirting with every guy that passed our way, and she made sure to give at least three guys her phone number. I couldn't help but imagine if this was the same Sandra who was very holy in her ways. I remember when she always said she wanted her wedding night to be special.

After picking out what she needed, we moved to the cashier to pay. Sandra started her behavior again, flirting. "Hey, handsome" She waved to a guy that was standing next to us on the other line.
"Hey" he also smiled at her, peeping into her opened boobs.
"Want to have a taste of it?" she questioned seductively after noticing where his eyes were looking.
"Can I?"
"Sure" She picked his phone from his pocket, and punched in her number "Call me" she licked her lips.
Disgust was for sure written all over my face "Why is she embarassing me?" I muttered to myself. "It's our turn to pay" I tapped her.
She nodded then proceeded to the front. "I will pay for it" the guy that she just spoke to informed the lady at the counter. "Thanks, Zaddy" she jumped on him.
He grabbed her butt "I can't wait to have you" he bit his lip.

We finished and we went back home.
I needed someone to talk to so I decided to talk to Sandra. "Sandra?"
"Yes"
"If you had a boyfriend who did something really bad to you, would you report him to the police or blackmail him with it?"
"If you have enough evidence, I think blackmailing is still the best because we are just a small fry. No one would care about an orphan" she answered. "Hmm…Is it about the guy that did this to you?"
"Yes"
"Do you want to explain what happened?" She asked.
I actually thought about it, and it seemed like Sandra was no longer a kid. She could say everything that happened to her.
I sighed "I was…." I was cut-off by the sudden ring from her phone. "Excuse me" She stood up to leave.
I hissed "Seriously?"
I thought for some while then decided to call the maid from Steve's house
"I'm ready to blackmail Steve…but, I have no evidence"
"No worries. Let's meet on Saturday"
"Okay" I lie on the bed and fell asleep gradually.