Dreams [PRN]

chapter six

The following day unfolded with a relentless, exhausting pace that I hadn't anticipated. From early morning, my door seemed like a revolving portal, ushering in one client after another. Rosa, perhaps sensing my impending departure—or merely capitalizing on my vulnerability—had somehow managed to book more appointments than usual. Each session passed in a blur, leaving me more drained, both physically and emotionally.

Mid-morning, Rosa appeared at my door with an unusual proposition. Her face bore a smug expression as she leaned against the frame, watching me prepare for the next client.

"I'm offering you a better cut today, 60% instead of the usual 40%," she announced, her eyes glinting with a mix of greed and manipulation. "Seems only fair since you've become so popular all of a sudden."

The offer was tempting, infuriatingly so. It was a significant increase, one that could help me stash away more money for the uncertain future. Despite my resentment toward Rosa and what she represented, I found myself nodding in agreement, unable to refuse the extra income. It felt like a chain tightening, but I justified it as a necessary evil for my escape plan.

The day wore on, each hour a test of endurance. As the afternoon light began to wane, a familiar figure appeared at the front of the house—Prince. My heart leaped at the sight of him, a surge of hope fluttering through the exhaustion. However, my relief was short-lived as I saw Rosa intercept him at the door. From the corner of my room, I could only catch fragments of their conversation, but Rosa's intentions were clear as she gestured animatedly.

Unable to leave my current client, I felt a helpless frustration boil inside me. My door was slightly ajar, and through the sliver of space, I watched as Rosa, with calculated charm, directed Prince towards the lounge where Carmen and a few others were taking a brief respite.

Carmen, spotting Prince, lit up with a flirtatious smile. She rose to meet him, her demeanor playful and inviting. I could see her laughing, touching his arm casually as she spoke, her behavior a stark contrast to the serious, almost somber interactions I had with him. Rosa stood back, watching the exchange with a satisfied smirk, believing perhaps that she could sway Prince's intentions or at least distract him from his purpose.

The sight twisted a knot in my stomach, not out of jealousy but from the fear of losing my only lifeline to a better future. My current session dragged on interminably, each passing minute a string pulling tighter around my chest.

Finally, as the client left and I hurriedly straightened the room, I caught sight of Prince again, this time heading back towards the foyer. His expression was one of polite disinterest, the kind worn by someone who has endured unwelcome advances. I wiped my hands on a towel and rushed out, my heart pounding.

"Prince!" I called out, my voice catching with a mix of desperation and relief. He turned, his face breaking into a relieved smile upon seeing me.

"Mayte, I was hoping to catch you alone," he said, his voice low and urgent. He glanced briefly towards where Rosa had been standing, ensuring she wasn't eavesdropping. "I've got everything arranged for your departure. We can leave as soon as you're ready."

The offer to leave right then was like a lifeline thrown to a drowning person. I nodded, my decision made in the heartbeat of desperation that followed. "Give me five minutes to grab my things," I said, my voice steady despite the chaos of emotions inside me.

As I packed my small bag with trembling hands, I heard Carmen's light footsteps approach my door. She leaned against the doorway, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"You're really going, huh?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and envy.

I zipped up my bag, looking up at her with a resolve fortified by the day's events. "Yes, I have to."