La Grilla Series #1: Come Here

Chapter 22

#LGS1PangAakit #LGS1chapter22 #LaGrilla1

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Warning: 🚫
Conversations about illegal activities

PAGBUKAS ng elevator sa basement parking ay mag-isa lang nitong iniluwa si Mimi.

Imee Pascual used 'Mimi' as a stage name, as required for the protection of ther true identity. She was already a dancer who worked alternately between different underground clubs, mostly frequented by dangerous people hiding from the law, rich people with hedonistic lifestyles, or both. These clubs were dangerous places to get into, but the money there was faster. This wouldn't justify people's wrongdoings and illegal businesses, but her desparation and thirst hide from her past while trying to survive in an unfamiliar world all alone explained why she involved herself with these businesses.

Pagkatapos mag-perform sa Atlantis, hindi na nagpalit si Mimi ng damit. Pinatungan na lang niya ito ng gray na hoodie na abot sa kaniyang mga hita.

As she walked at the basement parking, she tossed back her shoulder-length caramel brown-dyed hair. Her platform high heels clicked against the ground as she looked for Maria's car.

Si Maria ang pole dancing instructor niya at manager na rin. Maria was a staple in her new life not just because she was her mentor, but also because of the shelter and protection she provided. Hindi siya makanti ng mga manyakis sa club dahil protektado ang babae ng isang mafia organization at nasasaklaw siya ng proteksiyong iyon.

Sa pagkakaalam niya, may karelasyon din itong isang mafioso. Mimi could not confirm it though because Maria always kept her lips sealed about her boyfriend.

She was humming Good For You as she slid herself between two parked cars. At this moment, she felt carefree because for the first time, there were no spectating eyes on her. Naiwan sa Atlantis ang mga guwardiya ni Maria, kasama nito, dahil pumuslit siya mula sa mga ito. She had to because some of them could be annoying. Panay ang pahiwatig ng interes sa kaniya. That's why she would rather be with them when Maria wass around than to be all alone with them.

Hinarap ni Mimi ang puting mini van sa kanan at sinusian ang pinto sa driver's seat para umupo rito. Eventually, she turned on the radio and closed her eyes to relax to the jazz instrumental music that filled the mini van.

Her thoughts started running along with the radio's music. Inalala niya kung bakit nauna siyang lumabas ng club.

Nagpaiwan si Maria sa dressing room sa Atlantis para hintayin ang bayad ni Erik dito para sa performance niya sa gabing ito. Meanwhile, Mimi just decided to wait in the car because she was scared. Pakiramdam niya kasi ay nakita niya si Leo sa audience kanina. Hindi lang niya na-double check dahil abala siya sa pagsayaw. Bukod doon ay madalas na naka-lights off sa audience area mula sa durasyon hanggang sa katapusan ng performance niya. Ibig sabihin, ay hindi talaga niya makikita ang mukha ng lalaki roon dahil madilim sa puwesto ng audience.

Sana ay namalik-mata lang siya. Pero para na rin makasigurado, hindi na siya tumambay sa dressing room sa backstage area. Mimi asked for Maria's permission to leave then used the back door to head to the basement parking.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the knocking on the window.

"Hay, naku," paikot niya ng mga mata pagdilat niya.

Alam niyang hindi si Maria ang kumakatok dahil bukod sa isang navy blue na suit ang nakikita niya, Maria would not knock on her own car! She would simply just open the door and get in!

Sa tingin ni Mimi, isa na naman ito sa mga kliyente sa Atlantis na mangungulit na iuwi siya. Napupuno na talaga siya sa mga indecent proposal ng mga ito. Hindi pa ba malinaw rito ang kalakaran sa Atlantis? Dancers are off-limits!