"Table six wants another round." I said flatly, placing the empty tray on the counter. The bartender didn’t say anything---she just started pouring, like always.
Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa loob ng bar, subtly observing the people inside. This was a high-end place, where clients screamed money just by the way they dressed and carried themselves.
"Here you go." Mikha said as she placed the newly filled glasses on my tray.
I lifted it carefully, balancing it with practice ease. Dumeretso ako sa table six, hindi na pinansin ang mga usapan sa paligid. I’d been working here for a month now, and most conversations sounded the same---business, mistresses, and how much money they had to waste.
I reached table six and served the drinks. A group of teenagers---three guys, two girls---probably rich kids spending their parents' money like it was pocket change.
"Enjoy." I said with a polite smile, already turning to leave.
But before I could take a step, someone grabbed my wrist.
"How much?" he asked, his voice arrogant and smug.
"Excuse me?" I snapped, sabay hatak ng kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya.
"How much for you to spend the night with me?"
"I'm not a hooker."
"C'mon," he scoffed. "Alam ko namang hindi lang pagiging waitress ang trabaho niyo dito."
His smug grin made my blood boil.
"Hindi ako bayarang babae. At kung magpapabayad man ako, pipiliin ko 'yung guwapo---hindi 'yung mukhang singkit na espasol na tulad mo."
His face darkened. "What did you say?!" he barked, standing up.
He took a threatening step forward—then froze.
"Sit down, Jared."
I turned my head toward the source of the voice. It was calm but laced with steel. A woman sitting on the far end of the table. Cold eyes, straight posture, poker face. Her presence silenced the room.
"This bitch disrespected me!" Jared whined like a child.
"Don’t make me repeat myself." she said, staring him down with a gaze so sharp it could’ve sliced through ego. It was quiet, but dangerous.
I didn’t wait to see what happened next. Umalis na ako at nagtungo sa likod ng bar kung saan wala masyadong tao. Huminga ako nang malalim, trying to calm my racing heart. I stayed there for a few minutes, breathing in silence, then finally decided to head back inside.
"There you are." Stella greeted me as soon as I reentered. She owned the bar---always dressed in silk, always composed.
"Go upstairs. Room 3."
"Bakit po?"
"Someone asked for you."
I frowned. "Boss, I told you, I’m not doing that. Hindi po ako magpapabayad. I'm not selling my body."
"I know," she said gently. "And I respect that. Pero nagbayad siya ng fifty thousand. Alam ko kung gaano mo kailangan ang pera para sa operasyon ng nanay mo. Kaya pumayag ako. Besides," she added, "babae ang nagbayad."
"Pero..." I hesitated, the worry on my face impossible to hide.
"Just show up. Kapag may ginawa siya na ayaw mo, you know the emergency button in every room, right?"
I nodded silently.
Huminga ako nang malalim, then forced myself to follow her order. Mabigat man sa loob ko, but I walked toward Room 3. When I reached the door, I paused for a full minute before knocking.
