Bright Lights [SharDon Fanfic]

BRIGHT LIGHTS

Donny was invited for one of his friend's bachelor party, Gus. Gus was a friend from college. They remained friends despite taking on different paths post-graduation. Gus had always been competitive, he was hard working, and Donny sincerely believed that Gus would make it big. And boy, he did. He's now working as the director for one of the biggest marketing firms in the country.

And now, Gus is getting married to the love of his life, Elle. He was so happy for him.

"So, pare, ikaw, kailan ka lalagay sa tahimik?" Gus asked playfully.

Donny laughed as he took a bottle of scotch and poured some on his empty glass.

"Pare, kita mong nag-aartista pa 'tong kaibigan natin. Baka magwala mga fans niyan kapag nagpakasal 'yan!" One of their friends Chandler said. Everyone laughed along.

After having a couple of shots, he decided to head out for a bit. He needed to smoke.

Donny went out of the unit and walked towards the far-most door in the hallway. It had a sign saying "Balcony/Smoking Area. He slowly opened the door. It was dark outside, only the lights from the neighboring buildings are helping him walk across and see the bright lights all over the town.

It was beautiful, he thought. He leaned on the rails and felt the cold wind of the night fan his face. He looked down and saw lights coming from the late-night traffic, establishments still open till the wee hours of the night and people walking at the side walks flooded the ground. He pulled his pack of cigarettes from his pocket and took a stick. As he lights the cigarette, he heard a someone said:

"Magagalit fans mo niyan, Sir."

Donny looked back and saw a woman leaning against the wall, smoking. The woman was wearing a red dress that was long enough to cover her bottom and towering high heels. She walked towards him. As she got closer to him, Donny was taken aback. This woman was a goddess. Red lips, flushed cheeks, and those deep brown eyes...

Donny tried to look away. But the scent of the woman was luring him to look at her again. She smelled of amber. "Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Sharlene. Donny, right? 'Diba artista ka? Favorite ka ng bestfriend ko, eh." the woman said. She was smiling.

"Yes. Tell her I said 'hi'. What are you doing here? Bakit ka nag-iisa?" He asked.

Sharlene looked at the door and gazed back at Donny. "May hinihintay ako. Raket."

A crease in Donny's forehead made Sharlene laugh. "Raket, work, ganern."

"I know what raket means. But what kind of work?" Donny asked, a bit irritated. Judging at how Sharlene dressed...

Is she an—

"Escort."

Donny was dumbfounded. He didn't know what to say. How could someone who looks this gentle be an escort? Sharlene looked young.

Sharlene grinned. "Joke. Singer ako. Ngayong gabi lang 'to kasi absent daw 'yung singer nila sa restaurant sa baba nitong hotel."

Donny can't help but let out a relieved sigh. "You scared me right there, lady."

Sharlene looked serious. "Hindi ako escort. Mahirap lang ako pero hindi ko kaya 'yung ganoon. Kahit anong trabaho papasukan ko, huwag lang 'yung mga illegal."

Donny puffed his cigarette and let the smoke out in an instant. "Ang dami mo naman sinabi agad."

Sharlene looked uneasy. She kept looking at her feet. "Masakit na ba?" Donny asked.

She only nodded in agreement. Donny looked around to see if there's something Sharlene can sit on. "Wait here,"

He saw a wooden box and took it. "O, maupo ka muna." Donny said as he placed the box beside Sharlene.

Donny can't explain the delight he felt when he saw Sharlene's smile upon seeing the wooden box. She hurriedly sat down and looked up in relief. "Salamat! Aah, sarap maupo! Kanina pa ako nakatayo, hindi ko talaga mapanindigan 'tong pagsusuot ng heels!"

"Eh, bakit ka kasi nag-heels hindi mo naman pala mapanindigan?"

Sharlene looked up at him. "Dress code daw, eh. Sumunod na lang ako kaysa wala pa kitain."

Donny pulled out another stick and lit it. "Ano bang trabaho mo talaga?"

"Iba-iba. Kung saan may pera." Sharlene replied casually.

"Do you have a family?"

Sharlene smiled faintly as she continued to massage her foot. "Mag-isa na lang ako."

Donny can't find the right words to say. They stayed silent for a while. Just when he thought he had thought of what to say, Sharlene's phone suddenly rang.

"Oh, Bebs? Kanina pa ako naghihintay ng tawag mo, eh! O, next na ako? Okay, okay sige, bababa na ako diyan. Thank you talaga, ha! Mwah mwah! Ba-bye!"

Sharlene hurriedly wore her high heels as she ended the call. "O siya, work na ako. Nice to meet you, Donny! Ang pogi mo pala sa personal! Papanoorin ko movie mo 'pag may extra ako! Bye!"

Donny tried to say something but Sharlene kept moving fast until she was out of the balcony. His eyes still gazed at the door where Sharlene made her way out. A phone call snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Dude, umuwi ka na ba? Bakit ang tagal mo?" it was Gus.

Donny tried to laugh. "Pabalik na." he responded.

As he made his way out of the balcony, Donny can't help but think of Sharlene for some reason. He wanted to watch her sing at the restaurant but he kept himself from doing so.

Just why on earth would I do that? He asked himself as he was greeted with loud music and the smell of booze.