RED'S POV
" Your change is 740 pesos, ma'am. Thank you so much for coming and have a nice day." I said while faking a smile to the last customer.
When the last customer went out , I hurriedly flipped the door signage from open to close.After that, I took the mop inside the cleaning tools cabinet to mop the tiled floor. I bunned my natural black long hair and adjusted my glasses with a broken frame before mopping the floor. I was just humming while mopping when I passed by the store's human sized mirror. I stopped for a while to check myself in the mirror.
" who would have thought that this ugly,fat and poor woman was treated with an expensive drink by a hot, handsome and loaded man. " I said proudly while looking at myself with a messy bun. My blurry eyes is being covered with a broken eyeglasses. My fat but voluptuous body which is wearing tight uniform and old rubber shoes.
It has been a month since I last met that handsome man. After spending my entire savings to that elite club, I withdrew my remaining 2 months of membership and asked for a refund due to a very important reason.
Two weeks after I went to that club, my landlord threw me out the aparment I rented because of a desperate person who offered them double the amount of my usual rental fee. I really wanted to take legal actions but I ran out of money to pay an attorney. Majority of the rooms for rent are very expensive especially in the city. That's why I had no choice but to cancel my membership so that I can use the refund to pay for my new apartment.
BRRR! BRRR!
I took my phone inside my pocket to check the new message I received.
Lorry: Rouge, where are you already? Madame is looking for you . There are guests asking for your to perform.
I breathed deeply and replied to Lorry.
Me: tell madame I'll be there in 30 mins.
Rouge is my nickname. The french word of my name Red. I even faked an I.D using only the name Rouge as my first name. I only let those people who are very close and important to me, knows my real name.
Even at my work, no one knows my real name since I used fake I.D. Good thing both manangements I worked in doesn't care about my personal informations.
AFTER sending my message to Lorry, I hurriedly mopped the floor then grabbed my things before locking the store where I worked as a part-timer.
27 mins. has passed, I reached the bar where my second job is.
"Thank God you are here!"Lorry exclaimed when she saw me entering the dressing room."Quick, I'll help you prepare. The guests are in VVIP Function Hall. "
Lorry took my things and helped me prepare my Black Draped Neck Bodycon Fish Tail Dress that I bought online. I quickly wore the dress with her help then spray a washabke red dye onto my hair. Since I will be covering my eyes with a facial mascara, I decided not to have an eye make up. I just put a light foundation then a bit of contour before putting a light blush on and a red lipstick. I also wore my graded contact lenses.
"Is my look okay? " I asked Lorry to hear her opinion about my current look.
She scanned my entire look with a serious expression on her face.
"I really can't see the original you in that look. You look gorgeous . I love how your dress hugged your chubby hourglass body." She complimented.
I took my favorite designer perfume that I won from a raffle draw here in the club. To save it, I only sprayed it on my neck twice.
"I gotta go. I'll treat you if I'll get a big tip today. " I said to Lorry then stormed out the dressing room . I hurriedly went to the VVIP function Hall where it is located at the top floor of this Bar.
When I reached the back door of the function hall, I deeply inhaled and exhaled so that my nervousness will vanish. After a few seconds, I opened the door which it led me right away to the side of the stage. I saw a bunch of Elites on their seats eating their expensive food while some were just simply grabbing drinks from a waiter who were holding different glasses of drinks. They were having an extravagant party here in Madame's function Hall. I even saw madame talking to some rich ladies in her age. When madame felt my stare, she looked at my way. I can see that she is mad because I'm a bit late. She did not come to me instead she just secretly signaled me to start performing. I just nodded as my response.
I walked towards the center stage and grabbed the guitar placed beside the stool. I sat on the stool then adjusted the mic before strumming the guitar.
When the sound of the guitar echoed the hall, everyone put their attention on me. I didn't mind them and just kept on strummimg the guitar . I then started singing a famous song in an acoustic way which made those people who were still talking to their friends turned there face on me. I kept on singing and strumming my guitar while roaming my eyes around. I love it when I see people listening and positively reacting to my voice. I may have a common voice, but still it is good enough to attract people's attention.
As I was singing the end part of the chorus, a familiar figure captured my eyes. A man in all black staring at me with his deep gray eyes. He's holding a glass of champagne in his right hand while his left hand is in his pocket.
'Is black his favorite color? ' I said at the back of my mind. Last time he saw him, was wesring black. And now too.
I stopped staring at him when he suddenly smirked while mouthing 'found you'
I don't know who this man is. I even forgot his name. But one thing is for sure, this man looks dangerous. He may be my type but it doesn't mean I'll involve myself to the likes of him.
Everyone clapped their hands as I finished my first song. I was going to strum again my guitar ,to play my second song, when Madame signaled me to go down for a bit.
I walked down with sophistication so that people won't know I'm just a woman without class.
"This is my most requested singer in my bar. Her name is Rouge Endrada. " Madame instroduced me to a man who looked like in his late 50's or early 60's. Literally, he is an old man.
This man looked at me from head to toe then licked his lower lips which made me shudder from disgust inside. He looked at Madame like signaling her to leave us. Madame just smiled then looked at me like saying 'behave' to me.
"Hi, Rouge. I like your voice. It's as sexy as you right now. I'm Mr. Farim Moore. The Vice President of Moore Enterprises. " he slowly grabbed my hand without my permission and kissed it. I can even feel his lips wet from his saliva.
'DISGUSTING!' I shouted at the back of my mind. I even imagined myself puking from disgust.
I withdrew my hand and put it at my back and wipe it on my dress without him noticing. I just gave him a smile like a smile honored to meet him.
"Nice meeting you Mr. Moore. It's an honor to meet a valuable person like you" I lied. I need to lie because the amount of my paycheck and tip rely to Madame and the guests mood. If I'll ruin it, either I'll only be bringing left over food or nothing at all.
"You look young, how old are you? Are you married? " he curiously asked.
I faked a smile to him before answering.
"I'm already 28, Mr. Moore. And nope, I'm not married yet. Still waiting for my future groom" I answered. I almost showed my annoyed face when I saw his face lit up after hearing my answers.
"Wow. You are young and beautiful yet no one dared marrying you? What a foolish men we have" he said with a surprise in his face.
He grabbed his phone from the inside of his suit and gave it to me.
"I heard you will be singing us 5 songs. So I can't take your time too much. I really wanna talk to you more. May I ask your contact info so we can catch up later? " he ask while taking a glance of my clevage from time to time.
What a disgusting man.
" As much as I want to, I am a very busy person. I don't usually answer calls when I'm busy. Why not you give me your calling card so I can call you later? You seem interesting to me, Mr. Moore" I gave him an apologetic look while raising my hand asking for his calling card.
Mr. Moore did not hesitate at all. He gets his calling card and put it on my hand. Before bidding my goodbyes to him, a familiar figure is walking towards us with annoyance in his eyes. He is coming to me but I secretly signaled him to stop. Good thing he obeyed like a dog. I don't want to talk to any more men in heat. All I want is to finish my remaining songs so that I can leave here right away.
AFTER my four remaining songs, I hurriedly went out the function hall to wash my hands at the nearest rest room. I threw away Mr. Moore's calling card in the trash bin after tearing it to smaller pieces.
I used my fingernails to scrub the back of my hand which has been kissed by that disgusting Old Man.
"It will bleed if you scrub your hand aggressively with your fingernails. "
I almost had a heart attack from being startled . When I looked at the person who owns that voice, I saw that young handsome man leaning his body on the restroom door while arms crossed.
" Why are you here? This restroom is for ladies. Kindly leave " I asked in a serious but calm voice while frowning.
He walked towards me and level his head to me.
"If I won't, what will you do?" He asked challenging me into something.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance and washed my hands before drying it with a tissue.
"If you won't leave then I'll leave. I don't want to be caught by any staff being with a man alone. " I said then throw the tissue I used in the trash bin.
I was about to walk out the restroom when he suddenly pulled my hand which surprised me and made me out of balance. He caught me by holding my waist and pulling it towards him.
"Are you nuts?! " I exclaimed.
He chuckled a bit.
" Baby, we're not done talking yet. I still owe you , remember? " he said with two eyebrows raised.
I squint my eyes as I am confused of what he said. When did he owe me?
"Are you crazy? When did you owe me? " I frowned as I asked him with confusion.
I saw in his face the amusement before shaking his head while smiling. He then leaned forward where our faces were just an inch away .
" You only took my bills even though I offered you my card. You let me taste the sweetest drink I had in my life, yet I only let you took a few bills." He explained in a flirtatious way. He even looked at my lips like he is about to devour it.
"It means I don't need your money. I just did you a favor since you looked like a pity stray dog wanting some attention" I insulted him while raising my right eyebrow. I don't really want to be near this clingy man, but he is so strong that I can't even escape from his grasp.
"Then I should thank you more for giving me that sweet attention. That is more than enough for me to offer you my card" he insisted with a smile. He didn't even get offended about what I said. Most men I knew hated it when they are being insulted by a woman who built like me.
He took his black card and pressed it on my lips.
"Take this. You can swipe it anywhere you want. You can also withdraw how much you want. I even changed its password to the day we met." He softly said.
I was about to refused him once again but I frozed when he kissed the back of the card which is still touching my lips. I felt a massive current runs from my lips then to the entirety of my being.
He released me carefully then whispered in my ears.
"After a month, I'll find you and take the card back. If you don't want to be found, hide as far as you can. Don't you dare throw it cause I'll forever imprison you in house, my dear Rouge" he said in threatening voice. He planted a kiss on my neck which gave me goosebumps while he puts his card on my hand. He left me still shocked of what happened.
When I no longer hear his footsteps, I grasped my hand hard while holding his card. I was right, this man is truly dangerous. He even threatened me even though it is only our 2nd time meeting up.
I looked at the card he gave me.
"One month ,huh? One month it is. Let us see if you'll last a month waiting for your card before taking it." I said while thinking an evil plan on how to get back at him for threatening me and kissing my neck without permission.
I hurriedly went back to the dressing room to change. I took a quick shower to wash away the red dye on my hair. After showering, I wore my favorite baggy shirt and oversized jogging pants. I blowed dry my now black hair then tie it in a messy bun. I wore back my broken eyeglasses before fixing my things.
Before I could leave , Lorry entered the dressing room holding 2 white envelopes.
"Rouge, madame said to give it to you. The guests were amazed of your voice so she said they put extra as your tip. " she explained then gave me the first envelope.
I opened the enveloped and saw a cheque worth 50,000 thousand in Philippine peso. I got surprised of the amount. It's my first time receiving a pay this huge only for a few hours. Usually, around I will recieved 5,000-10,000 pesos as payment everytime I sing in an event.
Lorry handed me the second white envelope.
"Madame said this is from Mr. Moore. She said to call him to give your thanks" she added before saying goodbye.
I opened the envelope and saw another cheque with 200,000 pesos written on it. It is even 4 times the pay I got by singing only 5 songs.
I may be desperate in money but I am not desperate enough to share a bed with an old disgusting man. I proudly tore the cheque in pieces before putting it in my bag so I can burn it at home.
It is late night already so I decided to leave the bar. As I went out, I saw again that man whose name I forgot, leaning his back on his black sports car. He is on the phone talking to someone.
"Sorry bud, I can't attend your party. I'm still waiting for my woman to come out." He said to the person he was talking to the phone.
I smirked when I heard 'my woman' from his lips. He is taken yet he still flirted at me? What an asshole!
"Yes. That voluptuous woman with a red hair you saw, that's my woman. So Back off before I kill you" he threatened the person he was talking to, with annoyance in his tone.
'Is he talking about me?' I asked in my mind.
I was just staring at him when he suddenly glanced at me. I even got nervous when he walked towards me after ending his call.
" excuse me, I saw you leaving using the backdoor for staffs only. So I think you work here. Do you know Rouge? I just want to ask if she's still inside?" He asked in a polite manner.
I sigh in relief when he does not recognized me. At first, I thought he recognized me despite my new look. Good thing he didn't.
"Oh, Rouge?Yeah, She went out already. She was fetched by a rich old man" I acted innocently. I was taken aback when I saw his face darkened
He turned his back to me then dial a number.
"Call the Moore Enterprises President. I'll postpone my investment. I'll go to their office tomorrow to fire that Farim for taking my woman." he angrily said before ending the call. He went inside his car and drove it away.
"W-wait... fire who? " I stammered while feeling anxious.
I just lied but he believed it without a second thought. That fool!
I bit my thumb's nail because of frustration.
'Now someone is about to get fired because of me'