"Where have you been? Why is it so hard to find you these days? Even if your cell phone is hard to reach, you can only when you're at 24Night. Unfortunately, I can't get close because you're with another woman." The complaint came from Emily, a woman who had only known Denis for a few days after accompanying her close friend to get a tattoo at Racher Art. Emily was the next woman ready to heat Denis' bed."Ah, I've been a little busy outside these days, sorry." That man did something that no one else knew, not even Jose, and he could go from noon to evening with the excuse of meeting someone.Even when meeting women, they came to Denis without being sought out. Jose couldn't get a feel for what Denis was doing out there. He was also busy with his work at Racher Art."Really? Or do you have a date with someone else?" Emily was still protesting, following Denis from the side of her car until she entered Racher Art and sat on the sofa.Denis just nodded. He took a pack of cigarettes from
Marra panicked that her mother had been injured and hospitalized when a neighbor–Marra called her was delivering pizza without telling Luke first–she sped to the hospital, her pink work jacket still clinging to her body as she ran through the hospital looking for Lauren's hospital room.When she found Aunt Romel talking to a doctor in front of the ward, Marra approached her. Sweat dripping from her head, she took her time to catch her breath until she felt utterly calm."I'm so glad you came," Aunt Romel said, "I know this has been a huge distraction from your work, Marra. I'm sorry for putting Lauren in the hospital, and I accidentally left her on the porch because I had to turn off the stove. I'm sorry, Marra." Aunt Romel's crying, which had stopped since she exited Denis' car, had resumed.She was genuinely terrified that she had hurt someone else even though it was unintentional, especially her victim Lauren-someone she was supposed to take care of and not go unnoticed. She felt
It was uncharacteristic of Marra to have trouble focusing on her work while mastering the turntables, people were still moving their bodies on the dance floor and enjoying the music Marra was playing, but the girl couldn't be as expressive as usual. Marra rarely smiled. She looked tense and several times looked to the corner of the room–where Denis was, the man's black irises also kept watching her despite the many humans around–as if Marra was the only one with the right to control Denis's line of sight.Ever since they parted ways in the hospital hallway, Marra had been unable to get Denis out of her mind, the man's voice ringing in her head freely, even louder with a high pitch than the music Marra was now listening to for the audience.Damn it, this is more complicated than anything, Denis' offer is tempting, but the consequences Marra has to accept are also a consideration. The request is too heavy, like Marra is obliged to jump over the glass board from one to another while gues
One keeps on rethinking when it comes to entering 24Night. Now and then, the urge to run away comes to her mind, but a pair of feet clad in red Converse confirms otherwise. They keep Marra moving towards the location–a place she never wants to visit again, especially tonight. She has been standing in the courtyard of 24Night and staring at her workplace for more than two weeks. The money from Matthew is enough to help Marra's life. The club's owner is not at fault, and neither Matt nor Celine has contributed to Marra's fear.The girl backed away and tried to step in a different direction. Against her obligations and commitments, she resolved to leave, trying to escape, but a pair of lights from a car that had just appeared in the 24Night courtyard seemed to shine on the girl's face deliberately. Marra froze as soon as she realized the car's owner was Denis.I don't know what mistakes I made in my previous life to face this kind of trouble.Marra's desire to rebel instantly disappeare
The car stopped at the curb opposite Racher Art. Denis opened the door for Marra and retook her hand. The girl's courage was gone. She let herself be treated like a mindless body by Denis. They drove to Racher Art, and a key opened the main door; it was dark inside because the lights had been turned off when Denis left his house.He didn't press the light switch and preferred to rely on the light from the flashlight on his cell phone. Marra looked down, following wherever Denis moved, climbing the stairs until they entered a room-then. Denis pressed the light switch.The room's atmosphere greeted Marra's vision, and Denis let go of the girl's hand, ruffling her waist or occasionally adjusting her bangs."Why did you do that to me," Denis said after a long silence. He stood right in front of Marra."What? What did I do? I was following your orders-""Why do you have to cry like that!" Denis cut in, and he pointed at Marra. "I've never made anyone cry, so don't use it as a shield to pro
"Denis! Denis!" Jose dashed after opening the main door of Racher Art. Instead of pushing aside the curtains that blocked the light in the main room, Jose was more interested in confirming something else. He walked up the stairs. The door to Denis' room was already wide open even though its owner was still lying on the bed, and as usual, the man's body was shirtless. The blanket had been on the floor for some time. "Get up! Now you have to get up and explain it to me!"Jose was impatient, and he pulled Denis' legs until his best friend fell on the rug. "Argh! You're out of your mind!""Get up and tell me, what happened last night?" Jose ruffled his waist, waiting for Denis to get up and lean against the side of the bed, his messy bangs almost covering Denis' eyes. "You know, last night I was away on business, so I didn't have time to visit 24Night. Then, Jamie sent me a video of Marra trying to be a stripper. Jamie said it was all because of you. Is that true?"Curiosity and pent-up e
"Welcome to our new home, ma'am." Marra smiled broadly after opening the main door of a house that she managed to get the right to rent in just a day, yesterday while delivering pizza orders, Marra searched for information and made the most of the time to find a new place to live, she realized her wish quickly after seeing a poster attached to a lamppost by the highway-containing advertisements for new homes with quite friendly rental prices, especially Marra had just received a money transfer from Denis.She immediately contacted the real estate agent and saw the condition of the house when her work at the pizza shop was finished.However, not only did she get a new house, Marra was now unemployed after ending her job at 24Night and Luke's pizza shop.Quitting 24Night was easy, but getting permission to resign from Luke could be tricky because she had to beg in various ways. The man did not let Marra out of there, but Marra still hardened her heart and managed to get her wish.Marra
Jose moved Sinigang–a sour soup, a hearty soup made from tamarind, tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and some vegetable condiments. Small fish or meat are usually added as crunchy toppings to enhance the flavor. With two empty bowls now filled, Jose puts the dirty pot into the sink and brings two bowls of sinigang to the table.The man looked up. Just above the kitchen was Denis' room, but his boss had yet to come downstairs to start their breakfast. Should the aroma of sinigang awaken Denis' subconscious, or was his pig's sleep growing on him?"That boy, can he not make me go up and down the stairs for a day?" Although grumbling, Jose still took off his apron and intended to pick Denis up in the room; unfortunately, before that could happen–the sound of clattering steps from the direction of the stairs could already be heard. Jose felt calmer, seeing that Denis had just come down. "You had a good dream, buddy."Denis shook his head, and his face was so wrinkled with bags under his eyes tha