What will he ask for
956 Words
My aunt’s travel plans were the best news I’d heard in weeks.
I hurried through my chores, singing under my breath, feeling lighter — freer.
It almost felt normal. I shook my head. Since when did freedom become so foreign in my mind?
Her absence matched perfectly with my decision: Today, I would try live streaming.
Sighing, I applied a bit of gloss and clicked the “Go Live” button.
I’d watched tons of other girls doing it. If they could, maybe I could too.
You can do this.
“Hi—”
Before I could even finish the word, the viewer left.
I sat there. Minutes passed. Then longer.
An hour nearly slipped by.
And still—nothing.
My smile wavered, but I kept holding it. Maybe someone would stick around long enough for me to say a full “hi.”
But who was I kidding?
It felt like I was born with a “bad luck” sticker on my forehead.
Even the breeze seemed to whisper, “Turn it off.”
So I did.
I switched to watching other girls laughing, flirting, and being adored by strangers.
The views. The comments. The gifts.
I tried to understand the difference between me and them.
I knew why. But… why?
Hungry and frustrated, I got up to make something to eat. Then my phone beeped.
A message from the app.
“Why did you go off?? Your smile was turning me on.”
Wait, what?
It was from a user named Romeo.
No profile photo. No bio. Just the name.
My heart skipped.
Excited and confused, my fingers hovered mid-air. What was the right thing to say?
“I didn’t think anyone was watching.”
I typed it as I headed to the kitchen.
“I was watching, baby. You’re so pretty… and your smile? It’s mesmerizing.”
I blushed.
God, I loved compliments — and Romeo? He was giving all the right ones.
His messages made me feel seen. Beautiful, even.
We kept chatting. I couldn’t stop smiling. For the first time in a long while, I imagined a world where I was allowed to be happy.
To just be... me.
“So, friends then, pretty?”
I smiled, nodded even though he couldn’t see it.
“Yeah.”
“Good. I’ve got a few things to do. Be back later.”
“Same here. I’ve got choir rehearsals.”
I logged out and went back to my reality — chores, routines. The same cycle.
But I didn’t mind today. I had something warm in my chest.
Church is the only place I’m allowed to go outside this house, and rehearsals are a welcome escape.
When I walked in, Anna raised her brows.
“About time you showed up.”
She’s probably the only person I speak to around here. I gave her a tired smile and sat carefully, still sore.
That was all the invitation she needed.
She started talking — catching me up on everything I’d missed. Apparently, a new priest was coming on Sunday.
Everything she said sounded like new information. And I didn’t even feel bad for not knowing. I could barely stay committed to surviving, let alone staying updated on church news.
My aunt returned three days later.
Who travels just to stay away for three days?
And then it began.
The yelling.
The verbal abuse.
The beatings.
I sat in a corner, watching my swollen lap throb and grow worse.
It’s wild — how everyone excuses her behavior as “just her temper.”
Yet, her own kids never experience it.
I do all the work.
I take all the insults.
I bear all the pain.
And no one sees anything wrong with it.
Who do I call when everyone in the family is wrapped in her web of manipulation?
I cried. But I still had clothes to wash and tasks to finish.
There’s no such thing as “too tired” here. Not for me.
Honestly? I’d rather live with a stranger than be brainwashed into believing I belong in this house.
Later that night, still aching, I picked up my phone.
“Romeo… you there?”
He didn’t reply immediately. I chewed on my lip, staring at the wall, hoping he would.
It was wild how he was the first person I thought of. I barely knew him. But still.
Then finally:
Romeo: Yes, angel. You got something for me?
Sierra: Not really. I just wanted to talk.
Romeo: I’m listening. Or reading.
Sierra: Can I ask you a question? You might not like it though…
Romeo: Yes, angel.
Sierra: What do you do? For work, I mean.
Romeo: I make people beg for their lives.
Sierra: …huh??
Romeo: It’s not something an angel like you should worry about. Go to bed.
I stared at the screen, stunned.
What the hell did that mean?
Did he kill people? Was he some kind of pimp?
I didn’t know. And the truth was, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
I logged out, pulled the covers over me, and tried to sleep like he said.
But my brain wouldn’t let me.
The next morning, I woke up to a notification.
“Ping! Romeo gifted you a Lion.”
What??
A lion?
That’s one of the biggest gifts on the app. I was shocked.
Excited, I typed out a bunch of “thank you” messages to him, smiling like crazy.
I even dropped a screenshot in the Livestream group chat. Everyone noticed.
But one comment stuck with me:
“Just like that?? What did he ask for in return?”
He hadn’t asked for anything.
But now… I couldn’t stop wondering.
What will he ask for?
- Writer
