Forbidden Affair

Her side of story

Alexa Martin (Sera)

"ALEXA, are you ready? You're about to start" Cheska said. She's been working here at the pub for nearly five years. She's already an expert at entertaining everyone, and she's teaching me.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not working as a stripper. I work as a singer at the pub, but only on the weekends. On weekdays, I work as an encoder on a private company. Quite simple, isn't it?

I only sing a few songs that's it. I don't sit on a random stranger's lap and dance seductively. I don't strip and expose my body.

But today is a different case, we have a special even. Today is the anniversary of our pub. They thought of doing something extra. They thought of an auction. I'm one of those who are auctioned. I don't really feel comfortable with that, but I have to.

"Alexa, I know you don't like this. Don't worry, nothing bad is going to happen. They can't abuse you, there's a rule anyway. It's just a dinner. If something bad happens to you, you can just complain." Cheska said reassuringly.

That's what my boss said. They have a point. If I want to help my father, then I have to this. My own salary wage is not enough to pay for his bills. He's been in a hospital for 3 years.

2.5 million dollars. That's how much debt I have and they are threatening me to stop his medication. It gets worse as time passes by. I can't do anything. This is the only way.

It's only a night. What could possibly go wrong?

As soon as the last performer finished singing, I went out from the backstage and stood near a standing mic. Our pub is private, and so our customers are classy too. Unlike the usual days, our pub is packed with lots of customers.

I closed my eyes and started singing.

I had a dream

I got everything I wanted

Not what you'd think

And if I'm being honest

It might've been a nightmare

To anyone who might care

Thought I could fly

So I stepped off the Golden, mm

Nobody cried

Nobody even noticed

I saw them standing right there

Kinda thought they might care

This is what I've been doing for 3 years. And I'm thinking, what if this lasts more? Can I still endure it? I can't. I'm starting to become desperate. I don't care anymore, dirty money or what. I need it.

And you say, "As long as I'm here

No one can hurt you

Don't wanna lie here

But you can learn to

If I could change

The way that you see yourself

You wouldn't wonder why you hear

They don't deserve you"

If I knew it all then would I do it again?

Would I do it again?

If they knew what they said would go straight to my head

What would they say instead?

If I knew it all then would I do it again?

Would I do it again?

If they knew what they said would go straight to my head

What would they say instead?

I finished singing and I opened my eyes. They were all staring at me, a few seconds later they all clapped enthusiastically.

I'm getting nervous. I don't know if what I'm doing is right. Goodness, I'm just 23 years old. All of them looked old, 40 or 50. Some even looked like 60 or 70. There are only few bachelor's who looked same age as me. Now, I feel disgusted to myself.

The bidding started, and I'm the first lot.

"Gentlemen, I present to you, Sera!" The host introduced me.

Yes, Sera is my stagename. All of us uses stagename to protect our personal lives. Thinking about this night, I don't think having an alternate name will protect me.

Boss promised me, half of the bid will be mine. Our bidding price starts at 100k. Hence, if someone will bid for me for a 100k then I will have 50k of share.

They all started bidding.

"100k to number 20"

"200k to number 13"

"400k to number 5"

The bidding price is getting higher. I'm starting to get more nervous.

"one million!" someone shouted.

Wait. What? Who was that?

"One million to number 53!"

Shit! Who's my buyer? I can't see him, masyadong crowded. Who the hell was that?

"Going once! Going twice! Sold to number 53!"

I don't even know who my buyer is. As soon as I stepped down the stage, a man in black suit lead me to a car. I'm getting a lot more nervous, what if my buyer is abusive? What should I do? I know about the rules, but I can't say no to him. He might ask for a refund.

We arrived on a huge building, they lead me to a room. When I stepped inside, a table is set with wine and candles. As soon as I approached the table, a man was standing facing the window. Then he turned.

Shit.

Him? He's my buyer?

My bestfriend is my buyer? This can't be.

"Eli, why did you bid for me?" I asked.

He didn't seem to like that question as his expression soured a little. I know he's trying to be impassive. But I've known him for more 8 years, those little changes of his expression can't escape from my sight.

"Would you rather date someone else? Do you hate me so much that you'd condemn my presence?" He asked.

Condemn his presence? If only he knew how much I like him and how guilty I was for leaving him. I had to. I knew he was having a hard time back then. His mother and father died in an accident but I chose to leave him.

I bit my lower lip feeling all the guilt rush to me.

"Eli, what happened three years ago—"

"It's nothing" He said it with so much contempt. He hates me. He can't forgive me.

"You and I, are nothing special. You mean nothing to me, we were nothing." He said. His eyes are filled with rage. I couldn't help it but feel hurt by his words. Each word stabbed me deeper.

I refuse to believe that. I know he still cares for me. And I do too.

"Eli, that's not true. You know how much I care for you." I said but my voice quivered and I couldn't even speak louder.

"Care for me? Then prove it." He said as he stood up from his seat and walked behind me. He leaned closer to my ear and what he said next froze me

"If you want me to forgive you then don't push me away. Dont stop me."

I stopped breathing for a moment. He nibbled my ear as he caressed my bare shoulder. His lips trailed on my neck and I felt my heart break. This isn't what I want.

This isn't what I want. He changed. But if it means being forgiven, then I'll let him crash my heart.

He bit my neck and licked the sting away. I closed my eyes, feeling conflicted. The fear and pleasure is making me insane.

"Eli, if you're going to do that. Can you just wait for me to sleep? Then you can do whatever you want to me." I whispered.

He stopped. He took few steps away and grabbed his hair cursing multiple times. He blew a loud breath. Then all of the sudden he took something in his pocket and a pen. He wrote something on a cheque then roughly gave it to me as he walked passed by me.

"There, have a good night." is the last thing he said before he disappeared from my sight.

I looked at the cheque, and I felt ashamed.

A hundred thousand dollar. A hundred thousand dollar in exchange for my own dignity. He just gave it to me. I didn't like it, but I need the money. Now I feel worse.

Chapter 2 End