Decision

Jessica arrived at the shop just as the rusty shutter screeched upward, the sound tearing through the quiet morning like an animal in pain. Dust drifted into the air as the old metal rattled against its hinges, and the flickering fluorescent bulb above the entrance blinked weakly before settling into a dull glow. The shop looked exactly the way she felt. Worn out. Tired. One push away from collapse. She stepped inside slowly and tied her faded apron around her waist. Her fingers trembled so badly that she had to knot it twice. She told herself it was because she skipped dinner again. But deep down, she knew the truth. Her mind was somewhere else entirely. Back on the road from the night before. Back to that black car. The memory clung to her like smoke. She had been carrying groceries home when the sleek vehicle stopped briefly at the junction. The window slid down halfway, just enough for laughter to spill into the night. Then Jessica saw her. Abigail. At first, Jessica thought she was mistaken. The Abigail she knew used to wear secondhand clothes and complain about empty pockets while they shared instant noodles under a leaking roof. But the woman inside that car looked untouchable. Elegant. Expensive. Powerful. Her skin glowed beneath the streetlights. Diamond earrings sparkled against her neck. Even the way she laughed sounded rich. Jessica had frozen in the middle of the road. The tomatoes slipped from her hands first, rolling into the dust. But Abigail never saw her. Or maybe she did. The car had driven away too quickly for Jessica to know. Now, standing inside the suffocating shop, the memory gnawed at her chest. Two years ago, they had both sworn they would escape poverty together. Two years later, one of them had escaped alone. “Jessica!” Her boss’s voice cracked through her thoughts like a whip. She flinched. A customer stood impatiently at the counter while her boss glared from the back shelves. “Are you sleeping standing up?” he snapped. “Customers are waiting!” “Sorry,” Jessica whispered quickly. “You’ve been useless all morning. If this continues, don’t bother coming tomorrow.” The threat landed heavily. Because he meant it. Jessica forced herself to work, scanning items and counting change while customers complained about prices. But every second felt heavier than the last. Abigail owned a luxury car. Meanwhile, Jessica’s mother hadn’t eaten properly in two days. Life could not be this unfair. By noon, desperation had burned through her pride completely. She made her decision. She was going to find Abigail. Even if it meant swallowing every ounce of dignity she had left. Abigail’s address led Jessica into a part of town she had only ever seen from bus windows. Quiet streets. Clean sidewalks. Tall houses hidden behind polished gates. Everything looked untouched by suffering. Jessica stopped in front of a massive white building surrounded by flowers so perfect they looked fake. Her stomach tightened. This can’t be real. A security guard stepped forward immediately, eyeing her worn sandals and faded clothes with open suspicion. “Yes?” “I…” Jessica swallowed. “I’m here to see Abigail.” The guard’s expression sharpened. “Do you have an appointment?” “No.” He looked ready to send her away, but after hearing Abigail’s full name, he finally opened the gate with obvious reluctance. Jessica walked inside carefully. The silence unsettled her most. No shouting neighbors. No generators roaring. No crying children. Just stillness. A maid appeared moments later, dressed more neatly than Jessica had ever dressed in her life. “Madam isn’t home,” she said politely. “She’s at her boutique.” Boutique. The word hit Jessica like a slap. Abigail owned a boutique? Jessica thanked her quietly and left before the maid could notice the humiliation burning in her eyes. The boutique was worse. Far worse. Glass walls reflected the afternoon sunlight, making the entire building glow. Elegant dresses stood on mannequins like pieces of art. Perfume floated through the air. Jessica paused outside the entrance. She didn’t belong here. People like her only entered places like this to clean them. Still, she forced herself inside. Then she saw Abigail. And for a moment, Jessica forgot how to breathe. Abigail stood behind the counter in a fitted cream dress, laughing softly with a customer. Confidence wrapped around her naturally now. She moved like someone who had finally conquered the world that once humiliated her. Jessica suddenly felt painfully visible. And invisible at the same time. Then Abigail turned. Their eyes locked. The smile on Abigail’s face disappeared instantly. “Jessica?” Her voice carried genuine shock. Jessica forced herself to smile even though her chest hurt. “Hi.” The customer sensed the tension immediately and excused herself. Silence filled the boutique. Heavy. Awkward. “You look…” Abigail started quietly. Jessica gave a bitter laugh. “Poor?” Abigail sighed. “That’s not what I meant.” “But it’s true.” Jessica’s voice cracked. “I’m still working at that shop. My mother is sick. I can barely pay rent. Meanwhile…” Her eyes swept around the boutique. “You have all this.” Something shifted in Abigail’s face then. Not guilt. Not pride. Something colder. “It wasn’t easy,” Abigail said carefully. Jessica stepped closer. “Then help me.” The words came out faster than she intended. Desperate. Raw. “Please, Abigail. I can’t keep living like this.” Abigail stared at her for a long moment. Too long. Then finally, she nodded once. “I’m returning to the city tomorrow morning,” she said quietly. “If you’re serious, come with me.” Jessica blinked. “Come with you?” “Yes.” “To do what?” Abigail looked away briefly before meeting her eyes again. “To survive.” A chill crawled through Jessica. But hope was louder than fear. “Okay,” she said quickly. “I’ll come.” Abigail held her gaze for several seconds, almost as though she were reconsidering everything. Then she spoke softly. “Be here at dawn.” Jessica didn’t sleep that night. She sat beside her mother’s bed in darkness, listening to the weak sound of her breathing. The tiny room smelled of medicine and damp walls. Her mother looked smaller now. Fragile. Like life was slowly folding her inward. Jessica’s chest tightened painfully. She knelt beside the bed and held her mother’s cold hand. “I’ll fix everything,” she whispered. “I promise.” The journey to the city felt unreal. Jessica pressed her forehead against the car window as buildings grew taller and roads smoother. People moved faster here, dressed better, speaking with confidence she had never known. Everything felt alive. Hungry. Ruthless. Beside her, Abigail remained unusually quiet. By sunset, they arrived at a towering building glowing with golden lights. Jessica’s mouth parted slightly. “This place is beautiful.” Abigail didn’t answer. Instead, she led Jessica inside. Immediately, something felt wrong. People stared at Abigail as they passed. Not casually. Carefully. Some looked impressed. Others looked afraid. Jessica noticed how security guards straightened when Abigail walked by. How conversations stopped briefly in her presence. This wasn’t just respect. It was power. “Abigail…” Jessica said cautiously. “What exactly do you do?” No answer. Abigail opened a luxurious room upstairs and stepped aside. “Come in.” Jessica entered slowly. The room was breathtaking. Velvet furniture. Expensive wine. A massive bed positioned at the center like a throne. And suddenly, Jessica understood. Her stomach dropped violently. She turned toward Abigail. “What is this?” Abigail closed the door quietly behind them. “This is where I stay.” Jessica’s heartbeat quickened. “And what do you do here?” Abigail leaned against the door. For the first time since they reunited, her mask slipped slightly. “I entertain powerful men.” Jessica frowned. “I don’t understand.” A long silence followed. Then Abigail spoke plainly. “I sell company.” The words hit like ice water. Jessica stared at her. No. No. “You mean…” “Yes.” Jessica stepped backward immediately. “No, Abigail.” Her voice shook violently now. “No. Tell me you’re joking.” “I’m not.” “You’re…” Jessica couldn’t finish the sentence. Abigail’s jaw tightened. “Say it.” Jessica looked horrified. “You became a prostitute?” The word shattered the room. But Abigail didn’t flinch. Instead, she laughed bitterly. “You think the world gave me another option?” Jessica’s eyes filled with tears. “You could’ve worked somewhere!” “Doing what?” Abigail snapped suddenly. “Cleaning offices? Serving drinks to men who still touch you anyway? Working eighteen hours just to starve slowly?” Jessica fell silent. Abigail stepped closer now, emotion finally cracking through her calm exterior. “The world only respects money,” she said quietly. “Not suffering,not dignity. Money.” Jessica shook her head repeatedly. “There had to be another way.” Abigail’s expression darkened. “That’s what poor people tell themselves to sleep at night.” Jessica felt sick. “You should’ve told me.” “And you would’ve followed me?” Abigail shot back immediately. “No. You would’ve judged me exactly the way you’re doing now.” “I’m not judging you.” “You already are.” The silence between them turned painful. Jessica wiped her tears angrily. “I can’t do this.” Abigail nodded slowly, almost like she expected it. “Then leave.” Jessica blinked. “That’s it?” “Yes,” Abigail replied coldly. “Because if you stay… this life doesn’t let go easily.” Jessica didn’t wait another second. She turned and fled. The city looked completely different at night. Beautiful from a distance. Terrifying up close. The streets buzzed with strangers. Music blasted from hidden clubs. Men lingered in dark corners watching women too carefully. Jessica walked quickly, trying not to panic. But panic came anyway. She had nowhere to go. No money. No home. And then she noticed the footsteps behind her. Slow. Steady. Following. Jessica’s breathing quickened. She turned sharply. A man stood several feet away, watching her. When she started walking faster, so did he. Fear exploded inside her chest. She crossed the street. The footsteps followed. “Please…” she whispered to herself. Then suddenly, A hand grabbed her arm violently. Jessica screamed. “Quiet,” the man hissed. She struggled desperately, terror flooding every part of her body. “Let me go!” “You shouldn’t walk alone here,” he muttered darkly. Jessica’s heart slammed against her ribs. Then another voice cut through the darkness. Cold. Sharp. Dangerous. “Take your hand off her.” The man froze instantly. Jessica looked up. Abigail stood a few feet away. But something about her had changed completely. Her face was calm. Too calm. The fear in the man’s eyes shocked Jessica most. Without arguing, he released her and disappeared into the shadows immediately. Jessica collapsed to her knees, shaking uncontrollably. Abigail approached slowly. “I warned you,” she said softly. “This city eats people alive.” Jessica looked up at her through tears. “I don’t belong here.” A strange sadness crossed Abigail’s face. “Neither do I.” Jessica frowned weakly. “What does that mean?” Abigail hesitated. For the first time all night, uncertainty appeared in her eyes. Then she admitted quietly, “I didn’t bring you here only to help you.” Jessica’s stomach tightened again. “What are you talking about?” Abigail looked away briefly before answering. “Because I need you.” The words sent cold fear through Jessica’s body. “For what?” Abigail’s expression hardened instantly, the vulnerability disappearing. “You’ll understand soon.” Jessica stood slowly. “No. Tell me now.” But Abigail only extended her hand toward her. “Come with me.” Jessica stared at it. Behind her, the dark streets waited like open jaws. Ahead of her stood Abigail, wrapped in secrets she clearly wasn’t ready to explain. Jessica’s instincts screamed at her to run. But another voice whispered louder. You already crossed the line the moment you came here. Slowly… Reluctantly… Jessica reached out and took Abigail’s hand. As Abigail led her back toward the glowing building, Jessica couldn’t shake the terrifying feeling that her life had just changed forever. And when the elevator doors closed behind them, one thought echoed endlessly inside her mind: What exactly has Abigail dragged me into?