Chapter 1

A million pesos changed everything for us. I bought groceries, school supplies for Hekasi, and things my mom needed. The remaining money is on the debit card. We've paid off our debts. Life has become a little easier for us. Mama is even planning to start a business. I gave her 200k for the store.

"Ma, I'm leaving early today," I said as I stepped out of my room while she was preparing food.

A week has passed, but there's still no word from President Emerson. It's also been a week, yet Mama hasn't asked how I got a million pesos. It's strange.

I'm glad there are no symptoms yet, but I'm anxious every day until my period arrives. I'll only be at ease once it does.

"The food is ready. Eat first before you leave," Mama said, raising an eyebrow.

I'm not alone in life as they think. They say I'm a prostitute, but I'm not. I only look like one because of the people I'm around at the bar who always gossip about me.

"Yes, Ma. Just let me finish this. You take care here. Hekasi needs parents later. I read it in his notebook. Please go," I said.

Papa is gone. He left us long ago. We haven't heard from him since. So, Mama and I manage everything on our own.

I'm wearing a black tight dress and black heels. Mama is used to seeing me dressed like this, and even though she knows my job, she never scolds me. She just constantly reminds me to be careful.

"Ma! I'm leaving now. I need to get to work early," I shouted, rushing through my meal.

"Take care. I'll handle Heka. But next time, stop doing this," Mama said sadly.

Our house isn't big-two rooms upstairs, and everything else downstairs. It's small, but the rent is expensive, 3k plus 2k for water. It's so costly that I work hard at the bar, even if Mama disapproves. I didn't finish school, so this is the best I can do.

Since I started working here, I've always been the target because I'm the Top Choice every day. I talk to many clients at the bar. I just ignore it because this is the only job I can do.

When I enter the bar, the first thing you see is people kissing. There are private rooms upstairs, but officials go there. I haven't been to the private rooms because I'm not qualified yet.

We think all officials are decent? In this world, we believe they're all saints, but they're not. Even if they're not officials, the rich and powerful are driven by lust, whether male or female.

This is nothing new to me, even though I've been doing this job for months. I've memorized every corner.

"Navida, you're here," Ruth, one of my friends here, greeted me.

"Yeah, I ate first," I replied.

We sat down for a bit in the room just for entertainment. I started getting ready for later.

"I noticed someone following you earlier, that's why I greeted you. He's built. I like him," she whispered.

"And it's impossible he's just after sex. A hat? It seems like he's really after you," she whispered, puzzled.

I turned to her, thinking maybe it was just her imagination. Who would follow me? A bodyguard?

I smirked. "Let him be. Let him follow the orders from above. I don't care," I said, even though I was nervous.

Ruth kept bugging me for minutes about who was following me. Even though I was nervous, I had no idea and couldn't confirm anything.

I glanced at the mirror. We didn't notice the Manager entering.

"Get ready, Navida. Many guests are arriving, and they always ask for you, especially the foreigners. Complain if anyone touches you. Entertain only, no touching," the Bar Manager said. Even he is concerned about me, unlike some of my other colleagues.

It's getting dark, and I'll be able to go home by 10 p.m. I'm 18, so the Manager said I could only stay until 10 p.m. because I'm not yet qualified to stay until dawn.

"Miss?" my customer said.

"Ms. Navida, I'm here to entertain you, but it's already 9:30. We can't talk for long. I'm sorry," I said calmly because some get aggressive when I say we can only talk for a short time.

"It's fine, Ms. Navida. You look so young. 18 years old? For me, you don't belong here. No offense. You can go home and rest. This is my tip for you and my card if you want to contact me for help. Goodnight," he said in a firm English accent.

I was amazed by what he said. He was the kindest customer I've ever spoken to. I wish all customers were like him so it wouldn't be so hard.

"Yeah, I'm sorry again. And sure, I will contact you if ever! Go home too. Goodnight," I said with a smile as he stood up to leave.

I'm so tired today. I talked to ten customers, so I'm exhausted. My colleagues, on the other hand, are giving me dirty looks again.

"Oh, before you leave, Nav, here's a tip from the others who were just eyeing you," the Manager said with a laugh.

"You're something, Manager. I didn't expect that from you. Thank you. I'm leaving now. I'm so tired. Goodbye, see you tomorrow," I said.

I didn't expect to see a familiar face passing by the bar before I left. He looked like President Emerson's bodyguard. I didn't want to confirm it as the one Ruth was talking about.

I kept walking, ignoring his presence. Maybe he's just here for another client.

It's impossible that I'm the only one he fucked that night.

### Chapter 3: Demand

I'm in front of the bar, waiting for a taxi to go home, but I suddenly felt nervous, like someone was watching me. I didn't want to think it was the President's bodyguard.

I tried to ignore it, so I started walking, planning to head to a crowded place. But on my third step, someone grabbed me. I turned around and frowned at the man.

"Stop, Miss. Come with us back to the bar, to the private room. Someone wants to talk to you," he said firmly.

I was shocked by what he said, shaking my head because I'm not allowed in the private room since what happened a week ago.

"Sorry, but I'm not allowed anymore. Go to the Bar Manager. There are many others qualified for the private room. I'm sorry," I said as I tried to remove his hand from me, but his grip was strong, so I had no choice.

"Miss, I already cleared it with the Manager. The President just wants to talk to you. That's all. Don't be afraid," he said calmly as his grip loosened.

But, b-but the President? Why would he want to talk to me? I thought he wanted me out of his life? And he gave me over a million pesos to keep quiet about what happened.

He's the President, so he won't do anything bad to me. I know he didn't do anything wrong a week ago, but I'm still uncertain about what happened between us. I'd rather go with him than fight.

"Okay, I'll go with you," I said hesitantly.

**Chapter 4: Cooking**

There was silence inside the van. I thought we would only talk at the bar, but I was wrong. I didn't resist because, who am I? I have no power.

I could say a lot of horrible things to him. Be gentle yet aggressive, but I can't because I'm not as powerful as he is.

"How many hours until we arrive at his Penthouse? If you want to sleep, feel free to do so," he said calmly.

I sighed. I lost interest when he mentioned it would take a few more hours. So, I decided to research President Emerson instead.

He is our President. I only know him as a President, not as a person.

I didn't vote during the election because I prioritized work. Since I was five years old, I spent my time working. I took on different jobs just to help Mama and Hekasi.

He is powerful; everyone knows that. He has been in office for years, and he worked hard for many years to get to where he is now. I don't want to say he has no dirty records, but most importantly, we are human. We are not saints.

I paused while reading an article about him when I read that he has had several girlfriends.

"We're here, Miss."

I felt a heaviness in my chest. I didn't expect to compare myself to him. I am so different from him. His standards are so high that I could never reach them.

As the door opened for me, I immediately saw the bodyguards surrounding the Penthouse. I couldn't even look at them because I saw myself as just air to him. He can feel my presence but not my whole soul.

"This way, Ma'am," his personal bodyguard guided me.

"Thank you, Sir," I replied.

I walked through the grand entrance of his Penthouse. Some areas were dark, but the fountain greeted me before I entered. The lights on the trees added life to the surroundings.

Upon entering, I was immediately greeted by the receptionist and other staff, busy with their tasks. The bodyguard assisted me in the private elevator. I looked at them again, but I noticed they were used to people coming to the President's Penthouse.

When we reached the top floor, I was amazed by the transitional design and various paintings adorning the walls. I wasn't sure what the paintings were called, but it was evident that his unit was well-maintained and clean. We entered, and I saw the grand staircase and the view outside, which gave me the courage to be here at the President's Penthouse.

To Be Continued...