Chapter 3 Mistress

Chapter 3

I don't want Emerson's name to be tarnished because I work at a club. I know what the media will say. I know they'll twist everything to suit their agenda. They will destroy anyone until they bring them down.

I smiled before sitting next to him. His face was gentle, and it was clear that he'd had a few drinks.

We're told every day that our job is to entertain, with no touching allowed. But now, I shifted uneasily as he placed his hand on my knee, moving up to my thigh.

"Sir... what you're doing is not allowed," I said, removing his hand from my thigh.

"Why? Am I doing something wrong? You're just a prostitute. I can pay you," he replied, clearly very drunk.

I stood up and poured beer on him. I could feel the eyes of the people at the next table, and Ruth was by my side in an instant.

"What happened?" Ruth asked nervously.

"The nerve of you to talk to us like that. You're nothing but trash who can't handle his drinks," I said, panting.

"You're more disgusting than I am. Look at yourself-you can't satisfy your desires, so you want to touch me? Idiot."

I stepped back as he suddenly stood up, and I saw two bouncers approaching.

"I'm not like you, a woman who gets paid just for stripping. I can buy your dignity. You're poorer than dirt, that's why you're here talking to me. I can see what you're wearing-who wouldn't be tempted? You're just a prostitute that everyone has tasted!" he shouted as the two bouncers restrained him.

He resisted, but we all screamed when he suddenly collapsed, and fear was evident on the faces of the two bouncers.

"F*ck you! Don't f*cking say that to any woman!" a voice angrily said. I covered my mouth in shock as I realized it was Emerson who had punched him.

The man's face was bleeding. He smirked before suddenly losing consciousness.

I didn't recognize Emerson at first in his jacket and black pants, and the dim lighting didn't help.

"Emerson?..." I asked. I felt Ruth pull me back, and I noticed the people staring at the man lying on the floor, being attended to by the two bouncers.

He looked at me, then at Ruth, who was visibly shaken.

"Ruth, call the manager. We need help. Ruth!" I shouted. I saw the fear in her eyes, and I couldn't understand why she reacted that way.

"Yes... wait for me, Nav," she quickly responded and left immediately.

I looked back at Emerson, and he hugged me tightly. Even though this isn't real, I will treasure these memories until I die. I will sacrifice every moment to remember them.

I feel safe. I feel safe in his arms. It feels like we're the only ones here inside the club. I wish this were real, more real than myself.

Neither Ruth nor I spoke. Only Emerson's baritone voice could be heard. We were in a private room with the manager, Ma'am Fynn. Ruth sat beside me, still visibly shaken by what had happened. I held her hand to calm her down.

"I don't want to see something like that happen again. This will be her last shift here. I'm sorry about the damages. I'll take full responsibility," he said.

I frowned and looked up at them. Emerson was standing, and Ma'am Fynn's expression was unreadable-whether she was scared or pleased as she looked at him.

I turned to Ruth. "Ruth, I'll take care of you... If something like this happens again-and I hope it never does-call me immediately." I whispered.

She nodded, and I felt her relax at my words. I looked back at Emerson and Ma'am Fynn.

I raised an eyebrow when Emerson glanced at me and then returned his focus to the conversation.

I could no longer hear their conversation as it grew quieter and quieter, even though we were just behind them.

"Please keep it a secret," he whispered, but I heard it. I didn't say anything and grabbed a glass of water to give to Ruth.

She seemed to feel better, unlike earlier. I didn't want to ask her if something had happened to her because the way she reacted earlier made me overthink and worry about her.

I looked at them again as they finished their conversation and approached our table. Ma'am Fynn had a worried look on her face. I glanced at Emerson, and he seemed both angry and annoyed. I wasn't sure if he was still disappointed by what had happened.

"You two should go home. The bar will close early tonight. Get some rest... There might be reporters coming if we keep letting customers and guests in and out," Ma'am Fynn said.

I frowned at the mention of reporters, but then it occurred to me that the President was here and had entered without notice, so it wouldn't be surprising if someone had seen him.

"But what about the video? Did someone take one? It might tarnish Mr. President's reputation."

Emerson shot me a sharp look. I was just asking, with no ill intent.

"Drop the 'Mr. President.' Stop acting like we're strangers," he insisted.

I rolled my eyes and raised an eyebrow at him. In front of these two people, why is he acting weird?

"Excuse me, I'm still one of your citizens in this country, so I'm obligated to show respect in front of them," I replied.

He smiled, refusing to back down.

"You're not just one of my citizens; you forgot we got engaged last night," he said hoarsely.

I sat up straight in shock at his words. I didn't remember us being together.

I was about to respond but chose to ignore him. We didn't even go through the boyfriend and girlfriend stage-engaged right away?!

I coughed a little and looked at Ruth, who was also shocked. Even Ma'am Fynn took a sip of water, fanning herself despite the cold inside.

"Ruth and I will leave now... Thank you so much, Ma'am Fynn, you're a great manager. We'll be going, Mr. President, your bodyguard is waiting for you," I said.

"I'll follow you," he immediately stood up and waited for us to stand.

"You're welcome. Take care, both of you. Ruth, be careful," Ma'am Fynn added.

When we stepped outside the bar, one of Emerson's personal bodyguards offered to take Ruth home. I urged her to accept since she had no one with her.

"Take care, Ruth. Don't worry, he's Emerson's personal bodyguard," I whispered, and she nodded and hugged me.

I smiled until the car drove away.

When I turned back, my smile vanished. I was so annoyed by what he said-it was so off-topic. Doesn't he have common sense? He's smart, so why is he like this?

In my frustration, I pointed my finger at his chest.

"I don't remember us being together or getting engaged! I don't remember anything!" I demanded.

He took hold of my hand, which was pointing at him. With the breeze, the snug fit of my outfit, and the yellow light illuminating half of his face like an angel, he laughed teasingly and suddenly draped his coat over my shoulders before I even noticed, too focused on staring at him.

He hugged me tightly. "I don't want you to be labeled as a mistress if this gets out to the media," he said coldly.

Two days passed. My name became known even in our barangay. I was the talk of the town. After what happened the other day, the unexpected video spread, despite Emerson's security thinking the incident would remain silent. But those who weren't silenced voiced their various reactions.

Mama heard the rumors, but she didn't interfere or ask questions. However, one day, she slapped someone. We were at the market buying groceries when someone suddenly said I was a mistress.

"You don't even have a ring!"

A vendor behind us, whom I was supposed to buy vegetables from, but now I'd rather not, given her attitude.

An old woman in front of us was silent. She just smiled at me and took the money.

"There was news that she got engaged, but now with this video going around, she looks more like a mistress," a woman whispered.

I tried to stop Mama from reacting. I smiled at the vendor and held Mama's hand.

"Thank you!" I cheerfully said to the old woman.

"How bold of her, using her body to seduce the President!" one vendor shouted.

"She's not even ashamed of her family. What will her siblings think? They might follow in her footsteps because of her behavior," another vendor added, making me search for the one who spoke. I faced her.

I calmly spoke to her. Mama followed and rubbed my back.

I smirked. "Aling Miling, how many times have you been penalized for being such a gossip? So what if I'm a mistress? So what if I used my body? Are you jealous because you can't attract our President?" I said confidently, crossing my arms.

Aling Miling laughed like a witch. "Look at yourself. You're dirt poor, yet you dream of reaching the heavens. Know your place; you don't belong in the President's world, Navida," she sneered again.

Mama slapped her hard. She was about to speak, but Mama slapped her other cheek. I was shocked by what Mama did. I glanced to the side and saw others were

To Be Continued...