Chapter 7 Avoid

“Quiet all of a sudden? I know... you’re probably thinking I’m dirty, bad, or unchaste. Someone unacceptable to society because I’m just a pleasure girl.”

I looked at her and quickly shook my head. “I’m not judging you for your work, Farah. You must have your reasons for doing what you do. Honestly, I admire your strength for enduring it, and for pushing past all the cruel things people say about your job.”

She offered a bitter laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “We live in a judgmental society. People talk about my job as if I’m filthy, without ever bothering to ask why I had to do this in the first place,” she said, the pain evident on her face.

“Just ignore people like that, Farah. You know who you are, don't give them the satisfaction of a response.”

She gave a faint smile, though sadness lingered in her eyes. “Sometimes I can’t help it. I snap back at them. It’s hard when people look down on you so much,” she sighed deeply.

Her words made my heart ache. I wasn't the type to confront others; I usually kept my head down because I knew my own truth. Yet, I often wondered if staying silent only encouraged people to treat me like trash. I never quite knew where I fit in or how to navigate people's perceptions, so I usually just followed my instinct to stay quiet and avoid conflict.

“Unless they cross the line, it’s really up to you whether you react or not. Just remember one thing, don't let life's hardships beat you down. There's always a rainbow after the rain, as they say.”

She burst out laughing. “I really want to be your friend!” she squealed playfully.

I knitted my brows. “Why? Don't you have friends here?”

Farah immediately shook her head. “Not really. I guess you’re the only one,” she said with a chuckle. “That is, if you’re willing to be my friend.”

A smile broke across my face. I was trying to open my heart to trusting people again. Though it wasn't easy, I could tell Farah was different from the women I had met before. I had a feeling we were going to be genuine friends.

“Of course I am!” I answered quickly. “But why don't you have friends here?” I prodded gently.

Before she could answer, the elevator doors slid open, and three women stepped in. Their revealing outfits suggested they worked in the same line as Farah. One of them shot me a cold, calculating glare from head to toe before stepping all the way in.

I almost wished the doors had shut on you, I thought silently.

“Well, if it isn't Farah the bitch,” the woman sneered. “The grand home-wrecker herself. Are your nights with Fabio over, or did he finally get tired of you?” She let out a trashy laugh.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ella,” Farah shot back.

Though trapped inside the tight space of the elevator, the tension between the two was palpable. Everything had been fine moments ago, but the second Ella walked in, the mood turned suffocating.

“Playing innocent, are we?” Ella rolled her eyes, turning her sharp gaze toward me. “You’d better stay away from this bitch, sweetie, unless you want her stealing your man, too.”

I chose not to engage. Instead, I subtly stepped closer to Farah, slipping my hand reassuringly into hers. I could feel the sheer malice radiating from Ella's glare; it was sharp enough to pierce through skin. Though I didn't know the full story, I stood firmly by Farah's side. She wasn't a bad person.

We remained quiet as Ella and her companions gossiped among themselves.

“Sir is here tonight, and he brought his friends with him,” one of Ella’s friends announced.

“Looks like we hit the jackpot tonight!” another squealed.

“Fabio is mine,” Ella declared pointedly. “Lyn, you take Cydrile. And Karen, you get Rihav.”

I froze, paralyzed by the sound of that last name.

Rihav is here?! What is he doing in a place like this?! Why of all places... Isla Fera?!

My knees went weak. I shut my eyes tight, fighting for a deep breath as my hand naturally flew to my chest to steady my racing heart. Pure terror seized me.

When the elevator doors finally opened, one thought echoed relentlessly in my mind: Fay, you have to be extremely careful tonight. He cannot see you. Avoid his area at all costs and stay hidden. That is what you must do, Fay.