C5 A HARD CHOICE

NIGHTINGALE

***

On second thought, I turned back and picked up the tray. It wasn’t big, but it was metallic, strong enough to be a good weapon. The manager of the bar was as sleazy as they come. He was short, and with enough belly fat that would make you think he was pregnant if he was a female. He wore expensive suits and watches and always smelt like tobacco. One of his teeth was pure gold, he had a double chin and below it, his neck was always filled with gold chains. He wore more rings on his finger than the planet Saturn and he was almost completely bald. All in all, he was a disgusting old man.

During the time I’ve worked here, he has repeatedly tried to touch me inappropriately and I’ve always found a way to escape him. There were other girls I worked with that were all over him for money's sake so they kept him busy enough to keep me safe from him. I had a really bad feeling about this impromptu office call, especially since I was wearing next to nothing. I wished I could run back home and put on my largest t-shirt and most comfortable sweatpants so I could hide my bod away from him. I took deep breaths to calm my racing heart as I kept walking.

I knocked on the door and he said I could enter in that raspy voice of his that was a consequence of his throat being damaged by years of substance abuse. I stepped in and almost choked to death. There was a thick cloud of smoke covering the space. He had been smoking in here for a while and the windows were closed. How was he even breathing? People seriously took their health for granted.

“Come in and shut the door.” He said when I stood awkwardly by the open door a bit longer than necessary.

I just knew that I wouldn’t like whatever he wanted to tell me. I stepped into the office and closed the door but I didn’t shut it. I left a wee bit of space in between the door and the frame so it wouldn’t lock just in case I needed to make a fast exit from his office.

.

“You called for me, sir,” I said through gritted teeth.

I breathed through my mouth because breathing through my nose felt like I was being asphyxiated and the smell was nauseating as well. But it didn't make much of a difference. I almost wept for my poor lungs that were forced to take in this poison.

“Indeed I did.” He said in a phoney accent that almost made me roll my eyes.

There was a few minutes of awkward silence as he stared at me in my tiny red outfit. I could see his thoughts written plain as day on his face.

“I knew this outfit would look good on you. Turn around for me baby girl so I can get a 360 degree view.” He said.

“Sir…” I started to protest but he cut me off immediately.

“Turn around, Nightingale. My patience is thin tonight, I just lost a big bet.” He said and I grit my teeth so hard it was a miracle they didn’t all turn to powder. I hated the sound of my name on his lips.

‘Just a few more months of this and you’ll be free.’ I gave myself a little pep talk as I slowly turned.

‘You’re doing this so you can give Quetzy a better life. Just endure a little bit longer.’ I told myself as I stood with my back facing my boss.

“Good girl.” He said with a self satisfied tone in his voice.

I could feel his gaze all over my skin and it made my skin crawl so badly that even being soaked in a tub of industrial cleaning agents and getting my skin scrubbed till I bled may not make me feel clean.

“Now bend over and hold on to the wall.” he said and I stiffened.

“Do it, Night.” He repeated when he noticed my hesitation.

‘He’s seated at his desk and you’re close to the door. You can let him look at you. It’s okay as long as he doesn’t touch you.’ I told myself as I did as he said. IT IS NOT OKAY!

All my instincts were telling me to run far away from here but I really needed this job.

‘For Quetzal, Nightingale. You’re doing this for Quetzal. You need this job.’ I said to myself as I took a deep breath.

“Good girl.” He said and I heard the scrape of his chair against the floor as he stood from his desk. I turned immediately to see him walking towards me.

“If you step outside that door, Nightingale, consider yourself jobless.” He said as I immediately turned to the door to run out of it.

My hand that was already on the knob paused and began to shake. This was the choice I had been trying to avoid. My job or my body. Quetzal or my body. A better life or my body.

“I see that you still have a little bit of sense in that empty brain of yours. I’ve humored you for too long, given you enough time to come to your senses and come to me by yourself.”

“I never came because I’m not interested… sir.” The sir was added as an afterthought.

If I had my way, I would rather stick a fork in his eye or cut off his damn balls than stand here for even one second longer.

“I don’t give a shit if you’re interested or not.” He said as he got to me and yanked my arm till I faced him.

“I want you so I’ll have you.” He snarled at me.

“I have lots of work to do and the customers seated at my regular tables must be wondering where their waitress is.” I said to him.

I was trying to reason with him, but he wasn't having it at all.

“I’ll get someone to cover for you. I’m the damn boss, have you forgotten?” He asked me with a scowl.

“I know you’re the boss. There are other girls that would be more than happy to replace me here so I can do the job I’m being paid to do and serve drinks.” I said as calmly as I could even though my heart was beating so fast and my palms were sweaty.

If I screamed, no one would hear me over the loud music in the main area. Even if any one walked close to the office and actually heard me scream, I doubted they would even come to my aid. They wouldn’t risk their jobs for me.

“Stupid girl. Money is not a problem. I will pay you triple your hourly wage for a month right now. All you have to do is be a good girl and spread your legs for me.” he said and rolled a lock of my hair between his fingers.

I mentally calculated the amount he was offering. It would solve all of my problems immediately. Quetzal and I could leave first thing tomorrow morning. She would have to miss her presentation because she would transfer to another school. But that wouldn’t be a problem because from what he was offering, we would have more than enough left for extra expenses. My freedom right now in exchange for my body, could I really do it?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you were in Nightingale's position, what choice do you think you would make? Would you make that sacrifice for an immediate opportunity for freedom? or would you rather retain your dignity and suffer a little longer for your freedom?