The first thing that Sophia noticed inside that luxury space was its interior design. The room had a big mustard-brown sofa on the right side, placed in front of the curtains. The turquoise-tinted curtains, covering the narrow wooden windows, lent an aesthetic appeal. The bed was placed on a raised square-shaped marble platform, with sky dangling by its sides.
Two gentlemen were crouching casually on a sofa. They were sitting at a rectangular table, which was the length of their shin. They were smoking cigarettes.
Joe, on the other hand, was lying on the bed and his front was facing the guests. He rested his head on his right fist. It was evident that he was conversing with the fellows. His manners said that these were not fresh acquaintances.
The incense of the cigarette hung inside the whole room. Sophia scrunched her face to resist the odor. The smoke had her eyes turn itchy. She had to squint several times to avoid eyesight problems.
As she rambled toward the table to place the food items on it, the gentleman who held the smoke pipe next to his curved lips glanced at Sophia.
He returned an eye wink to Sophia's face. Sophia noticed how the guy tried to flirt with her. Sophia's anxiety levels picked up. Her chest tightened as the guy caressed his shaved chin slowly.
" Ughh, this guy is staring at me. I hope he doesn't call on me at the moment. These people must be VIPs for the party." Sophia thought.
" So Joe, Let's come to the point straight. You know that just like you, we are also kind of busy fellows. So without any further time wastage we would like to inquire about the exact date of payment. You know it's not good to remind you again and again for transferring the money that you lost in gambling." The old man reflected a grave look as he finished the sentence.
" What? joe gambled his money. So Rose was true. I must not have doubted her." Sophia's eyelids lifted in shock.
" We would accept any means, I.e, bond, jewelry, gold, cheque, or physical cash." the person beside the old man spoke officiously. Then warning Joe he continued." If not then we need to expose your true character to the world."
His words hardly made any effect on Joe. Joe kept looking at them with a calm expression. There was no element of shame, fear, or concern shining on his cheeks. Then, all of a sudden, a smile tugged on his lips. He gave out a hard laugh and straightened his posture.
" Don't worry, Gary, I will return your money. Just enjoy this short life. That's why I threw a party tonight. It is to create a pleasant business relationship. You know I am not running anywhere." Sounding mysterious, he gave out fake laughter, showing his bare teeth to the guests.
Sophia had already left the room. She had gathered the information she needed. She sprinted through the corridor toward her room when suddenly something caught her ear. She twisted her neck to peek at a gentleman who was trying hard to please the guards.
" No, you are not allowed to go upstairs. We are not allowed to send anyone to the master's room. You had better carry on your job to avoid punishment." the guard rounded on the fellow. The guard was bald, with a heavily built body, with arms tattooed to hands length. His appearance could frighten the best wrestlers in the country. There was no doubt that he served as a personal guard to Joe.
" But I am not going to the master's room, Mr. I want to meet her lady, Miss Sophia. I am a tailor and I want to take her measurements and prepare a dress. Understand me, gentleman." the stranger spoke in a singsong tone.
Sophia was hiding behind the wall supported by the landing platform between both staircases. She was peeping at them, with her hand clutched to the rail.
" Oh, I am sorry. If that's the subject, you should go upstairs. I won't disturb you." The guard apologized in a throaty voice.
" You had better let me go. My business calls me and I never fail it." expanding his lips to smile, he trod upstairs.
" Oh, he is approaching and I am hiding here. I hope he won't tell Joe that I am serving as a waitress. I have still my waitress dress on." Sophia was leaning on the floor, clutching her collar.
The stranger had entered the landing part of the staircase and was shocked to glimpse a young lady leaning down. He kept rubbing his eye sockets for a while as if not believing his eyes. " You are Sophia right?" guessing her name, he spoke normally.
"Mm, I am." Sophia shivered. She tightened her hug on her chest as if trying to conceal her dress. Slowly, with an anxious expression on her face, she stood up and faced the gentleman. Her face turned red from shame and her eyes could only look down at the floor.
Then both of them walked slowly out of the guard's sight. The guard was looking in the opposite direction with sunglasses on and the same glum expression.
" So, You are the one Rose told me about. Lady how you got here? " Listening to the Rose being mentioned in the conversation, Sophia's tension faded slowly. Her face brightened up. The stranger continued," You know this place is hell. No one has a bright future here. Honest work has no value here."
" So, you are here to do...." Sophia uttered in a low pitch.
" We are here to free you." The stranger assured in a low voice like a whisper.
Slowly both of them walked toward the room of Sophia's stay. " Rose, you were right, he is drenched in guilt. I got here without trouble and I have someone to introduce." Sophia let the stranger in.
" Oh, Ethan, glad to see you again." saying so, Rose hugged him.
" Rose, did you not tell Sophia about me? You know your friend turned white on seeing me in the corridor. She thought I am Joe's man." Ethan spoke sarcastically.
" Oh, I am so sorry, Ethan. I forgot about you. We just met today and I know you as much as I know Sophia." Rose spoke in a smoky tone.