Anne trembled as she gazed at Daniel, and before she could gather her thoughts, Madam P interjected with a brisk, "1000 bucks."
Daniel's decision to purchase the item came with a condition: Anne must be the one to serve them.
Albert, puzzled by Daniel's insistence, questioned his motives.
In a hushed tone, Daniel confided in Albert, "I'm just trying to help her."
Anne, resigned to her fate, accepted her role, "I'll do it because I'm a bartender here."
Madam P seized Anne's arm, insisting, "Why are you resisting? You want money, don't you? So stop this nonsense!"
Anne stood firm, declaring, "I won't do anything immoral, Madam P. I will only serve them drinks!"
Undeterred, Madam P dragged Anne back to her spot, demanding, "What is your problem?"
Anne reiterated her stance, "I'm not working again, so pay me!"
Madam P, frustrated, retorted, "You haven't done anything yet, so if you want payment, stay with them!"
Before Anne could respond, her phone rang, Uncle Peter calling. Anne's voice trembled as she answered, "Hello?"
Uncle Peter delivered distressing news, "Anne, the doctor just gave another update. Your mother has contracted pneumonia."
Struggling to maintain composure, Anne pleaded, "Please ensure they treat her, Uncle Peter."
Uncle Peter's tone turned grave, "That's not the issue. They won't treat her unless we pay the full deposit upfront."
Anne agreed, "Okay, I'll bring the money there," after ending the call.
Having overheard the conversation, Madam P approached Anne, prompting her, "So?"
Anne, determined, demanded the drink, "Give it to me."
Reluctantly, Madam P handed over the drink, and Anne delivered it to Daniel's table, where Albert demanded more drinks. Anne complied but returned to Madam P, insisting on her payment.
Madam P rebuffed her, "Why? Have you finished your shift? You've even caused trouble. Leave! No money for you."
Crestfallen, Anne returned to Daniel's table after a few moments of standing aside and crying. Only Albert remained seated. "Sir, your payment?" Anne quietly asked, but Albert told her to come back later.
Feeling a mix of sadness and frustration, Anne reluctantly left Albert to his drinking and sat at a nearby distance, checking the time as she needed to return to the clinic. After a few minutes, she gathered her resolve and approached Albert again, only to find him extremely drunk.
"Sir, your payment?" Anne asked, trying to remain composed despite her discomfort.
Albert, inebriated, slurred his words, "I told you to come back."
Anne sighed inwardly, realizing Albert was in no condition to pay. "I'm going home now," she stated softly, but Albert was too intoxicated to respond, continuing to drink.
"Sir, please make your payment now," Anne insisted, her voice tinged with frustration.
Albert, barely coherent, replied, "Get down with me first."
Anne was taken aback. "Excuse me? I'm just a bartender," she protested.
Albert waved dismissively. "You're not ready to collect your payment then."
Feeling defeated, Anne looked on sadly as Madam P approached them, questioning Anne's presence. "Thought I asked you to leave? What are you still doing here?"
"I wanted to collect his payment before I leave," Anne explained, her voice trembling with emotion.
Madam P scoffed. "So? Has he given it to you? Don't cause me trouble again!"
Albert, oblivious to the tension, chimed in. "Tell her to lay with me before I can pay."
Madam P turned to Anne, her tone harsh. "What are you still waiting for? Do it now! Remember your mother is still sick at the clinic."
Reluctantly, Anne complied, helping Albert stand up and guiding him into a room. She fought back tears as Albert, fueled by alcohol, pushed her onto the bed, kissing her neck and undressing himself.
The night passed in a blur of sadness and discomfort for Anne, Albert forced himself upon her. The next morning, Albert awoke to find Anne attempting to dress herself, a look of confusion crossing his face as he struggled to recall the events of the previous night.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice groggy from the effects of the alcohol.
Anne's heart heavy with sorrow, stood before Albert, whose vision was still blurred by the lingering effects of alcohol. With a sad tone, she simply asked, "My payment?"
Albert, barely conscious, gestured towards his trousers and muttered, "Take all the money in that trouser," before drifting back into sleep.
Anne retrieved the bundle of money from Albert's trousers, her expression wrought with sadness and tears silently streaming down her face. Before she left the room, Anne glanced at the bed and noticed bloodstains where she had lain. Her heart sank further, but she wiped away her tears and composed herself, knowing she had to fulfill her responsibilities at the clinic.
***********
Meanwhile, Albert and Daniel were en route to the airport in their car. Daniel, curious, asked Albert why he hadn't returned to their hotel the previous night. Albert chuckled, "You won't believe what happened. I got so drunk and ended up crashing at the hotel bar."
Daniel grinned, quipping, "Hope there weren't any bedbugs there. I couldn't bear spending a night in that place."
Albert shook his head, continuing with his talk. "That wasn't the worst part. When I woke up this morning, there was a woman beside me. I couldn't see her face clearly because I was still groggy."
Daniel's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Don't tell me something happened between you two!"
Eager for details, Daniel awaited Albert's response. "Honestly, I don't know," Albert confessed. "But when my vision cleared, I noticed bloodstains on the bedsheet."
Daniel's shock turned into laughter. "Man, that's wild! Something definitely went down between you two!"
Albert grimaced. "I have no idea. I couldn't even see her face." He scratched his head, adding, "But I paid her, so at least my conscience is clear."
Daniel nodded in agreement, urging Albert to forget about the incident. "Just move on from that thought. And make sure Marie doesn't find out about this."
Albert shot Daniel a stern look. "Hey, I wouldn't dare do that. Besides, I'm not dwelling on the mystery lady because I settled things with her." Daniel chuckled, satisfied with Albert's response, as their car picked up speed towards the airport.
As Albert arrived at his mansion in Manila, where he immediately encountered their chef, Chef Jones. "Where is Marie?" Albert inquired urgently.
Chef Jones's expression shifted, clearing his throat before responding, "She's upstairs. She hasn't left the room since yesterday. Did something happen between the two of you, Sir Albert?"
Albert shook his head in resignation before heading upstairs to their bedroom. Upon entering, he found Marie lying on the bed, her back turned to him. As she heard the door open, she turned to see Albert.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
"I'm getting my stuff," Albert replied calmly, beginning to pack his clothes.
Marie rushed down from the bed, panic showing in her voice. "I knew it! The day would come when you'd get tired of me. It's because of Katrina, your secretary, isn't it?"
Albert, frustrated, dropped his bag and faced her. "What? What secretary are you talking about? And isn't this what you want?"
Marie broke down in tears, "I never wanted this, don't leave me please."
Albert's heart softened. "Come here," he said, embracing Marie and kissing her forehead. "I'm sorry, love, I will never leave you."
Four weeks later.
Anne rushed into the bathroom feeling dizzy, making sure the door was securely locked. With trembling hands, she pulled out the pregnancy test strips from her pocket, silently praying, "Please let it be negative. I can't be pregnant for a stranger."
As Anne waited anxiously, the test came out positive. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her heart sinking.