As he ran toward the Blue Star Hotel, Tom occasionally wiped the sweat that started pouring down his face.
Knowing that he would be serving an upper-class woman, Tom, who had to appear clean and still smell good in front of his client, tried to regulate his breathing.
Upon arriving at the Blue Star Hotel where he worked, Tom immediately entered through the back door.
There, he met Grandpa Arip, a well-known agent or rather, a pimp in the city.
"Oi, Tom... over here."
Seeing Tom slightly sweaty and panting, Grandpa Arip started lecturing him.
"Hmm, wipe off all your sweat and straighten your clothes... our client this time is an important person."
After tidying himself up, Grandpa Arip led Tom to room 69, which had already been booked by their client.
When the doorbell rang, a beautiful woman immediately opened the door.
Seeing that his client this time was incredibly beautiful, Tom swallowed hard.
Having only been in this sinful industry for a week out of desperation to pay for his younger brother's expensive hospital treatment, Tom entered the room and was left alone.
"Alright, have fun," said Grandpa Arip Sugiono, before leaving.
Grandpa Arip, a former pro in the field, was a living legend. The owner of the Blue Star Hotel was famous worldwide for his impressive videos from back in the day.
Now alone with a beautiful woman, Tom still seemed a bit stiff.
To be honest, this was only his second time.
But unlike his first client, who had been an elderly woman still seeking pleasure, this was different.
Tragically, Tom had lost his virginity to that old woman.
Trying to calm his nerves, Tom took a deep breath.
Judging by the woman's outfit and makeup, he already knew he would be paid handsomely.
As she approached Tom seductively, the stunning yet slightly mature woman began teasing him.
"Hmm… not bad. If I may ask, what's your name?" she cooed, wrapping her arms around Tom's neck.
"My name is Tom."
"Tom… such a strong and cool name. I hope what's down here is just as strong as your name," she said while reaching for Tom's caliber.
That night, Tom successfully completed his second job.
Strong and vigorous, he left his client utterly satisfied, drowning in pleasure.
Whether it was genetics from his father or pure luck, Tom possessed a large and powerful caliber, like a hammer.
After finishing his job, Grandpa Arip immediately paid him S$3,000 on the spot. His satisfied client even gave him extra tips.
After his night shift, Tom went straight to the hospital.
He had promised his younger brother, Johan, that he would visit, and he didn't want to break that promise.
Now carrying S$5,000 in cash, Tom could finally pay a portion of his brother's medical expenses.
As Tom opened the hospital room door, Johan, who was lying in bed reading a novel, glanced at him.
The pale yet handsome boy smiled brightly at Tom, his only remaining family.
"Big brother…!"
"Yo, how are you feeling? Still in pain?"
"No, just a little short of breath..."
"Ohhh, here, I got you a new novel."
Johan who loved reading just like their late mother a famous novelist instantly lit up with excitement.
"Yay! A new book!"
Immediately, Johan began reading the novel his brother had bought for him.
Unlike his brother, Tom never really enjoyed reading he had an old trauma that kept him away from books.
While peeling an apple he had bought before coming to the hospital, the two brothers chatted for hours until late at night.
"Hoooaam... I'm tired, and I have work tomorrow. Johan, make sure to take your medicine and don't throw it away again."
"Okay, bro… but when will you buy me a new phone?"
Tom who had promised to buy his brother a phone, suddenly felt troubled about where to get more money.
Staying in the hospital all day would surely be boring for Johan, and he needed entertainment.
Now that Tom had another job, he promised to buy Johan a phone for his 10th birthday.
"Your birthday is next month, right? On your birthday, I'll buy you a new phone. So, be a good boy and behave, okay?"
"Wow! Okay, bro! I promise I won't be naughty!"
Hearing that, Johan smiled brightly.
After making a pinky promise, Tom finally left for home.
As he walked, he started thinking about his crazy new idea.
That night, he had earned S$3,000 in just a few minutes.
Meanwhile, his hard labor from morning until evening only paid him S$3,000 per month.
And to top it off, this sinful job even came with pleasure.
"Huh… should I just focus on my new job instead? It's easier and makes way more money..."
Needing a large amount of money for his brother's treatment, Tom started skipping work.
His old workplace his friends and even HRD kept calling him, making him uncomfortable.
Eventually, Tom changed his phone number.
A month passed…
"Ahhhhh… there… right there, Tom…!"
"Tom… more… rougher…!"
"Tommmm… Cuss…!"
Forced by circumstances, Tom had now fully fallen into the devil's path, choosing the easy and fast way.
He even had several regular clients now.
"Huh… as always, you're the best, Tom. Here's a little extra tip," said a young auntie whose real identity Tom didn't even know.
Accepting the extra tip, Tom only smirked.
He now had plenty of money and was no longer struggling.
He had even moved from his filthy small house to a proper apartment.
His brother's illness?
With consistent treatment and medication, Johan was slowly recovering.
As if his sinful job was a blessing, Tom ignored society's judgment and focused only on the money.
But sadly, his luck didn't last long.
One day, Tom went to the hospital for a checkup—he had been feeling pain in his caliber.
After his examination, the doctor approached him with serious eyes.
"So, Doctor… what's the result? What's wrong with me?"
"Tom Brady… you are HIV-positive."
Tom froze at the doctor's words.
HIV.
An incurable disease had now infected his body.
And because of this illness, he could no longer work.
As if struck by a great disaster, Tom walked out of the hospital in a daze.
His empty expression reflected his thoughts.
Now, he wondered about his and his brother's future.