Under the Red-Light District

Chapter 2

"Excellent! Your table manners are perfect!"

I just nodded and smiled politely at my instructor. I'm having my etiquette lesson today. All I did for the past few weeks was listen attentively to this class. How boring.

I was summoned to the master's office. Sa di kalayuan ay nakita ko naman ang isang pigura ng lalaki na nakatayo at nakasandal sa pader malapit sa pintuan.

That rude man! Ngayon ko lang siya malalapitan pero parang gusto kong bumalik sa dinaanan ko kanina. He's so intimidating!

"Frodo, hindi ka ba papasok?" dumating naman ang nakababatang kapatid niya.

He just stared at his brother, bago lumagpas ang tingin niya sa akin. Napalingon din ang kapatid niya at kaagad na sumama ang timpla ng kanyang mukha.

"Father is still talking to someone..." he paused, his dark eyes studying mine.

"Besides, I'm waiting for someone."

Inismiran ako ng nakababatang kapatid niya at binangga pa ako sa balikat nang nilagpan niya ako. Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin.

I swallowed my pride at tumabi sa kanya na nakasandal sa pader. "H-hey..."

He just gave me a blank stare bago siya tumingin sa iba. I gritted my teeth. It's infuriating but I need to make a nice approach.

"Your name is Frodo, r-right?" I asked him casually, as harmless as I could.

"I like your name..." mahinang usal ko at nahihiyang tumingin sa kanya.

He smirked. "Do you want to moan it?"

I blinked my eyes twice. Tama ba itong narinig ko?

Bago pa man ako makapagbitaw ng salita ay bumukas na ang pinto. Another man in his forties appeared. Saglit niya pa kaming tinapunan ng tingin at nagtuloy-tuloy na.

When we entered the room, they discussed the marriage. And I am already aware of that. Of course, I don't know the reason why they picked me. But I am not interested either.

Kasi aalis din naman ako dito. Iiwan ko rin ang lugar na 'to.

So, as much as possible, I will lay low. Be submissive if necessary. And even if I had to pay for it with my body. I will do anything. Just to crawl out of hell.

"Why aren't you eating?" but as I expected, hindi madali ito.

Narito kami ngayon sa dining room. At ako na lang ang hinihintay nila. Hindi ko pa kasi ginagalaw ang pagkain ko

"Is the food not to your liking?" the master asked while chewing his steak.

Gustuhin ko mang kumain pero hindi ko magawa ito. Bakit? dahil kulang ng table knife ang inihanda sa akin. But it wasn't their fault. It was my personal maid who intentionally served me.

Nakita ko pa siyang ngumisi sa akin. Hindi rin naman puweding basta-basta na lang ako na magturo dahil bago pa lang ako rito at sila ay matagal nang naninilbihan sa kanila. Baka mabaliktad pa at ako ang paalisin nila.