Moonlight + Paradise (18+)

5. The many Firsts

Lisa can't seem to put the butterflies to rest. It feels as if her heart keeps expanding in her chest that on multiple times tonight, she worried if it might burst through with such honest need after that admission. Sure, it sounded a little scary at first but the more she thought about it, the more she felt at ease with his sentiments.

When she first met him five months ago, she didn't think that he would come to admire her for the next night, and the next until now. He was beautiful even then, but she was simply doing her job and what was asked of her. It was her first time getting booked for a private show and she was too nervous to not screw anything up.

But after his third visit, she began to feel familiar of this man. He's always staring at her as if he knew her, and she finds herself wanting to know him too. What he likes...and what he doesn't like. He likes to know how her day was or what she's been up to. He likes it when she keeps her eyes on him while dancing. He likes it when she smiles...and with her hair untied. He likes it when she says 'thank you' and asks him if she'll see him again tomorrow. She could tell by the way his eyes are smiling along with his lips.

What he doesn't like was when she didn't wear the gifts he gave her. Those diamond earrings, gold and silver necklaces...it was too much for her to accept but it would be rude to not. Every time he anticipated to see them on her, she would see the disappointment reflected in his eyes. His sharp, tensed jawline will be uncomfortably fearful to witness but it's nothing that she could help with. It's just not the way she is.

She has never worn any jewelries growing up, only used clothes. She wore the bustier he bought for her tonight because it seemed to be the only honest appreciation that she could accept. She thought he wanted her to look expensive with those silver and golds but she's just an ordinary girl who likes to look pretty while dancing for him. One pair of eyes is enough - admiring only her.

All her life, she had been kept inside closed doors - hidden from the world. For almost 20 years...all she breathed were the air in the house. Her late mother was a mistress to her father and he hated Lisa with his life. She wasn't allowed to go out, go to school like any other normal kids. She didn't know or spoke to anyone else aside from her mother. 

Even when she was sick, the only remedies given were made by the elder. The house was all that Lisa knew and she would have to be locked in her room every time her father came to visit because the mere sight of a 'daughter' angered him - resulting to the beating of her mother. For so long, all she wanted was to escape.

She only knew what her father does for a living shortly before she was taken to that basement. Her mother had to spill it on her that he was a bad, powerful man to a certain extent. He has five other sons with his own wife - including the identical twins, older than her whom were the only ones Lisa knew and seen. They were both 'junkies' - as her mother said - but she sensed that it was a bigger picture than just that. They came to her house only twice before. She didn't know what it was for on the first and on the second, she knew it too late.

Anyway, perhaps that's why it felt good to hear Guk saying - almost desperately even - of how determined he is to get her all to himself. That he wants to care for her. For once, she felt like she's truly needed. As if she's this rare diamond that he needs to have instead of being tossed and caved in like a dirty rodent. It will probably change tomorrow but tonight...now...now she's on cloud nine.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Guk asked out of the blue, just as she was done with washing the dishes. He told her to just leave it be - that his maids will come in the morning to sort everything out but it just didn't feel right. He made a meal for her. It's only right that she cleans it up while he patiently waits behind.

"It's actually worth more than that. Not sure you can afford them." She teased.

She wasn't sure where this bravery came from. Must be the wine... She's been feeling quite good and happy since dinner was done. He hadn't covered much basics - only told her about the travels he had gone through alone when she asked him where he learned to be a good cook. But no matter, she's becoming familiar with his friendly smile now - on top of the flirty ones - and it's pretty...just like him!