“WHERE have you been?” Fred asked Euclid as soon as he entered their rented room in a hideous space behind the university. “I waited for you at the club for almost an hour. I wasn’t able to focus much on Magdalene’s performance because I am thinking if you’re really coming—”
“She’s not Magdalene,” Euclid cut off and collapsed on the bed. He put his and under his head and looked at the ceiling. “She’s fake.”
“How did you know?” Fred asked. His chinky eyes were wide in surprise. “Hey, Euclid, don’t tell me—”
Euclid dismissed his partner with a wave of his hand. “I’m not satisfied. I just wasted my time at that horny tramp.”
“You fucked the star dancer last night? Damn!” Fred threw the pillow on his bed. “You told me to don’t fuck because we need to get information from them, then all of a sudden, it was you who broke your own rule?”
“The girl wouldn’t talk if you don’t give the fuck that she wanted,” he said in a neutral tone. “The bouncer tricked me. She’s not Magdalene. She pretended to be her because the real Magdalene didn’t show up, for what reason, she didn’t know.”
Fred raised an eyebrow. He stood on the foot of his bed and scowled at him like an irAnneted mother hen. “Dude, is Magdalene our target?”
Euclid suddenly thought of what he said. Magdalene never left his mind since the day that he saw her at the club’s tarpaulin. What more if he has seen her in person? He might get crazy. 'Fuck this testosterone', he thought.
“Well, according to the girl, Magdalene is their boss’ favorite. She’s the one that we need. I’m sure that she has connections to the Black Triad,” he said, trying to sound more convincing in front of his suspicious lady-like partner. “Don’t give me that look, Frederick.”
Fred narrowed his eyes. “Why do I feel something different from you while talking about that Magdalene?”
Euclid stared at the ceiling. “I’m just curious to that woman—”
“Curiosity can kill, dude,” Fred cut off. “But, you’re right. That Magdalene is quite popular. She must be the club’s bestseller. Does it mean that she’s the one that I need to take out for interrogation?”
“I don’t trust you for this kind of assignment,” Euclid said. “You might get fucked up just because you got lost while fucking the girl that you need to interrogate.”
Fred groaned. “Don’t do this to me, Euclid. This is why, until now, I’m not settling in having a family, I wanted to do whatever I want.”
“And, that includes fucking every prostitute that we need for our assignment?” Euclid laughed. “You’re pathetic, Frederick. Get a life.”
“Practice what you preach, dude,” he said and sat in front of their laptop. He typed the password on the screen, and an excel file opened. “By the way, I got the list of guests for Saturday’s bidding.” He hit the print tab on the screen and waggled his brows at him. “I think we got it this time.”
Euclid grinned. “That’s good.” He stood to get the papers from the printer. The corner of his lips turned up. “All is ready now.”
*
“WAIT, what?” Wendy asked wide-eyed. She almost dropped the coffee mug in her hand. “Why you didn’t tell me that yesterday?”
Maria heaved a sigh. “Because you were always with Sara yesterday, and I was preoccupied with what Demi has told me about the bidding.”
Maria told Wendy about Connor’s suspicion that she was the girl he saw walking out in a motel with an older man the night before Sara’s check-up. But, even in shock and panic, Maria never let her guard down. She denied his accusations and thought of an alibi that could support her reasons. But, based on the Doctor’s look at her, Maria was sure that he’s not convinced.
“It’s alarming. You should have told me that earlier,” Wendy commented and cupped her forehead.
What Maria’s been thinking since yesterday is why Connor acting as if he likes her? Or, she’s just assuming that he does because he’s very kind to her and to her daughter? Maria sighed. She shouldn’t be thinking about these impossible things. Dr. Connor Dela Torre is a doctor that came from a well-raised family. There’s a zero percent chance that a good man like him could want someone as filthy as her.
“What did he say when you denied that it’s you?” Wendy asked, a crease between her brows appeared.
“This is the end of your hidings, Maria. He might be very disappointed in you, and then, he’ll stop helping us.”
“That’s what I thought, too,” Maria said. “But, he said nothing. Instead, he… he asked me I could go on a date with him.”
Wendy gasped. “OMG! For real? So, what did you say?”
“I refused,” Maria said and blew her breath in frustration. “I told you, it will be just another trouble if he found out about my real identity.”
“Well, surprise! Dr. Connor already knew about it.”
“That’s why I have to avoid him,” she said and gave Wendy all of Sara’s home check-up schedules. “These are the days that Dr. Connor will visit Sara. You have to be here during those times.”
“How about you?” Wendy asked.
“I will sleep,” she said and pointed at their bedroom. “Keep the door closed and never let Sara enter the room while Connor is here.”
Wendy frowned. “Aren’t you over-reacting?”
“It’s better to be ready,” she replied then turned her back to hide her embarrassment. That Doctor is making her overthink. “And, also, tell Robert to be here during Sara’s check-ups, so that Connor would feel awkward to ask about me.”
Wendy rolled her eyes ceilingwards. “You’re over-reacting,” she said then threw the notebook to the table. “By the way, did your son of a bitch boss have called you about last night?”
Maria pressed her lips. Wendy didn’t let her leave the house last night. She even threatened her that she will wake up Sara if she’ll insist on leaving. Demi kept calling her last night, but Wendy silenced her phone. Maria was sure that she’ll receive punishment from their boss.
“They haven’t called me,” she lied. “Maybe they understood that I can’t just leave my daughter.”
Wendy snorted. “If that happens, the world is about to end.”
Maria didn’t answer. Wendy didn’t know that every time she has done something against her boss’ will, he hurt her, or worse, forced her to have sex with him. She’d rather take all those slaps and punches than let him touch her body. Her stomach turned up just by thinking the night that Boss Doppy punished her for not showing up on her weekend show.
She shut her eyes and shook her head. She’ll never let it happen to her again.
“But, I’m sure they’re afraid to lose you,” Wendy suddenly said. “You’re their star dancer, right? You’re bringing a lot of money to them—”
A knock on the door startled them. They’re not expecting visitors today. Maria glanced at the wall clock, it’s just nine a.m, Sara’s end of class is ten-thirty, it couldn’t be the teacher, taking her home. But…
“Maybe something happened to Sara,” she said and dashed towards the door and opened it quickly. But, she was more startled to see who was standing on their doorway. “Oh…”
“Hi,” Dr. Connor smiled at her and gave her the bouquet of white buds. “White roses for you, Maria.”
***