CHAPTER ONE

Hi, I'm Red Miller. Well, that was the name given to me by the nuns who took care of me. It's painful to admit that I'm a Filipino who grew up here, in America. My mother was an Overseas Filipino Worker when she met my so-called Father, and I was born. I guess, fate was twisted and they both left me when I was young— I am an unwanted child.

Well, she didn’t know me too. But, believe it or not, I don't know if they are still alive. Well, they left me. But even so, I still wish they were in good condition. Now I am 26 years old, and it's been eight years since I left the orphanage where I grew up. When I was only eighteen years old I was still afraid to leave, and I don't want to leave my Mother Superior.

I could do nothing but leave them, and live in the cruel world of America. They taught me so it's ok. I have endured the trials of the eight years of my life here in America. I have also been to many places here. And people who met. They saw me immediately that I was different from them. They always said: I am not a Native American. Furthermore, they can see from my physical appearance that I am not American.

My skin color is brown, and I have the face of being Asian, that's why when someone asks me, I don't deny it. Here in America many well-known and famous bars and casinos. By the way, I'm here in Las Vegas now. Nevada Las Vegas is an area with many bars and nightclubs.

A placed, where all the rich and those seeking comfort stay. I'm good at singing and dancing, so I always have a show at one of the biggest night clubs here in Las Vegas.

And of course, because I'm good at the grind and I have a beautiful voice I am most requested by many patrons. The only downside is that I am often mistaken for being prostitute, but I always say that I'm just up to the table and performer only.

Some are kind and there are insisting. Fortunately, Dan became my friend. The owner of the club I work for was willing to explain to the customers who were struggling to get me out. I don't go with anyone.

For me, it was enough to earn one night from what I worked for. Even though I work here, I still have dignity and try to earn money by singing and dancing only. But sometimes I drink too. I sit at the costumer's tables it’s also a great tip when I give them a lot to drink. Especially for those who drink expensive alcohol.

These are the talents God has given me. The ones I should use to earn money and survive daily.

One night, a man forced me to come out. “Go with me!” He said. He took my hand and forced me to stand on the chair I was sitting in front of the table.

Not only that, but he had been drinking a lot and said he wanted to be with me all night. But I did not consent. I strongly opposed him. I told him, “I'm not going with any of my customers! So I hope you don't insist anymore.”

But he got angry and went crazy. He overturned the table in front of us, with many bottles of wine on top. I'll get up right away. And call Dan.” Dan, help me!” I shout because my rude customer grabbed me and pulled me away.

But before my friend Dan could get close, a man bumped into my angry customer. “Who are you?” I ask him sarcastically.

“I'm just concerned about you!” He said to me and then turned away. The man returned to the counter table where the bartender was serving wine.

I saw him, ordering wine again at the bartender man. While the police immediately picked up the customer who was harassing me.

I didn't know that Dan would be able to call the police right away. After that, I went back to the dressing room to fix myself, because I still had the next show. And after ten minutes I went out on stage to sing a song in the lineup that night. I will sing a song with the title, “run away.”

“I was listening to the ocean! I saw a face in the sand... But when I picked it up. Then it vanished away from my hands, gone...I had a dream I was seven... Climbing my way in a tree. I saw a piece of Heaven” It was just that I sang in the lyrics of the song, suddenly someone shouted at me.

“Can you stop singing there! ” Said one of the customers who were up there. He was surrounded by three women he had hired to accompany him to his table. I ignored him and continued my singing in the following lyrics.

“And I was running’ far away... Would I run off the world someday? Nobody knows... Nobody knows, and I was dancing in the rain I felt alive, and I can't complain. But now take me home”.

“That's it! I can't take you home! That's why I'm going to stop you! It's been a while since I came here to this club, because of you!” She screams as she tells me those words.

But I still ignored him and continued to sing. I could see that some male guards of that club had approached him. Their bodies are large, but they look like empty loaves. Why? It's because they can’t stop customers from messing around.

The man became even angrier when Dan's men approached him. And picked up a bottle of wine and threw it at me. “Crash !” sounded the wine bottle being thrown at me which I promptly avoided. I immediately got up from my seat so that I could avoid anything he would throw at me again. “Hey! What kind of life is this!” I said looking bad at the man. That was still very angry with me.

And I saw the man earlier punch my troubled customer. He climbed on stage and approached me. “Hey, this woman is mine!” said the man I didn't know who. It was looking at the customer who had been raging earlier.

“I don’t know what he’s saying! Don't believe him!” I shouted at the many people there.

He smirks and looks at me. He approached me and spoke softly. “You want someone to bother you !?” He told me, and then he put his two hands on his waist.

I didn't answer him! Maybe because I have nothing to explain to him. One more thing, I haven't asked for help since before. He helped willingly. And I don't think I'm the one to thank him.

I am Red Miller, a woman of high pride and unable to accept help especially from those I do not know.

RRA.