Carolina's P.O.V.
When I returned home after an unsuccessful job hunt, I met my mother, Lilian Edmond, at the front door of the apartment.
"Carolina, you are 26 years old, yet you have no boyfriend or work. You cannot continue to eat in this house. Leave!" My mother shouted, her voice loud and stern.
"Mom," I stood in front of her, refusing to leave.
Mom was a 48-year-old woman, wearing a blue dress and black slippers. Her eyes peered at me disdainfully.
I wore a faded yellow top and an old brown frayed skirt. A black bag hanging on my shoulder as I wore a black pair of slippers.
"Carolina, you are not entering this house today. Go and look for a job," My mother yelled, her voice cutting. "If you do not find any job, then do not come back. If your father and I had known that sending you to school was a waste, we wouldn't have wasted our hard-earned money and would have saved it for your younger ones."
"How do you expect us to continue to feed a grown-ass woman like you? If you do not want to work, then remain outside there!" My mother stated, her figure headed indoors. Her hand reached for the door and shut it in my face.
Standing out, I sighed and peered at the door.
My parents lived in a rented apartment in this city. It was past 7 pm, yet my mother didn't care but sent me away.
After graduating with a degree in business administration, I haven't been able to secure a good job. Finding a job has been unsuccessful too.
My parents had five children, and I am the eldest sibling, having two younger sisters and two younger brothers. I am 26 years old, yet I have nothing serious going on in my life.
Sighing, I turned to walk back to the road. My mother shoulders all our family responsibilities as my father is just a deadbeat. He doesn't truly care. He comes home to eat, and we might not see him for days.
As I stood by the road, looking at the busy street. There's no agent shop that I haven't gone to, trying to apply for a job.
My eyes shut painfully, tears streamed down my cheeks, and I reached for my phone to call my best friend, Lucy Campbell. She works in a clubhouse, and I am sure that she can help me get money to take care of my bills.
"Hello, Lucy," I said once she picked up her phone, my voice filled with sorrow.
"Carolina. What's wrong?" Lucy asked me, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I am homeless. Can I come and crash at your place?" I asked her, trying to fight back my sob.
"Why? What happened with your family again? Your mom threw you out? This is 8 pm. How can she send you away at night?" Lucy asked, her voice filled with anger, and I tried not to sniffle.
"I cannot blame my mother. The economy situation is tough, and my Mom is trying her best. I need to get a job. If I can find any job for tonight, I do not mind," I said, my voice breaking as I sobbed at last.
"It's alright, Caro. Actually, I am at work now. Can you come to The Blues Clubhouse? It's the biggest club in town. I will try to speak to my boss to see if he will accept you. But you must quit speaking 'big English' and speak like a local, like me. That way, my boss can employ you," Lucy said, as she added. "Also, you must be friendly with the male clients. You will have to endure their touch and how they interact with you."
"Really? I must do all this if I want to get the job? Will it involve kissing or what?" I asked Lucy, feeling my heart pounding loudly.
"No, Carolina. What is wrong with you? You will just have to put on a smiling face, that's what I mean," Lucy said, her tone gentle. "Well, you know that you're a pretty woman, so some of the men might want to ask you out."
"Alright. "I thought about it. "I do not mind doing the job. What matters is that I earn money, even if it means selling my body. I feel like a failure right now."
I sobbed, tears spilling down my cheeks.
"It's okay, Carolina. You are not a failure. Where are you? Start coming over to the Blues Club. Do you have your transport fare or should I lend you some money? You know that I do not have money to give you right now. My elder sister's wedding is next month, and I need to make preparations for it," Lucy said, sounding dejectedly.
"It's alright, Lucy. I will pay you back. Please, help me, Lucy. You are the only best friend that I have," I said, my voice laced with pleading, and Lucy laughed over the phone with her contagious laughter.
"Don't mention that, Carolina. I am sure that I am not your only friend. Anyway, I will send the money to you. Get here quickly," Lucy ordered, her voice laced with ultimatum, and I knew that she was going to help me.
"Alright. I will be there," I said, feeling grateful. The call ended and I got a message alert of 5000.
A smile curled up my lips, knowing the money was more than I needed, but I knew that I had to repay Lucy back for her kindness.
Looking ahead at the busy road, the passerby as the night descended. I hailed a taxi and told the driver, "To The Blues Clubhouse."
The taxi driver looked at me from head to toe. "Are you sure that you are going to the Blues dressed like this?" He asked, his voice cold, his eye peering at me suspiciously, and I frowned.
"Yes. I am going there to meet a friend of mine. Any problem?" I asked, peering at his face. He was a young man, probably in his late thirties, and he shrugged.
"No. Get into the car. All that isn't my problem. But your bill is 1500," the taxi driver said, as I hopped in.
"Why? Isn't it 500?" I asked him, trying to price the fare, but his eyes narrowed at me.
"No, Ma'am. You can trek. Why get on a taxi?" he said to me coldly, and I frowned.
"It's fine. Take me to the club," I told him, and he nodded, started the car, and drove off to the Blues Clubhouse.
