NOSTALGIA

..."Everything I've loved, became everything I lost."...

...ACT I—TWO...

"Hey Beautiful."

"My manager is there. Contact her first before talking to me."

Aria didn't even bother to look at the raven haired guy who was trying his best to woo her.

"Ouch, that was rude. I'm your fellow model. Give me a chance, I'll make you feel so good."

She chuckled and looked at him humorously as if he was saying a joke.

"No thanks. I think I've felt enough of that. For now, excuse me, honey."

Saying so Aria stood up and went far enough from the bar to avoid that guy.

"How rude is that. She didn't even ask my name."

He frowned looking at her fading figure.

"But oh I like rude," his frown didn't take time to turn into a smirk.

......................

"Min Aria," the woman wearing thick glasses called her.

"Yes," Aria responded to her manager.

"He's asking for you," she said eyeing her wearily.

"Y-yeah. I'm coming," Aria replied and bit her lower lip in sheer nervousness.

There was this one particular person who could cause the I-don't-give-a-shit Aria to shutter.

Aria clutched her dress tightly, her heart wanting the lift to close and never open again. Alas, the lift opened and she had to walk out.

Walking on the narrow hall, she was praying to heaven to somehow stop this meeting. She didn't want to face him. At least not today when she's already feeling vulnerable.

Then she chuckled as she remembered there was no reason for the heaven to hear her prayer as she was her own doom.

She waited outside the room not being able to muster up enough courage to go inside.

"Okay, Aria, you can do it girl. You're strong, come on!"

Finally gathering some courage she went towards the door. As she placed her hand on the door knob, she heard weird noises coming from the room beside that one.

"A-ah yes, that's the way boy. Oh my God. Oh my - "

Gasps and moans was what Aria heard. She could figure out from the voice that it was a woman in her forties with some extreme hormonal issues.

"It's daddy for you babygirl."

She heard a voice so velvety that made chills run down from her spine. She couldn't help but admire the voice for a second before cringing at him calling that woman a babygirl.

"I wonder how much money she fed him to be called a babygirl."

"Luca-ah!"

"That's right. Scream my name," the velvety voice owner groaned out.

......................

ENTERING INSIDE the room, she felt chilly. She couldn't decipher if it's because of the weather or the person that was waiting for her.

The room was neat one with no bed. It was more like an office. It might look old to others that inside Clover there's a room without a bed but it was too familiar to Aria.

She shivered as she saw the back of the man who was standing on his balcony.

She knew he was admiring the night view. She knew him too well.

"You called me, Jeon?"

Hearing her voice, the man turned around and checked her out from top to bottom.

A smirk adorned his thin pink lips.

"Min Aria. I see you are doing your job smoothly," his voice sounding so seductive as his eyes bore into hers.

"Do I have a choice?" Aria scoffed.

"You had and you chose this life. Don't blame it on me, Aria."

He chuckled looking at her, knowing he had her weak spot.

Aria didn't answer him. What would she answer if his words are anything but true?

"Why did you call me Jeon?" She asked through gritted teeth.

"I need you to be the show stopper for Steve's show. You know that would be a turning point for you."

He said as he couldn't stop staring at her. The stare wasn't of seduction, it was more of a glare.

"I'm sure that's not the only thing you want me to do."

His stare was making her nervous. Her dress was short and revealing - which was not something he liked. But this was her job and he's the provider.

"See? You know me so well," he smiled.

For a second there, Aria saw the innocent boy in him that he used to be before. Just for a second.

"Steve wants you but make sure not make him fully satisfied," he said, sounding like the professional man now he was.

"I know my job," Aria replied sternly.

"Sure you know. That's what you are doing for so many years right? You may go now."

Jeon said as he turned his back to her. Arrogance poured out with each word he spoke.

He mocked her and she surely caught the tone. Tonight she wasn't up for his acts.

"Sometimes I think - " She choked on her tears which she has been restraining for awhile.

"Sometimes I think, if you never found me dying on the street then maybe maybe my life would have been different."

Because of her sudden outburst, Jeon turned and looked at her with narrowed eyes.

Oh, she snapped now. Took her years.

He could identify the anger in her eyes. But wasn't the one to back off.

"Or maybe you wouldn't even have the thing called life."

His tone constrasted Aria's but his eyes matched hers. They're glaring at each other like there's no tomorrow. Aria was fuming but he stayed calm.

"It would have been better if I died back then living like a rag doll!"

She roared and went out of the room, slamming the door with a thud.

Running a hand through his black hair, Jeon sighed in frustration. He looked at the now closed door with a blank face.

"If only you knew how expensive you are for me, Aria."

......................

AFTER SPENDING her scheduled time in that place, she couldn't afford to stay for even a moment. Jeon really hit a soft spot in her.

"Won't you stay the night?" Steve asked lighting his cigarette.

"No, I never stay the night in Clover," she replied while wearing her clothes hurriedly.

"Why? Is it too flithy for you princess?" He smirked and leaned on the bed.

"No, not more than you."

"Witty. That's why I like you so much," he chuckled and drew heavily on his cigarette.

"Can't agree on the like part," she mumbled.

"Jeon warned me how you are really tough to handle," he said while puffing out a cloud of smoke.

The smoke was making her choke. She couldn't bear the smoke or smell of cigarette. It was a habit that even Clover couldn't reform.

"I-I'll go now. Tell Jeon the rest of your story." Saying so, she stormed out of the room.

......................

HUGGING HER small body with her own arms, she shivered and continued to sob soundlessly. All she wanted now was her mother. She felt nostalgic. She wished going home, she could snuggle beside her mother and drift into peaceful sleep, watching beautiful dreams.

Beautiful dreams - something she never had in these past recent years. Nightmares were her companion. They would make her cry and give her sleepless nights.

The hall was dark. Moreover, her vision was fully blurred because of her tears. She couldn't really comprehend what was in front of her, which resulted into bumping hard with a figure few inches taller than her. She stumbled from the impact but the guy held her waist not letting her fall.

"Woah easy there tough girl, don't walk so carelessly."

The guy exclaimed. He tried to see her face. His attempt was futile as her hair was all over her face, covering his view.

Aria's mind blocked any other thoughts except her sorrowful ones. Her mind denied the initial warnings of stranger danger and acted on her emotions.

"D-don't touch me! I'm disgusting!"

The guy chuckled dryly.

"I'm sorry miss but I don't think there's any person here in Clover who is actually pure."

His voice never reached her ears. She was lost in her own thoughts and the alcohol she consumed before didn't make her condition any better.

"I better die.." Was the last thing she said before running downstairs which led to the bar. His eyes followed her when she ran away from him.

"What's with her?"

The guy shrugged and continued his walk. His action came to a halt when he realised what she said before. His eyes grew larger than now.

"H-hey tough girl wait!"

And he ran after her without any second thought.

...****************...

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