Carolina's POV
On a Friday evening, after an unsuccessful job hunt, I returned home and met my mother, Lilian Edmond, at the front door.
"Carolina, you are twenty-six years old, yet you have no work and no boyfriend. You cannot continue to live and eat in this house with us. Take your things and get out!" my mother shouted.
"Mom," I said, standing before her as she blocked the doorway and refused to let me enter.
"Carolina, you are not entering this house today. Go back and look for a job. If you do not find one, then do not come home again. If your father and I had known that sending you to university was a waste, we would not have spent our money. We could have saved it for your younger siblings. How do you expect us to continue feeding a grown woman like you? If you do not want to work, then remain outside!" My mother slammed the door in my face and went back inside.
I stood outside, staring at the closed door.
I had graduated with a degree in business management, but so far, I had been unable to secure a good job. The city was harsh, and my search had been unsuccessful.
My parents had five children. I was the eldest, with two younger sisters and two younger brothers. At twenty-six, I had nothing substantial going on in my life.
I wore a faded yellow top and an old brown skirt that I had owned for ages.
Sighing, I turned and walked back toward the road. My mother shouldered all our family responsibilities because my father was largely absent. He did not truly care; he came home to eat, and then we might not see him for days.
I stood by the roadside. It was past 7 p.m., and I watched the busy traffic. There was no agency or shop where I had not applied for a job.
Shutting my eyes painfully, I reached for my phone to call my best friend, Lucy Campbell. She worked at a club, and I was sure she could help me get money to cover my expenses.
"Hello, Lucy," I said when she answered.
"Carolina, what is wrong?" Lucy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I am homeless. May I come and stay at your place?" I asked, trying to fight back a sob.
"Why? What happened with your family this time? Did your mom throw you out? It is 8 p.m.—how can she send you away at night?" Lucy asked. I tried not to sniffle.
"I cannot blame her. The economic situation is very difficult now, and Mom is trying her best. I need to get a job. I would take any job tonight; I do not mind," I told Lucy, sobbing at last.
"It is alright, Caro. Actually, I am at work right now. Can you come to The Blues Club? It is the biggest club in town. I will try to speak to my boss and see if he will accept you. But you must stop speaking formally and speak like a local, like I do. That way, my boss might employ you. Also, you must be friendly with the male clients. You will have to endure their touching and the way they interact with you," Lucy said.
"Really? I must do all that to get the job? Will it involve kissing or anything similar?" I asked, my heart pounding.
"No, what is wrong with you, Carolina? You will just have to put on a smiling face—that is what I mean. Well, you know you are a pretty woman, so some of the men might ask you out," Lucy said. I considered it.
"I do not have any problem with that. What matters is that I earn money, even if it means selling my body. I feel like a failure right now," I told her through my sobs.
"It is okay, Caro. You are not a failure. Where are you? Start coming over. Do you have transport fare, or should I lend you some money? I do not have much to give you right now. My elder sister’s wedding is next month, and I need to prepare for it," Lucy said.
"Alright. I will pay you back. Please help me, Lucy. You are the only best friend I have," I told her. She laughed over the phone with her contagious laughter.
"Do not mention it. I am sure I am not your only friend. Anyway, I will send the money to you. Get here quickly," Lucy said, giving me a final instruction. She knew how hard I had been trying to find a job, all to no avail.
I sighed, pacing beside the road, when I received a message alert for 5000. I smiled. The amount was more than I needed, but I knew I had to repay Lucy.
Looking ahead, I hailed a taxi and told the driver, "To The Blues Clubhouse."
The taxi driver looked me over from head to toe.
"Are you sure you are going to The Blues dressed like that?" he asked, eyeing me suspiciously. I frowned.
"Why? I am going there to meet a friend," I told him. He shrugged.
"Get in the car. That is not my problem. But your fare is 1500," the taxi driver said as I stepped inside.
"Why? Is it not 500?" I asked. His eyes darkened.
"You can walk. Why take a taxi?" he barked coldly. I frowned.
"Fine. Take me to the club," I told him. He nodded, started the car, and drove toward The Blues Clubhouse.
