1 Promise to Keep

"I can't do it." I sipped my cup of coffee and let it burn my throat. "Next week will be my last."

My best friend of eight years, Lily, gave me the worst puppy dog eyes. "Bullshit, Livia. You haven't even handed in your two-week notice. Isn't it time to repay that favor I did for you?" She begged, grabbing my hand and caging it between hers.

I rolled over in pain. She was alluding to the escort job she had secured for me. It was intended to sustain me till I had secured a legitimate position. That didn't occur. As long as you don't mind spending your Friday nights with lonely, desperate men, the money is nice and the clientele is fine. Whatever. At least I don't waste my weekend earnings by going out and buying things.

People's blatant dislike of what I do was the main issue. It's not like I've been fucking these guys, but nonetheless... Everyone was so quick to pass judgment. Of course, I stopped introducing myself as an escort and instead made it into a silly game of charades. But as time passes, both the game and I get older. I'm done telling everyone lies. And how long can I go without picking up a real talent before my brain starts to numb?

Lily's circumstance was worse than mine. Was she doomed to stay here forever? My brain fumbled around for an answer. Why don't you step down instead? Since four years ago, you've been doing this. Why not switch to something new?

She scowled and gave me a deranged look as she glared at me. The question "Like what?"

My mind went completely blank. She led me there. In the same way, I didn't know what to do with myself. Because of my father's condition, I was unable to take a salary cut in order to study anything new because I needed the money. Someone has to set the table with food. To ensure the survival of her family, a girl had to do whatever she could. I turned back to look at her. "Such as attend college."

Her stomach rose and fell as her shallow laughter shook her chest. You really think I want to attend college like you, Miss Prim?

My heartbeat quickened. Prim? My mouth was shut. Given what I did for a living, that was an honour. What is your issue with attending college?

Lily dismissed the suggestion, saying, "I ain't smart enough for that." I'm 25 years old, Livia. Do you not believe that to be a little too old for college?

I had been pleading with Lily for a few months to give up the escort nonsense and enroll in college with me. But she argued that she was too old and stupid to enter and change. Not that at all. The money was simply too enticing to pass up. I put down my struggle with my zipper and attempted to persuade her once again. Do you not possess more motivation today than you had when you were 18? Just climb inside and press the gas. You'll emerge from this experience a better person.

My parents couldn't afford for me to go to college after high school, so escorting became a fantastic method to get money to pay for architecture school. I was planning. Get paid to accompany, then get my ass in class. Then, though, Dad became ill, and I stayed longer than anticipated.

She was speaking, but I didn't know it until I saw her lips moving. I understand that you are prepared to give up. But I ask you, Livia, please. Grace is already furious with me for taking a sick day in the middle of everything.

Lily felt she didn't have enough going on "up top," so she took it upon herself to get a breast job. She was expected to heal in two to three weeks, but a month had passed and she was still getting better.

Our supervisor, Grace, was first enthusiastic about the breast lift, but as her crew shrank, she had to find new girls to replace the vacancies.

With a tone of disgust in my voice, I said, "Shouldn't have messed with mother nature."

between her amber eyes, a line was engraved. "Are you not prepared to lend a hand to a friend in need?"

My stomach became sluggish. She was right. Lily was sometimes a pain in my rear, but she was a faithful friend, and she expected the same of me. I found it difficult to consider putting my own aspirations aside in order to assist her. I said, "One more job won't kill me.

"Yay!" In an effort to suffocate me, Lily wrapped her arms around my neck and held on tight. "I'm grateful that you did this. It is important.

I said, pointing with my index finger to emphasize, "Just this one." "I'm done after this. I won't go back ever again.

For the first time during the entire conversation, Lily's face lit up as she bobbed her head and beamingly smiled. "I am aware, lady. You made a better professional choice than this, and I'm proud of you for that.

My dad was waiting for my visit, and when my ribs clenched over my tummy, my thoughts briefly turned to him. He experienced a heart issue last night as I was wrapping up with a client, and paramedics transported him to the hospital. We were both fortunate that it wasn't serious. I had to admit that taking on Lily's customer wouldn't hurt and that I could use the money well. My father's medical expenses never rested. I got up from the comfortable sofa. When should I meet the client, I wonder.

With her pyjama button, Lily fumbled. Monday morning following. He is arriving to settle an issue with the boss. I'll inform Grace that you will be taking over for me. Have you informed her that you are leaving?

The growing lump in my throat was swallowed. I was dreading meeting with the boss. Texting her to quit was simply inappropriate. Two years had passed since I began working for the fiery redhead, who was infamous for loosing her cool and snapping. Since I always attempted to accomplish my work as well as possible, I had never witnessed it taking place. This coming Monday. I'll make my move with one swing of the stone. "I'll visit on Monday when he's there and speak with Grace as well. She'll recognize. A falsehood told in the spirit of hope. I worried because I didn't know how Grace would respond.

Can she compel you to stay? Quietly, Lily enquired.

My chest began to heat up as my heartbeat resounded. "Oh no way. Never would Grace get away with that nonsense. Her head would spin when I turned her in to the Department of Labour.

I took a long breath in to relax my tense neck muscles. Generally speaking, the employer was just. Rules had to be followed by customers. Grace permitted us to end the contract and still paid us if a certain client harassed one of us. No one was made to have sex. Ever. If a customer acted strangely in response, he might take his business somewhere. It was a girl's decision. I admired Grace in that manner. She might certainly get angry at times, but at least she stood up for us. I patted my sweaty jeans with my moist palm. I turned the door knob and said, "I should go." I must still check on my father to see how he is doing.

"Thank you one more for doing this, Livia. I will always be appreciative since it means so much to me. Before I slid the door shut, she gave me a hug.

My face grew hot in Florida. I'd have one more task to complete before I was no longer an escort. I wasn't against my job. I actually thought it was pretty good. I enjoyed drinking fine champagne and dressing up. I was hired to accompany dateless men to formal balls. Win-win. Right?

The issue was that I was going back on a commitment I'd made to myself. I abhor not reaching my objectives. My goal was to wed my prince and raise a family. The fact that I was an escort would never be revealed to my future children. even if I didn't screw my customers.

Wheels of a taxi cab spun beneath me. As people crossed the pedestrian lane, cars blurred by. The hospital was visible through the taxi's window when it stopped moving. In order to meet Dad, I paid the driver and jumped out.

When I entered his room, he was alert and in a good mood. One of those medical robes was on him, although it was a different shade this time. He smiled broadly when he saw me. I gave him a sincere kiss on the dry cheek while sauntering over with a smile.

He looked at my face intently while arching a grey brow as if he were evaluating something. You were asked, "Where did you go?"

I rolled over in pain. He didn't like my professional decision, but my dad and I had an agreement that I would always be honest with him. I took in a breath. "saw Lily when. I was asked to cover a shift for her.

His appearance changed, as a thin line formed between his lips. Do you remember to schedule the meeting with the college counsellor?

I straightened my shoulders and sat down on a chair that was close to his bed. No, not yet. I'm carrying this out for Lily. Since she is ill, she cannot work.

"Sick? What does she possess?

Shit. If I revealed the error of her boob job, she would murder me. I licked my lower lip. Couldn't say.

Is this your method for advancing in life? By hanging around with idiots who aren't successful at dating?

I was inundated with hot air. Even my own father was beginning to distrust me because I wasn't having any extramarital affairs. I wasn't the girl for that. Prior to having sex, I thought in love and chemistry. Right now, sex didn't exist in my reality because love didn't either. I confronted him. Do you believe I had sex with these men?

"How could it be otherwise? Who pays for a simple date and discussion, anyway?

I was at a loss for words. He was unable to understand, and I had long since become weary of explaining my position. "Do you think finding love is as simple for everyone as it is for you and your mother?"

He kept quiet. He and my mother shared the strongest love ever known to humankind.

Who else had the good fortune that I did to grow up in a loving family? They fell in love by accident. That close connection simply couldn't exist somewhere else, and my dad was naive to think that love flowed naturally. You think it's that easy? Most people spend their entire lives deceiving themselves by choosing the incorrect partners. Considering that half of all marriages end in divorce, the majority of the remaining half should also dissolve. Marriage is a role-playing game. Since dating is a mess, I don't hold it against my customers, and I actually believe they're wise for choosing not to.

I suddenly felt bad about my negative statements. Had I actually begun to think it was all a joke? When my dad's lips began to smile, my hand had already moved toward my mouth.

He raised his head while he had his arms crossed. "If you're not open to love, you can't fall in love."

"Loving is overrated," My underarms were poked by pins. Why was it suddenly being discussed if I had a love life or not? I swiftly shifted the topic. Lily is unwell. I need to be a good friend because if I let her down, she'll lose her job.

The sneer vanished from his face, so he must have understood he was losing the struggle. "Livia, I'm sure the agency has numerous escorts. Can't someone else take charge in its place?

I emphasized, "It's one last job." "I don't want her to lose her job. She is my best friend, and she would be devastated to lose her work. The same would be true of our friendship.

He scowled as he cocked his head to the side. Like I had done with Lily before, he flashed one finger in my direction. "One more task. Then you become serious and enter the classroom.

I put my palm over his when he finally caved in. "After this, I guarantee, it will be over. But for now, I want you to put that behind you and concentrate on getting healthy, okay?

"I will. Additionally, you pay attention. Once in college, you start studying. You, Livia-girl, must not end up like me.

It was too late for that, I laughed. "I need to get cleaned up. I'll return in the morning to...

"Livia?" Eyes as resolute as mine were those of my father.

I stopped the clatter. "Yes?"

His hand gripped mine. The response is "Thank you."

I could make it work. Over the course of the following few weeks, I would keep paying his hospital bills. It only lasts two to three weeks. What is the worst that may occur?