Not your typical Romeo

Stillness. Peace. Melodious bird's chirps. Crashing waves.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw the horizon filled with an array of shades blended with red, orange, purple and yellow colors. I cannot stop myself but to be in awe with this majestic moment. It took me almost 2 minutes before I came back to my senses and realized that I've fallen asleep and it is already sunset. I rose up and looked around to find out the reason behind the sudden tranquility. Great. I was all alone sitting in the middle of the beach. The thought made me smile. I turned my gaze back to that magnificient and breathtaking sight.The sun seems like it is slowly receding into the water-making them one. I closed my eyes as the gentle sea breeze caress my face, blowing my hair back.

________________________

"Excuse me ma'am. This is your cappucino coffee."

I looked at the coffee with a confused look.

"Hmm. I'm sorry, but I didn't order cappucino coffee."

"No ma'am. Someone ordered it for you."

My brows met at what I heard.

"Who?"

"That guy over there ma'am."

The waiter pointed the man whom he says the one that ordered me the coffee.

Little did we know that he was already looking at us and he automatically smiled at me the moment our eyes meet.

Holy grail. I almost forgot that I am a nearsighted person. I mean, he was 2 tables a way from me that makes his face a lil bit blurry but I can clearly see his well-built body. Sh*t! Look at those biceps. Especially that he was wearing a white fitted shirt that makes it more visible.

I came back to my senses when I hear him chuckle. I don't wanna look guilty. Therefore, instead of looking away, I even glared at him and rolled my eyes.

How I wish that the earth would open up and just eat me alive. I cannot stand this embarassment anymore.

Trish, calm down! I know that he looks so yumm- I mean decent. But meeting or even making friends with someone was not in today's plan. Presence of mind. You are here, because you need a quiet place to think.

I close my eyes and breath to clear my mind.

"Hi!"

I almost fell from the chair the moment I opened my eyes and saw him standing in front of me.

"Im sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Just wanna ask if I could sit here? By the way I am Lance."

"I'm not being rude. But don't you already have a table and a chair to sit on over there?"

"Ahmmm. No?"

I just rolled my eyes with his sarcastic answer...

________________________

Two months have passed and that simple acquiantance turn into friendship. We've found out that we have a lot of similarities. I've found a friend in him. Someone who would listen to all my rants over and over again.

He was there whenever I have no one to run to.

He was there during my downfall moments and I never heard any judgement from him.

He was there when I almost give up in myself.

He became my patner in crime.

My coffee bud.

My secret keeper.

My human diary.

In those 2 months. I fell inlove with him. Who wouldn't? I mean, he has everything a girl could ask for. The looks, the brain and most of all the character.

In those 2 months, he captured my untamed heart. He showed me the things that I didn't know. He made me believe that love do really exist.

However, I am not sure if he felt the same. He never said he loves me. Maybe he just look at me as his friend. And that thought is killing me.

Regardless, I don't want to keep this feeling anymore. I decided to confess my love for him. We only live once and I wanna live my life to the fullest without any regrets. Stupid? Yeah I know. Atleast, I have guts. How bout you? *smirk*

I was busy thinking about the ways on how am I gonna tell Lance about my feelings when my phone suddenly rings.

Great. He is calling me.

"Hello?"

"Trish. I am sorry for bothering you. This is just really important. Can you meet me at the coffee shop where we have met before?"

"Ahhm. Sure. Bu-"

*Toot-toot-toot*

Look how rude this man is. Did I just really fell inlove with this id*ot?

________________________

"Trish, I love you."

I almost spit out the coffee that I am drinking with what he just said.

"Im sorry. But I really do love you. You don't have to answer me yet. I am willing to wa-"

"I love you too"

"Really? "

I smiled and nod.

"So, does is mean that-"

"Yes"

I saw him jumping and yelling because of so much joy.

________________________

2 months have passed and everything between us just go smoothly. Lance was so caring and loving. He was so romantic. We also decided to live together and rent an apartment. He cooks for me. He always make sure that I don't get sick. He gives me flowers and letters. Everything was so fine and I couldn't ask for more. I was so confident that he is the one for me.

Then one day, he just changed. From being so patient into irritable. He became so possessive to the point that he made me stop from working. I love him, so I followed him.

He would just let me stay in the apartment for the whole day. I love him, so I followed him.

He would yell at me and even hurt me whenever I do something that he don't want. I love him, so I followed him.

One night, he came home drunk, bruised and wasted.

I guide him and let him sit on the couch. I was about to get some water when he grab my hands forcefully that caused me to land to him. He got mad and yell at me.

"Take off your clothes."

I didn't know him anymore, or should I say, I really don't know him from the very start.

"W-why?"

"JUST TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES!"

I was so scared to be hit again that's why I followed what he says. I was standing naked in front of him.

*click*

I panicked the moment he took a picture of my body in his phone.

"Beautiful *evil smile*"

I was so afraid of him that's why I didn't bother to say a word again.

"Listen. I was fired and we don't have any money left to pay the rent of this apartment. Tomorrow, your 1st customer will arrive. Make sure to wear something seducing. We will gonna make use of that body to make money."

I felt like a bucket of ice have been poured out to my body. I couldn't imagine that he will go this far. I hated myself for being weak. But I hated myself more for still loving him despite of what he has done to me.

I followed him. Because I love him.

He was my Romeo pimp.

________________________

I came back to my senses when I felt the water touch my feet. It's already dark.

I wipe my tears and stand up and shoke my legs to remove the sand.

3 years have passed but the scar that he brought to my being is still so fresh. I have no idea how did I manage to make it here. All I know is I gotta live. Not just for myself, but for my daughter who has been the result of that immorality.

________________________

I was able to create this article because of the recent article of @meitanteikudo entitled Am I Complicit in Exploiting kids?.

Human Trafficking is one of the most immoral crime. According to Oxford Languages Dictionary, it is an unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation.

In simple words, human trafficking is trading other people for money.

Currently, we have over 20 million victims of the said crime.

Human trafficking comes in many type.

• Sexual Exploitation

• Forced Labour

• Removal of organs

• Selling children

• Forced begging

• Forced marriage

Anyone can be a trafficker and a victim. Just like in the story, it can be your lover, neighbor, uncle, auntie and even your own parents.

As a person who fights human trafficking. I am encouraging you to spread human trafficking awareness in anyway that you can.

Victims cannot speak for themselves. Let us be their voice and Hope.

Be aware. Be involved. Be a voice.

Thank you so much for reading until here.

You can also create your own article to spread human trafficking awareness. And don't forget to tag me.

God bless you!

Images above are from unspash.com

This is a story of fiction.