In the depths of a broken family, my mother's life took an unexpected turn. At the tender age of 15, she found herself resorting to prostitution to ensure her siblings could achieve their dreams and graduate with prestigious degrees. Their success, however, brought about a cruel twist of fate. As they reached new heights of prosperity, they grew disgusted with my mother's past and distanced themselves, leaving her to face the world alone. The question lingered: was it her fault for concealing the truth, or was it the judgment of those who saw her as nothing more than discarded refuse, ignorant of her harrowing journey?
Amanda, my mother, had been abandoned by both her mother and father. Her father left them for another woman, while her mother embarked on a new life with a different man. As the eldest sister to her four younger siblings, their ages not far apart, Amanda was thrust into the role of caretaker. Forced to abandon her education at the age of 12, she took up a job at a restaurant to provide for her family's basic needs. She would salvage leftover scraps from customers' plates, bringing them home to feed her siblings. Often, hunger would keep her awake at night as she selflessly sacrificed her own meals, assuring them that "grown-up girls don't need to eat too much." In the face of adversity, she maintained a smile, a beacon of strength for her siblings.
Three years passed, and the financial burden grew heavier. Amanda found herself juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. One fateful day, as she diligently cleaned the tables in the restaurant, her boss's lascivious gaze unsettled her. Determined to find safer employment, she privately approached him to tender her resignation. She explained that she was leaving because she had more than enough resources to support her and her siblings.
Her boss, with a smile that masked his true intentions, accepted her decision. However, before she could depart, he made a proposition. "You may no longer need the money, but I still want to offer you a position. It's not just any job; it's a remarkable opportunity tailored to you. Trust me, the salary will exceed your wildest expectations. You are a perfect young woman, more than qualified for this role." Amanda, sensing his lascivious intentions, averted her gaze and humbly declined his offer, swiftly leaving his office behind.
As Amanda stepped away from the restaurant, uncertainty loomed over her future.
Amanda's life had taken a drastic turn. She had found a new job, one that paid better than anything she had ever experienced. With her newfound financial stability, she even had enough money to fulfill her dream of opening a business. Showmy's restaurant became her pride and joy, and she was grateful for the support of the restaurant's owner, Xerxion. Not only was he kind and supportive, but he also went above and beyond to help Amanda and her little siblings. He provided for their expenses, bought them a house and lot, and became like a guardian to them.
However, one fateful day, Amanda's old boss called her out of the blue. His voice was laced with an eerie tone as he instructed her to get into a white car waiting for her. He claimed that someone was waiting for her at a hotel and insisted that she go. Amanda, feeling a sense of unease, refused his demands and questioned his motives. "Why would I go there? Why should I listen to you?" she bravely challenged him before abruptly ending the call.
As Amanda continued walking away, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and curiosity, she overheard her old boss speaking to someone else on a different phone. Her blood ran cold as she heard his chilling words, "You can't escape, Amanda. Everyone around you is under my control." She glanced around and noticed that the people surrounding her all wore the same badge her boss had on his clothes, albeit in different placements. Panic set in as she realized the gravity of the situation.
Summoning her courage, Amanda thought of a plan. She pretended to stumble, quickly slipping off her sandals and throwing them at the men behind her. Seizing the opportunity, she sprinted away as fast as her legs could carry her, desperately hoping to find a safe haven. Some brave individuals in the crowd noticed the commotion and came to her aid, engaging in a fierce battle against the menacing men who were attempting to capture her. Amanda didn't stop running, determined to find refuge anywhere she could.
As she reached the edge of the road, ready to cross to safety, a white car suddenly careened towards her, striking her with force. The driver, filled with concern, rushed out of the vehicle to check on her well-being. The commotion attracted a crowd, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected turn of events. The driver, undeterred by the onlookers, urged them to clear a path. With gentle strength, he lifted Amanda into his car without a word, his actions speaking louder than any reassurance he could offer.
A concerned bystander who had helped Amanda escape the clutches of her pursuers approached the driver, asking where he was taking the girl. The driver, his gaze unwavering, responded firmly, "To the hospital, isn't it obvious?" He reached into his wallet, retrieving his identification cards, and handed them to the man. "My name is Harold Witherspoon. You can find my contact information on these cards. If anything happens to her, you have my permission to call the police and have me arrested. But I assure you, she will be safe."
Harold's words and conviction convinced the man, allowing him to trust the driver. With that, Amanda and Harold continued their journey, leaving the crowd behind. As Amanda regained consciousness, she found herself staring into Harold's reassuring gaze. He assured her that they were almost at their destination, his voice carrying a hint of kindness.
Meanwhile, Amanda's old boss received an update from his accomplice. "Sir, we lost Amanda," the man reported. A sinister smile crept across the boss's face as he responded, "No, you didn't. The man in the white car is actually one of us." His plan was unfolding perfectly.
The white car eventually came to a stop outside a hotel, and Harold informed Amanda that she would be working under a new manager. Panic welled up within Amanda as she attempted to open the car door, but her efforts were met with laughter from her captor. He caressed her cheek, a sinister grin plastered on his face, and revealed the horrifying truth. "This hotel is under my control. Everyone here is corrupt and immoral. And now, Amanda, you will become one of them. Do you understand?"
Confusion and terror clouded Amanda's mind as she pleaded with him, questioning his motives. "Why? What do you want from me?" she cried out, hoping for a glimmer of mercy.
"It's someone's order," he sneered. "She wants you to suffer. You truly hit the jackpot, Amanda." With that, he bound her arms and legs, rendering her helpless, and dragged her into a room as instructed by his boss. He callously threw her onto the bed, securing her limbs with restraints. Removing her blindfold, he coldly commanded her to behave like a "good girl." Amanda's tears streamed down her face as she begged him not to leave her, her pleas falling on deaf ears. He taunted her, reminding her that she was not the first to cry or beg for mercy. Despair engulfed her as another man approached, his intentions clear. The unspeakable act left Amanda scarred physically and emotionally.
From that moment on, Amanda's life became a never-ending nightmare. Her boss forbade her from returning home, allowing only occasional phone calls to her siblings, but always under the watchful eye of a guard. She sent them money earned from her job, desperately trying to provide for their future. Each call was a race against time, with her boss imposing strict time limits. As the phone rang, Amanda's heart filled with both joy and sadness, eager to hear her siblings' voices.
"How are you all? Are the four of you doing well? Are you eating enough?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of love and concern.
Tan reassured her, "Of course, don't worry about that."
Danny's voice trembled with longing, "When are you coming home, Amanda? We miss you so much."
Amanda's voice cracked with emotion as she replied, "I miss you all too. But you know I can't come home just yet. I need to earn as much money as I can for your future, right?"
Katy's innocent voice chimed in, "Amanda, what's your job?"
Amanda's heart sank as she struggled to find the right words. "I'm... I'm a helper," she replied, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and determination.
Kiana's voice resonated with admiration, "You know, Amanda, when I grow up, I want to be just like you. I want to be a helper too."
Danny, Tan, and Katy echoed their sister's sentiment, expressing their dreams of following in Amanda's footsteps. Overwhelmed by a flood of emotions, Amanda fought back tears as she urged them, "No, try to find a different path. A path that's different from mine, because..." Before she could finish her sentence, the line abruptly went dead, leaving Amanda in a state of anguish.
"Your time is over now, go back," the guard said, his voice laced with a sinister tone. Amanda's heart sank as she realized the depths of her despair. Her life had become a relentless struggle, but she refused to give up. She fought for her siblings, knowing that if she faltered, they would suffer the same fate she had endured.
A year passed, and Amanda's siblings had flourished, achieving professional success and graduating with high honors. As for Amanda, after a decade of being locked in her own personal hell, a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon. Xerxion, her boss, became the catalyst for change. When he discovered the atrocities Amanda had endured, he took immediate action to dismantle the hotel and put an end to the despicable activities of those involved.
Xerxion's search for Amanda was relentless. He combed through every room, driven by a bloodlust that consumed him. The sight that greeted him in one of the rooms was both horrifying and heartbreaking. Amanda lay on the bed, completely vulnerable and exhausted, while three depraved men hovered over her, their intentions clear. Time seemed to stand still as Xerxion intervened just in time to prevent further harm. His fury knew no bounds as he unleashed his wrath upon the perpetrators, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. No mercy was given, no exceptions made.
In that moment, Xerxion's eyes met Amanda's, and she managed to summon a faint smile. "Sir Xerxion, I'm so glad I see you again. I thought I would never..." Her words trailed off, her exhaustion taking over. Xerxion approached her, his demeanor shifting from a bloodthirsty avenger to a caring protector. He gently covered her body with a warm blanket, shielding her from the horrors that had plagued her.
News of the Wanda's Hotel scandal spread like wildfire, dominating headlines and gripping the nation's attention. The public breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful that justice had prevailed. Xerxion shared the harrowing details of Amanda's ordeal with her siblings, hoping for their understanding and support. However, instead of offering compassion, they treated her with disdain. They recoiled in disgust, rejecting her pleas for forgiveness and acceptance. Their words cut deep, leaving Amanda feeling utterly rejected by the very people she had fought so hard to protect.
Danny, her own brother, lashed out with venomous words. "For ten years, just imagine what kind of slut you have become. Imagine the unspeakable things you did. You're disgusting, utterly and completely disgusting." His words stabbed at Amanda's heart, fueling her pain.
Xerxion's anger flared, his hand poised to strike Danny. But Amanda, in a moment of strength and resilience, held him back. She attempted to explain, to make her siblings understand the truth. But her words fell on deaf ears, their skepticism unyielding.
Katy, her sister, confronted her with accusations. "You told us you had a great job. You said you were alright, that everything was okay!"
Danny, fueled by resentment, added, "The real reason you didn't tell us what was happening to you is because you enjoyed your job. You're nothing but a slut!"
A surge of emotion overwhelmed Amanda. In a moment of desperation, she slapped Danny, her tears mingling with her pain. With a trembling voice, she poured out her heart, revealing the unimaginable horrors she had endured. "You don't know what I've been through. You're all just talking, passing judgment without understanding. You have no idea the kind of hell I've lived in just to ensure all of you could pursue your dreams. Do you really think I enjoyed my job, Danny? I was raped at the age of fifteen. I tried to escape, but they threatened to harm Kate and Kiana. I had to make an impossible choice. They forced me into that hotel, where I was violated by countless strangers. I was locked in a small room, dressed up like an object for their sick desires. There were moments when I wanted to end my own life, when death seemed like the only escape. But then I saw the four of you, and in that moment, I found the strength to keep fighting." Her words hung heavy in the air, the weight of her suffering palpable.