"Buy one condom, get two free." Avelina stood outside the Flames Fang Club. It had been two hours now, and she had stayed here, hoping to sell the pack of condoms she had brought.
Today was Girlfriend's Day, and of course, many ladies would be coming to this club to find "the one." In fact, she had received more embarrassment than customers. How many times had that annoying guard thrown her things? Yet she kept packing them, even as ladies and men passed by without a glance at her.
She wore a hoodie, of course; she didn't want anyone to know she was the one selling them.
"Please, how about a seventy percent discount? Such a good one, if you ask me." She spoke to a lady walking with a man, but they didn't even spare her a single glance She sighed—this was much harder than she had thought, and it kept getting harder.
'You can do this, girl… you can do this,' she kept repeating those words in her head like a chant.
Avelina was a twenty-year-old university student in her final year. Tomorrow was the deadline to pay her examination fee, and her little sister, who was six, was sick. She really needed money. Growing up in a poor home, her parents struggled to pay her younger siblings' school fees.
She couldn't even ask. She was old enough to fend for herself, and why would a twenty-year-old ask for money? This job might be silly, but she thought it could sell fast.
"I had no idea people are doing it raw these days," she muttered, glaring at the packs of condoms. Her silver hair was let down but covered by a black hoodie, and she wore a face mask to hide her identity.
The examination payment was compulsory. If she didn't pay, she couldn't sit for exams—and if she didn't sit for exams, she'd have to start all over. That was the one thing she didn't want to do. She was in a tight situation and could do anything at this point for money.
"Okay, how about eighty percent off, please? Anyone?" she raised the pack and shook it, but people kept passing. As more people entered the club, she wondered why they didn't buy. These were complete strangers…how did they expect to do it raw?
She knew damn well they never sold condoms inside. So why weren't they buying? Or had they brought some from home? She wasn't even sure. She almost broke down in tears, knowing she had little time left. The guards might throw her things away or call the police.
She just stood there, outside a club, with a see-through rubber bag filled with packs of condoms. Not only was this embarrassing, it was humiliating.
Maybe if they wanted this, she would have to do it the hard way. She noticed a man and a lady walking past and quickly spoke:
"Hello, beautiful lady! How about buying some condoms?" She prayed silently she wasn't being disrespectful. This was a club, after all, and people knew what they were coming here for. The lady stopped and raised her brow. The man looked like he was in a rush.
"You don't have to worry, I think he has," the lady said. Avelina smiled and added even do her heart was racing wildly, "Sir, do you have condoms with you?.
Immediately, the words left her mouth, the man turned to her in suprise. He hadn't expected that.
"Do you want me to call the guards? How disrespectful for you to ask that!" he shouted, raising his voice.
'This is so uncalled for,' Avelina thought. Why was he shouting? It wasn't like she stole his kidney or something. People's eyes were on them now, and she quickly realized that if the guards came again, it would be worse.
Her pulse began to race as she gulped gently.
On the bright side, people were looking at them, meaning he was helping her advertise her product, she told herself, trying to stay positive.
"Sir, you have to calm down. If you had it, you wouldn't be shouting this much. All I asked is whether you have it or not." The man fell silent. The lady turned to him, doubt in her eyes—exactly what Avelina was hoping for. Even though she knew what she was doing was wrong, she felt guilty, but she had to take this risk for her exams.
"Beautiful Miss, lady to lady, my advice, always carry a condom when going out with a man. We always need safety precautions. Remember, prevention is better than cure."
The man's eyes widened. He knew exactly what she was trying to say but was too speechless to respond. The lady smiled and reached into her purse.
"Thank you. May I have two? How much do you sell them for?" Avelina held back a smile—what a great marketing strategy. The funny thing was, her university exam fee was low, and she couldn't even afford it. She hadn't eaten today as she had used her little feeding money to buy condoms.
"I will give you twenty percent off, with one extra for free," she said, handing the packs to the lady. The lady gave her the money with a smile. Avelina thanked her as they left she began to squeal, jumping up and down in pure joy.
"Okay, this is going far better than I thought," she said, straightening herself. That was her first sale.
"Oh heavens, thank you," she giggled softly, a wide smile on her face.
Just then, a sleek black car zoomed from afar. She stared. People seemed to stop—of course, she knew the people here were rich, and even if she sold the condoms at ninety percent off, the price would still be far higher than the original price.
That was why she came here: rich people didn't care unlike her. The car finally stopped in the middle of the road. Its shiny exterior reflected the surroundings, and she knew immediately this person was extremely rich. Whispers spread among the onlookers; the ladies were in awe.
"That person must be rich. This is my chance," she thought, smiling as she rushed to the car without a second thought.
Before she could reach it, a huge man grabbed her, lifting her off the ground. Her eyes widened.
"Let go of me, Mr. Thor!" she yelled, kicking in the air like a child whose candy had been taken from them.
"Shut up! I'm calling the police. Don't go near that car!" he shouted, holding her tightly as she kicked. The guard's eyes widened, not expecting such defiance from a grown woman. More eyes turned toward them. Unknown to her, a particular pair of steel-grey eyes fixed coldly on her.
The sleek car window began to roll down.
"Let her be," the driver spoke. Just like that, the guard released her, and her body fell to the floor. Her butt hit hard, and she winced in pain as she stood up.
"Heaven, can a lady sell a product in peace?" she said loudly, her voice thick with annoyance, enough for the guard to hear.
She walked to the driver's seat area, not minding to look inside, and smiled.
"Hello, sir! I sell condoms. Do you want to buy? They're so good, in fact, you'd come asking for more," she said brightly.
To her utmost surprise, the man nodded, Exactly the opposite of what Avelina expected. She had thought he would judge her or act all shocked. Yet he just nodded, as if it was completely normal—which she knew it wasn't
He had thick brown hair, and lord, this man looked too wealthy to be a driver or chauffeur.
"Give me all," he said.
Avelina was momentarily taken aback.
"All, sir?" she asked again, just to be clear.
"Yes," he replied.
"I would give you, but just a little heads-up: I would not be responsible for anything," she said with a wide smile. She wondered why this man would want all of them. She didn't really know much about condoms, but that was a lot to ask.
"Here." The driver moved, picking up a bundle of cash. Avelina's eyes widened. This was too good to be true… too suspicious.
"Are you in need of money?" the chauffeur asked surprising Avelina again.
'Something is wrong'. She could feel it.
Avelina noticed something odd—a sharp chill ran down her spine as her heart began to pound in her chest, she felt some kind of chilling aura brush past her. It wasn't from the man….but who?
'No. Nothing was wrong,' she told herself, forcing a smile.
"Yes, sir. Now, give me the cash; I'll deliver your condoms. I have them here. But this money is too much—not that I mind, though. I accept tips," she laughed softly, stretching out her hands for the money. The man, however, still didn't move.
"Payment before service, sir," she said as the driver finally handed her the cash. She held back her excitement.
"No refunds," she added, running to grab the condom basket. Even though a part of her felt uneasy, she needed the money. Opportunities like this came once.
But still.
Thank heavens, she thought. She could go home early and read a bit before bed. She walked with the basket in her hands.
"You don't have to worry. You can keep your condoms," the chauffeur said.
Avelina raised a brow. Now she wasn't liking this at all.
"Uhh, sir… I don't know why you're doing this, but I hope you don't want to take anything in return," she said, eyes narrowing as she studied him. She wondered why this man was acting too nice.
"No," he said flatly.
Avelina smiled. "Okay. Today really was a great day."
"I would give you three times the amount I just gave you," the driver said, noticing how tightly she held the cash in her arms.
"Really?" she asked, and he nodded. But her smile fell when he added,
"But you would have to sign a contract."
Avelina heart skipped as fear creeped into her bones. He continued,
"A marriage contract."