Chapter 15: To Move

Dona waited on the couch. Her eyes occasionally would glance at the credit transfer on her hand. Two hundred fifty-thousand credits was enough to land her a good year without working. The recipient was the same fool who would pour his money into her. What did he do this time to earn money when he was not working in the Sanctum? She could lie around. She's out of a job with her contract done, and yet somehow she was safe from selling herself out in the open streets, ending up in a drug den.

"I don't get it," Dona muttered. "You could have someone so better. Is it really because we have the same hometown?"

She leaned on the couch and stretched her head, eyeing the door. She has not left her room. She would roll around her bed, open her communicator, and lean her arms on the table. Once in a while, she would hesitate on the door. Then she would turn on the television, watching the starlet named Ursula dance and wiggle her hips. Blue dyed hair, skimpy dress, voluptuous curves, and a voice so angelic that even makes Dona fascinated with her.

When she's not watching, she would stare at the landscape. The urban sprawl of Aured City. It's skyways and sky roads connecting every metal plated concrete block. Rain made a downpour on the City of Aured. She was used to this City of Rain with it being in the wetlands; it was rare to find sunlight in Aured. Her home, Gharasu. It was a hamlet, filled with old people who kept up a belief in that Gharasu would survive. Stubborn old fools who couldn't see how many young ones had left the town. She left that town hoping she could find a better life here. But she ended up working for a brothel under a contract that needed her to pay a commission. Even her little dream of being a waitress to some local diner didn't happen.

Dona couldn't lie to herself that it didn't feel good. She was getting pleasure when she worked. She got money to buy a place for herself, and the brothel protected her. It was a pleasure to find customers. But it was not pleasurable for the soul. The rope that she bought was the answer to all the years she has been sleeping with strangers. It was pleasurable for the coin, but not of the soul. And yet this fool appeared before her. Paying her so much credit just to use her house. She didn't even have to sleep with him, and he would still do so. At first, she was laughing, but in the end of the day, she realized that he didn't do it for pity or for her body. She couldn't laugh at Jakob Recker. Not when she realized his abilities. How he could afford someone better yet here she was being chosen to be her partner.

Still, being with Jakob, she hasn't felt this relaxed for a while. But lately, when he was not around. She wound find herself unable to stay in one corner of her apartment. The door opened. Dona's head snapped to the direction of the door. Then she saw Jakob walking in wearing a set of new clothes. But it couldn't hide the bandages and the ripped on his clothes. Running towards him, Dona scanned him from head to toe.

"Is there something wrong?"'

"No," she shook her head. "Did you send the credits again?"

"I did."

"Oh," she lowered her head. "Why? You need not send me credits whenever you earn something. Protect yourself better."

"Really? I thought you would appreciate it."

"Do I look poor? Thanks to you, I've been living comfortably for the past few months. You have been a blessing."

"I see. That is good."

He was about to enter when she blocked him with her leg. "Jakob, why are you doing this?"

"This again?"

"Do you stay here because you pity me?"

"No."

"Just your earnings alone could get you anywhere. Please, no one sane would do this unless they pity. If you are doing this for that, then please let us end this."

"I told you my reason."

"I don't believe it."

"Why are you bringing this up?"

"Because I want to."

Jakob stared at her blankly. He held no expression. Not even that weary smile that he would keep when staying here. Dona froze for a moment, before narrowing her gaze. She lifted her chin and met his blank stare. Squaring her shoulders, putting her hands on her hips.

"I am using you because I am lonely. Is this what you want me to say?"

"Is that the truth?"

He leaned in the doorway. "Would you even believe me? I said it to you once, and this is the truth."

Her lips shook. She grasped hold of her sleeves. Nails digging into her arm. "Then why not find someone else to share this you lonely bastard?"

"I don't want to. I choose you and that's it. Do you think there are deeper reasons? If so, let me disappoint you, Dona. I am not a person who thinks too much of what he does. I choose you because I saw you. I just want to be with you. That's all."

"You shouldn't be saying something like this," She held her arm tighter. "Look at you, so strong, and I think you should do better."

"Is this what this is?"

"Yeah, I have been living here so long that this is surprising to me. You are a friend and you're from my hometown. I don't want you doing this for me if it was your intention to do so."

"I see," He nodded. "Then do you want to call this off?"

Dona looked up. "Are you really doing this for that petty reason?"

"I am."

Dona decided, "Even if this is some petty relationship based on cash and being lonely. Then I don't want to call this off. No, forget what I just said. Would you mind?"

"I mind. Dona, if you want to get out of this place. I know a place where you can work without a hitch. Would you like that?"

"They'll just say that I am using you."

"I don't care. It would the safest place in the world. And I am sure that the boss there would treat you right."

She looked at her place. "I made this place my own, you know."

"Yes, I know. Move out of this place and start again. Call it pitying you, but this is the best place if you want to do better than this."

Dona backed off. She looked around her apartment. From the day she brought this place. It was empty and none of furniture change. Then she clutched her chest, looked back at Jakob with a complicated smile.

"Very well, I'll move if you're with me."