Escape Of Lavinia
Lavinia sat alone in the tower condominium, surrounded by opulent luxury that offered her no solace. Despite the lavish space, she spent her nights sleepless and filled with fear. Huddled in a corner of the room, she knew all too well what awaited her as the door suddenly swung open. A man stood before her, his eyes cold and calculating as he slowly unwrapped his belt. Lavinia's heart pounded in her chest; her body frozen as she braced herself for his touch. Since falling into the hand of Octopus Tiger, she had become a pawn in a vicious game of sex slavery, sold off to wealthy clients who treated her body as a commodity. Each night brought a new face, each one demanding and cruel, taking pleasure in her suffering. Octopus Tiger had her drugged to ensure compliance, leaving Lavinia trapped in a cycle of abuse and despair. As the man before her violated her body, she remained motionless, her spirit crushed, her face a mask of hopelessness. After he finished molesting her, the man was not that satisfied, "You are a worn-out woman," the man said and he left without a backward glance, leaving Lavinia to cover her body and light a cigarette, her only escape from the torment that plagued her. Suddenly, one of Octopus tigers came in and spoke. "The clients want new, and I think your days here will end soon," the man said. "Will you set me free?" Lavinia asked him eagerly, but the man just chuckled and left. "I want to get out of here," she whispered to the uncaring walls. She has a feeling that Octopus Tiger will order to kill her. Her eyes drawn to the window that offered a view of the city below, twenty-nine stories of emptiness separating her from freedom. With trembling legs, she made her way to the terrace, the vast expanse of the neighbor's building seeming impossibly distant. Fearing the repercussions of a failed escape, Lavinia steeled herself, her mind consumed with thoughts of freedom, no matter the risk. Summoning all her courage, she crossed to the neighboring terrace, inch by inch, her drugged state barely allowing her to maintain balance on the precarious platform. The void below beckoned, but she dared not look down, the fear of falling overwhelming her senses. With a final step, she reached the safety of the other side, relief washing over her as she climbed to the neighboring terrace. A woman stood before her, surprise and anger etched on her features as she demanded an explanation.
Lavinia pleaded for mercy; her voice raw with desperation as she begged for a chance at freedom. "I just escaped from my room, please let me go," she implored, her eyes brimming with tears. Recognizing the desperation in Lavinia's gaze, the woman relented, urging her to leave before any unwanted attention was drawn, the woman led her out of her unit. Rushing to the elevator, Lavinia's heart raced with fear, the shadow of Octopus Tiger's men looming over her like a dark cloud. As the elevator descended, she braced herself for the unknown awaiting her outside. Stepping into the night air, she saw one of Octopus Tiger's men, seeking refuge behind a lamppost, her sobs echoing in the quiet streets. After a moment, a tap on her shoulder startled her, but when she looked up, it was not a threat that met her gaze but Nobu, her most despised customer. His presence, unexpected yet strangely comforting, offered a glimmer of hope in her darkness. "Nobu San?" she gasped, finding an unlikely ally in the man she had once loathed. "Nobu San, please help me, take me with you," she pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency. Without hesitation, Nobu extended his hand, offering her a lifeline in her darkest hour. "Okay, come with me," he said, leading her to his weathered car, the engine roaring to life as they sped away into the night. Lavinia felt a weight lift off her chest. Lavinia dared to believe that she was finally free.
In the cozy living room of Kato San's small house, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air as Alex, Leo, and Kato San sat around the kotatsu table, a low, wooden table frame covered by a futon, or heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. They are happily enjoying their meal together. The sound of their laughter mingled with the chatter coming from the television in the background as they chatted and savored the delicious dishes prepared by Kato San. Mid-conversation, a breaking news report suddenly blared from the television, capturing everyone's attention. The newscaster's serious tone filled the room as the shocking news of another victim found dead in the creek river in Kanda Tohoku echoed through the space. The camera zoomed in on a delicate bracelet adorning the victim's wrist, revealing the engraved name 'Claudia.' Kato San's expression turned somber as recognition dawned in his eyes. "Oh, I know her," he whispered, his mind flashing back to the night Claudia had asked to come to his house, a request he had regretfully declined. The weight of guilt settled on his shoulders, knowing that he had unknowingly denied her safety. "Octopus Tiger strikes again," Alex's voice broke through the tense silence, his eyes clouded with worry. "The police are still hunting him down," Kato San added, his voice tinged with concern as he shook his head in disbelief. "I'm sure he is very angry with me because I'm the one who told the police about what he did to Kato San," Alex said. "So, you have to be careful Alex," Kato San told him with worry in his eyes.
As the days passed by, Leo found solace in joining Alex at their shared job in the bustling market. Together, they worked diligently amidst crates laden with a rainbow of fresh fruits, the air redolent with the sweet fragrance of ripe produce. Leo's laughter echoed through the aisles as he sorted the fruits, carefully placing each one in its designated spot within the fruit box. "I wish Mel was here," he sighed softly, his brow furrowed in thought. "I know," Alex replied with a smile. Once they had completed their job, the two of them set off on a leisurely stroll towards the downtown area, the fading sunlight casting a warm glow over the bustling streets. Leo's eyes sparkled with nostalgia as he reminisced about their past adventures, "The days have flown by so quickly. Just a little while ago, the three of us were walking these very streets, sharing laughter and making memories." Leo said. As the sun dipped down, Alex mentioned that he needed to make a phone call to his family in the Philippines before heading home. "I'll wait for you here," Leo offered, finding a comfortable spot leaning against a lamppost across from the phone booth. Alex dialed the familiar number, and a rush of joy filled his heart as his half-brother Brian's voice filled the receiver, "Big brother!" After a cheerful exchange with Brian, Alex's mother, Zen, took the phone, her voice tinged with concern, "How are you, Alex, my son?" she asked. "I'm okay, Mom. Still here with Leo at Mr. Kato's house," he reassured her. "It's good that you're together again. What about your other friend?" A shadow crossed Alex's face as he spoke of Mel's deportation, his whereabouts unknown even to them. The conversation quickly turned to their family's struggles, Zen revealing the deteriorating situation back home. "I've just started a new job, Mom. I promise to send money once I receive my salary, so we can start fresh in the city," Alex vowed, his determination shining through his words. With a final exchange of love and well-wishes, Alex emerged from the phone booth only to notice a police presence near Leo's location. Sensing his friend's distress, he approached him, "Alex, we have to walk faster," Leo murmured. "The police won't bother us if we stay calm." Alex advice. But Panic flashed in Leo's eyes as he caught sight of the approaching figures, "We should hurry. Somebody is looking at us, maybe they're from immigration or it could be Octopus Tiger's." Leo said feeling scared. The two friends quickened their pace, the street seemingly growing ominously quiet as the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. The situation was precarious, the figure was following them, their hearts racing as they navigated the dimly lit streets, shrouded in uncertainty. As the distant sound of sirens began to drift through the night air, Alex and Leo shared a knowing look, their bond strengthening in the face of adversity. As they were walking along, a voice cut through the noise, calling out, "Sumimasen, excuse me." Startled, Alex stopped in his tracks and turned to face the source of the voice, only to find a friendly-looking couple standing before them. Leo, feeling a surge of fear and regret, whispered urgently to Alex, "We need to go, don't entertain them." But Alex, with a reassuring smile, replied softly,
"No worries, if we run, they might think we are hiding something. Stay calm, okay?" Curiosity gnawed at Alex as he addressed the couple, "What can I do for you?" Alex asked them. "My name is Miyuki and my colleague is Shintaro. We are talent scouts from the MTS network," Miyuki replied. Leo's eyes widened in astonishment upon recognizing the company. Leo, speaking in Japanese, "MTS Network is a famous TV channel here in Japan, right?" he asked, surprised by their presence. "Yes, it is," Miyuki confirmed with a nod, a smile gracing her lips. Leo shot a knowing glance at Alex before inquiring further, "So, what can we do for you?"
"We saw you earlier in the phone booth, and you caught our attention. Your looks are very captivating. You have the potential to be a movie star," Miyuki praised, her eyes shining with admiration. Alex was taken aback by the unexpected compliment, unsure of how to respond. "O Namae wa nandesu ka? What is your name?" Miyuki inquired, eager to get to know him. "Watashino namae wa, Arexu desu. Ato watashi no tomodachi wa Reyo desu," Alex introduced himself and gestured towards Leo. "My name is Alex, and my friend is Leo." he smiled. "Arexu, Alex?" Shintaro furrowed his brow in confusion, noticing that it was not a typical Japanese name. "Haku percent Nihonjin desu ka? Are you a 100 percent Japanese national?" he questioned, trying to understand Alex's background. "Hambun Firipinjin desu, No, I'm half Filipino," Alex confessed, revealing his mixed heritage. Miyuki and Shintaro's expressions faltered slightly, a hint of disappointment flickering across their faces as they exchanged a quick glance. Feeling unsure of how to proceed, the talent scouts excused themselves for a moment to confer privately. Leo looked at Alex, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension in his eyes. "What we will do, he is not a pure Japanese," Shintaro voiced his frustration, his brow furrowed in concern. "But he looks so Japanese, and the way he speaks Japanese?" Miyuki countered; her voice tinged with a hint of desperation. She couldn't bear the thought of letting go of Alex. Shintaro shook his head. "If the owner and the producer find out his true heritage, they will undoubtedly turn him down. No matter how handsome he is, they aim to build a star who is purely Japanese." Taro explained. "I will make a way," Miyuki insisted, determination shining in her eyes. "What way?" Shintaro scoffed, skepticism lacing his tone. "We will never tell anyone that he is half Filipino. Nobody needs to know," Miyuki stated firmly, her resolve unwavering. Shintaro pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting to where Alex stood, clad in a stylish leather jacket. "He does have great potential," Miyuki persisted, reading the conflicted emotions on Shintaro's face. "I am tired of searching for new talent, and his striking appearance sets him apart from the rest." Miyuki persisted. With a heavy sigh, Shintaro relented. "Alright then, we will put him through the audition process. If he manages to impress the judges and secure a spot, we will proceed with our plan to conceal his identity." Miyuki nodded firmly. "I assure you, even amongst a thousand hopefuls, he will stand out."
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, stood Leo and Alex, the latter deep in his own thoughts. Leo, beamed with unwavering support. "Alex, I think they are discussing you. This could be it, a chance for you to shine as a movie star," Leo exclaimed, his eyes brimming with excitement. But Alex's doubts gnawed at him as he whispered, "I'm not pure Japanese, and I don't even have a visa." he whispered. "This is your opportunity, Alex. Seize it," Leo encouraged, his voice filled with conviction. "It looks like they changed their mind. It seems like they're serious," Alex mumbled, his voice filled with self-doubt. But Leo saw something different in the underlying tone of their conversation. As if on cue, Shintaro and Miyuki circled back, their expressions a blend of anticipation and concern. Miyuki's eyes held a silent plea as she extended a small card towards Alex, her voice tinged with worry, "We've decided to invite you to audition tomorrow at the MTS studio at 1 o'clock. This is our calling card. Will you be there?" Alex accepted the card, feeling a rush of emotions flood through him. He was at once grateful and overwhelmed, unsure of how to respond. Leo, always the one to push Alex out of his comfort zone, chimed in confidently, "Don't worry, he'll be there." With a sense of finality, Shintaro added, "Well then, see you tomorrow. Please come an hour early before the auditions begin, okay?" And with that, the two bid their farewells. Leo couldn't contain his excitement, his exuberant shout of "What a lucky day, yahoo!" echoing through the busy street. Alex, caught between panic and exhilaration, hushed his friend. The weight of the upcoming audition pressed down on Alex as they made their way back home. Leo bubbled with anticipation, eager to relay the day's events to Mr. Kato. "Leo, don't get ahead of yourself. I still have to go through the audition process," Alex cautioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Leo, however, remained steadfast in his belief in Alex's talent, recalling their previous auditions where Alex had shone brightly. "But this time, it's different. This is for a movie star role, with so many talented individuals vying for the same opportunity," Alex reminded Leo, a touch of realism creeping into his words. Despite his reservations, Leo's unwavering faith in Alex's abilities bolstered his spirits. As they back home were filled with a mix of nerves and excitement, Leo, in particular, found himself eagerly planning the words he would use to recount the events to Mr. Kato. As they made their way closer to the wooden door adorned with a delicate wind chime. Pushing the door open, Mr. Kato sat at the kotatsu table, engrossed in a television program, a steaming cup of green tea in hand. "Kato San. Itadaima! We're home!" Alex and Leo chimed in unison, causing Mr. Kato to glance up with a gentle smile on his face. "Itadaima," he replied warmly, noting the gleam of excitement in Leo's eyes. "It seems like Leo has something to share with us," Mr. Kato remarked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity as they settled down around him. Leo, unable to contain his enthusiasm, began recounting the encounter they had earlier in the day. He spoke animatedly about the two talent scouts who had approached Alex.