“Whoa, you’re so cool!”

Mama Luna laughed heartily. Then she shook her head when she sees Pink’s lips and cheeks covered in steak sauce.

“Oh dear, child. Did I teach you anything?” She took a folded napkin on the table and wiped Pink’s face as she’s laughing. “Don’t ever let clients see you like this.” Pink pouted as Mama Luna passed the napkin to her to clean her greasy fingers.

“I prefer to stay in the lounge and be a waitress than going out with men, Mama.”

Mama Luna smiles, “Is that so, Pink?”

“Yes, Mama! Scarlet is right. I am too childish to be an escort.” She then placed the napkin beside the plate and fixed how she was seated. Pink’s face then got serious. She wanted to know more about the woman whom everyone adored.

“Mama, continue the story with Scarlet, please.” Mama’s looking at Pink with a puzzled look. “But you don’t want to be an escort, honey. What’s the point?”

“I want to know how she became the greatest.”

The old woman’s face then lightened up with glee. She again laughed. Besides, she does want to tell the story of Scarlet. It’s a way for her to reminisce the past with her now that she’s not with them.

“Well, listen carefully then. It’s good that you finished your supper. Focus on my story now because I will ask you a question after.”

“Got it, Mama.”

Remember that five children are missing in the orphanage, and all are girl’s names. Scarlet never told us her real name, and until now, it’s a mystery. So, Marcia tried to name her. When she decided to join us, we went to the lounge right away, and I had her use my bathroom because Marcia asked me to negotiate with the little child. She wanted to adopt the beautiful girl. We all know she’s beautiful, but the moment I saw her step out of the shower freshly cleaned- now she’s really attractive. Her dazzling eyes perfectly complement her fair skin and black hair. I knew back then that she will be stunning when she matures.

“Here, wear this. Sorry, they’re just clothes from the nearby mall. We can go to the best mall tomorrow and shop for clothes that are your style if you want.” Marcia is already buttering up the child. She wants to have her. I look at the bags she’s handing the child and boy, they are all the luxury brands from the mall. I wanted to browse the bags and see if there’s something that would fit me. Marcia looks excited for she keeps on smiling the whole time. It’s like the time she bought all the stock of the famous Toy Store in the city for Michael. She did buy everything, and I am not exaggerating. I was there when she handed a briefcase to the manager and asked her to load up everything in the truck behind us. I told her she’s getting cray cray, but she told me that she would do everything to make her son happy on his birthday. I surrendered. I just laughed because the real reason why she bought everything is that she lost the birthday wish that Michael wrote. She was doing the laundry, and she forgot that her son’s wish is in one of her dress’s pockets. So as a safe bet, she just bought everything. Hoping that Michael’s birthday wish would be there. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. But that’s another story. I do love Marcia, and I want to tell all her funny stories but let’s focus first on Scarlet.

Marcia was holding the shopping bags for a while and waits for the girl to check them out but she ain’t moving. I then told her to put them on the bed when Scarlet wasn’t approaching. She was just standing behind the bathroom door while her hair is dripping on the linoleum floor, and I don’t like a mess in my room.

“Child, let me help you.” I went to the bathroom and took another towel to dry her hair. Marcia then sits at the edge of my bed, and she’s crinkling one of the shopping bags. She wants to make a sound to combat the awkwardness she feels.

While I was drying up Scarlet’s hair using the towel, she grips the towel that she draped on her body, and I can feel her shiver.

“Marcia, hand me something for her to wear.” Marcia quickly said yes and pulled out a red cotton pajama dress. It’s so simple but cute. There are just white lines to accentuate the collar and the bottom end of the dress. When the young girl held the dress, she ran her left hand to it first before going back to the bathroom. I went to hang the wet towel on my balcony and lit a cigarette while waiting for the girl.

After a few minutes, she got out of the bathroom, and she was wearing the pajama dress. She looks so cute in it. The color suits her. Props to Marcia, she knows how to pick clothes for the girl. Marcia excitedly approached the girl. She knelt in front of her while holding the girl’s shoulders.

“Let’s have supper, yes? What do you want? What’s your name?”

I was looking at them from the balcony, and If I had a camera, I would love to take a picture of Marcia looking like a predator.

The girl just nodded. Of course, she’s famished. We don’t know how long she’s been gone from the orphanage. While we were on our way to the lounge, we did confirm that she’s from Happy Rivers because she asked if the keeper’s been caught. I guess she was contented when we told her that he’s gone.

Just as Marcia asked what she wants to eat, someone knocked on the door and shouted, “Hotel Service!”

“Could you be dear and open the door?” I asked the girl. She nodded and went to the door. She slowly opened the door, and there she saw a trolley full of covered bowls and serving platters. The bellboy wheeled out the trolley and parked it near the bed. I thanked Sean, and he bowed his head. He was about to leave when Marcia took out her wallet and handed two bills, fifty dollars each. Sean looked at me first, and when I nodded, he took the bills and thanked Marcia profusely.

“Damn, girl. I want to work for you,” I was laughing at how loaded my friend is. Then I remember that I do work with the richest family in our city. Not directly to Marcia, but I answer directly to her husband.

Marcia looks at me and smiled widely, “I can smell minestrone.”

“Well, I know what you like to eat. Shall we?” She nodded and when I look at the girl, she’s eyeing at the trolley. I do want to feed her fully so she can start talking later on.

Marcia set the table and took a seat. She asked the little girl to take the seat beside her. She followed. I joined them after I finished my smoke.

Marcia is a doting mother to the child. She’s asking what she likes and she serves the food on her plate. She is enjoying what she’s doing. The girl did not protest. She wants to eat. I watch them and they do look like a mother and a daughter. They both have the same ebony hair and light-toned skin. I smiled as I see how Marcia wants to take care of the child.

When we finished eating, I decided to light a cigarette again so I went to the balcony. I also called the service to send us a pot of tea. I decided to watch the two get acquainted so I leaned back on the balcony railing. I can sense the little girl to be warming up for she’s answering Marcia in complete sentences.

The excited Marcia also felt that the young girl is starting to get close to her. She then takes the chance.

“Is it okay if I call you Francesca, my dear?” Marcia asked the girl in her sweet voice. She had wanted to have a daughter. She had already embroidered the name Francesca on some handkerchiefs and baby clothes just in case she will adopt a baby. Unfortunately, this girl is about to reach puberty, so she cannot wear any baby clothes anymore.

 “No. Francesca’s an ugly name.” The girl bluntly answered as she looked Marcia straight to the eyes.

“Haha! Girl, you nasty!” I blurted out. I couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s honesty. Marcia then looked at me feeling hurt. I coughed and apologized. I then turned my back away from them and puffed my remaining cigarette.

Marcia then fidgeted, trying to find her composure once more. She stuttered when she asked what the girl’s name is. The girl doesn’t want to tell. I already told Marcia beforehand to not push it.

I then remember the red pajama dress she’s wearing. Red suits her.

“How about Scarlet?” I said as I was looking at the quiet street below.

There was silence. I can feel Marcia wanting to protest with the name I suggested, but she didn’t speak. She wants to know if the girl would like it.

Then the girl spoke. “What’s my last name?”

“Luna. You will be Scarlet Luna. My girls always take my name as their family name.” I pushed down the cigarette butt on the ashtray. I then slowly slide the balcony glass door. “Well, child?”

“But Mama Luna?! I want to keep her!” Marcia stood holding a piece of clothing that she got from one of the shopping bags.

“Oh, sorry, I thought she doesn’t like you that’s why I offered my name.” I was smiling while looking at Marcia. I want to see how would she react. She just lowered her head and accepted defeat. 

“I like Scarlet. I am Scarlet Luna.” She then spoke with a confident voice. The voice she used when she answered that she wants to live. I can feel Marcia wanting to throw tantrums. I need to make a deal before I get myself in trouble.

“Okay, Scarlet. Now, this woman here is the reason why you’re saved from the alley. I think you owe her.” Scarlet looked at Marcia then she turns to me. She nodded and she waits for me to finish talking.

“Is it okay if you go home with her tonight so she can take care of you?”

Scarlet did not answer right away. She slightly bowed her head and looked at her hands. I can see Marcia clenching at the clothing she’s holding. She wants to have Scarlet.

“One week,” Scarlet negotiated. I’m intrigued by how she thinks.

“What do you mean?” Marcia asked.

“I will stay with you for one week. If I like your place, I will stay indefinitely, but if not, I will return here and stay with Mama Luna.”

“Aww, you’re already calling me Mama Luna.” Sometimes, I want to mess with Marcia’s sanity.

Good thing Sean went back to wheel out the trolley. He broke the awkwardness for a moment.

As the attendant closed the door, Marcia first looked at me like I’m an enemy. Then she looks at Scarlet, “I assure you that you will love our house.” Marcia then became energized and gave me the competitive vibe. I can’t blame her. People love me, and I barely make an effort. She then tried to hug Scarlet, but Scarlet backed a step away. To feign humiliation, she just laughed nervously and said that it’s alright. She can always get a hug from her next time. She then told Scarlet that they should get going. It’s almost 1o pm. I never noticed the time. Marcia bid farewell as she’s holding the shopping bags. Marcia led the way and opened the door. Her loyal bodyguards are still there.

“You might also want to feed your older children first, Marcia. They’re starving,” She did mutter something to the bodyguards before she closed my door. When I locked the door, I decided to smoke one last cigarette before going to bed. From the balcony, I can see Marcia and Scarlet entering the car. The bodyguard closed the passenger door then went to the driver’s seat. The vehicle then drove away as I light my cigarette. I’m excited about how things turn out for the two of them.