In Lavinia and Candy's apartment, a curious and somewhat perplexing scene unfolded. They found themselves entranced by the belongings left behind by Serenity. The room was suffused, but flitted through Candy's conscience, she stopped touching it. Serenity's luggage sat in a neglected corner of the room, brimming with items that she had meant to send back to her family in the Philippines. Lavinia, however, could not resist the temptation that beckoned from within Serenity's closet. The glistening fabric of a stunning dress caught her eye, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "This all be mine!" Her fingers trailed longingly over the delicate folds of the garment, a covetous glint in her eye. Candy, on the other hand, felt a gnawing guilt tugging at her soul. "But Tencho said you can send it to her in the Philippines," she gently ventured, her voice tinged with concern. Lavinia, caught up in the allure of luxury, waved away Candy's words with a dismissive gesture. "Well, if you have money, send it to her," she countered, her tone edged with a hint of sarcasm. "She still has her salaries from Tencho, her three months' worth," Candy interjected, trying to reason with Lavinia. But Lavinia was firmly set on the treasures before her.
"She is in penalty, she will not get that anymore," Lavinia retorted, her voice firm with determination. As their debate continued, Candy thought about Serenity's wallet. "What about her wallet? I think it's in her closet. You can use it and return the rest," Candy suggested, a flicker of hesitation shadowing her features. Lavinia, ever impulsive, wasted no time and she searched the wallet, stunned when she saw a cache of cash. Her eyes widened in surprise, and a mischievous gleam she quickly hid in her bag. "Her wallet and clutch bag are empty. If you want something here, take it," Lavinia declared, offering Candy a chance at the spoils. But Candy, burdened by guilt and grappling with her conscience, shook her head resolutely. "No, I don't want it. Take it with you," she replied. Lavinia, merely shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and gathered up all of Serenity's belongings with a sense of triumph. Among the items she claimed was Serenity's cellular phone.
"Akira gave it to me already until we go home," Lavinia remarked with a carefree chuckle, oblivious to the weight of her actions. The phone now lay in her hands of intent on using it for her own gain. Candy, the silent observer with a steely gaze, watched with growing disapproval as Lavinia callously revealed her treacherous deeds. "Did you show the picture that I captured to Tencho?" Candy asked, her eyes locked on Lavinia's face. Lavinia turned to her, a glint of mischief in her eyes, and replied nonchalantly, "Yes, and he showed it to the owner and to our promoter, so they didn't extend Serenity's visa." Candy was shocked. "But why didn't you tell her that they didn't renew her visa?" Candy's voice trembled with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "What for?" Lavinia's retort was callous, devoid of empathy. "If she knew that, she would not overstay and she would be detained and she may go home legally," Candy argued, her sense of justice clashing with Lavinia's twisted logic. "I know, but I don't want that to happen, she needs to go home illegally so she won't come back here in Japan anymore," Lavinia laughed. "You mean the promoter and the owner of the club thought that she ran away?" Candy's curiosity spurred her onwards, seeking to unravel the web of deceit that Lavinia had spun. "Yes, they didn't know that Serenity was still in the club during the days that she had no visa, they thought that she ran away," Lavinia revealed. "But she didn't know, that's why she is freely working in the club?" Candy's disbelief was evident, her mind reeling plot unfolding before her eyes. Lavinia just chuckled, her eyes flitting over the items Serenity had left behind, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. As a few days passed, the vibrant atmosphere of the club remained unchanged, pulsing with energy as Mel and Leo dedicated themselves to their work, eagerly anticipating their upcoming salary. Amid the hustle and bustle, Mel never failed to inquire about Alex's call, "Alex called yet?" Mel's voice cut through the clamor, directing his question at Leo. A question that became a ritual between him and Leo, who always shook his head in response, their anticipation growing with each passing night.
One night, as the club lights dimmed, the spotlight fell on Lavinia as she took the stage for her solo dance performance, usually a highlight of the evening. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the usual adoration from the customers seemed to wane. Disinterest crept among the crowd, overshadowing Lavinia's once undeniable charm. Her requests for applause went unheeded, a stark contrast to her former glory.
Leo and Mel, hidden in a corner, shared a secret smile as they witnessed Lavinia's downfall. No longer the object of admiration. "She deserves that!" Leo said with anger on his lips. Lavinia found herself alone on the stage, with no applause and her customers gradually leaving the club. The once bustling club began to almost empty as customers chose to leave early, Akira is one of them, no longer captivated by Lavinia's performance. Leo's laughter mingled with Mel's as they savored the moment, reveling in Lavinia's fading spotlight.
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Lavinia's gaze fell upon Leo and Mel, their chuckles piercing her pride and stoking a fiery anger within her. After the club closed for the night, tension hung heavy as Tencho counted the meager income. Lavinia, desperate to salvage her reputation, assured Tencho of a brighter tomorrow, promising an influx of customers. "You don't need to do work that hard, you're not the only talent here, however, being remain a star is not my control anymore," Tencho's blunt response highlighted the transient nature of stardom, leaving Lavinia disconcerted but determined to reclaim her former glory until she goes back to the Philippines. As the night drew to a close, Lavinia asked Tencho to go out, but Tencho declined. "You may go home now, maybe next time," he declared. Meanwhile, Mel told Leo that he will go ahead to go out of the club to make a phone call to his family in the Philippines, bidding Leo farewell as he hurried outside. Leo agreed to join him shortly, planning to lock up the club after the girls left. Amidst the quiet of the night, Mel made his way to the phone booth, enveloped in thoughts of his family. As he approached the phone booth, a sudden obstruction halted his steps. Startled, he turned to face the source of the disturbance, only to be met with a chilling sight. Lavinia stood before him; her presence ominous, flanked by the intimidating figures with Octopus Tiger with his men. Their eyes gleamed with malice, and a shiver ran down his spine. Lavinia's gaze bore into him, a silent signal as she pointed her finger on him. Before he could react, Octopus Tiger men moved swiftly, their movements coordinated and ruthless. In a swift and coordinated manner, they overpowered him, dragging him forcefully into the shadows of an alleyway. The darkness enveloped him, the air thick with tension and fear. The men showed no mercy as they unleashed a flurry of blows upon him, leaving his face and body battered and bruised. Helpless against the onslaught of their assault, he could do nothing but endure the pain, his cries drowned out by the echoes of the city.
Amidst Mel's agony, Lavinia's laughter rang out, cold and heartless. Her satisfaction at his torment was evident in the icy gaze she fixed upon him. With a sense of cruel delight, she took her cellular phone from her bag, dialing a number of the police. After a few minutes, the distant wail of sirens sliced through the night, signaling the arrival of authority. Panicked, Octopus Tiger and his men hastily abandoned him, fleeing into the darkness and they rode in the van with Lavinia as the police car neared. Left battered and broken on the cold ground, he struggled to regain his senses as the officers approached. Pain seared through his body as consciousness ebbed and flowed, the harsh reality of his situation crashing down upon him. To his dismay, the police swiftly discovered his status as an overstayer, by his inability to present a passport. Alone and vulnerable, he was taken into custody, his future uncertain in the face of the law. Meanwhile, Leo emerged from the club. Locking the doors behind him, he stepped out onto the lively street, his mind occupied with thoughts of Mel. The phone booth beckoned in the distance. When he got there, the phone booth was empty. Confusion clouded Leo's mind as he scanned the area, searching for any sign of Mel. With a growing sense of urgency, Leo ventured through the winding streets, each turn leading him further from the comfort of familiarity. Questions swirled in his mind. "It's impossible that he will go home without me?" He asked curiously. Dread gnawed at his insides as he hurried back to their apartment, his steps quickening with each passing moment. Darkness greeted him as he stepped inside, the silence heavy and suffocating. The once-familiar space now empty, devoid of the warmth and laughter that Mel brought into that room. He checked his closet, his clothes were still intact. Frantically calling out Mel, Leo's voice echoed through the empty rooms. The weight of uncertainty bore down upon him. Where could Mel have gone? Leo tossed and turned in his bed, the weight of anxiety pressing down on his chest. The clock ticked relentlessly; each second feeling stretched out like an eternity. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. Next day, it was still early to go to the club, it was 6:00 pm, the club will start at 7:00 pm, he finally decided to give up on sleep and head to the club. As Leo pushed open the club's heavy door, he turned on the light. Leo's heart raced in hopes that Mel would arrive and receive a call from Alex. Those hours, Mel was supposed to be there. Desperation etched lines on his forehead as the staff trickled in, followed by a group of girls, among them Candy and Lavinia. Leo's steps quickened, and he approached them, his voice edged with urgency, "Do you know where Mel is?" Candy raised an eyebrow, her expression puzzled. "Isn't he usually with you?" she inquired, her words laced with confusion. Lavinia merely shrugged, avoiding Leo's gaze as she mumbled, "How would I know? You're the one always with him." Just then, Tencho appeared, his brow furrowed in concern as he noticed Mel's absence. "Where's Mel?" he asked. Leo shook his head, "I don't know. I've been waiting for him, but he never showed up." Tencho's anger was palpable as he muttered,
"First Alex, now Mel. What's going on? What kind of friends do you have, they all leave you?" The uncertainty hung thick in the air as Leo turned to him, desperation etched into his features. "Do you have any idea where he might be?" But Tencho could offer no answers, his silence echoing through the club. As the night wore on, Leo's unease only grew, the club unusually quiet with only a handful of patrons trickling in. Tencho orders the girls to call in more customers echoing through the dimly lit space. And then, a dreaded moment arrived as Lavinia's most hated customer, Nobu, made his entrance. Lavinia was disdain, her irritation clear as she muttered, "Of all people, why him? He's so stinky and stingy." Candy reminds her that Lavinia had no choice but to entertain Nobu. Meanwhile, Leo found himself in the kitchen, his hands numb as he scrubbed at dishes, lost in a sea of swirling thoughts.
The ache of unanswered questions gnawed at him, the absence of a call from Alex was also a heavy weight on his mind. In the midst of the club's bustling activity, Candy and Lavinia retreated to the dressing room, their voices hushed as they conversed. Leo was outside and his ears pricked up as he overheard snippets of their conversation, his curiosity piqued. It was then that Lavinia's words pierced through the air, a revelation that left Leo reeling. "He was bitten by Octopus Tiger men. I ordered it," she confessed coldly. Leo's heart clenched in disbelief as he edged closer, his breath caught in his throat. "Why do you do that?' she asked, her concern genuine. But Lavinia's reply dripped with vindictiveness laid bare. "I saw him with Leo laughing with my downfall," Lavinia revealed. "Is Mel being, okay?" Candy asked worriedly. "I don't care but, I called the police after they beat him, so the police found out that he has no visa, like what happened to Serenity, they will send him to immigration," Lavinia said as she smirked. "Oh no, Mel has no way out, they will send him back to the Philippines!" Candy said feeling pity on Mel. Leo's shock turned to rage as he confronted Lavinia, he stepped through the dressing room. "You're the culprit, Lavinia. How could you do this to your fellow Filipinos?" his voice trembled with anger as Lavinia merely chuckled, "You're next!" as Lavinia stormed out, Candy, her eyes filled with remorse, emerged from the dressing room. "I'm so sorry for Mel, I know how he needs to work here in Japan, but I can't control Lavinia," she muttered softly as she walked towards the hall of the club. Leo stood frozen, his heart heavy with disappointment. The club atmosphere felt suffocating, and he knew he couldn't endure working there any longer. As the night dragged on, Leo bided his time until the club finished. With a heavy heart, he approached Tencho who's busy counting the income. "Tencho, can I get my salary?" His voice quivered with a mix of anxiety and determination. Tencho's response was cold and dismissive, "It's not salary time yet." Leo's resolve faltered, and he uttered the words that had been weighing on his mind, "I want to resign." The shock was palpable in Tencho's expression as he questioned Leo's decision.
"What? Are you serious?" Leo's response was firm, "Yes, I'm no longer happy here." However, Tencho's concern was not for Leo's happiness but rather for the practicality of his situation. "Where the heck will you go? You're an illegal alien; finding another job won't be easy. You must think about that," he warned. Undeterred by Tencho's warning, Leo pleaded for his hard-earned salary. "I will be leaving, just give my salary," he sternly said. The conversation took a sharp turn as Tencho accused Leo of being complicit in Alex's escape without paying his penalty. Leo's retort was sharp, "But you didn't pay his salary," In a display of reluctant pity, Tencho handed Leo half of his salary. Leo, taken aback by the unexpected gesture, couldn't help but to take the money. With a heavy heart, he left the club and made his way back to his apartment to pack his belongings. As Leo scrambled to gather his possessions, a staff member entered, delivering the unwelcome news that he had to vacate the apartment immediately per Tencho's orders.
Hurriedly, Leo handed over the keys, his sense of belonging shattered as he stepped out into the bustling streets of Shinjuku city. Lost and adrift in the sea of strangers, Leo walked aimlessly through the city until he found himself on the other side of Tokyo city, Ikebukuro City, a place unknown to him. With nowhere else to turn, he spent the night under the watchful gaze of the stars in a deserted park, the chill of the night seeping into his bones. With the break of dawn, Leo's determination was reignited as he stumbled upon a Filipino store where he encountered Rosi, the compassionate owner. As they exchanged pleasantries, a flicker of hope ignited within Leo's weary soul. The familiarity of their shared hometown in Batangas sparked a connection between them. Driven by desperation, Leo inquired about a job opportunity, only to be met with a hesitant refusal due to Rosi's husband. Unwilling to give up, Leo persisted, offering his services until he found another job. Rosi, touched by his plight, relented, offering him a meager salary and a place to rest within the store. Despite the uncertainty that loomed ahead, Leo felt a glimmer of hope flicker in the darkness that had engulfed him.