When There Is Nothing Left But Love

With that said, the two men turned and left.

I watched them leave before looking back at Kristina. It was then that I realized she had a name card in her hand.

I wondered what that was, but the question was not pressing enough for me to ask her about it. Instead, I thanked her in all seriousness.

She did not reciprocate my affection. “This is not a safe place, so just stay away.”

I wanted to ask her why she was here.

Yet before I could say a word, she held out her name card to a man who just came out of the bar with a lascivious smile on her face. I was stunned by her sudden change of expression. The man threw the name card on the floor and I caught a glimpse of it. There was a picture of an attractive woman printed on it. Beside the picture were her phone number, address, and a price tag.

It did not take much effort to recognize the person in the photo. It was Kristina herself. I was at a loss for words. I wanted to say something, but I had to try so hard to swallow my emotions back in. “Do you need money?” I asked without much discretion.

My brutal question elicited a painful expression on her face as she pursed her lips. “Of course I do. Who doesn’t need money? No one can live without money.”

“You know I don’t mean it that way.” I tried explaining myself.

cards tighter and shook her head.

it because you have to do chemo?” That was the only reasonable explanation I

and even had a wig on. I knew she was a prideful person. There was no way she would stoop so low just to earn money. It must be because

business. Stop getting in my way. I need to

her illness must be

you want to do business, you’ll have to do as your client wants you to.

on me. “What do you

your client now, so just

me because

obliged to listen to me. You

looked at me for a while before she finally

Camelia and me down an alley. Before long, I stopped and cried out, “Kristina, don’t you think you should help me out a little?” Camelia

can’t carry her. Walking itself is already difficult enough for me. This is the truth, whether

lips and shrugged helplessly. “Just lead the

was not like I could force