[ Bound to serve ]

part 1

Rose Thompson:

The single bulb swayed gently from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows in the tiny apartment. Rose sat cross-legged on the worn-out couch, an old blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Her fingers, chapped and red from the cold, fidgeted with the last five dollars she had left.

In the dimly lit room, Rose's breath formed small clouds as she exhaled, the heater long broken.. But it still works, Her long, brown hair was tied in a messy bun, strands escaping to frame her pale face.

The ticking clock on the worn-out nightstand was the only sound breaking the heavy silence, mocking Rose's desperate situation. Her stomach growled loudly, ignoring the hollow emptiness within. She hugged her knees to her chest, rocking gently as tears blurred her vision.

Rose whispered to herself, voice raspy from disuse and hunger, "God, why does it have to be me?? My life turn into this sad, pathetic movie? Twenty-four years old and poorer than a church mouse. Mama's medical bills are drowning us, and here I sit, literally counting my last coins."

As she's sitting there counting her coins, she suddenly remembers the day she was adopted. 'The social worker's cold hands as she placed me in Mrs. Thompson's arms...'"

Rose's eyes burned into the crumpled bills. ' my parents, I don't know who they are,  didn't want me. Adopted by a kind lady who could barely make ends meet. No wonder I'm cursed.' Her mind wandered back to the day she became 'Rose Thompson'."

The social worker, a stern-looking woman with glasses, held out the tiny bundle that was Rose. 'Here you go, Mrs. Thompson. A new life for this little girl.' The old lady, with tears in her eyes, accepted the package, cooing softly. 'Hello, little...Rose.'"
That was the day she was named as 'Rose Thompson'

End of flashback!
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PRESENT:

Rose's lips twitched into a bitter smile as she recalled that memory. 'Mom always said she named me Rose because when the orphanage worker handed me to her, I was sucking my thumb, my chubby cheeks all red from the cold. Like a little rosebud...

Rose's mind was pulled back to the present, the cold of her current situation making her shiver. She hugged her knees tighter, burying her face in them as she whispered, 'I was a little rosebud, and look at me now... a dying flower in a broken vase.'"

Rose's thoughts shifted to her mother, the one person who had ever shown her unconditional love. Her heart ached as she remembered the diagnosis. 'Blood cancer,' the doctor had said, his voice grave. 'She needs surgery, chemotherapy—it's going to be expensive.'"

( Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It works by interfering with the cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Common side effects include hair loss (alopecia), nausea and vomiting, fatigue, increased risk of infections, anemia, and mouth sores." )

Rose remembered her mother's frail frame, the way she'd cough up blood in the middle of the night. She remembered the doctor's words echoing in her ears—' Without the surgery, she has only a few months left.'"

Rose watched as her mother underwent the first round of chemotherapy. The strong drugs made her mother nauseous, her hair began to fall out, and her once rosy cheeks turned pale. The doctor warned that the side effects would be brutal, but it was necessary to kill the cancer cells. Now she has nothing left to do the surgery!

She quietly rose from the couch, moving to the kitchen. She busied herself making a hearty vegetable soup, the warmth of the stove pushing back the chill that had settled in her bones. With a steaming bowl in hand, she crept into her mother's room.

As Rose sat beside her mother on the bed, she gently spooned the warm soup into her mother's mouth, wiping away the droplets that escaped the corners of her lips. Her mother's eyes, sunken and tired, looked up at her daughter with gratitude and weakness.

"Mmph," The mother hummed softly, swallowing the soup. "You always were such a good girl," She smiled weakly. "Taking care of your old mother..." Her voice trailed off, too tired to continue.

Rose's heart swelled with love and concern as she watched her mother's frail form try to savor the soup. She could see the pain in her eyes, the exhaustion written all over her face. It broke Rose's heart to see the once vibrant woman reduced to this shadow of her former self.

" S-sweetheart, did you manage the money? " her mother asked her, making her throat go dry because of how hard she was making herself not to cry,

"O-Of course, Mama," Rose lied, forcing a smile. "I'm so happy that the surgery is happening. You'll be okay soon." She placed the empty soup bowl on the nightstand and helped her mother adjust the pillows, making sure she was comfortable before leaning down to kiss her forehead...

FLASHBACK:

Rose stepped out of the hospital, the cool evening air nipping at her feet. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, hurrying towards their apartment building. As she approached, she saw something taped to the wall beside their front door. She carefully peeled it off, the paper slightly ripped at the edges.

The note was short and sweet, written in bold letters.
_______________________________________

"Come one, come all to the hottest new spot in town! The most exclusive and exhilarating adult playground awaits. Join us tonight at the [ SEX CLUB ] for a night you won't forget!"
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As Rose scanned the note, her eyes widened at the small print at the bottom. "Entrance fee: $1,000 per person. VIP Membership: $10,000. Strictly 18+ only."

Rose's heart sank as she read the words. $1,000 was more than she could afford in a month, let alone a single night out. She crumpled the note into her pocket, her mind racing with thoughts of her mother's medical bills, the meager savings they had left, and most importantly, the surgery!

End of flashback! _______________________________________