Still Loving You Nonetheless

Chapter 31

Feeling worn out, Meredith dragged herself back to the staff lounging area. Upon seeing her looking like a mess, the group of nosy ladies started wagging their tongues.

"Seems like Mister Leon is indeed a pervert." "I'm sure it's because he got a glimpse of her face."

Only Zya hurried over to Meredith and asked concernedly, "Merelyn, are you alright? You don't look too well."

"I'm fine." Shaking her head, Meredith changed her outfit while pulling into a bitter smile." The wound on my back might have opened." It was only then did Zya realize that Meredith's back was bloody and it had gotten worse compared to last night. "Come with me, we'll drop by Zade's place and have him treat your wound."

Zya started walking out the room with Meredith's hands in hers but Meredith stopped her.

"Hold on, I haven't received today's pay."

"Goodness, Merelyn. Just look at yourself, it's not the time to be worrying about your pay."

"Zya, I need it urgently...please."

After putting on her clothes, Meredith went straight to Miss Josie's office. Seeing Meredith in a bad shape, Miss Josie could only shake her head silently without saying anything

From the drawer of her desk, Miss Josie took out a total of five hundred dollars and handed it to Meredith.

"This is for the two shows you did and for the time you spent with Mister Josiah.".

Counting the money, Meredith looked puzzled.

"Miss Josie, is this all?" She usually got a hundred dollars per show.

"Mister Josiah said that your time was only worth three hundred." Looking apologetic, Miss Josie patted her shoulders gently and added, "Sorry Merelyn, I didn't expect Mister Josiah to be this petty." Meredith simply pulled into a bitter smile. Shaking her head, she said, "That's alright, Miss Josie, it's not your fault."

Meredith knew that Josiah had decided to humiliate her this way. After leaving the clubhouse, Meredith dropped by Zade's place to get her wounds treated. Seeing how she was harassed and tormented, Zade got furious yet at the same time felt bad for Meredith. Holding her hand in his, Zade said, "Merelyn, let's stop this, shall we? We'll find you another job."

Smiling, Meredith shook her head and removed her hands from his.

She needed money urgently and this was the only way that she could make quick cash.

Even though the pay for her performances was not high, there were times when some generous customers would tip her a lot. Besides, now that Josiah was the new owner of the Lima Club and as long as the contract was still valid, Josiah would not let her off the hook easily.

After treating her wound, Zade took out an envelope from the drawer and put it in her hand. * Merelyn, I got my pay today. Take this and use it."

This was not the first time Zade had given her money. But like always, Meredith had rejected his kindness.

"Zade, your pay is already low as you had just graduated. Plus, your parents need the money more than me for their medical bills. How could I take your money?"

"Merelyn..." Zade, I appreciate your kindness but I really cannot take them." Merelyn, are you worried that I'd ask for something in return if you take my money? Don't worry, I won't ask you to be together with me just because of this.

"I's not that, Zade."

looking into his eyes, Meredith mocked herself, "Zade, you must have seen the hickies on me earlier, right? I'm not worth it, Zade."