One Last Dance (Completed!)

Chapter 7 – Singapore

The flight to Singapore had been long. In her hurry to leave, Mara had purchased a business class air ticket to Singapore. Fortunately, saving money was one of Mara’s virtues. Although her mother had been rich as a brilliant musician, Mara was unable access the huge fortune left for her till she reaches 21 years of age.

As she stepped into Changi International Airport, Mara felt scared. She did not know where to go. What if the information is wrong? She began questioning the accuracy of the reply she had received on the antique watch forum.

Along with the crowd, she proceeded to the information counter to enquire on the local hotels. The receptionist was very helpful. Within 5 minutes, Mara obtained a map, knew the location of a cheap budget hotel and managed to get on a cab. After 30 minutes drive, she reached the hotel in Geylang where she did a quick check-in and proceeded for dinner.

As Mara was strolling along the streets, she was fascinated by the vibrant nightlife in Geylang. However, her fascination soon turned into fear. Everywhere she went, men were eyeing her body. Little did Mara know that she had walked into Singapore’s notorious Red Light District in Geylang.

She made a quick decision to eat at the hotel. But her decision came too late. Mara was stopped by a pack of hungry men as she was scurrying back to her hotel. Jake’s touch came back to her instinctively. Goosebumps started breaking out on her body. They want my body, Mara recognized the blazing glint in their eyes.

“How much?” One of the older men in the group asked. His greying hair easily revealed 50 years of age - minimum.

“How much is your asking price for an hour?” The older man looked impatient.

Mara turned around to run. She had no idea where she was. Only streets of dark alleys greeted her round every corner she took. There were rapid footsteps behind her. She knew her pursuers were getting hungrier while she was getting dizzier. She had not eaten since her dinner with Uncle Philip. With the entire physical and emotional trauma exercised by Jake, Mara was weak.

But her body gave up. She collapsed onto the ground. Darkness began closing in on her. All Mara heard was the shattering of glass from the face of her pocket watch as she fainted.