She knew that I knew who she truly was, but we never talked about it. It would have made no sense at all. I didn’t feel the urge and she didn’t. We didn’t have sex anymore – you couldn’t call it making love since there was no such feeling from either of us.

“Marina Ferrer. She is a very rich woman and she comes here every once and a while, really not often. When she does, she always takes two or three girls home.”

My heart jumped at the word ‘home’, my mind automatically connected it with Tina.
“She buys two or three girls out. We have to search others then. We can’t really say no to her, and well, it does make money.”

“So she buys girls like she buys animals?” I asked. I thought it was horrible, to have a value on your head. Someone payed for you and that’s what you were worth.

“Bette, it isn’t about values here. It’s about freedom.” It was the first time I heard her talk about that. About freedom. It was the first time I got the tiniest hint that she didn’t want to be there either. But she had got herself into this, herself and me and Moira and who knows what else.

“Okay, so, I have to meet her. When?”

“She’s coming tomorrow. You will see her at work.”

“How will I recognise her?”

“She’ll be one of the few women for a start. She’s tall, has Italian looks. You’ll easily notice her. Bette, make a good impression.”

“Why?” Of course I knew why, but I didn’t know why Fiona wanted it. She stood up and came over to me. We hadn’t been that close to each other in ages. She looked me right in the eyes.

“It can be hard to believe, looking at everything that happened. But the truth is that I really do care for you. You have always been special.”

I knew I shouldn’t believe her lies, I knew she probably spoke these words to so many girls. I knew I was just one of them, I was nothing special. Not for her.

“I want you to get out of here. Go back home, go back to your girl. Be happy and forget about this hell-hole. I’m so sorry.”