Chapter Five: Used and Useful
The lights never warmed her.
They were too bright, too sharp—white-hot like interrogation lamps.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsEEUHNlqB
Maui smiled for them.
But Mia?8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGcDKR5sil
Mia shut herself off.
Scene 22: “Daddy’s Favorite”
She sat on the edge of the bed in a pleated skirt two sizes too small.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE0Y1FQg2g
No panties.
Her pigtails were uneven—on purpose.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxvZ2dmrd7
The director whispered, “Look dumb. Confused. But like you want it.”
The camera rolled.
A deep voice called from behind, “Maui, what are you doing in Daddy’s room?”
Her cue.
She turned, wide-eyed. “I was just looking for your belt… Daddy.”
The man grabbed her by the arm.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaTf5vaPgh
She flinched—rehearsed.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1DkINfLT5
He threw her on the bed.
Hands fumbled under her skirt.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9eEYLo56d
She moaned the way she was trained: high-pitched, rhythmic, innocent-turned-eager.
His fingers dug into her jaw to face the lens.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoD6eGAnqA
“Smile,” he whispered without breaking character.
So she did.
Behind the smile, Mia was somewhere else—thinking of Pia’s school uniform that still needed hemming.
Scene 36: “Punishment for Being Late”
Her wrists were zip-tied to the bedposts.
She had on fishnets, black tape in an X across her nipples.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Onlcyc6jq
No safe word this time.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQrOMxbbUY
She signed the waiver.
“Cry. Struggle. Don’t make it look fake.”
That’s all they said before they left her with him—her co-star. Cold, methodical.
He slapped her thigh to leave a mark.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFojTsPrwt4
She didn’t flinch. She knew they wanted that shot.
Then he choked her. Lightly first.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqZWc0jC5W
Then harder.
Her throat closed. Vision swam.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMH2Kn5BtZ
The tears were real this time.
“Maui, are you still with us?” the cameraman asked when they cut.
She nodded, barely.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRFcRCoovT
They gave her water, a towel.
Five minutes later, they were filming again from a different angle.
Scene 41: “Customer Complaint”
She played a fast-food crew member who forgot the sauce.
He barged into the staff room.
“Stupid bitch,” he said. “You forgot my extra ketchup.”
It was in the script. She had to kneel, say, “I’ll do anything to make up for it.”
She unbuttoned her blouse mechanically.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF6Y00Q8Uj
Pulled down her skirt with a fake, shy laugh.
The man pulled her ponytail, forced her head back.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd40RnUgy1
Her eyes met the camera again.
Maui’s perfect, someone said offscreen.
She can be anything.
Scene 53: “Girlfriend Experience”
This one was different. Softer.
She lay on a faux-marble countertop while fake candlelight flickered around her.
They told her to whisper, “I love you,” over and over again—like she meant it.
The man kissed her slowly.
This one stroked her cheek. Brushed her hair aside. Made love, not just sex.
She almost cried—not because of pain, but because she wished this one were real.
They paid her ₱50,000 for those four days of work.
That week, she paid off her mom’s hospital debt and enrolled Pia in the dance class she’d been dreaming of.
At home, she cooked sinigang.
No makeup.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLSKSVRB6J
No lashes.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0HLhrzjBB
No camera.
Just Mia.
But even then, when her mother looked at her with worry—she felt watched. Judged. Filthy.
She was always Maui now.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEifVE23ZL
Even when no one was looking.
