Chapter Five: Used and Useful
The lights never warmed her.
They were too bright, too sharp—white-hot like interrogation lamps.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZcOTPDXQO
Maui smiled for them.
But Mia?9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiWn3FFdkv
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FGezKP5cE
No panties.
Her pigtails were uneven—on purpose.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiedmuIImd0
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9IKNcYaUu
She flinched—rehearsed.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVo3BNDXnw
He threw her on the bed.
Hands fumbled under her skirt.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGgWTsUIuE
She moaned the way she was trained: high-pitched, rhythmic, innocent-turned-eager.
His fingers dug into her jaw to face the lens.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZgygkGiKi
“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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4mEY0b8Yd
No safe word this time.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8PhbGeRp3
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpKWiZQmsK
She didn’t flinch. She knew they wanted that shot.
Then he choked her. Lightly first.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3BjWxmsxf
Then harder.
Her throat closed. Vision swam.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5ZW6ldNCY
The tears were real this time.
“Maui, are you still with us?” the cameraman asked when they cut.
She nodded, barely.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSZzWrCQCZ
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90aYE8BTeq
Pulled down her skirt with a fake, shy laugh.
The man pulled her ponytail, forced her head back.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuvP0CscgI
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyQ8JxYAv0
No lashes.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oiO2YPA37
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.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfpOEpPR50
Even when no one was looking.
