Chapter 10：What it Means *TRIGGER WARNING*

While Mister Cheng and his sister start their body language conversation, I pull my hair over my ear. So far I haven't noticed how acceptable they are in China, but I need to keep the earrings in the healing piercings.

I wince at the thought of removing the initial jewelry in my industrials and snugs too early.

Mister Cheng's sister turns to me, shakes her head at her brother, and helps me up. To be honest, I hadn't noticed my epic fall. I only blush harder.

"Okay, let's leave this place before it gets dark out."

I offer her a nervous smile and follow both siblings to the front door, only to turn around and run back to the room. I'm back in a flash, and neither of them ask.

Once outside I continue to follow them like a lost child until we reach a black car. I couldn't identify a car for the life of me, but I'm sure it's expensive. The interior confirms my vague estimation of worth. It leaves me with the intense fear of breathing. My antics seem to amuse them.

"Hey, I'm stealing your girl. She's staying back here with me."

I try to ease up and go with it, But I can't purge my insecurities. What if I enjoy it too much? What if I get yelled at for it?

The woman beside me grabs my hand and squeezes it lightly. I take a deep breath at the contact. She reminds me of my mom. They look nothing alike, but their presences are similar.

"Oh, I don't think I told you my name. I'm Annchi, you can call me Ann, all my English speaking friends do."

"Hi... Ann. It's nice to meet you."

Ann smiles at me widely, and I finally notice that we're in a parking lot of what I can only assume is a mall. I really really don't like malls. They bring back bad memories that I shove down simultaneously with bile.

"What are you waiting for?"

Ann grabs my hand and marches across the lot, not waiting for her brother to catch up. By the time we reach the doors he's right behind us, glaring at his sister. It distracts me a little.

Once inside I start feeling ill and scratch my neck. Hard.

"Hey Lee, I wouldn't come in here if I were you."

She points at the sign, immediately causing him to stop and slowly sit on a bench outside.

"What do you think of this? It's pretty but comfy, I have some bras from them."

I bite my lip, but nod my head, reaching for my neck. My hand stops halfway, and I reach for a bra instead. It suddenly hits me.

"Jen, what's your size."

"I don't know. My sports bras just stretch over time."

"That's okay! You can get measured."

"O-okay."

Ann leads me to the back and talks to a lady in Chinese. The woman smiles and nods her head, guiding me to a dressing room. I look at Ann urgently, and she follows. What should be an interesting experience only brings dread.

Once inside I'm asked to undress to my shirt without my bra. Both ladies walk out to give me privacy. In an attempt to pull the old sports bra off, I trip and hit the wall, trying not to make a sound.

"Jen, are you okay?"

"I'm stuck."

"Okay, I'm coming in."

Panic surges through my veins when she does. My inability to respond brings flashbacks. I know what will happen.

"Jen, raise your hands a little more, and- oh my God!"

Ann rushes forward to inspect my bruised and scarred back, touching them as lightly as possible. I start shaking, and try to reach for my jacket pocket to no avail.

Where's my pill bottle?

I dump out my pockets to grab it, but opening the bottle is impossible. Ann picks up on the situation right away and reads the dosage on the bottle, handing me a bottle of water from her bag.

I collapse on the bench and chug down the water and pills. Instantly I reach for my neck, but Ann pulls my hands away to reveal a scarred mess of my own doing.

"Can you breathe?"

I slowly nod my face. She slowly pulls my bra down and hold my hands.

"Jen, who did this to you?"

"My boyfriend."