The shopping trip had been a strange mix of awkwardness and unexpected connection.  Claire, initially hesitant, had warmed up to John's gentle encouragement and genuine desire to help.  She had chosen a few simple outfits, feeling a flicker of confidence as she tried them on.
As they walked back to the condo, John noticed a hesitant look in Claire's eyes.  "Is something wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"I... I haven't showered in a while," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing.  "And I don't have any of my own things."
John felt a pang of sympathy.  He understood the feeling of being out of place, of needing a moment of privacy and self-care.  "Don't worry about it," he said, his voice reassuring.  "The bathroom is all yours.  Take a shower, relax, and make yourself comfortable."
He paused, then added, "I have to run out for a bit, but I'll be back soon.  Just make yourself at home."
He felt a twinge of guilt as he said it.  He knew he was leaving her alone, but he had a meeting he couldn't reschedule.  He hoped she wouldn't feel abandoned.
"Okay," Claire said, her voice barely above a whisper.  She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension.
John smiled gently.  "It's alright," he said.  "I'll be back soon."  He gave her a reassuring nod, then turned and headed towards the door.
As he left, he could hear the faint sound of the shower turning on.  He hoped that this small act of kindness, this offer of a private space, would bring Claire a moment of peace and comfort.  He knew he had a lot to learn about her, about her story, but for now, he was simply trying to offer her a safe haven, a place to breathe and to begin to heal.
The steam from the shower enveloped Claire, a comforting cocoon against the chill she had carried for so long. She stepped inside, marveling at the sleek, modern design of the bathroom. Black tiles, accented with sleek gray grout, created a sense of sophisticated simplicity. A single, minimalist toothbrush holder, crafted from polished black metal, hung on the wall, a stark contrast against the white tiles.
Claire reached for the soap dispenser, a sleek, cylindrical vessel that held a luxurious-looking, clear gel. She hesitated, then decided against it. The thought of using John's soap, of being so intimate with his personal belongings, felt unsettling. She rummaged through her small bag and found a travel-sized bar of soap she had packed in case of emergencies.
Her eyes fell on the control panel, a sleek black rectangle with three buttons: red, blue, and black. She recognized the red as hot, the blue as cold, and the black as warm. She pressed the black button, and a wave of warm water cascaded over her, washing away the grime and the tension of the past few days.
The scent of the shower gel, a subtle blend of citrus and musk, filled the air. It was a scent she had become accustomed to, a reminder of John's presence, his world. She closed her eyes, letting the warm water wash over her, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel a sense of peace.
The shower stall, with its sleek design and luxurious amenities, was a stark contrast to the cramped, dingy bathrooms she had been accustomed to. It was a world away from her old life, a world of comfort and privilege that she had never imagined herself inhabiting.
But for a moment, in the warmth of the shower, she allowed herself to indulge in the luxury, to feel a sense of belonging, even if it was fleeting. The scent of the shower gel, the smooth tile beneath her feet, the gentle cascade of warm water – it was a small indulgence, a brief respite from the turmoil of her life. And for a few moments, she allowed herself to simply be.
The warmth of the water, the luxurious scent of the shower gel, and the quiet solitude of the bathroom created a space for Claire to let go. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and began to hum. The hum grew into a soft melody, then a full-fledged song, a joyful, unrestrained burst of sound that echoed through the bathroom.
"It's alright," she whispered to herself, her voice laced with a hint of self-mockery. "He's not here the owner is not here You can sing. No one's going to judge you." 
She laughed, a strange, breathless sound that was both joyous and tinged with a touch of sadness. It was a laugh that spoke of relief, of freedom, of the joy of being able to express herself without fear or reservation.
The warm water continued to cascade over her, washing away the grime and the tension of the past few days. She scrubbed her body with the soap, the lathering a soothing ritual, a moment of self-care and self-love.
After showering, she dried herself off and stood before the mirror, her reflection a stranger to her. Her hair, once tangled and matted, was now clean and flowing, her skin soft and smooth. She looked fresh, almost radiant.
She reached for the clothes John had chosen for her, a simple pink dress that he had insisted she try on during their shopping trip. She had hesitated at first, unsure if it was her style, but something about the soft fabric and the delicate color appealed to her. It felt comforting, familiar, like a hug.
She slipped into the dress, surprised by how comfortable it felt against her skin. It wasn't a dress she would have chosen for herself, but it fit her well, and it made her feel good. It was a small act of self-care, a reminder that she deserved to feel beautiful, even in the midst of chaos.
She smiled at her reflection. For the first time since she had arrived at John's condo, she felt a flicker of hope. It was a small spark, a fragile flame, but it was enough to illuminate the darkness. She was still lost, still uncertain, but she was beginning to find her way, one small step at a time.
The silence in the condo was deafening. Claire sat on the edge of the plush sofa, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The room, with its modern furnishings and expansive windows overlooking the city, felt both alien and unsettling. She was acutely aware of the vastness of the space, the emptiness that surrounded her.
A wave of nausea washed over her. She closed her eyes, trying to push back the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. The panic, the fear, the desperate scramble to escape. And then, the sudden arrival of John, his kindness, his concern, his offer to help.
But even amidst the kindness, she felt a sense of unease. He was a stranger, a powerful figure who had appeared out of nowhere, offering her sanctuary, but also a sense of being trapped. Was this truly help, or was it something else entirely?
She glanced at her reflection in the sleek, black coffee table. Her face was pale, her eyes wide and haunted. She looked like a ghost, a shadow of the vibrant young woman she once was.
"What am I going to do?" she whispered, the words barely audible.
She was adrift, lost in a sea of uncertainty. She had no family, no friends, no place to call home. And now, she found herself in the care of a man she barely knew, a man who held the key to her future, but also the potential to further complicate her life.
The weight of her situation pressed down on her, a heavy burden that threatened to crush her. But even in the darkness, a flicker of hope remained. She had survived this far, and she knew deep down that she would find a way to navigate this new, uncertain path. She would find her own strength, her own voice, and she would claim her own future.
CALIRE'S POINT OF VIEW 
Ang Ganda dito Wala naman sigurong maninita kung matutulog Ako napa ka swerte ko dahil mabuting tao Ang naka bili sakin ni Hindi ko enexpect na may bibili sakin at bibigyan Ako nang kalayaan ni Hindi Niya Ako sinaktan o ginawang alipin man lang kahit ayus lang sakin Ang maging alipin Niya.
Imbis na matulog ay tumayo Ako nilibot ko lang Ang aKing paningin sa boung condo ni sir John pero limitadong gamit lang Ang Meron siya Ang design nang kaniyang boung living room ay parang walang kabuhay buhay dahil sakulay nito ni gray ,brown at black pero halatang mamahalin Ang mga iyun lalo na Ang painting na NASA pader malinis at maganda Ang boung Lugar gusto ko sanang linisan pero mukhang hindi na kailangan dahil sa subrang linis na nito.
Hindi siguro Kilala nang ano Mang klaseng alikabok Ang condo niya tumayo Ako at nilapitan Ang magandang painting na naka dikit Malapit sa beranda may naka sulat doun na Chinese na lingwahi Wala akong maintindihan kaya Hindi ko nalang ito Pinansin Wala namang kabuluhan Ang painting dahil para lang itung pinta nang Isang batang gumihit nang mga linya na may ibat ibang kulay parang luma narin Ang pinta at halatang iningatan dahil may cover pa itung manipos na salamin may maliliit na bulak lak din sa gilid na kulay pink siguro ay cherry blossom ito lumipat nalang Ako sa kusina dahil Wala naman akong maintindihan doun. 
Naisipan kung mag luto nang pag kain pero baka Magagalit SI sir John dahil gumamit Ako nang kitchen niya without his permission kumuha Ako nang basahan upang linisan Ang kitchen area ngunit Wala akong ano Mang Nakita na dapat linisan doun kaya binalik ko nalang Ang basahan sunod ko namang pinuntahan Ang Cr at kabahan area Meron siyang watching machine dou kaya na isipan kung mag laba ngunit Wala naman akong lalabhan dahil nalabhan ko na nag damit ko kanina at pinatuyo konarin pero baka may mga uniforme sir na pwedi kong linisan o sapatos na pwedi kung punasan o pakinisin pag tingin ko sa basket ay merong itim na oulo at necktie doun napangiti Ako dahil sa wakas ay may malabhan narin Ako iniisa Isa ko Ang damit at mabilang lang ito Isang necktie Isang Black suit Isang denim short at Isang namula Ang pisngi ko dahil sa bagay na hawak ko di maiwasang Mahiya dahil sout pang loob iyun Isang blue plain boxer mahilig pala mag sout nang boxer SI sir Hindi pala Siya brief user tawa ko sa Akong sarili..
Naka hanap naman Ako nang sabon at fabric conditioner na naka paying lang din malapit sa boxer Ganda narin Ang mga hanger sa gilid..
Hindi ko alam parang may kung anong demonyo Ang bumulong sa akin na amoyin Ang damit ni sir John okay lang namn siguro dahil Ako lang naman Ang tao rito at Wala naman sigurong CCTV dito sa washing area kagat labi kung sinimot Ang damit niya para na akong Baliw sa Ginawa ko Isang ngiti Ang gumuhit sakin at nag tataka kung maduming damit nga ba ito or ano dahil mabango pa ito at parang bagong laba ni Wal akong napansin na dumi dito tinignan Konang maigi Ang Black suit Niya at may napansin akong pulang lipstick malapit saay leeg parang nag sisi tulog Ako dahil bakit kopa ito tinignan inamoy ko pati Ang necktie nito at denim na pang ibaba pero Hindi talaga mabaho seriously ganito ba talaga Siya kalinis sa kaniyang katawan kahit amoi nang pawis ay Takot sa bango nang damit niya eh ako nga kahit Wala akong ginagawa sa boung araw ay mag aamoy pawis na Ako pero SI sir na may trabaho at Amoy malinis parin iba talaga pag mayaman..sunod ko sanang amoyin ay Yung boxer Niya pero nahiya Ako bigla sa sumagi sa madumi kung isip simula Nung nag trabaho Ako ay Hindi na common sakin Ang makakita nang malaking sawa sa ilalim nang boxer o mga lalaking maniac pero hmm... Self calm down not now....
Kumuha nalang Ako nang gamit at sabun Buti nalang ay may maliit na plangana SI sir Hindi ko nalang ginamit Ang Washing machine Nito dahil kunti lang naman ito Isa pa Hindi ko maintindihan Ang washing machine dahil sa ibang lingwahi Ang naka sulat doun.
Iningatan ko itung nilabhan mahirap na baka masira ko pa Wala akong pang bili nang kapalit..
Matapos labhan ay agad konang sinampay Ang iilan niyang gamit tumayo Ako at pumunta sa kitchen area dahil humingi na nang pag kain mga may buhay din na nakatira sa tiyan ko pero Takot akong mag luto baka pagalitan ako ni sir kaya pumunta Ako sa refrigerator Niya at tumigin nang pweding kainin doun..
Na pa WOWWW naman Ako sa loob nang ref ni sir dahil sa daming laman nito sa ibabanh bahagi ay nandun Ang mga fruits at veges, Marami ring mga beers at wine Malaki Ang ref nito kaya Marami Ang nag kasya mas nanlaki pa Ang mata ko na Makita Ang strawberry ice cream sa my freezer gustong gusto ko itung kainin pero baka pagalitan Ako kaya wag nalang kumuha nalang Ako nang peras at apple upang kainin may mga chocolates din Hindi Ako makapaniwala na mahilig so sir John nang mga matatamis na pag kain kimu Ako nang ilan sa kaniyang Chocolate at na excite na kainin ito dahil narin sa gutom wala na Akong pakialam total wak naman SI sir John kinain ko agad Ang chocolate I'm about to close the ref when some one say
"HEY WHO ARE YOU WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY DAD'S CONDO?" nanlisik Ang mga mata nito at naka crus pa ang makapal na kilay muntik kopang malunok Ang chocolateng Nasa bibig ko kasabay nang pag hulog nang dalawang apple at Isang peras sa kamay ko napa atras Ako sa subrang kaba Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin..
Gusto kung pulutin Ang nahulog na prutas ngunit nahihiya Ako..
"I said who are you??" Kalma niyang pag Sabi siguro napapansin nito na natatakot Ako sa kaniya.
Sa tantya ko ay anak ito ni sir John dahil may pag kahawig ito sa kaniya gwapo rin at mga NASA 25 or 26 na taon..
Ahmm iMmm..Ako Po Si ....
I'm Claire sir ngiti ko sa kaniya pero naka crus parin Ang makapal nitung kilay.. he step slowly at nakatingin lang sa mga mata ko 
And your stealing my dad's food ? 
No no sir !... 
Are you my das girl??? 
Hindi Ako makapagsalita sa sinabi Niya dahil Hindi ko alam Ang sasabihin kung ano Ako Kay sir John kung ano Ang relasyon ko sa daddy niya...
"Ahmm.. katulong Niya Po Ako Tama.. katulong Niya Po Ako sir your dad hired me yesterday" ngisi ko sa Kaniya 
Really?? Taas kilay nitung Sabi 
Your liar my dad don't need personal assistant...
Or maybe mag nanakas ka tumingin Siya sa apple na nahulog ko kanina at pinulot ito..
He held the red apple while saying, "Beware the allure of temptation, for like the forbidden fruit, it may appear beautiful and sweet, yet its poison runs deep, like the venom of a serpent." Sinasabi Niya Ang mga katagang ito habang tumitingin sakin sabay kagat sa apple..
Nanginginig at natatakot Ako sabinitawan niyang salita ngumisi ito sakin at unti unting lumapit his Aura change kaya mas natakot Ako..
Kung papatayin o sasakalin Ako nang taong to ngayun Wala akong magagawa..
Dahil sa pag atras ko ay natamaan ko Ang ref na NASA likod ko Wala na Akong magawa dahil ba corner na Ako nang Young John 
The Fff sino ba tung gwapong ito bakit parang may masama siyang balak sakin...
His brown blue eyes met mine Ang kaninang Galit ay napalitan nang Isang maamong tingin naging maamo narin Ang mukha nito at kalmado na...
Matangkad ito kaya Ang kaliwang kamay nito ay inilagay Nita sa ref at pumantay sakin subrang lapit nang Mukha nito sakin 
"I don't know how you got dad's heart and how he allows you to live here in his condo i know my dad he doesn't just take anyone... i will make sure you live your life like hell"  he whispere thus words into my ears kasabay nang mga ngisi Niya ay Ang pag tunog nang cellphone Niya kaya agad Siyang na distract at umalis sa pag corner sakin... 
Ako naman ay parang nabuhusan nang malamig na tubig sa Takot at Hindi makagalaw...
Pumasok Siya sa kwarto ni sir John at Hindi Kona Alam Ang kung anong ginawa Niya dun..
Pinulot ko Ang aple na inilagay Nito sa Misa at Ang Isang peras na NASA sahig ..
At muling kumain nang chocolates doun nalang Ako nag tambay sa may beranda kung saan kita Ang mga malalaking building sa labas mas mabuti dito kaysa sa loob kung saan Nandun Ang anak ni sir.