Heart of Darkness

After breathing in some fresh air, Angelica went back inside. She followed the sound of the women chattering and came to a room where a few women sat at a table, eating food. Her eyes searched for Valeria but she wasn't there. The only other person she recognized was Mina. 

"Angelica," she smiled and waved when she saw her. "Come in." 

All the other women looked her way as she hesitantly stepped into the room. The smell of food made her stomach growl. 

"This is Angelica ladies," Mina told the other women and then patted on the seat next to her. 

Angelica went to sit down while feeling everyone's eyes on her. It was very quiet as she sat down but soon the chattering started again. Some of the women sitting closer to the table introduced themselves and then they were curious about her and began to ask a lot of questions. 

Questions like how she got here, how she kept her hair and skin looking beautiful, how life was as a noble lady, and much more. Angelica patiently answered all of their questions. If she was going to stay here she needed to get along with the rest. 

After getting some food they all went to the dressing room. This time they changed the topic and began to tell her about the customers they had while Mina showed her how to paint her face to enhance her beauty. Angelica didn't know the names but they told her which ones were the extremely wealthy ones and the ladies competed about who had the wealthiest customers or the most loyal ones. 

"If you get a man wealthy man who asks for no one but you, then you are doing good. But if you have several wealthy men who only ask for you, then you're doing exceptional." Mina told her. 

Then they began to talk about the ones that were hard to handle. The ones no one wished came here. Angelica could see the disapproving look on their faces. 

"A man can be full of himself if he pays very well. Otherwise, they should keep their filthy mouths shut." A woman said. 

There was a knock on the door interrupting the chatter. Valeria stood at the entrance. "Danielle, your favorite customer is here." 

Danielle wiggled her eyebrows as she left the room. "The rest of you, it is time to go back to work." 

The women adjusted themselves and made a few last tweaks to their looks before leaving the dressing room. 

"I'll see you later," Mina smiled at her. 

Angelica felt lost in all of this. Valeria walked inside and sat on the dresser beside her. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes or was it pity? She wasn't sure. 

"You look better now." She smiled. "I see they already taught you a few things." 

Angelica looked at herself in the mirror. Mina had made her look beautiful.

"What will happen now?" Angelica asked dreading to hear the answer. 

"I will have no control over who will be your first customer. Simu will probably give you to someone who will pay handsomely since you are pure." She said. 

Pure? Angelica felt her hands told cold and she clenched them into fists. 

"Do you know how to please a man?" She asked. 

Angelica shook her head. She knew what happened between a man and a woman. She had read it in books and spoken about it in secret with her friends. Since her father died, she had thought about it a lot. How she would endure when she got married. What horrible it would feel. It made her sick every time. 

"Alright. I tell you as much as I can." 

"No," Angelica said. She knew hearing it out loud would only scare her more. 

"Are you sure?" Valeria asked. 

Angelica nodded. 

"Alright. I'll tell you about the rules then."

"Rules?" 

"Yes. Lord Green has set rules that both us and the customers need to follow. They are made to keep the women safe so we can work longer. That man thinks of how to make money." 

"Lord Green?" What did he have to do with this? 

"Oh. You didn't know. Lord Green owns this brothel. The men here only work for him. All these wealthy men don't get all of their wealth from good places. He is…"

Before she could finish her sentence Simu came rushing into the room. "I need Angelica." He said. 

Already? Angelica felt the blood drain from her face. 

"Now? I was just explaining the rules. Give the woman some time." Valeria said. 

Simu pressed his lips into a thin line. "She doesn't have time. She has a huge debt to pay off which Lord Green made me responsible for. The sooner she starts the better. And our customers know the rules."

His gaze shifted to her. "Stand up." He said. 

Angelica did as she was told and Simu's eyes searched her face and body as if looking for something specific. "This will do." He said. 

Her hands began to tremble at the sides of her body. Simu shook his head. 

"Look, Angelica. The man who came here was asking for a pure woman. It is rare to find them here and once they are found these men are ready to give whatever they have. The sooner you can pay off your debt the faster you will be able to earn for yourself. And he hasn't seen you yet. Once I show you to him, I will negotiate an even higher price." He said looking proud of himself. 

Valeria came to put her arm around her. "Alright. Just win us a little more time. You don't want her to faint now." She told Simu. 

He shook his head. "Take care of her quickly." He said and left. 

Valeria made her sit down again. Angelica felt the tips of her fingers get cold. She thought she had prepared herself a little more than this. 

"Breathe," Valeria told her and Angelica gasped for air realizing she had been holding her breath. 

"Can I be alone for a moment?" She asked. 

Valeria nodded and left her alone. Angelica tried to focus on her breathing and forced herself to stay awake. Everything will be fine, she told herself. She was going to marry some stranger and do this with him anyway. She would have to endure this in her daily married life anyway. The only difference now was that this man wasn't her husband and that made her a ….

She took a deep breath. She would just imagine that this was some stranger she married. 

Simu came back to the room. "Let's go." He said nodding for her to follow him. 

As if sure she would, he began to walk away and Angelica followed him with a loudly pumping heart. 

Lord show me the way, she prayed. She was still doubting her decision despite knowing that there was nothing else she could do. When they arrived in front of a locked door, Simu halted and turned to her. 

"You don't have to say or do much. Alright?"

She nodded. 

"This room is for our special guests. The ones we offer our highest services. If you serve him well then this won't be the only time he pays well for you." 

Angelica just looked at him not knowing what to say.

Simu opened the door and they entered what seemed to be a chamber. Angelica would have taken her time to study the beautifully decorated room but her eyes quickly searched for the man who would take her innocence.

A well-dressed man sat on the sofa in the room. He held a glass of wine in his hand and sat with his legs crossed. 

"My Lord, she is here," Simu spoke. 

The man shifted his gaze to her and Angelica avoided looking into his eyes. He put away his wine and leaned forward. 

Simu put his hand behind her back and pushed her forward. 

"Is she of your liking?" Simu asked. 

"Very much." The man drawled. "How much?" he then asked. 

"One crown," Simu said surprising her. 

Angelica looked up at the man to see his reaction. He smirked. Then he reached inside his pocket. Simu went forward to receive the money and then turned around with a proud smile. 

"One crown," He reminded her as he walked past her, and then she heard the doors close behind her. 

One crown was a fortune but nothing she could be happy about at this moment. Her heart became louder and louder and she didn't dare to lift her gaze. 

"Come closer," the man spoke but Angelica's feet refused to obey her. 

He stood up from his seat and walked up to her. Angelica felt her heart drop to her stomach when he grabbed her chin and lifted her head. 

The man studied her as if fascinated. He didn't look bad himself so what was he doing here? 

"You are indeed worth one crown." He said. "I would even pay two for you." 

Angelica wanted to laugh. Should she be proud of herself?

Suddenly he took her hand and led her to bed. Angelica felt the floor beneath her feet spin and reminded herself to breathe. She could not faint right now. 

When they came to stand beside the bed he released her and got into bed alone. He went to sit comfortably leaning against the bedpost before he looked at her. 

"Now undress for me." He said.