Heart Of Darkness

Chapter 41

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.

 Angelica went to sit down while feeling everyone's eyes on her. It was hushed as she sat down, but 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 many 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 their customers 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 highly wealthy, and the ladies competed about who had the most affluent or loyal customers.

"If you get a man wealthy man who asks for no one but you, then you are doing good. But you're doing exceptionally if you have several wealthy men who only ask for you." 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 favourite 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 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 had happened between a man and a woman. She read it in books and secretly spoke about it with her friends. Since her father died, she had thought about 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."