The Irony In Her Name

Chapter 2- Car Ride

The car drive was quiet—menacingly so. The silence made Josephine uneasy, more so than she already was after being abducted. "Where are you taking me" Josephine glared at the woman through the rearview mirror, from her seat in the back of the van. The woman stared back at her through the reflection of the mirror, Josephine could see the amusement in her eyes at Josephine's clear discomfort of her situation.

   "We're gonna meet with an old buddy of mine." Josephine didn't really care to ask any further questions to clarify what she meant. Because, she knew wherever she was going it clearly meant trouble. The dark haired woman's gaze never broke from Josephine as she continued to stare through the mirror. Her dark brown eyes continued to bore into Josephine's hazel ones. This silence– coupled with the unsettling eye contact– made Josephine restless. 'Why me?' Josephine thought to herself.

    Before she knew it they had arrived to a hotel. The Golden Phoenix Hotel and Casino. Despite its grand appearance this hotel is know for being a place of shady deals. "Out of the car" one of the men shove Josephine out of the van she almost meets the pavement, but is stopped by the woman. "Come on let's go....someone wants to meet you." She gestures to a man at the entrance who is waving.

     The man was dressed in a white jacket with matching white dress pants, and a white and purple floral, collared button up shirt. As they approach him Josephine could see a sly smirk appear on his wrinkled face as he looked at her. Her disgust by him became apparent with the look on her face as it contorted to show how utterly unappealed she was by him. He grinned nonetheless as he began to light the cigar between his yellow teeth.

      "Ai, long time no see" he chuckled  clasping his hands around the woman's hand. Ai? This woman is Ai Kizutsukeru? She couldn't be no older than 19, yet this was the infamous leader of the gang Akai Akuma. Josephine had never see the leader but she always assumed that she'd be older, or at least a little older than herself. The man's gaze shifted and landed back onto Josephine. "So this is her huh?" His eyebrows raised as he eyed Josephine. Presumably undressing her with his eyes. She could imagine what a sight for sore eyes she must've been for this old timer, he must've been in his late 50s.

    "Yep, this is her Freddy." She responded flatly. Ai seemed to want to get this over quickly, by the way she bounced her leg in anticipation. "I brought you a girl, now about the money—" Ai was interrupted, by the waving of Freddy's hands. "Now, now what's the rush sweetheart?" his sly smile never faltering. He licked his lips as he looked at Josephine. "You know she's prettier than I thought..." he chuckled as he rubbed his chin in contemplation.

    Josephine could feel Ai starting. Ai's expression was indifferent, but she see's what he means. Josephine was very pleasing to the eyes. The way her clothing executed her feminine curves, and how her hazel eyes held her every emotion, and the way her lips were perfectly pouted. Yes, she was very attractive, but Ai could care less at the moment, she just needed her to pay off a debt.

   "I might just have to change the details to the agreement..." Freddy said with a chuckle. The chuckle made it sound like a joke, but Ai had known this man for years, and she knew this was no joke. Ai quickly turned to look at Freddy. "What do you mean? She's only here to work in the casino 'til she pays off that bastard Tony's debt." Ai was none too amused by this sudden change in plans. " It's not the poor girls fault that, that son of a bitch doesn't know how to keep his hands to himself. He got what he deserved" he cackled.

     "A pretty young thing like this shouldn't have to come out of pocket for that sorry sack of shit. Here I'll tell you what..." he rests his golden ring clad hand, on Ai's shoulder and pulls her to the side out of ear shot of Josephine. "I'll pay whatever he owes–out of my own pocket– if you give me the girl." Ai's face twisted into a grimace, her lips downcast in a deep frown at his words. She was utterly annoyed by this man's sleezy aura. "Give her to you?" Ai asked. "To do what?" The question was rhetorical, Ai already knew the answer to this, but he answered nonetheless. "You know Ai a man my age has needs..." his implications made Ai's stomach turn. "Don't worry I'll treat her right doll" his grin revealed a single gold tooth which glinted at the perfect moment, putting comical emphasis on his sleeziness.

     He must've seen the look on her face, judging by his words. Ai deadpanned, she hated the thought of being able to be read so easily. She wasn't gonna let this man get the better of her. And she wasn't gonna put Josephine in some sick situation. Ai wasn't sure why she cared so much. Maybe it was a pride thing, but even so she wasn't gonna let Freddy win. The sign from the Casino flashed brightly catching Ai's attention. Suddenly she had an idea. She knew just how to put her poker face to good use. "Why don't we talk this over a friendly little game huh?" She gestured to the flashy building with a grin.