Hi guys, gals, and pals! I've been working on this chapter from the moment I finished the intro. So, please read and review!
Bella shivered. Her teeth cracked against one another as the cold set in. She was dressed skimpily; a scarlet sequin dress that had seen better days, but did not detract from her slender form and youthful beauty.
"Marie, baby" An older man slurred, his eyes raking across her body "I'll show you a good time, remember Thursday? I'll take good care of ya."
'Marie' teasingly smiled at him and tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder, "Sorry Harry, you know I can't play favorites" She lightly laughed "I gotta follow the boss lady's orders!"
Harry laughed good naturedly "Alright Marie, but come back for me later," The visibly tipsy man leaned towards her, as if he was going to share a secret "I'll pay extra."
Marie jokingly gasped "Sure thing, Harry!" She blew a kiss at the men gathered in front of The Reserve*. Marie sashayed down the sidewalk, her sweet face twisting morbidly as she snarled under her breath.
"Fucking bastards," Her brow furrowed "Hitting on women young enough to be their granddaughters" She paused briefly in her small tantrum, smiling at the young men who wolf whistled as she continued past them.
"Pedophilic lechers." Her nose wrinkled in disgust. 'Marie' stopped in front of a plain brick building. She knocked lightly on the screen door.
"What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?" A raspy voice echoed through the entryway.
"Angela!" The prostitute laughed. "Let me in before I freeze to death!"
"Bella baby!" Angela's mocking anguished cry was quieter as she unlocked the door, "How could you be so cold?"
Bella rolled her eyes as the door finally opened, revealing a tall and willowy woman with an olive complexion and choppy brown hair. "You've returned to me at last!" Her smile was contagious, "I missed you!"
Bella smiled tenderly, "I missed you more." She lightly kissed Angela's cheek.
"How was your shift?" Angela ran her thumb across the furrows in Bella's brow.
"It wasn't too bad," Bella smiled slightly and leaned into Angela's touch, as she caressed her cheek. "I've had worse shifts."
Angela frowned. "You shouldn't have to do this," Bella opened her mouth to argue this point, but Angela shushed her. "Bella baby, you deserve the world. You shouldn't have to sell your body." Angela's hands moved to unclip the long blonde wig that Bella sported.
"Lauren called for you while you were out." Angela's murmur almost went unheard as she lightly ran her fingers through Bella's hair.
Bella sighed "Alright, alright." She shut and locked the front door firmly behind her. "What does she want now?"
"Hopefully nothing bad," Angela leaned into Bella slightly, lowering her voice. "But she sounded serious when she requested you."
Bella grimaced and opened her mouth to speak, but Angela cut her off. Talking fast.
"I don't want you to go," Angela tilted Bella's face towards her own, her dark eyes boring into Bella's chocolate gaze. "We should just go now. We have all of the money and all of the supplies. I don't trust her."
"I know Ange, but I have to. We're gonna be alright. Let's just stick to the plan and head out tomorrow after our shifts. Do you trust me?"
Bella closed her eyes as Angela kissed her forehead. "Of course, it's not you that I don't trust."
Bella grinned brightly. "Everything's gonna go according to plan don't worry." Angela smiled down at Bella, her heart full and aching with love.
The tall escort sighed regretfully. "Why do you think you were called?"
"Well, we can only hope for the best," Bella lowered her voice, scanning the room for any eavesdroppers. "Hopefully it's just a request from a wealthier client."
Angela laughed sarcastically "With your luck, I'd be amazed if that's the reason you were requested."
The petite brunette snorted, rather adorably, as she rolled her eyes and mussed up her dark, wavy hair. "Are you telling me that no rich sugar daddies would want a piece of this?"
The tall woman looked her up and down, smirking seductively "Well, they all do, but I'm the lucky one you come back to." Angela threaded her hand through Bella's thick, dark locks and yanked her head back.
Bella giggled sweetly, as she closed her eyes trustingly and gave into the pleasure. Angela was the only person she trusted enough to give herself to.
Angela laid small kisses along Bella's jaw, and whispered, "Aren't I the lucky one?" Her tall form completely enveloped the smaller woman's slender frame. Bella sighed and shuddered against Angela, as she was pinned to the wall, helpless to do anything but feel.
Angela paused her untamed attack on Bella's ability to stand without support, and looked at her. "Bella," Angela's voice turned slightly huskier, "Who's are you?"
Bella looked at her with dark, doe-like eyes. "Yours." Angela's eyes narrowed.
"Who's?" She hissed, as she pulled Bella's head back more and harshly bit and sucked on Bella's already tender neck.
She sighed in pleasure. "I'm yours Angela." She whimpered as Angela pulled away, pressing one final kiss to her now large and obnoxious hickey.
"That's right," Angela smirked at the way Bella clung to her for support. "I love you, with my whole heart. Now head up to Lauren's office or she'll have both our heads."
Bella nodded, regaining feeling in her legs. "I love you too," She quietly whispered as she smiled up at Angela. "So much."
Angela's dark eyes softened, "I love you more, Bella baby. Now head on up, I'll be waiting for you in your room."
"Alright, I miss you already," Bella pressed a soft kiss to Angela's mouth and turned towards the elevator. "I'll be back soon. ."
Angela stared at the petite brunette's back as she entered the elevator, and smashed down the waves of jealousy that formed when she thought about Lauren's hungry gaze raking over Bella.
Angela took a deep breath and turned to double check that the doors were locked. They were. She turned back to watch the light move from button to button, showing Bella's path to Lauren Malloy's office.
As it clicked onto the sixth floor, Angela relaxed marginally and began to walk into the adjoining hall that led to Bella's room. And all went dark.
Bella stood in the elevator, face blank as she pulled out a small compact mirror and dabbed a small amount of blush onto her cheeks. She ran her fingers through her hair, attempting to remove the tangles that Angela's tight grip had left.
But, she was unsuccessful so she settled for covering the hickey with her hair and a small amount of concealer. She resumed her previous stance as she finished putting her makeup away, staring straight forward as she ignored the blinking red light that signifies the presence of a camera.
A camera that directly connects to Lauren Malloy's personal computer. Bella fought to keep her face neutral as she thought about the handsy woman who lusted after her; and was essentially putty in her hands.
Lauren, was by no means ugly. She was tall and voluptuous, with piercing blue eyes and silky platinum blonde hair. But she, like many others, had an unhealthy obsession with Bella. She claimed that she paid Bella so much attention because she was her top escort. However, everyone knew that the reasoning was complete bullshit
The elevator lightly dinged, signaling to the petite woman that she had arrived at her unfortunate destination.
Bella exited the elevator smoothly, and walked down the short hallway, and stopped in front of an elaborate door.
The door had a plaque mounted on the wall next to it, emblazoned with the elegant script that read Lauren G. Malloy.
Bella took a deep breath and braced herself before knocking briskly three times.
One.
Two.
Three.
"Come in." Lauren's low seductive voice was muffled by the door, but it still caused Bella to grimace.
The young woman drew herself up, and regained a neutral and uncaring expression before opening the door.
*The Reserve : A bar and grill founded by The Pathfinders, that is neutral ground and is frequented by many of the gangs of Vancouver and Seattle (Harry Clearwater is a founding member of the gang 'The Pathfinders')