DISCLOSURE: I have no affiliation with Ryan Murphy, any of the other writers, or Glee. This story does contain mentions of drugs and stuff so if that offends you… Oh well. ALSO, for those of you who read Pure Imagination Cory, I'm going to start updating it again. As for those of you who don't, you should. (: Kay on to the story.
Chapter 1: The Job
Rachel's thoughts were once again lost, trailing through her hopes for a better life as her eyes gazed upon New York City through the open window. Just then a brisk breeze blew in, shaking her thoughts as it crept along her cheeks and made her shiver. The moon was at its peak; it was about midnight. Her heart was heavy as she realized she had what seemed like the weight of the world on her shoulders: rent to pay, no food in the fridge, and not a soul in the world that gave a damn about her. Everyone had left, or moreover kicked her out of their lives, when she'd become pregnant at the age of 18. After Rachel realized the baby's father didn't give a shit and wasn't planning on sticking around, and that there was no way she could raise the baby alone, it seemed like adoption was her only option. Giving the baby up made her truly alone, so she tended to stay locked up in her damp, rundown apartment all day.
Her naked body was icy to the touch under the thin sheet that lay messily on top of her. The only true sense of warmth on her was the presence of a hand resting just below her waist. The hand of someone she really didn't know. The hand of someone with a wife at home (Rachel could tell by the ring on the hand that warmed her). The hand of someone whose family was probably worried sick about him.
Just as that last thought drifted through her mind, she heard a loud vibration from the table resting on the other side of the bed.
The man next to her sensually slid his hand down the rest of her body before rolling over and answering his vibrating phone.
"Hey honey!" His deep voice crooned.
Wife. Rachel thought while sitting up, the sheet pulled over her chest.
"Yes! I'm just leaving the office!" He replied once again, struggling to slip his shoes on with one hand.
Liar. One more inappropriate thought. Who was she to judge?
"I'll see you in thirty minutes… I love you too."
Those last four words made Rachel cringe, for that's all they were. Words. Words that had absolutely no meaning whatsoever. She'd heard them muttered through cell phones to women while the man on the phone was feeling her up. There wasn't a man in the world who would ever mean it when he said 'I love you'.
As Rachel stepped out of her daze, a tiny wad of green was being held in her face.
"Thanks for the… services." The stranger muttered before winking, running a hand down the sheet that covered her chest, and walking out, still attempting to finish buttoning up his shirt.
Rachel's fingers wrapped around the cash as she stood up, completely nude, and walked over to a rotted table in the middle of the room. On the table sat a jar wish $500 in it. Slowly, she dropped each bill she's earned tonight, counting it as it fell. $75. Now she had enough to afford another small bag of dope. She'd make the trade off tomorrow.
Another breeze flew in through the window caused the ragged curtains to wave in the air and sending a massive chill down Rachel's spine. Briskly walking to the open window, the young woman forced in shut before reaching onto the hardwood floor beneath her and grabbing a thin, ripped housecoat.
Finally clothed in something, Rachel once again found refuge in her bed. It was nice to not have a stranger's fingers exploring her body and she welcomed the alone time. Usually. However, tonight was different. She was restless. So, Rachel reached into the nightstand drawer and pulled out a very small bag of white powder. There was hardly any left at all so she poured what was left on her propped up knee, hoping it would help clear her mind. Then she snorted it up, her head getting dizzy almost immediately and all of the sadness and worry going away. But there was still something nagging in the back of her head. What was it? Guilt? Why guilt? Because she's had sex and more with a married man? He'd come to her… Because this was the lifestyle she'd been stuck with? Will, whatever the feeling was, she pushed it away and closed her eyes, hoping to find merely a few hours of worriless sleep.
The next morning came quickly with a rude awakening as a loud truck horn blared through the streets just below Rachel's window.
Time to face yet another day, she thought groggily, rubbing her eyes before lifting herself out of bed. She walked over to the small three drawer dressed and slid open the middle one, digging through her old clothes for some that weren't completely horrid looking. She settled on some black spandex booty shorts and a turquoise tank that fit perfectly to her skinny body.
Glancing at her money jar that lay on the other side of the room, she remembered that she had planned to purchase another small bag of dope today.
Rachel grabbed her only jacket and slipped it on, feeling the worn out fabric from the inside. As she went to leave, the young woman passed by a small mirror mounted on the wall.
Her reflection wasn't a pretty one, but that didn't really shock her. If it wasn't for the pounds of makeup she caked on before going to a job, she probably wouldn't be a valuable asset. Raising her boney hand to her face, she traced the shadows of her sunken eyes and attempted to detangle her messy hair with her fingers. Her jacket was a wreck, having had it since her baby was born. It was really the only think she had left from that time; everything had been taken from her when she'd entered the system. Rachel shook her head, forcing the despising thoughts she felt towards herself to sink down further in her heart and walked out of the apartment.
As she walked through the lobby, she kept her head down but couldn't help but notice the stares she got. She was unnaturally skinny and probably looked unhealthy to everyone else. And she was. 75% of the money she earned each month went to Brody, her 'pimp' as some may call it, while the other 25% usually went towards her drug addiction. If she remembered, she'd safe a little bit of it to restock the fridge on. If it weren't for her drug problem, she'd probably look a lot better and perhaps would feel a little happier.
Old abandoned buildings began to come into view as she made her was down the street, towards the part of the city no one ever went near. It was the perfect place for a drug pass off… And to keep a hundred kidnapped girls that had been added to Brody's group out of sight.
Once she reached the abandoned warehouse that she and Puck usually met at to do hand offs, Rachel sat down in front of a tree, knowing that he's come around sooner or later. And sure enough, after about 20 minutes out from the warehouse walked a very cautious yet very attracting man. He carefully looked around, making sure there were no cops in the area before meeting up with Rachel beneath the tree.
"Hey there baby cakes, ready for some more of the good stuff?" Puck flirted, glancing her up and down before reaching into his pocket.
"Yeah." Was all Rachel replied, holding out $100 dollars to the dealer.
He paused, "Sugar lips, you know that ain't enough for the Puckerman."
Rachel pushed her matted hair back from her eyes, choking back her agitated tears, "I know, but I have to get the rest to Brody by this afternoon or he'll have me holed up in that barn with all the newbies again."
Puck's expression softened, but only slightly. "Alright, since I love you, I'll hook you up with $100 work, but remember next time you have to pay in full." He reached down, replacing the money in her hand with a tiny manila envelope.
"Thanks." Rachel whispered, smiling a genuine smile as Puck nodded in response and walked away.
Standing, she began to make her way to an abandoned hotel known to Brody and other girls living like her as "The Barn". The Barn was where the girls went after they'd been debriefed and trained for a few weeks by Santana. Once on the Barn you were given a roommate who most likely wouldn't talk to you, and went wherever Brody wanted you to.
Rachel had been in the system for two years and had earned most of Brody's trust. He'd gotten her a place for herself in the city to help service more jobs, and she had been given wandering privileges in which she was allowed to walk around by herself. During the day. At night he came by, went over the next day's routine with her, then locked the door as she left. She was content with how much she'd earned and was dreading going back to the Barn, if even for only a few moments. Yet, here she was.
A several story high hotel that was very obviously abandoned was plotted right in front of her. As she started walking up, Rachel noticed Brody coming towards her and he didn't look happy.
"Listen up." He said, slapping her ass. "Word on the street is there are cops trying to bust us posing as clients. So keep an eye out." His glance shifted from side to side as if he were paranoid someone was watching. "Now where's my money?"
Rachel placed the $400 in his palm and watched his eyes light up as he counted it.
"That's my girl." He said, leaning over and giving her a sloppy kiss right on the mouth. Rachel knew better by now than to cringe. As Jesse pulled back, his nose crinkled up. "Damn girl, how long had it been since you showered?"
Rachel shrugged; trying to act like it was no big deal, "A few days. The water at my place isn't working."
"I'm sorry sugar plum," Brody started, lacing his arm around Rachel's tiny waist and leading her to the front door on the Barn. She could feel her heart pounding and prayed that he couldn't hear it too. "Let daddy get you all cleaned up, then he'll tell you about a big job he has for you tonight."
As they entered the building a wave of memories hit her: Brody coming by every other night and having his way with her, being beaten for saying the wrong thing, and having no one to talk to because everyone's too afraid to open up. They were all memories from her past, but they still haunted her.
"You can use my bathroom then once you're done I'll have one of the girls bring you her makeup and a new outfit." Brody said, pointing Rachel off in the right direction before spinning on his heels and walking off.
Rachel stepped out of the shower, wrapping Brody's bath robe around her body and putting her hair up in a towel. The bathroom was the size of the rooms the other girls had to share with someone else. Avoiding the mirror again, she walked out into the living and admired the penthouse. It took up the entire top floor, and while it wasn't perfect looking due to the fact the hotel was abandoned, it was still amazing compared to what he made everyone else live in. Rachel's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. When she opened it, there was a girl a year or two younger than herself who was still gorgeous, so she obviously hadn't been here for that long. She had a large makeup case in one hand and a duffle bag in the other. Her hands were shaking and she kept her eyes to the ground.
"Come on in. I'm guessing Brody sent you?" Rachel questioned, using a kind voice. She knew exactly what this girl was going through. It was probably her first job since she'd been here.
"Yes." The girl whispered while holding out both hands and offering the items to Rachel, her eyes still on the floor as she stepped through the threshold of the room.
"I'm Rachel. Come on in. Are you on the job tonight too?" Rachel said, starting to walk back towards the bathroom so they could get ready.
The girl followed after Rachel slowly, her flip flops scuffing the hardwood floor. "I'm Marley, and y-yes."
Rachel's heart ached for the girl as she had to force herself to choke out her words in order to fight back the tears she was trying to be strong enough not to show. "I remember my first job. It was scary. I cried too." She offered Marley a sympathetic smile as they entered the bathroom and Rachel set the makeup kit on the counter and the duffle bag on the ground.
After that, Marley's tears flowed freely down her face. "I-I'm going to g-go get dressed in the c-closet. I'll b-be back in a sec-c." She stuttered, reaching into the duffle bag and pulling out what Brody must have told her was her outfit for the evening.
Rachel simply smiled softly and nodded, sitting down in front of the counter and getting out the makeup she needed. First, she rubbed on some liquid foundation that filled in the deep circles beneath her eyes and made her face look a little more full. Then she practically painted on her eyeliner, top and bottom, with a little curve swooping out the side of each eye. The mascara made her previously lifeless eyelashes plump up and look model like, swooping almost all the way up to her perfectly manicured eyebrows. Lastly, she spread some shimmery lip gloss that tied the whole look together. As she was finishing, she yelled over towards the closet, "Marley, are you done yet?"
The door to the closet opened and Rachel turned to look. She looked gorgeous. She was sporting some very short white shorts with a navy blue and white satin striped shirt that hung down to the belt loops on the shorts and some white sandals. Her earrings were large diamond hoops and her hair was in a curled side ponytail.
"You look gorgeous." Rachel said, getting up and walking over to Marley. "Here, sit down and do your makeup while I get changed." She grabbed the duffle bag and walked into the closet, closing the door behind her. In the bag she found some very dark denim shorts and as she slipped them on, she noticed that the front pockets hung out the bottom slightly. For the shirt, there was a bright orange silk tank top that was tight around the waist but loose everywhere else. Rachel also got a pair of hoop earrings and sandals. After she was done, she stuffed her other clothed into the duffle bag and walked back into the bathroom to straighten her hair. Marley was done with her makeup and was sitting on the stool playing with her hair.
"Don't be too nervous. It'll be fine." Rachel said, picking up the brush and running it through her hair.
"Rachel, I don't think I can do this…" Marley said nervously, staring at the door in front of them.
They had arrived at their destination and were now waiting outside of the door. Brody had let the girls know that they were going to be the entertainment of a small party an important business man was hosting. It should be him and two or three of his friends. It didn't sound like a difficult job at all. Rachel had worked a party of eight before. By herself. If she could do that, she could do anything.
"Marley. Come on. You can do it. Here, take this." Rachel pulled out a capsule of pills and handed one to Marley along with a water bottle she kept in her purse. "It'll calm you down."
Marley popped it, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. "Let's do this."
There were some muffled voices on the other side of the door and then it was opened by a tall, buff man with brown hair that was spiked up a little in the front. "Rachel and Marley?" He asked, a small mischievous smile curling up on his lips as his eyes glanced Rachel up and down.
Rachel sucked in a short breath before smiling in return and leaning up against the door frame, "We sure are. Can we come in?" Her voice was very seductive.
As he stepped out of the way, Rachel looped her arm through Marley's and pulled her into the apartment just to make sure she stayed with her. The whole apartment was a large bachelor pad: a widescreen TV hanging on the wall, pool table, a full kitchen Rachel was guessing was stocked with beer, and a large couch on which two other men were watching the girls. "Nice place." Rachel purred, her eyes finding the door that led to the bedroom and then snapping down to her hand as she felt the man who'd opened the door for them's hand wrap around hers. She glanced up at his face that was only inches away from hers and then felt herself being gently tugged towards the bedroom. She turned her head in Marley's direction and saw that her and the two other men had turned up the tunes. The pill had definitely kicked in.
When her and the host of the night had entered the bedroom, he immediately closed the door and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. "There must be something wrong with my eyes; I can't seem to take them off you." The man chuckled slightly, finding his own pick up line hilarious.
Rachel felt herself blushing for the first time in a long time. No one had actually made an attempt to flirt with her in forever. However, she was here for a job and didn't want herself to get too caught up in it, it wouldn't happen again anyways. "You don't have to flirt with me first." She said before allowing her hands to run up his chest and gently pushing him down to where he was sitting on the side of the bed. Then their lips were together. It took all Rachel had in her to not pull away as a feeling she hadn't experienced in a while shot through her like electricity. She tried to pull her attention away from the feeling as his hands wrapped around the back of her thighs and pulled her on top of him so she was sitting on his lap, but it just made the feeling more intense. Rachel ran her tongue along the man's bottom lip before slipping it into his mouth and exploring it. She then made a move she wasn't expecting, she tangled her fingers in his hair. With the business she was in, it was all about the sex, so by this point in the process his shirt would be off and the pants would be next. However with this man, she just wanted to enjoy everything while it lasted… It was a strange want. Rachel slipped her tongue out of his mouth and began to shower his jaw line with kisses before moving down to his neck, sucking at sensitive spots.
"So, what's your full name Rachel?" The man asked, out of breath and whimpering slightly.
Rachel stopped what she was doing and sat up, looking into the man's face, confused. No one had ever wanted to talk to her nor had ever asked anything about her personal life. "Rachel Berry." She answered hesitantly.
The man's hands were still cupping her thighs but he removed one and held it up for her to shake. "Nice to meet you." The corner of his mouth turned up into a half smile that totally melted Rachel's insides.
She took his hand and shook it. After he placed his hand back on her thigh, she sat there for a moment, unsure of what to do next. She couldn't help but glance at his full lips every few seconds. For the first time since she'd started this job, she wanted to go back to what they had been doing. Unfortunately, he'd sort of killed the mood.
Sensing he'd messed something up, he apologized with a chuckle, "I'm sorry. I just like to know the name of the girl I'm making out with."
This was all new to Rachel. All so new. "I never know anyone's name, and I don't really want to. It makes it easier. Kind of like, if I don't know their name, I can pretend I didn't just screw up a marriage or make a dishonest father out of a man." She had no idea where all of this was coming from, she didn't share her personal story with anyone.
The man's expression softened and that gorgeous smile returned, "Well I'm neither married nor am I a father, so you don't have to worry about that with me." He was doing it again. Flirting. She could feel her face getting red and was glad it was dark enough in the room that he wouldn't be able to see.
"Sounds good. So… should we get back to…" Her voice trailed off as her fingers climbed down to the top button of his shirt and unbuttoned it with ease.
The man's breath seemed to escape him again as Rachel ran her finger over the exposed skin of his chest. She'd never had this sort of effect of a man before. Usually they were just vagina hungry. "If you don't mind my asking… Then we can get back to this I promise… How did you get involved in this…?"
Rachel ignored his question, not wanting to share about how she'd practically been disowned by her family and that they were ashamed of her. So, instead she continued to unbutton his shirt and pushed it off of him when she was done. His chest was chiseled nicely and she traced his abs with her fingers as she thought about the butterflies she was getting in her stomach.
"I got pregnant when I was 18 and my parents kicked me out… Brody took me in and I've been here ever since." It was like her voice had spoken against her own will. However, she did glance up at the man's face, waiting for a disapproving look or for him to get up and force her to leave because he didn't want anything to do with someone so tainted. His eyes weren't cold though, they were warm, almost sympathetic. He wasn't getting up and leaving, yet she was still ashamed of who she was and this was the first time she'd ever let it show.
Right as he opened his mouth to reply, Marley's voice screamed "RACHEL!" from the other room, the music abruptly cut off. All of a sudden Rachel was flipped over and now underneath the man on the bed. The man held a finger to his lips telling her to be quiet. There was one more scream before the door to the apartment opened and closed.
"What the hell just happened?" Rachel whispered hysterically.
The man looked towards the window that was beside the bed and walked over there to open it. He looked down and then back at Rachel. "My guess? Cops showed up. If you hurry, you can go out this way and climb down the fire escape ladders. They'll come back in and search the other rooms for more…" His voice faded off, not wanting to say something that would offend her.
"Prostitutes?" There was a hint of anger in her voice that she didn't understand.
He glanced away for a moment before looking back at her and nodding, "Please, just go. If they don't find you, neither of us will get in trouble."
Rachel glanced back towards the window and climbed out onto the metal stand. "Wait, what's your name?" She said, looking back at the man who had just saved her from most likely doing time in jail.
The man once again did the half smile before adding, "Finn Hudson."
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, leave a review & if you didn't, leave a review and tell me how I can improve it! I'm not sure when exactly it will be updating, but it will get updated. Don't forget to check out Pure Imagination Cory!
