Worlds Apart

Chapter 2: The Offer

-by: SimplyPocky-

Maka arrived home at a quarter to 3AM. She sighed once she got into her apartment, quickly slipping off the annoying heels. She leaned against the door and took a moment to collect herself. It had been a long evening, but it wasn't unbearable. It would be naive to expect every night to be like her first, but she could hope.

But, putting that aside, Maka still had a life. Though paying off the debt was top priority, Maka couldn't let that consume her life. She would go mad. She had school in less than five hours, she hadn't done her homework, but she was too exhausted to worry about any of that.

Maka, without even changing, quickly fell asleep on the sofa. If she been more aware, or even cared, she would have realized Spirit was not at home. And a note sat in the kitchen, waiting to be read.

.

Maka was up again at 7AM, still exhausted, but ready to start the day. She had a dream about the brothel and, when she awoke, she had thought that it was only a terrible nightmare. After she showered and dressed, she went to the kitchen to eat a quick breakfast before she went off to school.

There she saw it.

A note was magnetized to the refrigerator. Maka didn't immediately go to look at it, but instead, fixed herself a bowl of cereal. She grabbed it as she sat down with her breakfast. She read the contents, reread it, and read it a third time until she had practically memorized every word of it.

Maka, I'm sorry I've gotten you into this mess. I'm a terrible father, I know, but I'm going to try to fix this. I'm not abandoning you Maka, I'll be back. Don't give up and just keep working hard.

She set the letter down and stared at her cereal until she saw tears drip into the bowl. Maka hadn't cried since her mother left twelve years ago. Dispite Spirit promising to return, she really had her doubts. She had been abandoned.

.

Maka did not go to school that day. She sat on her sofa all day, clutching the letter in her hand. She didn't eat, she didn't cry, she just stared off. Millions of thoughts ran through her head. What would happen to her now? Would her Papa return? Should she go on the run too?

She was not able to answer any of the questions, but when 7 o'clock came around, she found herself walking to ChupaCabra's. She arrived about thirty minutes later to a very happy Mr. Kagami.

"Ah, I've been waiting for you." Mr. Kagami greeted the girl.

"Thought I'd runaway?" Maka asked dryly, but Mr. Kagami only smiled.

"Of course not. I have complete and utter trust in you, Maka. You're not stupid."

Maka rolled her eyes as she continued to the changing room, Mr. Kagami right behind her. There she saw her outfit for the night waiting, a short form-fitting pink dress and black pumps. She turned to Mr. Kagami, signaling for him to leave, but the man seemed like he had something to say.

"Do you need something, Mr. Kagami?" Maka asked, clearly annoyed. Mr. kagami either didn't notice or ignored her because he continued to smile as he spoke,

"As a matter of fact, I do, Maka-chan. You seemed to have done very well last night because you have a request. He's a very important customer, make sure to keep him happy." And with that he left, a happy bounce in his step.

Maka sighed as she got ready. She slipped on the dress and shoes and released her hair from her pigtails. She added some mascara and lipstick and looked at herself in the mirror. It was only her second day and she already couldn't recognize the person in the mirror.

She was losing herself.

.

Maka was led into the lounge and she immediately zeroed in on Soul and Black Star. They were seated at their same sofa with the same girls. They were all laughing at something, just like yesterday. Maka smiled and began to walk toward the group, but Mr. Kagami suddenly appeared.

"Maka-chan, where are you going? Your client is this way, Dear." Maka must have looked horrified because Mr. Kagami's smile dropped. He took a step closer to her and whispered harshly,

"Do NOT mess this up. Just do whatever you did with that group last night." Mr. Kagami said and ushered her toward a corner of the room. There she saw a man, middle-aged, a perverted smile on his face. He eyed her as Mr. Kagami introduced her, "This is Maka-chan. She's one of our new girls."

"It's nice to meet you, Maka-chan." The man said and patted the spot next to him. Maka swallowed and cautiously took a seat next to him. He smiled as he leaned back, placing an arm behind her.

"Please enjoy your evening." Mr. Kagami said kindly and strolled away.

Maka was left with the man and she searched her mind as to what to do next.

"Um, w-what's your name?" Maka started, twiddling her thumbs.

She wasn't sure what was so amusing, but the man laughed.

"Call me Jonah."

.

Soul saw her enter the room, she was hard to miss. Maka wasn't flamboyant or anything, but she had a subtle beauty about her. Something that didn't belong in this place of skimpy whores with made-up faces. But Soul wasn't the only one that noticed this girl. Obviously, others had too because he watched her go to a table in the corner with another man.

"Hey, isn't that Maka-chan? Aww, she won't be with us tonight?" Black Star said as he took a shot. He didn't seem to really care, not with the way Alice was rubbing his thigh.

"Oh, that's Jonah-san. He's a real pervert, likes all the young and...underdeveloped girls. I think he's a closet pedo. Fucks one every night, religiously." Blair said as she leaned against Soul.

"Blair, how much do you think Maka costs to reserve?" Soul asked.

"Hmm. She's young, cute, has that whole "innocent" thing going for her. I think she might even be a virgin. I'm guessing anywhere from $40,000-$50,000." Blair said thoughtfully.

"Woah, she's expensive. Just to reserve her is that much, add another $20,000 to fuck her. That Jonah guy must be a high-roller." Black Star said, laughing at the situation.

But Soul wasn't laughing. He didn't find any of this funny, in the least.

"I'll be right back." Soul said and stood.

"Where are you going?" Blair said, grabbing ahold of his arm as he walked pass her.

"To make a purchase." Soul said and pulled his arm free.

.

"You're so beautiful. How old are you, Maka-chan?"

Jonah ran the back of his hand against Maka's cheek, who did her best not to shudder. He had moved closer, their thighs now touched, his face was now closer.

"I-I'm 20." Maka lied. Jonah obviously knew this because he chuckled.

"No, that can't be. Lower." He said and moved his hand higher up her leg.

"19." Maka said as her breath hitched. His hand moved higher and he tsked.

"Lower."

"18." Maka whispered, holding back a sob as his hand slipped under her dress.

"Low-"

"Anything lower would be illegal, Jonah Satou."

Both looked up to see Soul standing there, his hands in his pocket, a mischievous smirk on his handsome face. Jonah immediately removed his hand as he attempted to laugh.

"Of course. I was only teasing. Can I help you with something, sir?" Jonah said tightly, obviously trying to maintain calm. Though, Maka wasn't sure what he had to be worried about.

"Sir? Mr. Satou, don't you remember who I am?" Soul said.

"Well now that you mention it-"

"Soul Evans, CEO of Evans Enterprise. We met a few weeks ago, when you came to our company requesting a loan. I heard your company wasn't doing so well, Mr. Satou."

"No, you are Soul Evans? You don't look a day over 25. I thought the other man-"

"Was my friend, who helps out sometimes. EE is my company, however."

"Well, who wants to talk about work? We're here to relax. Did you come here to give me the loan or something?" Jonah said, obviously aiming for a change of topic. Soul didn't falter though, he continued, with that same smirk.

"No, that would be stupid of me. I am here, however, to take that girl off your hands."

This shocked the hell out of Maka. She looked up at Soul, but he was watching Jonah.

"And why would you want to do that? It seems you have plenty of girls-"

"I don't want them. How much did you pay to reserve her?" Soul said.

Jonah seemed to be annoyed with constantly being cut off, because his friendly demeanor quickly turned hostile.

"$60,000. Much more than you payed for those cheap whores over there."

"I'll give you $100,000 for her." Soul said, still smirking.

"Why should I give you to her? Why would you want her so much?"

"Because she doesn't belong here. Especially with a pervert like you, Mr. Satou."

Jonah flushed at this, both from embarrassment and anger.

"Please return to your seat, Mr. Evans." Jonah growled.

"Rejecting my offer? Then perhaps I should buy out that company of yours. I've been meaning to expand lately."

Jonah paled at this and stared at Soul in horror.

"Why would you do that? Just for some whore?"

Soul shrugged and reached out for Maka. He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her from Jonah. She was still trying to understand what was going on. What she did understand, however, was that she was being traded and sold like some object.

"If you still want the money, a transaction is waiting at the front desk. Have a nice day, Mr. Satou."

And Soul pulled her away, but not back to his sofa, where everyone was watching them, but to the door. Mr. Kagami stood there, greeting guests and Maka could only look on in horror.

"Have a good evening. Do your best Maka-chan." Mr. Kagami said as Soul pulled her through the door.

.

"Please explain to me what's going on." Maka snapped as Soul tried to get her into his vehicle.

"Well, I bought you for the evening." Soul said simply, as if it were obvious.

"I can see that, but why are we leaving?"

"Would you rather stay in that brothel?"

"It's better than leaving with some man I don't know!" She exclaimed.

"What if I told you I could help you clear your debt?"

"M-My debt? How do you know about that?" Maka said, startled.

"Get in the car."

But it's not like she really had a choice. She glanced behind her and saw Mr. Kagami watching. She didn't know who this Soul was, he could be a serial killer for all she knew, but better to die at the hands of a handsome man than at the bottom of a lake.

Yes, her reasoning made no sense.

She got in the car and Soul closed the door as he walked around to the driver's seat.

"Are you sober enough to drive?" Maka asked, eyeing him carefully for signs of intoxication.

"I didn't have a single drink tonight." He assured her as he cranked the car to life. He pulled away from the parking spot and was soon flying down the road. She was sure he was going too fast, but she didn't comment. She had more important things to talk about.

"How do you know about my debt?" She asked again.

"You were talking about it yesterday when you were drunk. How much is it?"

"A lot." She said simply. He rolled his eyes at this.

"I could only imagine since you're forced to work there. Now, how much?"

"And why do you care?"

"Are you always so defensive? Can't you see when someone is trying to help you?"

"And why would you want to help me?"

He let out an exasperated laugh. She was like a stray animal, wary but not untamable.

"Fine. I was going to offer you an ulterior than having to work in that place. You know, it's only a matter of time before the owner makes you start sleeping with the customers. How many girls do you think have been in your position, Maka?"

Maka was silent as she pondered this, but she eventually gave in.

"Around $700,000 now." Maka muttered and cringed when Soul whistled.

"An amazing amount. Your father must be weak to those girls. A little flirtation and some promised sex, it's not a surprise that someone would spend so much money there." Soul said, clearly finding this amusing.

"My father is a selfish idiot." Maka said, thinking back on the letter. She sniffed as she felt her eyes water, "He left me to clear this debt on my own. He's terrible."

"He left you?" Soul said, actually looking at her now. She was staring down at her lap, but Soul could have sworn he saw a tear fall. "Aren't you still underage?"

Her head shot up at that and she looked horrified.

"How do you know that?"

"If anyone really cared to look, you can tell that you're definitely not in your 20s yet. Eighteen at the most, but from your reactions, I take it you're younger. And inexperienced."

"I'm seventeen. But that doesn't seem to matter to Mr. Kagami."

"Guys like him only care about getting their money back. No matter how low they have to stoop or what means they have to use, they'll get it back." Soul said darkly. Maka, however, already knew this.

"And how do you come into this, Soul?" Maka asked, wiping her face and turning to him.

"Like I said, I'm going to help you."

"How?"

"You will come and work for me. I'll pay you a salary and you'll have that debt cleared off in no time." Soul said with a crooked smile.

"And what exactly do I have to do?" She growled, suspicious of the man.

"You'll be my live-in maid." He said and watched as her face paled. She was really quite amusing.

"WHAT!"

To Be Continued...

Maka's offer to be a maid was the first job I could think of that required her to work closely with Soul. It is not permanent and I do not intend on leaving her in that position for long. But you will all have to wait and find out what I do have in plan for our little Maka.