Chapter 9

It had now been a month since Marlisa's house hold incedent and she had not even made an attempt to go back to her house for the remainder of her belongings. Though she would never admit it to Melchior, she was a littl intimidated by that place. She fearedthat if she went in again she would come out in a much worse stat then last time. Of course al of her physical wounds had been healed up by now, but she still felt the emotinal dmage. That was what she hated the most. It made her feel weak and useless. She never knew it was possible to loose all of her overconfidence so easily, she had been pulled back down to earth and she hated that. She wasn't some perfect being like a god, she was just a 16 year old girl who talked to much. A stupid 16 year old girl who threw her life away for some stupid comments that didn't need to be said about her family. She wanted to turn back time and just take her fthers hit and aplogize, she wished it was possible to go back and force herself to drop the attitude for a moment. She swore under her breath, loathing how many things could chang in just one second.

Of course she loved livivng with Melchior, he was her mentor and someone she could now call a friend. She still did not trust him completely, but she new that his home was a whole lot better then the gutter she would be sleeping in if she didn't have him. It was better then all the men she would have to be fucking when the winter came. She shuddered at the thought. It was very nice here, there was food it was warm and that was all that really mattered. Her only job was to take care of household chores while Melchior was out doing odd jobs for people in town. Of course this was not taking in much money at all.

Marlisa got out of bed and started making soup for when Melchior got home. She was horrible at cooking at the beginning of the month, but since she had been doing it so much she felt that she had gotten a great deal better. He came in around the usual time and sat down at the table utterly exasperated. Marlisa brought him a bowl of soup and sat across from him. He looked at her and placed a few marks on the table.

"That's all for today?" She asked very worried "That couldn't by enough food for one meal…." She stood up and looked out the window seeing the bare trees. There wasn't many people out and not as many projects needing assitance. They would not make it through the winter if things continued on like this.

"Marli, I think…" Melchior sighed hating the idea "I think you and I both know that we need more money and I believe it would be best if you made an attempt to find a job." The girl noddd slowly her face growing pale when she considered her only job oppertunities. "I have a job in mind already and I'll."

"Melchior, I'm sorry, but I don't think I can be a prostitute… I mean to lose my virginity to some random stranger. I couldn't live with myself_" He cut her off.

"No, no not that. The Cabaret down town. You dance a little sing a little pull up you're skirt a few inches and that's it no contact needed." She shook her head violently.

"They're just as bad as prostitutes, no actually they are worse! They don't even charge there men for sex!" Melchior grabbed her hand and she stopped speaking. She felt her chest tighten and her cheeks heat up. He just looked at her, he knew that saying something wouldn't make a difference. "Fine." She said finally caving. She shook her head and his hand off hers. This ws not at all something she wanted to do, but it was undoubtably nessasry. She bit her bottom lip lightly and looked over at him. She got her coat on, Melchior looked a little confused. "Well, we might as well go now before I regret this choice even more." He quickly nodded and threw his jacket over his shoulders. Once they were outside it was dead silent. He had no clue what to say to her, and she was frustrated with herself for agreeing to this, she was opininated not a slut.

It seemed ages that the two were walking in silence, ocasionally getting looks from her olf neighbors. She was known as a slut among all of them. After all she was living with a man who she had no relation to and who she was not married to. As soon as they reached the broken down building she frooze. She looked at the front door then to Melchior. His expression sofftened as a response to hers. He didn't want her to do this, it was simply out of nesscity.

He grabbed a hand as she looked up to the older male. He opened his mouth to say something useful but no words were coming out. He mentally swore at himself as he felt his body lean in towards the smaller female. He made a quick save by simply kissing her cheek. Her lips curled into a small smile, suddenly the idea of working in a place like this wasn't all that bad. It was, after all, for him…. And herself of course! Of course that was the reason she was ok with all of this. It was still silent, but Melchior cleared his throat and grabbed her other hand with his free one.

"You'll do just fine, after all, you are so much more then just a pretty face." he smile grew wider at his words, though it was all very confusing why she was reacting this way to him. She laced her finger with his, her heart threaening to pound it's way right out of her chest, as she leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. Before she gave into anymore temptaions she pulled her hands from his and walked inside the bulding.

As she walked through the dingy building she began to have doubts again, but she simply thought of how much easier it would make things for her and her friend. She walked over to a man who seemed to know what was happening, he was sitting right in front of the stage, looking rather uneffected by the dancing females. He was dressed nicely, in a black suite and top hat. She stood behind him, and flatted her skirt before attempting to gain his attention.

"What is it girl…" He said, sounding uninterested. "Looking for a little fun?" He asked with a smirk. Marlisa's stomach churned when she began to think about 'fun' time with him. Lecherous old fuck. But Marlisa simply held her tounge and shook her head.

"Actually, sir, I am looking for a job." This caught themales attention, her turned and looked the girl over for a moment. He stood up, it was then when Marlisa realized how much taller he was then her. He circled around her and smirked a little.

"A job, tell me how old are you girl."

"I'm sixteen sir, and my nam is Marlisa. Not girl, I'd greatly appreciate if you would call me my name." She stopped herself before saying anything else that would jeopordize her chances of getting the job.

"Ah, a young one then. Bend over for me, let me have a good look." Marlisa's ceeks flushed red as she bent over the male chuckled and intrusted for her to stand up. "Well, I haven't yet seen you in action, but I'll give you a test day on say… Friday?" Marisa nodded, he stuck his hand out to her she quickly grabbed it and shook it. He smirked and looked her over again. "Well have something pretty for you to wear." He finally released her hand, she looked at him another moment longer then quickly left seeing Melchior standing outside huddled over.

"Friday." She said forcing herself to smile. He grinned and quickly hugged her without realizing what he was doing. She smirked and hugged him back. "No lets go home before you freeze to death, Melchi."