It had taken everything she had to keep from spilling the truth to Erik. The words were like acid when she told him those lies about having a job, about successfully confronting Cornette and putting her in her place. It took everything she had to smile and act like everything was perfect. The truth was, things were far from perfect, in fact, they were a million times worse.

When she had gone to confront Madame Cornette about her deceit, she had smiled and praised her for figuring things out. From the moment she had told Madame Cornette that the deal was off and that she quit, things got much worse for Arabelle.

"I don't think so," she had sipped her wine and smiled a devilish smile and cackled like a witch. "You're not getting away from me that easily." Arabelle immediately stood and made clear the Madame's actions and what they cost.

"The deal was off the moment you sent in a spy. You violated the terms of the agreement, I owe you nothing!" She spat at the Madame, steam coming from her ears. Arabelle was determined to walk out of this place a contract and duty free woman, but the Madame, however, was not. Cornette just let out another cackling laugh and narrowed her eyes at the prize she had been seeking since she first laid eyes on it.

"You really think that I'm going to give in that easily?" She hooted and laughed even harder. "It seems you've underestimated me, my dear." Arabelle glared, her face getting hot with rage.

"If you don't drop the agreement, I will go to the police and expose us both!" Arabelle pounded her fists on the table and looked the Madame straight in the eye. She wasn't giving up either. There was no way in hell she was going to let the Madame win this time. She was going to come out of this on top, no pun intended, no matter what!

"You would be willing to go to prison, and possibly be executed, just to avoid working in the house?" She smiled at her epiphany, and a twinkle came to her eye.

"I would rather live the day of my father's death a million times than ever have to work here." Arabelle spit, he voice gritty and hoarse, digging her nails into the table. Madame Cornette found this new information incredibly fascinating and was now more than ever determined to make Arabelle hers.

"Even if that meant sacrificing your friend's life?" She raised an eyebrow and her smile widened in sheer evil. Arabelle was taken aback and her rage dissipated. She took a step back and her breath began to quicken. Bingo, Madame Cornette thought to herself.

"What are you saying?" Arabelle narrowed her eyes at the Madame. Knowing exactly what she was getting at, making her heart almost burst.

"A simple...proposal, as it were. I need you make some house calls to a few of my high paying customers."

"What if I don't accept this proposal of yours?" Arabelle's voice cracked just the tiniest bit, any normal person wouldn't have noticed, but the Madame had. In fact, her pain made this all the more fun, gave her all the more pleasure.

"Then I'll kill Joshua. I have many resources, you know? I can have him shot, poisoned, hung, stabbed, and so on. After all, my business is the most successful in all of Paris." Arabelle gulped ever so slightly. She shook her head at Cornette.

"I don't believe you!" She shouted, not willing to back down in the least.

"Are you sure you want to take that chance?" Cornette's voice was thick and oily. Her personality and features looked more and more serpent like every time she spoke.

Arabelle thought about her old friend. The person that had saved her the last night she was here; the one person that had never lied to her, never gotten or wanted anything out of their friendship. The only friendship she had that wasn't built on lies. "Was I willing to risk it?" Arabelle asked herself. But she already knew the answer, so did Cornette.

"All you have to do is make a few house calls a couple of times a week," Cornette gulped down the rest of her wine then stood and walked towards a desk in the corner of the room. She picked up a piece of paper and handed it to Arabelle.

"You do this, and nothing will ever happen to Joshua." Arabelle sighed in defeat and reached for the paper, looking at the name and the address. There was no escape. She should have known.

"Fine," was all she said before walking towards the door.

"There's one more thing," Arabelle stopped and faced her warden. "If you tell Joshua of our new proposal-" Cornette cut herself off, knowing that Arabelle knew all too well the consequences.

"I understand," she nodded solemnly.

"And here's your first payment in advance," she threw a small sack of coins to Arabelle. "Welcome back to the Scarlet Palace." Her smile and words were slimy and tormenting.

After that she had decided to pay a little visit to Erik. She wanted to make sure he'd stay away from her, so he would not find out about her new job.

It was amazing, even to her, at how easy it was to find him, to find her way to the hidden cavern in the canals. But what was most surprising was that he hadn't even heard her. Arabelle knew he had no idea she was here when she bit into the apple and saw him jump a little. The conversation felt like it went on for hours. When she was finished, Arabelle ran as fast as she could back to the old building and to her room.

"The worst is over." She thought to herself and truly believed it, until her eyes came upon a few boxes sitting on the top of her trunk that had not been there when she left. Cautiously, she lifted the lid of one of them and peered inside, only to find her stomach twist and have a wave of nausea fall on her. The box was filled with her 'uniform' for when she made her house calls. There was also a note inside, something she absolutely did NOT want to read.

"I almost forgot to give you these. You can wear them underneath any clothes you like, they're expecting it. Enjoy your first call. Madame Cornette." She almost puked, but managed to hold it in. But the feeling didn't leave her, it never would. But this was the only way. She had to save her friend, and she was willing to do anything to keep him alive, anything.

As she suspected, Erik was just a little suspicious of her story and he was following and watching her. To make her lie seem authentic, she went into the bakery each morning and visited Madame Adolpha, asking her if she would possibly teach her how to make scones. Of course, Madame Adolpha had obliged happily and asked if Arabelle would be so kind as to drop off an order on her way out. This had been the perfect cover. She did this every day. Knowing that Erik was watching and that eventually, he would believe that her lie was true and leave her be. Arabelle continued with this charade for five days. On the sixth, she hadn't spotted him at all, but she wanted to be extra sure in her deceit so she went an extra day in the bakery. She couldn't be too careful.

The day that Arabelle knew he was definitely gone, she made a quick trip to her 'client's' address, wanting to map out a route so to avoid possible thieves, rapists, and anyone else who would attack a woman at night. Making note of all the allies and short cuts she could take and any other escape routes. When the night finally came, she had cleaned herself up especially well since she had puked twice during the day, knowing of what waited for her in the evening.

When she arrived at the man's house, precisely on time, she felt her stomach twist and knot up again, threatening to spew. Quickly, she put on her emotional mask, hiding her distain along with the utter disgust she felt. The man opened the door before Arabelle had the chance to even knock. This made her jump a little. The man that stood before her was middle aged, rather plump, but cleanly dressed. His hair was thinning a little, but he didn't hide it.

"Good evening, mademoiselle. Come on in." He was so gentlemen like that it shocked her. He closed the door so lightly behind her that she almost didn't hear it.

"May I take your coat?" This was the part she was dreading, but she swallowed her pride and put on her seductive face. Turning towards him, a lustful smile on her face, she reached for the buttons on her long coat.

"Allow me," her voice filled with fake desire. She opened the coat slowly and let it drop to the floor, leaving her with nothing on but her 'uniform', the lingerie that Cornett had sent, it was pink and black. He approached her cautiously. Arabelle knew that she would have to lead this one so she grabbed his hand and pressed it against her breast. He grabbed on instantly and began to run his other hand up and down her thigh and to her buttocks. She let out a fake moan. He felt his breath quicken.

"Don't be afraid to touch, love." She whispered in his ear and had a sickening feeling that he wouldn't.

It was very late into the night when they had finished, or he had finished with her. When all was said and done, the man helped her into her coat, handed her a few extra francs and lead her to the door.

"I will no doubt be telling your Madame how satisfactory this night has been," he whispered to her with a dirty grin. She returned it with the goodbye kiss.

"I'm glad everything was to your liking. Have a nice night." Arabelle closed her coat tight and headed out the door.

"I already have." He said under his breath and closed the door. As fast as her legs could carry her, Arabelle headed back home to thoroughly bathe herself. She felt dirty all over, felt violated, and worthless. The only positive that had come out of this night was that her pre mapping and routes had really helped her, which she would no doubt make a regular thing. Also, he was going to give Madame Cornette a positive review of her performance and Joshua would be safe for another day. That was all that mattered.

A/N: Well, after three long weeks, I've finally found time to post another chapter. I'm really sorry you guys had to wait so long! I've had a lot of bullcrap filling up my life at the moment! I'll do my best to post Chapter Nine ASAP! I can pretty much tell you that from here on out, things are going to get majorly spicy! And that if you're confused by this chapter, you might want to read the previous one! Thanks for everyone that has been a loyal reader! I really appreciate it! I'd love to hear some reviews! I love constructive criticism! So don't be shy! PLEASE! XD Haha! Anyways,

Thanks again, guys!

Luce, Your Surly Mermaid!