Disclaimer: I do not own Les Miserables.
Chapter II. Walk The Street For Money
"Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light
Those days are over
You don't have to sell your body to the night
Roxanne, you don't have to wear that dress tonight
Walk the street for money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right"
(Roxanne, The Police)
"What do you mean there is nothing worthy?" Madame Thenardier charged forward like a puma, nearly bumped into her eldest daughter. She pointed a finger at Éponine's chest while hissing. "I've seen the man and his daughter! Her dress was pure fine satin! God forbid me if their house is not full of silver plates and gold candlesticks."
Éponine stepped backward, flinching her nose at the casual degrading mention of God. Really Maman, Éponine smirked, do you really think you can still consider yourself a lamb of God?
"It's all for show, a façade. Inside the house is as empty and modest as a nun's. I tell you Maman, we'd better find another one." She answered, her face as hard as granite.
"I call bullshit." Said Claquesous, slowly walking towards Éponine from a dark corner. "I think little miss Doe-eyed here has been slacking off at work, right Éponine? I saw you sneaking into the next door's apartment this noon. What you doing there huh? Should we switch target to this one then?" Thus he grinned devilishly.
Her eyes grew wide with fear, she shook her head vigorously while crying. "No! Please don't. There's no need to! I shall come back to the philanthropist's house tomorrow I swear."
"Oh, Éponine my dear, why the frightful look? Is there something that you want to keep for yourself only in that apartment?" Claquesous stepped closer, placed his hand on her face and lifted her chin. Éponine turned away with disgust in her eyes, keeping her distance. Only a poor young man and his books. If there is anything golden in that room, it must be his heart.
"No. Only a poor university student." Éponine casted her eyes down, folding her arms as though to protect herself.
"You wicked little gamine, what are you doing alone in a young Monsieur's apartment huh?" Madame Thenardier shrieked. "Sneaking behind Maman's back? Trying to run your own business?"
Éponine blushed ferociously at Maman's suggestion. "Absolutely nothing Maman! Besides…" she took a step forward, lifted her chin defiantly. "It's not like you and I are in a position to be concerned about such matters, eh? I can't be dirtied anymore than I already am." She glared at the woman at whom she called mother.
"Watch your mouth Éponine Thenardier. You should be grateful you even have a job and a roof above your head. Some cannot afford such luxuries."
She laughed bitterly. "A job that can barely feed my own mouth! Oh Maman, you can be so funny sometimes."
"What is going on?" Thenardier barged in. "Why are you two old hags quarrelling like a flock of geese? Stop this instant." He motioned towards a tall dark dandy standing nearby. "Éponine, be a good host and greet Monsieur Montparnasse properly won't you?"
Great. Just what I need. Éponine sighed heavily and greeted Montparnasse with a frown. "Good evening Montparnasse. How is plotting dirty schemes with papa going?"
Montparnasse chuckled and drew her close to him. Éponine turned her head away from him. "Ah Éponine, still as stubborn as ever. Sometimes I wonder if that's why I like you so much."
"Your sentiments are not at all appreciated, Montparnasse." She spoke hoarsely.
"Such beautiful eyes." He continued to look at her lustfully. "Such a shame they are not admiring me, do you think so Madame Thenardier?"
Madame Thenardier giggled. "My dear Monsieur Montparnasse, don't be silly, I'm sure Éponine is very fond of you. Now off you go Éponine, make him feel at home like a proper young lady you are."
Montparnasse threw his head back laughing while pushing Éponine to a room nearby.
"Close the door." He said. Éponine slowly closed the door, feeling like a part of her was dying as each second went by. Forgive me Marius. She closed her eyes and silently prayed to him. My body may be tainted, but my heart is pure and completely yours.
She glazed at Montparnasse coldly while he approached her and put a kiss on her chapped lips. "One day you shall learn to love me, Éponine. One day." He whispered. Éponine closed her eyes and imagined the hands that were roaming her body were not of Montparnasse but with thin, delicate fingers, the hands of Marius Pontmercy. Even so, as Montparnasse tore the chemise off her delicate shoulders, Éponine slightly shuddered. She found herself murmuring, "You would have to pay for that. That's the only good chemise I have left."
At that moment, Éponine never loathed herself more.
"As long as you obey me well my little doll." He whispered into her ears.
" 'Ponine!" Marius exclaimed. "Would you happen to know who that beautiful mademoiselle is?"
"That bourgeois two a penny thing?" Éponine knitted her eyebrows, murmuring. "I don't know what you see in her."
" 'Ponine, would you please do me a favor? Would you find out where she lives for me, please my dear 'Ponine?" Marius ignored her insult, his eyes sparkling with love and delight. He has never been that happy because of me, she bitterly commented to herself. Trying to hide the pain that was stabbing her heart, Éponine smirked.
"Got you all excited now huh? And what would you give me in return?"
"Anything!" Marius exclaimed. Thus he drew out some coins from his pocket.
In a second, Éponine recalled the three napoleons Montparnasse had condescendingly threw on the table last night when he was done with her. She cringed at that image and turned away. "No, I don't want your money Monsieur."
"Wait!" He cried, thus grabbed her arm. Startled by the touch of his hand, the direct bare skin contact, Éponine stopped and looked at him curiously.
"Please, I shall do anything as your desire. I promise."
"If you insist Monsieur." She smiled sadly. "If it makes you so happy."
"Oh 'Ponine, you have no idea how happy a man you have made me!"
Monsieur Marius, you have no idea how distressed a girl you have made me. But I shall do anything for you, as long as it makes you happy, she thought to herself. Meanwhile, she watched as the blonde revolutionary walked up to Marius. The two exchanged a few words, completely oblivious to her existence then left without saying goodbye to Éponine. She watched as they disappear into the crowd, then she collapsed to the ground and buried her head between her knees.
If only I have some brandy here that can take away the pain.
"Freshen up Éponine!" Madame Thenardier said as Éponine entered the inn, wandering absent-mindedly. "We have a special guest. He is waiting in the room at the left corner. Make sure you entertain him properly."
Entertain, she smirked, entertain my ass. Why Maman? Are you that greedy, that money-hungry, to be willing to sacrifice your daughter's innocence and emotional well-being? She was only glad that Azelma was spared from the job, now that Éponine was still in charge of it. Éponine shivered at the thought of Azelma having to go through what she was going through right now a couple of years down the road. That is if Azelma could survive for the next years. In these days, you could not tell anything. Her life as well as Azelma's are as fragile as candles in the wind. She could only pray to God and did her best.
Éponine washed her face and her arms then combed her wild, untamed brown hair. Not that she cared about her appearance, and she doubted the gentleman waiting in that room did either, she only did it out of habit. Walking down the dark hallway, Éponine took a deep breath as she got closer and closer to the door. "Let's see what kind of repugnant creature I have to serve tonight, shall we?" She mumbled then pushed the door and entered.
As Éponine closed the door behind her, she inhaled deeply then put on her best smile. "Welcome to the Sergent at Waterloo, Monsieur. I am here…"
Her voice froze. Her smile froze. Her body froze at the door, and she stared dreadfully as she watched the blonde revolutionary slowly turning his back around, his face grimaced and serious.
"Enjolras?" She whispered under her breath, unfortunately it came out louder than she expected.
Enjolras? The leader of the Les Amis de l'ABC? What is he doing here, in this despicable place? She wanted to scream and run away, but she is stuck at the door, unable to move. Éponine unconsciously took a step back and leaned against the door.
That's it. This is the end of her life. In a minute Enjolras would recognize her and when he returned, he would tell Marius everything. Marius would know she was working as a prostitute, and he would shun away from her like a disease. Sweet, pure Marius. She closed her eyes and tried to swallow her tears, but instead let out a small choking sound.
Meanwhile, the blonde young man examined her doubtfully, his eyebrows furrowed as he spoke. "How did you know my name? Did Grantaire speak with you before this? In the name of France, I swear I would behead him as soon as we get back."
Éponine blinked as her eyes grew wide. What is going on in here?