A/N: WOW! Guys, you are all amazing. Thank you so much for the response that chapter one got. I really hope I can deliver for you all. The thing I like about this story is that there's more than meets the eye.
I'm wanting to shock you, and hopefully you will be XD
. . . . . .
Chapter Two
Natsu could smell the excitement in the air as Elfman led him back down the strip lighted tunnel, the déjà vu all too premature for his liking. He made sure to keep a distance when trailing behind the white-haired giant, the sudden change in his attitude unnerving to say the least, but still, he was intrigued enough to follow.
There was no pause as the doors were thrown open, Elfman glancing over his shoulder only to make sure he hadn't lost him to the night. Like before the room was alive with the grotesque whooping and cheering from the letches lining the stage, the cabaret in full swing, and for the second time that night, Natsu wondered if he could forget it all and make his way back to the car. But with one look at his bloody fist, he knew he was already in way too deep just to turn away without facing the consequences.
The crowd seemed to part as Elfman led him through the lavish room, the authority he held, awe-worthy. Natsu could sense the fear from the men around him, the fear that at any moment the hulking brute could throw them out into the gutters without word.
He liked their fear.
Keeping his eyes fixed to the ground, Natsu finally came to a stop by the corner booth that Glory had been sitting at, her book and glasses pushed neatly to the side. But she was gone, and it hit Natsu like a punch to the gut. The booth wasn't empty, however. Where she had once sat, taking her notes and hiding away from the world, was a man. He looked at him with a devil's grin, elegance and wealth radiating from him. He held more poise and power than Natsu could ever dream of owning, and that alone made him shrink back in shame.
Suited and booted in fine silks and satins, he stared up at Natsu with a glint in his eye; the fiery redhead from the stage – his accessory for the evening – draped over him like a precious treasure. She too smiled up at him, although Natsu could see that hers didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Well," he smiled, his arms slung lazily over the back of the seats, "if it isn't the young man who assaulted my staff and disrupted my guests' evening. I trust you enjoyed the show."
It was a statement, not a question, and even if it had been, Natsu doubted that he'd answer. Instead he continued to stand, his gaze never leaving that of the mans before him.
Looking over his shoulder, he smiled to his bouncer, the small curved tattoo above his right eye quirking slightly. "Thank you, Elfman. That will be all."
And with a nod, Elfman was gone. The sea of bodies parting once again as he retreated to his post. Natsu had no clue what awaited him. If he was being honest, he wasn't too enamoured in finding out, but when the Glory Box's owner motioned for him to take a seat, he reluctantly did.
"Would you care for a refreshment?" The man asked with a smile, clasping his hands on the table as the redhead played with the inky blue hair at the nape of his neck.
Natsu shook his head. "I'm good, thanks."
"Perhaps a private show?" He carried on. "A girl of your choice, of course."
"I'm good."
Nodding in appreciation, the man sat straighter, his smile never faltering. "Well then, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Bora, and I am the owner of this beautiful establishment."
Natsu fully believed that Bora expected more of a reaction from him. A standing ovation? A bow? The way he conducted himself, it probably wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that they were common occurrences for him. Shame for him that Natsu possessed something that not many of his patrons did. Dignity.
"May I ask your name?" He prodded politely.
He didn't need to answer him. But he did anyway.
"Natsu." A first name wasn't enough, however. "Natsu Dragneel.
Sitting back, Bora's smile grew tenfold. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Natsu Dragneel." Turning to the woman on his left, Bora took hold of her hand. "This beautiful creature here, is Lady Scarlet. Or Erza, if you prefer."
Lady Scarlet looked like her skin should have been crawling at that moment, but it wasn't, and Natsu couldn't tell if she was loving every moment or in need of an Oscar for her performance.
"A pleasure," she greeted, dipping her chin.
With pleasantries out of the way, Natsu could feel his irritation grow. Clasping his own hands on the table, he leaned forward, venom dripping from his voice.
"Look, as much as I'm enjoying this little rendezvous," he began, "let's just skip past the whole 'feigned interest' thing you've got going on here and get straight to the point. What do you want? I was already kicked out, so there must be something on your mind to haul me back in here."
Taken aback slightly, Bora laughed, a small chuckle that quickly became a full out belly roar. "You don't miss a thing, do you, Mr. Dragneel?"
Eyes narrowing, Natsu sat back, his fist clenching tightly. For a buck he'd knock the guys teeth down his throat, but he was skating on thin ice already, and who was he to say that he'd have the chance to walk away this time. Instead, he waited, and as if reading his mind, the smile that threatened to split Bora's face in two slowly fell. He just stared at him. A living statue with empty eyes.
"You don't scare easily, Natsu," Bora said. "In fact, I'd place my bets on you being fearless - and I'm not a gambling man."
Natsu said nothing. He just sat, not once daring to look away, and again, Bora smiled. To the world they were in, they were nothing. Just a spec of insignificance within the animalistic wonderland. A modern-day Moulin Rouge that housed fine wine and seeped poison.
"Why did you hit him?" Bora asked, a glint of excitement in his eye.
"Because," Natsu began, shrugging, "he was hurting her."
He smiled. "Hurting who?"
Nostrils flaring in anger, Natsu heaved a sigh. "The girl – Glory. The one who danced. He hurt her, so I stopped him."
Bora could have left it at that, but he didn't, and it angered Natsu even more.
"You like her."
Again, it wasn't a question, and looking at the snake before him, Natsu wanted nothing more than to lunge across the table and stamp him into the ground.
"I don't know her."
Leaning back, Bora smiled and nodded for Lady Scarlet to leave. With a tender kiss to his cheek, she did, casting a single glance to Natsu that raised the hair on the back of his neck. With just the two of them left, Bora reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a stack of envelops. Each one neatly addressed to The Shining Star.
Throwing them onto the table, he motioned for him to open them, the fun and excitement from before, gone. Steady handed, Natsu took the first, his eyes never leaving Bora as he opened the letter. He wasn't quite sure what he expected to be hidden within them, but when he finally looked down he felt sick to his stomach.
"He started sending them in January," Bora said, over the music, "two weeks after Glory arrived."
Flicking through the pages, Natsu scowled. "These are love letters. Graphic love letters."
"Yes," Bora nodded. "Although, as someone as sick in the head as this individual appears to be, love would not be my word of choice." As Natsu reached for another in the stack, Bora carried on with his story. "They started out innocent enough. Complimentary. Praising Glory on her act – it's not unusual for my girls to have fans – but for Glory, it was bit different. It became much more."
Scanning over the words, Natsu felt his fingers digging into the pages, the corners crumpling under his strength. The writer's promises of love became threats laced with obsession. Erratic. Angry. In certain areas, the ink had run, and for Natsu, the image of Glory hunched over reading the words of passion with tears in her eyes made his heart lurch.
I want you. . .I'll have you. . .I promise.
Looking at Bora, Natsu was surprised to see the same concern he felt mirroring back at him. Grasping at more of the envelopes, he continued to tear into them, pictures and promises spilling out. A glimpse into the real life of the beautiful dancer. When he came across a polaroid of Glory on stage with a heart drawn round her and blood coming out her eyes, he'd had enough.
"Despicable, isn't it?" Bora sighed.
Clearing his throat, Natsu pushed the letters back. "I'm sorry the girl is having a bit of a hard time, but what has all this got to do with me?"
"Zancrow is one of my strongest men – god forbid he have a brain to go along with the strength – but he is," he began to explain. "Tonight, Natsu, you did what I haven't seen many do. You obliterated him. He's away to his room, licking his wounds and nursing his pride, and wondering where exactly you got a foothold."
"I'm known to have a short temper," Natsu said, knowing he'd have to explain himself eventually. "I saw him hurt her, intentional or not, and I lost it. I apologize for the upset I've caused, but I really don't understand what it is you want from me."
"I want to hire you," Bora smiled, sitting back smugly.
Brow quirked, Natsu stared at him in confusion.
"You want to hire me?" Bora nodded. "For what?"
"I may not be an upstanding citizen, Mr. Dragneel, but I care for my girls," he elaborated, looking at the letters, "and for girls as precious as Glory, I am willing to go that extra mile to keep her safe."
Shaking his head, Natsu let out a humourless laugh. "With all due respect, man, I'm still not following you. Why not contact the police?"
Laughing, Bora leaned forward. "Look around you, Natsu. Do you really think a business as beautiful as this will be on Hargeon Police Officers priority list? You and I both know that involving the cops is not an option."
"It's just dancing, though," Natsu probed. "Isn't it, Bora?"
He smiled, and Natsu scowled.
"I'll tell you what," he began, once again reaching into the pocket of his coat, "let's see if I can make your decision a little easier."
Pulling out a cheque book and a pen, Bora casually found a blank cheque, scribbled down a number, and slid it across the table. Wearily, Natsu reached across and looked at the figure, but when he saw what Bora was offering his jaw dropped.
"That's a lot of zero's," he gulped, looking between the man and the little piece of paper that could easily change his life. "Is this some sort of joke?"
"It's nice, isn't it?" Bora laughed, ignoring him as he pocketed the book and pen once again. "And it could be all yours too. All you have to do, is say yes."
Setting the cheque down, Natsu cleared his throat again. "Okay, hypothetically speaking, what exactly am I saying yes too?"
"You are an inquisitive, soul, aren't you?" He chuckled. "All I'd be asking is that you watch Glory when she's out and about in town. Keep her safe. Look out for any suspicious characters. Then, if and when, you find out who has been harassing her, you bring him to me and I will deal with him in a peaceful and welcoming manner."
Natsu couldn't quite form words. His mind was in overdrive, and all he could focus on was the music. He didn't know how long time had passed when he finally manager to string a sentence together.
"Peaceful?" He questioned. "You promise?"
Hand to his heart, Bora smiled. "I promise. I just want to sleep at night knowing that my precious angel in not in danger of being pushed into an alleyway for a quickie."
"And if I were to say yes, this won't bounce?" He pried, tapping the cheque.
"Bounce?" Came the reply. "Natsu, that isn't a one-off payment. That's your weekly rate."
He felt like the wind had been knocked clean out of him, the tight knot that sat in his chest slowly releasing. Natsu wasn't one to worry about money. He worked the odd job here and there. Joinery. Gardening. Sometimes Gajeel would ask him to help out down at the garage. He was never stuck, but he wouldn't say he lived comfortably every day of the week, and for that, what Bora was offering was tempting.
Very tempting.
Staring at the cheque, fingers drumming on the table, Natsu felt the agitation build up within.
"All you need to do is say yes, Natsu," Bora smiled, egging him on. "That's all. If you say yes, we can get this show on the road."
He could almost hear his friends screaming their response in his head.
"Well," he finally managed to stutter out, "I guess if it's just to look out for her. . .it shouldn't be a problem."
"Excellent," lips curling, Bora reached a hand across the table and took Natsu's, shaking it firmly. "Welcome to the family, Natsu, and to the best job you'll ever have."
Forcing a smile of his own, Natsu returned the handshake before pocketing the cheque. Standing, Bora motioned for him to follow, and like a puppy he did, head ducked and hands buried deep in his pockets. He never questioned where he was being led to, he just trailed behind like the good employee he was, ignoring the merriment going on around him.
Before he knew it, he found himself in a darkened hallway; the crimson walls decorated with fine pieces of art and ornate frames. The theme carried on, he saw, as Bora led him down the corridor to a staircase, the plush chocolate carpet leading up as far as the eye could see. He had no idea where he was going. All he knew was it didn't sit right with him.
"Now, Natsu," Bora began as he ascended upstairs, "I don't have a lot of rules when it comes to my girls. Primarily, this is a place of entertainment, but if – and when – the needy customer stumbles upon my little treasure trove, and I see that he is in need of being satisfied, I. . .arrange that he be taken care of. Understand?"
He felt his stomach heave, the bitter taste in his mouth leaving a scowl on his face.
"I now understand why I was a better candidate than a police officer," he forced out.
Bora laughed. "Sex is a basic need, Natsu. I'm sure every law enforcement office in Hargeon would agree, no matter how much they try to deny it."
"So, the Glory Box is, in effect, a brothel?" The urge to throw the cheque back in his face was strong.
"Not a brothel, Mr. Dragneel," Bora stated, calmly. "Brothels are filled with whores and street scum, and none of my girls are either of those."
The stairs carried on, but Bora stopped on the first floor, holding the door for Natsu with a smile.
"Forgive me for confusing the two," he muttered, sarcastically.
Ignoring the undertones, Bora smiled as he took up lead again. "That is quite alright."
Side by side with Natsu, Bora lazily trailed down another sophisticatedly dressed hallway. "You must understand, Natsu, that I do not treat all my girls the same way. Each one is a beautiful, precious individual who I care deeply for."
Listening to him, Natsu saw that every ten feet, there was a door. Solid mahogany, with a gold name plate screwed in perfectly.
"Take Cana for instance," Bora carried on, pointing to a door to his left, "a smouldering temptress, whereas Lisanna," he said, pointing to his right, "a delicate angel who prefers to be dominated. Both beautiful, both special beyond belief, but both as different as night and day. Lucy – aka Glory – is a totally different story altogether."
Natsu wanted to kick himself for standing straighter at her name. He was immediately hit with a wave of jealousy, the thought of other men touching her making his blood boil.
"What about her?" he asked, nonchalantly.
Coming to a stop at her door, her name neatly engraved into the golden plaque, Natsu felt his palms begin to sweat.
"With Lucy, there is and only has been one rule, Natsu," Bora said with great seriousness. "You can do anything you please, as long as come morning, she is still a virgin."
"What?" Natsu coughed through a humourless laugh.
As if on cue, the door opened, Lady Scarlet exiting with sad eyes and a bright smile.
"She's ready," she spoke, softly.
Smiling, Bora reached for the handle, turning it and opening the door a crack before pulling Natsu closer.
"One rule, Natsu," he warned. "Have a good evening."
As he began to argue, Bora pushed him into the room, and locked the door. Smiling, he pocketed the keys, looked to Lady Scarlet and brushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
"My darling," he began, his hands grasping onto her biceps as he pulled her in closer, "I want you to listen very carefully while you sleep tonight, and if you hear any rule breaking, I want you to fetch me immediately. Understood?"
Faking her smile, she nodded. "Perfectly."
"Excellent," he said, walking away.
When he was out of sight, Erza let her smile drop, a sigh escaping her lips as she turned to look at the door.
"I'm sorry, Lucy," she whispered. "I'm sorry."
And with that, she retreated to her room.
. . . . . .
Natsu wasn't entirely sure what had happened. He just stood, staring at the door in a mixture of shock and anger. But it didn't take him long to realize that Bora wasn't coming back any time soon.
Running a hand through his hair, a muttered 'fuck' spilling forth, Natsu turned. He felt like he had been spat into a genies bottle, cushions and curtains draped and thrown everywhere. The room a sea of blues, reds and golds, the sparkling trinkets that lived atop the chest of drawers glinting in the soft glow of the stained glassed lamp.
But there was no window. No glimpse into the real world, and it saddened him to think that she was living in nothing more than an extravagant cave.
He didn't want to look at her. He didn't think he'd be able to stand the torment in her eyes. But she was difficult to ignore. Lucy sat at the edge of her queen-sized bed, the purple satin sheets and large goose feathered pillows arranged perfectly for his arrival. And it made him sick.
She was still wearing the pearly white dress from earlier, only this time she was sporting mascara track marks to go with it. With fresh tears in her eyes, and lip quivering in fear, she looked at him with more pain than he ever thought imaginable.
"Welcome to the Glory Box," she whispered. "Where all your dreams come true."
. . . . . .
A/N: Well guys, I really hope you enjoyed that chapter, please tell me what you all thought :o)
Also, if any of you are like me and like to listen to music while you read/write, here is a playlist of songs that go with and inspired this story:
Don't Stop The Party - Pitbull
Intro – The xx
I Want You To Want Me – Gary Jules
Glory Box – Portishead
Bloodstream – Stateless
Every Breath You Take – Denmark + Winter
Song For Viola – Peter Bradley Adams
These Woods (Human Made) – KLARA
One Way Or Another – Until The Ribbon Breaks
House Of Cards – Audiomachine
Coming Toward – David Crowder Band
Haunted – Maty Noyes
Everybody Wants To Rule The World – Lorde
Love More – Sharon Van Etten
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac