It was 7 pm on a Friday in South Los Angeles, California. Many people were either driving home from a long day of work or driving to hang out with friends and family or explore the nightlife. South Los Angeles was next to Downtown Los Angeles, but South Los Angeles did not have an excellent reputation as it would be called 'the hood' or the ghetto. Usually, people who live in South Los Angeles are considered very poor, with a high homeless rate. There are a lot of mountains of trash. A young woman was in her room in a small apartment, readying herself to go to Downtown Los Angeles. She arrived from working as a teacher's assistant.

The young woman is Esmeralda Metztli. She is of Romani, Mexican, and indigenous descent. She stood at five feet and five inches tall with an average build. Her hair was above her waist and was pitch black as night with curls. Her eyes were a rare esmerald and shone like the moonlight, and her skin was golden tan. Esmeralda looked at her reflection in the mirror. She wore a yellow dress with some flower designs, a handmade light brown necklace, and feather earrings. "I think I'm ready. I might as well take my jean jacket; it might get cold later. It's almost winter." Esmeralda got her jacket and bag that held her boom box and CDs. Before she left, the young woman made sure to see if the food she made for her father was in the microwave and that she left a note for him to tell him that she was going to the city.

Esmeralda got on her 2002 honda and drove off to the city. To her luck, there wasn't much traffic as of yet, and Esmeralda drove Downtown. Large buildings hovered in the sky, and bright, colorful lights surrounded the people in the city. Esmeralda made a couple of turns until she arrived at one of the parking lots. She got out and walked toward one of her favorite spots to dance. She danced in front of restaurants where many people would give her tips.

Esmeralda usually danced to traditional and modern music with Bellydancing or Romani dancing. Her mother was of Romani descent that migrated to the United States with her brother. According to her father, her mother escaped from being married off at a young age since it was tradition for their people to marry as young as thirteen to fifteen. For many of the Romani people, practices were more important. Her mother went with her brother, who wanted a better life for himself and his sister, and they landed in Los Angeles. Many charities assisted them, and Esmeralda's mother could attend high school and learn English.

However, the brother was having difficulties getting stable jobs, which was when he became an alcoholic and wanted to return home. However, Esmeralda's mother refused and ran away before being forced back. She was homeless for a couple of days until she met Esmeralda's father, who worked in construction. He was an immigrant and knew the hardships of arriving in a new country for a better life. He took her in and assisted her. She got a job and finished high school. Eventually, she fell in love with him, and he felt the same. They married when Esmeralda's mother turned twenty since they both wanted to know if they were ready for marriage. The two truly loved one another, and a year later, they had their daughter and only child. However, when Esmeralda was ten, her mother died of breast cancer.

Father and daughter were heartbroken, but Esmeralda's father knew he had his daughter to care for and raise. Now Esmeralda grew to be a beautiful, responsible and respectful young lady. Before her mother died, she was taught the Romani language and many traditions, which included dancing. Esmeralda loved dancing since she felt it made her closer to her mother. Also, she did attract many people and knew she could earn more to help herself and her father. The young woman arrived at the main square, which was crowded. Many were in restaurants, clubs, or outside to hang out and forget their boring and meaningless jobs. She began to prepare her boom box and music. The music started to play, and it played traditional Egyptian music. Her hips began to move with the soft beat and temp. Not only did her hips move, but also her long and delicate arms, her legs covered with her long yellow dress. Her hair also flowed with the soft cold air blowing in the city, as was part of her dress.

The young woman was gaining attention. Esmeralda was thankful that she would earn for the night and that she could express herself more.

...

Sosuke POV

I stood by the window in my hotel room here in Downtown Los Angeles, the city of the Angels, they call it. Hmph, it smells of pure trash and emission gas. My uncle used to tell me how beautiful the city was back in the day, but now there was nothing but homelessness, trash, ignorant and lazy people, and political figures that let this city go down to the mud. I ensured I stayed in the best hotel in the city; I wouldn't stoop so low. I didn't wish to see the worst parts of the city. I stayed here for three days until I returned home to Hillsborough, far from here. My uncle Bradley would have come here for the business meetings, but he was worried about my aunt Amelia's health, and he didn't want to leave her alone, even though she insisted he go.

I didn't want my uncle Bradley to have left my aunt, so I decided to go in his place. The first day was a bore; the fools were trying to lower the cost of our projects. They must think I'm a fool. I remember the meeting and the nervousness in their eyes; they tried so hard to hide it, but I have been trained to find the liars and cowards among people, especially in business. My uncle Bradley used to be in the military, once the German army general, but he retired to be in the family business and be closer to his family. He taught me many things to prepare me for business and self-defense, especially sword fighting, although I am not as good as he is. Ultimately, I gave the fools a choice to either agree to our demands or my family, and I could find another supplier easily. It was a victory.

I couldn't help but smirk. I looked down at my watch, and it was 7 pm. I wish I could've brought my FWB, but I knew she would've nagged within the three days. I have to keep my urges to myself in the meantime. It's best to walk to the city, to see what I can find.
...

Sosuke walked out of the hotel and went to his car. He drove to one of the main squares where restaurants and other popular hangouts were. He wanted to see what he could find, maybe a bed partner for the night. Sosuke parked his car in a parking lot and went to the square. He received many stares from many women, single or not.

He wasn't surprised. It was easy for him to gain attention since he was well-built and good-looking. Sosuke looked at the many female watch, but some didn't interest him. Many women had a lot of make-up, something he didn't like. Behind the make-up, a woman's looks and nature appeared. His FWB would always wear make-up, but she was not as beautiful once it was off. He was thinking of letting her go as he was already tired of her.

If Sosuke were honest, a part of him wanted a long-term relationship and perhaps marriage, but on the other hand, he did fear marriage. Women of the west had ridiculous expectations, and many wanted a man for his resources, and if the resources were gone, so was she. It was hard for him to trust any woman. He envied his uncles since they were the last of their generations to find decent women who made great wives. He and his many cousins were not as fortunate in their era. Sosuke heard a crowd circling a particular area and music as he walked.

Sosuke recognized the song; it was played in The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1956 and sung by Gina Lollobrigida. He was curious. He moved into the crowd until he was in the second row. That was when he saw a young woman. He had to admit that she was a natural beauty with a beautiful voice. Sosuke stood and watched.

Esmeralda began to sing her second song from one of her favorite movies and sing the English version. The music played, but she sang the words.

Oh, I love no one.
My heart's my own.
My heart will always belong to me.
A gypsy's heart must ever bewilder.
Oh, oh,
I love no one.
My heart's my own.
Oh, mine forever.
Ah. Ah. Ah."

She made moves different from the movie since she made small jumps and moved her hips, legs, and arms. Her hair bounced as she danced. Sosuke watched and stood still. He held no expression, but deep down; he was entranced by her dancing and singing skills. The young woman was indeed skilled and seemed to love what she did.

Esmeralda finished dancing, and all cheered for her. She lifted a jar, and many gave her some change. She got before Sosuke and noticed the look on his face as she was about to move on. Sosuke got out of his wallet and put in a hundred-dollar bill. Esmeralda was shocked. "Sir, this is too much! I can't accept this!"

Sosuke didn't respond. He watched as the young woman took out the bill to hand it back to him. He eyed her. "What's your name?"

"Esmeralda."

He smirked. "Esmeralda, an interesting name for a talented young woman."

"Uh, thank you. Please take your money back; I can't accept this much."

"You can't or don't want to?"

She bit her lower lip. "I don't want to. I haven't done enough to earn this much money. I only danced. I would give this to someone who worked hard to earn it."

Sosuke raised an eyebrow. Never had he heard someone, especially a woman, reject such money. It made him even more curious. "I will return the money if you do something for me."

Esmeralda kept her distance, suspicious of him. "What do you want?" she asked cautiously.

He smirked. "Have dinner with me; I will take the money back if you do."

The young looked down. She didn't trust him and didn't know his intentions, but if he took his money back, why not. "Okay, but I'm leaving if you do something I don't like."

Sosuke took his money back and motioned her to follow him. "We wouldn't want that do we?"