The Vampire King's Destined Queen

vii- What a desperate woman can do

Chapter Seven

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Everything may have changed but there's one thing that stayed the same even after five years.

"I can't wait to finally be with you, my beloved."

He whispered through the dark. His voice were mellow, like a sound of faint rain falling on the roof, it wasn't deafening, it was soothing but..

"You'll get to be with me too, in due time."

..dangerous at the same time.

He's the figure in the dark; a figure of a man that never ceased, not even once, to visit her in her sleep.

At first, Marionette was repulsed by this. She feared the man in the dark, but as it happened every time she close her eyes, she's grown immune, even familiarizing herself to the sensation of his touch.

Suddenly, two sharp fangs were exposed out of his mouth, threatening her, and as she breathed heavily because of fear..

Marionette Valentine opened her eyes..

She dreamt of him again. However, since she transferred to the couple's house, her dream finally had details.

Was it really just a dream?

Marionette doesn't know why the same dream appears every night. What does it have to do with her? Especially, who is this man owning her, in every possible way inside such bubble?

Different scenarios occur in her head when she sleeps, but the only common thing in each dream was the man in the dark. Without light shedding on his face, but only his figure was recognizable.

He violates her; in her sleep.

She doesn't remember when it exactly started, but ever since that encounter five years ago, for some reason, dreaming about such incredulous scenario became an unending cycle, that she even lets herself succumb willingly. However, tonight was different. He didn't happen to take her; they didn't do anything ridiculous and she finds it odd, how her dream tonight, turned into an image of an unknown creature.

Fangs?

The figure of a man who visits her in her sleep... was it a vampire?

But how? Why?

Marionette shook her head, after realizing she had fallen asleep on the couch instead of her bed.

She stood up from the couch, tilting her head towards where her clock is placed, on the wall near the archway of her small living room. The clock indicated that the time was seven in the evening.

Shaking her head, she was about to go into her room and go back to sleep but a thought struck her.

Her eyes widened as reality finally hits her like a slap in the face.

"s**t. It's today!"

She scurried to reach the bathroom, remembering that she had a plan set for tonight.

Jumping under the shower, the feeling of cold water dripping onto her body, touching her every curve, was somewhat refreshing. Totally waking her up from her earlier dream.

After Marionette finished showering and dried herself, she immediately went to change. Putting on a sheer lace top stocking, and a simple white t-shirt and jeans to cover it up.

Marionette looked at her reflection in the mirror inside her room, sighing while disturbing thoughts run through her head.

"Don't regret it, Marionette. This is for the better."

Ashamed of herself for her cowardice, she slapped her face to stay awake and open her eyes to the reality.

She can't seem to adapt to the life she's living now.

Her life drastically changed after losing her parents.

What happened was totally unexpected, especially the things that followed after.

All of their properties was later on solicited because of a loan one of the director of the enterprise impulsively decided on for the sake of salvaging the enterprise and its employees.

Financial problem is only one thing but also the Valentine Enterprise that was barely making any progress, she had to make decisions for the betterment of it for the sake of the employees.

That was why..

She snapped out of her reverie, biting her lower lips as she questioned whether what she's about to get herself into was actually the right thing to do.

She had moments of hesitation before leaving her door when she finished preparing herself.. and heart for the worse.

__________

In the midst of autumn, Paitti City's air was filled with moist mist. A breeze blew past Marionette as soon as she went down from the taxi, making her shudder.

She sniffled, hugging herself. "Tonight's cold. I forgot to wear a cardigan."

Somewhere beneath the road of Paitti City, in a secluded area stood a brothel, a large list of VIPs would pay huge amounts of money to enter this place. And that place, is Marionette’s destination.

To become a belly dancer.

It was obvious that the brothel houses prostitutes. Its surface was designed like any ordinary house, to not raise suspicions, for the people who didn’t know what the place really was. Inside though, displays a high-end hotel.

Last week, Marionette met the owner of the brothel coincidentally and was helped by him. In exchange, he offered to give her a job. At first, she was offered to become one of the prostitutes’, however, she refused.

Even though she is in need, Marionette won't stoop so low, to the extent she has to sell even her dignity for the sake of others.

Marionette was still an enchanter, a goddess with timeless beauty. Her voluptuous curves are also an asset that will surely attract the highest bidder. That's why that person wasn't able to let her go that easily. Because she’ll definitely bring a lot of money to his business.

In the end, they came into an agreement, to let her dance instead. Although she was still skeptical, but what harm can be done if she tries for once?

The enterprise is at stake. She's already twenty-three, at the age where she can now take over the management of the company. And perhaps, this young lady has this illusion that she can bring the enterprise to rise at the top of the game once again, if she does takeover formally, she wanted to surprise the people doubting her capability and and prove them wrong eventually.

With the salary she's been told the brothel would be paying her, Marionette, although with hesitation, was beyond satisfied at what dancing can give her in return.

Heaving a deep breath, Marionette entered the building with anxiousness.

She's only here to dance. To just dance. But something within her just wouldn’t settle right. Because it was the first time.

Is this the right thing to do?

There's no telling what will happen to her once she sets foot inside. How will her life change once again after this.

Inside the building was a long hallway she followed and walked with anxiety; it led her right to the brothel's main entrance with the signage that read ‘El Paraiso de la tentacion’. Her eyes held various hues, as it reflected with the flicker of the LED lights surrounding the signage.

There was another small passageway where she crossed and walkthrough, showing her to the backroom.

Karen, the owner, specifically told her about all the directions. So, without a need for any guide, she was able to remember all the roundabout inside.

Blinding lights wasn't what welcomed Marionette once she opened the door, the room was rather dimmed.

Her eyes twitched, upon the unpleasant scenario inside. The smell of alcohol, make-up, and other indiscernible scents mixed altogether, swirling in the air invaded her nostrils, inexorably, making her face grimace.

Marionette's entrance drew attention from the girls in the room, who were all busy doing something.

First thing she noticed was how chaotic it was, there were clothes scattered on the floor, so many things were clustered into a pile just next to her feet, and maybe it was the source of the irksome smell.

The girls who seemed to be the courtesans, were preparing themselves; putting on make-up, while chit-chatting who will snitch or take home a million-dollar man tonight. Some gave her a shrewish kind of look, others snubbed her off completely, before going back to their own business while there were others who were wondering who she was.

While Marionette was baffled in seeing the commotion, she gulped, roaming her eyes around she noticed the kind of looks they were throwing her way.

The way she was welcomed with hostile gazes is kind of throwing her off, but well, did she really expected to be welcomed in a heartwarming way, in this kind of industry?

However, Marionette was oblivious to the reason why they gave her an unwelcoming spirit. The reason was that... the moment their sight landed on her; they knew it already. She will be the new favorite; a rival who might take away the richest patron. With her joining in, the chance of beating the other girls was diminishing in it... No, with her in the game, they already lost the chance to battle.

Lifting her head, her gorgeous facial features were more defined in their eyes. Some rolled their eyes at her in hindsight, while the woman herself was unmindful with their unkind stares, she boldly walked. Heading towards one of the girls, who was raising an eyebrow at her sudden appearance.

With a polite smile, she inquired. “Good evening! I'm here to see Karen. What room is he in?" In a rather awkward tone.

Marionette failed at hiding confusion and astonishment playing in her expression causing the girl she suddenly asked, to look her over from head to toe, examining her carefully.

With a dark make-up sitting on her face, Marionette's forehead formed to a crease, as she tries to discern how the girl in front of her looked like. She squinted her eyes, but it didn't look polite in the other's sight. Causing the girl with a round face, deep-set eyes covered into a hot pink eyeshadow, and nose that's a bit contorted, but looked cute and her sweet lips painted in red. Her upper lip curled into a scowl as she scrutinizes her.

Ms. Hot Pink, as she would like to call her, although she's aware it was rude, but not if they won't hear of it, scowled at her before saying, "New girl?" With distaste rolling in her tongue.

Dazed, Marionette's stupid response was a, "Huh?"

Ms. Hot Pink scoffed, "Never mind." She dismissed, rolling her eyes, then she continued, "If you're looking for Karen, he's at the first room at the left wing." She said, pointing exactly at the dark doorway.

"Uh, okay. Thanks." She mused fiddly.

Giving her a taunting smirk, the girl turned back to her mirror without uttering another word, ending their conversation. Because of this, Marionette had no other choice, but to saunter her way to that direction.

It's like a heavy hammer was pounding in her chest. It was beating loud and hard, she was nervous while crossing the dark way and upon reaching a closed-door, she gulped to moisten her dry throat before deciding to knock.

Upon hearing a 'come in' from the other side, she twisted the knob and went inside, finding Karen to be sitting on the study table, engrossed in his work. Karen is a homosexual man in his forties with feminine appearance, he strayed away too early because of life adversities and that took a toll on him, thus leading him in founding the brothel.

"Karen." She greeted softly. Hearing her voice, Karen turned around only to gasp in surprise, which soon changed into adoration and pride.

"Marionette, dear." He called, giggling while standing up and coming to stand in front of Marionette. "You should've called me so I knew you will come. I would've sent a chauffeur to fetch you. I'm glad to see you here." He gave her a pearly smile, overjoyed at her unexpected appearance.

Karen wasn't anticipating this lovely and unquestionably naive lady to simply accept his proposition on a whim. She even took the initiative to come and enter this dubious distinction on her own accord.

He reached to give her a cheek to cheek kiss.

"No worries, Karen. I can't trouble you. You seem to be busy." She answered, peaking at the pile of documents on Karen's desk.

Karen waved a hand at her. "Oh, it's just some trivial matter." He yanked on her arms, getting a little chummy with her even if in reality, they have only seen each other once, twice for tonight, he tugged her to sit on the couch.

"I won't beat around the bush, Karen. I came here to dance tonight." Marionette shot right away.

A glint of red hue flashed in Karen's eyes; his ears liked what he heard.

He gave her a cheeky grin but, in his eyes, hid a wicked intention.

"Then you're welcome, Marionette! You're hired!" He shouted in glee.

He knew, the moment he laid his eyes on this beauty, that he had to lure her in. Even if it meant tainting her innocence, but inside the world he revolves in, everybody starts from white sheets. Until it gets painted in red and black, transforming that innocence to something dark, and letting them shine in the night, in a not so good way.

With anxiousness creeping into her, she asked, "But you haven't seen me dance yet?"

"You said you know how to belly dance, right?"

Marionette nodded, feeling skeptical all of a sudden.

"I've taken lessons in all kinds of dancing since I was young."

"Then… That's enough reason for me to take you in."

"But-"

"Shh, darling. If you want to show me, go up the stage tonight." He hushed her, showing an encouraging smile.

In a split second, Karen's soothing smile was replaced with seriousness.

"However, I have to remind you. You can't go back on your words. You can't back out, the moment you stepped inside this brothel is the moment you sold yourself to the devil, darling."

Did she really make the right decision?

"You're scaring me somehow, Karen."

Upon Marionette's utterance, Karen's predatory smirk disappeared as he stood up, motioning the girl to follow her.

"I'm sorry, but I had to tell you. From now, on, you're not Marionette anymore... Forget who you were as a person, every night you will sway."

At the side near his desk was a black blind she thought was covering the window, but she was shocked when he parted the curtains and revealed a huge double-door. She was somehow amazed, despite her forlorn situation.

He opened them, "Did you wear it?" And asked her.

With panic surging inside her, Marionette nodded.

'Am I careless?'

Her inner thoughts are making it worst. Even her commonsense just only started working the moment Karen took her by the hand and shoved her inside.

'I should’ve refused! This doesn't seem right!'

But regret comes in the end. Always.