Vinessa "Angillina It's time to wake up.you must get ready."
Angillina "Ready for what mommy?"
Vinessa "Oh sweetheart, the ball today."
Angillina "The ball? What ball?"
Vinessa "Angillina..sweety, mommy knows you didn't want to go but you absolutely must attend. We can't get your beauty scholarship otherwise."
Angillina "scholarship? You don't mean Ms. Ada'levene's boarding school for stars!?"
Vinessa "Yup! Ada'levene is going to be there so we need to get you all dolled up and ready for your biggest role yet!"
Angillina "Mommy! I can't believe you did this! Oh mom, there's no way. I can't wait to tell all my friends I get to meet. THE Ada'levene Montriare, goddess among the social elites, world renown for her beauty products and flawless skin."
Vinessa "Honey, I see you're excited but...um..ahem...you can't tell anyone. This is a private event. Promise mommy you won't tell a single person."
Angillina "Okay mom! I'm going to get ready now! EEEEk"
Angillina dashed off into her walk in closet to decide her outfit. Looking up and down each dress and shoe pair, Angillina couldn't decide what she wanted. Was it a sporty look or a high fashion? Something casual but something that also made her stand out and not stand out too much. What makeup will she put on or how much? Something simple but yet bold, classy, and elegant. While Angillina made up her mind Vinessa went to the living room to discuss with her adulterous husband.
Richard "She get's to meet Ada'levene really? That's what you told her?"
Vinessa "How else was I supposed to get her ready Richard? You want me to tell her 'oh angillina, we have to sleep somewhere else because daddy wants to leave us' So much for till death do we part huh?."
Richard "Whatever just sign the damn papers so I can get on with my life."
Vinessa "For someone who said they loved me, you sure are eager to leave at the first chance you get."
Richard "I have sent you the papers countless times already. It's a shame I have to come personally after all you put me through. Sign them so I can be on my way."
Vinessa "No! I want to talk to you richard. Let's atleast try to work things out, even if it isn't for me. Do it for Angillina, she needs a father and mother in the house and I can't raise her with what you're giving me."
Richard "Should have read the terms more closely then, when she is with me she will have anything her mind could hope for."
Vinessa "What about me? How am I going to get her anything when this barely covers living expenses? Did you even think of her lifestyle? She is going to think I'm a terrible parent."
Richard "You should have thought of that before you did what you did. Get a job like everyone else and provide for YOUR kid."
Vinessa "MY kid? It's ours Richard, It took two to tango and I am not the virgin Mary."
Richard "That tango had nothing to do with me. I will say again get a job and raise your kid Vinessa. Is it really so hard to take responsibility for once in your life."
Vinessa "Take responsibility? *TUH* I cook, I clean, I wash the clothes, and do all of the house work while you sit in your stupid little office writing papers all day. I barely saw you."
Richard "You wouldn't have to if you didn't fire the maid. No one will work for us after that scandal. 'The vizzscarra's use their power to sleep with staff and then fire them afterwards' that's what the papers say. I'm in the office twenty four seven working my ass off just to keep this grandiose house and my company afloat for what? Your lavish parties we can't afford? Or your thousand dollar dresses you wear once? Oh and let's not forget the multi-million dollar wedding 'you just had to have'. Admit it you see me as a piggy bank and sign the god damned paper!"
Vinessa "Richard is our marriage all about money to you? You said you would give me the life I could only dream of. A life of 'lavish and posh' living as you put it. Also I didn't see you complaining when you were taking off those thousand dollar dresses."
Richard "I told a college graduate we could build a life she could only dream of. Key word is build and don't change the subject. Vinessa I loved you, spoiled you more times than I could count, gave you everything and didn't expect anything in return except for you to remain true to our vows and you couldn't even be bothered with that. I lost perfect workers over a lie you told, I lost business deals and contracts because you couldn't keep your drunken mouth shut and spread your lies with anyone who would listen, then even after all of that I loved you enough to stay with you and a child that I at the time didn't know wasn't even mine. Now I come to you, with a generous deal. Keep the house, a five thousand monthly alimony and I will help you raise Angillina provided you divorce me and give sole custody of her you even get visitation every other week but no you'd rather throw a fit like the child you are instead of doing what's best for you and Angillina."
Vinessa "Fine, if I sign this will you get out of my face?"
Richard "With pleasure, now sign. Legibly if you could."
Vinessa begrudgingly signed the papers and tossed them into Richard's face. Taking a moment to collect himself and the papers strewed about, Richard packed an overnight bag and left Vinessa to stew in the realization of what she had just signed. Fuming and still raging Vinessa went to find her happiness at the bottom of a bottle of wine and the contents of her pill cabinet. Lost in her daze Vinessa fell asleep on the couch, dreaming of the life she had and could still have if she didn't get pregnant, if she could just get rid of the kid everything would work itself out, how was she supposed to get THE Ada'levene Montriare to appear let alone get Angillina to one of her balls. That's when something inside of Vinessa made her spring up and rush over to Angillina's room, when she looked at her daughter apply her makeup all she could do is think how much prettier she was than her. How Angillina's youthful fair skin glowed in the warmth of the sun. How each freckle perfectly dotted her face from cheek to cheek and her eyes let you escape into a field of green or the way her hair captures the beauty of an autumn orchard. Her daughter was perfect from head to toe, although only twelve her proportions even out did her mother. Even Angillina's voice was a point of jealousy as she sang with the delicate beauty of an angel. A tearful Vinessa stormed off and slammed her room door so hard it knocked over a nearby vase. When she went to pick it up a golden sheet slid under the door. A foolishly curious Vinessa picked up the gold leaf, almost throwing it away when words appeared on the page.
"You want fame, yes? Power in every social climate? Money that never ends and wines that never empty?"
Vinessa "Such a strange thing, must be one of angillina's toys. Come on out sweety this isn't funny."
"There is no joke here, only opportunity."
Vinessa "Someone must be watching me. I'm not falling for it Richard. I signed the damn things, now leave me alone!"
Jody "Well, I've been called many things over the years. This is the first time I've been called Richard."
Vinessa started to yell but with one snap of her fingers Jody took her voice away. Another snap returning it.
Jody "Hush now little one. If Angillina heard you, it would cause quite the ruckus ya know? Besides I don't think she would want to hear what her mother truly thinks of her."
Vinessa "Who are you?"
Jody "A fly on the wall, a bug in the ear, she-devil. Really these names are quite tedious and difficult to remember."
Vinessa "I will call the police and have you arrested if you don't get out right now.
Jody "Oh no no we wouldn't want that. Besides you'll call them and tell them what? someone somehow snuck into your highly secure house in the middle of nowhere, without your knowledge and slipped a gold paper under your door? Or will You tell them how you're day drinking and popping highly classified drugs given to you by um… unsavory people to say the least."
Vinessa "Fine, I don't have anything to give you so if you're looking for charity well you found the wrong place."
Jody "HA what could you give me? Didn't your husband...well ex-husband take everything? No no Vinessa. Child I want to give you something."
Vinessa "Child? You barely look older than my daughter."
Jody "Thank you for the compliment, I see a few thousand years hasn't changed my youthful glow. Although I don't like how time here move's makes me feel old and icky."
Vinessa "What do you want so you can be on your way already?"
Jody "I told you, I want to give you something."
Vinessa "You don't have anything I could ever want."
Jody "Oh? I don't? Don't you want youthful beauty like mine? No, you'd rather Angillina's right?"
Vinessa "I want no such thing. To be jealous of a child, how absurd."
Jody "If it isn't beauty you want, maybe it's money? More than you could feasibly spend in twenty thousand lifetimes?"
Vinessa "I'm doing just fine thank you look at this house."
Jody "Yea, it is rather pretty. Not like my home, it's so much larger, a fountain that spews gold and silver, servants to come at my beck and call but whatever...fine, money isn't the issue. Surely you must have something you desire more than anything in the world. Maybe a meeting with Ada'levene Montriare? That would definitely tickle your fancy?"
Vinessa "No, not even that. I don't need anything from you."
Jody "Anything? Nothing at all? Really? You almost make this too easy haha."
Vinessa "Try as you might, I don't want anything you are offering."
Jody "Fine, you don't want money, beauty, or even the ability to make your daughter happy but we both know you want something otherwise you couldn't see that paper."
Vinessa "This? It just slid under my door."
Jody "I know, I'm the one who put it there. Jeez not only are you a liar, you're a little slow on the draw too."
Vinessa "That's rude. Aren't you the one trying to offer me a deal?"
Jody "So you are interested?"
Vinessa "Like I said I don't want anything you are offering."
Jody "Then what is it you want? Be it the death of a hated person or the guarantee of success in every venture. I can grant any request."
Vinessa "Any request?"
Jody "Say the word and it's yours."
Vinessa "What if I want multiple things? Does it have to be one thing?"
Jody "Ooo I like where your brain is at. Come on, what do you have planned in that intelligent beautiful brain of yours?"
Vinessa "First I want to know what it will cost."
Jody "Maybe you aren't as dumb as you look. I don't want much in return. Just two souls, normally I would just take yours but you don't have much of one left anyway."
Vinessa "Two souls? HAHAHA you can't be serious. You must be out of your mind. Souls aren't real."
Jody "Sure, whether or not you believe they are real doesn't matter. Hell, it should make it easier since you get tangible things and I get practically nothing."
Vinessa "And how do I know you aren't lying? Some strange kid waltzed into my house and offers me anything for nothing? What's your game?"
Jody "Didn't you read the paper? It isn't a game nor am I trying to trick you. You will be able to read the terms for yourself. Besides what do I get out of lying?"
Vinessa "I don't know. That's what's making me worry. How would you feel if someone offered you anything you want?"
Jody "There is something I want, and unlike you I'm ready and willing to risk everything for the slightest possibility for it to work out in my favor. What do you have to lose? If you don't get anything then my words mean nothing and you just go back to normal life as if I never talked to you. Are you willing to risk everything in exchange for something you could never obtain on your own."
Vinessa "hm…"
Jody "You seem hesitant, I will come back but I can't guarantee that you'll get any more of those pills. Anyway say la vede."
Vinessa "WAIT! WAIT! Wait...You can get me more pills? How much?"
Jody "A lifetime supply."
Vinessa "Okay then here's how this little deal of ours is going to work."
Jody "Now you have my attention. Come on Ms.brilliant."
Vinessa "I want a personal invitation from Ada'levene to her next ball, the money you promised, eternal beauty and a lifetime supply of the pills. In exchange I will give you my soul and Richards."
Jody "HAHA aw shucks, I'll tell her...I've just been informed that you and your ex-husband's divorce has been finalized."
Vinessa "Okay? And you said two souls. Does it matter who you get?"
Jody "Just a tad bit. Unfortunately we can't harm the innocent nor a transgressor. Now if that person has the DNA of the transgressor we can arrange an addendum on the innocent part."
Vinessa "I don't have any siblings and my parents are dead."
Jody "Oh well, I guess the deals off then. Try asking for something within your price range. Going overboard is ill advised but hey, it's your soul."
Vinessa "How much will my soul get me?"
Jody "Your soul? UM...hmm...add the two...subtract four...ability to see Ada'levene, twenty million dollars, higher than average beauty and four pills."
Vinessa "I'm sure I'm worth more than that. Can you at least work with me?"
Jody "Nope, sorry those are the terms. Your soul isn't something that is all too valuable. I'm being generous by even giving you the deal I gave."
Vinessa "Alright alright...It must be because i'm old."
Jody "Sure, if that helps you. Do you agree to the terms or no?"
Vinessa "If my soul is so valuable to you how much would an untouched youthful one be?"
Jody "So long as they are under the age of fifteen and of your DNA? I would actually owe you a bit."
Vinessa "Okay then, My first born daughter Angillina. She is untouched, young, and pure in all sense of the word."
Jody "Her?!?! My goodness, I didn't think you would be such a good business woman. You clearly have an eye for this."
Vinessa "Of course, I didn't go to business school for nothing."
Jody "Calm down it was a community college. Anyway You have a bit left over. Would you like anything else?"
Vinessa "I guess i'll get something for angillina since she is helping me pay for this right?"
Jody "Of course, You didn't go to business school for nothing right?"
Vinessa "Oh haha, I want Ada'levene to also personally invite Angillina to attend the Ada'levene school of stars on a complete scholarship, no fees, no dues, nothing all expenses paid."
Jody "Oh quite the deal really. Now sign the paper."
Vinessa "I don't have a pen."
Jody "No worries."
Jody snapped her fingers and a small scarlet plume of flame puffed a pen."
Vinessa "It doesn't have ink. I don't think i should sign this with you being so unprepared."
Jody "That's because ink doesn't appear on this paper, it needs to be signed in blood. Use the pen to prick your finger and don't worry about dipping again, you only need one drop."
Vinessa did as Jody said, pricked her finger and signed her and Angillina to an unknown stranger.
Jody "Delicious, you should have read the terms closer before signing. Is that something you usually do? Aren't you scared of being tricked?"
Vinessa "It's not a game or a trick right what do I have to be worried about?"
Jody "Exactly, now that it can't be undone. Please sit through this, listen carefully and hold all questions until the end. Procedure I'm afraid. Vinessa, you have signed away one soul belonging to you and one belonging to twelve year old Angillina Vizzscarra in exchange for a personal invitation to a ball hosted by Ada'levene, a personal invitation to Ada'levene's school for stars, enough money to last a twenty thousand lifetimes, and one lifetime's supply of for legal reasons nondescript pills…"
Vinessa "And eternal beauty."
Jody "And eternal beauty. You made this contract with full knowledge that yours and Angillina's soul will belong to Jody and subsidiaries for all eternity and at no point will there be a way to reverse, take back, or otherwise racant on the items listed in the contract for both parties, being you the signer and me the contractor. By signing you also understand that at any point in time Jody or an agent she assigns will be able to collect on the discussed fees. By signing above, you also recognize you, Vinessa Halmonti, are not permitted into the kingdom of heaven for any reason and will spend your afterlife in the jurisdiction of hell until an audit or recount by God is called. It is also understood by all parties that you have willingly and under no duress *lestthecontractbenullandvoid* signed the agreement with the expressed focus of personal gain and I the contractor Jody chrishall in the presence of witness Lucifer have expressed the dangers of signing which is but not limited to eternal damnation, torture, and anything for brievity purposes not listed in the contract. Do you understand what I have read to you or do you need a dumbed down version you stupid stupid woman?"
Vinessa "What did I just sign?"
Jody "A contract for your and Angillina's soul. Weren't you listening? I was pretty clear?"
Vinessa "The part about me belonging to hell and eternal damnation. You must be crazy."
Jody "So you were listening. What does it matter? Hell and souls aren't real right?"
Vinessa "You are right. Now I want what I 'paid' for."
Jody "Done, your bank account won't empty in fact the more money you spend the more you'll get back. Here is your hand written letter of scholarship, You will always look hideous to you but everyone will see you as second in beauty only to me. Sorry but dad's rules supersede mine, and lastly Ada'levene will be here shortly, she was already on her way to host her ball here. Your lifetime supply of pills will be given later and your punishment is to walk the kingdom grounds of hell as a pariah and subject to every pestilence in existence and nonexistent anymore to be used however and whenever anyone pleases. Any questions?"
Vinessa "Why do I feel like I made the wrong choice?"
Jody "Aww because you did dummy but that's okay I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to think about the recourse of your actions while being torn apart."
Vinessa "What?"
Jody "What?"
Vinessa "Did you just say I will be torn apart?"
Jody "Oh, that must be for you."
*Ding dong*ding dong*ding dong*
Vinessa went to answer the door, taking her eyes off of Jody for a split moment, only returning to see the girl was gone and a note on her window sill. Vinessea fell to her knees crying, when her phone pinged off a notification and another and another one after the next, her phone would stop buzzing.
You have one new message from Eden central bank - DEPOSIT! OPE…
(334)XXX-XXXX: HEYY!! Jody told me about an absolutely gorgeous lil doll. TE…
(334)XXX-XXXX: Don't worry about your prescription. I picked it up on the way over.
YOU HAVE 4 MISSED CALLS FROM (334)XXX-XXXX…
AUTOFLYERS - HEY! YOUR OUTSTANDING LOAN AMOUNT OF…
Vinessa stared at the notifications as she started to laugh hysterically. Hell, Lucifer, souls all foolish notions to her, not that it mattered much now anyways. The deal was done, all that was left was to open the door and accept her gifts. Maybe the girl is manipulating her somehow? But again what did it matter? The deal was done right? So...why? Why did she feel uneasy. Each tick of the grandfather clock pinched Vinessa with more anxiety and more panic. *ding dong*ding dong*ding dong* The doorbell kept ringing until a frantic Vinessa opened the door. Stunned she stammered over her words as a tall broad shouldered woman bulgarded her way into Vinessa's house. Not a single word was spoken between the two females, even when ada'levene would touch items in the house. Ada'levene gave a warm smile and spoke the first words she could.
Ada'levene "So, you made a deal too huh?"
Vinessa "Yea, hopefully I don't regret it."
Ada'levene "No, why would you regret it when you are personally invited to one of my balls."
Vinessa "Um...yeah, maybe."
Ada'levene "May I see my future student?"
Vinessa "Why, of course! Angillina! Someone is here to meet you."