The moon was as always the silent observer of everything.
As the stars began to fill the dark, night sky, Aylin was captivated by another scene that seemed to glisten and sparkle as brightly. The narrow street was decorated with colourful lights and gorgeous females of different ages were standing on both sides of the street in revealing clothes. Standing in seducing postures, they were calling and trying to lure their customers and some of them already started negotiating.
The murmuring of the people and the bewitching laughing sound of the courtesans were lingering in the air, the moment Aylin reached near the red light area towards the infamous Blossom Brothel. A soft yet sweet scent of feminine perfume wafted into her nostrils.
Some courtesans, dressed in velvety and shimmering clothes, came out to walk with their customers. They were passing by without paying any attention to Aylin. Turning her head, Aylin was observing her surroundings with a surprised and curious expression.
That whole area was red light area and those cottages on both sides of the street were of small prostitutes. But the main attraction of that area was the Blossom Brothel. The costliest and most beautiful courtesans used to work under them.
Aunt Mable was a renowned dancer and courtesan of that brothel. Not to mention, because of her enchanting beauty and dazzling smile, she had numerous wealthy customers. So, it wasn't new for her not to return home. But, it was longer than usual and specifically after that nightmare, Aylin couldn't stay at home and just wait for any more.
It was Aylin's first time in that area and all the houses were decorated with colourful lights and flowers so it was really difficult for her to find the Blossom Brothel. So after a moment of hesitation, Aylin approached a voluptuous lady nearby.
Clearing her throat and covering her face and head properly with her shawl, Aylin asked in her silvery voice, "Mam, where is the Blossom Brothel?"
Wrinkling her nose with a curious expression, the woman scanned Aylin from head to toe. Then leaning against her small cottage with just a room, she asked back, "Mam? It seems that you are new in the business, chick. Who is your owner?"
"NO! No," Aylin hastily shook her head as she took another step forward. Then, gathering her courage, she spoke again, "I am here in search of someone. I don't have any owner or anything. Can you tell me the address, please?"
"In search of someone? Who? Your lover?"
The woman giggled out in a peal of mocking laughter as she gently slid her fingers under Aylin's chin, leaning closer. Then while scanning Lin's delicate face, she added with her teasing and seducing smile, "Don't worry Chick. With this face of yours, you will find numerous lovers in the Blossom Brothel."
Aylin's shawl already slipped from her head, revealing her pretty face and beautiful black hair. She hastily took a step back as she flushed miserably, realising the meaning of her words.
While fixing her shawl, Aylin blurted out anxiously, a little louder than usual, "Mam, I am not here to find any lover or join the business. I am here to find my Aunt. Can you please tell me the direction? If you don't know, then I will just go."
The woman laughed again mischievously as she took her hand back. While playing with a strand of her wavy hair, "Uh-huh… Don't get offended, Chick. I can tell you the direction but if you really don't have any intention to find lovers, you shouldn't go there."
Aylin also knew that a girl of her age should never go to Blossom Brothel or not even come near the red light area but she was desperate. Without meeting her aunt, she wasn't going to return that night.
Clenching her fingers into tight fists, she looked up in the direction of the woman as she declared in a determined tone, "But, I have to find my Aunt, Miss. No matter what. It is urgent."
Shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly, the woman stated in her beguiling and soft voice, "Well, then take the next left turn and walk straight. You will collide with an enormous cottage just like a palace. That's your destination."
Aylin bowed to her respectfully as she murmured, "Thank you, Mam."
Without waiting for her reply, Aylin began to run in that direction but the woman called her again from behind in her alluring voice, "Hey! Chick, listen."
Tilting her head, Lin asked in a confused voice, "Yes?"
The woman advised while stretching her voluptuous figure, "If you want to return home safely, you better not show your face."
When Aylin reached the end of the road and the magnificent brothel house greeted her eyes. Everything about that house was dazzling, bright lights, bright colours of the buildings and glamorous courtesans, dressed in revealing dresses with high makeup. That soft scent of perfume was stronger there, mixed with the scent of fine liquor as the crowd was bustling.
The cacophony of the surroundings was deafening as Aylin walked towards the huge, open door of the brothel.
Nearby, two customers were negotiating with two courtesans in a loud tone. But, ignoring all of them, Aylin stopped in front of the open door as she peeked inside of the brothel. The atmosphere inside was more lively than outside as a soft light illuminated the spacious hall.
But, before she could enter, one guard stopped her, blocking her path with his hand.
The guard asked in his husky voice, "Who are you? Why are you trying to sneak in?"
Pulling her shawl to cover her face properly and still lowering her head, Aylin murmured in a low and careful tone, "My Aunt works here. So, I want to meet her. She must be"
Without letting her finish her sentence, the guard cut her in the middle as he ordered in his hoarse voice, "Leave. Outsiders are not allowed here."
Aylin pleaded again, taking a step closer, "Please, it is very urgent. I will leave after meeting her for once."
"Not possible. Don't waste your time, Kid."
Slightly looking up, Aylin kept on pleading, "Please, I will just see her for once. Her name is Mable. Let me meet for once."
But, the guard grumbled in an annoyed tone, "Jeez! Why don't you understand it is impossible? I can never allow an outsider to go inside. Just leave."
"Please! Please!"
The sound of the negotiations nearby was overpowering Aylin's low and helpless pleading. It seemed that the negotiations turned into an argument. Aylin was about to say something when a sharp, cursing female voice from behind startled her, followed by a loud sound of a slap.
The middle-aged female: "Jerk! How dare you scream, standing in front of my house?"
With a startled expression, Aylin turned her head only to find out an old, ruthless yet glamorous madam pimp in her 40s slapped the customer who was demandingly negotiating with the gorgeous courtesan nearby. She was the owner of all prostitutes and dancers of that brothel.
Her cakey makeup and deep lipstick weren't harmonizing with her age but she was adorned with costly jewellery from head to toe. The customer tried to say something but before he could say anything, she slapped him once again. Then pulling the courtesan away from him, she cursed in a hoarse voice, "Beggar! If you don't have money, then no need to f*** here. Get lost."
The customer blurted out aggressively, "I just want some discount. I am a daily-"
"Mother*****"
The old lady abused loudly, spitting on the ground, without even giving him any chance to complete his sentence. Then turning her head in the direction of Aylin and that guard, she ordered rudely, "Where is everyone? Throw this beggar out of my area… Right Now!"
The guard who was talking with Aylin, instantly pushed her aside as he grumbled in his annoyed tone, "Move aside, Kid if you don't want to die. Madam is very angry right now."
The guard hastily ran towards the direction of that old lady, followed by a few more guards. Unfortunately, just before leaving, he closed the huge door of the brothel and not to mention, Lin's surroundings were awfully crowded at that moment with zero chance to sneak in.
Standing at a corner, Aylin noticed the whole drama for a few minutes, then sighing disappointedly, she decided to find another way to sneak in.