Disclaimer: This book is a work of fiction written by the author. Some place names, organizations, or names of characters are made up without being directly related to the actual situation. Enjoy this fiction, I hope you like it.
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The wind blew in a silent room. A girl sat on the edge of a large bed with a half-anxious look. Her brow furrowed slightly, while she had been breathing heavily ever since as if she was anxiously waiting for something.
This was the first week since Liliana's escape. Since the day she decided to run away from her 'castle'. Liliana tried her best not to get caught by her father's men. It was Liliana's decision to leave because she felt no longer uncomfortable being in a house that always kept her hidden from the outside world.
Liliana Escall is the middle child of the Escall family, one of the most prominent and respected research families on the American mainland. At least that was what Liliana had known since she was little because her family always placed her in a secluded place in the house which prevented Liliana from knowing about other things even about her own family. Liliana lived with her eyes closed all the time.
Liliana couldn't see, she was blind; that was what her parents always told her. They always covered Liliana's eyes with a blindfold and told her something even more terrifying; that Liliana's blind eyes were the effect of a dangerous disease, and if anyone else saw it, they would die from contracting the virus. That was why Liliana had always thought that hiding herself was the best thing her parents could do, but not anymore.
Liliana obeyed her parents, but she no longer felt at home living in a house that never wanted her to see the outside world. Every day all she saw was darkness, she felt empty and the smell most familiar to her nose was the smell of medicine. Liliana wanted to know what the outside world was like, she wanted to meet new people and live a new story, which she had never experienced before. Isn't that a lot of fun? It was like a dream that Liliana could never reach, but Liliana arrived here
Being away from home isn't that bad if you find the right place to anchor. Liliana met a man, he was kind and spoke very gently to Liliana; he also told Liliana about a place that only provided fun and happiness.
This is Madame Joy, a place that represents its name well. Liliana didn't know what kind of place this was, but a man named Joe explained that at Madame Joy there was nothing but happiness; even tears can fall because of overflowing happiness. Here, Liliana discovers something that is the fact that the happiness that Joe mentions may be the real thing. Women like Liliana lived well here, sounding like they were very happy and enjoying their life at Madame Joy. Liliana often heard them laughing happily every night. even that overflowing happiness made them scream.
Liliana thought she had come to the right place, so she felt a little impatient to go through that kind of happiness; something she had never done before. And tonight is her turn.
"Joe said I have to look good in front of my guests. Is my make-up still good?" Liliana said while feeling her face.
Joe had already told Liliana about how Madame Joy worked; if you serve guests well, then guests will give you abundant happiness too. It went like a symbiotic mutualism, the advantages that Liliana gave her guests would earn her the same; happiness, warmth, even comfort. That's what Joe said.
Therefore, tonight Liliana will do her best to make her guests satisfied so that she can have the same happiness as the other women there.
"This make-up feels a little uncomfortable on my face."
Liliana back to the bed, waiting nervously. She moved her head like checking around, and then the door sounds opened. Is there someone coming in?
Liliana fixed her seat up and got ready to welcome a guy who walked in. The door was open, Liliana didn't know who was coming in but she tried to welcome him by standing in front of the bed—that facing the place where the door was.
"We-welcome," Liliana said as Joe told her to do when the guest came into the room.
There was no response. Liliana heard a step sound, it was getting closer and made her more nervous.
"A blind girl?" A low, deep male voice startled Liliana for a moment and made her shoulders rise slightly.
Liliana didn't answer; didn't know what she would say to reply to her guest's words. Maybe the guest, who turned out to be a male, was disappointed, so she just looked down without knowing what the guy was smiling at.
"It's kinda interesting ...."
The guy looked at Liliana for a few seconds, seemed like Liliana feels uncomfortable. But suddenly the guy walked closer until Liliana can felt his warm body and heard his deep breath.
"Joe is a great finder as always," he said, it made Liliana a little bit confused but she didn't know what to say when the guy was already in front of her.
"Did you feel tired, My Lord?" That was the only thing that went through her head when she got nervous, and it made the guy stop when he tried to touch Liliana's face.
He was confused but he laughed in the next second. He replied, "Yeah ... I'm a little bit tired but it doesn't matter for this wonderful night."
"Wonderful night?"
"Yup. Do you know that I'm strong for standing until the day comes? I'll make this night of ours become a wonderful night that you'll never forget."
Liliana was just silent, thinking about a word that she didn't understand. The guy didn't wait for her to think, and suddenly he undressed every top he wore without Liliana knowing. It was gonna be her first time to face an undressed guy like this, with his hefty body and the sweats that slowly flow through his body—if only she could see it
Liliana was shocked when the guy came closer and suddenly kissed her lips gently. He looked at Liliana's face, and he smiled again. Then he grabbed Liliana's waist and pulled her closer to him; he kissed Liliana once again and some strange feelings start to stung Liliana in the place where the guy touched her.
Her eyebrows were rising, showing her discomfort. Liliana no longer feel safe and she pulled him away from her.
"Wh-what are you doing, My Lord?" she asked, but it just made the guy wonder.
"What am I doing ...?" he repeated the question and thought. Then he wanted to touch Liliana but that girl was so scared and confused that she fell to the bed, and tried to keep away. "Okay ... I get it if you just feel so nervous because this is your first time, but ... didn't Joe tell you about what you have to do when you are with your guest?"
"Yeah ... Joe told me to serve you as well as possible."
The guy frowned, seemed like something had gone wrong here. "What kind of service he told you to do?"
"I don't know. He just gave me this sheer dress with makeup on, and ...," Liliana paused, she moved her head around and remember the bottle of champagne and two glasses beside, "and the champagne. D-do you want a glass of champagne, My Lord?"
Liliana got up from the bed with trembling steps. She walked around fumbling around, trying to remember where Joe had put the glass and champagne bottle. Liliana had practiced a lot to be able to pour champagne into the glass, but now she just forgot where it was because she felt threatened.
Even more so when the guy suddenly grabbed her hand; hold it.
"Would a blind girl like you pour me a drink?" The guy asked, his tone getting higher and indicating he was upset at the moment.
Liliana was shaking, she didn't understand why she couldn't easily get the pleasure the other girls had. She even seemed to be being scolded by her guest at this time.
"I'm sorry, My Lord. I didn't mean to upset you because of my condition. I was only told that if I could serve you well, then I would have the pleasure that other women get from their guests. Sorry to disappoint you."
The guy was silent for a while, he stand for a long time while looking at Liliana with frowning brows—before he finally pulled her gently to return to the bed.
"Sit down," he said, told Liliana to sit on the bed and the girl complied.
The guy looks a little frustrated; because he didn't come to get all this. Whereas it was clear that he had been holding back for a long time, and now it seemed that he had to find another virgin to be with him tonight.
But he didn't leave immediately, the guy sitting beside Liliana.
"Do you know what kind of place where you are right now?" asked the guy.
Liliana answered him confidently. "A place full of fun as the name suggests. A place where I can find worldly pleasures I've never had before."
Her answer made the guy pause, then he turned to the side to get a vivid look at Liliana's calm figure.
Then the guy laughed and left Liliana confused.
"Are you sold?" the guy asked, leaving Liliana momentarily dumbfounded.
"Am I for sale? Am I sold? But I'm a human... does anyone sell humans?" Liliana asked back, and that only made the guy beside her, laugh even harder for a few seconds.
After he finished laughing, the guy drew closer to Liliana slowly. "You didn't even know there was such a thing as human trafficking?" he said, much to Liliana's surprise. "You're like Rapunzel. Do you know Rapunzel?"
"Yes, I do… a princess who was locked up in a witch's castle for a long time and tried to escape to see the outside world."
"Yes, you're just like her." Liliana remained silent until the guy speak again, "Did you just come out of your castle, princess?" Liliana was increasingly unable to answer and the two of them were just silent for a long time.
The guy with black hair get off the bed, then picked up the white shirt he had thrown on the floor and put it back on. He took a deep breath. He looked back at where Liliana was, looking at the innocent girl with covered eyes who was sitting with a trembling body.
For some reason, seeing her fragile-looking figure and covered eyes made the guy feel attracted. Originally intending to leave, he instead approached Liliana and sit on one leg in front of Liliana like a knight facing his princess.
"Do you need your Flynn Rider, Princess Rapunzel?" he said, asking in a soft voice that woke Liliana up from her daydream. "I can be your guide to prevent you from getting lost after leaving your castle."
Liliana fall silent and thought. "Then what about this place? Isn't it here that I can also find happiness?"
The guy touched Liliana's hand, and of course, Liliana immediately pulled her hand the first time she was touched. "You don't even know what kind of place you're in, My Lady, you close your eyes all the time."
"Ah... I'm blind."
"No problem, I can be your eyes to see the beauty of the world from a safe place."
Liliana was pensive, looking uncertain. If a stranger man said that, it made Liliana think that this place wasn't a good place as Joe said.
"Did Joe lie to me...?" Liliana asked in a disappointed tone.
"Joe isn't lying, you just don't understand it yet. But from what I see, this place isn't for you."
"Why not? Is it because I'm not compatible with happiness and pleasure?"
Liliana feel that the guy was still trying to touch her, and this time her hands were free to grip even though she still feels a little wary. However, to be honest, holding the guy warm—as if it made Liliana forget the shocking thing he did to her.
"I'm not saying you're not compatible with happiness, My Lady," the guy said, sitting back down next to Liliana—closer so he could whisper in her ear, "but this kind of happiness doesn't suit someone lovely like you. There should be greater happiness for you, and this place doesn't provide it."
"Then where can I get such happiness?" asked Liliana.
The guy replied, "Outside of this place, there are many places that you could certainly prefer."
"You know where it is?"
"Of course. I live in it." Liliana raised her head, slowly facing where the guy is. She looks interested, so the guy asked, "Would you like to give it a try? Go somewhere you deserve?"
Of course, those words intrigued Liliana; it had always been what she had dreamed of.
"Can I leave safely?" Liliana asked, "without someone giving me the wrong address?"
"Sure you can... Rapunzel also found her happiness because she met Flynn," the guy replied, gripping Liliana's hand tighter. Those words made Liliana relieved for a moment, but when she remembered the moment when something stuck to her lips and pushed her in—Liliana stopped smiling. She hesitated, and the guy realized it.
The guy asked, "Are you afraid of me?" Liliana was just silent, "or are you still shaking because I kissed you suddenly?"
"It's the first time I feel someone kiss my lips and hug me tightly. I felt a strange sensation and it surprised me," answers Liliana, now she could slowly calm down and asked, "why did you do that even when it was the first time we met ?"
The guy was heard laughing. "Because you are so beautiful," replied the guy without waiting long, "as beautiful as something out of this world."
"Is that true?"
The guy nodded and muttered, then he stroked Liliana's hair. "Your hair color is very beautiful. It's also not like most hair colors. Is this real?"
"It's genuine, and many say it is."
"The people in your castle?"
Liliana was silent; just realized what she said. But she chose not to hide anything anymore, because now she feel a little comfortable being around this strange man with warm hands.
Liliana nodded weakly and made the guy beside her, smiling lopsidedly.
"So what's your name, My Lady?" the guy then asked.
"Liliana," Liliana answered because she didn't possibly say her last name.
"That's such a pretty name."
Liliana remained silent, allowing the guy to stroke her hair. More and more it made Liliana feel more comfortable, but she held the man's hand suddenly because she wanted to say.
"Shall we go now?"
The guy replied, "You really want to leave as soon as possible?"
"I just… want to make sure that you were really going to take me. It's going to be a safe journey, right?"
The guy didn't answer right away. He grabbed Liliana's hand again and gently pulled the girl's head against his chest.
"It will be safe, Lily," said the guy, "you will be safe under my supervision."
Liliana feels nothing at this moment but a comfort that made her drowsy. The stranger guy turned out to be gentle with her, even though he had frightened Liliana but now the girl believed that he was not dangerous.
"Then, what is your name, My Lord…?" Liliana asked, no longer minding her leaning comfortably against the guy's chest.
Until the guy answered, "Halley Ravenhill," with a smirk that Liliana certainly couldn't see. "I'd be happier if you called me by my name."
To Be Continued.