*VickyChapters.*©

**Copyright © [Year] 2025, [Author] Royal Red. All rights reserved.**

This novel is protected by copyright law. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

New Orleans' Fox, Vanessa.

A sequel of Love In This Time.

1930's

Vesnessa

A stripper with so much value for just men.

A girl who's been tossed away by society.

A business woman seen as low-levelled to some for selling her body for money.

That's me, Vesnessa, New Orleans own Fox.

I've been dancing for as long as I can remember. I first performed for my boss, Serio, an Italian kind- hearted man with anger issues. He had a brother whom he loved so much, but his brother despised me. If money ever got missing in the Den Of Gangs, the boss would blame me.

I remember my first day when I stepped into that den. The day I set foot in the place, my life transformed—There was no going back.

It was Wednesday afternoon, I had just ran from home. I remember panting and lifting my feet off the ground speedily in a systematic manner. I was running away from my mum, and my life, stepping into something dangerous. 

Dressed in my white crop top and blue low-level denim fley pants, I ran towards the den of drugs I had heard about.

"Curse you child!" My mother had hollered at me that morning. She was putting on her pink gown. That pig gown I had grown tired of. "I never want to see you again! Why don't you disappear like your older sister!? Huh!? You disgust me! Your mates are sleeping with wealthy men making money, whilst you just sit in my home asking for education!"

Tears welled up my eyes. My mum had I and my sister when she was a teenager. Of course, she never wanted us. She was an alcoholic, battling depression, praying the love of her life, who was a gang leader to go back to her. She was currently pregnant again so she wasn't mentally stable.

I had tried my best.

Ma and the beatings.

The bruises.

"Its not my fault you failed the abortion!" I raised my voice at my mother for the first time. It was intense, and in order to avoid being thrashed, I fled in an instant.

"You ungrateful child!" Ma gruffed in anger, "Join your sister in her whore house." 

I cried. Mother stank greatly of drugs and it was mysterious how her baby didn't still come out after such series of consuming alcohol. Hard drugs! 

'I'm sorry baby for leaving you, but if you survive this woman, I'm sure you will survive this world and be a great star.' I apologized in my heart as I decided to not die by my mother's side.

Wreckless woman.

I sniffed in, still running to the dangerous life I would never return from.

I was thirteen turning fourteen soon, and I decided the Den Of Gang, that was where I'd spend my birthday. A big party with the theme "drugs". 

I took in a deep breath feeling my small chest pound harder than my mother's fist when she's beating me. My small white crop top shielded nothing much on my chest. I was right ass flat and wouldn't even succeed in being a Courtesan.

I was still panting, as I made a halt in front of the terrifying, yet glorious paradise; s drug den. I packed my hair up that had plastered my drenched -in perspiration-skin. My belly too appeared sweaty.

"Hello, birthday party," I soliloquized, "That's if I don't get shot on sight."

"State your name and your business here," I heard the stern voice of the man in front of the Den Of Gangs, whom I grew to know as Thomas.

I wanted to act tough.. so I did. Hell, yes I was petrified but I summoned all strength to be a woman that day. With a small but tough voice, I said, "My name's Vivian. I want to speak with your boss." I found it funny how I fisted my hands in my tight pocket to give that cool gangster aura. The man gave me a look—obviously. He didn't laugh, but I'm sure he found it funny like I did.

What's was a small girl doing here, wanting to see my boss?

He managed a chuckle. "My boss, eigh?" He banged on the door and I soon heard a clanging noise. To my greatest surprise, the door was miraculously opened and I saw how the man ogled at me, leering intensely at my stingy body—a body that had nothing to offer.

Perhaps it was the confidence for him that had convinced him to open the gate that shielded the lions. 'What was I doing?' I asked myself, walking in. I was still pondering if I could still make a turn back. 'I can't go back since it is probably confidence that got me here. Crying now and ruining everything may make em' think I am playing pranks.'

I felt like crying.

I walked in steadily with folded arms and the smell of smoke danced under my nose.

'Shit, Vivian, this is the life you're stepping into? The kind of life you want to live?'

Men with guns stationed in the place. There was a steamy atmosphere lingering in the place. The red light gave the place a spooky ambience and the people around participated in a 'Dog and Cat Fight.' The place was a typical secret Bad Gang layer. Drugs were in trays being produced, different rooms for different sinful stuff.

Of course, the music.

The adults gazed at me like I wasn't underaged or they have seen girls you her than me walk in here. I was waiting for one of the Cats to at least question my presence here, but there was nothing. No one. Nada.

I huffed. 

Of course they were in the same shit so why question? I was an adult and had chosen my life.