Inspired By A Character From The Novel: Love In This Time, By The Author, Royal Red.
New Orleans Fox, Vanessa.
By: Royal Red.
Vickychapters production.
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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.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
New Orleans' Fox, Vanessa.
A sequel of Love In This Time.
Chapter One
1930's
Vesnessa
A stripper who only men value.
A girl who's been tossed away by society.
A business woman seen as low-level 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 big 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 pink 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 leave and 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, 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; the Drug Den. I packed my hair up that had plastered my drenched -in perspiration-skin. My belly too appeared sweaty.
"Hello, new home," 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 a 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 he let me in. Before I stepped in, 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 will make em' think I'm baby playing pranks.'
I felt like crying.
I walked in steadily with folded arms and the smell of smoke welcomed me, dancing 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.' If you know what I mean. 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 had seen girls far younger than I was walk in here. I was waiting for one of the Cats to at least question my presence here, but there was nothing. No one.
I huffed.
Of course they were in the same shit so why question? I was an adult and had chosen my life.
Now Inside The Lion's Office. The Boss Himself.
"What did you say was your business here?" The boss' calm but unintentional masculine voice roared at me. He was a well built man with a scar on his grey beared that showed despite the briskly hair that covered the lower part of his face.
"I'm Vivian and would love to work for you?"
"Love?" The Boss, was busy counting money but my sharp voice snapped him out of his focus. We were in his very intimidating office, but that day I saw everything around me as my equal. I had tough, not just on the outside anymore, but on the inside. I didn't care if this man blew a bullet on my face."What exactly do you know about love, especially for working for someone?
You know you could die working for me."
I raised the side of my lips confidently. "You'd be surprised at how many things I know and can do."
A smirk climbed his side lips. Seated on his executive chair with arms on his finely decorated desk, he uttered, "What are you good at?"
That question was what got me to where I am today.
I couldn't think of anything else.
My dream… It's… a dumb childhood dream. I wanted to be a dancer but that'll be stupid blurting that out. I wasn't asked what I wanted to do here for the Den of Gangs, instead he asked me a question my mother never asked me. Perhaps I'm taking this casual question too far.
The Gang Boss said, "Silence? What would a girl like you be doing in these parts?"
"I want to help sell drugs." Now I saw the man, who I found to now be handsome, wave for the dismissal of his bodyguards present.
It was now as though he changed. I couldn't just hear his soothing voice, but I could feel it roam on my skin.
His caring voice asked me, "What happened child?" Nobody had asked me exactly how I felt before. The Gang leader was surprisingly caring. Too caring for a Gangster.
Maybe I shouldn't blame my mum for falling head over heels for a Gangster.
I rubbed my shoulder softly, then brought my emotions under subjection. "I'd appreciate a job, Boss."
He stood up from his seat and I saw how tall he was. His aura spun me inside out and I was intimidated for a different reason. It was lovely, if I were to explain…
He held my chin.
"What can you do for me, Vee?" His intense green eyes bore into mine.
We had a conversation… and he asked again, "What are you good at?"
The answer led me to dancing for my Boss, Serio. The curtains were closed and I showed my flexibility. Serio was cool. I was dancing yet I didn't feel compelled. He had a soothing authoritative tone that made you feel you had to what you wanted to do, but his voice was the permission.
I had dressed myself in a skimpy lingerie and there was a pole I handled like it was a game of dominant and submissive. The blue lights were turned on and the red curtains made the place beautiful.
I danced well, and when I accidentally miss a step at the end, my Boss made fun of me; causing both of us to laugh. I felt happy.
Serio came closer to me, and held my exposed waist, placing his chin on my shoulder.
"Venessa" His husky breath tickled my ear. "You did well. My sly Fox."
Chapter One: Dancing For my Boss.
Chapter Two
Eleven Years Passed.
That was the beginning of a new era for me. Ever since that day, I found a resting place in the Den Of Gangs. I'd meet up with clients and sell drugs.
I and Boss Serio had a special kind of relationship, but being a mature man he tried to keep as decent as possible. I liked how caring he was but it pained humans could turn humans against each other . His brother never liked me from the start.
Jealousy.
Of course the Boss had some kind of romantic feelings for me so for this reason I'd often hear Alphred tell his brother, "Women can be cunning." That was my name anyways, Fox. Lord Serio had nicknamed me that. "Be careful and don't trust womrn cuz they caused the first downfall of man. Remember your brother…" and shit like that.
Serio cared so much for me, but blood was blood. Nevertheless, no one dared to touch me.
Today was a different day.
I stood outside. I watched the beautiful scenery of the ever-so wonderful snow fall down. I would be meeting up with my work partner to deliver a package. The job was easy. Meet up with Luscious, deliver the package and come back.
Dressed in a white and brown fur jacket and fur hat with big pants and boots, I awaited Luscious', my partner's, presence.
This was during the early evening hours. I glanced at my watch knowing fully well that idiot would come late. I'd probably die from cold if not from the cursed tensed feeling that hugged me.
I gulped down saliva, nervously.
Something felt strange this time around. I had a harbinger feeling that something would go wrong, regardless, I had to do as my boss commanded. Unlike other times, this package, I didn't know what this package contained.
"Shit!"
Why don't they tell me anything?
This journey was eerie. Very eerie.
Still in the middle of nowhere in the snow, I recall a disgusting day.
*Flashback*
"Where's Serio?" Alphred had questioned me one time when I was in the Boss' office cleaning it up.
I answered politely, "His not around."
Alphred made his way into the office. Alphred, Sir Serio's blood brother; who I'd describe as spoilt, was a carrot head. He had a snake tattoo on his left arm usually dressed in big pants accompanied by a bandana on his head.
He wasn't attractive anyway. I meant this inwardly cause I believe that's the true source of attraction.
I paused to observe this action, soon speaking without turning back with eyes glued to the files I was arranging, "I said, Boss Serio is not present."
The lame tall orange-haired dude sashayed in like it was nothing. I had all the right to be in this office as I was instructed.
I faced backwards whilst he opened a drawer from my behind. "Good," said Alphred. His breath smelt greatly of alcohol which I got so use to but it still irked my senses. His fingers collected a small sack of cocaine as he was in close proximity with me. Then he leaned closer to me, and said, "Your Fox, the dancer right.?"
I shifted back, hitting him on purpose. "Oops! Sorry sir. I didn't feel much presence behind my back." Of course, I, Vanessa said it on purpose. I was a "joke" which I prayed Alphred got, but he insisted.
He shifted backwards feeling like was a god. He proceeded to stroking his chin.
With a husky voice, he pronounced, "Dance for me."
I still went in with what I was doing. I felt unperturbed as he didn't seem like a threat. The joke stands.
I curved my lips for a leer. "I don't do shows for second-in-commands. How would you feel if Lord Serio was to walk in here?" I then faced him, with a cocky aura. I went for his chin ; a little something I learnt from his brother, "Sir, it takes more than that to book a show."
I stared down to the lower part of his pants. His expression switched to a glowering one. "Youu!" Before he could hit me with his raised hand, my hero and Boss walked in.
"What's happening here, Alphred?" Lord Serio, as I like to call him, walked into the scene.
The brat withdrew his palm and fisted it into his pocket. He lied, "I caught her stealing some drugs from you and thought to straighten her up, Sir."
Serio went on with voice booming in the entire office, "Fox is my trusted worker. Any action that needs correction should be first discussed with me." He went on to take the sack from the liar.
I blused inwardly and outwardly. Alphred left in shame after the Boss had given this statement, "Do you have any other correction to make? Perhaps about me this time around?"
"N-no Sir,"
"Then leave!"
I giggled to the thunderous tune.
I was marked as his brother's enemy from that day onward.
*End Of Flashback*
Present.
"Get in the fucking car," Luscious commanded me. Is stared at him a bit. This man in front seat, had a pot for a belly and like the other men I had been aquatinted with, he smelt greatly of cigarettes.
"What's in the car?" I asked.
He was still in the driver's seat with arms stuck out the whined-down windows. He had a very noticeable mustache and a chubby nose.
Luscious continued, "Venessa, you get in the fucking car or I'll run you over!"
"Why can't you just tell me what the package is?"
He got angry and stormed out with a bellow. My partner roared, "What the fuck is this!?"
"Why can't you just tell me what's going on! Where're we going?!"
"Now shut the hell up! It's bad enough I have to go on this mission with a woman, now I have to go with one with no respect for herself and a man. Why can't you just shut up and be a woman? Do as men tell you."
I knew if I said anything now, we'd fight. Wisdom, they say is a good a virtue and many lack it. The ability to shut up when fools are talking keeps you sane.
The door slammed as I went in. I sat in front and my crime partner went in too to revv the car to start.
Luscious spat out, "Stupid."
What a man. Degradation of females. I rested my head on the window in melancholy, gazing at the snowfall beautifully. It calmed me down. No one needed to tell me there was a body in that booth.
Jazz music boomed through the speakers in the car. My eyes soon sighted something that could take our lives for good.
"Luscious, turn to the left," I advised.
He gruffed, "No!"
"There are cops."
His hands were still on the wheel, leading us to our enemies. He went on, "I got this."
I wasn't ready to go to jail. I snatched the wheels from his hands bit this caused us to fight leading to the car skidding. We almost crashed, I had used my whole strength but he over powered me.
He bellowed, "I said I got this!" He pushed me a groan escaped my mouth. My heartbeat was so severe that it could double for continuous explosions. I knew we we're in deep shit as this foolish man refused to listen to a woman even when she was right.
He made a stop in front of a police checkpoint, and two white cops stared at us making me fright the more. Apart from fear, anger too overwhelmed and I felt like snapping my partner's neck.
One of the policemen flashed a torchlight at my face suspecting me. His crumpled face drew closed to me. The policemen questioned, "You okay? Mind us checking the car?"
Chapter Two: Dominant And Recessive.