"So tell me why exactly do I have to go out with you and not my friends?" I was nothing but a collateral victim. I knew that from the moment my brother came in and asked to come with him out.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhVorcK9xN 維尼
"We are in Amsterdam. Do you know what I'd like to do in here, Anna?" He started. I scoffed. I had a few ideas. "The red district has been mocking me from afar. Don't you hear it?" David moaned, acting like a spoiled child.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsrtoiXGsd 維尼
"Hear what?"8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm9NtTm2oA 維尼
My younger brother rolled his eyes. He was 20 but the number didn't mean a thing because he was still acting like a teenager.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYCBfBUzQL 維尼
"The red Heaven is calling me!" I stared at him as if he was stupid. He really was.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXZbSnZfi2 維尼
"I'm going to the hotel." I was ready to turn around and leave when he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81WYNzDOrr 維尼
"I'll owe you one if you help me here," He put up his innocent puppy face and blinked. He knew I could hardly ignore that face.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3Rpsf5699 維尼
"What's the plan?" He jumped in happiness and hit the air excitedly.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr7ogIMGtu 維尼
"We're supposed to go around and look at the architecture. While you go do that and find something you like, I will go do my job."8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQKIu78Kdg 維尼
"But it's night. How am I supposed to look at the architecture? Besides, you are the architect, remember?" He sighed.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡHchjFhAQDt 維尼
"Just go around and do something." I rolled my eyes, noticing him preparing his money, and leaned in.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UXjOHxAav 維尼
"Not until dawn." I threatened, David agreeing before leaving happily. I was in some place unknown in Netherlands. I knew something bad was going to happen8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiejS7i4CS 維尼
I walked around for approximately an hour. I know that because I checked from ten to ten minutes. It was boring and I had no one to speak with. Some people were staring and some other people were ignoring me to the point where they rushed past me and almost hit me.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ174eQkLlhO 維尼
Somehow, I ended up in the red district as well. I was watching the models on the display with mixed feelings; that was a job even if it was one of the oldest and most shameful. I stopped in front of one girl who looked to be my age. She was blonde but her roots were black; she was truly beautiful but her eyes were empty. She was just like a shell.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmWcvERpt2 維尼
"That's the risk of the job,"8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTRzOEFgLp 維尼
I blinked quickly and looked around. 8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlDlwSGbnp 維尼
There were many people around but only one was staring straight at me. The lady crossed the street and walked over, lit a cigarette and even pushed one towards me. I refused the offer, not the smoking person even though my parents do smoke.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3S0X6JR1a 維尼
"They are taught what kind of mask to wear for each client," The lady continued in a very weird accent.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhlGQFm2fg 維尼
I tried to keep that for myself and turned towards the model.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡKykefj01Ik 維尼
"She is unfortunate." The woman scoffed.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGAVGvGWBy 維尼
"She got herself into it willingly. She is not unfortunate. She chose to be there in the first place." 8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPSzC6RODN 維尼
"Life isn't fair, is it?" I sighed and bit my lower lip as I watched the model change her pose. 8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMrwdfxKvN 維尼
"It depends. Just because you show something doesn't mean you sell yourself. Some people only use temptation for fun." I was a curious person and that sounded interesting enough. "Do you want to see a place like that?"8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93xtym1kg8 維尼
I nodded eagerly, feeling like that woman was going to show me something truly remarkable. I didn't know why I was getting that feeling but it was mesmerizing. The woman chuckled. Her face, her behavior and even her voice; everything was reminding me of a fox.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXyBRjpuDE 維尼
"Do you know what a succubus is?" I frowned at the strange question. The woman smirked and turned the corner.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQM0fJte9D 維尼
"A mythical creature that feeds with sexuality."8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡyffqtxdwCY 維尼
The woman laughed loudly; even her laugh was so cheeky. If I wasn't awake, I would have bet I was taunted by the Devil but that wasn't realistic. I wasn't dreaming and didn't consume any type of drugs.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJR5JfI8LL 維尼
"Men. Succubus feed on their energy. They suck it all out until there is not even a small drop of life left in their eyes." The woman continued, her eyes narrowing yet not moving off the road. "By the way, my name is Gigi."8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNDeKuYcS6 維尼
I nodded and slightly bowed out of reflex. I spent way too much time researching in South Korea. 8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bepI2u63w 維尼
"I'm-" Gigi interrupted, making a sign to stop.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqErvwf0WZ 維尼
"You're going to enter a place that will seem like a dream but it's not. It's the world of sin, where you get to live as you had never lived before. It's the world where every sin you commit won't be judged. You're just a mask through other masks," The woman inspected me from head to toe and noticed the shoes.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡumXzgChREc 維尼
Gigi opened two black doors and led me through the veil.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpJ4HtDL01 維尼
A man dressed in red walked towards Gigi and started to talk to her. That let me to check out the room I just entered. My eyes widened and I gasped at the scenery. There was a stage in the front, enlightened by reflectors, in the form of a semi circle and it was empty. It had no décor; only a woman who was singing with her soul on the sleeve. She was a little chubby but she was beautiful, the curtains behind her making everything even more mysterious. I was curious what was behind those curtains and what kind of secrets they were hiding.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHeif5tJxw 維尼
A set of black couches with a wood table at every three couches were decorating most of the middle part of that place; it was definitely bigger than what she imagined; there was a bar on each side of the entry; the lights were dim and I could barely see the faces of the people there. However, I noticed there weren’t many; maybe 15 at best. It was still early, probably but that definitely didn’t sadden the singer. Overall, the place looked like a scene from a movie. It looked nothing like Moulin Rouge and I had seen it and even helped my brother make a paper about it but it had the same feeling as the movie Moulin Rouge. It was surreal.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8hIjF08wf 維尼
"Who’s this?"8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQi4aIw8Gk 維尼
I got out of my reminiscence when I heard the man and saw him pointing at me. Gigi smirked and looked straight into my eyes. In that moment when our eyes met, I could feel something grabbing me and taking me into the abyss. Actually, it felt like I entered some kind of magical place. It was dangerous but I didn’t feel threatened by it.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QHE9ldoGb 維尼
"Chaussure Rouge. That's her name." Gigi responded in my place.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVZ2h2w54i 維尼
I was getting entangled into something I never expected to ever see and feel on my own skin.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrj1NJQ0cj 維尼
That night was surreal. I witnessed women and men getting in and out of a dreamy state. It was just like a storm. They would get completely compelled by the burlesque singers and dancers. No matter how much I tried to understand and stop myself, I would always find myself with a full glass of alcohol in hand.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHzxtMrn8P 維尼
"This is incredible," I gasped. Gigi nodded and took a smoke.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrYJhwpcEv 維尼
"Appearances can be deceiving. Just because they look at you tauntingly and seduce you doesn’t mean they cross the line. They are nothing but normal people with normal lives." I tilted my head to the side and noticed a man following a young girl through a side door. "That's the Paradise. But don't be scared," She could already sense the tension and fear crawling up my back. "They do not have any sexual interaction. I don't let my girls do that."8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6lRxGEvfY 維尼
"Then what happens?" Gigi shrugged.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡuycue93Wr3 維尼
"Anything the girl wants. It's not about what the client wants. It's about what you want him to him want. She can read him Mobby Dick for all I care," The woman continued, taking another smoke from the cigarette elegantly held between her fingers. 8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cN641HO6h 維尼
But my eyes were still locked on that wood door.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSCi2SEmyF 維尼
“So she’s manipulating him,” The older woman raised an eyebrow at what I said.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw4sjDJ4rC 維尼
“I prefer the term seducing. She seduces the money out of him for practically nothing. That’s true art.” Gigi quenched her cigarette and grabbed my chin. "There is one golden rule in this type of business. Remember this because it's the cornerstone. Romantic relationships are forbidden. Do not fall in love with a client or with a colleague. It only brings bad news."8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHJsBtB5fH 維尼
I nodded, understanding where she was coming from. It was bad for the business and for the employees.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQx69M72ZR 維尼
"Why are you telling me this? And why did you take me here?" Gigi chuckled darkly and I could feel myself getting further into Gigi's dark world.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡbacAhLDtHX 維尼
"Because you looked like you needed a break." I frowned and fidgeted.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfv0lp2186 維尼
"From what? My life goes smoothly," I added quickly, reassuring myself more than anything. My life has been quite a roller coaster for a while with broken hearts and commitment issues. 8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡxElJFNMn3j 維尼
Gigi lit another cigarette and asked for a drink. She turned her head and looked into my brown eyes. There was something squirming in those eyes. A desire to break the rules and go against the flow. Gigi could see it clearly. She had seen it from the moment she laid eyes on me and she was aware that I knew that. From the moment she caught me staring at the model, she realized I was actually looking at my reflection on the glass.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡavwHJVWIcU 維尼
"You need an escape. A break from the conventional. A break from who you are and your smooth and boring life." Gigi walked away and entered the same mysterious wood door.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzD7bsiUFk 維尼
I was blown away. I found myself with another glass in hand and drunk it quickly. At some point, while I was watching the show, I started to feel dizzy. It felt exactly like someone was coming towards me. I couldn't move but I could stand there full of anticipation. I felt two hands wrap around my waist and pull me backwards. I glanced over my shoulder but that person covered my eyes with his hand.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡq149ZZ5MJz 維尼
"Just let yourself free," 8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGgxUDlrvb 維尼
It was a man, I was sure. He pulled me towards the side and from the corner of my eye, I noticed the wooden door. He pushed it open and pulled me inside.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9LdaTVsCN 維尼
Behind that door was a long corridor with more doors on each side. He opened the closest one and pushed me in. I could barely make up how the room was like because my head was numb and so was my body. I could only let myself be pulled around.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1efAvMd2hl 維尼
One thing I knew for sure, though. There was a double bed that looked very inviting.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG5crhGEGr 維尼
The man pushed me softly on the bed and hovered over my small body. He kissed my neck and went downwards. I was in a euphoric state. He chuckled and bit my lip playfully.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDsFBxBcgk 維尼
"Never forget this night-" He whispered and I only had power to nod absentmindedly. "-and never come back." He continued and I nodded without even registering what he said. He laughed bemusedly and got off."Adieu, Chaussure Rouge,"8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpNWHvHREr 維尼
My vision was getting blurry and I started to hear some buzzing sound. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfz8ih7mE6 維尼
"Anna! Come on, Anna." I mumbled something and wiped my mouth groggily before I opened one eye and saw someone hovering over me. I didn't realize who he was at first since my vision was still blurry. "Anna, it's morning. Where the heck have you been?" I recognized that tone instantly; it was David. My eyes widened and I took a look around: I was on the street, exactly where we split last night. I frowned and got up. "Did you stay here for the whole time? I'm sorry I took so long but when I came back I didn't see you here." David added, helping her up. I only stared at him questioningly.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYBHLzF30k 維尼
"Here?" I asked, a bit confused. He nodded and pointed at the place I just got up from.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U0EOoRktO 維尼
"You were leaning against the wall, sleeping like freaking Sleeping Beauty. People were staring at you," He didn't seem very ashamed of that last fact. He was worried, though.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD4oeyAb2c 維尼
The whole way to the hotel, my brother was speaking about this and that. He started to give details about his night but I only blocked his voice out from that point forward. On the other side, I had my own problems like, how did I get back on the street? And what actually happened?8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP8ZAp0Y1p 維尼
"Was it all a dream?" I mumbled under her breath. It was really weird. I could still feel that guy's hands and kisses; those spots he touched were still burning. I touched my lip and sighed.8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA1wzwdHG9 維尼
If it was all a dream, why did everything feel so real?8964 copyright protection405ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sud8Jnl0G 維尼
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