Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Except my dreams…
Always my memories.
“Does that mean you can’t be my friend anymore? Don’t men usually become pussy whipped when they’re married, because their wives become crazier and controlling? Christine was already that, am I screwed?” she asked, taking me away from my thoughts.
“That will never happen, you’re stuck with me.” We both smiled.
I ordered us Chinese food and stayed with her all day, watching sappy movies.
I went home that evening to Christine and woke up to my father’s fists, just like I always had.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
<>B<>
It had been another year, and not much had changed in my life. Madam had become different in a way I never thought was possible. Her cool and calm demeanor changed for some reason and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I didn’t understand what was going on or even how to handle it, but The Cathouse changed in some ways. I started to take over a lot more responsibility and a part of me felt like she was molding me.
For something to come.
I had gone shopping with Ysabelle for a dress for The Gala that evening.
“Are you all right, Bella?” I asked with concern.
“Yes.”
“You know you can talk to me, right? I’m here for you.”
“I know.”
“I’ve been there, you know?”
“What?” she questioned with curiosity.
I knew she had been dating a married man. Sebastian Vanwell. They met at a yacht party and I noticed the look in his eyes immediately. I knew he was going to be trouble and a huge part of me wanted to protect her; to warn her. But I knew it wouldn’t have mattered. We all needed to experience life’s cruelty at our own time.
That’s life.
“Where you are now, I’ve been there. It’s a place I never want to be again. It was within the first year of me being a VIP. He was charming, loving, and I was young and naïve. He was the first man that made me feel like I was cherished. When we were intimate, it felt as if we were one person; like we were united and soul mates.” She listened carefully. I had never shared this with anyone before.
“I was reckless, I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. He was married too, the epitome of the perfect husband and father to the public; he was high profile. Except he promised that he would leave his wife for me. Of course, I believed him. I got pregnant. When I told him, he politely and lovingly made me believe that having an abortion would be the right thing to do.
“I was so in love with him, that I did. Bella…he didn’t even show up for the appointment. I went through it all by myself. Madam was livid when she found out about our affair; then the abortion. She raised hell and high water. She was a terror in her fury.” A single tear fell down my face. I was reliving it all over.
“After it was done, he never saw me again. I know it hurts like hell, Bella. Just believe me, it’s for the best. To be completely honest, you’re not the first one; it’s happened to all of us at one point in time. We aren’t made of stone, even though our lifestyle insures us that we should be. You know now what it feels like to love. All good things must come to an end, Bella,” I hesitated, “we are who we are.”
“Brooke, what if I want more?”
“Then, my love, as the words of the poem; ‘tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.’” We laughed.
“I love you, Ysabelle,” I said as I embraced her in a tight hug. “Now, let’s go find you a smoking hot dress.”
Several weeks later Madam called me and told me that Ysabelle was leaving. That she was leaving VIP. I texted her and wished her well. It didn’t matter where life would take her or me, we would always be in each other’s lives. As much as I would miss her, I knew it was best for her. She wasn’t a lifer like I was. For some indescribable reason, VIP was important to me. I couldn’t put my finger on it and I didn’t try to dwell on it. VIP, The Cathouse… it was home.
Now it was my chance to prove myself to The Madam…
Because…
I wanted VIP.
<>D<>
“Christine, what can we do to make this work? We have a son,” I expressed, holding my head in my hands. I couldn’t believe how much had changed in the last two years. I didn’t understand where our relationship took a turn for the worse. I knew things weren’t easy for us, with the birth of our son, but I figured that’s what happened to all married couples; when there was a shift in the dynamic.