"Not so rough will you??" Ronaldo shouts irritably as he was shoved into a seat. Felicita and the others had brought him into the mansion to be interrogated about the disappearance of Angelica. The angry Debito was the one who handled him roughly.

"Tsk." Says Debito. He gives Ronaldo a death glare, which he returned with another death glare.

"So you're partially responsible for the disappearance of one of our members." Mondo says sternly as he took a seat across Ronaldo.

"Correction," coughed Ronaldo, "I'm not partially responsible. I'm NOT responsible at all!" He was quickly shut up by Luciano who held a dagger in his hand that was held across his throat.

"Better start talking or you won't be breathing in the next second." He says darkly. Ronaldo gulps the lump on his throat as he glances at everyone before facing Mondo again.

He sighs, "I ain't responsible for the disappearance 'cos I warned her that they were coming." He says.

"Why didn't she listen?" Asks Dante as he folded his arms.

"Did you actually try getting to know her?" He says glancing at his audience, "I guess not. . . Anyway that girl has been with those gypsies for quite a while, so she actually foresees her future everyday. She mentioned something about an 'exchange'," he pauses, "She said that she knows that they're after her, but if she doesn't let herself get caught someone else will."

"In other words, she chose her fate," Says Sumire as she fanned herself and looked at everyone in the eye, "I have been talking to that girl for quite some time," Felicita stiffens at this, recalling what Liberta had told her, "She didn't tell me much, so I know little about her past. . . Luciano," she turns to the blonde, "Since she was in same the prostitution house you were. . . could you tell us what's she's been through there?" She continues.

"So she's really. . . ?" Asks a shocked Pace. The others stay silent and decide not to say anything.

"Yes. Yes, she was. Another reason why she didn't want anyone to know about her." She replies and ushers Ronaldo to begin.

He sighs, "To tell you the truth. . . I don't know anything about her past life before she came."

"Just tell us."

********

Ronaldo's POV:

The whole building was silent, only boisterous laughter sounded aside from the heavy rain that pounded on the roof. Not a sound. The wind howled and hurled itself against the tight windows. Lightning flashed across the afternoon sky and thunder roared.

I was there, along with my buddies. We were in the living room where the huge fireplace was. The ladies were grouping themselves elsewhere. Most of them, to be honest, are actually bought. Only a few working their for a living.

My buddies and I worked as bodyguards, making sure that no one comes in or out without the consent of our boss. He is the real slave driver around here. Sure we get paid a lot. But what we're paid with is only worth one-tenth of what our boss gets. The boss isn't a fat bloke if that's what you imagined. He was a tall man with curly black hair. He doesn't usually walk in the halls. And if he does then that means he's in a bad mood. The staff is numerous. They consist of janitors, cooks, maids, and several others. The men who find girls are the ones who get the highest wage aside from the boss. They consist of seven men. I envy them for having the privilege of traveling and adventure. Well, that's besides getting the most money of course.

"Hey, isn't Bernardo and Cirillo coming back today?" One of my buddies named Amadeo asks me. I just shrugged. Yeah, they're supposed to come back today with a girl, but I didn't care. It simply meant that there was going to be another lass to keep an eye on. It's like this every year, because every year women age to the age of thirty then they go.

Bernardo and Cirillo were the two of the seven who look for women. They've been partners for as long as I can remember and they have always been the best. Always bringing in the most lovely women in the house.

"I dunno if they can," I finally reply, "Look it's pounding outside. I don't think they can--"

"They're back!" Yells one of the men, interrupting me.

Oh, great. Just what I need. I follow the others downstairs to check the newcomers or newcomer out. Well, we're excited since they always bring home the loveliest. Heading down the stairs we could hear their voices muttering.

"Here's some dry clothes." I heard Bernardo say.

Tch. He's always been one of the playboys around here. Just ticks me off that he gets to do the picking.

"What have you got?" One of the men snickered as we finally got to the entrance way. Bernardo stood beside a cloaked girl.

I hear Bernardo chuckle, "The finest jewel I have found in all my years of working in this place," he snickers and turns to the girl, "C'mon, show them that pretty face of yours." He cooed.

I stared intensely since he had mentioned that she was the finest that he had ever found. The girl obediently lowers her hood and glances at her audience. Our eyes widened in awe. Perfect timing when the rain suddenly slowed down and the sunshine shone through the windows. She indeed was quite a jewel. She stood erect, her head held high. Her long, wavy, ebony hair shone as they sun reflected on the raindrops that wet her hair. Her mesmerizing, dark, amethyst eyes glistened as she stared deep, down into our souls. Her fair skin was as fine as a porcelain doll's. Her tall nose, her perfectly shaped lips. All so fine. The girl was notably tall as well.

"Introduce yourself."

"A--" the girl hesitates for a moment, "Angelica. Angelica's the name." She replies. Even her voice was fine. Smooth, gentle. Like an angel. Seriously?! Where does Bernardo find such fine women?

"You're a real cutie." Sneers a man who approached her. She glares at him the moment he touched her hair. Her eyes were only filled with disgust, but nothing more.

"Come. We'll bring you to the ladies room." Says Bernardo. His eyes suddenly caught mine, "Ronaldo help me here."

Damn it. Does this guy like bossing me around or what?

We head upstairs to bring her to the ladies quarters. I really hated going there. I see women sprawled on the floor, barely clothed at times. And their eyes were filled with pain and hatred. There were even a few instances when whores kill the customer. The victims were often choked to death. It was scary, seeing the dead man on the bed and the woman grinning evilly. Some go to the point of insanity, and that's when we either let them go. . . or they die. It depends on their current state. But only a few got out alive. It was hell. But since I only hear rumors (the prostitution house is huge) I often don't believe it.

"Alright, sweetie in here." Says Bernardo, ushering the new girl to the chambers. I was pretty surprised that she was practically emotionless. She didn't resist either. She seemed like a lifeless porcelain doll. It contrasted from her personality earlier: she was aggressive to the other guy earlier, but to Bernardo she was calm. Don't tell me she became infatuated with the guy!

"Are you gonna introduce her to the others?"

"Of course, idiot."

"Tch." I hate this guy. We casually entered the room, and I felt nervous as we entered the room. Okay, maybe I believe the rumours. But not all of them at least.

Or maybe they weren't real at all.

We entered the room and saw the ladies leisurely sitting and lying about. The sound of te creaking door caught their attention as their gaze automatically fall on us. And the girl.

"Why who's the new doll?" Asks an orange-haired girl with curly, stringy hair. That was Meg. She was one of the latest and one of the ladies that Bernardo had called the loveliest. This tends to create a rivalry As I hear from the girls. There's at least seven that became rivals and they aimed at rich men. And age didn't matter to them.

"This is Angelica. The finest I've uncovered so far." I saw this coming.

"Eh??" I heard a chorus of voices say out loud.

"I thought I was~"

"Sorry, hon. Not anymore." Bernard replies with a mischievous grin.

"Enough of this nonsense. You are just a plain idiotic womanizer." Angelica bluntly replies.

"Wow. You finally said something sharp to me, sweetie."

"If you don't shut up, I'll slice off that duplicitous tongue of yours." Wow, this is the first girl to lay off Bernardo.

"Now, now. No, need for that, sweetie."

"Stop calling me sweetie. I am no one's 'sweetie'." She leaves his side and enters the room. I felt tension in the air and I knew she was going to have a hard time.

~~~

Hi, guys! Thanks for patiently waiting for this chap! And sorry for making you wait, hehe. As I said before I wait for at least twenty until I update, but I have been busy for a while. Hope you guys like the chap!

Love,
BalladPhoenix