My Dear, Valentine

My eyes stared blankly at the figure standing right in front of me. There was nothing more terrifying than meeting a woman with such heavy makeup. Her sharply arched eyebrows, thick red lips, and blushed cheeks made me uneasy. I held my breath, trying to lower my gaze.

"It's been a while since I've been here, and seeing you, I didn't expect you to grow up so much," she said, her ring-adorned fingers touching my chin, lifting it so that my eyes met her wide ones.

People in this tenement building knew her as Claire, but she preferred to be called Madam-a title that felt slightly ridiculous to me. She was the owner of this building and also the owner of all the women living here.

"How old are you now?" she asked, squinting her eyes.

"Ni...nineteen," I replied. In truth, I was already twenty-two, but there was no way I could be honest with her. That would spell disaster for me. In this place, once the girls reached twenty, Claire would take them to her brothel, and their repayment would begin. Since Claire had provided for them until adulthood, she demanded compensation by selling them to sleazy men. This cycle continued, making the brothel a permanent job for the girls.

I certainly didn't want to end up like them. Just hearing their stories was enough to give me chills. Although they said Claire was fair by splitting their earnings, which allowed them to live better than before, it still terrified me.

"Nineteen, huh? I thought you were already twenty. Look at your firm hips and alluring chest. I can hardly wait until you're ready," she said, patting my bottom hard. Damn it! I truly hated what she did.

"Aren't you interested in joining your friends and having fun at my other house?" she offered. I bit my lip nervously, fear suddenly gripping me at her proposition.

"Think about it. Once you're ready, I'll come fetch you," she said, chuckling. Her laughter echoed in my ears, even after she left my sight.

Claire visited this building once a month to monitor all its residents, most of whom worked in her brothel. The tenants here came of their own volition. Some were very young, and until they reached the age Claire desired, their job was to clean the building and perform other tasks as instructed-except working in the brothel.

I was the only one who didn't know why I was here. According to Claire, I had been here since I was a baby, brought by my mother. If that was true, my mother must have been one of Claire's workers.

My mother passed away when I was two due to a severe illness. I don't remember her face because I was too young. As for my father? I didn't want to think about it; he was likely one of my mother's clients.

"Will Claire take you to the Sun House?" Sandra, my roommate, asked. The Sun House was what they called Claire's brothel. It was named so because most of it was painted yellow and orange, with matching furnishings. While it might seem unique, to me, it was terrifying.

"No, she just offered," I replied. Sandra and I were among the few young girls not yet of age and still safe from being taken to the Sun House. At this point, no one could know my real age; otherwise, Claire would eagerly take me there.

From the stories told by the other tenants who had worked there, the Sun House was supposedly enjoyable. Fancy clothes, delicious food, and entertainment were provided, including television with engaging programs, music, and more. If lucky, generous clients would leave big tips, which they could keep.

But no matter what was said about the Sun House, I had no intention of stepping foot in it. All I could think about was how to escape this place.

Claire was a cruel woman. Once, a tenant tried to escape. When caught, there was no mercy for her. The woman was tortured in such a brutal way that no one ever heard from her again. Some said Claire had ordered her henchmen to kill her and dump her body in the woods to be devoured by wild animals.

Every time I thought of escaping, the fear of such a fate paralyzed me.

"Let's go, we need to hang these clothes out to dry. Look how bright the sun is today," Sandra said, snapping me out of my thoughts. Sandra and I had steady jobs washing dirty linens and clothes from the brothel-sheets, pillowcases, and other items. No one complained-or dared to complain-because Claire provided free food and shelter. I'd do anything to avoid the brothel.

I never spoke of my escape plan to anyone. Trust was scarce here. Who was friend and who was foe? Sharing my thoughts could mean betrayal. Someone might inform Claire.

Every night, fear consumed me as I wondered what tomorrow would bring. I didn't want to end up like my mother. I wanted to start fresh, far away from here.

The money I'd saved seemed enough to get me out of this city. Some tenants gave me money for extra work, like doing their chores after they spent all day at the brothel. Slowly, I saved it all.

"Are you excited to work at the Sun House?" I asked Sandra as we sat on the stairs, taking a break after hanging the clothes. She turned to me and wiped her forehead.

"Maybe. Haven't you seen Meggie, our neighbor? She wears beautiful clothes and flashy jewelry every day. And she's only been at the Sun House for a short time," Sandra replied.

"All for clothes and jewelry?" I asked cautiously.

"I'm tired of being stuck here every day. At least at the Sun House, I'd meet more people. It wouldn't be as boring as here," she said.

I wanted to ask if she wasn't scared or disgusted by the job, but I held back. It would only make her suspicious.

Sandra wasn't entirely wrong. Life here was monotonous. No one could leave or enter without strict supervision. What was Claire protecting that made freedom so restricted?

For daily necessities, Claire's envoy delivered food every day. Other items arrived weekly. If anyone needed to leave for emergencies, like medical care, they were escorted by Claire's men to prevent escape.

That's why I hadn't yet figured out how to escape.

Sandra and I were lost in thought when loud footsteps startled us.

"It's you," Sandra said, turning to Meggie, who suddenly sat between us.

"Why aren't you at the Sun House today?" I asked, noticing her pale face.

"I'm not feeling well," she said.

"Then why are you here? You should rest," Sandra scolded.

"Does anyone want to escape with me?" Meggie asked suddenly, making Sandra and me exchange confused looks.

"What do you mean?" Sandra asked.

"I really want to escape," Meggie replied.

"Hey, what's going on? Weren't you the one who said how comfortable it is here?" I asked, confused. Meggie's shoulders began to shake as silent tears fell.

"It's terrifying there," she said between sobs. My breath caught as Sandra gently patted Meggie's back to comfort her.

"Claire forced me to serve those horrible men. They were so rough, and my entire body aches," she continued.

"Them?" I asked.

"She made me serve three men. I refused, but Claire kept threatening me," she replied. She started crying again, leaving me speechless. Sandra looked down, silent.

I always knew the stories about the Sun House being enjoyable were lies. But I never imagined it was worse than I'd feared.

My eyes scanned Meggie's body, noticing bruises on her arms and legs. Those were just the visible ones, there must be more hidden under her clothes.

"I'm scared..." she repeated, her body trembling slightly.

"Do you have a plan?" Sandra asked, glancing at me. Truthfully, I had none. Who could plan anything with such a chaotic mind?

"This is very dangerous. There are only two outcomes if we escape, succeed or die," I replied. Sandra shuddered, likely realizing for the first time how wrong her assumptions about the Sun House were.

"Let's talk about this later. Claire's men will get suspicious if we linger here," I said, helping Meggie stand. We carefully guided her back to her room.

After giving Meggie fever medicine and covering her with a blanket, Sandra and I left her room. Neither of us spoke until we were back in our own. It felt too risky to discuss this now, with so many of Claire's spies around.

***

I opened my eyes groggily, barely registering the commotion outside.

"What's happening?" Sandra, also waking up, asked. I grumbled, heading for the door. When I opened it, I saw a crowd gathered outside Meggie's room.

"Meggie was found dead in her room!" someone shouted as they passed me. My breath hitched, and my entire body began trembling at the words.(*)

My entire body tensed when I heard the news. Just yesterday, Sandra and I had listened to Meggie's complaints and her desire to escape this place, but why, this morning, was she suddenly dead? Was her illness that severe?

Neither Sandra nor I dared to see the actual state of Meggie's body. Sandra even wrapped herself in a blanket, looking utterly terrified.

"She seemed fine yesterday, even though she had a fever. But I was sure the fever wouldn't have killed her," I muttered to myself.

"Could she have ... committed suicide?" I whispered, causing Sandra to lift her blanket and look at me in horror.

"Impossible... I don't think Meggie was that kind of person," Sandra replied. The voices outside were getting louder, and Sandra and I exchanged looks. Though fear was evident in our expressions, we both decided to leave the room. Sandra stood behind me as we approached Meggie's room, which was crowded with other residents.

From a distance, Claire's people could be seen approaching, entering Meggie's room without a word.

"What happened?" I asked, whispering to Ann, a resident from the lower floor. Her face was pale and filled with fear.

"This morning, I went to Meggie's room to borrow some clothes. The door was unlocked, so I went in, thinking she was still asleep. I tried waking her a few times, but she wouldn't stir. When I got closer and touched her, her body was stiff ... she was dead," she explained, stumbling over her words.

Yesterday, I had only given her fever medicine from my room, and I was sure it wasn't the cause of her death. If she hadn't said so much to Sandra and me, I might have thought it was just an illness.

As I was lost in thought, Claire's people emerged from the room, carrying Meggie's body wrapped in a blanket. Only her feet, stiffened from rigor mortis, were exposed as they carried her out.

Everyone in the crowd quickly dispersed. Sandra, who was behind me, grabbed my arm tightly, clearly terrified-just as I was.

"Disperse! No more crowding!" one of Claire's men shouted, sending everyone running back to their rooms, and Sandra and I did the same. This morning was turning out to be the most nerve-wracking for all of us in the apartment building.

***

Meggie's death had occurred a few days ago, but every time I passed her room, my mind was consumed with questions about her unnatural death. Did it have anything to do with her plans to escape? I couldn't bring myself to think about it any longer; I was too scared.

"Madam wants to see you," a voice broke my thoughts. My hand froze on the doorknob as I slowly turned to find one of Claire's men standing right behind me.

"For what?" I asked, my fear evident in my voice.

"I don't know, you should ask her yourself when you meet her," the man replied with a long-haired look.

"I'll take you to Madam," he added.

"I need to prepare," I said, stalling.

"No need. Madam will get angry if you take too long," he said, and reluctantly, I followed him. As we descended the stairs, another of Claire's men approached. He was the driver, waiting for us.

"Sit in the back," he instructed, and I complied, feeling the unease rise in my chest. The car sped down the road as my mind was filled with questions. Why did Claire want to meet with me? Was this connected to the offer she made the other day? No! This couldn't be happening.

I sat nervously, staring out at the road, my head spinning with thoughts. If my suspicions were correct, would I still be able to escape, or would my life end like Meggie's?

The car stopped in front of a large, bright yellow house. I scanned the surroundings and realized this was the Sun House-the place all the naïve girls dreamed of working at, hoping for a better life. Except for me, of course. After hearing the stories from the apartment residents about what went on inside, I had hoped I would never set foot there. But now it seemed that hope would not become a reality.

The Sun House was located on the outskirts of town, far from the hustle and bustle, making it stand out starkly against the empty street. Oh no! Was this the moment I had been dreading?

"Come, follow me," the man ordered. I held my breath, trying to steady my nerves. There was no way to escape now; if I tried, my death would be inevitable. With shaky steps, I entered the Sun House.

The luxury was immediately overwhelming as I stepped inside. It felt like a small palace, with many little rooms catching my eye. But now wasn't the time to admire the opulence of the Sun House.

The man led me to a room on the third floor. He knocked on the door a few times until a voice called from within.

"Come in," Claire's voice echoed.

I opened the door hesitantly, the long-haired man standing watch outside. Claire was half reclining on a chaise lounge, a man sitting beside her, massaging her feet.

"You must be wondering why I called you here, right?" she asked, chuckling.

"Yes, Madam. What made you call for me?" I asked, my eyes scanning the room, which seemed to be Claire's personal bedroom. The dominant yellow hues of the room were blinding.

"Leave us," she instructed the man massaging her, and he stood up, leaving.

"Sit beside me," she then invited, patting the space next to her. I hesitated but moved closer and sat beside her.

"You look so much like your mother," she said, her gaze sharp.

"You're even more beautiful than Emily," she added, which made me hold my breath. Something about Claire's compliments felt ominous.

"Usually, I'm not interested in girls who aren't yet of age, but you're different," she continued. Did Claire know I was hiding my true age?

"You will be the star of this place. Trust me," she said, while her hands searched for something. Not finding what she was looking for, she stood up and opened a closet beside the bed.

"Here, try this on. It will suit you perfectly," she said, handing me an outfit. I took it reluctantly, my mind racing with anxiety about what would happen next.

"You know, we're short on workers here. Many of the older girls aren't as attractive anymore, and the clients are complaining. There are fewer young girls in this place, especially after Meggie died. So I've been thinking hard about who I can bring in. You may not be twenty yet, but your body looks mature, and I'm sure you'll be able to attract clients here," she explained at length.

No! What I feared most was finally happening.

"Try it on, and we'll see how well you can start enticing the men out there," she ordered, pointing to the outfit she had just handed me.

"Change now!" Her voice raised, showing her impatience as I remained silent, my eyes wide.

"O-okay, Madam," I answered, then hurriedly looked for a place to change.

"Where are you going? Change here," she said.

I froze, staring at her in disbelief, but her piercing eyes and impatient expression made me realize that's exactly what she wanted.

I nervously unbuttoned my clothes. Though Claire was a woman like me, I still felt awkward changing in front of her.

"Just as I thought, your body is stunning," she complimented. Instead of feeling pleased, I grew more terrified.

I quickly changed into the outfit she had given me. My eyes widened as I realized the outfit was far too revealing.

"It's a bit tight," I muttered. The black dress clung tightly to my body, the neckline low enough to expose my cleavage, and the skirt was so short that my underwear would be visible if I bent over. It wasn't a comfortable outfit, and I felt deeply embarrassed.

"That's the style. You look so alluring," she said, her eyes gleaming. Shortly after, she grabbed her phone and made a call.

Claire approached me after hanging up, placing her palm on my face and studying it carefully.

"With a little makeup, you'll be perfect," she said. She then pulled me toward her vanity, where various cosmetics and jewelry were scattered.

I swallowed hard as Claire's fingers gently brushed my face. My body was tense, and I closed my eyes, unsure how to react.

The longer I stayed here, the more terrified I became. I could feel cold sweat on my palms and feet. Everything was happening too quickly-I hadn't even had time to think of an escape plan. What now? Was my life about to end in this brothel?

"Oh my God! I barely recognize you! All I did was apply some lip and eye makeup, but you look so different," Claire said, her voice full of excitement.

I opened my eyes and saw my reflection in the mirror. With red lips and a refreshed look, I did look completely different. My eyes widened, unsure whether the person in the mirror was really me.

"Your new client is waiting eagerly. I just called him, and he'll be here soon. Just so you know, he's the kind of man who loves young girls like you. Serve him well and don't disappoint me," Claire warned, giving my shoulder a few sharp taps.

No ... I didn't want to meet anyone. I just wanted to escape, to run as far away from this terrifying place as I could.

"Would you rather serve dozens of my men and get nothing in return, or serve that wealthy man who will give you anything you desire?" she whispered, and my entire body trembled violently.(*)

My whole body trembled violently as Claire looked at me with her wide grin. She kept staring at me from head to toe, over and over, until I started feeling uncomfortable.

In my mind, the words "first customer" kept echoing, just as Claire had said earlier. I needed to escape. But ....

If I tried to run, death would surely await me. Claire's men would catch me before I even managed to get out of this place. But if I stayed here, I would wish for death myself because of the disgusting work I was about to do.

No, I wasn't ready to die yet. I had to find a way to avoid meeting my first customer.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Claire's phone rang loudly, lighting up her face with excitement.

"Oh, great, she's ready and waiting for you. I'll escort him to you," Claire said with a laugh. That sinister laugh was no match for my growing anxiety about meeting this so-called customer.

"You're very lucky, Vale. It's rare for a girl like you to get a customer so quickly after I just brought you here. So, are you ready?" she asked, her eyes brimming with enthusiasm.

"We're going to make a big profit, and don't worry, you'll get your share too. Look, he's even sent you part of the payment already. What an impatient man," Claire chuckled.

"Mia is here. Follow her, and she'll take you to meet your first customer," Claire said again. Reluctantly, I got up and walked toward Mia, one of the tenants who had been working at Claire's "Sun House" for a long time. Wearing a short skirt and an equally revealing top, I felt constricted in my movements. Yet Mia, dressed in similar attire, walked casually.

Holding my breath, I followed Mia out of Claire's room, with one of Claire's men trailing us from behind. It seemed Claire was truly worried I might attempt to escape.

"You look really tense," Mia said with a smile. I wasn't just tense, I felt as if I'd lost a part of my soul just thinking about this.

"I was just like you when Madam first brought me here. But look at me now, I actually enjoy working at Sun House," she continued.

"Just relax, and everything will be fine."

If Mia had given me this advice at any other time, I might have listened attentively. But not now. Every word out of her mouth was like the wind to me. I couldn't concentrate because my mind was occupied with something far more important.

After walking through a long hallway dimly lit by sparse lamps and lined with doors on both sides, Mia led me down to the second floor. I felt as if I were marching toward a terrifying death.

"Smile, Vale. You look so attractive right now. And you know, I'm really jealous of you," Mia whispered as we stopped at a room next to the stairs. The door was closed, but I was certain someone was already inside.

"Everything will get easier after you get through this," she said again before knocking on the door.

At this moment, all I wanted was to run. But Claire's man was still standing behind me, guarding me as though I were a prisoner. Would he stay there even after I entered the room?

"Go on in, he's been waiting for you. He seems very eager," Mia whispered as she gently pushed me inside.

This was my first time entering one of the rooms in Sun House. The atmosphere was similar to Claire's room, only smaller and without any windows. It was terrifying. Did that mean there was no way to escape from this place?

I stepped forward hesitantly, my eyes scanning the dimly lit room for anything I could use to defend myself. Who knew, my first customer could very well be the kind of man who enjoyed torturing women-just like Meggie had warned me about.

A tall, broad-shouldered man was sitting with his back to me. I was overconfident, thinking I could possibly overpower someone so strong-looking.

Trying not to make a sound, I tiptoed into the room. But surely, from the moment Mia knocked on the door, he must have known I was here.

There was a vase on the nightstand-should I use that to hit him over the head? But even if I managed to do that, Claire's guard was still stationed outside.

The man suddenly turned around, clearing his throat as if to assert his presence. My breath hitched as his face came into clear view. He was much younger than I'd expected. Dark eyes, jet-black hair, and a sharp jawline. Men like him were the most dangerous-willing to spend large sums of money just for a night with the women in this brothel.

"I've been waiting for you, Vale," he said in a deep, gravelly voice. Lies. There's no way he's been waiting for me. When did he even know me? I didn't know who he was. To me, he was just another filthy man willing to waste his money for momentary pleasure.

I stayed silent, rooted to the spot as he stood and walked toward me. Truthfully, I was so terrified that even breathing felt difficult.

When Claire mentioned my first customer, I had imagined an older man with a perverted face and a bulging belly, grinning lecherously as he waited for me.

But this man walking toward me was nothing like that. He was... handsome, with an exotic face and a faint tattoo on his left arm. Too bad he was just another sleazy man. Calling him handsome made me sick to my stomach.

As the distance between us shrank, his eyes scanned me from head to toe. I knew where his gaze lingered-on the parts of my body Claire always called "irresistible."

"Take a seat, and stop looking so tense," he said with a chuckle. Damn it! That laugh sent shivers down my spine. I clenched my fists nervously.

"Sit," he ordered again, nodding toward the bed. He wanted me to sit there? Slowly, I moved to the edge of the bed, keeping as much distance between us as possible.

"Valentine," he said, drawing out my name. I hated how his raspy voice sounded when he said it. Claire must have told him my name. Who was this man? What did he do for a living? And how did he know about Claire's Sun House?

"My name's Maximilian, but you can call me Max," he said. As if I cared what his name was.

"How long have you been working for Claire?" Max asked. This must be one of his tricks-making small talk to ease my nerves before taking what he came for.

"I ... I don't remember," I mumbled softly.

"Seems like it's been a while," he replied.

"No, it's my first day here. Before this, I worked for Madam Claire, but not here," I explained nervously.

He fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "Do you know Claire's men are stationed all over this house?"

What was he talking about? Everyone knew that. What was the point of mentioning it now?

"Even outside this door, right?" he asked.

"Which means it'll be nearly impossible for you to escape," he added. His words sent a chill down my spine. How could he know what I was thinking?

"But I have a proposition for you," he said, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "I can get you out of here. On one condition ...."

He fell silent, leaving his words hanging in the air as his eyes kept fixating on me. Who is this man? Why is he offering to free me from this place?

"What's the condition?" I asked impatiently.

"I knew it. From the start, that's exactly what you've been thinking about," he replied.

"What's the condition?" I asked again.

"You have to come with me," he answered. Come with him? Does he want to make me his mistress? Or, even worse, his slave? Oh no! This is just as terrifying as staying in this brothel.

I stared at him with a tense expression. What does this man, who calls himself Max, really want from me?

"Well?" he asked again.

"Do you really want to stay here forever?" he asked, tilting his head slightly closer to me. I had never imagined staying here forever.

"You'll live a better life if you come with me," he added, leaving me torn. Should I just accept his offer? The most important thing now is to leave this place as soon as possible. I can figure out what comes next later. If I'm outside, it might be easier to find a way to escape. But ... this man seems suspicious. What if he ends up selling me again? Oh no!

"How-how would that work?" I asked hesitantly.

"Come closer," he requested while I remained wary, thinking his offer made no sense. Neither Claire nor this man could be trusted.

"Open the door to this room just a bit, so there's a crack to lure one of Claire's men to get curious about what's going on inside," he explained in a low voice. Honestly, I still didn't understand the plan he was about to carry out. But it seemed like my only choice was to take a gamble and hope for the best.

I moved to the door and opened it slightly, moving cautiously. As Max had requested, the door was left ajar.

"You can make seductive moans, can't you?" he asked, and I looked at him in bewilderment.

"Like this," he said and suddenly leaned in, inhaling the scent of my neck while his hand slid gently between my thighs. A moan escaped my lips, startling me. I quickly pushed his body away, my entire face burning with embarrassment.

"Good, just like that," he said approvingly before stepping closer to the door.

I couldn't believe what I was about to do. Make moaning sounds?

Max stood by the door, looking impatient. How do I even make such sounds? Imagining Max's lips brushing against my neck made my face heat up, and a soft groan escaped my lips.

"Louder," Max whispered almost inaudibly. I must've lost my mind to be doing all of this. I closed my eyes, and somehow, I imagined Max again-his rough hands grazing my exposed thigh-and another moan escaped me.

The sound of the door creaking open caught me off guard, and just then, Max yanked one of Claire's men into the room. Not even a second after the long-haired man stepped in, Max's fist collided with his chest several times, knocking him unconscious.

"Get ready to run," Max ordered as he began stripping the unconscious man of his clothes.(*)