In the corner of the club, not far from the drinking bar, there was a stage where a man sat on a tall stool with an acoustic guitar in hand. With eyes closed and nodding to the cool rhythm his fingers made from touching the guitar strings, he parted his lips and soon his voice filled the entire club singing the song Shallow
Tell me somethin', girl
Are you happy in this modern world?Or do you need more?Is there somethin' else you're searchin' for?I'm fallin'In all the good times, I find myself longin' for changeAnd in the bad times, I fear myselfTell me something, boyAren't you tired of tryin' to fill that void?Or do you need more?Ain't it hard keepin' it so hardcore?I'm fallingIn all the good times, I find myself longing for changeAnd in the bad times, I fear myselfI'm off the deep end, watch as I dive inI'll never meet the groundCrash through the surface, where they can't hurt usWe're far from the shallow nowIn the sha-ha, sha-ha-llowIn the sha-ha-sha-la-la-la-llowIn the sha-ha, sha-ha-llowWe're far from the shallow nowWith each word he sang, one could feel the passion with which he was singing. Like he was singing for his woman.
Clara Hughs was leaning against the bar counter holding a serving tray close to her chest. She wore a sexy black bunny costume, with a white bunny tail at her waist, thigh-level black leg warmer with long white bunny ears on her head. Her waist-level long wavy brunette hair was tied in a ponytail. She had no makeup on but an application of lip gloss on her pink lips. At 19 years, her beauty was breathtaking.
She was mesmerized watching the man playing the guitar. Lost in the melodious song he was singing. Clara was looking at the man's hands and how swiftly they moved on the strings. With each move, a beautiful rhythm is produced. She was lost in the song and instrument when Laura, her employer, came yelling at her.
"Stop daydreaming already about the music/guitar and move. People are thirsty. Move it already," Laura yelled
Clara, snapping out of her moment, quickly placed the tray on the counter for some drinks which she carried and started moving around the tables to serve the customers who wanted some drinks. She walked into one of the private rooms and two guys started harassing her.
"Come here you little bunny," the first guy said and pulled Clara's hand causing her to drop the tray and break some glasses, spilling the drinks all over the floor.
"Let go of her, she is mine," came the voice of the second guy pulling Clara by the waist.
"Please let go of me," Clara cried while she struggles to break free from the guy's grip on her.
The first guy stood behind her, he grabbed her hair, causing her to bend backwards and sniffed her neck to her shoulder
"Nice I like your scent," he murmured. "I like to eat you up, bit by bit," he added with a grin
"ha ha ha, we can have her together," the second guy got closer to her, bend over, and bit her belly under her bunny costume.
He tore the front of the dress open
"Please, please stop it," she cried, raising her leg, she tried to kick the second guy but he caught her leg before it could hit him "Help, somebody help me," she screamed.
Laura walked into the private room with 3 well-built men in an all-black outfit
"What nonsense. How dare you touch my golden price. Deal with these two" Laura yelled standing at the entrance to the private room with two fearsome guys.
One of the men with Laura pulled the second guy holding Clara and threw him to the wall like he was a piece of paper and in a swift move hit the other guy hard in the face sending him flying and crashing into the table with a lamp sitting on it. The man stood straight and adjusted his clothing, with not even a single scratch and shot the two guys a glance and they both run out of the room.
Clara was on the floor crying. Laura looked at her indifferently and rolled her eyes.
"Get her ready. Someone has paid for her," Laura ordered
Clara knew what that statement meant; her face went pale immediately. She got up and knelt on the floor
"Please, ma'am. I will do anything you ask me. Please don't give me to any man," she pleaded
"Clara, you make me sick. I run this place with money. It's not a charity business. I have fed you, clothed you and still take care of you. It's time you start paying me back. You need to get out there and give them what they want. That is how I make the money I use in taking care of you," Laura said and placed her hand on her hips looking at Clara furiously
Clara was still pleading, infuriating Laura. She yelled at her
"You are making me lose money. My top clients want you. They are willing to pay enormous amounts of money for you."
She walked to her and pulled her up, holding what is left of her torn costume.
"What are you keeping your virginity for? Huh? It's not like prince charming will walk into a place like this to find you, princess," after yelling at her she closed her eyes and calmed herself, seeing the tear-soaked face of Clara.
"Okay, I know you have not done this before, so you are scared. Look, it will hurt a little and what follows next is an unending pleasure," She spoke softly into her ears straightening what is left of her costume as she wiped her tears
"You are going to love it. Just let yourself go and bring me that money," Laura said with a smile
"Please, I can't. I am scared," Clara cried
Laura's hand stopped as she got angry hearing what she said
"Okay, let's do it this way, you pay me a thousand dollars, any time a client asks for you, and I will let you go. How about that?" she said moving away from Clara and looking at her acrylic-fixed nails
Clara's eyes widened "one - one - one thousand dollars?" she stammered "Please I don't know where or how to get such an amount?"
"Well, that is your problem. You have the option, there is a man outside, who is willing to pay a million dollars for you. You can see him, or you pay me a thousand. I am being generous here," She said and walk away "Let's go boys"
Clara was left sitting on the floor dumbstruck. She straightened what is left of her bunny costume. Covering her exposed chest with the tray, she left the private room to her small room inside the club. She took off the bunny costume and slipped into another dress not so revealing. She untied her hair allowing it to flow freely on her shoulders and sat on her bed.
"One thousand dollars," She thought "where am I going to get such an amount of money," she thought
Laura takes care of her everything, so she works in the bar for free. She has been working as a waitress since she turned 16 years. It appears Laura wants her to sell her body by all means. Tears rolled down her cheeks. If only her parents were alive. She wouldn't have to leave this kind of life. Clara closed her eyes and the images flashed before her from the past
********Flashback***********
A tall man in a mask slapped her mum causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground. Clara who was hiding in the wardrobe closed her eyes and covered her ears as she heard three gunshots sounds.
Hearing nothing, she looked through the small space in the wardrobe. Her mother was lying on the floor motionless. She covered her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from screaming. She was just 6 years old. The man left the room, and she heard another gunshot and then her dad's voice. She stayed in the wardrobe till she heard the police car sirens making a loud noise.
An officer came to the room and found her in the wardrobe with a tear-stained face. She was sent to the orphanage. She run away from the orphanage home when she turned 15 years because she was constantly being bullied and there were some rape attempts too.
She lived on the street after running away from the orphanage, begging for food, or stealing them to survive.
One day she entered Laura's house to steal food and she was caught. Laura offered her a job as a waitress in her clubhouse called the Bunny Club, in return, she will take care of her needs. That is the payment she receives from Laura, clothing, food, and shelter.
****End of flashback********
Tears were still streaming down her cheeks as she lifted her head to pray
"God please don't leave me. Help me." she prayed
Her only friend Jessica walked in. Seeing the state Clara was in she felt incredibly sad. Jessica was 4 years older than Clara. She was already in the business of pleasuring men with her body. She does have some money and has an apartment of her own.
"Clara," Jessica called out and Clara turned to look at her.
Jessica sat next to Clara and kiss her forehead
"Clara, everything is going to be all right. If I have an option, I will not do what I am doing but see there is no way out," She said to her, and Clara looked at Jessica questioningly
"I heard everything. I was at the entrance. Okay, I know you don't want to do that kinda thing. Have you thought of looking for a job outside? Let's try that. The club is open in the evening, so you can use your morning and afternoon to work at other places and earn some money." She suggested
Clara smiled "Thank you, Jessica. You are the best." They hugged each other
"It's settled then, tomorrow we go job hunting," Jessica said and she hugged Clara rubbing her back
It was 9 am and the city of San Francisco was already alive. Clara got up from her bed and looked outside her small window. She smiled and quickly made her bed. She entered the bathroom, took a shower and came back to her room to dress up. She opened her bag and found a pair of black jeans and a sea-blue top which she quickly put on.She walked into the club. All the chairs were turned onto the tables. Laura was sitting at the bar counting and putting into bundles the money made from the previous night. Clara greeted her but she didn't respond. She was so engulfed in the counting of her money that she didn't hear Clara greet her. Clara went out to get some food. Outside the clubhouse, she runs into Jessica. Jessica, had a smile on her face "You were going on a job hunt without me?"Clara raised her hands in defence "Noooo, how can I? I was going to get some food. Let's go together," They both walked into a nearby shop and ordered some sandwiches. That is all the money Clara had on h
Clara and Jessica decided they will go back to Clara's new workplace and find out why Clara was paid 10 dollars after working from 5 am to 3 pm. At 6 pm, people had already started walking into the Bunny Club. Clara went to change into a new bunny costume which Laura handed to her that afternoon. Jessica was going around tables and giving lap dances to the clients who requested. There were private rooms for Clients who want some form of pleasure. Laura decided to sing to entertain the clients this time. She grab the microphone and started singing. Her dance moves were flawless. She had beautiful curves and knew how to use them to entertain. Her flexibility was also her advantage. The people in the club were mesmerised by her beauty and dance moves. She finished her song by sitting on the lap of one of the clients in the club. The people screamed for more of her performance. So she decided to do another song and dance. It was 9 pm and the club was now full to its capacity and a lot s
Laura was bent on using Clara to make more money for her club. Clara is a beautiful girl and most of the men that visit the club were willing to pay any amount just to have her. She set her up so she can use her. She believes Clara's reason for not giving in is that she has never been with a man before. However, a strange man came in and offered her 100,000 dollars for Clara. With eyes glittering like diamonds at the sight of the money, Laura gave Clara out to the strange man without blinking twice and even agreed to him taking her out of the club.Clara, believing Laura's words that a man had paid to have her resigned to her fate of having a higher bidder coming for her. She knew Laura is all about the money. If the price is good, saying yes is as easy as breaking an egg.Ragnor who happened to be the stranger that rescued her did not do what Clara expected, but rather gave her a comfortable room to spend the night in. Clara found it strange but was grateful the man didn't sleep with
Jessica and Clara took the bus to Clara's workplace. They entered the building but were not allowed to see the person in charge but rather were driven out. As they were roughly being pushed out of the building Clara saw they have already replaced her. She sighed and decided it was not worth fighting them. She turns to leave. She held Jessica's hand and pulled her towards the exit. Jessica got confused, held Clara's shoulders and stopped her from moving any further."What are you doing?" Jessica said looking at Clara sternly "These people are a bunch of ruthless thieves who only know how to take advantage of the poor. Wait! what! you really gonna let them get away with this?" She questioned"You said it and you are right, a bunch of ruthless thieves. That is what they are. What I don't understand is, why my best friend wants me to work with a bunch of ruthless thieves. Not only am I working with them but they are my superiors too," Clara said looking at Jessica. "You are right, we don
Clara was chased by two unknown people. In her attempt to run away from the two strangers, she fell and hit her head against the sidewalk railing causing her to pass out. She woke up in Ragnor's mansion and after a short conversation, she slept off and woke up wearing pyjamas and on a bed. Clara got down from the bed yawning and stretching. She found a glass of water and medication on the bedside table with clear instructions 'eat me, 'drink me'.Clara took the medication and after studying it for a while she took it and drank the water. She walked to the window and was looking outside. There was a beautiful garden with a swing. A pond not far away from the garden. Clara smiled enjoying the view outside and was excited to see a swing. She had only seen them in pictures and never had the chance to sit on one. Laura also never allowed her to make friends with other people aside from Jessica. "Do you like what you see?" Ragnor asked leaning against the door frame at the entrance weari
Ragnor was annoyed by how Laura was treating Clara. Even though he didn't say anything his terrifying aura was enough to scare off anyone in the same room with him. He sat down at his usual spot, the table close to the entrance in the corner. He watched as Clara cleaned all the seats and tables. His terrifying aura soon turned into a loving one.Laura who was watching this strange man from the private room secretly, could tell this man had eyes for Clara but how? He was a strange kind of fellow as it appears no one knows him but he is seriously rich. He could just pull bundles of money from his pocket. Laura was wondering, how much more money he has, who is he and where does he come from?The rich people of San Francisco are well known. Well, maybe getting his name will help her find out more about him. These were the thoughts running through Laura's mind. She was still watching him and thinking when her gaze and that of Ragnor met. She jolted backwards.From the look in his eyes she c
Laura took money from a man and tried to give Clara to him for his pleasure against Clara's will. Ragnor arrived at the scene and took Clara away. While Laura was standing outside wondering who Ragnor was, a mysterious lady got down from a car which almost hit Laura on its arrival. "Who is the woman in the car that just drove off?" asked Princess Siku, her gaze fixated on the golden ring on her middle finger on the left hand.Laura turned to look behind her and around, realizing she was standing outside alone with the strange woman, she pointed to herself."Are you talking to me?" Laura asked a bit terrified."Do you see any other puppy around?" Princess Siku asked, fixing her gaze on Laura.She looked at Laura for a while and smiled."Huh! Are you calling me a puppy?" Laura said and laughed mockingly."I know you didn't part those pretty lips of yours to call me a puppy. Anyway, you sure do have a pretty lip. What lipstick do you use?" Laura asked with curiosity instantly getting con
Princess Siku had come to the City of San Francisco to look for Ragnor as he is her will-be husband. To her disappointment, not only did she find him with another woman, a human, but she was driven out of the mansion.She was driven out because of a human girl, a nobody. She, Princess Siku, is of royal blood and the next queen, yet Ragnor drove her out because of a human girl. Princess Siku was unhappy about this turn of events and could only do one thing, report the incident to the King, Ragnor's father. Princess Siku made a decision to tell Rganor's father, the reigning King everything on her way back home.Somewhere in the thick forest outside human civilization, lies Ufalme wa Kutokufa, meaning the Kingdom of Immortal. Many humans who have ventured to enter this Kingdom did not leave to tell the story. There have been scary stories about what is in the middle of the thick forest but no one has dared to confirm the stories. Princess Siku arrived at the breathtaking city, their te
Emily, who was standing at the entrance of the bedroom, closed her eyes and began to glow, Clara's eyes widened seeing a glowing little girl at the door. She pulled away from the embrace, looking at Ragnor puzzled."Brother do whatever comes to mind," said Emily."Distract her," Ragnor thought and he changed into his flying form and kissed ClaraRagnor used what Clara liked to distract her. He started glowing and Clara smiled wrapping her arms around him forgetting the glowing little girl at the door as she responded to his kisses. Inside the room, George was forced to protect his eyes and he moved back as the glow in the room became too bright with Emily, Nyota, Ragnor and Clara all glowing together. The glow slowly began to fade and the room returned to its original light. It was almost 5 a.m. and the top floor of the palace glowing, had attracted some people to the area wondering what was happening. Ragnor smiled seeing Clara was now breathing and her body temperature had become w
"I only have one question. Did she want to come back?" Emily asked walking towards Nyota."Yes, she wanted to come back but Emily it was not easy pulling her out of the place," Nyota replied and Emily smiled.While they were talking, Ragnor was just sitting on the bed, in the same position staring at Clara while holding her hand in his. He couldn't hear any of the conversation going on around him. All he could feel was the emptiness accompanied by the immersed pain of the loss of his beloved. George and Nyota led Emily out of the room and back to her room. They sat her down and tried to talk her out of what she wanted to do."Emily, I know you love and care a lot about Aunty Clara but you are not healing a sickness or something, you are using her body as a medium to connect with her soul to pull her back. Emily, you know you can die doing that," George said worriedly."Emily, I know you want to help, but this is dangerous. You don't have a fighting ability; how will you protect yourse
"Please tell me she is still alive," said Nyota whose eyes were still moist with tears.Ragnor sat on the bed looking at Clara who looked more like she was sleeping but her body temperature was cold. George walked towards Nyota and hugged her tightly."I wish I could but we are going to try to bring her back," George said and pulled away from Nyota and looked into her tears-stained eyes."You have connected with her soul before. Ragnor will get the poison out and heal her body. I need you to be strong once he is done. You will call her back," George said."She was not dead when I did that. I am not sure if that will work with her ......" Nyota's voice thrilled off. "She is still not dead. She is like, what we say, in a coma but if we don't do anything she will die for real," George said and inhaled deeply. "Nyota, don't look at it that way. Her mind is still alive and her heart beats faintly. You connected with a soul before, that is more important and you can connect again. For Ragno
"Let me call Ragnor," George said and immediately searched for his phone. Back at Andrews's apartment, Gabrielle was walking down the road carrying her baby at Andrews's command. She could not control her tears and as she walked away from their apartment in the night, she turned to look behind a couple of times at Andrews, who was still standing in front of the apartment watching her back and kept on urging her to go. Killing Clara was like touching the lion by the tail, there was no way Andrews would escape death. He just wanted to ensure no matter what happens to him, Gabrielle and the baby will be safe. Ragnor's roar which was shaking the whole building could still be heard. Hearing Ragnor roar, you don't need a soothsayer to tell you the immense pain he was going through for the loss of his beloved. Inside the building, Ragnor was still kneeling next to Clara's body, uncontrollable tears flowed down his face as he continued to roar into the silent night. His fangs had already
Ragnor sat on the roof waiting and thinking of how to rescue both mother and child.Andrews was pacing up and down his apartment wondering if Ragnor could save his family without him having to kill Clara. Clara is in the palace and for him to go there would be too suspicious and calling her would be equally suspicious. He knew at this moment it would be difficult to get to Clara without raising any suspicion. Back in the palace, Clara was sitting on the bed in deep thought wondering if Ragnor was okay and if Andrews's family was out of danger. Emily was with Nyota asking so many questions as it was her first time visiting the city. George was resting in his room as he was working on some changes they would like to implement in the city. Ragnor had come to the full realization of his power and could control them very well so George was not bothered about what was happening with Siku and Andrews's family. George was certain everything would be fine. Siku cannot walk free this time. Cla
"Please come quick, Siku is, she is, please help," Andrews cried and ended the call."I hope this will get them here faster. Clara, I am so sorry for what I am about to do. Please forgive me," Andrews said and quickly called Gabrielle's phone which Siku answered immediately."Ragnor is coming back tonight. Please don't harm my baby. I will do as requested," Andrews said."Now, that is what I want to hear. You see, things are a lot easier if you just listen and obey," Siku said and laughed. "Since you have been a good lad, I will let you see your wife briefly," she said and put on the phone camera. Andrews saw Gabrielle tied up to a chair, her hair dishevelled and a cloth tied around her mouth. The baby was lying on the bare carpet. Seeing the tears flowing down Gabrielle's face and the baby on the floor crying, he felt a sharp pain in his heart."Please, Princess, I beg you, let the baby lie on a bed or something, it's too cold to lie on the bare floor. I beg you. He is just a child,"
"Gabrielle, where are you? is everything alright?" he questioned "Hello, Andrews," came Siku's voice and the colour drained off Andrews immediately upon recognizing the person. "How did she get into the city?" Andrews thought with eyes widened, concerned about the safety of his wife and child. "Did you miss me?" Siku asked and laughed, knowing from his silence, he was in shock. "Okay, let's not make me do anything nasty which will get my newly purchased carpet stained with blood. Cleaning items are costly in this city," she said nonchalantly "Please, don't harm them, I would do anything you ask of me. I promise," came Andrews's trembling voice. "Now, that is something I like but unfortunately it seems it's too late for you Andrews because there is nothing you can do for me unless you already have a plan that would work," Siku said. "Just tell me what you want and I will get it for you, please don't harm my wife and child," Andrews pleaded. "Ha......ha......ha...... ha," Si
"A couple of days more and I do away with this facade is quite exhausting," Siku thought and proceeded to her bedroom. The next day, Andrews and Gabrielle arrived in the Immortal City with their newborn. Gabrielle was already exhausted from the trip, so once they entered their home, she decided to take advantage of the baby sleeping to also get some rest. Andrews, however, went to the palace to greet the King and inform him of his return. He was just in time as Ragnor and Clara were about to leave for Matara to go pick up Emily. "Welcome back," said Ragnor after Andrews greeted them. "Thanks, my king," Andrews replied and bowed respectfully. "I suppose you left Gabrielle in San Francisco?" asked Clara. "No, I came with her. She stayed back at home to rest. She is very tired from the trip," Andrews replied. "That is fine. Give her my love and tell her we will come to visit as soon as we return from Matara," Clara said. 'Thanks, Mrs Usiku," replied Andrews. "Wow, this is th
"You will come with me. We will fly," Ragnor said and Clara was happy. The next day, Ragnor was in a meeting with some council members and Nyota and Clara decided to take some time to admire the city. The city indeed had changed a lot with the new ideas of improvement. While in town they ran into Siku, Nyota frowned immediately upon seeing her but Clara happily greeted her. "Hello princess," Clara said with a smile and Siku smiled back shyly. "Please, just call me Siku," Siku said and lowered her gaze. Nyota frowned but was shocked by what she witnessed. If someone had told her, that Siku had a twin or clone version of herself with a different mind, she would believe it. She thought looking at Siku shocked. "I can't address you like that; you are still royalty," Clara pointed out and Siku sighed. "Clara, can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" Siku asked, looking at Clara. "Don't worry about it. The past is in the past. It's a new day. Let it go and forgive yourself too