Leann's POV

I'm at the mall with Emma and I'm still unsure about tonight. And whether or not I should go.

"What's on your mind?" Emma smiles bringing me from my thoughts. "Nothing" lie shaking my head "what's wrong?" she ask skeptiacaly, raising an eyebrow. "How long have you worked at the brothel?"

"About 5 years. Why?"

"Just wondering" I shrug and continue looking at clothes "why?" She asks again. "Do you ever miss like... You know?... dating and having actual boyfriend's instead of... those men?" I mumble and she sighs sympathetically. "Is that want's been bothering you the last few days?" I nod not saying anything and she takes my hand leading me out on the store to a nearby café.

"We need to talk" she smiles at me through pursed lips and orders us both some coffee.

"Your still very young so obviously all your emotions and hormones are gonna be all crazy and up in the air sometimes and that's normal trust me and I'm guessing you had a boyfriend before you came here?"

"Karl" I nod "have you seen him or talked to him since? Is that why your asking?"

"I saw some girls I used to go to school with and they were my best friends before I came here, but I haven't spoken to them since. Mia said I have to forget all about my old life and block them out"

"She's kind of right, but your allowed to still have friends outside the brothel and whether you tell them what you do now is up to you... well when your 18 you can tell them that"

"But why would Mia say that I couldn't talk to them anymore if I was allowed?" I frown confused. "Mia's just not a very nice person and she doesn't like when people are happy" she shrugs.

"So... friends and boyfriends aren't against the rules?"

"Friendships aren't. But friendships with clients or boyfriends are. They never used be though"

"What changed?" I ask and she goes silent for a moment."dating makes things complicated. Either the guy gets jealous and doesn't understand why then girl still 'wants' works there and feels like your just cheating on them or he's just looking to get free sex from you. Men don't see people like us the way they see other girls and it's not like they can marry or start a family with us"

"Have you ever dated since being here?" I mumble and she shakes her head. "I put off trying to find a relationship long before I started here. They maybe sweet and exciting at your age, but trust me. Once your older relationships are nothing but stressful and end up leaving you hurt"

"Maybe not all men are like that"

"Maybe not. But you know as well as I do. Mary won't let any off us leave. Not when we make her so much money"

"Has anybody ever tried to?"

"Mia did once" she mumbles and I widen my eyes surprised "she was dating this guy and he started off as a client, but then things started getting personal between them and eventually they started dating. They kept it a secret for awhile and pretended he was just another client, but when Mia fell pregnant, it all came out"

"Mia, had a baby!?" I gasp and She shakes her head. "When Mary found out She was pregnant she did the same thing She does if any other girl did and made her abort it. She tried to leave, but Mary would find her and drag her back"

"Other girls got pregnant? I thought everyone uses protection?" I frown confused "they do but sometimes condoms can break and stuff and if that happens Mary takes the girl straight to the doctor. It's like a routine thing for Mary, just like when she makes us all get tested each week. I know Mary's your aunt but..." she sighs healivily trying to think of the the words. "It's best you just stick to the rules ok?" She smiles at me through pursed lips and I nod an smile back the same way.

****
Michael's POV

"You seriously need to relax" Randy chuckles as we're making our way into work. "But what if she doesn't show up?"

"Sure she will" he shrugs casually. "You don't know for sure. If she doesn't then I'm gonna look like some sad loser eating alone at a restaurant" I sigh still feeling nervous about tonight.

"Who's eating alone?" We hear a familiar voice and turn seeing Lisa walking over with mother. "What are you doing here?" I frown. "Michael, don't be so rude" mother frowns "Lisa's going to be helping us out this week since your assistant is off sick" she smiles. "I'll manage fine without her for a few days" I shrug. "Well Lisa's got plenty of experience as an assistant so you won't need to" she smiles an walks away leaving Lisa with us. "Isn't there something better you could be doing?" Randy frowns. "Your mother told me, Michael's assistant was off sick and asked if I'd help. I have been Michael's assistant before" she says innocently "and look how that that turned out" I say sarcastically, then continue walking with Randy now followed by Lisa. "So have you decided where your gonna eat?" Randy asks ignoring Lisa's presence. "Yeah, I'm gonna go to the Palace. I haven't been there in so long"

"I love the place!" Lisa cuts in and I smile through pursed lips. "Would you like me to book a resevasion for you? I am your assistant now" she smiles "I can manage" I shrug, going into my office. "I'll meet you here at lunch" Randy says walking away.

"So... the palace sounds good" Lisa says following me into the office and closes the door. "Mhm" I mumble and call up the restraunt to book a table for two and Lisa remains quietly sitting at my desk smiling, which is really creeping me out. I don't know if it's the silent staring or the huge smile on her face, but what ever it is it's making me really uneasy.

"Table for two?" She says when I hang up. "Isn't there something you could be doing other than just sitting there?" I ask ignoring her comment. "I'm your assistant. I'm here to do whatever you need... anything" she says that last part seductively. "Actually there is something you can do for me" I smile "I need something from Joseph's office. It's really important, But his office in on the other side of town"

"Sure, what do you need, baby?" She smiles. "Thank you. I need you to go to Joseph's office and tell him you need a weight"

"A weight?" She looks at me confused "mhm... a long weight. He'll know what you mean" I smiles and she shrugs smiling back. "Ok, i'll be straight back" she smiles and I smiles back as she walks out then once she's gone I call Randy.

"Hey, you wanna skip work?"

"What about Lisa?"

"It's fine I sent out on an important job" I chuckle.

****
Leanne's POV

I got a message from Michael letting me know where to meet him and as I'm getting ready to leave I'm still unsure whether I should go or not.

"You look nice. Going somewhere special?" Mia asks coming into the room. "Nope. I'm just gonna see some old friends" I lie. "And you've told Mary about this?"

"Mhm.. she said it was fine as long as I don't tell them.. You know?" I mumble that last part and she doesn't say anything, but looks at me pissed. I want to ask her about what Emma told me, but I decide against it. If she hasn't mentioned it herself, clearly she doesn't want to talk about it, I'm sure other girls here know about what happened to my parents, but If they were to bring it up. It would piss me off which is why I chose not to mention what Emma said and risk upsetting her.

I'm about to leave and Mary stops me. "I want you back before midnight" she says sternly and I nod "and don't even think about telling them"

"I won't, I promise. I told them I moved away to come live with you after my parents died, but that's it" I say and she nods "well I'm trusting you to go out alone without any of the girls from here, so if you say anything or don't come back by..."

"I won't and i'll be back before midnight. I promise" I fake a smile.

****
Michael's POV

I've been nervous as hell about tonight an the closesr it got the more nervous I became. Not because it's the first date I've been on for a long time, but because I'm still not sure if Leanne will even turn up. She said she would, but I can never be so sure which Leanne I'm going to get. The Leanne that's really open and talkative or the Leanne that's closed up and unsure. I understand why she'd be like that, especially with the job she does, so I don't blame her for being so closed up sometimes. I really do like Leanne and I hope she likes me too.

I'm sitting in the restraunt checking the time and it's almost 8pm and She's not here yet. This is a really huge step for me. Not just asking a girl on a date, but actually letting my gaurd down and admitting I have feelings for someone and I'm praying to myself that she turns up and the closer it gets to the time the more anxious I get that she isn't going to come.

****
Leanne's POV

I'm in a cab on my way to the restraunt and the whole drive I keep thinking about everything everybody has said to me, especially what Emma told me about Mia. I was unsure anyway about this and after what Emma told me it's making me even more uncertain and deep down I know this is a bad idea and I should just turn back now while I still have the chance.

"We're here" the cab driver smiles stopping the car and I nod and smile him through pursed lips then look up at the restraunt nervously, still not knowing if I should go in or turn back.