Innocence|| Book 01

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Tears started flowing from her eyes as soon as she said this. Slowly, those pearl droplets peeking out from her closed eyes came out. Her eyelashes wetted, cheeks burning through those hot tears because her morning seemed to pass like this. She did not want such a morning in which she had to cry at the beginning of the day.

“Because thine is the might, kingdom and glory, Amen.” She sighed and opened her eyes slowly. She gulped down the lump which formed due to that sadness.

The sunlight passing through the curtains on the window, reaching her room, entered her eyes. Her eyes shone as honey added to her beauty as it only enhanced. She folded the mattress before putting it under the bed.

Wiping her tears, she then pushed the curtains ahead and walked towards the terrace side of her room. The sweet light of the scorching sun in the early morning entered her eyes and on seeing this, her eyes closed automatically. Though sweet, the sunlight was very strong.

Coming out, she saw that the weather was clear and shining as beautiful as ever. In the blue sky, the immortal sun was shining in its radiance. Its blazing light and tremendous heat were spreading warmth throughout the atmosphere.

She raised his neck towards the sky so that she could have a look at the sun. But can one see that proud sun with open eyes? No. The same happened with her.

Her eyes formed tears as soon as she looked up, challenging the bright light. She giggled at her childishness. Uff! When will you grow up, Hazel? Her subconscious taunted her.

She rubbed her eyes gently. Those wet eyelashes tickled her skin and more water spilt out of her eyes. Once she was done with it, she sighed and looked down through the railing. She found a man flirting with the girl in the mansion—in which she lived.

He was a new customer for that woman who could pay a very good amount for her. But for Hazel, he was no less than a demon.

The name of the girl who went with him was Alisha. She was one of the graceful dancers there. Her mannerisms charmed every man. Every man ran after her like a pup. She was a bold seductress and Eliseva was impressed by her. The man who came to her would have tormented for her again and again. The dream of spending a night with her bothered every man but her cost was going to make everyone cry. One night with her worthed thousand dollars and Eliseva earned a good amount through her.

She saw that the man again went after her like a pup, waving his tail. He was going to her room.

Hazel sighed. It was not new for her to see such things every morning. She lived in such a place where every moment a woman’s body was sold for the satisfaction of a man. And every time she used to pray that her turn should not come in all this.

“Hazel!” She heard a voice calling her name. That person was not only calling her name but was also knocking on her door. She went to the door and opened it. In front stood Irene, her good friend.

She also lived with her in the same luxurious mansion, along with other girls. She was three years older than Hazel and was also familiar with the work going on inside the mansion. A place which was beautiful and delightful to look at. Whose glare attracts the wandering unhappy men towards itself. And its dazzling blindness blinded the people even before they could see the sins hidden in that mansion.

“Rise and shine, Haze!” Irene chirped like always.

“Morning,” Hazel said with a smile. “What brought you here, Ire?” She asked, arching her brow and wondering why she was there in the early morning.

“Eli is calling you down. Come quickly. She has something to tell, okay?” Hazel’s smile was snatched from her mere words. What can Eliseva have to do with her in the morning?

“Haze, behave properly in front of Eli and please call her Eli, you know she gets impressed when we call her Eli.” Irene patted her shoulders, giving her an assuring smile because Hazel looked scared all of a sudden.

But no matter what happens, she did not want to use her nickname to impress her. Why would she impress that cruel lady? She brutally sold every woman. Who would want to impress such a woman? Sinful woman. It was better to stay away from her.

And Hazel has seen her cruelty. When she was brought there at the age of eight, Eliseva could not hide her cruelty due to Hazel’s disobedience. She was not ready to live in that brothel but Eliseva’s punishments and passing time taught her many things.

~♡♡~

“Eliseva, did you call for me?” She asked, standing at the door of her room. The door was open so she questioned Eliseva from a distance. She used to keep a distance from Eliseva for not calling any punishment on her side.

Eliseva’s jaw clenched, hearing her full name through Hazel. Eliseva asked everyone to use her nickname because somehow her name reminded her of her old age which she wanted to avoid but there was only one Hazel who used her full name. She had no intention of impressing Eliseva at all.

The women there consider Eliseva to be their God because she used to give bread, clothes and shelter to the illiterate and orphan girls. But in return, she earned money from their body. What was in it like a God? God never earns money through his people. And if we talk about bread, cloth and house, then it is only God’s gift. Who is the person to give all this to?

“Hazel, pride of my mansion! I am pleased to see you. Good morning, how did you sleep, huh?”

Honey was dripping from her tongue but alas, the honey was mixed with sugar. Something fake and indigestible.

“Come here, we’ve got a big deal and I want to go there and take care of my customers, as we know how beautiful you are…” she threw a fake smile in her direction. Like always!

“Right, Rabiya?” She looked to her right and Hazel silently followed her gaze, only to find Rabiya sitting on one of the chairs in the room and smirking at her. She always smirked whenever she looked at Hazel because, for her, Hazel was naive and probably an innocent lamb who could be anyone’s sacrifice.

“Of course, Eli!” She chirped, grinning at Hazel.

“Come here,” Eliseva called Hazel curtly. Suddenly that soft look drifted away. Hazel nodded and entered her room which was delighted with warm lights.

She stood in front of Eliseva but surprisingly, Rabiya grabbed her shoulders and pulled her onto a chair, earning a gasp from Hazel. That was unexpected! She thought Rabiya was pushing her into the ground.

Rabiya smirked, seeing Hazel. She loved annoying her.

“Listen to me now carefully Hazel, the guests are really important to me. He’s one of the most successful lawyers in America. People lick his feet for his support. If he gets impressed by you, then we can get some of his support. The man is really nice but dominating. He holds right and wrong in his almighty hands so be careful around him!”

Hazel frowned, “Am I the only one going?” was the first question that itched her mind.

“No way! I can never believe you. What if you run away? That’s why Isabella, Aalya, Zoya, Mishal, Rukaiya, Sophia and Rabiya, all are going with you. All are new to him.”

“So what’s the point of sending me with all of them? I’m not a good seductress like Rabiya…” She sighed, her voice turning heavier when she remembered Eliseva insulting her because of being religious all the time. She continued nonetheless, “...who can fascinate him. You yourself say that I’m of no use to you.”

Eliseva huffed, grabbing her hips. She raised her eyes at Rabiya behind her. Her brows corrugated in defeat but Hazel knew the lady was showing only a fake sadness. Hazel was well aware of her sharp mind and reasoning.

“What’s your age, Hazel?” Rabiya inquired from behind.

“Seventeen,” she answered in a low voice.

“Exactly! Younger than you have no experience now. You are the youngest among us. I don’t want to say but you’re the most beautiful also and your dance is really graceful which’s useless, that’s why Eli wants to send you!”

And now the realization hit Hazel. Eliseva was sending her to those men there not to entertain them with her graceful belly dance but to satisfy them with her magnificent appearance.