Sosuke led Esmeralda to a small cafe since she didn't want him to spend money on expensive food. She was very insistent. They took outdoor seats and waited for the waitress to take their orders. Sosuke was thoughtful. He couldn't forget the dance and song that Esmeralda had done. The way she sang to him, it was as if her voice commanded the environment. The waitress finally arrived, took both orders, and left them alone again.

"You arrived early, though I'm not too surprised," said Esmeralda.

"Indeed, I felt you would dance to earn a little before our little get-together. I'm curious what made you a street performer."

Esmeralda smiled. "My dad and I have financial struggles. It's not common to have street dancers. I love dancing, and people like my skill; I get a little more income." Their orders arrived, and Esmeralda took a sip from her Horchata frappe while Sosuke ordered an herbal tea.

"I'm going to ask you this, which might upset you. Don't you think that people tip you not for your skill but your beauty?"

Sosuke was expecting Esmeralda to get angry with his question. To his surprise, she seemed indifferent. "Yes, people tend to be vain. It's a callous reality, especially learning it from a young age. It sucks, but one can't change human nature. Don't you agree, billy goat?"

Sosuke heard her giggle as she took a sip from her frappe; he couldn't help but let out a small and quick laugh. "You seem to like calling me that nickname."

"What, you don't like it? Would you prefer another nickname?"

"Why not call me by my name?"

Esmeralda stuck out her tongue playfully. "It can get boring. Besides, calling people nicknames is fun; it can bring out creativity."

Sosuke almost spit parts of his tea. "So, I told you a little more about me; tell me more about you, Billy Goat. What are your likes, dislikes, and whatnot? The night is young, so let's get the most out of it."

The young man was about to speak, but footsteps approached them. "Good evening," said a deep and masculine voice.

The voice made Esmeralda flinch. She and Sosuke looked up, and they saw Yhwach standing before them. Esmeralda suddenly felt a cold breeze go by. She couldn't help but notice how Sosuke's expression changed. His eyes were filled with anger, hatred, and seriousness. It almost scared her. She kept quiet as the two men eyed one another, but the silence made her uncomfortable. "Um, excuse me?" she said in a calm tone. The men got out of stance, and the two looked at her. "Do you two know one another?" Neither answered. Esmeralda then looked at Yhwach. "It's a coincidence that you're here, sir. Are you here to meet someone?"

Sosuke looked at her. "You met him before?"

She nodded. "I was doing some errands, and we bumped one another."

"I see. I think we should go to and-"

"Sosuke, son, we haven't seen one another for a long time, and this is how you react? Where are your manners, boy? It's quite rude."

Esmeralda's eyes became wide. "Their father and son!? They don't even look like, well, maybe the lips, but that's about it," she thought.

"Anyway, I was out to buy some dinner until this young woman, Esmeralda, if I remember, danced. She was superb, was she not?"

"Indeed."

Yhwach was smirking, but his mustache covered it. "You know, an idea came to me. Your uncle told me they need the main event to perform for our family's annual ball. I think hiring this talented young lady would be a wonderful idea."

Sosuke flinched, and Esmeralda was shocked. "Um, I don't think; I-"

"Nonsense, you are perfect. Besides, you will be paid more handsomely than you make in a year." Yhwach got out a card. "Here is my business card. My son here might talk you out of it, but believe me when I tell you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You might get other job opportunities if you impress the right people. You have until tomorrow. I hope to hear from you by then." When Esmeralda got a hold of the card, Yhwach left, leaving the two alone.

Sosuke bit his lower lip as Esmeralda eyed the card. "Don't accept."

The young woman was silent. She stood up and got her things. "Sorry, I have to cut things short. I have to go." Before she went, Sosuke got a hold of her arm.

"Esmeralda, I know you are thinking about this, but believe me when I tell you that Yhwach has his intentions. Don't trust him. If you do accept, I suggest you bring others. Don't call him, call me. My uncle gave me the responsibility."

"Sosuke..."

"Please," he said in a firm yet gentle tone. This made Esmeralda at ease.

"Okay. I will. I'll call you tomorrow."

Sosuke watched as she walked away. He just wanted a peaceful night, and now Yhwach, his father, ruined it. He had to make a call to his uncle Bradley.

.......................................

Sosuke made it to his hotel room; he was fuming. He expected an eventful evening with Esmeralda, but his father arrived to ruin everything. What angered the young man was that his father tempted Esmeralda to accept a position in the annual ball. Sosuke knew that Esmeralda needed the money, mainly since she lived in the worst part of Los Angeles.

Sosuke knew how his father was and his appetite for women. For Yhwach, women were nothing more than play and pleasure tools for men. Sosuke viewed his father as a misogynist, whom he inherited from his father, Alucard. Sosuke got his cell phone and called his uncle, Bradley. The other side was still ringing until there was an answer.

"Sosuke, my boy. What a surprise that you called me so soon," answered Bradley.

"Uncle, yes, apologies for the call, but there is a little situation." Sosuke knew that his uncle had turned serious on the other end of the line.

"What happened?"

Sosuke sighed. "I saw Yhwach earlier than anticipated. I was having dinner with a young woman, a street dancer who-"

Bradley let out a chuckle. "The woman that you seemed interested in. Go on."

The young man rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I saw Yhwach earlier than anticipated. He seemed to see her performance and wanted to hire her as the main event for the family's annual festivities."

On the other end, Bradley was a bit confused. "I see. Why would that be a problem if Yhwach sees her as a talent to be the main event? Unless..."

"I saw the way he looked at her, Uncle. I knew that he didn't have good intentions. He has something up his sleeve."

Bradley was silent for a bit. "I'm curious, how old is the young woman?"

Sosuke let out a sigh. "She turned eighteen not too long back."

"Eighteen!? She is still but a child! My brother seems to have no boundaries! As for you, Sosuke, she is too young for you to hold interest! I thought I raised you to be a reasonable man!"

"I didn't think much of her age, Uncle. When we first met, she spoke with much maturity. She dances on the street to earn more for her father, her only family. She is a talented dancer and singer; she gets the attention of her audience with no trouble. Esmeralda is very...special."

Bradley noticed the tone in his nephew's voice. "Esmeralda, eh?" The older man let out an annoyed sigh. "I still can't believe you hold interest in such a young lady. I won't lie; I'm quite disappointed in you, Sosuke."

Sosuke walked to the window, looking at the city. "I know. I know Esmeralda will accept the job since she wants the money to help her father. She is family-oriented. I also recommended that she bring friends with her for her safety."

"Yes, that would be wise." Bradley took a quick sip of his tea. "Well, what's done is done. I know my brother tempted the young lady with the pay. She seems to need it. Sosuke, I would like to meet her via Zoom."

This surprised Sosuke. "Uncle?"

"I want to know this young lady before she accepts the job. Call her and tell her I want footage of her dancing and singing. Make her send it to you, and then you will send it to me. My brother thinks he has control over the situation but is sadly mistaken. I would also like to meet her tomorrow since you are almost coming home. If she is suitable, then we have to plan her travel."

"Understood, Uncle."

Both men hung up.

Bradley was in his study, finishing up some paperwork. He massaged his forehead. "One problem after another." Bradley couldn't hide the fact that he was curious about Esmeralda. Bradley knew his brother hated women, especially since his parents were never good. Bradley and Yhwach had other brothers; Vlad, Gol D, and Issa. 

Yhwach was the eldest of the brothers, even though they were half-brothers. He suffered more abuse from their father, Alucard. In a sense, Bradley couldn't blame Yhwach entirely for being the way he is now. At the same time, he knew it was still no excuse. Tomorrow he was going to meet Esmeralda. The older man then decided to email his brothers about the situation.

He and Sosuke were going to need all the help they could get.