Even once I am back to the Sparrow Hall, the awful scene remains carved in my mind. Solazzo comes to the club every day and I keep him company. Each time I see him, I remember what happened that day. Three days go by before I can recover... or maybe I am just numbing up.

Tonight, I have to accompany Solazzo to the banquet. When I go backstage to the changing room, I see two girls inside. It's Rose and Cathy. They seem to be talking about something. Judging by their expressions, it doesn't seem fun.

"Cathy, what do you think about Arthur?" says Rose.

"Arthur? I never really talked to him... but I think we could get along," the brunette answers.

"Hmpff, all wrong! How can you be so naïve? He might look shy, but in fact, he is a real siren!"

Gossips? Wait... is she talking about me?

"Really? It doesn't look like it."

"How do you think he got his hands on Solazzo?" Rose retorts.

Cathy pouts. "But... that's what men like him do though, isn't it? Date showgirls or... show...boys."

"Even Madam Lana is scared of Solazzo! He doesn't let himself get hooked so easily! And this bitch didn't only get his hands on Solazzo, there are two men fighting over him..." Rose's face is full of contempt.

"Maybe Arthur is their type? Maybe there are more inverts than we thought among these men. We can't really help it..."

Rose chuckles. "You are so dumb. That's not the point. I'm not jealous of him! What I am saying is that Claire and Aria are just stepping stones for getting on top! And if you don't watch yourself, you will also become a pawn to his scheme."

Cathy frowns. Rose's words clearly have an effect on her. How can she blurt out such absurd things behind my back? Really...

"I will tell you another secret. Aria lost her chance to dance on stage because of this flirt!"

"What?" Cathy gasps quietly. "But I remember that Arthur defended Aria that day."

"Come on, think about it, who replaced Aria?"

I can't stand hearing her slinging mud at me. I am about to go confront her when someone walks past me and enters the room. I didn't notice that she was behind me...

"Rose, what are you saying!"

"Aria?"

Aria is a little bit taller than Rose. She looks down at the other girl. "You'd better watch your words, if I ever catch you spreading your stupid gossip!"

"Rose didn't want..." Cathy trails off timidly.

"Aria, I was talking about this philanderer. That's none of your concern!" Rose snaps back. She steps back, refusing to admit her defeat. The atmosphere is tense. They're not going to fight...are they?

Aria took my defense. I can't let her down and do nothing... I enter the room and stand by her side.

"You are telling lies about me. And that is my concern."

"Arthur? How long have you been spying on us?" Rose snarls.

"You were talking so loud that it wasn't really spying."

Rose peers at me then starts blushing. "I- I didn't make anything up! It's all true!"

Aria smiles at her. I would be scared if I were in Rose's shoes.

"Arthur helped me, so I let him get on stage. That's what really happened."

"I can see what's going on. You are teaming up against me, you pieces of garbage! We'll see who will have the last laugh once you get banned to 'the basement'! As to you, Arthur, you are nothing but a toy for these men. A little boy toy. You'll drop that arrogance soon!" Rose storms out.

Cathy gives us an embarrassed smile and leaves too. This power keg has been defused. I give an awkward smile to Aria.

"Thank you."

"No worries... I didn't want to keep hearing her gossips."

"Don't let her words reach you... If it ever happens, I will have your back." I promise. Aria lets out a long sigh and turns around, looking at me with saddened eyes.

"Arthur, you are getting closer to Solazzo."

"Yes, so?" I tilt my head.

"Mobsters are all lowlife garbage. Please... Don't let them fool you."

Why is she telling me this all of a sudden? Something must have happened to her... I question her with my eyes but Aria looks away.

"I didn't want- just..." She stammers. "If you displease them, you may end up banned in the basement."

All I know from the basement is what Claire told me and Aria hinted about it after that one evening with Solazzo and Mr. Iero. "What can you tell me about the basement? Where is it located?" I ask.

Aria looks terrified. She drags me in a corner of the room. "So, the basement is Solazzo's brothel. Disobedient girls are sent there. Some girls aren't even showgirls, but they end up there anyway."

"What? How do they end up in the basement? And what you said about children..."

Aria purses her lips but doesn't answer my question. "...That's all I know. You'd better stay careful. Really."

She quickly exits the loge, despite my pleas. Aria left but her words are still on my mind and plunge me in deep reflection.

Ordinary women in a brothel...It must be a whole traffic at work. Human traffic, and they are the victims.

I shiver at that thought. I'm going to have to test the waters with Solazzo on this, once I get the chance to. It's time to go now. I should get prepared.

I put on a nice shirt and most flamboyant shoulder straps, holding up black pants. Over that, a peak suit. I put on my nicest pair of varnished shoes and I tousle my chestnut hair a bit. Makeup, as usual. I had gotten used to it after those months spent at the Sparrow Hall.

______

Solazzo seems to be in a good mood. His peak suit is stripped and grey, topped by a darker bowtie. He takes me to a club that is even fancier than the Sparrow Hall. It's excessive and exuberant, a true golden world. Like a new year's eve in Spring.

Everybody looks at us when we enter the hall. I have the feeling...that this evening will be quite unusual.

Solazzo and I settle in a loveseat, far from the stage. Jazz bands play their last tunes and the singer's voice resonates far through the mike.

"My beauty, do you know what day it is?" he asks me through his cigar, blowing a bit of smoke.

"I don't. Is it... your birthday?" I take a guess, pouting a little.

"Haha, you are adorable, but a bit dumb. Of course not."

"Then what...?" I trail off. "Oh! I know, you just signed another big deal?" I try to sound excited but not too much.

"You're getting warmer." He smirks, admiring my features.

"Aw, don't leave me hanging, tell me everything." I playfully tug on his bowtie a little.

Solazzo sets down his champagne, stands up and takes my hand. "Follow me."

"Where are we going?" I ask confusedly.

"Don't ask so many questions, my lamb. Follow me."

An arm wrapped around my waist, Solazzo drags me through the hall. And I spot a man in a dark corner...

Thinking about it, I haven't seen Mr. Iero in days. Seeing him reminds me of the intimate moment I shared with him, that one day...

I intently look at his face, and I notice that he seems incredibly exhausted.

"Hey, Frankie!" Solazzo calls. "What are you doing, sitting here? I can spot you miles away."

"I wouldn't have missed that. Congratulations, Angie."

Solazzo sits down in front on Mr. Iero. I sit next to Solazzo. The latter surrounds me with his right arm, caressing my shoulder possessively.

"Haha, thank you. Arthur, say hello to Mr. Iero."

Solazzo is behaving in such an intimate way with me In front of Mr. Iero...that it makes me quite uncomfortable.

"Good evening, Mr. Iero," I manage to utter in a soft voice, though I suppose I must be looking a bit distraught right now.

"Aw, my boy, why are you all shy? You weren't like that a few days ago." Solazzo motions for me to sit on his lap. For the whole time, I am looking at Mr. Iero. His expression remains completely unaltered.

I take a deep breath and sit down on Solazzo's lap. That makes me all meek, for some reason. Solazzo and I have been more intimate before.

"Frankie, do you think I trained this boy well? He doesn't only have a pretty face. The covered parts of him are just as valuable..." says he, squeezing my ass. Mr. Iero barely raises his chin at this. I, on the other side, am blushing like crazy.

I know that 'Arthur' is only Solazzo's boy toy. But the way he exhibits me to Mr. Iero makes me nauseous. Solazzo, I swear I wouldn't be taking this if I weren't investigating you...

"Please, baby, don't be like that... Mr. Iero is looking." I said whiningly, giving him puppy eyes. Solazzo ignores my pleas and pinches my butt.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Frankie, the last time we were at the Sparrow Hall, you said that you quite liked Arthur, correct?" Solazzo provokes and Mr. Iero calmly readjusts his sleeves. "Hahaha, unfortunately, Arthur ended up picking me. What a shame, huh?"

Solazzo holds my chin with one hand, his face is getting closer... I freeze when I see his lips get closer. I peek at Mr. Iero from the corner of my eye. He is watching us. I knew that a more and more intimate relationship with Solazzo would be unavoidable. But Mr. Iero's presence makes it so hard to take.

My heart squeezes in my chest. Ignoring Mr. Iero, I set a hand on Solazzo's neck and offer him my lips. Solazzo kisses me deeply. For a while, the only thing that can be heard at the table is the sound of us kissing. Solazzo and I are making out while he is holding my waist with one hand.

His other hand strokes my chest and starts moving down, trailing below the belt. It then reaches a sensitive area, and I gasp softly in the kiss. He is about to touch me further when...

A sound of broken glass interrupts Solazzo; he pushes me back, his eyes on Mr. Iero. I look on the side of the table and notice on the ground the broken pieces of a glass of champagne.

"Frankie, what does this mean?" Solazzo asks the man, annoyed and angry. It feels like the jazz music in the air is wilder than usual, like a merry storm of trumpets. Mr. Iero broke the glass? Why would he do that?...

We both more or less explicitly agreed that I would become Solazzo's lover. I thought that it was just my mind tricking me each time that I thought he had feelings for me.

Did he break the glass because he couldn't bear watching us?

"Angie, you hit the table by accident," Mr. Iero justifies. Solazzo stares at him without a word. His expression is undecipherable. I also remain quiet. I am feeling awful and empty. Awfully empty.

Mr. Iero rolls his eyes, sighing. "Alright Angie, have fun. I have to go," he says in a bored tone.

"Frankie, am I not great company? You seem in a hurry." Solazzo grins.

Mr. Iero doesn't look impressed. He deadpans at Solazzo. "I have business to handle, you know?..."

"...Alright, see you later then."

Solazzo holds me by the waist while watching the show without letting any emotion show. Is he still upset about Mr. Iero's actions? It might be my shot at making him like me even more...

"Love, you didn't tell me what day it is today!" I exclaim.

"Arthur, I don't want to talk about it," he grumbles.

"You're upset because our moment was ruined? In fact..." I give him a shy smile. "I couldn't control myself while kissing you and I accidentally hit the table. My hip still hurts!" I chuckle.

"Really?" He frowns at me, trying to read through me.

"Of course, why would I lie to you, my kitten?" I caress his jaw.

Solazzo thinks before relaxing. "Hm, I suppose that he wouldn't dare..."

"Darling, don't you like Mr. Iero?" I inquire poutingly.

"In fact, I want to kill him." Solazzo states, his eyes cold and a bit empty too, as he is thinking at the same time as he is talking.

My whole body is crossed by some quick wave of malaise. "Kill him?" I say in a small voice.

Solazzo laughs. "Hahaha, my pretty boy, are you scared? I was joking."

The weight around my heart doesn't completely vanish but I let out an audible sigh nonetheless. "You must stop scaring me like that," I scold, swatting his shoulder. Solazzo seems much happier now.

He leans closer and rans his hand through my brown hair. "Baby, you smell so good." He licks his lips and peers at me insistingly. "Don't go back to the club today. Stay with me, alright?"

I figure that he must want to sleep with me, but I know I can't refuse. "Very well, Mr. Solazzo"

Solazzo plants a single kiss below my jaw. "Angelo, please. Call me Angelo."

He and I leave the club. There is only one person I can think of that could be on my mind to make it enjoyable, at least.

______