CHAPTER 25. Enchanting Lotus
1556 Words
Everyone is excited to see the new angel coming out from behind the red curtain on the stage. They are whistling and screaming as they are very impatient in their seats. While Crystal on the other side is trembling, unsure of what she is doing behind those thick fabrics.
"Gentlemen, brace yourself as you are about to witness the newest angel of Mi Paraiso! An angel that you will only see, not n heaven but in Mi Paradise! Please welcomes, enchanting Lotus!" The MC announced, followed by a piece of intense yet sexy music, as the curtains moved aside, revealing an innocent and shy angel. Everyone stopped from what they are doing and the spirit of silence possessed each one of them. Crystal walked to the center while roving her eyes around as she checked the faces of every man who was staring at her, looking back at their eyes.
"Lotus! Dance!" Kaye shouted at her in a whispering voice but Crystal didn't know how to and just sway her hips slowly, left and right timidly.
Rose was standing backstage, smirking wickedly while watching her.
"No one could ever replace my reign in this paradise." She exclaimed proudly and went to the room to change.
The crowd's reaction stunned Margaux. She was standing on the stage's front and supposed to lead Crystal on what she needs to do, but she felt disappointed after getting no response from her customers. She even heard some gossiping,
"I swear, I can lend my soul to evil.”
"Where did she come from?"
“Lotus will be the death of me.”
She signaled Kaye to call off the performance when suddenly Jason came over and pulled her into the corner.
"Margaux, I thought we already have an agreement that you are going to let Lotus be with me tonight? I will pay any amount, just let me have her!”
“No, Jason. I can’t do that. Haven’t you watched her performance? I don’t think she’ll be working at Mi Paradise after this night. She’ll only ruin everything, she can’t be one of my angels.” Margaux said and jogged Jason away and left. But when she returned, Crystal was nowhere on the stage anymore, yet the audience was furious.
“Hey! Margaux! put your angel back on the stage!” one of them said.
“Don’t worry gentleman, I’ll summon Rose on stage to forget the embarrassing performance earlier.” She tried to soothe the crowd.
“No! We want Lotus!”
“Yeah! We want her back!”
“I’m willing to pay double for the drinks. Just let her perform tonight!”
“Yes, me too!”
“We all are paying double just to see Lotus back on stage again!”
It surprised Margaux about the real impact that Crystal brought to her customer. She thought they didn't want her after the worst performance she had ever seen on stage. Suddenly, Kaye ran in her direction.
“Where’s Lotus?” She asked.
“She already left,”
“What!? And you just let her!?” Margaux unbelievably inquired.
“Uh, well. I thought you didn't like her anymore when you asked to cancel her performance. So, I just let her.” Kaye reluctantly answered.
“No! Get her back! For sure she hasn’t gotten far yet.” Margaux ordered which Kaye quickly obeyed and asked two of their bulky bouncers for help.
*****
“Hi, you want a ride?” Jason asked, who’s peeking from his moving car while Crystal was walking along the road with a frown face.
“Uh, no, thank you, but I’m good,” Crystal responded, looking down. Jason stops his car and gets down just to block her way.
“You should not be walking in the road at this hour of the night, it's dangerous for a beautiful lady like you,” Jason said with a charming smile.
“But, am I not in danger if I come with you?” Crystal innocently inquired.
“Of course not. You are safe with me. I promise,” he said and extended his hand, which Crystal accepted. Jason squeezes her hand gently, and it gives Crystal a familiar feeling. Jason helped her to get inside his car before he turned to the driver’s side.
“So, tell me. Why do you have to work in that kind of place?” he inquired as he started the engine.
“I thought the job she offered me was selling waffles on the street.” Crystal told him shyly while fiddling her fingers, which made Jason laugh at her.
“Waffles?”
“Yes, I met her in front of a waffle stand and that is where she offered me a job.”
“Seriously? How old are you, by the way?”
“I’m eighteen.”
“You’re too young, but a perfect asset,” he muttered, looking ahead of the road.
“What about you working for me?” he suddenly asked.
“What?”
“We’ve been following Margaux ever since we have received some reports that there is an illegal activity inside that Mi Paraiso, but she is very vigilant. That is why I need your help.” Jason explained as he focused his eyes on the road.
“What help do you want from me? And what really are you? I thought you were a regular customer of that place?”
“I’m an undercover agent and I need your help to gather information and report every unusual move inside that place.”
“I don’t think I can do that.” Crystal refused.
“Well, at least try it.” He said and stopped when the traffic light turned red and jerk his head to look at Crystal.
“What’s your actual name, by the way?” he asked, while her eyes roam at her.
“Crystal.”
“Crystal, such a beautiful name. Your boyfriend is so lucky to have you.” He commented.
“Boyfriend? Do you mean like my friend Pearl? She always helped in every way. I am the one who’s lucky to have her.”
“You don’t know what a boyfriend is? That’s ridiculous!” Jason commented as he laughed softly at her.
“Well, a boyfriend is a man that will send sparks to your life, the one that will kiss you and make you feel weird but wonderful things inside your body. A man that you love and loves you back.” Jason explained while his eyes turning dark, looking at her. Crystal stared back at him as she also suddenly remembered Gabriel and how he made her feel that unforgettable feeling the night before he left the island.
“I think I had, but he betrayed me and didn’t love me back,” she honestly said, but her siren’s spell already drowned Jason, and slowly started leaning closer to her while looking down at her lips.
“Jason,” Crystal called his name to wake him up to his senses and with the help of other cars beeping behind, Jason woke up from his swift dream.
“Oh, s**t! I’m sorry about that, Crystal.” He apologized and started the engine again and steered, looking ahead of the road.
Crystal is well aware that a siren has a spell to any men and now seeing how Jason drowned by it makes her realize Gabriel was only overwhelmed by it, that’s why he did that to her.
‘He should have claimed me that night.’ she complained as tears suddenly rolled down her cheek.
“Crystal? Are you crying?” but she only shook her head negatively.
“Just dropped me off here, Jason.” She said when they arrived at the seaside road.
“No, I’m taking you to your home.”
“Please,” she begged, and Jason halted the car.
“Would you give me your phone number, please?”
“I don’t have a phone,” she responded as she opened the door of the car and stepped outside.
“Crystal, wait!” he followed her.
“Here, call me. I have a friend that could give you a decent job. An innocent like you should not be working in that of place.” he said, handing her a calling card.
“I don’t need your help and please, stay away from me.” she annoyingly said and started walking in the shack's direction while she Jason with troubled feelings towards her. He only wants to take Crystal out just to convince her to be a police asset against Margaux but when he saw her on the stage wearing that sexy dress, He suddenly became aggressive and even complained to the owner. A feeling of wanting Crystal suddenly arose.
“Why am I acting weird? I even almost kissed her earlier.” he unbelievably told himself as shook his head, getting back inside his car.
- Writer
