Chapter 8
Author: Khoirul N.
last update2025-01-09 15:07:04

Entering the area of Paradise Roadway, Jack was greeted by the loud, lively music, the strong smell of alcohol, and the dim, colorful lights. Amidst the chaos, the flirtatious laughter of the women entertaining their clients could be heard.

"Sir, follow me," Laura whispered, walking quickly but stealthily.

Seeing the anxious expression on Laura's face, Jack refrained from asking any questions. He followed her through the crowd, passing people dancing to the rhythm of the music.

During the journey, Jack was surprised to learn that the brothel also sold clothes. He noticed display windows on both sides, complete with price tags hanging on the glass. Some items were even on sale for over 50% off. However, what was displayed in the windows were not mannequins, but real women and men. The women were on the left side, while the men were showcased on the right.

In addition to mannequins being replaced by real people, what further puzzled Jack were the prices listed. The prices varied, but Jack couldn’t understand the criteria for determining those amounts. There were lingerie sets more expensive than casual outfits, and beautiful dresses sold cheaper than minimalist nurse uniforms.

"How long do they stay in the windows?"

"Until someone rents them, Sir," Laura answered, still walking briskly and cautiously.

Jack's eyes widened. There was no way those clothes were being rented out. So, were they prostitutes and gigolos?

‘Crazy!’ Jack thought.

It turned out that the price tags were not for the clothes, but for the "services" of the people wearing them.

The conclusion in Jack's mind became clearer when he saw men and women sitting in rows with price tags around their necks, with no showcase. Their rents were under $100.

"Stop!"

Jack saw Laura squeeze her eyes shut tightly as she stopped, after hearing a woman's shout from behind. Jack turned around.

A 40-year-old woman was walking toward them, accompanied by two towering enforcers with stern expressions.

Laura turned and whispered, "Sir, please don't say anything. I will handle Ava."

Jack didn’t reply, focusing on observing the woman named Ava. He suspected that the obese woman with heavy makeup in front of him was the madam of this brothel.

"Laura, what are you doing here?" Ava asked with a sharp look, though her tone remained casual.

Despite this, Laura didn’t dare to look at Ava. She bowed her head, her hands trembling.

"Laura, you were supposed to return tomorrow morning. Did you disappoint Mr. Hogweed? Or..." Ava paused and moved her face closer to Laura's. "Did you run away from Mr. Hogweed?!" she yelled loudly.

With a trembling voice, Laura replied, “I'm sorry, Madam. Mr. Paul hurt me again.”

“Who cares?” said Ava. “Who do you think you are? You're just a prostitute without a showcase! A lowly prostitute! You should be happy that Mr. Hogweed who owns the inn hired you. Your selling price will increase because of it!”

“Madam-”

“Idiot! You left Mr. Hogweed and came back with this hobo! Is he your boyfriend?!”

Jack's appearance was not like that of most visitors. He was only wearing jeans and a white t-shirt, with a suitcase in hand. Ava was very angry that Laura could get Paul to unsubscribe at Paradise Roadway, just for the sake of a poor man who was not profitable for her.

Jack was about to answer, but Laura seemed to stop him, speaking first, "Madam, he's innocent. Please, allow him to stay here for just one night."

"What did you say?! Are you completely out of your mind?! This is a brothel, not a shelter!"

Laura became even more panicked and scared. If she had entered the brothel on her own, she would have immediately gone to see Ava to beg for forgiveness, promising to bring in more profitable clients than Paul. But she changed her plan because Jack was with her.

Laura thought that Jack was indeed looking for a place to stay. Judging by his appearance and his old scooter, it was possible that Jack was having trouble finding a place to live that suited his financial situation. In fact, Laura silently suspected that Jack had no money at all.

That's why she didn't have the heart to refuse Jack or explain the situation in the brothel. She couldn't bear it if the person who had helped her had to sleep on a shopfront, under a bridge, or some other inappropriate place.

But, on the other hand, Laura knew that Ava wouldn't allow Jack to stay there even for one night. Ava would only accept visitors with money.

So, Laura secretly enters the brothel to keep Jack away from the latent danger of Ava Cobra!

Ava's last name is certainly not a surname. It was a nickname given by the people around her. The name is not without reason.

Rumor has it that Ava has a cobra as a pet. If Ava was angry with someone, she would send her executioners to kidnap and take the person to a secret room. Ava would then take out her cobra to kill the person.

With the cobra, Ava intimidates her 'children'!

“Madam, please.” Laura pleaded.

Ava glared. “No way!” She turned her head right and left. “You guys, drag this hobo! Throw him and his suitcase in the trash!”

“Madam-”

“Shh! Put a gag on your mouth. Look, you've made a big mistake by abandoning your duty to satisfy my customers. And you know damn well I won't let you off without punishment. Now, let this hobo be thrown in the trash, before I change my mind.” Ava looked at Laura like she wanted to swallow her, making Laura look down even deeper.

When the two executioners were about to grab Jack's arms, the young man asked, “How much?”

“Huh?” Ava glanced at Jack.

“How much is the rent for Miss Kills? I'll pay 100 times that.” Jack made Laura turn her head with her mouth wide open.

Ava spontaneously burst into laughter, followed by the laughter of her two executioners. Their laughter attracted people nearby, drawing a crowd.

Seeing herself and Jack become the center of attention, Laura immediately reached her maximum point of panic! She pressed herself against Jack and gripped his arm tightly. "What do we do, Sir?" she whispered.

"Laura, it turns out the man you brought is not just a homeless man, but he seems to be an escaped patient from a psychiatric hospital," Ava laughed again, and this time, her laughter was joined by not just the two executioners, but the entire crowd.

Ava spoke loudly, "You all, this hobo man claims he will hire Laura for 100 times the normal price!"

Their laughter grew louder. Soon, they started gossiping, degrading Jack with words like he had lost his mind, was mentally disturbed, was ungrateful, a big loser, a family disgrace, and other hurtful things.

"Listen, listen!" Ava made the chatter stop. The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Ava grinned, "You all are witnesses, I swear I'll kiss his feet if that really happens!" Ava pointed her finger at Jack’s face.

While Laura was clearly intimidated by Ava’s threats, Jack was not affected.

Jack remained calm.

Without commenting on the behavior or words of the people around them, Jack said, "There are rooms available for guests, right? Give us the best room!"

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