The small girl nods shaking with the cold and fear, quickly rushing out into the cold night. With her ragged old clothes full of mud she stumbles, tears blinding her eyesight as she ran into the street clutching what money she owned.
She collapsed onto the ground outside the city hardly noticing that It started to rain heavily. Her thoughts turned towards her depression and hopelessness. Her parents died before she was twelve so she was forced to make money however she could even if it means selling the only thing she had. She felt discussed with herself this isn't how she wanted to live. The other nine-teen year old girls would be comfy in their beds sleeping away, or texting friends right now while she was soaked to the bone the feeling of weight on her shoulders.
The London streets were mostly empty this time of night, so she felt that they expressed her perfectly. Sometimes when she could she would sit out on the boardwalk and just watch people live their lives. She sometimes made up conversations that she would have with them. She wondered how her voice would sound if she had one. Would it be proper like the English Rose or would it be laid back like the teens who hung around town without a care in the world? She wished she knew.
"Miss? Are you alright?" An English gentlemen approached her. She had not noticed him due to her being lost in thought. He looked like a businessman maybe a lawyer. Someone with money to spare but works a lot. His scruffy black beard matched his disheveled hair, but he wore a suit under his trench coat.
He reached his hand out to the small teen. She flinches, covering her head with her arms as she sat, curled into a ball. "Miss, I'm not going to hurt you, please let me help, come with me." He gently pulls her up by her arm. "I'm Alex, Alex Macrov. And you are?" She looks down quiet, ashamed of her name. He sighed and starts walking with her. He took her into a small home. The warmth of the home is nice it makes her feel strangely safe.
He walked off to get the soaking wet girl a towel, when two men jumped out and screamed at the girl. The men had planned to scare Alex but instead of him they heard a girl yelp like a small dog. The third man rushes out to see the guys frantically apologizing to a girl who's curled up in the corner of the room. "Mon ami, you're only scaring her more." He pushes the other two men, John and Cristian, away from her and pull her into his lap. Her small frame fitting perfectly against him, his foreign accent soothing to her.
"Shh, mon amour it is alright." She hesitates at first but wraps her arms around his stomach, turning into him. He wraps his arms around her lower back, and she pushes her head against his neck. His hand goes up to gently pet her tangled brown hair. "Mon chi, look at me. She slowly pulls away and looks up into his dark brown eyes. A singer tear lingers under her eye and he gently brushes it away with his thumb, caressing her cheek. "You are ok now, no one's going to hurt you." His low voice speaks softly. "No need to be afraid. She pushes her head back on his shoulder and against his neck tired. He slowly picks her up with ease. The guys look at her apologetically and Cristian speaks, "Miss, we are so sorry, we thought you were Alex. "Yeah, we didn't mean to scare you." John finishes. "Mon ami, we should all go to sleep." Alex hands the tall man a towel for her and they leave.
He sets her in a chair and dry her off. "Let me get you some clean clothes mon chi." He walks away and come back with an older shirt and a jacket. "Here, put these on." She nods and stands up looking down. He turned around for her and she gets changed. After he turned around, she could notice his sad gaze on the scars on her legs but, he decided to leave it be till she's calmer around him. "Come mon ange, we must go to bed, it is late." She nodded and walked next to him. He led her to a guest room. Her eyes widen at having to be alone again. He notices his gaze softening. He laid down and patted the place beside him. "Come, lay down and we will sleep." She lays next to him curling up into a tight little ball. She shivers coldly and he gently pulled her into his chest. She stiffens but she soon relaxes and goes to sleep, him following soon after.
He woke up stretching trying to not wake up the girl. She sighs and puts her head on his shoulder, moving up onto him slightly. the guys awe as she snuggles closer. He smiles and gently pet her hair. "Mon coeur, it is time to wake up." She mumbles. "mais je ne veux pas me lever, s'il vous plat mon amour?" (meaning: but I do not want to get up, please?) The foreigner's eyes widen as do the rest of the guys. Alex is the first to speak. "She speaks French?" she nods sleepily. "oui" I chuckle and kiss her head. "Come mon chou, wake up." She tenses up and gets off me sitting on the floor and bowing and whispering. "I-I'm sorry." I sigh and pull her back up onto my lap. "Mon ch'ri, you did nothing wrong, enough of the bowing, alright? now what were you so sorry for?" She glances at the bed and puts her head back down. I sigh and rub her back gently. "Would you like some breakfast?" she shakes her head no. I get up and sit her on the bed. she still won't look at me or the other guys. I bend down and sit on my feet. "Mon amour, what is your name?" She is quiet. I sigh and hold her chin with my hand tilting it up to look at me. "Mon ch'ri, I need to know your name, please?" She blushes light pink and whispers. "Th-The-Theo..." I nod and the guys look confused. "That's a nice name mon ch'ri." The guys get ready to say something and I give them a look saying not to. They understand and just let it go. I stand up and pat her head. "Mon ch'ri, I would like you to stay under the blanket." She nods and covers back up. "Why?" John asks. "Because I don't want you men looking at her." They laugh. "French fry got a cruuuush! French fry wanna have some of that!" I grab Johns shirt and pull him up to me. "Mon ami, do not embarrass me by saying such things. She is a lady and should be treated as such. So, you will not speak in such a disrespectful way, do you understand me?" "J-jeez Laf it was just a j-joke!" "Maybe, but still, apologize to her." He looks over. "I'm s-sorry Theo, I will watch what I say better!" I nod and drop him, and smile as I fix my jacket. I look at mulligan. "I need you to fix up some pants for her, please." He nods. "No problem I'll model her after breakfast." I nod. "Alright, then let's eat!" We go to the little kitchen and start cooking while Theo waits in bed. this will be an interesting day.
I get a sandwich and bring it to Theo. "You need to eat." She shakes her head no again. I sigh and give her a serious look and speak sternly. "Ch'ri, you will eat at least this sandwich. Do you understand me?" She sits up, looking down and nods. "Y-yes sir..." I hand her the sandwich and she starts to rip off small pieces, slowly eating it. I pat her hair and kiss her forehead. after she eats half of it she puts it down. "F-full..." I sigh and nod taking it back and walking to the guys.
"Mon ami." I look at mulligan. Come on, you have to sow up some pants for Theo." He nods. "Alright." We go back to the room where she should be and she's gone. "Theo? Where are you?" I look around with mulligan and the other guys come in. "Alexander, look in the next room." He nods and walks away. A few minutes later I hear him. "Uh, guys! I found her..." We all rush to into the room to find Alexander. "Where is she?" He points to a corner where I see Theo next to three empty bottles of whiskey and half a bottle of bourbon. I sigh and shake my head walking over to her and picking her up. "Ch'ri, what were you thinking?" she giggles and curls up against my chest. I chuckle and the guys awe."Come on, you need pants." We all laugh a little and mulligan comes with me to the other room. I sit her on the bed and she wraps her arms around my neck pulling me closer, your lips only a few inches apart. I blush and she giggles as I pull away. "Damn Laf, your redder than red coats with blood stains!" I role my eyes. "Just make her some pants." He laughs and walks over, measuring her waist and legs. I start getting frustrated. "Are you done yet?" He chuckles."Almost, don't worry Laf I'm not gonna try something." She starts squirming to get away from him. "Mon amour, what's wrong? I sit next to her and pull her into my lap. "It's alright." She calms down and lets him finish. "Give me ten minutes I'll have a perfect fit." He walks off. and she starts squirming again. "Stop." She freezes. "What is wrong?" She gets up and starts waking for the door. I get up to see what she's doing and see her try to leave. I grab her wrist and turn her around towards me. "I'm sorry love but I cannot let you go." She looks down and nods walking back with me. "Mon ch'ri..." she looks up at me. "You will be coming to my home. Alright?" she nods. I smile and say goodbye to the guys. "I'm going to take Theo to get work!" "Alright, it was nice to meet you." Mulligan brings her the pants and she puts them on. I thank him and we leave.
*a few weeks later at Hamilton's secret wedding party for the guys and after they haven't seen Theo since Laf took her to find work*
After we sing our little song to hammy when Laurens comes up to me smirking. "Well I heard, you got a special someone on the side, sir~" He leans on my shoulder. I blush. "Oh really?" Ham buts in. "What're you trying to hide sir.""s-stop calling me that!" Ham chuckles. "It's alright sir, I wish you'd have brought her with you tonight, sir." "Well I-I can't." "Why not?" "She doesn't know." "Know what?" "That I like her..." "WHAT?" "I can't tell her..." "Why not?" I lower my head. "I don't want to lose her." They all hug me and give me a drink. Mulligan smiles at me. "Then we will have to see if she likes you! Now who's the unlucky baguette?" I blush. "N-no one you'd know..." "YOUR LYING!" "I-I should go." Hamilton laughs. "No, they should go." "What!" John yelled "No!" "Leave us alone!" They sigh and leave. Ham sits and kicks out a chair for me. I sit down and run my hand through my hair. "Laf, if you love this girl go get her, why wait?" I shake my head. "Because she has a bad past... I don't want to scare her." "What do you mean?" "I think she was a slave ham..." "I see-" "A slave used by men..." "oh shit." "Yeah." "I'm sorry, but she must know your different." "I honestly don't know, I found her old owner and payed them off. So, now I technically own her, but I've been trying to show her that she doesn't have to do anything for me." "I see, well, could I meet her?" I sigh. 'you already have.' I think to myself. "Let's go I guess." He smiles and we walk out.
*after they arrive at Lafayette's home*
-Lafayette-POV- "Just, try not to scare her mon ami, alright?" He nods. "Ok, no problem." We walk in. "Mon ch'ri, please come here." I speak with a slightly raised voice and she comes quickly down the hall. I hear Alexander gasp. "You?" I nod. "Yes, her." She walks up and hugs me, knowing I like hugs when I first get home. "Amour, please say hi to mon ami."She steps back and bows her head for a second. "h-hi..." She speaks quietly, looking at the floor. "Hey..." "Mon ch'ri d'amour, could you go to our room for a while?" She nods and leaves.
Alexander looks at me. "Our? As in you... share a room?" I sigh. "I tried having her sleep alone and she kept having nightmares, so I had her come to my room, and the nightmares stopped. Now she sleeps with me every night." He nods in understanding. "Well, that means she trusts you at least." "I guess." We walk to the kitchen and get some food, sitting down. "Laf, she's delicate... has she told you anything? " I shake my head sadly. "Sadly not, but I don't blame her... a lot must have happened for her to be like this..." He nods in agreement. "You should try to ask her, see what happened." "Friend how could I do that?" He sighs. "Here, we can do it now, alright?" "Wait-" "Theo, come here please!" At least keep your voice down, you'll scare her." He nods and apologizes as she walks in with her head down. I speak softly. "Could you come sit please?" She nods and sits in a chair in front of us. Alexander speaks next. "Theo, could you tell us what happened to you?" She straightens up, with her head still down and whispers. "What ever could you mean sir?" I sigh sadly. "Mon amour, before we found you, what was your life?" She goes quiet then whispers. "I was a red slave..." We look at her confused. "What does that mean?" Alex asks. she whispers so quietly it's barely audible. "It means sex slave, I'm sorry." she stands and bows. my heart clenches for her. And Alexander speaks. "What are you sorry for?" "for being so disgusting... for being a disappointment... I'm sorry I can't be better for you." she glances up at me and looks back down. I grab her shoulders and pull her into my chest, giving her a hug. "What did I say about bowing?" She relaxes against me and I pet her hair. Alexander clears his throat. "I think I should go... it was great to see you again, Theo if you ever need someone to talk to, just call." "Au revoir mon ami." "au revoir!" he says in a fake accent. I chuckle and wave him off. Me and Theo end up going back to bed and going to sleep in each other's arms.
It's been a few days since I told Laf about what I was... he seemed to accept me... but he'll change... hell, they always do... he was out with his friends and I decided to go on a walk. as I walk I'm the only girl in pants and a shirt like the men's... a girl walks up to me with two others behind her. "So, your the slut who seduced Lafayette." I look down sadly. she scoffs. "Ugly little bitch. Aren't you?" quiet. she slaps me. "I asked you a question." I keep my eyes at the ground as i nod and speak quietly. "y-yes miss..." "Yes what?" I sigh in humiliation as I speak. "Yes, I'm am u-ugly little bitch..." she smiles and laughs. She roughly grabs my arm making me wince as she drags me to an ally.... no one's here.... after a few seconds two men appear.... she smirks evilly. "He won't want you after this." She spits at me and pushes me on the ground. "Have your fun." She speaks to the men and leaves with the other girls. they smile sickly as they stalk closer..."p-please... d-don't do this!" I'm cut off by one of them punching me. I feel tears start to stream down my cheeks as I try with all my strength to push them away after a few hours they finally leave... I talk to the ground. I want to cry... I want to cry with all I have.... but I have no tears left. I get up and pull on the remains of my clothes. Lafayette is at a wedding party for Alex... I rush home and write a note, knowing he won't be back for a little while.
Tears finally come back as I flinch in disgust as I finish the letter, putting it on the table. I go back into Lafayette's room, looking around and finding his pistol. I go to the bathroom to look at myself. I have bruises all over and scratch marks on my thighs... along with the rest of my scars it looks even more horrible. I sigh and get dressed in new clothes as I wipe my tear stained cheeks and go to the kitchen again, standing on the table. by now the suns coming back up on a new day. I look towards the door into the kitchen, from the outside as I bring the small gun to my temple. I clench my eyes shut as tears come again. I bring back the trigger. I get ready to shoot when I hear laughing. the door opens and the laughing dies quickly as Lafayette and Alexander stand there, taking in what's happening. "A-amour...? w-what are you doing?" I open my eyes and look at him as a few slip down my cheeks. Alex looks scared... but Lafayette...? He looks terrified... scared to death... "g-goodbye f-frenchie..." I say trying to lighten the mood. Lafayette starts walking closer. My eyes follow him as I push the gun harder against my head. "c-ch'ri, don't do this... please..." I try to look away from him but I can't. I go to look at Alex when he speaks again. "Theo... look at me..." I reluctantly do so. "Don't do this..." My heart clenches. "Theo... I love you..." "l-liar!" I close my eyes as I start to pull the trigger. I hear the panic and terror in his voice as he shouts. "No!" out of nowhere the gun fly's out of my hand and I jump. I turn to see Alexander had his gun out. this was all to distract me... tears start falling more freely as I look back at Lafayette. "Liar! I knew you where I liar- how could you ever love something like me!" I'm cut off by him pulling me off the table and into his arms and he holds me comfortingly. "Mon ch'ri... I would never lie to you... I-I... I think I'm in love with you Theo..." He hugs me tighter as he pushes his face against the side of my neck I slowly start to calm down. Alex sees my note and grabs it. I panic again as I try to break free from Lafs grasp. Alex looks pissed as he reads most likely the part that explained what happened yesterday/last night. "Laf. I think you need to read this!" "He looks at him confused as he has Alex hold my arm, so I don't try anything stupid. I watch as he slowly gets more and more pissed. by the end he looks infuriated. He holds me again "I will always protect you ch'ri. Will you be mine?" I nod happily knowing now I'm safe.
