Now, after the incident at the mall, she was confined to the house. As time passed, the day began to fade. Sunshine was the only one in the house. She was bored, having stayed indoors all day.
Walking down the hallway to grab a snack from the kitchen, she noticed the vibrant lights outside the window. Though the distance was considerable, she could hear music and the cheers of people.
She leaned against the window, tapping her feet to the rhythm of the music. She began swaying, her tiny waist moving effortlessly.
Lost in the music, she danced, not even realizing when she'd entered her room to get dressed.
She found herself in a blue dress that ended above her knee, paired with black heels.
Her hair was in a ponytail, and she'd applied a touch of makeup. She twirled in front of the mirror. "I'm looking gorgeous," she complimented herself.
The absence of the cat emboldened the mice, a fact punctuated by her laughter as the door slammed shut.
Drawn by the pulse of music and light, Sunshine moved, her body a puppet to some unseen force. On the rooftop, illuminated, was the inscription "BFC," its hidden meaning whispered in the small letters.
The sign, "BFC - Billie's Fun Club," stood out, a bold statement in a world that wasn't hers. The building itself was modest, a stark contrast to the sprawling mansion she knew. Yet, the crowd within was anything but.
Millions thronged the space, filling every corner, from the upper levels to the "Hot Bar" below.
Strippers of every nationality danced on stage, cheered on by the crowd. "This can't be real," she thought, "I've never seen anything like it."
The unsettling truth was the young women, her peers, were being ushered into a hidden room.
"Rooms? Here too?" she wondered aloud. "What goes on in there?" Pushing through the throng, she saw the room names: "Front Only," "Kisses," "Good Scented," "My Whore," and more. Goosebumps erupted on her skin. She retreated, navigating the crowd the way she'd come.
Hours later, she found a seat at the bar, ordering a soft drink. Watching the dancers, she checked the time: twenty past eight. She finished her drink with a "clang" as the bottle hit the table. As she left, a man with striking blue-black eyes watched her, his gaze filled with something predatory.
He followed her outside, his footsteps silent. She turned, a chill of fear running down her spine. The man lunged, giving chase once she noticed him.
He was on her, pinning her to the ground. "Silence, or I'll kill you. One word, and you're dead."
"Don't, please..."
The knife rose and the scream ceased.
When Lucas and Hansen entered, the house was cold, and the TV was on. "Sunshine, we're home." Silence. "Weird," he thought.
"Hansen! Sunshine's not here," Lucas said. Hansen rushed to her room. It was tidy, with her bed made.
"Damn it, where did she go?"
He found a glass of juice on the kitchen window, and could hear lights and music in the distance.
"Did she go there alone?" He concluded.
He rushed to the front door.
"Lucas, I'm going to find her."
"I'm coming too," Lucas said.
"No, stay here and let me know when she gets back." Hansen left.
He saw her struggling with the man. He kicked him, making him roll over. "How dare you touch my girl!" He punched him, making him run off.
"Look at you, he almost raped you."
She ran to him, crying. "I'm sorry, Hansen, I just wanted to have fun, but..."
"It's okay, Sunshine, I'm always here for you." He hugged her. "I knew this could happen."
He gave her his shirt. "Don't leave without my permission. I can't see you humiliated."
"I'm not a kid, Hansen. I can handle myself."
"You almost got raped."
"I'm grateful. I would have been raped or killed if you hadn't come." He kissed her on her forehead, startling her. "I care for you because I love you." He smirked.
"Is that why you were angry at the mall?"
"Of course, love, I don't want any man looking at my woman. He stole a glance."He pulled her into a tight hug. She stood still, shocked."Do you mind if I kiss your cute lips?"
"Yes, I do," she replied.
"Oh, really? I shouldn't have asked if I knew you'd turn me down." He smirked. "Anyway, no one turns me down like that." He kissed her sharply and shrugged. He grinned.
"Let's go, it's about to rain." He offered his hand, and she took it.
They got soaked before they reached home. Supper was ready when they got inside.
They ate silently and went to their rooms. She smiled. "Goodnight." He chuckled. "Goodnight."
The morning arrived, and with it, a wave of apprehension washed over Sunshine as she considered the prospect of encountering Hansen. A knock at the door broke through her thoughts.
"Breakfast is ready, Sunshine! Come on, I'm starving. Hansen's in charge of cooking today, and I'm not sure what to expect," a voice called out.
This only intensified Sunshine's discomfort. Overwhelmed, she collapsed onto the bed, flailing her limbs in a flurry of nervous energy.
"Sunshine, please hurry! Hansen's got plans this morning, and he'll leave without you if you don't come down soon."
"I'll be right there," she called, then quickly dressed and headed to the dining room.
"Good morning," she mumbled, avoiding eye contact. Both men offered a greeting in return. As they began to eat, Sunshine prayed for a silent meal, but her wish went unanswered.
The meal continued in silence, broken only by the sound of silverware. Sunshine avoided Hansen's gaze, her cheeks burning from the kiss.
Lucas, passing her a plate, stopped short. "Whoa! What's wrong with your face? Did you get into a fight?"
Bruises blossomed across her face, vivid red against her skin. Hansen stared, then exclaimed, "Did he do that to you?" He slammed his hand against his own face in frustration.
"I... I tripped," Sunshine mumbled, avoiding their eyes. "Oh, you poor thing!" Lucas said, immediately concerned. "Let's get the first aid kit."
As soon as Lucas was gone, Hansen took Sunshine's hand, kissing the back of it. "I'm so sorry, dear. I should have stopped him. I didn't realize he'd hurt you. It won't happen again, I promise."
Sunshine smiled, her eyes locked on his. "It wasn't your fault. We couldn't have known what would happen."
Lucas returned, saw their clasped hands, and cleared his throat, setting down the first aid kit. "You shouldn't be surprised," Hansen said before Lucas could speak. "I saved her from a jerk." He continued
"Right," Lucas said, smirking.
"Good thing you were here." Hansen's response was sharp.
"Anyway, I have to go, so take care of her. Any more marks on her..."
"and am a dead man," Lucas finished playfully, chuckling at his own joke.
Hansen cleared his throat. "I... I have to step out for a bit this morning."
Sunshine nodded, unable to speak.
"I'll be back later," he added. "Don't wait up."
He stood, gave her a brief look, and left. Sunshine watched him go, a mix of relief and disappointment. She ate her breakfast slowly, lost in thought.