Sold to the highest bidder - PART 2 - 5 / 5
Author: 
kitcountssouls
Rating: R
Category: Drama
Characters: OFC Vina Apsara, Gerard Pique, Rafael Marquez, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and David Silva with special guest star Francisco Cavalero, as the brothel manager
Length: 12075 words overall
Summary: when Vina's pimp decides to auction her off to the 5 men she has solely entertained for the past year, it's obviously more than his greed behind it.
Disclaimer: this is fiction. the photos i used for the characters are copyright of their authors and this is intended for representation purposes only.
Authors Notes: started in 2009, based on The Electric Prunes song of the same name, this was to remain forever a het WIP until i decided to finish it as a Christmas gift for my wifey
devioussoul10
Vina Apsara is the name of the main character in Salman Rushdie's novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet.
the events occur in 2009
Part Two
Vina sat in bed, under a ton of blankets and a couple of quilts. She was not feeling well, she felt like a deathly cold had taken over her body. She was trying to warm up without using her whole body energy, since she was on the verge of fainting.
The events of the past days played in her head, a conversation with Francisco torturing her frail consciousness. He had called her in his office and had scanned her thoroughly, his eyes almost burning.
”Vina, I feel very disappointed in you. I would’ve never believed you of all people would pull such a stunt! I thought you and I had an agreement!
His sharp voice was still ringing in her ears.
He knew, somehow he knew well before she even thought of mentioning anything. She felt deeply ashamed, because Francisco had never been bad with her, quite the contrary. She had indeed disappointed him, unwillingly though.
”I swear, I have no idea how this happened, it wasn’t planned, you can believe me Francisco. I’m always careful! You know I’d never double-cross you!”
She had been weak, maybe given her condition, but she could’ve been a lot more persuasive, she should’ve tried more to convince him.
”Well, you’re no use to me now.”
Even in her memory, it still sounded like a death sentence. She pulled the blankets over her head and took in the stale air under the covers. She had been lost, for a few minutes, while he had looked at her, checking her out head to toe, as if trying to figure out another use for her body.
”Francisco, please…”
She had begged, but she should’ve begged some more. She should’ve dropped to her knees and begged for his mercy, she should’ve let the tears fall. Yet, she didn’t. She had stood there, in front of his office, staring at the carpet, unable to say more than a simple please…
”I know what to do.”
He had announced, like the archangels announcing the absolution of mankind, on Judgment day. She felt a chill creep up her spine even now, two days later. His eyes were fierce and unforgiving. She knew she shouldn’t ask what it was, she was too afraid.
”You can go now.”
And she had left. What other choice did she have though? She had not left her room ever since. Marianna was bringing her food and water. She was doomed to churn his words, the short dialog, for the hours and the minutes she was not asleep. He had not mentioned the abominable word, abortion. But what other solution could there be?
She didn’t know. She didn’t know anything, not even who the father of her child was. Sickness took over her body violently; she felt she was melting, as if her very vital force was draining from her body.
Which one of her five clients had it been? Which one was to blame for her sorry condition?
David?
The man-child. She always had to be on her toes with this one, as he was more attached than a three year old is to his mother. She pitied him, for being so in love with her, for being so utterly...pitiful. She never knew why she felt that way for him, but her first instinct when she saw him was to laugh.
She wasn’t a mean person, but he was so easy to manipulate. He loved her, and he could never see past the veil of lies she had wrapped him in. But this veil was beginning to cover her as well, and she felt more and more trapped in her own web of lies.
When he first came, she had the inspiration to be kind and good to him, to whisper him sweet nothings and to treat him like the man he really wasn’t. She could see he was suffering, and her calling was to make him feel better.
And she played her role brilliantly, oh, if only the Academy would’ve been present! She had used the courtesan charm to perfection and anyone seeing them together would’ve never gathered she’s lying. That she was deceiving.
And she patted herself on the back for it. Only that when David returned and she found herself stuck in her enamorata role, she realized her great acting had been a poisonous gift. She almost felt queasy whenever she had to receive David, because all his love-adovey behaviour was making her feel terrible.
She knew she was merely a whore, but she wasn’t a bad person, she hated having to pretend with the little guy, to fool him, only to obtain Cavalero his money.
And should David be the baby’s father, she knew that would undeniably tie her to him, trap her in a fake relationship, should she be allowed to keep the child and later, tell him. She knew the baby would be well attended and loved, but her fear was that she would not be able to cope with having to fake it for so long…
She shooed David away from her thoughts, she was feeling bad enough without it. Her mind wandered on forbidden paths…
Gerard?
She was afraid to admit it, even to herself, that she had fallen in love with him. She was head over heels and she feared that it showed, she was always so eager when Gerard came. She valued their time together more than anything else. If anyone, he would be worthy of being the father of her child.
She could not pinpoint the exact moment when she realized the tall defender had become much, much more than just her favourite client. She could only remember how one day she felt jittery while she was putting her make up on, getting ready to greet him in her boudoir.
All her great feelings could not prevent her from seeing the cold, hard truth: for him, she was just a hooker, a professional he could always come to. A place where he could find redemption of the flesh in exchange of a price. She was just means, a vessel for easing his state of mind.
And she dreaded the day when he would finally get bored. When he would tell her goodbye and offer his love and affection, his true feelings, to a proper woman, not someone he could buy. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Francisco had warned her, plenty of times too, to be careful how much she opened up with her clients. Yet, she had found in Gerard a true soul mate and it had been impossible not to share her whole self with him. He knew some of her darkest secrets, even why she was working for Cavalero…
And she realized that should the baby prove to be his, he’d feel betrayed, he’d feel trapped. He’d resent her. Would he even love the baby? She didn’t know. The baby might have a good life with him, but maybe not, maybe the fact that it was her child would always hinder the father’s affection.
It would be the exact opposite of the situation where David would turn out to be the father…
She wanted the baby to be Gerard’s with her heart and soul, to have a piece of him, forever hers, it would be the most wonderful thing ever…but at the same time, she prayed that it wasn’t his, that the baby would not destroy the frail connection she had with him.
She was so torn, she felt her inner inquisitions were influencing her physical reactions as well…she just wanted someone that would love the baby, that would accept her, someone she would feel comfortable with…
Iker?
He was a man she greatly admired. She found him amazing, one of the persons one would always want to have close. They shared a bond, a true connection; she felt she needed him sometimes, just as much as he needed her.
There was no other chemistry between them though, not on her part. She loved him like the best friend she never had, almost like a brother. The sex was meaningless compared to the spiritual fellowship between them. She could easily brush that aside and she knew he could too. They could be great friends, and go beyond hooker - client relationship.
She liked him and she knew he had developed some sort of need for her. He loved children and she knew he would make a great father. If it were to be him, she was sure he would love the baby and he would have enough noblesse to take care of her.
The life she’d lead as the mother of his child…she was sure would be fruitful and contenting. She could even grow to love him, in time. She knew that he was a great man, capable of true love and maybe she’d be his destined one…
And maybe he was hers too. She knew that the love for their child would unite them, and would keep them together. Would it be enough?
With a man like Iker, it would. Even if she would never grow to love him, she would never stop being fond of him, caring for him. And yes, she felt that would be enough. She knew she could tell him anything, so she wouldn’t even have to lie, she wouldn’t have to pretend she loved him.
He’d understand, because he wasn’t nicknamed ‘san Iker’ for nothing. The man almost had an aura of kindness and emotional pureness. Iker would never force her into anything, and especially not in a fake relationship.
If he were to be the father, they’d be like close friends that had a baby together, outcome of a drunk night, but it would not spoil, but yet enhance their special friendship. It’d be the next best thing!
Her stomach turned suddenly and she had to bend over the bed frame and vomit in the tin basin on the floor. The incident made her remember another name, another possibility…
Rafael?
She felt sickened profoundly thinking of him. She almost hurled again. The man was a monster behind a beautiful, kind, civilized visage. He was never mean, or abusive, he was always polite with her, almost to the point that it made her scream.
Because under the mask of perfection, he was torturing her. There was something sleazy and demeaning in the way they copulated. She refused to call it sex, because that’s what she did with everyone else. She almost gagged with horror when he’d call it making love.
She loathed him because he was using her, using every little bit of her that he could possess in the hours she had to give herself to him. She hated that he had a great woman at home, yet dropped by The Mirth every week, like in a routine.
He used her body, he used her mind, he used her soul, filling them all with things he didn’t want for himself. He was cleansing himself using her as the dumpster.
She had known right away that behind those dark eyes, behind that serious face, laid a beast. There was something very unsettling about him, something dark and gloomy, and she had no escape from becoming his victim. Because he was fascinating, the fascination of evil, she presumed.
She was caught like a fly in his web, and like a spider, he devoured her slowly. A baby with him would probably break the spell between them; the witchcraft would not be powerful against ties of blood.
She hoped, truly, that he would be scared away by a pregnancy, by an illegitimate, son of a whore offspring. That he would not want his perfect life and perfect love with Carmen ruined. She would be a single mother, most likely kicked out of the Mirth - her only home for so long - but she would be free from this man and his influence over her.
But was using an innocent baby as weapon against Rafael moral? And would she be able to love his child? She wanted all these questions to disappear from her brain.
She sank between the pillows, weak with nausea. She didn’t want to think about this anymore. But what else was she to do? She was clueless….
Sergio?
A jolt of fear coursed through her body, making her sit up in bed. Cold sweat broke on her skin and she felt like she was going to faint. She let herself fall back on the soft mattress. Sergio. The idiot. The sexfreak. The world’s most inept man. A father?
The father of her child? She didn’t hate him, as he was mostly harmless, but that didn’t stop him from being a pathetic human being. He was so stupid and so self-centered. He had a one-track mind and his brain was filled with perversion, kink and more perversion.
She could not have the child of the man that considered the pleasures of the flesh to be supreme. The things he asked her to do for him were tiring her out, she felt drained, her whole body aching after he left.
Maybe some women loved his savage love making, but she didn’t. And that was all he was about. Sex, sex and of course, sex. He came, he fucked, he left. And his demands were sometimes so demeaning, so disgusting, he was becoming more and more refined in getting his pleasure in the only field he was competent in.
She disliked him for being so immature and selfish, for being such a bastard and for never caring about anything else but sex. The only truly nice thing about him was his sculptural body, but even that would become a burden when she’d have to admire it and caress it and be crushed by it hour after hour…
He was one of those customers that are usually passed around, so the burden of having to satisfy them wouldn’t fall on the shoulders of the same girl all the time. But the rules at The Mirth were different and once a client became a regular of a girl, she would be the only one to service him.
A child of this man would be doomed from the beginning. He’d lose interest in her when he’d find out, because if he couldn’t use her body, he had no other need of her. And even if he’d accept her pregnant, he’d kick her out when her swollen body would begin to repulse him.
No, she’d rather have that abortion, even if Francisco had come up with another solution, if the baby could be Sergio’s.
She drank some water, in an attempt to clear her fuzzy mind.
why is this happening? How could I get pregnant despite all the protection? Why me? How big are my sins that I have to expiate them by becoming trapped in a situation I cannot get out of…and what is Francisco up to…?
And she finally collapsed into a heavy slumber.
Part Three
It was time. The men were ushered inside Cavalero’s office. They retrieved their seats of before and awaited for the man himself to come.
Two new girls brought them their drink of choice. Sergio was the only one raising his glass in a mock toast.
David placed the glass on his thigh, somehow trying to balance it, without taking a sip. He was more than nervous, he felt his stomach turning just by looking at the content inside. He was afraid of the result Cavalero was going to announce.
Gerard downed the drink in one thirsty gulp and then had to wait for the burn in the back of his eyes to diminish. He didn’t feel any better. His body and nervous system were stretched to the max. He didn’t know why he felt that way, the result was indifferent to him.
Iker took small and fast sips of his drink, looking at the carpet and only at the carpet. He knew he wouldn’t win, he was sure. But he had come to see where would Vina end up, or rather, with who.
Sergio was completely at ease. His grin was monumental. He was sure he had won, he was ready to gloat and perform a short victory dance. He looked the rest of the men and he felt so superior to them, not only for winning, but for being calmed and relaxed, while they were all nerve-wrecks.
Rafael sat motionless, displaying his perfectly indifferent, almost morose expression. But on the inside, he was almost paralyzed with nerves. On one hand, he wanted to win, so he can further enjoy Vina’s company, but he knew anyone else getting her would be the best solution to his situation.
Finally, a masked door right behind Cavalero’s desk opened and the man himself came in, followed by Vina.
“Gentlemen.” He saluted and sat down.
Vina remained standing besides him.
The five briefly acknowledged Cavalero’s presence only to stare at Vina. She was wearing a red long corset dress, the red carpet type, and her hair was flowing in soft long curls on her shoulders. It was the first time she ever looked like a prostitute, because of the amount of makeup she was wearing.
She had thick eyeliner around the eyes, a thick layer of foundation and powder while dark red lipstick made her lips look voluptuous, almost vulgar. She had needed help in putting her makeup on to conceal her tiredness and the dark rings under her eyes, her paleness and the puffiness of eyes tears had caused.
Because besides feeling like she was being ran over by a never ending train, she had spent the day before crying, crying after finding out her fate would be decided by Francisco’s greed. She told him that what he’s doing is wrong, especially with the identity of her child’s father unknown, but he told her that the latter was not his concern.
She smiled now, like she was supposed to, like she had been told to. She was going to obey Cavalaro’s last order and go with the one that had paid the most.
The men had mixed feelings looking at her.
Rafael bit his lower lip nervously, suddenly he didn’t want to have anything to do with the woman. He could feel that something was going on, she had never looked like that, so why now.
Sergio was pleased with what he was seeing. His very own whore, that even moreso now, could be used for his select pleasures.
Iker felt his heart break. He could feel something was going on and he feared for her. Suddenly he felt incredibly sorry for not having the guts to bid properly. In his great morality, he finally understood he had been selfish. He had refused to save her, when he had the chance.
Gerard began to pull at his beard. He was feeling he made a mistake, that he shouldn’t even be there. That was not the Vina he knew and if something was up, he would rather not have to have anything to do with it. He felt foolish.
David felt grateful that he was sitting. Seeing her again, so changed and yet still so beautiful took his breath away once more. His heart began to race in his chest and he knew he wouldn’t bare to lose, to see her face grow from happy to disappointed.
Vina didn’t dare look at them, the men that were buying her, the possible fathers of her child. She smiled looking at the desk in front of her, preparing herself for the worst.
Cavalero’s gaze encompassed them all and after a while, he decided to break the silence that coated the room thickly and cleared his throat.
“I have 2 announcements.” He said, awaking the men from the trance.
They all focused their eyes on the man behind the desk, who held an envelope in his hands.
“Firstly…the winner of my Vina’s hand…” he chuckled.
Cavalero opened the envelope slowly and removed a sheet of paper, folded in half. He took his time in unfolding it before the 6 sets of curious eyes, making the men and Vina explode with nervousness.
“And the winner is….” He trailed, looking at each man with the same intensity.
“Come on man!” Silva yelled, unable to take the pressure anymore.
“Gerard Pique.” Cavalero grinned widely.
Vina’s heart pounded in her chest. She could barely contain her now genuine smile. Maybe Gerard did care for her, enough to offer the biggest sum.
“What? No!” Gerard cried, getting up and then collapsing in his chair again.
Vina’s smile faded witnessing his reaction. She suddenly felt weak and needed to sit down. She leaned against the wall, all the makeup in the world unable to hide that she was feeling unwell.
The men squirmed in their seats. Rafael felt incredibly relieved. The possible nightmare was over before even beginning. He could almost let a smile stretch his lips. He looked at his teammate, who didn’t look too well.
better you than me he thought, realizing that Gerard had overbid in hope that one of the Madridista idiots would splash the cash in their typical fashion.
David was close to tears. He knew he would never get to see the woman of his dreams ever again and he was torn between the need to look at her, to take one last glance at the only woman that had made him feel good about himself and the desire to cover his face from the shame he felt.
He gazed at the carpet and tried his best to not cry and look so weak in front of his rivals.
Iker also felt relieved, a different kind of relief from Marquez though, as he was content Vina didn’t fall in Sergio’s hands. His teammate’s reputation had lead Iker to justly imagine how would Vina end up like next to Sergio. Pique was not any better in womanizing wise, but he seemed to have a better head on his shoulders than the Sevillian.
Also, Iker duly noted both Vina’s reactions and understood she had wanted it to be Gerard.
Sergio was enraged, he was furious. He could not believe that the stupid Culé would get his Vina. He had sent in quite a colossal sum for a woman like her, very much above her worth in an attempt to secure her services, but he had been outbid by that lanky idiot that didn’t even seem to want her.
“I demand an explanation. Transparency! I want to see what everyone else bid.” He yelled.
“Settle down, gentlemen. Mr. Ramos, there is no need for that. I am a man of honour, and would never pull a trick, as I have absolutely no gain. Besides…there is a second announcement that I need to make.”
Gerard had not looked at Vina once. He felt a hotness wrapped his mind and he couldn’t think straight. He had bid a sum big enough to win, sure, but he had written the sum down and had sent the letter on a whim. He wasn’t sure he was ready for what “owning” Vina meant. He didn’t look up when Ramos spoke up, nor when Cavalero announced there is something else they had to be informed of.
“Vina is pregnant. Father identity unknown, but it is one of you 5.”
Gerard shot up.
“What?”
Everyone got up, Rafael shaking with angst and fury, Sergio looking dumb with his mouth agape, Iker looking sympathetically and yet somehow disoriented at Vina, David looking positively radiant, as a child with the woman he loved gave him hope and Gerard looking like he had seen a ghost, whiter than Iker and wanting to run, as far away from there as possible.
“Yes, any of you could be the father, but this is not my problem anymore.” Cavalero announced.
Vina felt trapped. She felt the hot flash take over her body, followed by a cold sweat and one moment she was still standing, a hand placed on the chair's backrest and the next she was falling into unconsciousness, sliding to the floor before any of the skilled athletes could catch her.
They all rushed to her at once, trying to wake her up or at least get her to a more comfortable position.
Francisco Cavalero was glad the potential scene had been dismantled by Vina's dramatic skills. Even in this state, he could count on her to do the sensible thing. Unnoticed, he slipped out of the room, leaving the 6 to digest the news he had brought.
As soon as Vina regained consciousness, she immediately wanted to die, finding herself surrounded by three concerned faces, Iker's, David's and Gerard's, while Rafael and Sergio sat a little further behind, both looking rather displeased with the whole thing.
She was happy to see that Gerard was friendlier, and she knew she would have Iker's support. David still being there made her all sorts of uncomfortable though, but she tried her best to keep herself in check.
“Now you all know me. And you can very well imagine what I was doing here, at the Mirth.” Sergio Ramos spoke up. “I don't care if I seem like an insensitive bastard, but I am not interested in being the father of a whore's child.”
“Now, watch your mouth, don't you dare call Vina that!” both Iker and David shot up.
“Regardless. If it turns out to be mine, I'll pay my dues. But until then, I am so out of here.”
None of them would have expected otherwise, but as his captain, Iker felt a little disappointed Sergio was such an asshole. They watched him leave in silence.
Vina was relieved, she would've been hard tried to have to handle a suddenly loving and tender Sergio Ramos. She made herself more comfortable in her chair and cleared her throat.
“It's for the best that he left. Sergio Ramos is a ridiculous human being and I never expected anything else from him. Now, if any of you has anything to say, now is the best time.”
With Ramos' departure, she had managed to recapture some of her composure. As a courtesan, she had been trained from early infancy how to surmount any kind of adversity and how to put up a brave face. As a courtesan, and even as a whore, she knew she always had to smile, be as calm as possible and help others feel at ease.
Using a virtually unnoticeable breathing exercise, Vina was able to finally detach herself from the scene, and somewhat even from her situation and enchant them again, her men, her slaves and masters all at once and have them her her feet as if she was royalty.
“I think we are all very distressed right now and any decision would be rushed and maybe complicate the whole thing even more. I say we all go home and sleep this though.” Iker articulated in his best captain mode possible, looking at each of the remaining men and at Vina throughout his speech.
“Do you think anyone can sleep after such an evening? I think not. Restless rest would only bring more anguish and thoughts. Some things must be decided now.” Rafael spoke up, not glancing at anyone in particular.
Vina's trained ear captured the distress in his voice, even if Rafael seemed perfectly calm. She understood his reasoning, because if she was merely the receptacle of all his soul debris, he could not bear the thought of worrying over her, over their possible bond.
“I want a paternity test to be carried out as soon as possible. I recently read about the CVS test which can be performed as early as the 10th week with sure results*. After we know which one of us is guilty, then things will be easier, perhaps even solved already.” Rafael continued in the deathlike silence that had settled when he had mentioned the CVS test, looking straight at Gerard.
Vina could barely suppress a sigh, the shiver coursing her body concealed by a sudden move to retrieve the glass of water in front of her. She wasn't surprised he would be so cruel and request her to undergo such a dangerous procedure, after all, she knew exactly what she meant for him: a little less than nothing if he could not use her anymore. She used to be a little more than everything to him when he was in her chambers, inside her body and inside her mind and inside her soul. So now when she had been taken from him, all he cared for was to know as soon as possible if he was off the hook, her well-being not taken in consideration one bit.
“You cannot do that, it's harmful to the mother! Are you insane?” David spoke up for the first time since the announcement, shooting up to a very martial pose.
She felt her heart crack a little seeing David like this, taking her side, trying to protect her. She could not do this anymore, not even for another second.
“David, please. I think none of us could take this kind of pressure for too long. And while the CVS is not the safest test out there, it is the soonest we can know. I want to know maybe even more than you guys do.”
She suddenly felt tired. They were all looking at her, Iker with concern and Gerard with some sort of pity mixed with fear in his eyes. David looked like he needed a hug and Rafael smirked slightly, finally staring at her.
He thought he had trained her well, as she even now still responded to him. It would be hard without her, but it was for the best.
“Well. I will take Vina home then, as we'll all see each other after the testing.” Gerard suddenly said, getting up.
He offered his arm to Vina, who was too surprised of this unexpected finale, and exited together with her before anyone could react.
Part Four
Life with Vina had proved to be somewhat of an adventure. Away from the Mirth, she was all the same, yet very different. She was a queen in her own right and yet as amenable as possible. Gerard began to understand little by little why a life of pleasure and pleasuring others had been so right for Vina and yet why she could only blossom as a free woman.
At first, she was awkward in his presence. They have both given themselves away right after the big announcement and Gerard knew she loved him and now he knew that she knew he didn't. So for the first few weeks, she tried her best to be invisible and to make her presence in his house as insignificant as possible.
She stayed away from him unless he wanted her, and even when they had sex, because Gerard had needs and had a gorgeous woman in his home, he could feel she was reluctant and toed the boundaries of complete abandonment in his arms. Any other time, he would've felt a little upset, considering her behaviour insulting as she had stopped being that perfect lover once he stopped paying for sex.
But in fact, he understood her reserve, and how she didn't want to seem desperate, in need for his affection, or trying to plain old seduce him with her expertize between the sheets. She respected his non-existent feelings for her and she didn't want to push it.
And Gerard began to notice her, to simply observe her retreating into herself, content to simply be in his house and part of his new daily routine, happy to be able to look at him and talk to him and be around him, discreetly loving him like no woman ever did.
And as time went by, Gerard began to fall in love with this woman he was discovering, the shy, domestic and unobtrusive Vina. For all that had been fabricated glamour whenever she was with him at the Mirth had disappeared, leaving behind an elegant woman that tried her best to not impose the man that didn't love her with her feelings.
He got closer to her and even started to show her overt signs of affection, trying to draw her out of the self imposed amorous exile. He secretly began to hope the child would turn out to be his, not just so he wouldn't have to share her with anyone, but because the kid would bless their union even further.
One thing was annoying Gerard though. And that was David Silva. And mainly Vina's interactions with David Silva. The Spaniard was visiting weekly, displaying his over the top, emotionally scarring love to his woman.
As far as Gerard could see, Vina didn't exactly care for David. She was polite, but distant, nice to him but not affectionate. He didn't have the heart to discuss this with her, but if he had, he'd have realised she rather loathed the Valencian.
He couldn't really argue with him either, as David had made it most clear on his first visit that despite Gerard winning Vina in the bidding war, the relations maintained their previous status quo until the paternity revealed who the father was. David clung onto the hopes of being the child's father, thinking that should that be the case, Vina might join him and leave Gerard behind.
Such blindness could never be undone by words and Gerard knew as much. If he were to tell David that it was him that Vina loved, and that he should never get his hopes up, he knew Silva would shoot him down on account of jealousy and not believe a thing.
What did worry him was Vina's own behaviour towards Silva, her deceitful hugs and her consent to long drives together. While it was understandable why she had kept up the charade while she was still at the Mirth and David a well paying client, it made little sense to not tell him off once she was a free woman and no longer depended on men's money.
Perhaps the child was David's, women certainly knew more about such things and the thought that he would always have to tolerate the fool was almost insufferable. But Vina's attitude suggested that something was definitely going on between her and Silva, which made Gerard suspicious and envious. He wished Vina at least explained things to him, so he'd know how they stood, but she never did, and he was too afraid to learn of the possible ties she had to Silva to ask.
*
It had been a full month since the day at the Mirth when he had brought Vina home with him and Gerard was almost hysterical. David had taken Vina for their usual afternoon drive that occurred every time he came by, ensuring he got some alone time with the woman. But if the previous times it had not taken longer than one hour, this time it had been almost 3 hours and they were yet to return.
Neither answered their phones and Gerard played only the worst scenarios in his mind, none of which were accidents or something fatal, but simply variations on Vina running away with David. Pacing up and down the front yard and trying to keep himself from dialing her number for the 56th time that day, Gerard realised he was insanely jealous. Even if Vina and him acted more like housemates - slash - fuck buddies than a normal couple, he felt they weren't too far off from reaching that point where their relationship would become real.
And yet, Vina was still going away with David Silva and even if things had changed, she had been a whore for so many years, who was to say she wasn't still doing it with him? But then Gerard recalled that Vina seemed to dislike David and that he had felt it from the very beginning. He had no right to think such things about the woman he loved.
Finally sitting down on the front step, he finally saw the truth in himself, and he knew that his feelings have developed, growing into powerful sentiments for the woman that loved him. And when Vina finally arrived, unharmed and happy to be home again, Gerard didn't need any explanations for the delay, as he simply picked her up in his arms kissing her like in the movies.
From that moment on, both of them dedicated themselves to their romance, leaving behind even the David Silva issue - regardless of the man's on the clock visits, not to mention the baby.
***
“Well, here we are. I have no clue why we had to come here of all places, but at least it has a stocked liquor cabinet and we all look like we might need a drink. Or two.”
The fact that Sergio Ramos had actually come to the big reveal was almost as shocking as was Vina's decision to host the reunion in the Burgundy Room of the Mirth. Of course, Cavalero wasn't present, nor anyone else except for the 5 men and Vina Apsara.
Sergio had to admit he was a little worried. He didn't want to be the father and had done his best to get over the initial news of the pregnancy with supremely wild parties peppered with super extra safe sex.
Rafael felt resigned. He was yet to tell his fiancee about it, and he hoped at the end of the evening, there would be nothing to tell. He hated Vina for it and wished he didn't even have to be there and see her again.
Iker was feeling a little better seeing that Gerard was far nicer to Vina now and that they seemed to have hit it off for real. In the beginning, he had hoped the baby would prove to be his, so he could take Vina way from the Cule that didn't seem to want her. She might not love him, but he would offer her and the kid the best family possible. Of course, now that things seemed to be different, he prayed the baby was Gerard's, so that the couple would remain together, with no outside interferences.
David was almost drunk, as he could barely control himself and had drunk 2 whiskey neats one after the other. He hoped with all his heart that the kid would turn out to be his, as it was his only chance to stray close to Vina. He was still oblivious towards Vina's true sentiments towards him, but even he could tell her and Gerard had gotten close.
Gerard watched over Vina and the rest somehow unphased. He felt very confident. One one hand, he believed it was his child. On the other, he believed he could handle himself if it proved otherwise. He was in love with Vina and she was in love with him and whoever the kid's father was, he was sure he would love the kid and take care of him as any father would.
Vina felt queasy. The testing itself had been a really ugly experience, but Gerard - and unfortunately David had been there for her. When she received the envelope with the results, earlier that afternoon, she was tempted to open it, but then recalled it wouldn't do any good to know before everyone was present.
One thing she knew, whatever came out of the beige envelope, she would have to come clean with David Silva. As her relationship with Gerard was getting more serious, she understood she wasn't actually doing David any favours anymore, as she was simply leading him on.
“All right, I hope you've become comfortable enough by now.”
The men gathered around her once more and Vina tore open the envelope, extracting the tests results. Her eyes glossed over the numbers and the no match bits, getting it to herself, allowing just one second for the nightmarish reality to settle in.
The men were getting restless, she could see they were just as nervous as she was. She took a deep breath and letting the paper slip from her hands she let out in perfectly rounded syllables.
“David Silva. David Silva is the father.”
She closed her eyes, the blood pulsating in her temples drowning their voices. She pressed her fingers to her head and briefly opened her eyes to glance over at Gerard, Gerard who again was looking so torn and devastated. She closed her eyes again, letting tears fall, the first time she was crying in public in over 10 years.
Sergio Ramos and Rafael Marquez left first, the two defenders practically congratulating each other for this narrow escape. Iker stayed a while, trying to make sure Vina would be taken care of.
“I hear you love her now. Don't let her down, this is when she needs you the most.” he whispered to Gerard before finally making his way out of the Mirth, sure to never return again this time.
Gerard remained in the corner he had exiled himself to, sipping on the tequila he had poured himself. He knew he should man up and comfort Vina, but there was so much sudden fury in himself, and he felt betrayed. All he could do was watch the sickening scene where David, finally unencumbered by any rival and holding the piece of paper that sealed his rights tightly was trying to get to Vina's heart.
“Vina, this is it, don't you understand? You're the only woman for me and now this bond, our child, it is the binder that we needed. I love you so much and I will do anything for you, if you accept to be with me, if you let me take you home with me. We can be a real family and I promise you I will make you happy.”
Vina was so emotionally drained, all she could do was sigh and whisper “oh David” and when the man started kissing her hands, she was unable to tell him to stop.
“I understand what you're saying.” she began.
The hollow pain in her chest was not going away. This man was going to be in her life forever, and she didn't have the strength to tell him she despised him, not now.
“And I understand you could offer me everything I'd ever want, and that's awesome of you.”
Gerard could not believe what he was hearing. Vina could not really consider Silva's offers. She disliked him, didn't she? But then again, she was a fantastic actress. What if it had all been an act, keeping both him and Silva as options with her act, before she found out who the father was. She could have pretended to be in love with him just to get him to buy her freedom. He knew what she had done in her past, the secret behind her entering into Cavalero's services and suddenly nothing surprised him anymore.
“You have a good heart David.”
That was the last straw for Gerard, who simply put the glass back on top of the cabinet and left the room quietly. He had to get the hell out of there, the house of pretension he should've known the Mirth was. What hurt him most was the fact that Vina had not looked at him once, had not ever cared to acknowledge his own drama for one second. He got in his car and drove away without once looking back.
“But there are things I have to tell you.” Vina finally began to unravel the web of lies. “It was all a lie, all fabricated, David. I don't know why I continued with this after I was free, but this has to stop now. I don't love you. I don't even like you, to be honest. You're pathetic and ridiculous and most of the time I only feel pity for you. I never meant to make you fall in love with me, but I could never stop pretending when I was a whore. It was my job to make you feel better and I was the best at that.”
“What?” David whispered, unable to process all the vile, unwanted words.
“You sometimes even repulse me, because you're unable to stand on your own two feet and be a man, you always need encouragement and you have zero confidence. I hate that in a man. I hate having to nanny you all the time and be more like your mother than your lover. I wanted to tell you this now, because we are going to have a child together and you have to understand that whatever marvels you promise, I have no intention of being with you. I am in love with Gerard and have been so for some time. The only thing that connects us is this child that I never wanted and that I certainly wish it wasn't yours.”
Vina got up, feeling far better than 5 minutes ago. She wiped he tears and noticed Gerard was not in the room.
“So all of it was a lie? Even the drives we took? Even all our talks the past few weeks? Everything?” David realised he was indeed sounding pathetic, but he felt like he was soon going to die of so much sudden pain.
He could not believe this, that it had all been fake, that everything was nothing but smoke and mirrors and that even Vina didn't think he was man enough.
“I'm sorry. In a small chamber of my heart, I really am. But most of all, right now I feel relief. I am truly free now.”
“Why did you continue with this game after Pique bought you then?! If you could barely stand me! Why Vina?” he shouted.
Vina turned to look at him. She couldn't reveal that until Gerard had fallen in love with her and allowed her to feel safe and truly welcome in his house, she had tried to keep David in her pocket, just so she would have someone to rely on if things didn't work out as she hoped. She could not tell David the truth, that she used him as a backup. She resorted to shaking her head.
“I pitied you. I thought you'd understand by yourself that I'm not for you.”
She could not be happier to finally leave the room. Regardless of who her baby's daddy was, she felt happy, liberated from the burden of lies and deceit. Reaching the parking lot, she realised Gerard's car wasn't there. She pulled her phone out and called him, but the after ringing 3 times, the call was redirected to the Mirth's number.
Horrified, it dawned on her that Gerard must've misunderstood her little moment with Silva and had left. She stared at the empty spot where the Audi had been parked and tears tricked down her face once again.
David passed by her towards his car and barely noticed that she was crying. Just as he reached the car, he spun on his heels and addressed her.
“Guess love of your life doesn't like fathering other guys' kids. He doesn't love you like I did, he left you here.” he sounded cold, calculated, indenting to cause as much harm as possible.
Vina mumbled something, not missing David's use of past tense when referring to his love for her. Perhaps that's why Gerard left.
“And you dislike me, so now I hate you. Looks like you're out of luck, stupid whore. Goodbye.”
Getting in his car, David Silva drove off quickly.
Vina took a seat on the steps leading to the Mirth's entrance. Although all seemed lost, with the man she loved leaving her behind unexpectedly and being pregnant with a man she disliked and that now hated her, Vina had not gotten so far in life by accident. She always had a card up her sleeve and when things got rough, she didn't hesitate to use it.
This of course, would mean abandoning her freedom once more, but after being a prostitute for almost 10 years, perhaps she was too used to depend and somehow belong to men, to a man. And this time, she knew wouldn't even be too bad.
She dialed a number. He will come, Iker will come, Iker will do the right thing....
The End.
* Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): This test consists of a thin needle or tube which a doctor inserts from the vagina, through the cervix, guided by an ultrasound, to obtain chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are little finger-like pieces of tissue attached to the wall of the uterus. The chorionic villi and the fetus come from the same fertilized egg, and have the same genetic makeup. This testing can be done earlier in pregnancy from the 10th-13th weeks. A doctor's consent is needed to do this procedure for paternity testing.
kitcountssouls
Rating: R
Category: Drama
Characters: OFC Vina Apsara, Gerard Pique, Rafael Marquez, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and David Silva with special guest star Francisco Cavalero, as the brothel manager
Length: 12075 words overall
Summary: when Vina's pimp decides to auction her off to the 5 men she has solely entertained for the past year, it's obviously more than his greed behind it.
Disclaimer: this is fiction. the photos i used for the characters are copyright of their authors and this is intended for representation purposes only.
Authors Notes: started in 2009, based on The Electric Prunes song of the same name, this was to remain forever a het WIP until i decided to finish it as a Christmas gift for my wifey
devioussoul10
Vina Apsara is the name of the main character in Salman Rushdie's novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet.
the events occur in 2009
Part Two
Vina sat in bed, under a ton of blankets and a couple of quilts. She was not feeling well, she felt like a deathly cold had taken over her body. She was trying to warm up without using her whole body energy, since she was on the verge of fainting.
The events of the past days played in her head, a conversation with Francisco torturing her frail consciousness. He had called her in his office and had scanned her thoroughly, his eyes almost burning.
”Vina, I feel very disappointed in you. I would’ve never believed you of all people would pull such a stunt! I thought you and I had an agreement!
His sharp voice was still ringing in her ears.
He knew, somehow he knew well before she even thought of mentioning anything. She felt deeply ashamed, because Francisco had never been bad with her, quite the contrary. She had indeed disappointed him, unwillingly though.
”I swear, I have no idea how this happened, it wasn’t planned, you can believe me Francisco. I’m always careful! You know I’d never double-cross you!”
She had been weak, maybe given her condition, but she could’ve been a lot more persuasive, she should’ve tried more to convince him.
”Well, you’re no use to me now.”
Even in her memory, it still sounded like a death sentence. She pulled the blankets over her head and took in the stale air under the covers. She had been lost, for a few minutes, while he had looked at her, checking her out head to toe, as if trying to figure out another use for her body.
”Francisco, please…”
She had begged, but she should’ve begged some more. She should’ve dropped to her knees and begged for his mercy, she should’ve let the tears fall. Yet, she didn’t. She had stood there, in front of his office, staring at the carpet, unable to say more than a simple please…
”I know what to do.”
He had announced, like the archangels announcing the absolution of mankind, on Judgment day. She felt a chill creep up her spine even now, two days later. His eyes were fierce and unforgiving. She knew she shouldn’t ask what it was, she was too afraid.
”You can go now.”
And she had left. What other choice did she have though? She had not left her room ever since. Marianna was bringing her food and water. She was doomed to churn his words, the short dialog, for the hours and the minutes she was not asleep. He had not mentioned the abominable word, abortion. But what other solution could there be?
She didn’t know. She didn’t know anything, not even who the father of her child was. Sickness took over her body violently; she felt she was melting, as if her very vital force was draining from her body.
Which one of her five clients had it been? Which one was to blame for her sorry condition?
David?
The man-child. She always had to be on her toes with this one, as he was more attached than a three year old is to his mother. She pitied him, for being so in love with her, for being so utterly...pitiful. She never knew why she felt that way for him, but her first instinct when she saw him was to laugh.
She wasn’t a mean person, but he was so easy to manipulate. He loved her, and he could never see past the veil of lies she had wrapped him in. But this veil was beginning to cover her as well, and she felt more and more trapped in her own web of lies.
When he first came, she had the inspiration to be kind and good to him, to whisper him sweet nothings and to treat him like the man he really wasn’t. She could see he was suffering, and her calling was to make him feel better.
And she played her role brilliantly, oh, if only the Academy would’ve been present! She had used the courtesan charm to perfection and anyone seeing them together would’ve never gathered she’s lying. That she was deceiving.
And she patted herself on the back for it. Only that when David returned and she found herself stuck in her enamorata role, she realized her great acting had been a poisonous gift. She almost felt queasy whenever she had to receive David, because all his love-adovey behaviour was making her feel terrible.
She knew she was merely a whore, but she wasn’t a bad person, she hated having to pretend with the little guy, to fool him, only to obtain Cavalero his money.
And should David be the baby’s father, she knew that would undeniably tie her to him, trap her in a fake relationship, should she be allowed to keep the child and later, tell him. She knew the baby would be well attended and loved, but her fear was that she would not be able to cope with having to fake it for so long…
She shooed David away from her thoughts, she was feeling bad enough without it. Her mind wandered on forbidden paths…
Gerard?
She was afraid to admit it, even to herself, that she had fallen in love with him. She was head over heels and she feared that it showed, she was always so eager when Gerard came. She valued their time together more than anything else. If anyone, he would be worthy of being the father of her child.
She could not pinpoint the exact moment when she realized the tall defender had become much, much more than just her favourite client. She could only remember how one day she felt jittery while she was putting her make up on, getting ready to greet him in her boudoir.
All her great feelings could not prevent her from seeing the cold, hard truth: for him, she was just a hooker, a professional he could always come to. A place where he could find redemption of the flesh in exchange of a price. She was just means, a vessel for easing his state of mind.
And she dreaded the day when he would finally get bored. When he would tell her goodbye and offer his love and affection, his true feelings, to a proper woman, not someone he could buy. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Francisco had warned her, plenty of times too, to be careful how much she opened up with her clients. Yet, she had found in Gerard a true soul mate and it had been impossible not to share her whole self with him. He knew some of her darkest secrets, even why she was working for Cavalero…
And she realized that should the baby prove to be his, he’d feel betrayed, he’d feel trapped. He’d resent her. Would he even love the baby? She didn’t know. The baby might have a good life with him, but maybe not, maybe the fact that it was her child would always hinder the father’s affection.
It would be the exact opposite of the situation where David would turn out to be the father…
She wanted the baby to be Gerard’s with her heart and soul, to have a piece of him, forever hers, it would be the most wonderful thing ever…but at the same time, she prayed that it wasn’t his, that the baby would not destroy the frail connection she had with him.
She was so torn, she felt her inner inquisitions were influencing her physical reactions as well…she just wanted someone that would love the baby, that would accept her, someone she would feel comfortable with…
Iker?
He was a man she greatly admired. She found him amazing, one of the persons one would always want to have close. They shared a bond, a true connection; she felt she needed him sometimes, just as much as he needed her.
There was no other chemistry between them though, not on her part. She loved him like the best friend she never had, almost like a brother. The sex was meaningless compared to the spiritual fellowship between them. She could easily brush that aside and she knew he could too. They could be great friends, and go beyond hooker - client relationship.
She liked him and she knew he had developed some sort of need for her. He loved children and she knew he would make a great father. If it were to be him, she was sure he would love the baby and he would have enough noblesse to take care of her.
The life she’d lead as the mother of his child…she was sure would be fruitful and contenting. She could even grow to love him, in time. She knew that he was a great man, capable of true love and maybe she’d be his destined one…
And maybe he was hers too. She knew that the love for their child would unite them, and would keep them together. Would it be enough?
With a man like Iker, it would. Even if she would never grow to love him, she would never stop being fond of him, caring for him. And yes, she felt that would be enough. She knew she could tell him anything, so she wouldn’t even have to lie, she wouldn’t have to pretend she loved him.
He’d understand, because he wasn’t nicknamed ‘san Iker’ for nothing. The man almost had an aura of kindness and emotional pureness. Iker would never force her into anything, and especially not in a fake relationship.
If he were to be the father, they’d be like close friends that had a baby together, outcome of a drunk night, but it would not spoil, but yet enhance their special friendship. It’d be the next best thing!
Her stomach turned suddenly and she had to bend over the bed frame and vomit in the tin basin on the floor. The incident made her remember another name, another possibility…
Rafael?
She felt sickened profoundly thinking of him. She almost hurled again. The man was a monster behind a beautiful, kind, civilized visage. He was never mean, or abusive, he was always polite with her, almost to the point that it made her scream.
Because under the mask of perfection, he was torturing her. There was something sleazy and demeaning in the way they copulated. She refused to call it sex, because that’s what she did with everyone else. She almost gagged with horror when he’d call it making love.
She loathed him because he was using her, using every little bit of her that he could possess in the hours she had to give herself to him. She hated that he had a great woman at home, yet dropped by The Mirth every week, like in a routine.
He used her body, he used her mind, he used her soul, filling them all with things he didn’t want for himself. He was cleansing himself using her as the dumpster.
She had known right away that behind those dark eyes, behind that serious face, laid a beast. There was something very unsettling about him, something dark and gloomy, and she had no escape from becoming his victim. Because he was fascinating, the fascination of evil, she presumed.
She was caught like a fly in his web, and like a spider, he devoured her slowly. A baby with him would probably break the spell between them; the witchcraft would not be powerful against ties of blood.
She hoped, truly, that he would be scared away by a pregnancy, by an illegitimate, son of a whore offspring. That he would not want his perfect life and perfect love with Carmen ruined. She would be a single mother, most likely kicked out of the Mirth - her only home for so long - but she would be free from this man and his influence over her.
But was using an innocent baby as weapon against Rafael moral? And would she be able to love his child? She wanted all these questions to disappear from her brain.
She sank between the pillows, weak with nausea. She didn’t want to think about this anymore. But what else was she to do? She was clueless….
Sergio?
A jolt of fear coursed through her body, making her sit up in bed. Cold sweat broke on her skin and she felt like she was going to faint. She let herself fall back on the soft mattress. Sergio. The idiot. The sexfreak. The world’s most inept man. A father?
The father of her child? She didn’t hate him, as he was mostly harmless, but that didn’t stop him from being a pathetic human being. He was so stupid and so self-centered. He had a one-track mind and his brain was filled with perversion, kink and more perversion.
She could not have the child of the man that considered the pleasures of the flesh to be supreme. The things he asked her to do for him were tiring her out, she felt drained, her whole body aching after he left.
Maybe some women loved his savage love making, but she didn’t. And that was all he was about. Sex, sex and of course, sex. He came, he fucked, he left. And his demands were sometimes so demeaning, so disgusting, he was becoming more and more refined in getting his pleasure in the only field he was competent in.
She disliked him for being so immature and selfish, for being such a bastard and for never caring about anything else but sex. The only truly nice thing about him was his sculptural body, but even that would become a burden when she’d have to admire it and caress it and be crushed by it hour after hour…
He was one of those customers that are usually passed around, so the burden of having to satisfy them wouldn’t fall on the shoulders of the same girl all the time. But the rules at The Mirth were different and once a client became a regular of a girl, she would be the only one to service him.
A child of this man would be doomed from the beginning. He’d lose interest in her when he’d find out, because if he couldn’t use her body, he had no other need of her. And even if he’d accept her pregnant, he’d kick her out when her swollen body would begin to repulse him.
No, she’d rather have that abortion, even if Francisco had come up with another solution, if the baby could be Sergio’s.
She drank some water, in an attempt to clear her fuzzy mind.
why is this happening? How could I get pregnant despite all the protection? Why me? How big are my sins that I have to expiate them by becoming trapped in a situation I cannot get out of…and what is Francisco up to…?
And she finally collapsed into a heavy slumber.
Part Three
It was time. The men were ushered inside Cavalero’s office. They retrieved their seats of before and awaited for the man himself to come.
Two new girls brought them their drink of choice. Sergio was the only one raising his glass in a mock toast.
David placed the glass on his thigh, somehow trying to balance it, without taking a sip. He was more than nervous, he felt his stomach turning just by looking at the content inside. He was afraid of the result Cavalero was going to announce.
Gerard downed the drink in one thirsty gulp and then had to wait for the burn in the back of his eyes to diminish. He didn’t feel any better. His body and nervous system were stretched to the max. He didn’t know why he felt that way, the result was indifferent to him.
Iker took small and fast sips of his drink, looking at the carpet and only at the carpet. He knew he wouldn’t win, he was sure. But he had come to see where would Vina end up, or rather, with who.
Sergio was completely at ease. His grin was monumental. He was sure he had won, he was ready to gloat and perform a short victory dance. He looked the rest of the men and he felt so superior to them, not only for winning, but for being calmed and relaxed, while they were all nerve-wrecks.
Rafael sat motionless, displaying his perfectly indifferent, almost morose expression. But on the inside, he was almost paralyzed with nerves. On one hand, he wanted to win, so he can further enjoy Vina’s company, but he knew anyone else getting her would be the best solution to his situation.
Finally, a masked door right behind Cavalero’s desk opened and the man himself came in, followed by Vina.
“Gentlemen.” He saluted and sat down.
Vina remained standing besides him.
The five briefly acknowledged Cavalero’s presence only to stare at Vina. She was wearing a red long corset dress, the red carpet type, and her hair was flowing in soft long curls on her shoulders. It was the first time she ever looked like a prostitute, because of the amount of makeup she was wearing.
She had thick eyeliner around the eyes, a thick layer of foundation and powder while dark red lipstick made her lips look voluptuous, almost vulgar. She had needed help in putting her makeup on to conceal her tiredness and the dark rings under her eyes, her paleness and the puffiness of eyes tears had caused.
Because besides feeling like she was being ran over by a never ending train, she had spent the day before crying, crying after finding out her fate would be decided by Francisco’s greed. She told him that what he’s doing is wrong, especially with the identity of her child’s father unknown, but he told her that the latter was not his concern.
She smiled now, like she was supposed to, like she had been told to. She was going to obey Cavalaro’s last order and go with the one that had paid the most.
The men had mixed feelings looking at her.
Rafael bit his lower lip nervously, suddenly he didn’t want to have anything to do with the woman. He could feel that something was going on, she had never looked like that, so why now.
Sergio was pleased with what he was seeing. His very own whore, that even moreso now, could be used for his select pleasures.
Iker felt his heart break. He could feel something was going on and he feared for her. Suddenly he felt incredibly sorry for not having the guts to bid properly. In his great morality, he finally understood he had been selfish. He had refused to save her, when he had the chance.
Gerard began to pull at his beard. He was feeling he made a mistake, that he shouldn’t even be there. That was not the Vina he knew and if something was up, he would rather not have to have anything to do with it. He felt foolish.
David felt grateful that he was sitting. Seeing her again, so changed and yet still so beautiful took his breath away once more. His heart began to race in his chest and he knew he wouldn’t bare to lose, to see her face grow from happy to disappointed.
Vina didn’t dare look at them, the men that were buying her, the possible fathers of her child. She smiled looking at the desk in front of her, preparing herself for the worst.
Cavalero’s gaze encompassed them all and after a while, he decided to break the silence that coated the room thickly and cleared his throat.
“I have 2 announcements.” He said, awaking the men from the trance.
They all focused their eyes on the man behind the desk, who held an envelope in his hands.
“Firstly…the winner of my Vina’s hand…” he chuckled.
Cavalero opened the envelope slowly and removed a sheet of paper, folded in half. He took his time in unfolding it before the 6 sets of curious eyes, making the men and Vina explode with nervousness.
“And the winner is….” He trailed, looking at each man with the same intensity.
“Come on man!” Silva yelled, unable to take the pressure anymore.
“Gerard Pique.” Cavalero grinned widely.
Vina’s heart pounded in her chest. She could barely contain her now genuine smile. Maybe Gerard did care for her, enough to offer the biggest sum.
“What? No!” Gerard cried, getting up and then collapsing in his chair again.
Vina’s smile faded witnessing his reaction. She suddenly felt weak and needed to sit down. She leaned against the wall, all the makeup in the world unable to hide that she was feeling unwell.
The men squirmed in their seats. Rafael felt incredibly relieved. The possible nightmare was over before even beginning. He could almost let a smile stretch his lips. He looked at his teammate, who didn’t look too well.
better you than me he thought, realizing that Gerard had overbid in hope that one of the Madridista idiots would splash the cash in their typical fashion.
David was close to tears. He knew he would never get to see the woman of his dreams ever again and he was torn between the need to look at her, to take one last glance at the only woman that had made him feel good about himself and the desire to cover his face from the shame he felt.
He gazed at the carpet and tried his best to not cry and look so weak in front of his rivals.
Iker also felt relieved, a different kind of relief from Marquez though, as he was content Vina didn’t fall in Sergio’s hands. His teammate’s reputation had lead Iker to justly imagine how would Vina end up like next to Sergio. Pique was not any better in womanizing wise, but he seemed to have a better head on his shoulders than the Sevillian.
Also, Iker duly noted both Vina’s reactions and understood she had wanted it to be Gerard.
Sergio was enraged, he was furious. He could not believe that the stupid Culé would get his Vina. He had sent in quite a colossal sum for a woman like her, very much above her worth in an attempt to secure her services, but he had been outbid by that lanky idiot that didn’t even seem to want her.
“I demand an explanation. Transparency! I want to see what everyone else bid.” He yelled.
“Settle down, gentlemen. Mr. Ramos, there is no need for that. I am a man of honour, and would never pull a trick, as I have absolutely no gain. Besides…there is a second announcement that I need to make.”
Gerard had not looked at Vina once. He felt a hotness wrapped his mind and he couldn’t think straight. He had bid a sum big enough to win, sure, but he had written the sum down and had sent the letter on a whim. He wasn’t sure he was ready for what “owning” Vina meant. He didn’t look up when Ramos spoke up, nor when Cavalero announced there is something else they had to be informed of.
“Vina is pregnant. Father identity unknown, but it is one of you 5.”
Gerard shot up.
“What?”
Everyone got up, Rafael shaking with angst and fury, Sergio looking dumb with his mouth agape, Iker looking sympathetically and yet somehow disoriented at Vina, David looking positively radiant, as a child with the woman he loved gave him hope and Gerard looking like he had seen a ghost, whiter than Iker and wanting to run, as far away from there as possible.
“Yes, any of you could be the father, but this is not my problem anymore.” Cavalero announced.
Vina felt trapped. She felt the hot flash take over her body, followed by a cold sweat and one moment she was still standing, a hand placed on the chair's backrest and the next she was falling into unconsciousness, sliding to the floor before any of the skilled athletes could catch her.
They all rushed to her at once, trying to wake her up or at least get her to a more comfortable position.
Francisco Cavalero was glad the potential scene had been dismantled by Vina's dramatic skills. Even in this state, he could count on her to do the sensible thing. Unnoticed, he slipped out of the room, leaving the 6 to digest the news he had brought.
As soon as Vina regained consciousness, she immediately wanted to die, finding herself surrounded by three concerned faces, Iker's, David's and Gerard's, while Rafael and Sergio sat a little further behind, both looking rather displeased with the whole thing.
She was happy to see that Gerard was friendlier, and she knew she would have Iker's support. David still being there made her all sorts of uncomfortable though, but she tried her best to keep herself in check.
“Now you all know me. And you can very well imagine what I was doing here, at the Mirth.” Sergio Ramos spoke up. “I don't care if I seem like an insensitive bastard, but I am not interested in being the father of a whore's child.”
“Now, watch your mouth, don't you dare call Vina that!” both Iker and David shot up.
“Regardless. If it turns out to be mine, I'll pay my dues. But until then, I am so out of here.”
None of them would have expected otherwise, but as his captain, Iker felt a little disappointed Sergio was such an asshole. They watched him leave in silence.
Vina was relieved, she would've been hard tried to have to handle a suddenly loving and tender Sergio Ramos. She made herself more comfortable in her chair and cleared her throat.
“It's for the best that he left. Sergio Ramos is a ridiculous human being and I never expected anything else from him. Now, if any of you has anything to say, now is the best time.”
With Ramos' departure, she had managed to recapture some of her composure. As a courtesan, she had been trained from early infancy how to surmount any kind of adversity and how to put up a brave face. As a courtesan, and even as a whore, she knew she always had to smile, be as calm as possible and help others feel at ease.
Using a virtually unnoticeable breathing exercise, Vina was able to finally detach herself from the scene, and somewhat even from her situation and enchant them again, her men, her slaves and masters all at once and have them her her feet as if she was royalty.
“I think we are all very distressed right now and any decision would be rushed and maybe complicate the whole thing even more. I say we all go home and sleep this though.” Iker articulated in his best captain mode possible, looking at each of the remaining men and at Vina throughout his speech.
“Do you think anyone can sleep after such an evening? I think not. Restless rest would only bring more anguish and thoughts. Some things must be decided now.” Rafael spoke up, not glancing at anyone in particular.
Vina's trained ear captured the distress in his voice, even if Rafael seemed perfectly calm. She understood his reasoning, because if she was merely the receptacle of all his soul debris, he could not bear the thought of worrying over her, over their possible bond.
“I want a paternity test to be carried out as soon as possible. I recently read about the CVS test which can be performed as early as the 10th week with sure results*. After we know which one of us is guilty, then things will be easier, perhaps even solved already.” Rafael continued in the deathlike silence that had settled when he had mentioned the CVS test, looking straight at Gerard.
Vina could barely suppress a sigh, the shiver coursing her body concealed by a sudden move to retrieve the glass of water in front of her. She wasn't surprised he would be so cruel and request her to undergo such a dangerous procedure, after all, she knew exactly what she meant for him: a little less than nothing if he could not use her anymore. She used to be a little more than everything to him when he was in her chambers, inside her body and inside her mind and inside her soul. So now when she had been taken from him, all he cared for was to know as soon as possible if he was off the hook, her well-being not taken in consideration one bit.
“You cannot do that, it's harmful to the mother! Are you insane?” David spoke up for the first time since the announcement, shooting up to a very martial pose.
She felt her heart crack a little seeing David like this, taking her side, trying to protect her. She could not do this anymore, not even for another second.
“David, please. I think none of us could take this kind of pressure for too long. And while the CVS is not the safest test out there, it is the soonest we can know. I want to know maybe even more than you guys do.”
She suddenly felt tired. They were all looking at her, Iker with concern and Gerard with some sort of pity mixed with fear in his eyes. David looked like he needed a hug and Rafael smirked slightly, finally staring at her.
He thought he had trained her well, as she even now still responded to him. It would be hard without her, but it was for the best.
“Well. I will take Vina home then, as we'll all see each other after the testing.” Gerard suddenly said, getting up.
He offered his arm to Vina, who was too surprised of this unexpected finale, and exited together with her before anyone could react.
Part Four
Life with Vina had proved to be somewhat of an adventure. Away from the Mirth, she was all the same, yet very different. She was a queen in her own right and yet as amenable as possible. Gerard began to understand little by little why a life of pleasure and pleasuring others had been so right for Vina and yet why she could only blossom as a free woman.
At first, she was awkward in his presence. They have both given themselves away right after the big announcement and Gerard knew she loved him and now he knew that she knew he didn't. So for the first few weeks, she tried her best to be invisible and to make her presence in his house as insignificant as possible.
She stayed away from him unless he wanted her, and even when they had sex, because Gerard had needs and had a gorgeous woman in his home, he could feel she was reluctant and toed the boundaries of complete abandonment in his arms. Any other time, he would've felt a little upset, considering her behaviour insulting as she had stopped being that perfect lover once he stopped paying for sex.
But in fact, he understood her reserve, and how she didn't want to seem desperate, in need for his affection, or trying to plain old seduce him with her expertize between the sheets. She respected his non-existent feelings for her and she didn't want to push it.
And Gerard began to notice her, to simply observe her retreating into herself, content to simply be in his house and part of his new daily routine, happy to be able to look at him and talk to him and be around him, discreetly loving him like no woman ever did.
And as time went by, Gerard began to fall in love with this woman he was discovering, the shy, domestic and unobtrusive Vina. For all that had been fabricated glamour whenever she was with him at the Mirth had disappeared, leaving behind an elegant woman that tried her best to not impose the man that didn't love her with her feelings.
He got closer to her and even started to show her overt signs of affection, trying to draw her out of the self imposed amorous exile. He secretly began to hope the child would turn out to be his, not just so he wouldn't have to share her with anyone, but because the kid would bless their union even further.
One thing was annoying Gerard though. And that was David Silva. And mainly Vina's interactions with David Silva. The Spaniard was visiting weekly, displaying his over the top, emotionally scarring love to his woman.
As far as Gerard could see, Vina didn't exactly care for David. She was polite, but distant, nice to him but not affectionate. He didn't have the heart to discuss this with her, but if he had, he'd have realised she rather loathed the Valencian.
He couldn't really argue with him either, as David had made it most clear on his first visit that despite Gerard winning Vina in the bidding war, the relations maintained their previous status quo until the paternity revealed who the father was. David clung onto the hopes of being the child's father, thinking that should that be the case, Vina might join him and leave Gerard behind.
Such blindness could never be undone by words and Gerard knew as much. If he were to tell David that it was him that Vina loved, and that he should never get his hopes up, he knew Silva would shoot him down on account of jealousy and not believe a thing.
What did worry him was Vina's own behaviour towards Silva, her deceitful hugs and her consent to long drives together. While it was understandable why she had kept up the charade while she was still at the Mirth and David a well paying client, it made little sense to not tell him off once she was a free woman and no longer depended on men's money.
Perhaps the child was David's, women certainly knew more about such things and the thought that he would always have to tolerate the fool was almost insufferable. But Vina's attitude suggested that something was definitely going on between her and Silva, which made Gerard suspicious and envious. He wished Vina at least explained things to him, so he'd know how they stood, but she never did, and he was too afraid to learn of the possible ties she had to Silva to ask.
*
It had been a full month since the day at the Mirth when he had brought Vina home with him and Gerard was almost hysterical. David had taken Vina for their usual afternoon drive that occurred every time he came by, ensuring he got some alone time with the woman. But if the previous times it had not taken longer than one hour, this time it had been almost 3 hours and they were yet to return.
Neither answered their phones and Gerard played only the worst scenarios in his mind, none of which were accidents or something fatal, but simply variations on Vina running away with David. Pacing up and down the front yard and trying to keep himself from dialing her number for the 56th time that day, Gerard realised he was insanely jealous. Even if Vina and him acted more like housemates - slash - fuck buddies than a normal couple, he felt they weren't too far off from reaching that point where their relationship would become real.
And yet, Vina was still going away with David Silva and even if things had changed, she had been a whore for so many years, who was to say she wasn't still doing it with him? But then Gerard recalled that Vina seemed to dislike David and that he had felt it from the very beginning. He had no right to think such things about the woman he loved.
Finally sitting down on the front step, he finally saw the truth in himself, and he knew that his feelings have developed, growing into powerful sentiments for the woman that loved him. And when Vina finally arrived, unharmed and happy to be home again, Gerard didn't need any explanations for the delay, as he simply picked her up in his arms kissing her like in the movies.
From that moment on, both of them dedicated themselves to their romance, leaving behind even the David Silva issue - regardless of the man's on the clock visits, not to mention the baby.
***
“Well, here we are. I have no clue why we had to come here of all places, but at least it has a stocked liquor cabinet and we all look like we might need a drink. Or two.”
The fact that Sergio Ramos had actually come to the big reveal was almost as shocking as was Vina's decision to host the reunion in the Burgundy Room of the Mirth. Of course, Cavalero wasn't present, nor anyone else except for the 5 men and Vina Apsara.
Sergio had to admit he was a little worried. He didn't want to be the father and had done his best to get over the initial news of the pregnancy with supremely wild parties peppered with super extra safe sex.
Rafael felt resigned. He was yet to tell his fiancee about it, and he hoped at the end of the evening, there would be nothing to tell. He hated Vina for it and wished he didn't even have to be there and see her again.
Iker was feeling a little better seeing that Gerard was far nicer to Vina now and that they seemed to have hit it off for real. In the beginning, he had hoped the baby would prove to be his, so he could take Vina way from the Cule that didn't seem to want her. She might not love him, but he would offer her and the kid the best family possible. Of course, now that things seemed to be different, he prayed the baby was Gerard's, so that the couple would remain together, with no outside interferences.
David was almost drunk, as he could barely control himself and had drunk 2 whiskey neats one after the other. He hoped with all his heart that the kid would turn out to be his, as it was his only chance to stray close to Vina. He was still oblivious towards Vina's true sentiments towards him, but even he could tell her and Gerard had gotten close.
Gerard watched over Vina and the rest somehow unphased. He felt very confident. One one hand, he believed it was his child. On the other, he believed he could handle himself if it proved otherwise. He was in love with Vina and she was in love with him and whoever the kid's father was, he was sure he would love the kid and take care of him as any father would.
Vina felt queasy. The testing itself had been a really ugly experience, but Gerard - and unfortunately David had been there for her. When she received the envelope with the results, earlier that afternoon, she was tempted to open it, but then recalled it wouldn't do any good to know before everyone was present.
One thing she knew, whatever came out of the beige envelope, she would have to come clean with David Silva. As her relationship with Gerard was getting more serious, she understood she wasn't actually doing David any favours anymore, as she was simply leading him on.
“All right, I hope you've become comfortable enough by now.”
The men gathered around her once more and Vina tore open the envelope, extracting the tests results. Her eyes glossed over the numbers and the no match bits, getting it to herself, allowing just one second for the nightmarish reality to settle in.
The men were getting restless, she could see they were just as nervous as she was. She took a deep breath and letting the paper slip from her hands she let out in perfectly rounded syllables.
“David Silva. David Silva is the father.”
She closed her eyes, the blood pulsating in her temples drowning their voices. She pressed her fingers to her head and briefly opened her eyes to glance over at Gerard, Gerard who again was looking so torn and devastated. She closed her eyes again, letting tears fall, the first time she was crying in public in over 10 years.
Sergio Ramos and Rafael Marquez left first, the two defenders practically congratulating each other for this narrow escape. Iker stayed a while, trying to make sure Vina would be taken care of.
“I hear you love her now. Don't let her down, this is when she needs you the most.” he whispered to Gerard before finally making his way out of the Mirth, sure to never return again this time.
Gerard remained in the corner he had exiled himself to, sipping on the tequila he had poured himself. He knew he should man up and comfort Vina, but there was so much sudden fury in himself, and he felt betrayed. All he could do was watch the sickening scene where David, finally unencumbered by any rival and holding the piece of paper that sealed his rights tightly was trying to get to Vina's heart.
“Vina, this is it, don't you understand? You're the only woman for me and now this bond, our child, it is the binder that we needed. I love you so much and I will do anything for you, if you accept to be with me, if you let me take you home with me. We can be a real family and I promise you I will make you happy.”
Vina was so emotionally drained, all she could do was sigh and whisper “oh David” and when the man started kissing her hands, she was unable to tell him to stop.
“I understand what you're saying.” she began.
The hollow pain in her chest was not going away. This man was going to be in her life forever, and she didn't have the strength to tell him she despised him, not now.
“And I understand you could offer me everything I'd ever want, and that's awesome of you.”
Gerard could not believe what he was hearing. Vina could not really consider Silva's offers. She disliked him, didn't she? But then again, she was a fantastic actress. What if it had all been an act, keeping both him and Silva as options with her act, before she found out who the father was. She could have pretended to be in love with him just to get him to buy her freedom. He knew what she had done in her past, the secret behind her entering into Cavalero's services and suddenly nothing surprised him anymore.
“You have a good heart David.”
That was the last straw for Gerard, who simply put the glass back on top of the cabinet and left the room quietly. He had to get the hell out of there, the house of pretension he should've known the Mirth was. What hurt him most was the fact that Vina had not looked at him once, had not ever cared to acknowledge his own drama for one second. He got in his car and drove away without once looking back.
“But there are things I have to tell you.” Vina finally began to unravel the web of lies. “It was all a lie, all fabricated, David. I don't know why I continued with this after I was free, but this has to stop now. I don't love you. I don't even like you, to be honest. You're pathetic and ridiculous and most of the time I only feel pity for you. I never meant to make you fall in love with me, but I could never stop pretending when I was a whore. It was my job to make you feel better and I was the best at that.”
“What?” David whispered, unable to process all the vile, unwanted words.
“You sometimes even repulse me, because you're unable to stand on your own two feet and be a man, you always need encouragement and you have zero confidence. I hate that in a man. I hate having to nanny you all the time and be more like your mother than your lover. I wanted to tell you this now, because we are going to have a child together and you have to understand that whatever marvels you promise, I have no intention of being with you. I am in love with Gerard and have been so for some time. The only thing that connects us is this child that I never wanted and that I certainly wish it wasn't yours.”
Vina got up, feeling far better than 5 minutes ago. She wiped he tears and noticed Gerard was not in the room.
“So all of it was a lie? Even the drives we took? Even all our talks the past few weeks? Everything?” David realised he was indeed sounding pathetic, but he felt like he was soon going to die of so much sudden pain.
He could not believe this, that it had all been fake, that everything was nothing but smoke and mirrors and that even Vina didn't think he was man enough.
“I'm sorry. In a small chamber of my heart, I really am. But most of all, right now I feel relief. I am truly free now.”
“Why did you continue with this game after Pique bought you then?! If you could barely stand me! Why Vina?” he shouted.
Vina turned to look at him. She couldn't reveal that until Gerard had fallen in love with her and allowed her to feel safe and truly welcome in his house, she had tried to keep David in her pocket, just so she would have someone to rely on if things didn't work out as she hoped. She could not tell David the truth, that she used him as a backup. She resorted to shaking her head.
“I pitied you. I thought you'd understand by yourself that I'm not for you.”
She could not be happier to finally leave the room. Regardless of who her baby's daddy was, she felt happy, liberated from the burden of lies and deceit. Reaching the parking lot, she realised Gerard's car wasn't there. She pulled her phone out and called him, but the after ringing 3 times, the call was redirected to the Mirth's number.
Horrified, it dawned on her that Gerard must've misunderstood her little moment with Silva and had left. She stared at the empty spot where the Audi had been parked and tears tricked down her face once again.
David passed by her towards his car and barely noticed that she was crying. Just as he reached the car, he spun on his heels and addressed her.
“Guess love of your life doesn't like fathering other guys' kids. He doesn't love you like I did, he left you here.” he sounded cold, calculated, indenting to cause as much harm as possible.
Vina mumbled something, not missing David's use of past tense when referring to his love for her. Perhaps that's why Gerard left.
“And you dislike me, so now I hate you. Looks like you're out of luck, stupid whore. Goodbye.”
Getting in his car, David Silva drove off quickly.
Vina took a seat on the steps leading to the Mirth's entrance. Although all seemed lost, with the man she loved leaving her behind unexpectedly and being pregnant with a man she disliked and that now hated her, Vina had not gotten so far in life by accident. She always had a card up her sleeve and when things got rough, she didn't hesitate to use it.
This of course, would mean abandoning her freedom once more, but after being a prostitute for almost 10 years, perhaps she was too used to depend and somehow belong to men, to a man. And this time, she knew wouldn't even be too bad.
She dialed a number. He will come, Iker will come, Iker will do the right thing....
The End.
* Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): This test consists of a thin needle or tube which a doctor inserts from the vagina, through the cervix, guided by an ultrasound, to obtain chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are little finger-like pieces of tissue attached to the wall of the uterus. The chorionic villi and the fetus come from the same fertilized egg, and have the same genetic makeup. This testing can be done earlier in pregnancy from the 10th-13th weeks. A doctor's consent is needed to do this procedure for paternity testing.