There was an increasing rate of people getting involved in prostitution rings for easy money, but this depression era that Vela was currently living in wasn't called the 'dirty thirties' for nothing.

The time when any woman may reach a certain age and would start to indulge herself in sinful activities, for their lack of high standards and inability to find someone to settle down with. Perhaps. Or some were just really that desperate to spice up their life, before the wrinkles would start to appear on their faces and their sex drive would start to deteriorate. It was often a business frowned upon, but Vela made sure to treat whoever she hired with the utmost respect, just like anyone else who she was close with. It helped a lot when the closest person in her life at the moment was her boyfriend, Cary, who was not only her lover but also her business partner in the running of the prostitution ring. Vela smiled wholeheartedly as she planted a kiss on his bare cheek. Lips on the mouth would be done private, where no one else could invade their special moment of intimacy. Vela truly believed it was them against the world.

Vela was pleased to see that the daily operations were running smoothly as more clients were being referred to Vela and Cary’s services. Their efforts were recognized by another boss lady, who ran a similar business. “I have lots of girls who have nowhere to go. I give to you, yess?” The lady slurred her words with a thick, italian accent. She wore thin metal frame glasses, which framed her face perfectly while she spoke with indefatigability. Vela was overjoyed with the news that there were more girls waiting to be housed in, as she knew what it was like to be so young and lost in the world outside where you had no guidance. Okay, a brothel probably isn’t a good idea to raise young girls in, but the significant difference between Vela and other brothel owners was that she didn’t treat any of her girls like rats. Although rats were pretty intelligent creatures, minus the part where they would get caught into peoples silly little traps, the girls that Vela hired were talked about in high regard. Vela owed it to them, they deserved that at least.

Anyone else would be surprised to find out that most of the girls that were recruited into Vela’s business were either students who had bigger and better dreams to accomplish or girls that had a dream but never happened. It could have been the fear of the unknown, which scared them away from their dream. Vela abandoned the paperwork she was doing once, as she eavesdropped on a conversation inside one of the dressing rooms. The walls were thin, and Vela found it hard to understand them through the constant fucking next door. Due to the sound, Vela only heard about the part where one of her workers mentioned wanting to become ‘an esteemed lawyer’ and at that moment, Vela felt hurt because it was like she was robbing someone of their dream. Vela knew that it was that girls decision to join a prostitution ring, and that she shouldn’t have been so hard on herself by blaming her own actions for someone else’s wrong decision, but her heart was sensitive to these kind of talks.

Y’know those? The ones about the future? Vela didn’t really have anything in mind, other than to hopefully still be able to run the prostitution ring while she would maintain a steady relationship with Cary, who she put her full trust and loyalty in. She had sworn to him that she would never abandon him, and if anything would come up, they would try to talk it out like grown ups, because Vela would never want to throw away a bond that they had built together for years. Truth of the matter was, Vela was blinded by love, in which her naive tendencies would cause her to continue loving him even if he would do her wrong. Cary hadn’t done anything yet, but Vela couldn’t help but feel jealous with him being around so many pretty, youthful and seductive women. Vela tried to shake off the possibility that he could get into relations with any of the other women around here. This was business, after all. It was pure irony that people say not to mix their personal feelings with business, but here she was, running a prostitution ring with her lover.

Vela should’ve known from the start that it would only end in disaster. Should’ve been able to recognize the consequences of getting into a partnership with her boyfriend. It didn’t cross her mind, or she didn’t let it. Vela turned to Cary as they lay next to each other in the bed, giving a big smile that brought out the rest of her features. She looked at him in awe. Vela had never been so captivated by a man, and she yearned for his touch every night. It was sometimes hard trying to keep her hands off him at work, but she reminded herself that business was business- and intimate chats should be done at home, where no one else is there to disturb. She stretched her arms out wide as she let out a morning yawn, making some muscles in her back crack satisfyingly. Vela sat there after she stretched, just trying to get her thoughts together. It was going to be a long day as Vela would be meeting up with that italian boss lady again, and finalising their deal, to bring in more girls into her hands. She eyed Cary and her shoulders that tensed, had relaxed. She was comforted by the fact that he would be there with her to keep her sane, as she would get overwhelmed and stressed a lot of the time. “Get up, stinky head. We got work to do.” Vela teased, before heading into their walk-in bathroom.

From hereon, lessons of love can be learnt, loyalty is tested and new friendships are formed.

Vela felt the heat everywhere on her body as she stepped outside of the house with her lover. It travelled up her shirt sleeves and also slid up her neck. She turned to Cary and smiled gently, before hopping into the passenger side of the shiny, black roadster parked at the front of their home. It was rare that Vela felt a sudden boost of the energy in the morning, but today she was looking forward to meeting some of her new girl workers. It wasn't that easy though. One-on-one sessions had to be done with the different girls who were looking to be hired by Vela, as she only wanted to put her trust in those who actually knew what they were doing. Some people that she hired in the past were just trying to rob Vela of her money, which was obviously unacceptable. This time, Vela would take precautions and also confirm that there are no spies. As Cary and Vela drove off into the distance, she thought about her future and where life would take her because she knew that whenever something was going well, another part of her life would be ready to collapse. Life always seemed to be that way, she sighed and leaned her head back on the car seat. She closed her eyes and tried to make herself take a little nap before she'd enter work. 

The engine made a screeching noise and almost immediately, Vela sprang from her resting position and muttered a simple, "we here?" She wasn't expecting an answer, as she already noticed the familiar building that stood tall in front of her. Vela looked out of the window and noticed the boss lady with the thick, Italian accent waiting at the door. She had a stern face and was looking at something on a clipboard she was holding, maybe going over the names of the girls that she brought along with her. Vela smoothed out her hair and skirt, before giving a gentle kiss on Cary's forehead. I can do this, she thought. There was no reason for her to be nervous, but for some reason, memories of the first opening of her brothel flowed back into her mind. She shook her head, trying to avoid the thought, as she remembered feeling extremely nervous on that day. She gave a funny look to Cary and let out a deep sigh. Vela didn't want to keep the lady waiting, so she grabbed the handle on her side and opened the door. The lady looked up and upon seeing her, she waved like a madman as she ushered Vela to her. "I have the participants. They are inside waiting for you, my dear!!" She beckoned, while gently pushing Vela's back with her trusty clipboard. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed with what was happening, but she tried to calm herself as she knew had a reputation to uphold as the caretaker.

It had just been a long time since Vela had been bossed around like that, which shouldn't be the correct term to use, but she had almost missed the feeling of being told what to do. Vela needed some guidance as well. As her eyes travelled over the different girls who stood before her, she thanked the Italian lady. "No need to thank. I must go now." The lady was in a hurry and didn't wait for Vela to answer, so Vela just smiled as her figure moved further away. The brothel had brown walls and a dim light that illuminated the place, which added a mysterious vibe. There was red couches in each of the corners, while a round table counter was placed in the middle of the foyer. Upstairs, there were the rooms that clients would rent out, intended to be their space to spend time with their desired girl. Above that level, there was the main office, where all the upper staff hung out. It would also be the place for Vela to interview each of the girls. Vela quickly estimated how many girls that lady brought in, which brought her to an approximate guess of twenty. Her words broke the silence as it gained the attention of the pretty little heads that looked up in surprise. 

"Welcome ladies. You may already know me by now, but for those of you who don't..." She paused and let her words sink in, as she didn't want to lay down so much information at once. "My name is Vela and I'll be the caretaker for the girls around here." She pointed to the round counter and smiled sweetly. "That is where you will go to find out your client schedule. Men are always coming in and out of this place. So don't worry about not getting any appointments." Vela then cleared her throat as she picked out a few girls from the front. "You guys are coming with me upstairs." The girls nodded promptly, who all seemed a wee bit nervous, but Vela shrugged it off, knowing that they would get comfortable with the place real soon. Vela turned her body to the rest of the girls who didn't get picked and announced an instruction of some sort. "The rest of you, please go up to your rooms where you will stay for the meantime." One of Vela's employees then came down the stairs as she walked quickly to Vela's side. Vela acknowledged her presence as she nodded towards her direction. "She is Constance, my personal assistant, who will assist you where your rooms are." Vela then let Constance cover for the girls, some of them who looked confused, some who seemed to know this place, like they had been here all their life. Vela lead the girls she picked out, walking at a medium pace up the stairs. The corridors had dim lights as well, with the same brown walls, only difference being was the maroon carpets for people to walk over. It was a really chill vibe, and the clients appreciated it very much as one of them had mentioned to Vela before that they didn't really like those brothels who tried to do too much. The fancy, high ceiling and the glass floor... no. Vela lead the girls up another staircase which would lead to the main offices. One of the girls whispered behind Vela, whose cheeks had turned a deep red colour, and Vela looked to her curiously, raising one of her eyebrows. "What was that?" 

As Vela waited for a response, she followed where the girl's eyes were staring. Vela sneered at the girl's lust-filled expression, as she despised her boyfriend for a quick second for how he was in such denial of how attractive he really was. The cologne that was so easy to spot, and his presence that would give you chills. Vela sighed as she continued to lead the girls. She had to keep to herself when it came to these things, as she knew better than to lash out at anyone for even glancing at her boyfriend. This was time for business, not pettiness. 
At last, Vela was at the main office level and a black, leather couch was strategically placed near the opening. She sat at her desk, not too far from where the couch was. The girls waited patiently in a line as they observed the scene. Vela took a deep breath before she exhaled slowly. Her mouth turned into a smile as she gestured her hand to the couch, as she didn't want to scare any of them away with her poker face expressions.


"Please, take a seat."