//Chapter 2//

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"Keep your head up; keep your heart strong."

➳ ➳ ➳

The van came to a sudden halt as the door opened. Heavy footsteps can be heard against gravel. I was sitting huddled in the corner, hiding my face with my long, stringy, brown hair. Suddenly the trunk opened, and the light came in, followed by his voice.

"Wake up, sleeping beauty." Ethan's cheery voice.

He's enjoying this— that bastard. I turned my head to look at him, and he grins while trying to reach out to me. His rough hands grip my ankle and easily pulled me towards him. I yelped in surprise, and I started kicking my legs. I was hitting his chest hard with my feet, but I only got closer.

"Would you stop, already? I'm trying to be nice, but you really aren't helping." He let out a sigh and then effortlessly threw me over his shoulder. With his free hand, he closes the trunk and motions for the younger man, Steve, to follow him. I stayed quiet, and I didn't say anything. I realized I was already too late, and it was no use fighting it. We were just outside the Dollhouse, and there is nothing I can do. I was defeated.

Ethan knocked on the big wooden door three times, and it opened, letting us walk inside the place that I see in my nightmares. Everything was just like I remembered it and there at the top of the large staircase, stood the devil himself, Alexander.

Unexpectedly, I was brutally thrown onto the marble floor with a thud. My hands held me up as I tilt my head up to see Alexander descend the red-carpeted staircase with his cringe-worthy grace. His black hair was styled perfectly and away from his face. He was wearing his usual deep blue tux and shining black, polished shoes. His blue eyes stared at me intently, and a sinister smirk spread across his face when he saw how scared I was. Adjusting his tie, he approaches us and stares down at me.

"Look what we have here. What a pleasure, Angelina," he exclaimed, and I narrow my eyes at him. His eyes moved to Ethan, disapprovingly at him.

"Now Ethan, what have I told you many times before? We never mistreat a lady." He scolded at him and helped me stand up on my feet, only to be stuck on the cheek, the same cheek that was already burning from Ethan's hand earlier. It sent me to the floor once again.

"Unless, of course, they deserve it." He finishes, causing the men to laugh. My hands are shaking, not because of fear. I am angry.

"I hate you." I managed to whimper out.

"You know, Angel, your words might have hurt me if I actually gave a damn about how you feel," Alexander replied bitterly and played with the silver ring on his finger. The ring that once belonged to my father. It was the only thing I had to remember him by, and it was gone. He noticed my staring and smiled.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

I didn't answer his question.

"It once belonged to someone who didn't deserve it. This ring was meant for someone brave. Not the weak, not a coward like Maxwell. Now, it's exactly where it should be." He finished, making me intentionally more furious. I don't like the way he talks about my father, not at all. My father was a good man. Strong, loving, and intelligent. His only mistake was he trusted the wrong people.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked.

"Because I'm not a good man Angelina. I'm far from it." He looked above me and back at Ethan.

"What do we do with her now?" Ethan asked, and pulled me up to my feet, holding me this time.

"Take her to Jazmine. She'll know what to do with her. When she's ready, bring her to me." Alexander ordered the men, and I was immediately pushed into a long corridor, eventually coming to a large door with a sign that read Dolls.

"Please, Ethan. Don't listen to him. Don't do this to me." I whispered.

He stares at me with a blank expression on his face, as if he were thinking about it. As the heavy door opened, he shoved me inside and shut the door behind him.

I guess not.

I started banging on the door, yelling for someone to open up.

"Stop trying already!" I heard a woman's voice coming closer to me.

I turned around and saw a lady maybe in her late thirties. She sat in a chair with her legs up on a tall counter as she plays with her dyed red hair. Her face was all masked with makeup, and her arm had a weird looking tattoo. From what I can see, her outfit wasn't so great either. It barely covered her body and damn; she was pale. Too pale. She had to be a doll. Or maybe a former doll?

"Are you Jazmine?" I asked as I took a few steps away from the door.

"The one and only." She smiled faintly and stood up. "So, I'm guessing Alexander brought you here?" She asked.

I simply nodded my head and looked around the room to see where exactly I was. The studio-like room was painted blood red, and it was full of mirrors, clothes, makeup, shoes, and all different sorts of things. Yet all I could think of was running.

Run far away and never come back. Don't ever look back.

"Girl, you look like a mess. What happened to you?" Jazmine asked, catching my attention for the second time. She looked at my petite figure with her eyes narrowed.

"It's a long story." Answering honestly, I cleared my throat and spoke with more density to my voice. It felt good.

"Fine then, let's wash you up first. Come with me." She guided me to a bathroom in the back of the room. It was bigger than average and was painted bright pink.

"Here, take a shower, and when you finish, come back out so we can get started. There are towels in that closet, along with everything you need. I'll be waiting out here." She closed the door behind her and left me in the cold room. I went to the closet she pointed out with a silver doorknob I could see my reflection in. I really needed a shower. I grabbed a towel and hesitantly removed my torn blouse and pants, along with my bra and underwear, and carefully stepped onto the freezing cold tiles. It sent shivers up my spine, so I twist the knob to release warm water. I let it fall onto my head and down my body. At first, when the water hit my wounded shoulder, it stung, making me cringe. Soon enough, I let the water sit, and it relaxes all of my muscles.

Fuck, I miss this relaxing feeling.

I took the shampoo and used it to rub on my scalp.

When was the last time I had one of these?

When I finally finished showering, I wrapped the towel around my body and walked out into the dressing room where she waited for me.

"It's about time." She complained.

"Sorry..." I said in a weak voice.

"Let's get you dressed then. I picked this out for you." Showing me a pair of matching, white lace bra and underwear set. I raised my eyebrows and looked at her.

"I thought I was going to wear clothes," I said bluntly.

"We don't wear clothes here, hun," she replied, more direct than what it must have sounded. She tosses them to me along with a pair of transparent white stockings.

"Well go on, I want to see how they look on you! Just to be sure on what to fix, if anything."

~ ~ ~

"I don't know about this," I said after I came from the dressing room. Her eyes widened, and a smile formed on her dramatically red lips.

"You look amazing! So innocent and pure. This will sell." She exclaimed and nodded a bit.

I stiffen, and I feel my stomach twist and turn at her words.

Sell.

I was disgusted. Jazmine noticed my sudden change in mood and lightly tapped my good shoulder.

"I know just how you feel. Trust me. Inexperienced, scared, needing the money. Don't worry; it's something you naturally get used to," she says, trying to calm my nerves that were still there.

This is exactly it. We are not the same. I don't want the money, and I didn't choose to be here. I had no choices. I didn't get to make a decision like she did. I am left in the hands of Alexander. I am only a toy in his mind. A toy he can do whatever he wants with. I had nothing to stop him.

"It's not easy," I whispered.

"I know, sweetie, but..." She motioned her hand to sit on the cushioned stool, and I sat upon it without another word. Maybe she was right. Perhaps I just had to accept it. I am not getting out of here.

Ever.

"I am thinking of doing something light. Not too much. You already have flawless skin, so I'm just going to make your eyes pop a bit. I want you to look innocent and pure. Oh, and we can cover this here." She referred to my scratched shoulder. Well, more of a gouge. I simply nodded and let her continue doing her job and remained quiet the whole time. The makeup felt like an hour while my hair felt like another hour. It was a lot compared to what she has made it sound like.

"And we're finished." She exclaimed excitedly. I sat up tall and exhaled, closing and opening my eyes. At that moment, the heavy door swung open, making me jump out of the seat and stiffen. How embarrassing it was when I saw it was Ethan who I saw standing with his fingers tapping against the black, wooden door frame and his bottom lip under his top row of teeth. I saw his eyes rave me from my head to my toes.

"Fuck, Angel. You look sexy." He says with a cocky smirk. His eyes never left me, and all I did in response was cringe and roll my eyes at him.

"Oh, don't be like that, babe. I just complimented you." He says with a chuckle.

"Fuck you, Ethan." I scoff at him, but surprisingly, he wasn't pissed off at all. He was amused.

That pissed me off, damn it.

"I know you want to Angel but, there's no time now. Alexander is waiting to see you." He took my hand without warning, and I tried to stay as far away from him as I let him guide me up to the gigantic, black marble staircase with a soft red carpet through the middle of it.

"And remember, Angel. Behave," he glanced, and I glare back. Once we made it to the top, Ethan knocked three times on Alexander's tall office door. I look down at my feet, and I try to breathe steadily. It's loud enough to hear the voice on the other side, allowing an entrance, so I looked up again. Ethan was gone, he left me there, and I was chilled. The voice on the other side was aggravated, and I was forcing myself to push the door open slowly, stepping into the big office. I wrapped my arms around my naked torso in hopes of covering as much as I can. It was not helping, not at all. I just wanted to cry. I hated this. Most importantly, I hated the man who stood before me. He resembled my father so much. They look so much alike, yet are completely different from each other.

"You look lovely, Angelina. A beautiful young lady." He says with a smile that he faked. I knew that mask too well. He fooled me once, and I won't ever let it happen again.

"Why did you want to see me?" I said. I raised my eyebrows and appeared confident when I wasn't. I couldn't let him see me weak. I need to show my strong attitude I know I have in me. He wants that, but I won't give it to him.

"Just like your mother." He says softly. What the hell does he know about my mother?

"You know nothing of her," I whispered calmly, making him chuckle.

"Oh, but I know more than you think." He approaches me, playing with my curls a bit and pushing it away from my face. One hand is caressing my cheek, and he studies my face closely.

"You look a lot like her." He used his thumb and brushed it against my glossed lips. He looks as if he was almost amazed by the words he just said and immediately holds his hands behind his back and stood up straight, clearing his throat, narrowing his eyes at me.

"Don't worry. You're like a daughter to me, Angelina," he said.

"That's no way to treat a daughter, Alexander. Forcing her into something like this? Into something, she would rather die before this. Either way, you wouldn't deserve her. You're a monster!" I raised my voice at the end.

"Aren't you sweet," he plants his palms on my shoulders, turning me around to the other wall where there was a tall, full-body mirror with a golden border. It was the first time I've seen myself since I was with Jazmine. I almost didn't recognize myself. It was like another person was staring back at me. The small, homeless, dirty girl was gone, and she was a beautiful young lady. I was scared of what I saw, but at the same time, I think I liked it.

"Look at yourself. This is you now. You're a doll. You belong to me. You will work for me, and you, my dear, will make lots of money. You'll make me rich. Do you understand?" He said, shaking my shoulders a bit. I gulped and let out a shaky breath.

I worked for him.

~ ~ ~

"Girls, line up, line up here quickly!" Jazmine exclaimed, clapping her hands, and I saw all the girls scurry immediately to form a line in front of the door. I didn't know what was happening. I looked around and didn't move. Being confused and alert, I just waited to see what would happen.

"Don't you listen, Angelina? Come on, let's go." Jazmine instructed me, smiling wide as if she was so happy she was to burst.

"What's going on?" I asked Jazmine hesitantly.

"Oh, I never got to tell you. We have a client coming, so every Doll is to be presented there. He would look to pick and choose the Doll he will take for the night. Don't worry, you don't stay forever, but when you do come back, he'll make sure he has the money promised." She explained, and I nodded slowly, taking in all the information and made my way to the line.

At this point, I was terrified. I was getting plenty of dirty looks, and some of them were whispering different things to me. I stood up tall and closed my eyes that opened when the door in front of us had opened.

"He's here," I heard someone whisper. There were gasps and heavy whispering along with heavy footsteps.

"Mr. Snow, these are the Dolls." I heard Jazmine say, although I didn't hear a reply. I couldn't see from this angle, but I don't think I wanted to either. I just kept my head down and wanted to be invisible right now.

My heart was beating faster, with every second that passed. I felt like I couldn't breathe, especially when a pair of black boots came into view. A large hand pushed my hair to the side and held my chin between two fingers. He tilted my chin up to look up at him, but all I could see was green. It's the exact moment in which I forgot everything that was happening around me.

Beautiful green eyes.

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