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You were a traveler always yearning for a good life, never staying in one location for too long.
Despite being unexpected, your mother who was a high-class prostitute loved you unconditionally and taught you everything you needed to know – how to act like a proper lady, what men wanted to hear, how to wrap them around your finger, and how to detach yourself from falling inlove with them.
“But you have to promise me you’d lead a different life.” She told you when you were in your teens.
“But mama, what use would be what you’ve taught me?” your doe-eyed innocent face asked her.
“Men are as gullible outside a brothel, dear.” She pats your head lovingly. Smiling at your confused expression, she assured you. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
For years, you two only had each other and you loved it that way. That was until the flu took her and you were left on your own.
Taking what little you have, you set out to make a living for yourself. It still took you a lot of getting used to a new lifestyle, but slowly you found it easier and easier to sweet talk every rich man you gave attention to into doing and giving you what you want without having to give your body. Maybe expensive possessions for you to sell, or the easy cash they wouldn’t think twice on giving you. Every town unvisited was wealth missed for you.
August in Liverpool was chilly. Thankful that you get to wear a coat over your dress, you smiled at the man guarding the infamous Eden Club as he let you in.
It was nothing you haven’t been to before – expensive interior, everybody dressed to the tens, and filled with rich lonely men. Only that you heard this was ran by Italians. Making your way in the middle towards the bar, you smiled sensing that heads turned your way.
By the bar you sat on one of the stools, enjoying a drink. Glancing to your left, you caught the eye of a man five seats away from you. He was clearly staring at you and liked what he was seeing.
He looks rich enough, so you offered a shy smile. He was about to get up from his seat when a, tall, buff man with a cane approached him. He had a beard, and was dressed nicely with black cape toe boots.
Not liking when people take your prey away, you decided to let it slide and look for another thinking that he didn’t know what he’s done. But as soon as your missed conquest was preoccupied with ordering another drink, the man with the beard turned your way with a smirk and winked at you.
He knew what he’s done.
Annoyed, you still gave him a sly smile, all thought of looking for another man went out the window. Three things were clear to him: You were beautiful, you didn’t know you almost encountered Darby Sabini, and that you didn’t know who the hell he himself was. For no sane person who have heard about him wouldn’t even dare look him in the eye nor smile.
When Sabini announced that he was retiring for the night, he bid the man goodbye, told Ollie to head home, and decided to approach you.
“You’re not from around er, luv?” He asked you. Standing in front of you now, it was undeniable that this man is way more handsome than the first one.
“Do first timers in this town get a free drink from you?” You smiled, peering at him through your lashes.
“I can buy you the whole bar, lass. But you’re gonna have to dance with me first.” He chuckled, extending his arm to you.
“Dancing is a dangerous game.” You said, taking his hand anyway, thinking that this would just be like one of your many nights.
Walking to the dancefloor, a slow tune was being played by the band. Taking both of your hands, he rested them on his shoulders, and you both started swaying to the tune.
“Dancing should be the least of your worries, luv. What’s dangerous was the man you were giving that pretty smile of yours earlier.” He explained.
“I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve.” You answered, shrugging.
“Mmm. Are you some sort of seducing bandit?” he asked. That was the first thing that went to his mind. A bandit.
“Why, do you think I’m out to seduce you?” you replied slyly.
“Takes one to know one, dear.” You both chuckled.
“You don’t strike me as a bandit, Mr…”
“Solomons. Alfie Solomons.” He finally introduced himself.
“Alfie.” You said. He tried to act like the mere mention of his name from your lips affected him. “I’m just a traveler, making ends meet by telling the rich folks anything they wanna hear.” You said quietly, looking him in the eye.
“A traveler… like one of em cowboys then?” He bluntly asked, making you giggle.
“If you see it that way.” You shrugged, chuckling.
“What do you tell those poor blokes?” His curiosity got the best of him.
“Hmm…” you ran your hands lower to rest on his chest. “Maybe how nights like this could lead them to something nice, and for the lonelier ones, I make them think it could lead to something more. But the thing is, Mr. Solomons, I have yet to meet someone who made me forget my mother’s most important rule.”
“And that is?”
“Not falling in love.” You gave him a sweet smile.
“You’re a cruel vixen, luv.” He said, looking at you intensely. Alfie wasn’t at all intimidated of you. He never wanted love. All the money, business, and fancy cars were enough for him. Forever is the sweetest con, he’d say. But something about you also intrigued him. Maybe because you were all to similar.
“I often just meet with ambitious men and tell em I’m the way forward.” He told you.
“Well, are you?” You asked, as his head got closer to you. Bringing his lips closer to your ear, he whispered.
“Only if they pay for it.” Sending you shivers down your spine.
——–
That night, he personally escorted you back to where you were staying over.
” Will I be seeing you again?” You asked, not trying to sound desperate. There was nothing wrong with making friends, you assured yourself.
“I know who owns this place. I’ll call in some time for you.” He answered, tucking your lose hair behind.
“That is, if I’d still be here by then.” You smiled.
“Well. Who am I to stop a traveler.” He sighed, masking his disappointment. “Got something to help me remember you by, luv?” He asked jokingly.
“it’s your call, Mr. Solomons. What do you want?” You whispered looking up to meet his gaze. For the first time in in your months of travels, something in you was yearning to stay longer.
Maybe it was the way your eyes were full of stars from looking up to him in the night, or that really liked you, but Alfie found himself leaning down to meet your lips. It wasn’t long ‘til you were responding. It was soft, but probably the most intense kiss you ever had, leading you both inside.
Clothes were taken off and thrown all over the room, somehow getting his boots of with ease, he kicked them beneath your bed and lead you both on top of the sheets. As sweet as it was, you both knew it was one for parting your separate ways.
Against your better judgement, you found yourself staying for two more nights in that guest house in hopes of him calling. But it never came.
That was a month ago and that night was still fresh in your memory. It didn’t go the way you expected, but meeting a man such as Alfie Solomons was way better.
You were in a town called Camden. You’ve had several conquests for the last month from other towns - typical older men that you’ve swindled into believing you were smitten by them.
Walking along its streets, you didn’t know this was where the Alfie Solomons resided. That was until you were in a small café and you overheard a group of ladies talking about him passing through the town that morning.
“I thought he never leaves that bakery of his.” One of them said.
“That man needs a wife. Maybe then he’d actually be less brooding.”
Finishing up, you paid your fee. You needed to leave his town immediately. Because as much as he made you feel things you never thought you’d deal with, you’ve decided that he was bad for your ambitions.
Walking briskly through the streets of Camden, you were only a few houses down to your guesthouse when you stopped on your tracks.
By the door of it was no other than Alfie, expectantly waiting for you, his left hand holding the leash of a dog.
“When Ollie told me you went into town last night I almost didn’t believe him.” He started, slowly walking towards you.
Seeing the man again made you forget whatever it was you warned yourself about him.
“I never thought I’d meet you here.” You answered in all honesty.
“Don’t worry. I’m not one to accuse ladies of stalking.” You both chuckled.
“I guess I won’t be having any luck in Camden too, huh?”
Whoever and whatever goes in and out of Camden was his business. So, when Ollie told him that the lady from Liverpool was seen entering a guesthouse last night, he took the chance of looking for you that morning after a sleepless night clouded by you.
“Perhaps you will.” He answered.
“Oh?”
“Luv, I’m going out a limb here when I say you can’t deny there’s something ‘er.” He told you seriously.
“But you never called.” That was all you could say. You couldn’t even deny what he said.
“All coz I called too late. Ya never heard of all that no calling til three days? Ollie advised me so I won’t look too desperate. Almost fired the lad.” He chuckled.
“Well, what does Camden have to offer the bandit?” You smiled teasingly.
“Everything you want so long as you stay with me, luv. We could be the way forward.” He convinced you, taking a step closer.
“And?” tilting your head to the side, trying not to laugh at him using that line with you.
“And I know I’ll pay for it.” He rolled his eyes before taking you head with his free hand and crashed his lips to yours.
He was the lone exception to your mother’s rule, and the one to help you lead a different life. You knew you were never gonna love again.