26 _ An Offer.

Kaya awoke suddenly and got up to her feet .

Something was wrong, She just knew it.

Slipping out of the room , Kaya walked on ahead and knocked on Hikaru's door but received no reply. Strange ; she thought as she rapped her knuckles against the door harder.

The door opened up and she stood face to face with a girl wrapped snuggly in a Olive garden robe , Her long, silky dark hair stylised in a two tight buns , drooped down her slender shoulders that were cloaked in a light blue shawl , eyes dull as her face carried a peevish expression.

"What do you want?" She asked sourly.

"Who are you ?" Kaya asked confounded already.

"Is this meant to be a joke?" She snarled , her dull eyes now piercing. Kaya was about to answer but the call girl slammed the door in her face.

"What is going on?" Kaya muttered as she knocked on the next door. It was opened by a man of middle age , with an extended stomach , hairy arms and an idiotic face. This was definitely not the lithsome , strikingly impressive, well muscled man she talked with the previous night.

"Ah, you must be the girl Sun Woo sent to me. Come on in." He gave an intoxicated smile and Kaya suddenly realised that he must have taken her for one of the women of pleasure.

"I am sorry but I have to leave." She uttered soundly yet as she turned to leave he grabbed hold of her hand and hustled her inside of the room and closed the door.

'A new one..." He smirked dangerously as he approached Kaya. "That Sun Woo really knows what I like!" He began to disrobe himself and moved nearer to her , and Kaya moved further back.

Backed against a corner , she took out her dagger and pointed it at the man who looked on bewilderment. "Come any closer and I will rip you limb from limb."

"What can an ordinary courtesan do? I paid for you and you are not leaving this room until you have lain on that bed , legs spread on this bed."

Kaya was already angered. Who did this brute think he was? Even if she was a courtesan , was this how they were treated? No common courtesy?

It was not their fault that it was a man's world and they had to struggle to survive in it. Clutching her Knife , she made a clean swipe , cut across his chest and The man's voice went up in a sudden outcry.

The door burst open and the Head Courtesan came in surrounded by other giggling girls , happy to see this particular man in pain as he was not well liked for his violent manners.

Sun Woo frowned as she held her hands together in a prim pose. "What is the matter Jen Yu?"

"It is this shrew you have sent to me Sun Woo." The man nagged erratically. "She tried to kill me."

The elderly Head Courtesan ran her eyes down Kaya who had now gotten to her feet. She landed a slap on the man's face as she berated him. "You have been at the bottle again you drunk. Can you not clearly see that she is not one of us "

"But ..." Jen Yu was about to say when Sun Woo cut in. "Instead, as a recompense for being a loyal customer to the 'Precious Jade ' You can have two of the girls , any of your choosing."

The man smiled , grinning ear to ear like an idiot . He left the room in the company of the females and was taken to another place to be serviced.

The Courtesan turned to Kaya who had now returned her dagger to its hidden place. "I apologise for that. There are some men who do never learn."

"Thank you." Kaya nodded.

"Now young miss, would you like to have some tea?"

She accepted and the Head Courtesan took her to her own room. Sliding the door open they both stepped in. It had a nice and warming pink glow about it, as slow burning lanterns hung from the ceiling , Some nicely Made pillows were fitted on the large bed.

Su Woo took out a cup and filled it with tea from her teapot and handed it over to the younger girl that knelt on a *Guìxiádìan ~Kneeling mat.

"Now tell me what were you doing inside of that room?" Sun Woo asked gently, brewing herself another cup of tea.

"I was looking for someone. " Kaya stared into the dainty tea cup. "They two men that I came in with yesterday?"

"Those two?" A devious smile played upon her lips. "They have already gone."

The cup fell from Kaya's hands and bit the floor, the China smashing into a mil!ion pieces and the contents flowed to the floor.

"Oh dear...

"It cannot..." Kaya muttered as her hands trembled. "It cannot be true!"

Sun Woo came over and bent over and began scooping up the pieces one by one. "But my dear, It is true. They took their horses and left the previous night."

"You are lying. You must be!"

"What would I gain from trying to deceive you?" The Head Courtesan queried as she disposed of the pieces of the broken cup.

Kaya tried to fathom the reason why they could have forget her. Was she a burden on Lucian ? Something to be easily disposed of? Even if he had wanted to leave her behind , why did he not have the courage to speak to her ?

"Why would they...."

Sun Woo sipped her tea and drew in it's hot, refreshing sweetness. It was. with a dash of lemon ,her favourite.

"We women can never understand men. They are cruel conceited creatures. They do not regard us as human , just mere toys to fufill their satisfaction. How could they so heartlessly abandon a girl in such a place?"

She handed Kaya a fine piece of white cloth in order for courtesy. This was a very interesting turn. She had never expected this sort of great thing to happen to her just that morning. How many girls had come here with the same story over the years? It was all too easy? Just debase the men that had used them in a few words and then offer them a home. They would give you their bodies to trade in an instant.

She looked at Kaya closely. The girl was marvellous. An elegant work of creation. Her close set eyes were large and deep, eye brows thin , Her nose perfectly slanted and her mouth was tantalizingly full. A slightly thick dark line ran across both sides of her cheeks giving her an almost fox like appearance. Her breasts were full and inviting and her hips looked firm. Her beauty was so perfect that it seemed unearthly . With this type of girl, Business at the Precious Jade would boom forever.

And if she played her cards right....

This girl just might be hers.

"But do not worry my dear." Sun Woo smiled as she looked into Kaya's eyes. "You seem like a special girl and I do not have the heart to let a precious moon like you go out into the cruel world all alone. You can stay here with me and make a home for yourself with the other girls. They will teach you and soon you will need nobody but yourself. Be the master of yourself and not a slave to anyone anymore.Life will change for you. You would have jewels and riches beyond your dreams, being free, no more depending on anyone but yourself and your body. What do you say Young miss?"