I Was Raped By A Man

Standing in front of the door of the new neighbor in their building, Vanessa felt a wave of nervousness wash over her.

She stood there, gathering every ounce of courage she could muster, knowing how desperately she needed to earn money for her family.

Early that morning, she had snuck out to avoid being seen, driven by a sense of urgency and necessity.

Inside, Heidi and Elysia were still sleeping, unaware of Vanessa's turmoil. She had spent the entire night wide awake, her mind racing with anxiety and fear.

Now, as she clutched her clothes tightly, Vanessa's nerves were palpable.

She wasn't just nervous about being seen; she was terrified of what would happen if she shared her thoughts with the woman she had never met.

Taking a deep breath, Vanessa willed herself to move. Her hand, trembling uncontrollably, inched towards the door, only to freeze halfway. An unknown fear of the future gripped her.

What would Heidi think if she discovered Vanessa's desperate consideration of becoming a prostitute?

The thought alone made Vanessa's heart race, as she grappled with the uncertainty of her sister's reaction and the potential consequences of her decision.

Vanessa stood there, paralyzed by fear and doubt, the weight of her situation pressing heavily on her.

She knew she had to do something to support her family, but the path ahead seemed fraught with peril and heartbreak.

Vanessa still harbored a deep-seated fear of being judged by her own sister.

But whenever she thought of Elysia's deteriorating health, an uncharacteristic boldness overcame her.

Her fear seemed to dissipate, replaced by an urgent need to save her mother from the dire situation she was in.

With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, Vanessa steeled herself once more.

She raised her hand to knock on the door, but hesitation gripped her again. The idea of approaching a stranger, especially one she knew so little about, filled her with dread. What if the woman wasn't a prostitute and the rumors were just malicious gossip?

What would Vanessa do then? These thoughts swirled in her mind, creating a cacophony of doubt and anxiety. Lost in her hubbub of thoughts, Vanessa didn't notice the door opening.

Startled, she froze, her thoughts scattering. She felt a surge of panic, her instincts screaming at her to flee. But before she could act, she found herself face-to-face with the woman.

The woman stood there, framed by the doorway, her expression one of mild curiosity. She was striking, with an air of calm authority.

Vanessa's heart pounded in her chest. This was the moment she had dreaded and anticipated in equal measure.

She had no time to prepare, no chance to gather her thoughts. All she could do was stand there, exposed and vulnerable, as the woman looked at her with piercing eyes.

She looked like a devilishly beautiful angel, a mesmerizing piece of art.

Vanessa found herself captivated by the woman's beauty, unable to determine her age as she looked timelessly gorgeous.

Vanessa's thoughts scattered, forgetting the rehearsed words she intended to say. The intensity of the woman's gaze unsettled her, and she instinctively tried to flee.

However, before she could move far, the woman's melodious voice, as soothing as a beautifully played instrument, stopped her in her tracks.

— "Hey girl! What do you need?"

Vanessa froze, the urgency of her financial plight flashing through her mind. She turned slowly, keeping her eyes downcast, her voice trembling as she spoke.

— "Actually... I am your... your neighbor. I live in this building."

The effort it took to utter these few words left Vanessa breathless. She couldn't understand why she was so afraid of this woman, but there was something about her presence that was both intimidating and comforting.

The woman's voice, though, was undeniably sweet, easing some of Vanessa's fear.

— "What's your name, baby?"

Vanessa felt her heart rate slow slightly at the endearment. The woman's tone was gentle, almost maternal, and it gave Vanessa the courage to look up briefly before her eyes darted back to the floor.

The woman moved towards her slowly, placing a gentle hand on Vanessa's shoulder. Vanessa lifted her gaze from the floor, meeting the woman's eyes.

She tried to sound composed, but her voice wavered, tinged with embarrassment and nerves.

— "My name... name is Vanessa!"

Vanessa fell silent, gathering her courage. Then, with newfound determination, she spoke more confidently.

—  "I need to talk to you, actually."

— "Me?"

The woman looked genuinely surprised, a reaction Vanessa expected. After all, they were strangers to each other.

—  "I know we don't know each other, but I really need to talk to you. Do you have time, miss?"

The woman smiled, her expression softening as she introduced herself.

— "Ivelle. My name is Ivelle. Come inside."

Vanessa hesitated for a brief moment before stepping through the doorway.

The interior was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold uncertainty she felt. Ivelle guided her to a cozy sitting area, where they both sat down.

Ivelle's presence was calming, and Vanessa felt a small measure of her anxiety dissipate.

She took a deep breath, preparing to lay bare the thoughts and fears that had driven her to this moment.

Ivelle and Vanessa entered Ivelle's house, which was identical in layout to Vanessa's flat but significantly more inviting and better furnished.

Vanessa couldn't help but compare the interiors, her mind racing with thoughts about how much more money a prostitute might earn compared to other professions.

Ivelle's beautiful furniture and well-decorated space seemed to confirm those suspicions.

Vanessa sat on a chair that faced the open sky, while Ivelle took a seat across from her, her eyes filled with curiosity and her lips slightly pursed.

It was as if Ivelle already knew why Vanessa had come to see her. Sensing Vanessa's nerves, Ivelle handed her a glass of water, her gesture gentle and understanding.

Vanessa drank the water in one gulp, then wiped her lips with the back of her hand. She looked directly into Ivelle's eyes, taking in the woman's composed and somewhat mysterious demeanor.

Despite appearing soft and approachable, Ivelle exuded an air of wisdom and experience that suggested she was older than she looked. Ivelle studied Vanessa, waiting patiently. Finally, Vanessa found her voice.

— "Miss Ivelle, I'm sorry to bother you, but I really need your help."

Vanessa began, her voice trembling but resolute.

—  "Actually I am sixteen years old. My father and elder brother died a month ago. My mum has been ill for around eight-nine months. I have a younger twin sister. Her name is Heidi. My whole financial situation is on me now. I am now the head of my family. I don't know what you will think about me or how much I can make you understand my condition. But I really need a job, and I am an uneducated girl who knows nothing but wants to earn money. Yesterday, I heard from my sister that you will stay here as our new neighbor. And she also told me that you...you..."

Vanessa stopped as she hesitated to speak the word in front of Ivelle. But she wasn't aware of the fact that Ivelle was used to it already.

She had heard the word "prostitute" many times in her life, why wouldn't she be?

It was part of her life; perhaps half of her life was tied to this word. Ivelle realized that Vanessa was afraid to say it, so she spoke with a smile.

— "I know what you heard. Yes, I am a prostitute."

Vanessa stayed silent, her gaze fixed on Ivelle. She couldn't decipher the meaning behind Ivelle's smile.

Was it a mask to conceal her pain? Vanessa felt a pang of fear, afraid that Heidi might wake up and find her here.

She needed to clear things up quickly. Vanessa placed her hand on the edge of the table and replied.

— "Miss Ivelle, I really need a job which will provide me enough money and except being a...."

Vanessa's lips suddenly withdrew once more, as though her lips, throat, and heart had denied her permission to use a word as offensive as "prostitute," even though she was aware of its definition and how it came to pass.

Ivelle grinned as she turned to face Vanessa. She is also aware of the circumstances surrounding the visit of a sixteen-year-old girl who came to her in order to become a prostitute and support her family financially.

— "A prostitute! I want to support my family by becoming a prostitute. Could you please assist me? I truly, truly need your assistance."

Ivelle knows that Vanessa must be under immense pressure to even consider such a drastic step. She couldn't bear the thought of Vanessa, a young girl, being thrust into the dark world of prostitution, knowing the pain and suffering it entails.

Looking at the sky, Ivelle gathers her thoughts before turning her gaze back to Vanessa, her lips poised to convey her heartfelt advice.

—  "Vanessa, butterfly- the meaning of your name. Isn't it?"

Vanessa nods earnestly, her eyes reflecting the innocence of youth. Ivelle takes a moment to gather her thoughts, her expression soft yet resolute as she prepares to speak from her heart.

—  "The life of a prostitute isn't an easy one. While you may earn money, a significant portion of it will go to the brothel, leaving you with little control over your own earnings. Once you become a prostitute, your body will no longer be yours to control, Vanessa. I understand you may be facing immense pressure, but I urge you to reconsider this path."

Ivelle wrestled with her own emotions, knowing the gravity of Vanessa's situation and the potential consequences of her choices.

She couldn't bear the thought of another young woman's innocence being sullied by the harsh realities of the world.

The burden of enduring the unwanted advances of strangers, night after night, was a weight only those who had experienced it could truly comprehend.

As Vanessa's question hung in the air, delivered initially with a veneer of politeness, Ivelle couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration at the repetition.

Yet, she resisted the urge to react with anger, recognizing Vanessa's desperation and the dire circumstances that led her to this point.

Instead, Ivelle focused on finding a solution that would spare Vanessa from the path of prostitution.

—  "But Vanessa, you're just a young child. You won't be able to manage it even if you make this your career, and I believe you are still a virgin who hasn't even gotten her first..."

— "I was raped by a man yesterday!"