Chapter 2 - Leon

Choosing another female company wasn't easy at all, the last one stayed for only a month. Even before my end, I never liked getting involved with prostitutes, but my reality for these past three years was not allowing any emotional connection with any woman from that world.

I am quite generous to all those who provide me with services, but I demand the same in return. The last submissive was chosen from a blog that offered sexual services; she was a mistake. Among many ads, I saw one that led to a CAM girls' room, another one of the embellished names for the debauched service these young women offer.

'Do you think covering your face can mask the shame of being a prostitute?'

I smiled, speaking to myself, "Of course I entered the chat with her. She wanted money, and I offered a good amount to get what I wanted, to see her completely exposed to me, but not just sexually... I want to see what she keeps in her soul."

'Do the Pix, I'll do what you asked, Leon!' The phrase I was expecting, another dollar-hungry vixen.

She revealed her face, she was beautiful... too beautiful. I thought about inviting her to come and offering the contract, but I can't.

A day passed, I kept thinking about that woman and the tear she shed when revealing herself to me. She might be good entertainment, different from the others, perhaps. I phoned Alberto, who is in Brazil taking care of my business and waiting for me to choose another woman.

"I've already chosen my new entertainment, I want you to find her and bring her as soon as possible."

"This time is it someone easier to find? Like the escort from the blog?" Alberto didn't want to have so much trouble, but unfortunately, he'll have to find her for me.

She is an internet stripper and uses the pseudonym "night cat". I'll pass on the access link to that site, and do your job!

"Alright, we'll have to hire a hacker, but I can easily do that here. Don't worry, Leon, I'll do what I can to find this girl."

I waited for two days, my lawyer knows patience is not one of my virtues and finally gave me news.

"I found the girl, her name is Lana Gonçalves Fernandes."

"Lana." I smiled, adjusting my mask.

"She is in a difficult financial situation; I don't think I'll have trouble convincing her."

I didn't let him finish speaking.

"Offer the contract, and if she refuses, offer more money."

"Yes, Leon."

Inside my room, my dark world preserves my soul away from people's malice. I haven't left home since the accident happened; my solitude is the best company I can have, even though Ofelia is the only person in this world whom I accept to have by my side.

"Leon, can I come in now?"

She knows she can never enter the room without knocking; I might be without the compression garments that I still need to wear for the burns, and without my inseparable mask.

"What do you want, Ofelia?"

"To know if you'll come down for breakfast, the day is so beautiful. Why not eat by the poolside..."

"Bring it here, I don't want to go out!"

"Alright, son, I'll bring a tray."

Ofelia observes that Leon has been living like the shadow of the man he once was. She worked for the Versalles family and saw him grow up. When Leon turned fifteen, he received his first luxury car and, despite having everything money could buy, he was humble and always gave gifts and helped financially less fortunate friends.

Many people, like Ofelia, wonder why tragedy came Leon's way. He married at twenty-seven to Viviane, whom he deeply loved, and the two were inseparable. Soon, she became pregnant with twins, Lucas and Leandro, and the boys were the apple of Leon's eye. He was happier than ever, but God had other plans for his life...

Ofelia watches Leon waste his youth, hidden like a ghost within the walls of the house, watching days pass one after another. His soul has turned dark since the accident. He never wanted to leave home or see friends and people who loved him. Leon is ashamed of the scars that disfigure his right arm and part of his face.

Besides living in voluntary seclusion, he never wanted to get close to a woman again unless he paid for their services. In the last three years, some girls are hired to come and have relations with him for a stipulated time. The feeling of control exerts a power that takes away part of his pain; Ofelia couldn't tell how it happens within the heart of that young man. She prays every day for his life to change, perhaps someday someone might come and brighten Leonardo's life once again.

Leon

"Lana Gonçalves," that name stuck in my head, and I started researching on my own. What does this girl have that intrigues me? She's just another young woman selling herself for the highest price offered.

I easily found her on Instagram, observing her photos and her smile; I know she is perfect to be by my side. She will give me a year of her life...

"I can't wait for you to come, Lana!"

At dinner time, I left the room. I usually only do this at night and occasionally ask for a different dinner from Ofelia.

"Your cousin Carla called again, said she's been trying to reach you on your phone, and you haven't answered."

"She doesn't understand that what happens between us is just casual sex! Thinks that I'm so deep in depression that I'd accept a woman as debauched as her as a wife."

"Forgive me for what I'm about to say, Leon, but I think even if it were with someone like Carla, you should try."

"She only wants my money, all the women in this world only want that from me. I'd rather deal with several of them than put a woman like Carla inside this house. If she calls again, tell her I'm dead!"

Ofelia served me, this time of year always makes me even more distressed. In a month, it will be Christmas. I had dinner and went to my room, looked out the window, and finally managed to sleep.

I was walking in broad daylight in the middle of the woods behind the mansion, and unbelievably, I wasn't wearing black clothes. Lana was there, this time there were no tears in her eyes... she approached and removed my mask.

There were no burns on my face; she caressed my skin and kissed me on the cheek. Smiling, she ran into the trees, and I ran after her; the trees darkened and became dry with each step I took. I was scared, I didn't advance and couldn't find her, even though I wanted so much to feel her soft touch on my skin again.

I woke up sweating in my bed, I hadn't dreamed of anything other than the accident or my kids calling for me in so long. I got up and went downstairs for a glass of water.

"She's disturbing my sleep; this isn't a good sign!"

I thought about sending an urgent message to Alberto, asking him not to look for this woman, but perhaps it wouldn't make a difference anymore.

I let a few days pass, I didn't push my decision to have Lana here as strongly as before with Dr. Alberto, it was as if a part of me begged for her to come, and another part was afraid of it happening.

Carla didn't give up; in one of my moments of madness, I ended up in bed with this woman. After that, she thinks she can manipulate me to the point of marrying her. She only wants my money, and that's no surprise to anyone; after I became a monster, it's clear she only wants me for position and wealth.

Ofelia feels a lot of pity for what I've become; she thinks I should give Carla a chance, but no. I will never place a woman in this house in Viviane's place, nor will I have children to replace my twins; they died because of me and took my own life with them.

Still no response, I called Alberto in Brazil.

"Any news? You know I don't like waiting!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Leonardo..." He replied hesitantly.

'Leon, never call me that again!"

"Yes, Mr. Leon, the lady hasn't contacted me yet to give an answer."

"Offer an additional thirty thousand dollars at the end of the contract." Money doesn't matter to me; I want this woman here.

"I will go to her house again; the fact is, Lana seems not to be the kind of woman you thought."

"Then create a situation to force her to accept, do whatever it takes. And call me to say they're coming here."

"I'll do my best, Leon."

I hung up, went downstairs, and Ofelia was arriving, she had brought some groceries.

[...]

Just seeing him outside of the room was already a great joy for Ofelia. She didn't know what could be going on in his head, but whatever it was, it was doing good for his soul. He didn't complain about the windows in his room being open to let in some fresh air and sunlight, nor did he complain about the other employees as he did before.

Either this was great or very bad. Everything depended on what was going to happen in the next few days in that house.