Matilda then quickly turned to Celestine, remembering their true purpose for their journey. "Celestine, what about the man last night? Were you able to press charges?" She asked with evident concern.
The sisters all fell silent to hear Celestine's answer, which she only responded to with a sad smile before shaking her head.
A loud chatter emitted from the earlier silent sisters. They were all complaining about what happened, why wasn't the man convicted? He clearly did something wrong, and it was evident as it shows in the swollen cheek of their youngest sister.
"Alright, let's go kill him." Sandra said, she was also one of the oldest of the sisters.
"Let's go!" Lira shouted, getting up from her seat. The other sisters also agreeing.
"You guys, are you even serious?" Delancey exclaimed, shaking her head. She can't believe what her sisters are uttering.
"Oh yes, we are!" Lira once again retorted, putting her hands on her waist, seemingly ready to fight her sister.
Celestine was the one to break the two apart.
"Sisters, let's just stop, okay? There's a reason why the man was able to go, and honestly, it's not a very nice reason." Celestine said, calming down her sisters.
"Well? Then why the hell was that man able to go? Heck, I can't even fathom the reason. Even normal customers don't attempt something like that!" Sandra shouted, making the other sisters agree.
"He's the Governor's son." Corvina quietly said.
"What?!" They all yelled in unison. They simply cannot believe it.
"Then, that means that he's a hotshot. No wonder." Delancey said, shaking her head.
"You should've let him do what he wanted, we would have been able to earn more." Nesryn, one of her sisters, who was only listening to the conversation earlier suddenly said.
Celestine's brow twitched in annoyance. Despite them being the same age, with Nesryn only being a few weeks older, their ideologies are obviously on the opposite side of the spectrum.
"Besides, Mama clearly did not want you to enter the job, and yet, you still pursued. You should have expected something like this to happen. Do not blame the customer for not understanding your so-called goal." She added, rolling her eyes.
Despite not agreeing with what her sister is saying, Celestine understood where she's coming from. She indeed wanted to pursue the job despite all of the possible circumstances that it may arise, however, it certainly is wrong to defend someone who tried to assault a woman, just because her job is what people deem as a prostitute, one who sells her body-though that's not what she was doing anyway. Despite the job, she still has a say about her security, and any attempts violating it is unacceptable.
"You know, Celestine. If you don't like men flocking over you, then stop being a courtesan. It's disgraceful for those in the lower rank who aspires to rise towards the top. You who always have qualms about your ideology, not wanting to be touched by men, immediately got promoted as a Celestial Rose, and yet, most of us sisters have to work hard in order to attain the same status and security as the one that you're getting. Stop being so selfish." Nesryn said, clearly stating all of her hidden resentment towards Celestine before leaving the room.
All of the sisters fell quiet at once. They really are concerned about Celestine however, what Nesryn said was true. Their mother did not want Celestine nor all of them to be courtesans, however, they all chose to do the job, not just because they want to pay back their adoptive mother who took care of them as a child, but they have also accepted their fates to live as a courtesan, charming men and perhaps, be gifted to find true love, just like the past generations.
The House of Amora has been established for a few generations, with Tanith being the last to inherit it. It has taken in female children of young ages who are left alone by their mothers. Because of the growing demand for courtesans, Tanith's predecessors figured that it would be best to offer several services such as entertainment and sleeping with men as it is more profitable.
Of course, the House has given each woman the right to choose, whether they would serve and if they do, giving them the right to freely leave the premises.
Annalise was the first one to cut through the awkward silence. "So, what do we do now?" She asked.
"For now, we'll just have to prepare for the night." Celestine was the one to answer.
The others nodded in agreement, each one getting up from their seats to prep themselves for the night.
Noticing that their mother is missing, Celestine asked, "Where's Mama?"
Looking back at her, Lira answered, "Mama was summoned earlier to the... oh no!" She exclaimed, eyes widening at the sudden realization.
"Why? Where is she?" Celestine asked in obvious concern.
"She was summoned in the Governor's Office!" Lira continued, looking panicked, she continued uttering little words of "Oh no!"
"What?!" All of the other sisters exclaimed in unison.
Once again, a light commotion happened in between them They were all worried about their mother, most especially after hearing Celestine's words.
"First of all, let's stay calm." Odette, the oldest said, the sisters nodding in return, once again sitting down.
"I shall follow her." Celestine said, determined.
Odette, however, turned her down. "No. You stay here, Celestine. Not just you, all of us will stay here and wait for Mama." She firmly announced.
"But why?!" Celestine exclaimed, her voice getting high.
Odette raised her an eyebrow. Realizing her bad behavior, Celestine was quick to apologize.
"The son of the Governor clearly expressed that he wanted you, Celestine. He even went far as to state that you are his. Who knows what might happen if you storm right inside his property?" Odette emphasized, clearly annoyed at the unfortunate situation.
Agreeing with her sister, Celestine remained silent.
"We will wait for Mama. In the meantime, we shall prepare for our nightly duties." Odette said with no room for any other suggestion.
As all of them have come to this agreement, they all started to get ready for the night.
With a heavy heart, and a mind full of evident anxiety and worry for her mother, Celestine abided by her oldest sister's command, knowing that it was most probably for the best.
As they shuffled through the room, each of them moved to follow their oldest sister.
With heavy hearts, they closed their eyes, "Oh great heavens, please do take care of our mother." All of them prayed quietly in unison.
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