Ch. 2 Saving Grace

When Esmeralda finally awoke she didn't know where she was or how she got there. She couldn't remember anything that had happened. She was frightened as she looked around the room and recognized nothing.

"Don't be afraid." Came a familiar voice. When she turned to look she saw handsome face of Phoebus. Everything came back to her in a flood of painful flashes. Running to the church. Talking to Phoebus. Frollo bursting in. Him offering her a deal he felt she couldn't refuse, however she did. Then she remembered him pushing her against the pillow, ripping and clothes and then violating her completely.! She let out a small whimper of fear.

"No! wait it's ok I'm not going to hurt you"

"You work for Frollo! How can I believe that!"

"Because I'm the one who went back to the church and found you, then brought you here."

"I fainted." She whispered. "Right after…. Oh god!" She started crying.

"Shhhhh- its ok Esmeralda. I got you." He said as he wrapped his arms around her so she could cry on him.

"I feel so dirty, and sick. I hate him!"

"I know, but you can't fight this. He will get away with it because there is no proof against him, and most people won't go against him. It would ruin their fun."

"What do you mean ruin their fun? And why are you helping me, you're his right hand man."

"I hate the man. I came here to be his soldier because I've been trying to get him exposed or get rid of him. He….He killed my brother."

"Why?"

"Well for the same reason everyone thinks its great having him around. He owns one of the largest estates known to man. He uses it to throw big parties for long periods of time, and its most easily compared to as a gentleman's club. My brother was there n he was great with gambling and a rather good con-man. Well Frollo discovered that he had been winning quite a bit of money in the card competitions and gambling held there, and had him killed."

"I'm so sorry. But wait, he is a man of the church all of these things defy what the church says?"

"He leads this second life. Most people don't know about it unless they are a part of his parties and club. I've been trying to find a way to expose him but nothing has worked so far. I was so infuriated and disgusted when I found you and realized what he had done. In the damn church too! " He pounded his fist onto the floor in anger.

"I think I may have a way to expose him" Esmeralda said.

"How?"

"He offered me a life far from being a gypsy on the street. A life as his mistress. Of course I refused before but then he… well no need to say what we both know happened. But if I went back to him and begged for forgiveness and that I had changed my mind, well we could have a chance. I could work on the inside and find ways to expose him or something of value."

"It's too dangerous and you'd have to share his bed!"

"I know but, I can't just let what he did go. He must pay for that , and for killing your brother, and all the other people he has wronged."

"You're determined to do this aren't you?"

"Yes. But I need someone else on the inside to help me. Are you going to be that person or not?"

"Yes. I'll do it. I hate the idea of you with him though. He won't think twice about putting his hands all over you and offering you to the other men."

"That's why I'll have you there because you can protect me. You're his most trusted, if anything you can request to have me sent to you or something instead of me being sent to his lower ranked men."

"It just may work."

"I must go see him as soon as I can. I should go now." She stood up in a hurry, but before she could get anywhere, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back close to him." What are you doing? I need to go now!"

"I just wanted to say be careful I'll watch out for you. And thank you.

"For what?"

"For not only putting yourself in this situation to get justice, but now I might actually accomplish justice for my brother as well."

"You are welcome" she said as she stared into his eyes. Neither of them even thought twice. They both leaned in at the same time and embraced each other with a passionate kiss. They hadn't known each other long at all but it somehow felt right.

"I must go now." She said as she turned away and walked down the stairs and out the door setting the plan in motion.