Liberation

Rene shortly returns with Theo in tow.

"You wished to see me sir" he inquired.

"Yes, I want you to summon the owners of The Gem and have them come here. I have a proposition for them" you say tossing him a silver coin.

"Uh...yes sir...I don't know if I can guarantee they will come, but I will do my best sir" he says spinning around and heading out the door. Rene quickly closes the door.

"What are you doing" she asks with a little fear in her voice.

"That's a surprise, but for now why don't we all eat a little of our meals. Rene, do you want some of our food" you ask her. Surprised at the question she hesitates.

"I've...never eaten the customer's food besides scraps left behind. I couldn't possibly..."

"Nonsense, girls do you mind if she has some of our food" you ask the girls.

"We insist" Yvette answers immediately with a smile.

"You'll find we have no issues with sharing" Annabel purrs earning a snorting laugh from Jane. Rene smiles finally.

"Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt" she says watching the three girls and yourself putting some food onto a spare plate.

The five of you sit eating your meals. Chuckling at each others comments. You are almost finished with your meal when you hear a knock on the door. Rene looks a little panicked, but you motion her to stay where she is, and you open the door. Theo stands before you with a man and woman standing beside him. They are the opposite of what you were expecting. You almost expected a fur coated woman with pearls and diamond earing sneering at you, and someone who looked like Mr. Monopoly at her side. Instead it was an elderly couple in plain clothing. The man was bald, with half rim glasses on his face. He couldn't be a day younger than 80. The woman was a little younger, but not by much. She had grey hair in a bun. Both of them looked like they would drop dead at any moment.

"Sir, this is Mr. and Mrs. Rosen, they are the owners of The Gem" Theo says introducing them.

"Nice to meet you both" you say holding out your hand. Mr. Rosen shakes your hand. "My name is John Doe and I wanted to pay off Rene's debt" you tell them.

You don't take the opportunity to see Rene's reaction, but you do hear someone hacking and coughing suddenly. Followed by someone getting up and patting them on the back.

"You wish to pay off Rene's debt" Mrs. Rosen asks incredulously.

"Yes, that is correct" you answer.

"Just a moment sonny" Mr. Rosen says pulling Mrs. Rosen backwards to chat amongst themselves. You wait at the door and take a quick look at the commotion at the table. Annabel is rubbing a red faced Rene on the back, while Rene gulps down a glass of water. She finishes drinking and looks at you wide eyed and confused. You just smile back at her.

"Sonny" Mr. Rosen grabs your attention. "We aren't sure on if we are willing to release her debt like that" he explains. You expected it. If repeat customers come to this room specifically for her then they'll have to overcome that loss of revenue. Pricks. You smile at them as kindly as you can.

"What is her current debt" you ask them.

"Twenty gold" Mrs. Rosen answers. You quickly produce seventy five gold pieces.

"This is seventy five gold, will that be sufficient to cover any repeat business losses" you ask smiling. Their eyes widen.

"I...we...I'm not..." Mr. Rosen stutters.

"That will be sufficient" Mrs. Rosen says taking the gold. You can see the greed in her eyes. "Very well, I will expect there are papers to sign stating she is now a free person so I will leave you to that task. Rene will be staying here with us, so I will expect the paperwork stating she is free within the next hour" you say without a smile on your face anymore.

"Uh...yes Mr. Doe we will produce the necessary documentation shortly" Mr. Rosen says slightly bowing.

"I will also expect another attendant to replace Rene, Theo here will do nicely if that is no trouble to you Theo" you ask him.

"Not at all sir, it would be my pleasure should Mr. and Mrs. Rosen permit it" he says bowing.

"As you wish" Mrs. Rosen casually remarks as her fingers wrap tightly around the gold.

"Very well, I think our business is concluded then, I hope the remainder of your day is pleasant" you say closing the door. No sooner then the door is closed and you turn slightly to walk back to the table then a blonde blur jumps into your arms. You stagger backwards almost falling over, but you successfully hold your footing. Rene wraps her arms around your neck and jumps up wrapping her legs around as well. You hold her tightly to you as her emotions overwhelm her, and she sobs against you.

"Everything will be ok Rene, you have your own future ahead of you now. A future that you get to decide what you do. Where you go. What pursuits you...uh...pursue" earning at least a giggle from her. You look up at the girls. Annabel and Jane smile back at you, each with a tear running down their cheeks. Yvette's smile is radiant with tears streaming down her cheeks. You look in her eyes and see the joy in them shining back at you. Something is right about this, like something clicking into place. You set that feeling aside for now and focus back on the beautiful woman clinging to you.