temptation «:|:» the weeknd

prologue

s.n. / I have been working on this story since 2015. I removed it off of Wattpad in 2018 because I feel as though my writing has improved a great deal. I have decided to reupload it due to so many requests and positive pms I've received. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST EVER I'M CRINE LMAO. It might take me a while to get everything edited properly, but I will continue to work on this story. I hope y'all love me still! ❣️✨

prologue

People often ask each other, "What is the definition of life?" If you'd ask Valerie, she would tell you that life is upsetting. She would say that it is extremely painful, unpleasant and that it consists of nothing. That is what existing is to her.

More than half of the Earth's population would rather see a desirable appearance than an average-looking person with confidence. From her perspective, a beautiful appearance could never hold a candle to having confidence, but who was she to judge? This was only an opinion of hers, nothing to take too seriously.

Many of us fail to understand the difficulty of fighting depression. We humans naturally give up bad habits because we feel subjected to do so. We seek help from outside sources such as counsellors or priests, and they give us advice as if they understand what we are going through. No one can truly put a finger on our exact emotions, but us. Yet they still feel like their opinion or suggestion can help us. We can truly only help ourselves.

They have the power to tell people to put the drugs and alcohol down, but that doesn't mean they'll do it. They can tell a depressed person to let go of their pessimistic thoughts, but that doesn't mean that those thoughts will naturally go away by tomorrow. Helpful advice does sink into the mind at times, but the option to give up a terrible habit that one has trained their body to do only lasts temporarily. There is no rear knob to a stove of sadness. Instead, the fire burns in the same old place, where one's personality and all their negative thoughts are stored.

Some would say that it is the heart that controls it all, and some would even consider the soul. What makes a person a slave of its substance is the mind. The mind is full of deception, uncertainty, and apprehension. It is human nature to deceive not only others but ourselves. Society encourages us to follow our hearts and minds without considering the possibility that the heart and mind are the main causes of deceitfulness. The mind is a trickster and the only way to return the trick is by being a victor, not a victim.

Cross that all out. It is understandable for someone to not know how to be a conqueror of their mind because the mind is also a victim of inability. Before anyone is allowed to surpass anything, it is important to train the mind to believe that all things are achievable. Sadness can be difficult to pull from, but I believe that it is possible to pull through anything.

Valerie tapped her fingers on the book and tried to understand what the author meant by becoming a victor. The contrasts between the victor and the victim genuinely stood out to her, and for once, she considered becoming a victor. Although, every mountain that she tried to climb always seemed to reach its peak. That had to be the reason why she resembled the victim.

Valerie was born under the name Sol Valerie Reine Luna, but the name that she was given was the exact opposite of what she was. Valerie is a French name that means strength, something that she lacked both mentally and emotionally. Her middle name, "Reine" was French for "queen". Her other first name, Sol, and her last name, Luna, translated to the sun in French, and moon in Spanish. Fitting, in a way.

There was a time in her life when she was bright, like the golden circle in the sky that gazed upon her brown skin. Once upon a time, she lit up like the elegant gray curve that eclipsed the upper atmosphere. But similar to the sun and moon now, her dreams and aspirations were far ahead of her. Gone.

What did she call herself when even she couldn't fully process who she was? Why be identified by words that don't pertain to her?

Valerie had a problem with standing in front of a mirror and looking directly into something soulless. She didn't think she was depressed though, just somewhere between nostalgic and blue. She missed how things used to be when she was very young. Before her parents got divorced when she was just seven years old. Things hadn't necessarily been the same ever since. She used to be so full of life, but that part of her had vanished.

So now she was an exotic dancer. Valerie didn't like being classified as a stripper because it sounded dirty and full of sin. Selling herself short was never something she had been known for, but she had to do what she had to do. And that was with everyone in this world. Life out here wasn't easy and when you chose the route that was best for you, there was no turning back. Valerie is Temptation.

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