Lucas regained consciousness. His eyes blinked and slowly opened. In the dim lighting, the first thing he saw was the ceiling.
Lucas turned his gaze. There lay Velia, fast asleep beside him. She looked peaceful and exhausted, a perfect combination that brought a smile to Lucas’s face. It seemed he would not be leaving the bed for a while.
Propping himself up on one elbow, Lucas positioned himself to gaze at Velia. He reached out his hand and brushed aside the disheveled hair on the side of her face. He gently smoothed it back, revealing her enchanting charm.
Lucas’s hand halted. He froze, his blood pulsating. His gaze focused on the red marks along Velia’s neck. Clear evidence of their passionate encounter from the previous night.
It was the most beautiful sight Lucas had ever seen. Yet, it was also a dangerous sight for him. He did not want to take any risks and decided to get out of bed.
Lucas ignored his own condition. He took a step and intended to fetch a glass of water. However, Velia’s whimper stopped him in his tracks.
Turning around, Lucas found Velia writhing in her sleep. The blanket on her body had slipped down, revealing her innocence, just like Lucas. And there, her nipple peeked from beneath the blanket, swollen from their previous activities.
Lucas took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, though it was not easy. His heart raced, and fleeting memories crossed his mind.
Not wanting to overdo it, but Lucas could swear that last night was more than just amazing. The pleasure was so tangible, it had successfully blinded him. It was no wonder an addiction had formed.
Lucas could not resist. Just an hour after their first intimate encounter, he succumbed to temptation once again with Velia. Initially, he faced rejection, but that did not stop Lucas from teasing her.
Starting with soft whispers, Lucas enjoyed the coolness of Velia’s skin as the sweat dried. Followed by a gentle squeeze on her buttocks. It culminated in a suckling at her nipple, eliciting a moan from her lips.
Lucas did not wait long. Velia was already wet, and he entered her eagerly. The noble intentions that briefly crossed his mind disappeared. Lucas planned to give Velia time to remember that it was her first time.
And it showed. Lucas lost his sanity when he was near Velia. He relentlessly indulged and ravished her. His tongue, fingers, and masculinity roamed, rendering Velia helpless. Eventually, Velia fell asleep exhausted after their second encounter.
Lucas moistened his throat with a bottle of cold water. He exhaled and pushed the thoughts away. Truly, he did not want to take risks with the series of plans already laid out in his mind.
First, Lucas sent a message to Vlora, instructing his secretary to come, then hurriedly put on his robe.
Second, Lucas requested room service. A servant arrived and delivered breakfast.
The hotel servant left, and Lucas quickly returned to the room. Velia had woken up. She sat, holding the blanket to her chest.
Lucas approached her. “Good morning, Ve.”
It was not just a greeting that Velia received, but also a gentle caress on her cheek. She looked up, and Lucas spoke again.
“Our breakfast is ready. You better eat now. Perhaps Vlora will arrive shortly. Or maybe you want to take a shower? I’ll ask the hotel to prepare clothes for you.”
Velia gripped the blanket. “N-no need. I can wear my clothes from last night.”
“Last night’s clothes? No. I don’t want to see you wearing cheap clothes like that.”
Having known Lucas for years, Velia decided not to argue. It was never the right choice to counter Lucas’s words. As a result, she decided to get up, but a sudden pain hit her.
A whimper escaped Velia’s lips. Her legs felt weak. Fortunately, Lucas quickly caught her.
“Are you okay?”
Velia held onto Lucas’s hand. She bit her lip, and her legs trembled as if they had no strength. Her whole body felt sore.
“I’ll take you to the bathroom.”
Lucas did not hesitate to carry Velia when he saw her pitiful state. He removed the blanket from her body, ignoring her panicked cry.
A grin appeared on Lucas’s face. He chuckled as he stepped forward while Velia tried to cover herself.
“Why bother covering up? I’m sure it’s not necessary anymore,” Lucas said, glancing at her. “I’ve seen it. I’ve even touched it.”
Lucas’s words were intimidating and rendered Velia’s efforts futile. Ironically, Lucas’s words succeeded in making Velia stop trying to cover herself. Instead, she froze.
Lucas settled Velia into a chair while he prepared warm water in the bathtub. Not stopping there, he made sure Velia would have a comfortable soak afterward.
“I actually wanted to take a bath with you,” Lucas said, reaching for Velia’s chin. He stared intensely, causing her smooth cheeks to blush. “Unfortunately, I’m waiting for Vlora.”
Velia remained silent, not saying anything as she hoped Lucas would leave soon.
“Enjoy your bath.”
Velia thought Lucas would leave after saying that, but she was disappointed. Lucas instead grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her passionately. He whispered in her ear.
“What a beautiful night, isn’t it?”
*
For Velia, it was not a beautiful night, quite the opposite. It was filled with terror, and she wanted to erase all the shadows from her mind.
Velia curled up her legs, burying her face in her knees. Tears flowed, and regret tightened her chest.
“Harry, forgive me. I have no choice. I did this for you.”
Voices echoed in Velia’s head, accusing and asking a question that tortured her.
Would Harry still accept me if he know what happened?
Velia felt desolate, lamenting the decision she had made, with only one anchor keeping her going.
I have no other choice.
Circumstances forced Velia, relentlessly pushing her into the valley of despair. She suffered while others felt the opposite.
Lucas was the one. When he returned to the room and put on his clothes, his gaze collided with a sight on the bed. It was in the form of a red stain that tainted the white sheets.
Lucas opened the closet. He noticed that Velia’s clothes size matched the echoing sound of a bell. There was no need to guess; it was undoubtedly Vlora who had come.
About five minutes later, Lucas and Vlora sat on the couch. Without further ado, he spoke.
“How did it go?”
Vlora handed a folder from her bag. “Just as you instructed, Sir.”
Taking the folder, Lucas examined it briefly. He read it carefully and nodded.
“Okay. So clear my schedule for today,” Lucas said, placing the folder on the table. “Maybe until noon.”
“Okay, Sir.”
“If she agrees to sign this, you need to take care of everything as quickly as possible.”
Vlora nodded. “I will handle everything according to your wishes, Sir.”
Having Vlora as his secretary was an achievement for Lucas. She was efficient and always reliable.
“One more thing. I want you to prepare a size S dress for Velia.”
That was Lucas’s final order before Vlora left. He got up, holding the folder in his hand, and returned to his room.
The timing was perfect. Velia had just come out of the bathroom. A fresh impression enveloped her, covering the remaining fatigue.
Lucas approached Velia, and her steps immediately halted. Her legs suddenly lost strength, and unintentionally, she stumbled backward.
Lucas’s expression changed. “Why? Are you afraid of me now?”
Velia blinked. She took a breath to gather courage. Her body felt stiff, but she managed to meet Lucas’s gaze and shake her head.
“No.”
A corner of Lucas’s lips raised, forming a smirk. “Good,” he said shortly. “Breakfast is ready. It’s better if you eat now before you faint.”
Lucas glanced at Velia’s legs, clearly sensing a subtle vibration there.
Heat flushed Velia’s cheeks. She felt embarrassed, but what Lucas said was true. As a result, she obeyed his words.
She sat down and enjoyed breakfast together, while Lucas couldn’t take his eyes off Velia even for a moment. Velia’s habit of often looking down to avoid his gaze and slowly savoring her meal made Lucas grin faintly. Velia seemed to be on guard against him, and he found it amusing.
“Ve,” Lucas called after taking a sip of coffee. “Have you checked your bank account? The 2. 500 I promised you last night has been transferred.”
Velia almost choked on her bread. “T-thank you.”
Shaking his head, Lucas placed the coffee cup on the coaster and leaned back. He sat comfortably as he spoke.
“No need to thank me. What we did was an agreement according to our initial arrangement. You gave yourself to me, and I gave you a job at my office.”
Velia sensed an unpleasant signal. So she finished her breakfast.
“Just that I think this is a bit unfair to me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I gave you a job. You can rely on my company for a lifetime, but what about me?” Lucas asked, smirking. “I was only given one night, and I paid for it too.”
Velia’s eyes widened. “You offered the money, Luc.”
“Do you have any proof?”
Velia could not answer. Instead, her face hardened with rising anger.
Lucas smiled. He reached for the folder and handed it to Velia.
“What’s this?” she asked.
Casually, Lucas replied, “It’s a contract.”
“A contract?” Velia asked, confused, and quickly opened the folder. As she read it, fear immediately engulfed her. “Are you planning to sue me?”
“Well, who would’ve guessed? You engaged in large-scale embezzlement at the office, manipulated working hours, and lacked discipline. Do you really think I could sue you for this?” Lucas said dismissively.
Velia growled. “You scoundrel, Luc.”
Lucas ignored Velia’s curse. He did not feel offended at all. Instead, he was curious about something.
“Tell me, Ve. How much debt do you have that led you to borrow from the office? How much debt do you have so you that you didn’t hesitate to sell yourself to me?”
Velia’s expression hardened. Mixed feelings of shame and anger made it difficult for her to breathe.
“Open the sheet at the back,” Lucas commanded.
Velia obeyed Lucas’ command. She read it and instantly widened her eyes.
“What is this?” she asked.
“Just as you read,” Lucas said, rising to his feet. He approached Velia and extended his hands to enclose her on both sides. He lowered his gaze as he continued speaking. “I wasn’t joking when I said I wanted you, Ve.”
Velia was shocked. She turned pale. “Y-you want me to be your mistress?”
Without answering immediately, Lucas traced Velia’s tense face with his gaze. His eyes lowered, targeting Velia’s parted lips.
Lucas swallowed. “Say whatever you want, but I want you in my bed. Satisfying me whenever I want.”
Not only pale, Velia’s body now felt cold. Like a corpse, Velia thought she was already dead.
“Tell me how much your debt is, and I will pay it off right away. I will do anything as long as you sign that agreement.”
Velia froze. Lucas could not wait.
“How much?”
“35. 000.”
Lucas nodded. “I will give you 50. 000.”
“Y-you-”
“Sign it, Ve,” Lucas whispered, cutting her off. “You have already fallen into my arms. What else are you thinking?”
Velia swallowed the bitterness that rose in her throat. She realized she never expected Lucas to take advantage of her situation.
“No. Just one night, I gave myself to you.”
Lucas straightened up. “You can think about it until noon. No need to rush.”
Velia did not need time to think. She had already made up her mind. Unfortunately, fate was not on her side.
Finishing breakfast, Velia decided to return to the room. She intended to get ready, but a phone call from the hospital startled her into reality.
Velia’s hand fell limply. The call ended, and once again, life presented her with an inevitable choice.
Velia came out of the room. She walked wearily, and her eyes were empty as she reached for the folder.
Lucas lifted his face. He looked at Velia and smirked. No words were necessary; he knew Velia’s choice.
*