The luxury car seemed to have lost its way. The narrow streets in the lower-class neighborhood were clearly not the right route for it. Especially with the houses packed together and the squalid environment, who knows what the driver would think.
“Do you live here?”
The car stopped at a small rented house. The passenger inside asked, observing the place with a frown.
“Yes.”
Velia’s voice sounded flat. She unbuckled her seatbelt and forced a smile that Lucas could not interpret.
“Why?”
Lucas reached for Velia’s hand, momentarily holding back her desire to leave immediately.
“What happened to you, Ve? Why do you live here? Where is your home?”
“Home?” Velia asked bitterly. “This is where I live. I don’t have a home or anything.”
Lucas fell silent.
“Why? Are you regretting making a deal with me?”
Shaking his head, Lucas replied firmly, “Not at all.”
“You should know, Luc. I did all this out of necessity. That’s why I want to make sure of something,” Velia continued. “Will you get my job back?”
“If I can give you 50. 000 without thinking twice, why do you still want the job?”
Velia did not understand. “What do you mean?”
“What do you really need?” Lucas asked in return. “Money or a job?”
“A job.”
Lucas was impressed by Velia’s determination. Unfortunately, it was not enough to hide the smirk that appeared at the corner of his lips.
“For what purpose? I can give you money whenever you want.”
“For what?” Velia strengthened herself against the blow of embarrassment. Accusations arose, and she considered herself worthless. But she tried to hold on to a glimmer of hope.
“Because I don’t want to be your mistress forever.”
The smirk vanished instantly from Lucas. His face hardened. Veins bulged on his forehead, and it took him two seconds to exhale.
“Did you even read the agreement you signed earlier, Ve? Did you even pay attention to the clause about the time you would spend with me?”
Velia froze. She realized she had made a fatal mistake. She should not have let her emotions sway her and agree to Lucas’s offer without careful consideration.
“You.”
Lucas chuckled softly. It was a tangible proof that made Velia realize she should not have been careless. She knew Lucas’s character well.
Silent, but overwhelming. Motionless, but engulfing. Often giving the impression of cluelessness, but orchestrating movements that were never expected.
That was Lucas. Someone who took great pleasure in seeing the surprise in his interlocutor’s eyes.
“It’s not my fault. You were emotional and unstable. You rushed into it without reading everything that was written.”
“What was written there, Luc?”
Lucas paused for a moment, feigning nonchalance. “Honestly, I don’t remember much. Except for one thing.”
Lucas’s hand rose, and his index finger caressed Velia.
“You’ll be mine forever until I decide to let you go.”
Velia froze, and Lucas’s finger stopped its play. His gaze sharpened, full of intimidation and without blinking.
“Never hope that you can escape from me again, Ve.”
“You bastard, Luc.”
Lucas was not offended by Velia’s outburst. He simply grinned slightly when Velia grabbed her bag and quickly got out of the car without saying anything. He waited for a moment until Velia disappeared from sight, then instructed Will to drive the car forward again.
Unbeknownst to Lucas, Velia was cursing him with every step she took in a hurry toward her rented house. She continued to berate Lucas in her mind.
Velia took out the key to the rented house, intending to enter and calm herself down, but a hand held the door. It was Nia. Not only did she block Velia’s path, but she also entered the rented house without permission.
Inside, Nia grinned meaningfully at Velia. She could not help but notice the expensive dress Velia was wearing.
“Wow! I see someone came home in a luxury car.”
Velia remained silent. She could not say a word.
Nia burst into laughter, but she seemed indifferent.
“That’s enough! No need to be ashamed. If there’s an easy job, why should we look for a difficult one? Isn’t that right?”
Velia would not answer that question. Her mouth remained tightly shut. However, Nia was not foolish. She understood the ins and outs of that world. Just from the redness of Velia’s face, she could make a guess.
“I don’t mean anything bad, but I heard from Rambo that you’ve also paid your monthly installments this month. Not only that, he said you’ll pay off all your debts soon. That’s why I’m surprised,” Nia explained at length. “There’s no way you can earn that much money in just one short night. It’s impossible, Ve. Even if you’re as beautiful as a goddess, you’re still just an ordinary woman. You’re not a celebrity.”
Velia remained unmoved. She stuck to her decision not to respond.
Nia sighed. She shook her head and approached Velia.
“I’m asking with good intentions, Ve. I know you’re inexperienced in this matter.”
Unwillingly, but Nia’s words piqued Velia’s curiosity. She reflexively asked, “What do you mean?”
Nia seized Velia’s response expertly. “So, the person who drove you home earlier is your regular customer, right?”
Nia’s grin widened. Now she did not wait for Velia’s answer, assuming her guess wasn’t wrong.
“I just wanted to remind you. Did that man use a condom?”
Velia pondered for a moment. She tried to remember and shook her head. The image of Lucas tossing the condom when he realized she was still untouched came to mind.
“Oh my God!” Nia exclaimed, her eyes bulging. “He didn’t use a condom? Do you know the risks, Ve? You could get a disease!”
“He’s clean.”
Velia’s quick and confident answer dispelled Nia’s shock. However, not for long.
“Oh, that’s good then. But there’s one other important thing. Did he ejaculate inside you?”
A moment after she asked, Nia clicked her tongue repeatedly. Velia’s expression had already answered her question. She scoffed and mocked Velia.
“Velia. Velia. How could you be so naive?” Nia asked in disbelief. “You don’t want to get pregnant, do you? Oh my, after all, what child would want to be born from a relationship like that?”
Nia’s words were true. Unfortunately, Velia had almost overlooked that fact.
“It’s better if you go to the doctor immediately.”
Nia clapped her hands right in front of Velia’s face, jolting her out of her thoughts.
“You can get contraceptive pills. Don’t take the risk. This is a job. It’s not a relationship that requires a child.”
Nia reminded Velia of something important. Whether consciously or not, Velia nodded as she listened to Nia’s advice.
Yes, I don’t want to get pregnant with Lucas’s child. No. I won’t.
*