Upon arriving at the office, Lucas immediately called Vlora. He sat down and without beating around the bush, he asked, “How is it? Have you taken care of everything?”
Vlora nodded and handed two cards to Lucas. “The credit and debit cards you wanted are ready for use.”
“Thank you,” Lucas said as he took the cards. “Oh, by the way, can you also start looking for an apartment? I think it’s best to find one not too far from the office.”
Vlora weighed Lucas’s words carefully. The office building was undoubtedly located in an elite area. As such, there were several apartments available, but it did not mean it would be easy to find one in such a short time. Vlora was well aware of Lucas’s desires and did not want to disappoint him.
“Velia’s living conditions are really bad. It’s truly terrible,” Lucas said, adding a sense of urgency for Vlora. In the end, she nodded.
“Alright, sir. I will prepare everything.”
Lucas nodded. “I’m counting on you, Vlo.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Vlora left Lucas’s office after excusing herself, leaving the boss gazing at the two cards in his hand.
“This time, I won’t let you go again, Ve. I will do anything to have you. No matter what it takes, whether it’s harsh or gentle, I will do it to keep you by my side.”
Lucas tucked the cards into his wallet, exhaling with an unreadable expression.
It doesn’t matter if you see me as a villain. If I can only have you by buying you, then I will gladly do it.
*
The day had turned into evening when Velia returned from the hospital. Despite the fatigue that weighed her down, there were at least two reasons why she had gone out. Firstly, she needed to check on Harry’s condition, and secondly, she needed to acquire contraceptive pills.
Velia sat down and pondered. The presence of a bottle of contraceptive pills in her hand felt like a harsh reality slap. It made Velia realize her current status.
A thunderous turmoil raged within her, causing Velia’s chest to tighten with unbearable anguish. Flashes of the previous night haunted her, igniting an uncontrollable hatred.
Fate?
Lucas’s words echoed, igniting a burning fire.
Why did fate bring me back to the man I tried desperately to avoid?
The faces of two men crossed Velia’s mind-the man who used to be her past and the one she hoped would be her future. Unfortunately, the past resurfaced, and she didn’t know how the future would react if it found out what had happened.
Would Harry accept me if he know what I did?
But that was not the only question continuously occupying Velia’s mind. There was another, even worse possibility.
My luck of escaping from Lucas won’t come twice.
A knock shattered the various thoughts swirling in Velia’s mind. She turned and, for a moment, her body tensed.
Not many people visited her lately, making Velia wonder. Were they the thugs returning?
“Velia.”
It was Metta’s voice. Velia breathed a sigh of relief and got up. Opening the door, she was taken aback by Metta’s panic.
“Oh, my goodness.”
Metta looked distraught with worry. She entered and immediately reached out for Velia’s body.
“Where have you been, Ve? I came yesterday, and you weren’t here.”
Velia was stunned. “Y-You came?”
“Yes,” Metta nodded. “You weren’t here, Ve. Where did you go?”
Velia remained silent, unable to answer that question, and Metta could clearly see that something was wrong.
“What’s wrong, Ve?”
Velia still did not answer, and Metta’s worry intensified.
“Velia?”
What had happened was not something worthy of discussion. Velia knew it was a shame that she should bury deep inside. However, her defenses crumbled. There was no strength left, and finally, she collapsed.
“Metta.”
Velia broke into tears. When life felt dark, and she even despised herself, there was nothing she could do but cry. Pouring out all the sadness and suffering through tears.
Metta immediately closed the door. She guided Velia to sit down and embraced her. No longer asking questions, she tried to calm Velia down.
“I had no other choice. I was cornered, and that was the only way I saw.”
Metta’s hand on Velia’s back stopped. Unwanted, but a dreadful possibility crossed her mind.
“I… I…”
Velia’s voice faltered. It was heavy, but she needed someone to share her pain. Velia knew that Metta was the only one who would understand.
Metta held her breath. Word by word, Velia spoke, weaving a story that Metta couldn’t have imagined. In truth, the agony didn’t just tear at Velia’s emotions; it inflicted a similar pain on Metta.
Metta’s embrace tightened. She allowed Velia to pour out all the heartache that burdened her.
“I loathe myself, Met. I feel dirty and worthless.”
Metta shook her head. She let go of the embrace and held Velia’s face to assure her of one thing.
“No, Ve. No. Don’t say that.”
But Velia could not. Reality made her aware. Everything that had happened was etched in her mind.
“Look at me, Ve.”
Metta shook Velia slightly. Velia’s eyes opened, and Metta held her gaze.
“You were cornered. You had no other choice. It’s not your fault.”
Metta spoke the truth. Velia knew it, but she could not alleviate the suffocating feeling within her chest.
“I… I let him touch me, Met. I couldn’t refuse. I… I…”
Velia could not continue her sentence. It was too heavy, and she could not bear it.
“You had no other choice. You needed the money desperately,” Metta tried to soothe her. “I know you’ve been trying your best all this time, Ve. I know you were cornered, and that’s why you did it.”
It was not being cornered anymore. Instead, she found herself standing on the brink of despair. It was so dire that Velia went beyond that.
“I’ve gone too far.”
“What do you mean?”
Velia’s tears stopped flowing. Even now, her crying couldn’t explain the depth of her pain.
“I became his mistress.”
Metta was left speechless.
*
Twice in one day, the luxury car entered the same slum area. Its presence drew everyone’s attention. Many of them openly showed their interested gazes.
The car stopped in front of an alley. The narrow path made Will unwilling to take risks like earlier in the day. They had no choice but to get out and head towards Velia’s rented house.
Will knocked and called out, “Miss Howell.”
There was a faint movement behind the window curtain. Shortly after, the door opened, and Velia appeared from behind it.
“Sorry to disturb you, Miss,” Will said politely. “The master is waiting outside.”
It took a second for Velia’s eyes to widen, precisely when she realized who they were referring to.
“Lucas?”
Will nodded. “I hope you will meet the master soon.”
“O-okay. I will get ready.”
“No need,” Will quickly interjected. “We’ll leave immediately, Miss.”
Velia could not do anything. She could only ask for a little time to grab her bag and phone. Not long after, she left the rented house.
Her face was downcast, and her steps seemed hurried. Velia could not endure the stares and laughter that echoed along the way.
It was no different from the mockery that made Velia’s body burn. She felt ashamed, and it was not strange that she immediately entered the car when Will opened the door.
“You took a long time, Ve.”
Velia had not even had a chance to take a breath when Lucas’s curt remark welcomed her. The man looked restless.
“S-sorry. I was asleep earlier, Luc.”
Lucas glanced at her with a faint furrow on his forehead. “Did I disturb your sleep?”
“No.”
Velia’s quick response made Lucas turn away again. This time, he truly looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes.
Velia tensed in anticipation. As the car slowly moved, she became more alert.
“If you want to continue your sleeping, feel free to do so.”
Of course, Velia did not accept that offer. Instead, she asked, “Where are we going?”
“Where do you think we’re going?”
Velia shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Never mind.”
Lucas let out a sigh as he looked straight ahead. There was only a partition separating them, providing privacy.
“Soon, you’ll find out too.”
Velia did not say anything else after that. She simply nodded in response to Lucas’s words.
Velia remained silent. She tried to calm herself as Lucas’s presence made her tremble. In the confined space, she took deep breaths repeatedly.
Sweat trickled down her forehead, neck, and palms-damp and moist. Velia clasped her hands tightly, a defensive effort that didn’t escape Lucas’s observation.
Time passed. Lucas waited. But he couldn’t wait forever. In the end, he couldn’t stay silent any longer.
“Ve.”
Velia turned and found Lucas staring at her. She wasn’t sure since when or for how long.
“Yes?”
Lucas’s gaze did not waver. But there was a hint of doubt in it. He seemed uncertain as he asked, “I want to know something. Do you understand your role as my woman?”
It was an unexpected question for Velia. A blush appeared and quickly spread across her cheeks.
“I-I-”
“Do you not think that I give you money just to talk when I ask?” Lucas asked with clear hesitation. “Or do you only move when I tell you to?”
Velia stumbled over her words. “I-I-”
“Should I explain in detail everything you should do as a mistress in general?”
The heat on Velia’s face intensified when Lucas turned his words around. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do. Velia bit her lip and shook her head.
“No need, Luc. I know what I have to do.”
Lucas’s gaze challenged her. “Show me what you know.”
Velia could not refuse or evade. The choice she made forced her to fulfill her new role as best as she could.
Trembling, Velia inched closer. She took a deep breath and approached Lucas. The small distance that remained between them disappeared, replaced by a closeness that made her heart beat faster.
Velia took hold of Lucas’s hand, bringing it to her lap, and looked at his seemingly large fingers. She held them tightly, raising questions in Lucas’s mind.
What would Velia do next?
Undeniably, Lucas was on guard. He was prepared, even though the next move caught him off guard.
“Do you want me tonight?”
Lucas’s eyes narrowed. He did want to see Velia’s reaction, but what she did was unexpected.
Lucas knew it was not easy for Velia to ask such a question. Just look at her. Her hands were cold and sweaty, and her lips were pale.
“Very much.”
Those words made Velia hold her breath, especially with the tug on her waist.
Lucas suddenly embraced her. Velia landed on his chest without anticipation. She was prepared, but Lucas’s next words were unforeseen.
“Unfortunately, I think I have to wait for a while.”
Lucas closed his eyes. The tip of his nose slipped between Velia’s strands of hair. He inhaled, filling his lungs with her gentle scent.
Lucas kissed the side of Velia’s head. Once, he nipped at her earlobe. Then he said, “I don’t want you to get tired. You can please me slowly.”
His embrace loosened. Velia was taken aback when Lucas let go of her.
“We have plenty of time.”
*