A naked woman wriggled as her sleep was disturbed. It was caused by a middle-aged man who woke up beside her.
He was Ricardo. He had no other choice but to hire the services of a sex worker to satisfy his desires that night.
Ricardo turned his head. His sweaty face grinned. His hand reached out and repeatedly patted the woman’s buttocks.
The woman moaned. Her face lifted from the pillow. She displayed a seductive expression while teasing Ricardo. Her bright red lipstick-covered lips smiled mischievously.
“Again, Daddy? There’s a discount if you choose the all-night option.”
Ricardo’s grin widened. He leaned down and playfully nibbled on her buttocks.
“What’s your name?” Ricardo asked to confirm his memory. “Angel?”
Angel nodded. “Yes, Daddy. Angel. Your angel who’s ready to accompany you all night long.
There was a reason why Ricardo chose Angel among the many women offered. It was undoubtedly related to Velia. The name Angel reminded him of Velia Howell.
Of course, Velia’s angelic beauty could not be compared to this one. She was superior in every way compared to Angel. Her smooth and gentle skin, the enticing fragrance emanating from her body, and other qualities.
Unfortunately, Ricardo had no other choice. So, while waiting for the true angel to come into his embrace, he could satisfy his desires with this commercial angel.
“All night?” Ricardo asked.
Angel lay down, and Ricardo crawled on top. He stopped at her breasts and squeezed them.
Angel let out a moan. Ricardo’s desire reignited.
“Who’s afraid? Daddy will take care of you tonight, but wait a moment. There’s someone Daddy needs to contact.”
Angel nodded eagerly while stroking her hair. It had to be admitted that the cheap salon’s blonde hair color suited her mischievous smile.
Ricardo got off the bed. Briefly, he saw Angel sitting back against the headboard. She lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
Angel winked, and Ricardo reminded himself to contact Boy immediately. There was a long night he wanted to enjoy.
Ricardo picked up his pants from the floor. Without feeling the need to cover his nudity, he took out his cellphone from his pocket and called Boy.
“Boy.”
“Yes, Sir?”
Ricardo took a deep breath as he entered the bathroom. He did not want Angel to overhear the conversation.
“Tomorrow, observe Velia slowly.”
“Of course, Sir. Don’t worry.”
“Now we have plenty of time,” Ricardo explained expansively. “So, you can work calmly and meticulously. Whatever happens, I want you to kidnap her. Take her to the vacant house.”
Boy’s voice sounded unsure on the other end. “The vacant house?”
“Yes, the vacant house. You probably don’t know, but Velia is becoming more beautiful.”
Apparently, the influence of alcohol made Ricardo babble. His words were unfocused and inappropriate.
“Velia’s body is incredibly tempting. So, I want you to kidnap her without hurting her. You surely understand what I mean, right? A woman like Velia shouldn’t be killed right away. I want to enjoy her body first. I want to squeeze her breasts and violate her multiple times. Then you can enjoy her too once I’m satisfied.”
Not only did he say disgusting things, but Ricardo even laughed. There was an arousing imagination playing in Ricardo’s mind. He imagined Velia lying defenseless beneath him while he ravished her.
“So do your best. Understand?”
“Okay, Sir.”
Ricardo ended the call. He took the opportunity to urinate before leaving.
The cellphone landed on the table, coinciding with Angel extinguishing her cigarette in the ashtray.
Ricardo stretched his hand. “Angel, Daddy’s coming.”
Angel giggled. Without hesitation, she also stretched her hand, preparing to welcome Ricardo, along with her legs spreading wide open.
*
The pleasant scent woke Lucas up. His eyes blinked several times before fully opening.
“Good morning.”
Ah, this is a perfect start to the morning.
“Good morning, Ve.”
Velia’s face was the first sight Lucas beheld that day. He smiled at her already-applied makeup.
“Are you ready?” Lucas asked as he stretched and sat up. He rubbed his face roughly. “What time is it now?”
Lucas glanced at the wall clock and was shocked. It seemed he had overslept.
“You should hurry and shower. I’ve prepared your clothes. I’ll wait for you at the dining table.”
That was a good idea, but before that, there’s something Lucas wanted to make sure of. He held Velia’s hand before she got up.
“What’s the matter?”
Lucas stood up and caressed Velia’s cheek. His eyes moved, observing.
“You seem to be improving lately.”
“Improving?”
Lucas frowned. It seemed the word ‘improving’ was not clear enough to express what he felt.
“You seem happier.”
Still not quite right, but it’s better. At least, this one gave Velia an explanation for Lucas’s intentions.
“Maybe it’s because of my job.”
Lucas grasped Velia’s chin. He lifted her face and gave her a gentle kiss on her pink-painted lips.
Maybe it’s also because, unconsciously, you’ve been enjoying our time together.
“Wait for me,” Lucas whispered while looking tenderly at Velia. “I won’t be long.”
Lucas left Velia after successfully leaving her frozen. Velia felt like her body could not move with her heart beating fast.
Velia tried to take a deep breath. She needed to reconcile the unfamiliar turmoil that was now playing in her chest.
She would not be wrong. She would not misinterpret. Velia clearly knew what the commotion was about.
No, this must not happen again.
Velia decided to prepare breakfast immediately. She needed to occupy herself and her mind to dispel the negative possibilities in her thoughts. Luckily, she did not linger in the situation for long. There was work awaiting her at eight o’clock.
It was Velia’s second day back at work. Besides successfully dispelling boredom, her job also gave her something more. The morning conversation with Mecca was one of them.
They talked about many things. Light conversation. Pleasant chat before Mecca’s words made Velia pause.
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you again, Ve. Especially with your current condition. Honestly, you look better and happier with your life now.”
Velia’s face changed. Mecca realized how her words could be misinterpreted.
“I’m sorry,” Mecca quickly said. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I didn’t intend to offend you, but you really seem to be improving.”
Velia understood Mecca’s intention. She did not mean to criticize the path Velia had chosen, but the opposite.
“You know, right? Many news reports about violence. I was worried that you might experience it.”
Mecca could not stop worrying about Velia’s well-being. Fortunately, all her fears were unfounded. Moreover, she could see something different in her.
It was not about the luxury brands attached to Velia’s body. It wasn’t about her impeccable makeup or the beautiful jewelry she wore, but it was more than that.
There were one or two unusual things about Velia. Her eyes looked alive, and an aura of peace emanated from her.
Mecca had encountered women who had been forced to live in the wrong path like Velia before. However, she had never found a case where they were genuinely happy.
Usually, there were traces of wounds and burdens emanating from their eyes. They looked beautiful in luxury and glamour, but every sweet smile always implied suffering.
Velia was different. She not only appeared fine, but she seemed to have rediscovered happiness.
“You don’t need to worry,” Velia said with a confident smile. “He won’t hurt me.”
Mecca looked at her skeptically. “You seem so sure.”
“Actually, he is a good man.”
An ordinary sentence that anyone could say, right? However, believe it. Mecca caught another unusual spark in Velia’s eyes.
“I’m grateful to know that. Sometimes, I worry too much. Especially if your situation…”
Mecca bit her lower lip. It was a bit heavy, but she still expressed her concern.
“… is discovered by his family. His wife or children, perhaps. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
“Don’t worry. He’s not married.”
Mecca was shocked. “He’s still single?”
“Yes.”
“He’s still young?” Mecca asked uncertainly.
“This year he’s 33.”
Mecca’s shock intensified. Normally, men at that age would be looking for a woman to marry, not the other way around.
Mecca shook her head slightly. It was not her concern. There were other more interesting things to discuss regarding Velia’s return to the office.
“I have an idea. How about we go for a short walk after work? Just to catch up.”
An enticing offer. A wide smile instantly bloomed on Velia’s face, right before a fleeting conversation crossed her mind. She remembered Carter and Lucas’ message.
The happy expression vanished. Velia looked gloomy as she reluctantly shook her head.
“Sorry, I don’t think I can.”
“Even just for a little while?”
“Yes,” Velia nodded heavily. “He always picks me up and drops me off. I can’t go anywhere without him. I don’t want to make him angry.”
She lied a little, but it did not diminish the truth of the situation. At least Mecca accepted that reason.
“It’s okay. I understand.”
Mecca’s acceptance without judgment made Velia grateful. But the acceptance without inquiry made Velia extremely grateful. However, there was one thing that now raised a question in Velia’s mind.
Is it true?
Velia looked at her reflection in the mirror. She went to the restroom during break time and asked herself.
Is what Lucas and Mecca said true? Am I really improving?
Meanwhile, outside the office, Boy’s car was on watch. An hour before the end of the workday, he had taken a strategic position. He concentrated fully on observing the surroundings.
Boy waited. Time passed. The end of the workday arrived, and he immediately got ready.
Boy’s eyes did not blink. He remained alert with unwavering determination. He would not neglect anything.
Boy changed his sitting position. Mecca was seen leaving the gate. However, once again, there was no sign of Velia. Just like the day before.
Curiosity surged. Boy accelerated his car and followed Mecca. Unfortunately, Boy found no sign of Velia’s presence, even when Mecca arrived home.
Boy became furious. Curiosity and anger overwhelmed him, but he did not give up. He kept watch the next day. Repeatedly. Unfortunately, he did not find anything until Friday ended.
Nothing. No results at all. The curiosity and anger merged into one possibility in Boy’s mind.
I should start watching from the morning. Is she going to the office as usual, or is someone escorting her, allowing her to escape my surveillance lately?
Boy remembered one important thing at the end of the day. That if Velia was indeed the mistress of an influential man, then that possibility could certainly happen.
*