006 - Contracts and Binds (3)

Her eyes dimmed at the sudden intensity of the light that caressed her face. For some reason, tonight, she seemed to be the sole center of attention.

Lola shifted as the murmurings below the stage increased and a sudden rush of whistling and cheers filled the place once again.

“Damn!.” A man exclaimed loudly at one end and another group of men moved even closer to the stage to have a good look at the woman tied up against the pole.

Underneath the light, her face was far more visible. Her red luscious hair looked silky and full as it ran down her waist. Her eyes were fierce and she was no doubt beautiful but none of them were prepared for the surge of excitement that her body offered.

“Hands off!.” Another man suddenly exclaimed as he licked his dry lips and pushed an empty glass to a waitress next to him. “She’s mine for the night.”

“Nonsense! You have to wait until the bids are made.” A third man argued. He was closer to the stage and not for once did he look away from the woman on the pole.

A calm laughter from the stage silenced the men and Lola corked her neck just in time to see Gavin walk out from the backstage. Like his guests, a decent half of his face was covered with a black mask and he only shot Lola a brief smile before he took the stage.

“I’m sorry for the wait gentlemen. To emphasize our apology, we made sure the jewel for the night will be extraordinary. I hope we’ve lived up to your expectations.” He said with a hand passed towards Lola’s direction.

Lola suddenly jerked as a bodyguard cut off the rope that bonded her to the pole and pushed her forward toward Gavin. Once again, she had the people’s attention. She felt the urge to make a run for the door but Lola refused to show her fear in front of all these people. Slowly, she steadied her slightly wobbly steps and stood tall and proud, determined to hold in the melting fear in her stomach.

The lightening in the stage below was way too low and she hated that only they had the right to see her as much as they wanted to. Their gazes bore holes into her body.

She had to strategize and find a way out.

“The bid for tonight is fifty percent higher than the normal rate,” Gavin announced with a knowing smirk and the crowd broke into yet another round of murmuring.

“I’ll pay double.” One of the men from earlier said with a grin and the murmurings increased.

“Not so fast gentlemen. I’ll triple it!.”

From where she stood, Lola saw the grin on Gavin’s face get wider. He was enjoying this. Well, she wasn’t!

“Any more bids? Or should we close this deal already?.”

“Five times the amount!.” A proud voice in the corner announced.

The rest of the men in the room hesitated as they stared at Lola hungrily. She was a temptress but who in their right senses would spend a hundred thousand dollars just for a dance with a whore?. Their eyes blinked as they looked around and sluggishly retreated.

“That’s it then. Well, congratulations to the generous gentleman in blue.…”

“Half a million.” A cold voice growled and Lola’s head shot up.

The room went so silent a pin drop could be easily heard. Then all hell broke loose.

“What!.”

“Is he f**king serious?!.”

“He’s gone mad!.”

The crowd turned in the direction of the voice and tried to have a look at the man in the VIP sector but four huge bodyguards gave them no chance to.

”Hehe..” Gavin laughed a nervous titter and held on to the mic once more with clammy palms.

“This bid is closed.”

~

Slow music, a less noisy atmosphere.

The mood in the new room that Lola had once again been pushed into should calm her nerves but that was far from it.

Half a million for a dance?!!.

She had been led away before she got the chance to see who had made such a ridiculous offer. Who the hell was that man?

Her eyes were blindfolded with black silk and her hands were tied lazily against yet another pole.

Lola suddenly paused and frowned as an alluring scent of sandalwood hit her nostrils.

She was not alone.

~

Noah Sanchez watched as the woman fidgeted continuously against the pole in the center of the luxurious room. Seven years ago, in high school, he had fallen head over heels in love with her and now, seven years later, she still affected him so fucking much.

Except, the Lola Coker he knew had changed and he was no longer sure who the woman who stood before him was.

A high-paid dancer?…. or an expensive escort?

She had changed so much. Well, he also had changed and he would never let her get to him as she had done back then.

He watched as she suddenly stilled and turned.

“Who is there?.” she asked warily.

No response.

Frustrated, Lola stomped a foot on the ground and spoke up again. “If you are the one I’m meant to entertain with a dance tonight. Kindly untie me, let’s get this business over with.”

Noah’s palms balled into a fist by his side. He let his anger simmer down before he finally spoke in a cold tone.

“What’s your name?.”

Lola swallowed at the question asked. The reply was unexpected but asking for her name left her in a dilemma. Her present situation was already as shameful as it could be. Dancing for a dirtily rich stranger, she couldn't risk exposing her real name.

“Candy,” She replied, sounding as confident as she could.

Noah smirked knowing that was a lie but he did not expose her. Instead, he stood up from his seat and crossed the room to stand in front of her.

Standing before her, he couldn't help but inhale her scent. Sweet jasmine.

In two clean tugs, he untied her hands from the pole and took his time with the piece of silk covering her eyes.

He finally took it off and watched as her fierce hazel eyes opened.

Lola drew a deep breath in at the face before her. Her face lost its color and her mouth gaped open.

He had changed so much but she would always recognize him no matter what…

“Noah..” She exclaimed in an almost inaudible whisper.

Noah’s dark eyes narrowed as he took one glance at her expression and stepped away from her. Returning to the leather couch with swift admirable strides.

Lola’s heart ran cold as she watched him walk away from her. It was Noah Sanchez.

If he was here with her, then it meant that he was the man who had made half a million-dollar bid for her.

Did he truly not recognize her?

“Sit.” He ordered in a deep, passive voice and Lola headed for the leather chair opposite him. As she moved even closer, the hope that rose in her heart that he might have intentionally saved her slowly died. She took a closer look at his profile. He was strikingly handsome despite the distance between them.

He wore an expensive single-breasted wool Armani suit.

Lola swallowed. Did Noah come from money? He never stuck around long enough for them to find out.

His skin was olive tanned and his eyebrows were so thick and full with deep eyes that seemed to read the whole of her soul.

Gone was the fierce-eyed boy who had softened his gaze only for her and in the place of the boy she had known and loved secretly was a well-defined man.

This man had such a strong presence, his gaze was sort of domineering, and the way he stared at her as if analyzing her chilled her to the bones. His eyes were still the same except that this time there was a sign of indifference in them, It was simply unacceptable that Noah did not recognize her.

And if he did, nothing gave way.

What had happened to him over the years?

Lola reached Noah and obediently sat down across from him.

Noah snapped his fingers and a man who Lola had not noticed was with them in the room approached. He dropped a file on the Ottoman table between them and immediately left.

Seeing the file, Lola wondered what mess she had gotten herself into, was she about to sign some sort of confidentiality agreement before she goes ahead to entertain him?

She glanced at the door where she had been led in from a while ago wondering if she could successfully make a run at the slightest sign of trouble from the man who sat opposite her. This man may look like Noah Sanchez but he definitely did not act like him.

As if sensing what the girl had in mind, Noah signaled for the bodyguard to pour her a drink as well and leave them.

When they were finally alone, Noah spoke up, “I know what services you offer but I want something exclusive to that. I don’t pick up random women every night to warm my bed”. He paused to check her reaction, seeing her confused expression he continued, “Be my woman for six months. We can extend the contract if am satisfied with your services.” Of course, for a happy amount.”, he added.

Lola was slightly stunned yet disappointed. What was this about a contract?

Was she that easy to forget? Did he have some sort of accident and memory loss or had she changed so much that he couldn't recognize her?.”

“Well?, Do we have a deal?” Noah’s voice pulled her out of her wandering thoughts and she realized she was yet to respond.

“Uh. I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean. My only duty here is to dance….”

“I don’t care about a lousy dance or any pleasures of that sort. Besides, you seem to be an enlightened woman given your choice of… career. My offer is simple, I don’t need a dancer, I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for a period of six months. I will be generous with the payment.”

Lola picked up the document on the table. Noah’s offer was selfish but it was a way out, out of Gavin’s grasp and a way forward to cover her mother’s treatments and recovery with no worries.

“I need some time to think this through, darling”. She smiled seductively and winked at him. “You know...to go through the contract and make sure there are no hidden traps in here.”

“I’m a very busy man. You either make up your mind now or face Gavin for upsetting his client.

“That’s harsh!.” Lola announced at his very resolute threat.

Noah shrugged.“Well, what do I say. I have no patience. Sign the papers, Candy. Let's make this business official.”

He retrieved a pen and slid it towards Lola with his eyes not leaving her widened ones.

He watched her frown and hesitate for a few seconds before picking up the pen and scribbling down her signature.

“Will contact you.” He said coldly and just like that, Noah picked up the document and turned to leave.

Lola let out a breath she did not realise she had been holding as she watched him walk away from her.

***

Noah Sanchez sat in his car as he watched Lola board a taxi. She had made away with the red gown and had changed into a more simpler outfit.

Lola Coker. Her name lived rent-free in his mind.

Seeing her again after seven years still made his heart beat wildly. Her untamed red-blonde hair was longer than he remembered. She had matured and become even more beautiful.

“An escort.” He mumbled and clenched his fist in annoyance at what she had become. “Drive.” He ordered and immediately the black Maybach moved.