(TRIGGER WARNING. May contain scenes about abuse and self-harm.)I strode into the middle of the stage when the soft, sultry tune filled the air. The bright spotlight followed every movement as I inched closer to the vertical pole, standing in the middle of the stage, my hips swaying to the melody of the sensual music.I stopped by the stainless bar, gripping it with both hands. I slowly waved my body against it while looking at the audience in front of me. Lust was clearly visible in their eyes as they seemed to undress me with their salacious stares.I looked away as I started to walk around the pole."And I'm so used to being used..."I threw my head back as I hummed parts of the song while dancing. My long hair flipped behind me. My hands moved higher on the pole while I hooked my right leg to it and then lifted my weight. I moved higher on the rod before letting myself slide around it in a fluid motion.The cheers from the crowd of men in front of the stage hyped me up. I am so us
"Bitch! What are you doing here?!"France's shrill scream woke me up from my dreamless slumber. My lids fluttered open. I looked at her with a dazed expression. It took a while before I finally realized what was going on.I fell asleep on the bathroom floor! Damn it!I stood up and quickly looked down to check my body."What did you do?!" France's panicked voice took my attention."What?" I asked nonchalantly."The show's not over yet!" she screamed."Fine," I grunted before walking out of the bathroom as if nothing happened. I headed to the door when I felt my hair pulled back."Are you crazy?!" France hissed. "Do you seriously think that the clients would like you in that state?" she pointed at my drenched clothes."What do you want me to do?" I asked unemotionally, which made her sigh in frustration. She was obviously running out of patience, but I couldn't care less."Hurry up and get changed!" she snapped. "Or do you want me to do it for you?!" she looked at me sharply.I sighed w
"Haven't you heard?" Mica frowned when I asked her what was happening.The hellhole of a place is now in complete chaos. Madam Hirushi is screaming in a different language. In the years that I was locked up here, I had already picked up some of the words she frequently used, but she was yelling too fast that I couldn't keep up.One thing is for sure. She's enraged! I've never seen her like this before."Why would I ask if I know?" I snapped at her.She clicked her tongue in annoyance but stepped forward to come nearer."One of the newbies escaped last night," she whispered behind my ear.My eyes widened in shock. Someone escaped!"W-who?" I whispered back despite already having an inkling who it was."Julia," she mouthed.My heart seemed to jump even though I was already expecting it. She escaped!Memories rushed inside me of that night long ago when I thought I could slip out of the syndicate's claws. Only to be caught shortly after that. The punishment they gave me was unimaginable.
"What's taking you so long?" he snapped as he slammed the door open again. He looked at me like I was a petulant child he needed to reprimand.I raised an eyebrow at him. This time, I was already fully clothed and had just finished fixing myself. I even put on a bit of make-up since I saw some on the vanity."Follow me. I need to discuss something," he ordered.I did as I was asked, walking behind him while looking around. If I was already in awe of the room I woke up in, my jaw literally dropped at the sight outside. It was no doubt a penthouse unit. Even though the interior design is minimalist, the whole place still screams luxury and wealth!I can't believe I stepped foot in a place like this. I kept looking around but couldn't help but get distracted by his physique. I wanted to whistle when I took a good look from his broad shoulders down to his firm butt. He indeed works out to be able to maintain this kind of body."Ouch," I whimpered when my forehead hit his shoulder when he s
"Wake up," a stern voice woke me up abruptly.For a while, I was confused when I saw the unfamiliar room I was in. It took a few good seconds before everything registered in my still hazy brain. My eyes felt heavy as I scanned the room. I could feel how they were swollen from crying."Your training will start today," the cold voice stated.I looked up to see the man who bought me. I found myself shamelessly staring at him. How can he look this good despite the silver streaks in his hair? That is the only clear giveaway of his age. His body is still so fit. I bet he can crush me with ease."Hey," he snapped his finger in front of my face right before my thoughts went dark and dirty. I jerked back in surprise."I'm talking to you," he snapped.Right. But what did he say? Training. "Training?" I voiced out my confusion. What training?"You are supposed to be my wife. I can't introduce you like that," he said, looking at me with a hint of disgust in his eyes. He was scanning me like I was
I wanted to pull my hair out while waiting for the elevator to reach the ground floor. How can I be so stupid? I didn't think this through. I don't even have a plan! What will I do once I get out of here? Where will I go? I have no money! I don't know anyone outside the ring.I definitely won't go back there! Where will I go?Damn it."But I'm already here," I whispered to myself. "I'll deal with it once I get out of here."Just then, the elevator dinged, signaling it had reached its destination. As soon as its doors opened, I ran as fast as I could. I looked around frantically, trying to navigate where the exit was.It seems like I am in the basement parking of the building. There were cars lined up in the well-lit area. I started running while looking around. I have to hurry. I don't know how much time I have to get out of here!"Damn it! Why aren't there signs?" I huffed frustratedly, my head turning left and right. I couldn't see anyone I could ask either!So I just kept running ai
I'd been standing for quite some time under the cold running water, but the heat inside me was still very much alive!"Damn you, Vladimir!" I cursed him inside my head. Is this some kind of punishment? Because it's working! I feel so damn frustrated right now!I can still feel his lips on mine. His taste still lingers in my mouth. I closed my eyes to reminisce about the feel of his rough, calloused palm against my smooth skin.I shook my head when I realized what I was doing. What is happening to me? Did that old man bewitch me?I tried so hard to control my growing desire, but as I caressed my skin with the lather, the more I felt the heat between my legs. Until I finally caved into the devil.I closed my eyes once again and let my hands wander on my body. My right hand grabbed one of my taut peaks while the other moved further down to play with the sensitive nub between my core, imagining it was Vladimir's hands worshipping my body.I slumped on the bed, buried my face in a pillow, a
"Hey, wake up," a deep baritone voice roused me from my deep slumber.My eyelids fluttered open only to be greeted by the deepest, most mesmerizing blue eyes I had ever seen. A smile stretched my lips. What a great way to start my day!"Stop smiling like an idiot!" he snapped, waking me up from any fantasy that I was having at the moment."Huh?" I jolted upright. Now, I'm wide awake! I wasn't dreaming. A gorgeous but nasty human being is in front of me. My husband, Vladimir Lewis. Why is he so upset already? Did he have a bad night?"Get ready. We have a flight to catch," he said."A flight?!" I echoed, suddenly getting excited. "To where? Are we going on our honeymoon?!""Enough with the questions," he said impatiently. "Just go and get ready. We'll be leaving in an hour.""But wait... I haven't packed anything yet!" I argued."I had Cora prepare everything that you might need. Your change of clothes are in the closet," he said."Oh, okay," I smiled.We're going on a trip! I'm so ex
VLADIMIR"Take me to the foundation," I growled as soon as I got into the car.The startled driver nodded when I slammed the door close.Fuck it! I just lost another deal! Fuck. Fuck!I pressed my fingers against my throbbing temple. I'm getting a headache from all of this!At first, I wanted to resort to violence. Noel and Hiroshi are still in the basement. I could let off some steam through them but then I thought of Yvonne. The foundation is closer to where I am now.The thought of her smiling as she did her job lessened my stress. If I could let off some steam in more pleasurable ways, why not?I went straight to her office, not minding the employees I walked past. They all greeted me, but I chose to ignore them.I grabbed her immediately. I nuzzled against her hair, inhaling her sweet, addicting vanilla scent. It must have a calming effect since it almost instantly calmed my nerves down."Uhm... Did something happen?" I heard her ask. I just made up a lousy excuse for wanting to
YVONNEThe construction of the shelter commenced almost immediately after it was approved. In the end, I chose the site in the suburban area over the one in the countryside.I'd be lying if I'd say Vladimir's past with Riva didn't affect my decision. But I chose it mostly because of the conveniences it offers. It would be more accessible for women seeking refuge compared to the one in the countryside where they have to travel for hours before they could reach.I personally oversee the progress from time to time while working on the foundation. With Dave's help, I am slowly learning the ropes of my job. I'm getting the hang of it. Now I can do a few tasks without his help.I flinched when I almost bumped into someone on the way to my office."Good morning, Yvonne," it turned out to be Mr. Anderson. Everything good in my morning faded at the sight of him.I clenched my jaw. I hadn't seen him in a while. I don't know where he was, but I wish he had just stayed there.I nodded curtly inst
YVONNEI stared at him. Was I too obvious?"What do you mean?" I chuckled awkwardly."I was just... Uhm, I still can't believe they approved the project, that's all," I grinned and tried to sound more enthusiastic.I plastered a smile on my face while he stared at me suspiciously. My upper lip quivered but I didn't dare move until he finally sighed and let the matter go.I sighed internally. I don't know how to tell him about my encounter earlier with Mr. Anderson.Have you ever heard of the Red Ring? His venomous voice still echoes inside my head. He knows.I don't know how. All I am certain is that he knew. He wouldn't dare speak to me about it if he wasn't confident. I'm sure he wouldn't want to provoke Vladimir over hearsay.But how? Was he a client of the ring? I don't know. I'm not sure. I may have had tons of clients but I can't recall any of their faces now.I used to block out everything as much as I could. I didn't want to remember the filthy things they did to me or the dis
VLADIMIR "We still couldn't track her down, boss," Blaze reported. My fists clenched. "How can an old woman disappear without a trace?" I hissed. "She has no connections! How hard is it to trace her whereabouts?!" my voice boomed inside my office. I was so fucking pissed. My men were turning into useless imbeciles these days! The harder it gets to find her, the more I think somebody's helping her. And I have to find out who it was before they can take any action against me. I'm sure they were using Yvonne's mother in the hopes that they could get to me through her. Well, they thought wrong.Did they? A small voice inside my head seemed to mock me. Hirushi's bloodied form in the basement flashed inside my head. My jaw clenched as I tried to push the image away. I didn't do it for Yvonne. It has nothing to do with her. I just don't like what the ring does in general. I despise people like them. Yes, I run a syndicate too. But I don't prey on the weak. I don't use helpless women
YVONNEOh god. This is it.I gulped. My legs were weakening from standing too long and the passing adrenaline, but I had to keep my stance."Those who are in favor of Project Eve, please raise your hands," Mr. Watson said authoritatively.Damn. This is the moment of truth.I looked down to briefly squeeze my eyes. I was a bit confident after the talk I had with Vlad before the meeting, but Jade made some valid points. And she also has a huge connection to Vladimir.I won't be surprised if the board would be torn about their decision. I took a deep breath before looking up.I sighed in relief when I saw that almost everyone in the conference room raised their hands in favor of the shelter, including Mr. Watson himself. I couldn't help but smile."We have a decision then," Mr. Watson said upon looking around. He then looked back at me and smiled."Congratulations, Mrs. Lewis," he genuinely said while firmly shaking my hand."Thank you," I nodded. I can't believe I made it.I know Vladim
YVONNE"Yes, Miss Foster?" I called to let her speak."This is a good idea," she started.I could already hear the but in her statement. She glanced at the papers in her hand. I can feel butterflies in my stomach while waiting for whatever she has to say. And they're not the good kind.The dramatic pause is killing me. I tried to brace myself from the possible blow she would give me."Although, I don't think it's necessary to start another advocacy that is out of line from what we are already doing," she said.I can see some of the members of the board glancing at each other. I don't know what they were thinking right now.Shit. I didn't expect this."LGC Foundation is already known for educational and health causes. I think we should focus on that," Jade said so confidently, that I had the urge to just cower in fear and hide in a corner.But since I couldn't do that, I took a deep breath instead and tried to process her words. I gathered my thoughts while I let her finish her comment
YVONNE I stood in front of the conference room even though it was just us. Dave set up the projector while my secretary put the hard copies in front of each seat. I took a deep breath while going over the presentation inside my head. "You can do this," Dave encouragingly said. I tried to smile. "Would you like coffee or water?" Jane, my secretary asked. "Just some water, please," I said before taking a seat. One by one, the board of directors started coming into the conference room. My heart beats faster every time someone comes in. "Good morning," I greeted back and nodded to each of them. "Relax," I heard Dave whisper behind me. "You look tensed." I tried to do as he said, but at that moment, Jade walked into the conference room. I frowned. I didn't know she would be here. When our gazes met, I tried to smile, but she only gave me a curt nod. Soon, all the chairs around the long table were slowly filled. My heart is already hammering inside my chest. I badly wanted to run
YVONNE"Let's go," Vladimir said when he saw me emerge from the hallway.He's also ready to leave. His three-piece black suit was stark in contrast with my all-white ensemble.My heart seemed to take a leap when he held his arm out to me. I smiled and placed my own against it hesitantly."Are you ready?" he asked."Yeah," I sighed.Dave told me everything I had to do. He even gave me a script to follow and the possible questions the board might ask during the presentation. Of course, he also curated well-crafted answers for them which I tried to memorize to the best that I could.We went out of the building together. His car was there together with two more SUVs. "I'm going to drive you there," he answered my unvoiced question. He must have noticed my confusion when he ushered me to his car. I thought I would be using one of the SUVs."But... Don't you have work?" I stupidly asked.
YVONNEIt's dumbfounding how our relationship seemed to have drastically changed in such a short amount of time. We are now like any normal couple out there. Although, I have very little knowledge about what a normal relationship felt like, ours seemed like one.Vladimir was acting like a completely different person. He is not the cold man I married a few months ago. Perhaps it has everything to do with his cured condition. He wasn't impotent anymore.Could you imagine, he just released five years' worth of pent-up cum?! Of course, he was relieved! I winced at the thought.We've been back from our vacation for about a week now. Everything's going smoothly between us ever since. I almost moved into his room, but tonight, he hadn't come home yet, so I decided to stay in my bedroom.My lids were already getting heavy when I heard the door creak. I was so sleepy so I just ignored it. I only opened my eyes when I felt someone stroking the wet s