HEAVY PRICE TO BE PAID

The sun shone brightly when Rachel got up from her beauty sleep. She whined about the unusual pain in her lower body and jumped to sit upright, seeing the luxurious room decors around her.

(Rachel's POV)

“What's all this?” I screamed when I saw the hickeys on my neck.

The shirt wasn't mine. It was at least 2x my size. I shut my eyes right and the steamy night flashed in front of my eyes.

I quickly grabbed my dress and bag to change and ran towards the door. As I opened it, I bumped into a waiter.

“Miss, this is for you.” His face was so calm compared to my bullet racing emotions.

I picked up the note and proceeds to read it.

“It was nice spending time with you. You are highly desirable. Don't meet me again, or I will make you mine.” ~Your satisfying stranger

I looked simultaneously at the note and then at the waiter. The words were constantly ringing in my ears. His voice was so deep that my mind could recite the letter in his voice.

“Can you tell me who sent you with this?” I asked him, hoping to get the name.

“Sorry miss. We can't disclose. It's against the privacy protection of the customer.”

“Please….” I pleaded, making a cute face, hoping for some discount.

“No miss. I don't want to risk my job for you.”

I rolled my eyes at his expressionless face. Furthermore, I wanted to punch the man so hard, but controlled the boiling anger and exited the room.

“That was a presidential suite. Which billionaire did I fuck with? What if he comes to demand compensation. I am not even rich.” Nervousness spread across my face.

“Who is that damn man?” I pulled my hair in anticipation.

“Vince” I jumped with joy when the name popped into my head.

Reaching out of the lift, I hid my face with my palm and speed-walked, but suddenly, I heard the voice. I stood frozen in my posture. It was the exact voice as Vince.

Turning around, I noticed a similar pair of blue eyes. I can't forget those catchy eyes.

“Shut up.” I told my brain as it was dominating at the wrong moment.

The man had his side profile faced towards me. He was adorned with a Louis Vuitton suit, DW watch, and most important…. Siemens's tagged shoes.

“Should I call him? Vince?” I asked myself.

Sweat beads were forming around my forehead due to my extreme anxiety. And it acted wrong at the worst moment when the man was turning at me.

“Vince” I shouted.

All the people in the hall turned their heads towards me. Not knowing which power got into me, I stepped forward and dragged the man to the corner.

“Who gave you the fucking courage to drag Vincenzo Siemens?” He yelled.

“I…you. Vince?” I flinched at the sudden loud note.

“Who the fuck is Vince? Get out of my sight, or I will kill and feed you to the dogs. I should consider chopping your hands first, which grabbed my wrist.” His angry stare loosened my hold.

I was on the verge of crying when he dragged me to the door and stopped.

“Guards…get this shit out of my sight.” I heard him as he turned and left the hall.

I stood frozen outside VS INN. Tearing up, I walked to the other side of the road. Breaking my chain of thoughts, the phone rang.

I picked up the phone after clearing my voice. It was Andrew. I knew from the number.

“Hello”

“Rachel, where are you? I was so worried about you. I apologize for–”

“Keep my name out of your fucking mouth. You don't deserve me. You are bullshit.”

I snapped, cutting Andrew in between.

The anger for that man in the hotel was pouring on Andrew.

“Just wait for me. I will trace your location.” Andrew's tension in the voice was distinct.

I ended the call and resumed walking on the lonely street. It was a Sunday, so there was no hurry to reach the hospital.

Tears were overflowing from my eyes.

Suddenly I got pulled to the corner of the street. My mouth got covered by a large hand and my waist was grabbed in a rigid grip.

“Sshhh… it's me.” Andrew whispered.

"Leave me you fuck boy. We dated for 4 damn years. Do you recall that?” My stare was full of hate and anger.

“I didn't leave you. I just didn't have time to explain. Please let me explain.” He held my palms with both hands and gave them a light squeeze.

“I want to reveal the secrets I had buried for so long.” His eyes deceived my anger and forced me to listen to his explanation.

“I am not a gym trainer, as I always said… I am….a secret agent, an undercover cop.” Andrew revealed.

A smile broke on my lips and I ran over to hug Andrew.

“Then why did you leave yesterday?” I sulked and turned away.

“There was an urgent meeting about the case I am leading. It's driving me crazy. That man has stuck like a bone in my throat. Maybe a thorn in my career's success.”

Andrew proceeded to punch the wall and his knuckles bled. Rachel rushed and hugged Andrew.

“Please don't hurt yourself. You may not care, but I do. I love you.” I cried.

“I am not worthy of your love. The culprit has become a thorn on our path of love, and I can't focus on our relationship until I expose him.”

“Who's he?” I raised my brows.

“Vincenzo Siemens. The owner of VS Corporation. The elite, award-winning CEO in daylight whose business turns into smuggling, murders, and real estate scams led by the mafia king by night. His ruthless nature doesn't forgive anyone. Vincenzo's also known as the 'killer machine' in the underground world.” Andrew's eyes were red due to the anger boiling in him. The name had tainted his professional career in the worst way possible.

“The same man who insulted me in the hotel?” I questioned myself.

A gush of cold air hit my body as thoughts back to the mistake from last night played in my mind. I had slept with a stranger, and here I was sympathizing with Andrew and discussing his problem.

The sudden awkwardness in silence was growing. Andrew looked at me with confused eyes and asked,

"Do you want to tell me something?”

“Yes. I do.” I looked down.

“What?” He leaned closer and lifted my face.

“I was drunk yesterday….and ended up sleeping with a stranger.” I stammered and looked away.

“What?” He yelled and turned me towards him.

“You couldn't stoop this low. I thought you loved me for real.” His reply was obvious and expected.

“I still love you, and it was just out of impulse. Try to understand, please.” I pleaded.

“ I don't know whether I should believe you or not. I can't trust your words, Rachel.”

Andrew pushed me, making her stumble on the surface.

“What should I do to prove that I still love you? I only love you….” I cried.

The day hadn't started on a good note and turned into the worst one ever.

Andrew offered his hand and picked me up from the ground.

“You love me?” Andrew asked me again.

“Yes. I am ready to do anything to prove my love for you .” I nodded my head as many times as I could to make him believe my words.

Not only that, but I am ready to sacrifice anything to prove my love for him, and I know he can't see me in pain. This belief makes me stronger to accept his punishment.

“I want you to enter Vincenzo's life and help me expose him to the world. I want to make him lose every ounce of respect he has and send him behind the bars. Will you do this for me?"

I was shocked, and no words escaped my mouth. As if, my body was fixed with needles and my throat had dried up to form any words.