Chapter 6 - Mr. Nathan Conner

They both have different thoughts as they make love. The rain continued, and the falling water on the roof sounded like their falling hopes for each other. Kimberly grabbed the blanket and moved to the other side of the bed. She turned back at him, who was still awake, watching her.

Then he spoke.

"Tell me, how many customers do you have every night?" He seriously asked.

"Why?" She softly answered without making any move.

"I just want to know." He replied, and she turned to face him.

"Honestly, I need ten or more customers every night, but I can't do it." She answered with her eyes on her hands while gripping the blanket. "Some people at the bar encourage me. As long as I do these, I can get used to these like nothing happens every night." She paused a little. "But I really can't." She continued bitterly.

"But you have to. Why?" He asked once again.

"I need a lot of money, as much as I can earn it." She said softly.

"So you are doing these only for money?"

"Yes, I guess I am." She finally glanced at his face, recalling how unfair her life was.

"Unlike you, who just wasted it!" She thought, a bit mad.

"Is there any other guy who touched you as I did?" He asked again as she fell quiet.

"Touch me as you do? Or do you mean having sex with me as you did?" She felt disgusted but a bit comfortable talking with him.

"Well, yes, I'm trying to sound nice, but it seems you want this to be a precise question." He was offended.

"What would be the difference between your words and your actions?" She was a bit annoyed, raising her voice unknowingly. She covered her mouth in shock, and even the man was surprised.

"Fine, just answer my question." He said, which puzzled her.

Kimberly thought he would shout back and demand like before, but he didn't. She fell silent for a while, wondering what was wrong with him. It's as if he was different from the man she met before.

"Kimberly." He called out her name, which surprised her more.

"How did you know my name?" She yelled out, confused.

"You haven't answered my question."

"But___"

"Answer me first." He insisted.

"Those guys earlier when you saw me." She mumbled, feeling shy.

"Anyone else?"

"This is my second time at the pub house, so there's no one else." She stated. "Why does he care to know?" She thought again.

"Is there something that happened?" He was slightly uncomfortable with his question, so he shifted and moved closer.

"What?" She asked and moved backward to keep a distance. "This is awkward. What does he want from me?" She wondered to herself.

"Answer me. Did those guys touch you?" His voice raised, scaring her.

"Does his mood change? Will he hurt me again?" She thought and moved away, scared.

"Answer me, Kimberly! Did they have you too? Did you have sex with them?" He held both arms, frightening her more.

"No..." She flinched at the sharpness of his voice. "You came, and I ran, remember. Please do not hurt me, Mr. Please don't." She begged. He took a deep breath before he spoke again.

"Don't be scared. I won't hurt you again." He comforted her while kissing her forehead longer.

Kimberly was confused and felt strange as it eased all her worries. She can't help but close her eyes and cherish the moment. It feels so safe and restful.

"I'm glad nothing happened." He smiled and looked at her while stroking her face.

"Nothing." She softly said and shook her head again.

"Good."

"What?" She whispered.

"Nothing." He smiled again and lay back in bed.

"What is wrong with you?" This time, she can't help her mouth shut. "Let me remind you, the last time we met, you humiliated me, made me realize how miserable my life is, that I am useless, pathetic, and the most disgraceful person." She spoke bravely and moved closer, which amazed him more. "Remember how you threw your money on my ___?" She continued, but he cut it.

"Enough!" He said in a higher tone, almost a shout that frightened her again like always. She covered her mouth like earlier and moved backward while staring at him. He seemed sleepy, and his eyes were closed with an arm above his head.

"Kimberly." He called again in a softer tone.

"And you haven't answered me. How did you know my name?" Her voice was thinner.

"I'm sorry about last time." He said, ignoring her question while his eyes remained closed.

"I mean, I'm sorry. I am very sorry I was drunk." He continued to apologize, repeating it over and over again. It became a lower and lower voice, almost like a whisper, and then he fell asleep.

Kimberly realized he was in a deep sleep. She lay back on the other side of the bed and thinks about many things. She kept on thinking if his seriousness was true.

"This man's action is so strange. Why? Why, all of a sudden, did he become friendly and ask her for an apology?" Considering every idea she couldn't resolve, she fell asleep beside him.

She slowly shook him at about five in the morning when she woke.

"What?" He groaned.

"I am leaving. Can I have the money?" She asked with fear in her voice. The man gently gets up and hardly opens his eyes.

"How much do you need?" He asked.

"Anything you can afford, Mr." She spoke softly, afraid he might suddenly become a devil again.

"I can afford anything." He said seriously.

"What if I told you I need one hundred thousand? Would you give it?" She answered bitterly.

"One hundred thousand?" He repeated and chuckled.

"Yeah, I am expecting you will laugh at me. I shouldn't have said it." She cried and turned back at him.

"If I give you a hundred thousand, what will you do to make it worthy!" He said. Kimberly was unbelievably shocked by what she heard while facing him.

"What?"

"Yes!" He said coolly.

"Are you sure?" She asked, still in disbelief.

The man took his check from the drawer. He signed it and handed it to her. Kimberly was speechless as she held the one hundred thousand check she needed to earn.

"Nathan Conner. How can a man as young as you will have this kind of money?" She innocently asked.

"That's not necessary for you to know, but since I like the idea, you will work for me. I am the son of a wealthy business tycoon."

"You are so lucky." She whispered.

"Never mind, now tell me what the deal is?" He interrupted.

"You are the boss, so you tell me, and I'll do anything."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"Fine, come to me whenever I call you and do everything I would want you to do!"

"Like having sex?"

"What else do you think?" He grinned.

"Sure." She agreed. He gave her his calling card.

"Call me around 11 a.m., and I'll be waiting for your call, so don't try to trick me!" He warned.

"I won't do that! It's a deal!" She answered, assuring him.

"Great! Just lock the door when you leave. I'm still tired. Get that paper bag and wear it. I don't want to see you with that dress again." He instructed while pointing to the one he had brought last night.

"Thank you, Mr. Nathan Conner!" She whispered.

Then, she left with immeasurable happiness.