5

Chapter 5

Leilani Hades

My heart pounded hard in my chest as I sat in Mr. Derek's living room while waiting for him.

Mr. Derek was my dad's best friend before he passed away, and he had since been our family's close friend after dad's demise.

I didn't want to reach out to him if not that he was the last hope that I had.

My attention was drawn to his footsteps descending the staircase, and my heart missed a beat as I fondled my fingers nervously.

“I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, dear. I was attending to something in the room,” he groaned, sitting on the couch. Mr. Derek was in his early forties.

“It's fine, Sir. Good day, Sir,” I bowed to him, and he waved his hand dismissively, smiling at me.

“Leilani, right?” He asked, and I nodded. I had told him over the phone yesterday.

“Uhm… Sir, about what we discussed,” I said almost in a whisper, my heart beating rapidly like it was going to explode.

“Oh… right…” he paused, standing up from where he was sitting. I thought he was going inside to get me the money, but what he did was rather shocking. Mr. Derek came to sit beside me on the couch, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, and I adjusted uncomfortably.

“How much did you say the money is again?” His voice came out huskily, as he played with my hair, and with every gesture from him, I felt my body itch uncomfortably.

“Uhm… Sir…” I adjusted, moving away from him.

“It's four hundred thousand, Sir. But any amount you can raise is fine by me. I will really appreciate it,” I said to him, swallowing a breath afterwards.

He stared at me lustfully. He looked like he was already stripping me naked with his eyes.

What was he up to?

“Come on, dear. Why are you being like this?” He moved closer to me, reaching his hand to touch my face, but I rose to my feet before his hand could reach me.

“What are you doing, Sir?!” I snapped at him, my voice unintentionally hard.

“I can give you all the money and even more, Leilani… I can give you whatever you want, you know?” He bit his lip, standing up too.

“I've always admired you… Everything about you has always attracted me. Your calmness, your good manners. Everything…” he said, trying to touch me, but I yanked his hand off.

“Get your filthy hands off me, you shameless man!” I snarled at him, throwing him a murderous glare. Even though I needed this money, selling my body for it was the last thing I'd do. Worse still, to this traitor? Hell no!

“You were my dad's friend. His best friend at that. How could you do this?” my lips trembled, tears streaming down my cheeks. If only my family didn't neglect me, I wouldn't have been here.

“What's wrong with that, darling? Besides, we are not related,” he casually shrugged like this was no big deal.

“You disgust me!” I spat on his face before turning to leave.

I barely made it to the exit door when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back roughly, slamming me against the wall.

“Don't play too hard to get, bitch! I know you are only pretending to be a good girl. You are no different from your Mom and sister,” he pinned my hands above me on the wall, pressing my cheeks hard with his fingers.

What did he mean by that? Was he having an affair with Mom and Lyra?

I asked myself, but dismissed the thought. I shouldn't be bothered about that even if that was true.

“You should play along while I'm being nice to you, bitch!” He cursed at me, leaning in for a kiss while I struggled to free myself from his grasp.

“Let go of me!” I tried to scream, but my voice barely made it out of my vocal cords as it bounced back.

He grabbed my hand and dragged me back into the living room, turning deaf ears to all my pleas.

“Let me go!” I cried out as he pushed me roughly against the couch, getting on top of me. I could barely move under him, as he was too strong for me. He barely needed his strength to overpower me.

“Shut your filthy mouth, bitch!” He cursed, sending a resounding slap across my face, that left a loud buzzing sound in my ear. My hearing completely shut out at that moment.

Mr. Derek held my hands and pinned it above my head while unbuckling his trouser with the other hand.

I kept struggling to get away from him. No way I would allow him to have his way with me.

“Derek!” My heart stopped beating for a few seconds when I heard the familiar voice.

Jaxon?!