Chapter 5: Back in the Mansion

Jessica and Clara took the bus to Clara's workplace. They entered the building but were not allowed to see the person in charge but rather were driven out. As they were roughly being pushed out of the building Clara saw they have already replaced her. She sighed and decided it was not worth fighting them. She turns to leave. She held Jessica's hand and pulled her towards the exit. Jessica got confused, held Clara's shoulders and stopped her from moving any further.

"What are you doing?" Jessica said looking at Clara sternly "These people are a bunch of ruthless thieves who only know how to take advantage of the poor. Wait! what! you really gonna let them get away with this?" She questioned

"You said it and you are right, a bunch of ruthless thieves. That is what they are. What I don't understand is, why my best friend wants me to work with a bunch of ruthless thieves. Not only am I working with them but they are my superiors too," Clara said looking at Jessica. 

"You are right, we don't need these people. Let's go home," Jessica agreed.

They decided to go back to the clubhouse but Jessica was not satisfied with how the whole issue turned up, so on their way out of the office premises Jessica took their company sign on display and threw it to the ground causing it to break. She pulled Clara and they both run out of the place. 

After running for about 10 minutes they realized they were far away from the office.

"Jessica, what did you do that for?" Clara asked panting for air after that unplanned running. 

"What!, that will cost them more than 10 dollars to fix. It will teach them to treat their employees right," She said and sat on a nearby bench and took a bottle of water out of her bag and drank it. 

"Let's go home, I am sure they are looking for us. I hope they don't call the police on us. You didn't have to do that," Clara said worriedly. 

Before Clara could take a step someone grabbed her by her collar and Jessica's eyes widened choking on the water she was drinking. She quickly got up and came to Clara's rescue. Clara turned to see it was, the in-charge of the office she was working as a janitor.

"You destroyed our company signpost which caused 750 dollars to make. Is either you pay or I hand you over to the police," she said angrily. 

"I don't have that kind of money. If you allow me, I will work it off" Clara suggested. 

"That is what you get when you pay your employees 10 dollars for working from 5 am to 3 pm. If you don't pay your employees right, then get ready to spend money repairing stuff in your shop," Jessica said with a smirk. 

The in-charge stood for a while looking at Jessica. She feared Jessica may destroy more things in her small company if she insist on Clara paying. She turned and left them. 

"And that my friend is how you deal with a thug in an expensive outfit," Jessica said and pulled Clara towards the bus stop. 

The bus stopped and Jessica asked Clara to get on the bus and go back, informing her she will see her later in the evening at the club.

Clara nodded and got on the bus. The seats were all occupied so she stood in the middle and held on to the pole above her. She got down at her junction and walked into the nearby shop to get something to eat but got nothing. She went to the club to clean up. Laura walked in as she was getting the places ready

"You are back," she said smiling.

"It wasn't bad was it?" She waited for an answer but Clara said nothing "Bring me that chair" she said pointing to a chair at the corner of the bar

Clara stopped cleaning the tables and went to bring her the chair

"I don't need it, seeing you are walking fine, tells me, that man didn't break your legs," She walked towards the bar "That guy was too tall and tough, I wondered if you could handle him. I see you handle him fine,"

Clara pressed her lips but said nothing and continue cleaning the place. She was done and Laura handed her a bikini to wear for the night. Clara looked at the dress and was unhappy.

"Aunty, I can't wear this, I will be walking practically naked while serving drinks," she said with an unhappy face. 

"Well, girl, your face doesn't make me the money. This is what will make me money, so you have two options, is either you wear it or get the hell out of my club" She yelled at her. 

Clara looked at her and walked out of the place. She went out and was walking down the street not sure where she was going. It was a few minutes to 6 pm, the sun has already set and the streets were gradually lighting up.

Clara did not know how far she had walked until she saw two strange-looking people walking toward her. She turned to walk back but realized they were following her. She started running and they started chasing her.

She started screaming while running. The two strange-looking guys were too fast they caught up with her and one of them grabbed her by her clothes causing her to stumble and fall. Her head hit a railing by the walkway. She screamed and passed out. 

Clara did not know how long she was out but when she opened her eyes, she was on a bed. She tried to get up but felt a sharp pain in her head. She sat on the bed and raised her hand to touch her head and realized it was bandaged.

She looked around and realize the place was familiar but that wasn't her small room. She lifted her gaze and saw sitting on the sofa was Ragnor. She shut her eyes thinking she was imagining him. She opened her eyes again and this time he was right in front of her staring into her eyes. 

"What were you doing down the road alone at that late hour," he asked, his voice alluring. 

"Er.. er... I..was.." Clara stammered but still couldn't complete her sentence feeling very uneasy with this man up in her face. 

Ragnor smiled and put a distance between himself and Clara after feeling her uneasiness. He sat on the bed. 

"Have you eaten?" He asked with a smile on his face. 

Clara was just staring at him not hearing anything he was saying, she could only see his lips move, his eyes blinked and his gloriously beautiful face. This man is too handsome. Does he have siblings, his parents must have extraordinary beauty to have such a handsome man. He is just perfect. 

Ragnor smiled and got up from the bed. He carried Clara in his arms to the dining area. The butler pulled a seat out seeing his master carrying Clara. He gently placed Clara on the seat and food was immediately served. He picked up the chopsticks before Clara could take them and he fed her. Clara was in a daze but she still opened her mouth to take the food when he brings it to her mouth. 

"Do you want some more?" He asked looking at her. 

Clara could not talk so she just shook her head to say "no".

He placed the chopsticks down and carried her back to the bedroom and placed her on the sofa. 

"How did you find me?" Clara asked curiously.

"I was coming over to the clubhouse and I heard someone screaming. I followed the sound and found you," He answered. 

"Thank you," Clara said with a smile. "This is the second time you are saving me," she added

Ragnor said nothing but sat on the sofa next to her and pulled her into his arms. Clara just placed her head on his chest. She could hear his calm heartbeat. 

Clara woke up and she was on the bed, in a pyjama and no Ragnor. She started wondering if Ragnor changed her clothes for her and how come she didn't feel anything.