|| Valentina's POV ||
" 20 dollars only!", the leading woman of our group threw a glare at me, full of mockery. I just rolled my eyes at her. I wasn't in the mood today which was the result of this low earnings. I couldn't entertain those men properly but how could I do that when a lot of things were messing around my mind?
Mr.King's damned proposal...
My friend's suggestions...
How was I going to stay alive on this unsure job? Could stripping give me fortune?
" No! It can't! Go find him!", my subconscious mind shouted back inside my head. I growled out frustratingly and glanced at the clock. It was 5 past in the afternoon. He gave me 24 hours to think about. I had only a few hours left to think.
A perfect life...
A roof under my head..
I could get anything from him. I didn't have to fear losing my apartment. All this speculations tempted me from the core of my heart. But someone's enraging voice barged into the room all of a sudden,
" VALENTINA! What's wrong with you today? Pay attention to your mood next time. Just 20 dollars, are you serious? You won't get any share today from us. It's too little to serve you a share."
It was our boss, the bar owner and local mob who kept yelling at me for earning little. I was shocked to hear him cursing. I had been bringing money to his bar immensely for the past one year yet he was furious over me just for a single day. I didn't hold back anymore. Turning around, I shouted back at him,
" BOSS! It's just a day. I bring the most money, don't I? Is this how you treat your staff? Not giving me any share!"
His eyes flared up in rage. Slamming his hand over his thigh, he spat with a growl,
" Rubbish! I am the boss and I can decide anything. Who are you to lecture me?"
I felt the hardest betrayal in my life. Even after doing so much for them, they acted like I meant nothing. I scoffed back, speaking out of my mind,
" Someday I will buy your entire bar and see who the boss is."
He laughed...
He just laughed at my face and crossed his arms, taunting me back,
" Oh really? Look everyone! A stripper is challenging me to take over my property. Then, how are you going to earn so much money? Marrying a rich old fart? Oh come on! Stripper girls like you only match in bed."
I clenched my fist hard to not punch at his face. In the end, I just blurted before storming outside,
" Fuck You!"
____________
" Mr.King is waiting inside. You should go this way, Miss Avery!", his assistant spoke in a warm voice, leading me the way into his elevator.
His building was huge. I bet, at least 500 workers worked here. It felt good to probably become a CEO, so much power and everything could be done so easily. As the elevator started to bring me upstairs, I remembered an article that claimed how Lorenzo King was going to become the next leading man of Humbsblock City.
I had to come here first. I was done with this mistreating behavior. I could tolerate everything absolutely except disrespect which my boss did to me today. So, I swore that I was never going to step in that bar unless I owned it. Now for my better future, only Lorenzo King was the option here today.
The elevator opened with a ding. I walked out to see his office in front. I took a deep breath. Obviously, I was scared to meet the powerful CEO of this town.
His response reverberated just after one knock as if he was expecting me already,
" Come In!"
I entered timidly, my eyes followed him on the desk, typing on his laptop skillfully. Oh God! How sexy! Indeed, people used to say the right thing. A man at work looks the best.
" Hello..Mr.King..", I greeted him nervously, his eyes never leaving the screen. After a short while, he finally stopped typing and asked me politely,
" Miss Avery! Take the seat! I expected you to come in."
I smiled back weakly at his remark. Oh God! Why was he making me nervous without any reason? I danced in front of countless men yet they never affected me like him. I guess, it was his born aura which gave you the urge to bow down.
A real king of state!
I spoke, nibbling on my lower lips,
" Mr.King..I ..I have thought through it. I...I would like to take the job.."
His cold eyes fixed on me, so emotionless and hard to see through. He began to speak, leaning against his chair,
" I know the moment you walked into my building, Miss Avery. Anyways, let's get back to the main topic. You have to play different roles rather than just being the surrogate mother of my child."
" Means?", I furrowed tightly. In no way, I was going to let him take advantage of me.
He chuckled softly,
" Relax! I am not going to ask you to serve my bed. It's just that you have to pretend to be my girlfriend in front of my family until the baby is born safely. In other words, you will have to be my girlfriend in front of the outside world but at home, we are just business partners."
I nodded with understanding. He was trying to do it in a modest way. I had no issues with that. I would rather call it a fortune to be his fake girlfriend.
I replied back, looking into his eyes which were waiting for my answer,
" I have no problem with that. Anything else, Mr.King?"
He flashed me a grin, getting up from his chair,
" Awesome! Then, it's settled, Miss Avery. We will do the medical tests first tomorrow. Then we will talk about the contract and other rules."
_________
