Sooner Or Later

Clara’s POV

I flinched as the slap landed hard on my ass, his grip tightened strongly making me wince in pain. It felt like a bolt of electricity struck me or perhaps a lightning bolt, because the shock was so painful making me wonder if my skin had been peeled off.

I moved my hips slowly, reluctantly, as my hands rested on either side of the sofa. My waist swayed, and he let out a breathy gasp.

“Ooh.. yeah… that’s it… that’s what I want. You’re good at this,” he grumbled in satisfaction, his head resting on the leather sofa, and his both hands holding my waist softly.

But I wasn’t satisfied. Inside, I was burning with anger. The only thing I could think of was ending this hell—ending everything I was doing here. I wasn't comfortable, I was in fear, my body trembled, I was wrestling with an anxiety that's already tearing me from the inside.

He grabbed my ass and squeezed it more, gently raising my skirt. I pushed his hands away. I wasn’t a harlot. I was a stripper he forced me to be—a prisoner trying to pay off a debt I never even benefited from.

“You know what happens if you refuse to do your job right,” he growled, his brows furrowed, a menacing ghastly gasp of his was so horrible that it felt like a lion breathing hard on my neck.

I hesitated, then slowly let my hands fall, allowing him to raise my skirt. His hands moved toward my panties—and that was when I snapped, and decided to act.

“I can’t take this anymore,” I said, standing up, my voice trembling but angry.

“Please… I’m not a sex worker. I’m just here to settle a debt.”

He chuckled.

“You thought I brought you here to play games with me, you bitch? paying off the debt is part of satisfying me, or have you forgotten I make the rules here,” he barked, eyes sharp as a blade. I stood silent, my body shaking like I was sucked into a cold ice water, unable to move or speak.

“Now get back here. Finish what you're supposed to do,” he demanded.

Slowly, I returned to his lap, positioning myself again. He slipped his hand into my bra, squeezing my nipple. My face twisted in anger—but I couldn’t do anything.

He grabbed me on the neck while he breathed warmly onto my ears. His hands moved round my body, from my breast to every part of sensation, but I wasn't feeling any bit of the urge towards sexual attraction. All I want To do at the moment was satisfy him as he had requested and get the hell out of this room, since he hadn't demanded for a sex, all he wanted was a session to strip for him.

After I was done, he tossed an envelope in front of me. I stared at it, confused.

“Take the money. Use it to take care of yourself,” he said casually. “And as for the debt—I’m deducting ten thousand dollars from it.”

I blinked. Ten thousand?

That would leave twenty-nine thousand.

I had only managed to raise two thousand after months of work—and he just slashed a quarter of the total like it was nothing.

“Go,” he added with a wave of his hand. “I’ll call for you when I need you.”

I grabbed my heels and rushed out of the room while holding the envelope he had given to me. I didn't even care to know the amount of money that was inside, all I had in mind was to exit the room as quickly as I could.

When I got home, I still couldn’t believe it. The money in that envelope was more than I’d ever earned here—combined. Yes, he assaulted me. Yes, he touched me in ways I hated. But that kind of money? It almost didn’t feel real.

He gave me money for myself, too—not just toward the debt. I sat on the edge of my bed, stunned. For months, I stripped, and I never saw this kind of payment.

Now I understood why he was called the boss.

I’d never been like this—not even once. But a strange new feeling was creeping into me. A sliver of hope. Could I really be free soon?

If I kept pleasing him like that, maybe… just maybe, I could finally pay off the debt.

I gasped in relief and let my head fall back onto the bed.

Maybe this nightmare would end sooner than I thought.

The next morning, a loud bang on the door jolted me awake. My eyes were still heavy.

“Who the hell is banging on my door this early?” I mumbled to myself, dragging myself out of bed.

I opened the door—and froze.

Derick.

“What’s going on? Why are you here?” I asked, confused.

Derick had never known where I lived. Seeing him at my door didn’t make sense.

“The boss wants to see you,” he said coldly.

“Why? It’s not even time for me to report to the club, based on our agreement,” I replied.

“I don’t give a damn about your little agreement. I’m here to tell you to get in that car—and go meet the boss,” he growled, locking his eyes on me.

I was baffled. Why now? Why this early?

“If you don’t come willingly, I’ll drag you there myself,” he added, sensing my hesitation.

I nodded, swallowing my fear. “Please… give me a few minutes to change.”

“There’s no need for that,” he snapped.

“Come with me. Now.”

His glare was terrifying. I knew better than to argue.

Still in my pajamas, I walked beside him to a sleek black SUV. Two security guards opened the door for me. I got in. Derick sat next to me like a watchdog—like he expected me to jump out and run.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

No answer.

The driver said nothing. The other man in the front seat—dressed in a sharp black suit—stared straight ahead. Not a word. Not a glance. It was as if my question didn’t exist.

I sat in silence, heart pounding. Something about this felt very, very wrong.