Chapter 3

Twenty five years later,

Rose

I scream, making the driver hit the brakes. He looks back at me and glares. I glared back before scowling at him without offering an apology.

“You are not going to apologize for almost killing us with your bloody.” He scoffs at me.

“We are not dead,” I snarl.

He looks ahead and continues driving. I don’t close my eyes again. I pull my phone out. I napped for ten minutes and had an awful dream. The man was back in my dreams again. I hated Antonio Vega. 

I didn’t think about the dream. I chose ignorance because my childhood horrors are in the past. Dead, buried and forgotten as long as I was awake. 

“Are you not getting out?” the driver sighed looking behind.

“I am,” I roll my eyes.

“Then get a move on.” he hisses.

I ground my teeth and pressed a fake smile. I’m not picking a fight with the Uber driver. I pushed out of the car and took a heavy breath. The past was not defining me as long as my eyes blinked. I breathed out again and walked across the road and into the hotel.

I looked ridiculous in my oversized black coat and not to mention the heat outside was over thirty-seven. The hottest it has ever been in years. I got a few glances when I walked in because the coat was against the weather, obviously, but I couldn’t exactly prance in looking like the call girl I was. 

As hot as it may be, Terrace Hotel policy would have flagged me and denied me access if they got to see underneath the coat. Worse if they caught wind of my reason for being there.

I rolled my eyes as more people still stared when I walked into the bar. I saw the right person I wanted to see and curled my lip to the side taking a seat on the stool. Everyone else could go die or burn in hell. I chose to wear this coat against the damning weather.

“Hey Benny, how about the usual?” I tapped my burgundy nails on the counter as he walked closer, smiling at me with a cocktail shaker in hand.

“Isn't it a little hot for that coat?” He smirked, leaning closer.

“Scorching hot if you really want to know.” I crossed my legs on top of the other already in work mode.

He hummed, nodding to himself, “If I was to ask what you are hiding in there, would you answer?”

“How about that drink?” I pressed a smile, looking at him under my lashes.

“Hmm?” he stared for a moment and nodded with a wink before he continued his work.

I hung back and watched Benny as he finished serving a few drinks to customers. It was obvious he was talking about me with the guy at the bar. I’m gorgeous. He confirmed by looking at me, winking. I blew him a kiss. 

In no time, he was making a glass of a simple old virgin cocktail for me before scribbling what I presumed was the hotel number I needed. 

“You know me so well,” I said as he slid the glass in front of me.

“How about you finally tell me what you have on?” He looked at me with mischief dancing in his eyes. “Or,” he looked back to where the guy was and he smiled.

“I can’t do that,” I rolled my eyes while taking a slow sip of my drink. “He’s not my type.”

“Come on, Red. I would not give him anything.” he placed his elbows on the counter as his hand intertwined. “I promise.” I raised my brow. “Okay, what is your type?” he asked.

Benny was new and also a curious little thing. It was too bad because he was getting nothing from me. I took a sip of my drink, looking at him before he sighed and pushed his body back. He revealed the piece of information I needed with the room number.

“Thank you,” I smiled, grabbing the piece of paper after looking at the number before shoving the paper in my coat.

“We have known each other for almost a month, you know?” He said with a smile.

“I’ve only been here twice.” I added.

“Yeah, I know,” he nodded, looking at me. “I also know Red is not your real name.” 

“Obviously,” I took a sip of my cocktail with a smile, “Is that a question or a statement?” I played with my glass as I waited for him to respond.

“What’s your real name?”

I made a small laugh, looking at him. “Depends?”

“On what?” He moved closer, looking at me. 

“Do you want to know my real name or,” I paused, looking at the gigantic clock behind him as he waited for me to continue, “or do you want to know what’s underneath this coat?” I smirked, taking the last sip of my cocktail and setting the glass on the table without breaking eye contact with him.

“You’re good,” he nodded.

“Decide because I have to go.” I stood and fixed my coat.

“Name.” 

“Wrong question.” I clicked my tongue. "You chose the wrong question." I sigh with a shrug.

“Hey, that’s not the right answer,” he objected, shaking his head.

“I know,” I leaned closer whispering, “You know what to ask next time,” I placed the hundred rand note on the counter. "Thank you for the drink."

“Blade already paid for the drink.” 

“Oh?” I raised my brow and left the money on the counter, laughing. "Blade never pays for the drinks. Next time, choose a better lie."

I made my way to the elevator with a smile on my face. Benny was sweet, but he could never be the right guy. If we may have met under different circumstances, maybe but I have a shitty life. I'm hiding from a very dangerous man who wants me dead.

I took a deep sigh and shook off distractions. I was locking away scared Rose for a couple of hours while I worked. I practiced my smile in the elevator bank mirrors and pumped myself by shaking everything off. The elevator door slid apart and I walked out ready. 

I took out the oversized glasses that were in my coat and placed them in front of my eyes. I had been with older men mostly, but this time I was getting someone younger after almost a year. He was also a virgin and since I was one of the youngest girls, as per my client’s request, Blade chose me.  

I lifted my chin to press the buzzer and paused, putting my game face on. No matter how unattractive the person will be, I need to show confidence and smile. 

“You are fierce.” I whisper.

I had buzzed twice and there was no answer, so I double pressed, hoping he would open. I noticed a do not disturb sign on the door handle and double-checked the number to see if I got the right room number. My glasses fell off as I looked at the piece of paper. 

I bent down and picked them up the same time the door opened. I was still reaching for the glasses when I averted my glass and sucked deep. I never bother looking at the man’s profiles because most of the men lied and made themselves look younger or fitter.

Blade had not done this virgin justice when he casually just mentioned that he was young because he was attractive. He was coming straight from the shower and looked so damn fine with nothing, but a towel wrapped on his waist hiding many sins. 

I never get dumb folded over a man. They are the ones who usually do a double-take, but this time I looked. I was trying to picture how he was still a virgin when he looked good enough to eat like that. I know I had all that until tomorrow and I would not complain, finally. Until the sun rises the next day, I wouldn't mind educating him. He was going to get his money's worth.

I licked my lips and I composed myself. I pushed my body up with a smile. He looked at me with a frown. That was going to change after he saw underneath the oversized coat. 

I should say something, but the water dripping on the ridges of his torso was too distracting. My windpipe was missing as I licked my lips and curled my lips. I’m sure I look more ridiculous without speaking, which makes him move aside, letting me walk in, giving me the courage I needed to introduce myself the way Blade always wants. 

I didn’t have to channel or force my sultry voice with him. The man was hot. Any woman who gets to see him like this would purr.

“If you had waited, maybe we would have–“

I never got the chance to finish my sentence, as the frown on his face had changed into something else. He caught me by surprise because I wasn’t expecting him to be in control, which was a huge turn on. He had his hand on my neck but not squeezing.

“Start talking,” he said, looking at me flipping a few wet strands away from his eyes.

“It would be better if I showed you,” I smiled. 

Guess we were role playing already, as per his request. I moved my hand to undo the coat, and he held my hand, stopping me from revealing what he needed to see.

“Don’t fucking play with me, woman. Answer me before I squeeze the life out of you.” His brown eyes flashed dangerously.

“I don’t think Blade would like that,” I answered with a smile.

“Why the fuck are you smiling?” He growled.

Danger bells rang but I took a calming breath. He was a client. This was just a job. Acting. I was not in real danger or so I hoped. 

“I wasn’t expecting you to be dominant, but I don’t mind.” I shrugged and acted cool.

“You think this is a game?” He squeezed my neck a little. Not too hard. I could still speak.

“You need to ease up on the grip,” I sighed, losing my smile for a second. If we are doing this, there are things we have to be clear on. "Let go and so we can discuss the rules first."

“I heard a voice. Is everything okay?” a female voice came from the other room. “What the hell are you doing?”

“You need to leave,” his tone was commanding. He was talking to her, but his eyes never left mine.

“I thought-“ 

“Be quiet,” his voice was gruff.

I observed him. Blade would definitely not approve of my frown, but this man was giving me chills and not the fun kind. I was getting cold scary chills. It was bringing back memories and I fought them back down.

“You can’t hold her like that. You need to let her go.”

“Get out now,” he said, not bothering to look at her, but she seemed shocked so he repeated. "Why are you standing there staring," he glanced at the women, "I told you to leave. Get a move on."

My client was not a virgin, and this had Blade written all over it. He had screwed me once again. He knew I would have refused to have a dominant man. I despise controlling men.

I hate that Blade sent me here blindsided. He might have been attractive and turned me on earlier, but he was scaring me. The stare he was giving me made me feel small and weak. I despised feeling small and weak

I kept my mouth shut, but I was very alert. I'm very familiar with dangerous looking men. This man was dangerous and his gigantic hands would definitely snap me like a twig. I am prepared to run if I get a chance.