Aphrodisiac

OSCAR

“Mr. Vance, is something wrong?" One of the businessmen at the table asked when he noticed the way I was repeatedly rubbing my eyes.

Something was definitely wrong but I couldn't pinpoint where it came from.

“Mr. Vance is probably enjoying the meeting, it's a pleasure to meet you too," Russo, the Russian mobster we've been trying to secure a deal with all night, smiled.

His crooked, discoloured teeth hurt my vision as he twirled the small black pen in his hand.

“Let's reschedule this meeting, I have an important appointment right now," I stood up from the center seat, started packing the files in front of me while trying to steady myself.

My head was throbbing and it felt as if my body would collapse if I can't steady my consciousness.

“We're having an important meeting, Mr. Vance," Russo stood up across from me, his palm pressed firmly on the table.

An action I considered a threat.

“After this meeting, I'll be heading back to Russia immediately, and I won't be coming to New York anytime soon," he continued, before he took his seat calmly.

I let out a loud sigh, my bodyguards stood firmly behind me, ready to make a move if Russo tried anything funny.

“Boss, we can just go. He has nothing against us," Garvin, the bodyguard by my right, said.

"We need to secure this deal,” I said beneath my breath.

I grabbed the clear glass of water beside me and took a slow sip. Instantly, a burning sensation erupted in my belly and slowly spread through my body.

My fingers trembled against the glass cup as cold air blew on my face, blowing my golden hair up a little.

It shouldn't be what I'm thinking.

"Which maid poured this water for me earlier?" I asked, my eyes remained glued on the glass of water.

Whatever was wrong with me, it's from this glass of water.

One of Russo's men smiled beside him. “There's no maid here, Mr. Vance."

I looked toward the tinted black windows by my side and caught Russo's smug satisfaction in my face writhing in pain.

The feeling became unbearable, my body was burning with heat but that particular area below my abdomen felt so cold, in need of a warm spot.

"Boss, what's wrong with you?” Garvin asked when he noticed the way my fingers were trembling.

Sweats clouded my face instantly when I couldn't bear it anymore as I slowly began to lose my reasoning. I didn't know when the glass cup fell from my hand and shattered on the glass with a loud sound.

“Mr. Vance, be careful. Help him clean that," Russo said to one of his bodyguards and that one immediately began to stride to my side.

Garvin crossed him before he had the chance to near me. He seemed to have figured out what was wrong with me as well.

“Thanks for your hospitality, Boss is good,” Garvin glared at the bodyguard intensely.

I took some steps back, my eyes remained locked with Russo as Garvin whispered in my ear, "Boss, it's aphrodisiac.”

I looked at Garvin, one of my eyebrows raised with forced precision. "Not poison? And how did you know that?”

“Judging by your symptoms, probably an aphrodisiac. We need to get you out of here. Russo probably wants to use a sextape as leverage against you, he's not convenient with his share in this deal," Garvin said into my ear before he returned to packing the glass on the floor.

To steady myself became even harder, I couldn't even balance my feet on the ground. I turned to Russo, I think he's by my right or was he across me?

Right now, I'm just following my intelligence, not my vision anymore.

He was across from me.

“Your complexion is not looking good, Mr. Vance, I happened to have my daughter here and she's a nurse, let her check on you," Russo said, flashing his crooked teeth at me.

"Paulina," he called loudly and the door to the conference room was pushed open.

A young lady walked inside, my blurry vision couldn't make out her face but she was dressed in a brown, tight gown.

“She poured your water earlier, Boss, she was the one who spiked your water," Liam, my other bodyguard said in a very inaudible voice but I managed to make out what he said.

"Let's get out of here first, we can't win against Russo tonight, he's got me in a chokehold. The only thing we can do so we don't lose everything badly is to leave early,” I mumbled to them.

"Yes, father?” Paulina said as soon as she entered the room. Her English accent was not as smooth as Russo, cracks of her native language appeared underneath.

"Mr. Vance is not feeling well, please take him to one of the private rooms here and check on him. Make sure you take care of him carefully,” Russo said and she smiled.

She looked at my direction and started walking toward me. I turned to Russo with murdering intent obvious in my gaze.

Did he really think he could force me into this? I wouldn't have secured the Vance's empire if I was this gullible.

"Russo, I said I have something to attend to and if you dare to try and stop me one more time, forget about this deal and forget about leaving New York in good health,” I warned, looking him straight in the eye.

I saw the way he swallowed the heavy lump in his throat, the small tap he made on the table and the way his body readjust despite himself; I knew I found my exit.

Russo is not the type to behave himself but he knew I wasn't bluffing either.

"Let's go,” I handed the files I packed earlier to Liam as I aimed for the door, Liam and Garvin trailed behind me.

“Mr. Vance, you really need to see a health professional, let me take care of you,” Paulina tried to touch my arm.

"Touch him and go home amputated,” Garvin threatened before I even said anything, she kept her hand to herself immediately.

I left the conference room and left that building completely. Garvin pulled out the backseat door of the black sedan for me as I settled in.

Liam took control of the wheels and we drove off.

The heat in my body became unbearable. My breathing grew heavier, and I could barely keep my thoughts straight.

I loosened my tie and removed it completely as I unbuttoned my shirt, my breath was heavy and ragged.

"Boss, should we go and see a doctor?” Garvin asked when he could keep quiet and my reaction.

"Where's the nearest Vance hotel to this place?" I managed to ask, a heavy groan escaped my mouth.

“Vance's home and bar, it's before a fashion academy but it's pretty small, Boss," Garvin replied.

“Let's head there, I'll sleep in one of Vance special rooms tonight. I'll be fine tomorrow," I said and they nodded in agreement.

It took a few minutes and we arrived at the hotel, the hotel was smaller than I thought and they only have one Vance special room. I had no other choice but to take it.

I definitely couldn't allow myself to sleep with Paulina tonight because I'm sure Russo wouldn't leave me alone like that, he'll have me trailed by his men.

“We'll be watching outside the hotel, Boss," Liam said as they walked out of the hotel to stand by the car.

I stood by the window, completely shirtless, as if the blowing wind would somehow cool the heat in my body.

It wasn't working.

Just as I turned around to return to the bed, the door to my room was pushed open and a lady walked inside.

My vision was already blurry, I could barely hold myself anymore, all I want is to somehow manage to fall asleep.

"Ethan?” She called as soon as she entered the room.

Ethan? Who's that? Is she drunk?

"I knew you won't leave me alone. Ethan, I love you so much,” she suddenly began to cry as she walked toward me.

I couldn't make out her face but her figure looked familiar and her voice sounded like one I've heard before.

But it can't be the person I was thinking about, why would she come to a place like this?

I don't have the strength to argue with her or ask why she's here, I don't even have the strength to get a hold of myself. I mainly took a seat at the edge of the bed while watching her.

“Babe, let's have a baby," she said and I flinched.

Is she sent here by Russo? I stood up instantly and grabbed her hand.

“Get out of my room," I tried to drag her out of the room but she jerked her hand away harshly.

“No, you won't leave me right now. Get me pregnant so my family can allow us to get married," she said and she pushed me to the bed with so much force, I lost my balance.

She climbed on the bed and began to strip.