The Secret of Us

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

PEARL

Vera slammed the door as she walked into the room, obviously trying to make herself known since I'd been acting like she was invisible.

I only spared her a glance and returned to applying the lip gloss. Red lips were only meant for class, while ordinary gloss was for others.

I was meeting one of my father's investors that night, and attracting him was something I didn't want. I had gotten enough of that already.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Vera's eyes running all over my body.

"You're really taking the prude Pearl nickname seriously. Dressing for a new class now, Pearl? Trying to shed that bed dumb image Jake blessed you with?" Vera jabbed, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she walked up to me.

I shot her a look without uttering a word.

I was only dressed in a mini strapless gown, and it definitely wasn't giving off the prostitute vibe. I mean, my father got it for me.

"Still trying to prove everyone wrong? Dressing like you're desperate for a new reputation. I just hope you're not hooking up with one of the students though. That's going to be real bad," she continued while pulling out her chair.

I returned the lip gloss to my purse.

"What has happened to you over the last two weeks? You've suddenly changed a lot and..."

I cut in sharply. "Can you stop talking to me?"

She blinked. I grabbed my purse and walked out of the room. Dad had sent his driver to come pick me up, so it was easy to get to the downtown lounge.

It was a private upscale one, and the driver led me to the VIP room. As I walked in, a wave of dread washed over me.

I knew how this worked—too many old men staring. But at least this time, it looked like it was only one man.

I wasn't going to be sitting around the table of old men. That had become the norm, but recently, it seemed like he had changed strategies, and this felt more predatory.

He waved me over with a wide smile on his face, and I approached the table slowly. He greeted me curtly and introduced me to another pervert in his 40s. I wasn't even sure I registered his name because he held my hand so tightly while flashing me a charming smile.

Finally, I was able to retrieve my hand. I cleared my throat and settled beside my father, while the investor's eyes lingered on me, obviously checking me out.

"You're such a stunning lady," he started, and I forced a small smile.

"I told you she's just as good-looking as me," my father replied shamelessly.

The man chuckled. "You don't compare." He turned to me. "Your father says you're in senior year studying applied chemistry. Do you plan to work with your father?"

"Of course," my father replied before I could even open my mouth. I glanced at him.

The man nodded. "Great. Then the investment is worth making. You should have some drinks," he said, pushing a wine glass towards me.

My eyes flickered to the wine and then at my father. I hesitated at first, but the look my dad gave me forced me to take a sip.

The man flashed me a grin this time, and I almost rolled my eyes.

"I think I'll just go to the bathroom," my father announced as he rose to his feet. Of course, he would. He never misses the bathroom.

He goes to the bathroom and never returns.

Then he leaned close to me and whispered, "Make a good impression this time. No messing up. If you try to embarrass me again, I'm cutting off your allowance. You don't want that, do we?" he warned.

I gripped the hem of my dress tightly. All I wanted to do was ignore him and walk out on him, but I couldn't do that.

Last time, I had poured drinks on his new business partner and he had taken my car.

This time, I might just start looking for a job to support myself.

He smiled at the man before walking away. He left me again.

A knot formed in my stomach as the investor immediately rose from his feet and joined me. God! He doesn't even try to hide his intentions. Where does my dad meet perverts every single time? Why must he work with them?

"You should have more," he said, pointing at the wine.

I waved my hand and forced a plastic smile. "No."

He lifted his brows. "Why not?"

The lighting dimmed and soft music came up in the background. I bit on my lower lip as panic gnawed at me.

"Just take a few sips," he urged before grabbing his own glass. He took a sip from it and lifted his glass. "See? It's good. Your father has already mentioned you're willing, so there's nothing to worry about."

My face screwed up. Willing? What the hell! How disgusting can my father get?

"Cheers."

I swallowed my anger and picked up the wine glass before clinking it.

He threw me a wink while I took another few sips. God! It burned my throat.

Then it hit me.

My skin flushed and my head suddenly grew heavy. Everything became blurry.

And before I could understand what was going on, the man leaned closer, brushing my thigh.

His hand moved up slowly, and my breath caught.

I shouldn't make a scene like my father instructed or maybe... I should.

I got up quickly, but my legs immediately wobbled, the floor tilted, and I fell back on the seat. Oh God! Something was wrong. Very, very wrong.

I ran my palm across my face, trying to get my eyes to focus, but I couldn't even pinpoint where my purse was anymore.

The man guided me up, pushing me close to his body. Even though I wanted to kick him or maybe splash the drink on him and run out of the lounge, my body had grown weak and my head had started banging.

It felt like I had been paralyzed, and everywhere became so hot.

"We'll just leave now," he whispered in my ears, sending heat all over my body. My body felt alien, heavy.

But before we could move, a sharp sound cut through the cotton in my head.

"Let her go!"

I recognized that voice. Or was I hearing things now that my ears were ringing?

"This is none of your business, man. Get out of my way," the investor said, pulling me close to him, but before our bodies could touch, I saw the faint movement of a tight fist from the corner of my eye, and before I knew it, he suddenly crashed on the table, falling to the floor.

In a split second, strong arms scooped me up and carried me out of the lounge.

Was he saving me, or did he want me, too?

I couldn't tell. My eyes wouldn’t focus. But just as he helped me into the car, a face flashed before me faintly.

Lucian.

Was I imagining things, or did I want it to be him?

"Where is..."

The voice trailed off, and everything became black.