Love Beyond Boundaries

Chapter 9 Crossing the Line

I didn't know what to do. My heart was racing, and my thoughts felt tangled. I had no intention of going anywhere with those men. Once I got to the changing room, I quickly changed into my own clothes, planning to slip out quietly, hoping no one would notice I was gone.

"Where are you going, Liza?" The door opened, and Vladimir stood there.

"Where else?" I raised an eyebrow, grabbing my bag. "Home, of course."

"You're coming with me," he said firmly.

"Going as some… I don't even know who, to who-knows-where, is not my job," I shot back.

"It is," he said, leaning his back against the door, arms crossed. "I already called. In a few minutes, they'll bring the dress and shoes you need."

"You've lost your mind!" I exclaimed. "I work here as a waitress!"

"And again, on familiar terms," he chuckled. "Don't forget who you're talking to."

"I remember," I ground out through my teeth. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"You will," Vladimir said with that certainty in his eyes that made my stomach twist. "You want your advance, don't you?"

"Is this blackmail?" I asked.

"Call it whatever you like," he said casually. "This paper-pusher needs to sign a contract, and for that, I need you."

"But…"

"No 'buts,' Liza," he cut me off. "The clothes will arrive. Change and head to the parking lot."

"Just so you know, I am not serving you," I snapped.

He gave me a lazy look and sighed. "Who cares? Just play the obedient girl, and you'll get what you asked for."

"When?" I asked immediately.

"Depends on how well you do," he said, turning to leave. "Hurry up."

After he left, I stared at the door as if it were to blame for everything that had happened. How had I gotten myself into this? I was going to have to act like some easily available girl, and all for money I didn't even take.

A few minutes later, a man in a black suit entered the staff room. He nodded, handed me two shopping bags with well-known brand logos, and left without a sound. I pulled out the black strappy dress with the back cutout and the elegant heels.

I exhaled, stripping off my clothes and quickly slipping into the outfit. I had never worn anything like this before; the heels felt foreign under my feet. Looking into the mirror, I barely recognized myself. But there was no time to admire my reflection. I had to go, and I hoped this "party" wouldn't last long. Tomorrow, I would be back at work.

Carefully stepping in the heels, I crept toward the restaurant exit, making sure none of the staff would see me like this. Fortunately, the way was clear, and I reached the familiar car quickly. The moment I sat down, I felt Vladimir's evaluating gaze on me.

He was lighting a cigarette and scanning me from head to toe. I felt uncomfortable but tried to stay calm.

"Fine," he said, exhaling gray smoke out of the slightly open window.

"I don't need your approval," I muttered, turning away.

Vladimir pressed his fingers against my bare knee, making me flinch, and I looked up at him again. It was clear: arguing with him was pointless.

"Don't make me angry, Liza," he warned me. "I could fire you easily. You're not in a position to act so boldly right now."

For a moment, we stared at each other with open hostility. I barely kept my emotions under control. I hated him. I truly couldn't stand him. Then the man lightly slapped my leg, pulled his hand away, and started the engine.

"By the way, you're lucky Lev didn't want to take you right there in the restaurant," he said casually as he drove out of the parking lot. "Believe me, in this situation, it's better for you to pretend you're with me."

"So that's what all this was for," I scoffed. "What a knight in shining armor."

"I only did it because Lenka wouldn't stop talking about you," Vladimir replied. "If you were just some random girl, I wouldn't have lifted a finger."

"How noble," I muttered. "I could have handled it without you."

"Oh really," the man smirked. "It's obvious you're far from the world of power. Money decides everything here. Remember that once and for all. If he wants it, you'll be licking his boots."

"That's exactly why I didn't want to work at your restaurant," I shot back. "It's not a restaurant. It's more like a brothel."

Vladimir gave me a quick, mocking glance and turned his eyes back to the road. He drove with confidence, as if the car were part of him. I caught myself watching the way his strong, sinewy hand turned the steering wheel.

"That's a mistake," he said. "A lot of girls dream of being in your place. I don't underpay. Plus, the tips are generous. You won't earn that kind of money in an ordinary café."

"At least in an ordinary café, no one would force me to go who knows where," I snapped back.

"Don't play the nun, Liza," Vladimir said. "Not everyone gets a chance to meet Lev. It's a great opportunity to find yourself a sponsor. Use it. There are plenty of rich men there."

His words set everything inside me on fire. How could he even say that to me? Just because his world was full of girls like that didn't mean everyone else dreamed of finding some rich, fat man to pay for their lives.

"I can take care of myself, got it?" I protested. "And I won't sleep with anyone to do it."

The corner of Vladimir's mouth lifted. He stayed silent. He clearly didn't believe me. 'Fine. I don't care what he thought. To him, I would always be the bad one.'

"It's surprising how someone like you could have a daughter like Lenka," I blurted out. "You don't seem related at all."

"And what's so bad about me?" he smirked. "I'm a good father. I give my daughter everything she wants. She lacks nothing."

"You're wrong," I pierced him with an angry look. "You don't give her attention. And that's something money can't buy."

Vladimir frowned, his gaze growing heavy. For a while, he studied me as if searching for something in my face. Then he turned away, and our conversation ended there.

It felt like I had hit a weak spot. I had managed to hurt him, and so be it. Maybe Lenka had been acting out all this time just to get his attention. Deep down, she was still a little girl abandoned by her parents. Her mother left when she was about five, and her father was always at work.

We were alike in that way. We became each other's support. And it still hurt me that Vladimir wanted to break that bond. He was like a machine, without feelings. He had replaced them with money long ago and believed money solved everything.

We pulled up to a massive mansion. Behind the tall wrought-iron fence, I could only see the tiled roof at first. Then the gates opened automatically, and we drove inside, passing men in black suits. Now I saw a wide, well-kept courtyard with a fountain, stone paths, and green lawns.

The door on my side opened, and I looked up at Vladimir.

"Get out," he ordered.

I stepped out reluctantly, tugged the short dress a little lower, and caught his mocking gaze.

"What?" I asked irritably.

"I'm remembering you in your underwear in my daughter's room," he said thoughtfully. For some reason, his words made me uneasy. "That doesn't match your innocent act."

"I was just changing!" I explained again. "But it's easier for you to keep thinking I'm some cheap girl from the outskirts, right?"

"You don't look like a girl from the outskirts right now," Vladimir remarked. His gaze dropped to the neckline of my dress, and I instantly felt embarrassed and had the urge to slap him.

"Careful, your eyes might fall out," I snapped, waving my fingers in front of his face. "I'm your daughter's friend, by the way."

"Right now, you're my companion," he said with a grin, taking my arm. "So let's go, girl. Show me how hard you're willing to work off that advance."