Tangled Desires

seduction 5

Cliff pov

To say that I was shocked by Lance's declaration would be an understatement. So the woman he has always loved and couldn't forget is none other than my new doll? I suddenly feel so guilty as I look at the pained expression on his face. I am the only person he opened up about his unattainable love and the many sacrifices he made to stay away from her. To think that I blatantly accused him of f*****g her earlier?

" What do you mean?" Kara asks with a puzzled expression on her face. Of course, she doesn't have any idea of what Lance has been going through all these years to protect her.

" I need to talk to her, alone." I cut in to save Lance. I can't allow him to say anything more to her. The two of them will drift even more apart and with the recent development, that's not something we can risk.

" No. He is not going anywhere until he tells me what the hell he means by he did it for me?." Kara declares stubbornly. She glares at me before returning her attention to Lance.

The woman before me looks nothing like the person who arrived at my company yesterday, desperate for a job. When I laid my eyes on her, my insides screamed of desire to own her, possess and claim every inch of her body.

I could see the desperation to get the job on her face and I took advantage of that and laid my trap. Like the asshole I am, no denying that, I pushed her buttons until she surrendered. It didn't take long to convince her to sign the damn contract because just like I craved her body, she seemed to crave my touch. Now, I am not sure anymore if what I did was a good thing or not. She is my best friend's unforgettable love and just like him, getting involved with me means i'll drag her to my self crafted hell. I do know of one thing though, I am not letting her go. Not a chance.

It's funny how life plays an absurd game on people. The world Lance fought so hard to keep Kara away from, she walked straight to it by signing a filthy contract with the devil himself; me.

" It's important Kara." I try to reason with her.

" Important for who?" she snaps at me. I turn to look at Lance who immediately nods before walking away. We always have this tactic understanding that requires no words.

When the door shuts behind him, I look at Kara who has the most beautiful frown on her face. She is annoyed, I can tell that yet she looks even more beautiful like that.

" Can we talk?" I request even when I don't need to. She is my property as per the contract and is obligated to listen to me. I don't feel like imposing the contract terms on her though, at least not yet.

" What's there to talk about?" She retorts, her face showing me she would have kicked me out of the room if it was up to her.

" About your mother's hospital bill. How do you plan on raising that money?" I don't know what she was thinking when she agreed to raise all that money in a few hours. The conversation with the doctor however made me realize that the reason Kara agreed to sign that ridiculous contract with me is because she needed the money.

At some point, I had wondered why someone educated and beautiful like her would agree to sell her body for money, a dirty transaction. Now, I have all the answers I needed.

" That's none of your concern. I'd appreciate it if you don't butt in my business." Kara replies. Typical of a stubborn woman like her. I can tell that the reason she is angry at both Lance is because we showed up at her most helpless and vulnerable time. She does not want us to see how miserable her life is. She wants to preserve her dignity. However, she will have to put that dignity aside if she wants her mother to live.

" I also don't want to butt in your business but I own you. I want you in your best condition when you serve me." Since it's hard reasoning with her, I'll just be the scumbag I presented myself yesterday.

Kara's jaws tighten and for a moment, I see disappointment flash on her face before her expressions harden.

She scoffs, " For a moment, I thought you were doing this because you care about me." The words are said so casually yet why do I feel my heart tighten hearing them.

" Don't worry. This will not affect the transaction we made." She replies and I shake my head.

" Even with the money I provided, do you think you can pay the money needed to keep your mother alive?" I ask and she looks away, defeated. I smile, knowing that I have her where I wanted her.

" I thought so." I say with a triumphant smile. " I have a new deal for you." I propose. Kara's head whips around so fast to face me, her eyes narrowed and suspicious.

" What deal?" She asks, still suspicious.

" You heard what I said back at the house. Lance and I... " I trail off, not wanting to say it out loud. Kara's eyes widen with horror and she looks at me as if I have lost my mind. Maybe I have.

" Think about it. We will review the terms of the contract in favour of everyone. After the contract is revised and signed, I will take care of your mother's expenses. Of course, your monthly salary will still remain." I propose.

" You don't have much time left. I'll be expecting your answer." I declare, giving her one last glance before leaving the room.

I walk down the corridor, already thinking about how much fun we will be having. I spot Lance talking to the receptionist and I make my way to him.

I know that he is concerned about Kara’s mother even when she was among the reasons he left the country, breaking Kara’s heart.

I pat him on the back, drawing his attention. He turns to look at me, frustration etched on his face.

“ The hospital won't share information of patients to non-family members. It's absurd.” He complains with a sigh.

“ You don't need to stress yourself. Kara will take care of her mother's bills.” I don't know where I get the confidence to say that but I have a feeling deep down that she would say yes to my new proposal.

“ Where will she get all that money…” Lance trails off, as if hit by a realization. His expressions shift and he glares at me.

“ f**k you Cliff, what did you say to her?”