BREAKING THE YOKE OF LOVE

THE MARRIAGE DEAL.

Eva Manhunter. She was in her late twenties, her early relationship with her ex had caused her to have a child young, while her classmates were being the version her parents would have wanted for her. They were either in law firms, furthering their educations, owning different business franchise or in a committed marriage with children, while she was still a single mother going back to stripping with the purpose of earning to escape the country, without telling the father of her child. So yeah, she had her life plan all figured out.

Eva was tall, her mother once pitched that she went into modelling. She had long black hair reaching her waistline, rough at the tips but glittering. Her face was oval, she had a pointed nose, pearl-shaped eyes full eyes, full brows and had dimples. One of the things her son inherited from her was her slightly chubby chin. She had worn long black leather tights and white sleeveless shirt, waiting for Lucia to arrive. She took her son with her, Eva had worn the little boy brown sweaters that concealed his face to hide his identity and to protect him from the cold. When she arrived at the location, she sat and waited in the little bay outside.

Eva needed clearance before venturing into the main hall. From the outskirts where she sat with a bottle of water on the table, she could hear soft music playing from the inside. She figured that the guests were still arriving but no major fun had begun. Her son Nathan, all covered up with warm and soft clothes sat on the table, gulping softly milk from a nursing bottle. During the short minutes she sat awaiting Lucia, she began to obstruct a plan. She estimated that her stay in ‘Velvet Room’ strip club would be just a month. And since they were paid daily, she would use everything within her power to drag customers. If everything goes according to her plan, she would leave lawndale by the beginning of next month all on route to London. Eva marvelled at her plan as she let out her double personality out, the one she called ‘fiery Eve’ the only person that could withstand the reality of stripping.

Just then Lucia arrived with a lady.

“ Eva you're here. “ She sat next to her, “ And you brought your son with you. “

“ Of course I brought my son, you know how it is. Who is your company? “

“ Perry. “ The blonde haired woman replied.

“ Nice to meet you. “ Eva told her.

“ Eva, your son, no offence has always been a problem. “ Lucia mentioned.

“ I don't have anyone to watch him, don't worry, “ As Eva spoke, she took Nathan into her arms, “ He is very quiet, he won't be a bother until I finished my round. “

Lucia paused, scrutinizing the situation. “ I'm chairlady scout, the boss cannot caught me slipping, I'm in charge. “

“ Lucia please, for old times sake. “ Eva took Lucia's hands, “ I f*****g need this job. “ Tears stood at the brink of her eyes.

“ Help her, “ Perry butted in, “ We have women in here who are in need, heck, Katie came in here yesterday looking like complete s**t and without a penny after make quater a million last month. “

Eva was grateful that the woman spoke on her behalf.

“ Fine, but if he becomes a bother, you're fired. “

“ Aye, aye. “ Eva stated.

“ We have all the prestigious coming in tonight, so after today I'll tell you how many rounds you get to do a day, you better bring your A game. “ Lucia told.

“ A little help here, wear red, I think it'll suit you. “ Perry told her.

“ Thanks. “

“ Let's go inside. “ Lucia ordered. She glanced at Perry, “ Perry you have twenty minutes to check on your son and be back here. “

“ You have a child? “ Eva asked her.

“ Yeah, one of the reasons I understand you. “ Perry soon disappeared from sight.

At about half an hour later, the main room was already filled with guests. Eva and the other strippers were in the dressing room getting themselves all prepared to dance. Her son was seated there, surrounded with toys and a little monitor where he could watch cartoons. Eva had prepared snacks that were placed close to him, so he could eat once he was hungry. While she placed her makeup, Perry rushed into the room.

“ Hey, “ She hurriedly dropped her bag on the makeup slab, and began preparing herself for the show.

“ Good thing you came back on time. “ Eva replied, “ Your son, how old is he? “

“ He's twelve, I've got no one watching him. I've just got to make sure that there's enough food to last him until tomorrow. I am determined to make about five round. “

Eva was shocked, “ You wanna dance five rounds? “

Round were used to register how many times a dancer would show up on stage to dance until live-time was over. Dependent on days of the week, live-time lasted for about 24-12 hours.

“ I really need the money, my son has cancer. “ Perry replied, downcast.

Eva immediately began to resonate with her, “ My God, “

“ Yeah, and with no support from his father I gotta do it myself. “ Perry wiped her eyes, “ What about you? “

Eva had the nudge to talk about her personal situation, but she made a promise to keep it private. “ What do I say, I guess we're kinda in the same boat. Sometimes, a woman gotta be a man. “ Eva was done with her dress up, “ I'm on. “

“ We'll take turns, I'll watch your kid while you're on. “

“ Thank you. “ Eva greeted and went on stage.

Immediately Eva left, Perry double-checked to make sure she was gone before drawing out her phone and making a call.

“ What did she tell you? “ The man at the end asked sternly.

“ Sir, she's smart, she didn't reveal much. But my best bet is that she's leaving town. “

“ Mmmh, “

“ Maybe a bad husband, insufferable mother, but she wants to run. Should I take the kid? “ Perry asked.

“ Take the kid, we'll go with plan A. “

“ Yes sir. “ The phone ended.

Patrick Sawyer ended the call and sat positioned to watch the strippers dance, Eva Manhunter was a part of the display. She was the type of woman that he needed for his plan, a woman who outwardly appeared innocent but harbored an inept danger. She had to be fierce to be a stripper with a four year old son. He needed her innocence for the singular fact of fooling his mother and creating a desired outward look for his family. Patrick Sawyer was the fourth son from a reputable power family. Being the fourth son, it was difficult for power to get to him, but after almost a decade waiting in line to rule, the authority of all the family heirloom fell on Patrick shoulders, it was finally his season to rule. Patrick knew that it meant that his brothers had done something wrong, although his father merely told him that it was because of time and season, Patrick didn't believe that was the cause. Patrick's aim was to make sure that power never left him as long as he lived, and he was prepared to do so.

Before choosing Eva Manhunter to be the woman of his plans, he had followed and gotten information of her. He knew her more than she knew herself, and as he watched her conclude her dance, his subconscious side was positive that even if he didn't have solo plans for her, she would have made it in stripping, the woman who good at her job. But Patrick was not prepared to harbor any attraction for the woman, afterall, he wasn't prepared to have the woman for the rest of his life. Soon, the dance round ended, he drew out his phone and called Perry.

“ Perry, what do you have? “

“ Everything is going according to plan sir. “

“ Good, “ From a distance where he sat, Patrick gave Eva one last glance as she walked out of the stage. “ Anything go contrary to what he planned, I'll have your head. “

Fear struck Perry, “ Yes sir. “

***********

“ Congratulations! “ Lucia ran to Eva, “ You did good, “

“ How many rounds do I get? “ Eva asked.

“ Two, I could make it three if you want overtime, and more money of course. “ Lucia handed her an envelope containing the money she earned after the night's dance.

“ Make it three. “ Eva was overjoyed, she glanced around the room, “ Where's my son? “

“ I thought you handed him over to Perry. “

Eva, instantly worried, dashed outside the building, in search for Nathan. Dressed in just her undies and a red long jacket to cover, Eva located her car, searching to see if Perry had dropped her son inside her car. But when she checked, the car was empty. Just then, Perry called her.

She hastily picked, “ Where's my son_

“ Relax Eva, he's safe. Look forward, do you see a black car? “

Eva searched and she saw it, “ Yea… yeah. “

“ Enter the car if you want to see your son. “

Before Eva could reply, the line had cut. She took to her heels and located the car. When she neared it, she tapped on the window and the door opened. Eva expected to see Perry with her son, but instead, she saw a man, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, seating majestically inside the dark end.

Eva shakily stepped into the car, gripping her cell phone tightly in her hand.

“ Eva Manhunter, “ Patrick began to speak.

“ I just want my son, “ Eva couldn't see his face just yet, all she could perceive was a strong smell of cold snow and daisies.

“ Your son is safe. “ Patrick adjusted into the light where she could see him. When Eva did, she began to profile him just so she could verify if he was a customer at the strip club. The man had a very muscular face, stripped and perfectly carved. His eyes were narrow and grey in color, his nose little and pointed. He had full edge brows as black as his impeccably placed hair. The man's neck was toned and ripped, chiselling down to his entire physique.

“ Whatever you want from me, you can have it. Please, leave my son out of it. “ Eva begged.

Patrick noticed her sudden sudan accent, the woman had switched to another personality. It must be her misplacement after kidnapping her child, “ I said your son is safe, I'm not gonna say it again. “

The man's stoic words caught fear in Eva.

“ Listen to me carefully miss Manhunter, I have brought a deal to you that you cannot refuse. “ He brought out a suitcase and gestured that she opened it, “ Twenty five million dollars is inside there, in exchange for a marraige contract. “

As Eva opened the suitcase, her jaw dropped in shock. She was staring face to face with twenty five million dollars.

“ All you have to do is marry me and all the lies I get to tell in your name, you do exactly as I tell you and after two years, I'll release you. And balance you with twice as much money as is in that suitcase. “

Eva was too shocked to speak. The car soon stopped.

“ You don't know who I am so I suggest that you handle message with care, I am a very dangerous man. “ The door opened and Perry appeared with Nathan in her hand. With the briefcase in her hand, Eva jumped outside the car and took her son.

“ Give her back her car. “ Patrick ordered. Just behind them, one of His men was driving Eva's car. The driver stepped out and handed Eva the keys to the car.

Eva took back her car, just before she drove off, Perry walked up to her and handed her a recorder.

As Eva drove home, the recorder relayed a final message. “ Remember miss Manhunter, treat my visit with care, I will revisit you soonest. “