Painted in his obsession

Chapter4

The doctor’s words kept echoing in my ears like a curse. five million dollars, three upfront to proceed.

The first person who crossed my mind was our former neighbor, Sir Richard, as I used to call him. He had lived beside us back in the damp house before he got a government job and left.

He was in his late fifties, the same age range as my uncle. Back then, he always had women hanging around him, even when he was poor. His wife had finally left, broken, dragging the kids with her.

I clutched the paper that I wrote his new address. He emailed it to us for his housewarming when he moved, but we never had the luxury of time to go

I walked until my legs burned.

Finally, I reached the house. It was in an estate, big, polished, and proud, with wide gates.

I knocked, my heart pounding.

The door creaked open.

A young woman stood there, wearing only panties and a bra.

I paused for a while, staring at her bare skin, then at the number on the wall. My brows furrowed. I had to look back at the paper in my hand to make sure I was in the right place.

“I’m looking for Richard,” I finally said, my voice small.

“Oh.” The girl’s eyes flicked up and down at me, then without another word she slammed the door in my face.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

Trust Richard, I thought bitterly. Even when he was broke, women flocked around him. Now with money, I didn’t expect anything less.

The door opened again.

This time Richard himself stood there, shirtless, his stomach bigger than I remembered but his smile still the same sly one.

“Jodie,” he said, surprise flashing across his face. “What a surprise.”

“Good day, sir,” I replied quickly, trying not to stare at the half-dressed girl behind him.

He slapped her butt casually, like she was a toy. “Go inside, Nina,” he muttered.

“But I want to hear,” she pouted, folding her arms.

“This is none of your business,” Richard snapped, his tone sharp.

The girl rolled her eyes and sauntered back into the house, but after glaring at me.

I glared back, disgust twisting inside me.

Richard stepped aside, gesturing. “Come in, come in.”

I hesitated for a moment before stepping in.

The house was beautiful, rich furniture everywhere, polished floors that reflected light. But the air smelled thick, like sweat and s*x. My stomach turned.

“Sit,” Richard said, pointing to the leather cushion.

Instead, I dropped to my knees before him, desperation pushing me down.

“Please help me,” I begged, my voice trembling.

He blinked, startled, before stepping closer. “Help you? With what?”

Tears threatened my eyes as I whispered, “My uncle is dying.”

His face shifted instantly. “James? James is dying? How?”

Seeing him shock gave me a little hope. At least I knew they went way back. Maybe he would help.

“He has lung abscess,” I said, choking on the words. “The doctors said he needs immediate surgery. They need five million dollars. Three million just to start.”

Richard’s face softened, sadness flickering across it. “I’m so sorry, Jodie.”

I nodded, pushing back my tears. “Please. I’ll do anything.”

He sighed, rubbing his chin. “I can loan you one million… no… one point five million dollars.”

I gasped. “Sir Richard!” Tears rolled freely down my cheeks as I bowed up and down like a child worshiping a savior.

“I’m so grateful. I…I .am, I muttered

My chest shook with sobs of relief. For the first time in hours, hope flickered.

But then his tone changed.

“But…” He bent down, his face close to mine, his breath hot. “…you know I’ve always wanted you.”

Before I understood his words, his hand slid across my chest, his fingers brushing the tip of my breast.

My body stiffened.

“Sir Richard…” I whispered, shifting back awkwardly. “Please, let me save my uncle first. We’ll talk about this later.”

“No, Jodie.” His voice dropped deeper, darker. “I want you now.”

My stomach churned as I saw his trousers swell. His erection pressed against the fabric, brazen, disgusting.

He grabbed my arms, yanking me up. My whole body trembled as his grip tightened. He rocked his hips against me, panting.

“I’ve admired you for long. Now you’ve walked in here yourself…”

“Let me go!” I screamed hoping for the girl inside to come to my rescue .

The door opened. Nina strolled in, smirking. “What’s going on?” she said casually.

As if she didn’t see what is happening.

“Darling,” Richard said breathlessly, still grinding against me. “Why don’t you join us? It’s more fun when they resist.”

My blood ran cold.

Nina’s grin widened as she stalked forward. Before I could move, she pounced, tearing my shirt like an animal.

“No! Please!” I cried, struggling.

Her hand shoved down my panties, fingers digging in cruelly.

“She feels good,” Nina laughed. “I want to taste her.”

“No, she’s mine,” Richard barked, unbuckling his trousers.

Terror swallowed me whole. My screams turned to sobs as their shadows loomed over me.

And then something snapped inside me.

It was either I kill them, or they kill me.

With all my strength, I twisted and bit Nina’s hand. Hard.

She shrieked in pain, pulling back.

“You stubborn brat!” Richard roared, grabbing me tighter.

His belt clinked. His trousers slid.

And I gave him the kick of his life straight into his manhood.

“AHHHHHHHH!” He screamed, doubling over, clutching himself. His face twisted in agony.

I didn’t stop. I kicked again, harder, my foot smashing into the same spot. He collapsed, moaning, paralyzed in pain.

But Nina came at me, wild with fury. She clawed at my hair, screaming, “Come here, you b***h!”

I staggered, but my hand found a flower vase on the table.

With all the rage and terror inside me, I swung it.

The vase cracked against her head with a sickening thud.

Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed on the floor.

My breath came in ragged gasps. My body shook. My shirt was torn, my skin slightly bruised but I was alive.

I grabbed my bag, whatever scraps of clothes I had, and bolted out of the house, tears streaming down my face.

I didn’t stop running until I got out of the Estate. I took a public bus to my neighborhood, crying throughout.

I reached my neighborhood. My phone vibrated in my hand.

Evan.

“Babe,” I sobbed into the receiver, my voice shaking. “Dad is sick. They’re asking for five million dollars.”

“Five… what?” Evan’s voice broke. He was poor, poorer than me. Sometimes the little I earned, I gave to him. He was my comfort, but he couldn’t save me.

“Why don’t you go back and do the painting, Jodie?” he asked softly.

I stiffened. My breath hitched.

But before I could reply, something caught my eyes.

An envelope, lying at my doorstep.

I picked it up, my hands trembling.

Inside was an eviction notice. Quick pack out in one week.

I cursed under my breath. “f**k!”

Our rent was three weeks overdue. I had been begging for an extension. Now this.

I walked into the house, Evan’s voice still on the phone, which was far from my ear now.

“Babe, what’s going on? Talk to me,” he begged.

My eyes landed on the contract Leo had left on the table.

It glared at me, thick and golden, promising everything I need at the moment but at the cost of my freedom.

I picked it up with shaking h

ands, wiped my tears, and whispered to myself, “Dad, forgive me”

Then I walked out the door, my legs heavy, my chest hollow, heading straight to Leo’s penthouse.