Chapter 28

Swiftly, June dodged her head. She breathed in and out slowly to calm her chaotic heartbeat before craning her head toward Ollie’s direction. It was almost like an obsession she couldn’t look away knowing his eyes were on her.

His disinterested look contoured into a confused one when recognition dawned on him. His eyes glinted as he drank in her body. An inferno swept through her body as his eyes appraised her even as his forehead’s creases deepened.

His gaze raised aloft her head. And like a light switch his face darkened and a cold dignity created a stony veneer on his face. He tilted his head, moving his eyes cynically between her and Theo.

She perked up at Theo. A smirk was tucked into his lips and he waved at Ollie.

Were the two acquaintances?

She looked at Ollie again. He lacked the same enthusiastic look as Theo. His clenched jaw was visible under the dimmed purple light and he looked like he wanted to go to butcher Theo.

It didn’t take long to put two and two together. Ollie and Theo probably knew each other and probably weren’t the best pals with the looks on both of them.

Oh God, what had she gotten herself into?

She gulped the rest of the wine, feeling the burn in her throat. The evening wouldn’t end on a good note so she needed all the wine she get.

The speech went by like a fly with her nibbling her fingers and chewing her inner cheek trying to figure out what her purpose was in Theo’s game. She couldn’t come to a conclusive reason

Theo’s hands on her bare back halted her thoughts. She soon realize the speech was over.

“Now tug your lips into a smile that could make a man swoon.” He said to her

“What?” She craned her neck in confusion. “Why should I smile when I have no reason to?” with the storm wreaking havoc inside her couldn’t fake a smile for no shit.

“Smile.” He bared his teeth at her.

“What in the clown's name is going on?” She needed to be pinched. Because this had got to be a fucking dream.

“Funny.” He let out humorless laughter. “Just do as I say.”

“Why?” She asked puzzled.

“Do as I say June. Don’t ask questions. That is the rule.” He gritted his teeth.

She stared blankly at Theo, surprise drizzling on her skin. What had she gotten herself into for money? After letting the dazedness sweep away she opened her mouth.

“The only rule between us is to not ask questions about the party.” Which wasn’t much of a rule. “There is no rule that says you can tell me what to do.”

He fell back a bit as if taken aback.

“I need you to smile, June. I want to introduce you to my associates.” He said in a not commanding tone as earlier.

What did he need to introduce her for crying out loud?

She shut her eyes briefly before tugging her lips upward not asking questions. She was sure it was better that way.

“Good.” What an ass. “Don’t let the smile fall off. Now come.”

He waned her through the small crowd, making stops to introduce her to his so-called associates. All she did was smile absentmindedly. She couldn’t pay attention. Not when Ollie was in the same space as her. They were a few distances between them but it felt like he was breathing down on her.

She hoped he didn’t misunderstand the whole situation.

And yes. She was aware that they didn’t have a special relationship. But… urgh.. frustration clawed at her. She didn’t know anymore.

June let out a breath of relief as Theo excused them. It was short-lived when she realized Theo was leading her in Ollie’s direction.

Her knuckles turned white as her heart pounded loudly competing with the song playing. Her misgivings increased with each stride.

Don’t stop in front of him. Don’t stop in front of him. Don’t stop in front of him. Don’t stop…

Oh shit.

Perfect.

Theo halted under Ollie’s nose. She sucked in a breath and rubbed her sweaty palms on her dress.

“Ollie.” Theo said smugly, glancing between Ollie and the white-streaked-haired man that took the speech “Mr. Gareth.”

June swallowed the invisible lump in her throat before she raised her head. She was met with Ollie’s brutal, unfriendly stare. Uneasiness swindled down her spine and her fingers clutched onto her dress for support.

She so did not like that look.

The tensed air twirled around them making the small inches between them non-existent.

“This is my date, June.” Theo addressed her with fake adoration. She rolled her eyes, a crack away from throwing up. She didn’t have a problem with it until this moment.

She shouldn’t care so much about Ollie’s opinion when he wasn’t even her boyfriend. He was just a person that wanted a few fucks from her but she sure did. She cared about what he thought about her. She wished she could pry open his mind.

“Meet Mr. Gareth, June.”

She grid her teeth into a smile. Wholly because of Ollie’s scrutiny. His darkened gaze was shaking her.

“It’s so nice to meet you, young lady.” Mr. Gareth extended his hands to her. She took it reluctantly. "You are beautiful.”

“Thank—.”

“I know right.” He cut her off, throwing his hand behind her back before pushing her closer to himself. June stiffened at the sudden movement. If she saw a machete, she would cut off Theo’s hand. “She is a pretty angel.” He stared at her with fake adoration.

Look what she brought upon herself for a little cash. A lesson to have self-control to turn down cash. Not every money is good money.

A hard-line darted on Ollie’s temple. He adjusted the knot around his neck. Though his face was blank as a wall—emotionless—, his eyes drilled into the place where Theo’s hand was glued to her body.

After a few trials, she was able to let Theo’s hand fall off her body by taking three steps—she counted—.

“Meet Ollie, A friend of mine.” June dreaded to rub Theo’s smug off. He seemed to be the only one enjoying the cold air waffling around them. “Or do you two know each other?” Amusement sizzled in his voice.

She guessed so. Somehow Theo and Ollie knew each other. They didn’t seem like friends as Theo stated. Friends don’t stare at each other like they wanted to rip each other’s throat

She could ascertain that her presence here was tied to Ollie. She was a pawn in the feud going on between the two of them.

But why would Theo bring her here? She was nothing to Ollie.

Ollie scoffed.

She blinked abashed. That single expression had her head spiraling. Her mind dissected the highs and lows of that drawn sound. A small pain swelled in her chest and her stomach rumbled as if she was going to about to get sick.

Figures, she was nothing to him. She was just an accessory. Something to pass the wind of time. Hell, he told her he wanted to have sex with her to forget about her.

She was stupid if she thought he would blatantly throw his hands on her or acknowledge her. Not to forget she was here with another man who introduced her as his date.

She wasn’t expecting much from him but it still hurt. Sex doesn’t change anything.

“Right,” Theo said with a mocking undertone.

June regarded him with a glare.

But she didn’t blame him. She’d brought herself into this mess.

Theo leaned into Ollie, whispering inaudibly into his ear. Ollie’s face shifted into a murderous look and his jawline sharpened. It would cut through a blade she was sure.

Theo righted himself and smirked. “Enjoy your evening.” He said before leading her away, making her suffer the burn of Ollie’s gaze.

“What did you say to him?” She asked when they were out of earshot, unable to keep her curiosity at bay.

“Nothing you should concern yourself with.” He placed his palm on her back. She flinched it away. Done with the bullshit.

“Whatever game you are playing. I hope it ends here.”

“What game?” he feigned oblivion.

“I know you are trying to use me to make Ollie angry.” He regarded what she said as if it were a foreign word.

“And?”

And? And? Her blood boiled with frustration and anger.

She blew out a stream of hot air to calm herself. Exploding here wasn’t ideal.

She halted in a corner away from people but not completely out of shot. She could still feel Ollie’s gaze behind her. She got shivers from it.

“I don’t know what gave you the impression that Ollie and I have a thing going on but we don’t.” The contract between them was nothing.

When he didn’t say a word she continued.

“so quit using me to make him jealous. You could see how unaffected he is.” She glanced at him. He was in a conversation with some men, now twirling a wine glass between his fingers. He looked unbothered. Unfazed. Aloof.

“Leave me to be the judge and focus on what you are paid for.” He leaned closer to her. His fabric was rubbing on her feathery dress.

One second, he was gripping her chin. The next his lips were slamming against her lips. Nibbling and sucking as if he was hanging unto his dear life. She stiffened in utter shock at the violation.

She tried to push him but he geared back into her with groans that bled her ears. Desperate, she ran her long nails down his neck. He stepped backward as his groans turned into winces.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” She rubbed away the touch of her lips, wishing what just happened would be erased. She felt flimsy and needed acid to wash his lips away from hers.

Anger seeped into her skin at Theo's unremorseful chuckles. She glared at her. “Did you pay me to kiss me you fucking asshole?”

“That was hot.” He ran his tongue on his lower lips. Lust glinted in his eyes.

“Don’t fucking put your lips on mine again.” Her hands trembled to lay a slap across his face. She furiously rubbed her lips. It was starting to sting from the aggressiveness.

“I won’t. I got what I wanted.” He looked over her head. He didn’t have to tell her that he kissed her because of Ollie.

Oh shit, Ollie. Did he see that? She didn’t look back fearful of the expression she would find on his face.

Worrying about someone that wasn’t her boyfriend.

She had no right to be angry. She created this mess yourself. This was what happened when she think with her ass whenever money was involved.

His gaze addressed her with eros and unashamedly stared at her cleavages. She didn’t like it one bit. It made her skin crawl.

She pulled the fabric up.

“It’s a kiss, not a poop, and stop acting like you don’t want it to?” He asked demeaning. “Isn’t that what you do? Fuck dick. Ride them. Suck them”

She was stunned, gaping as though he had struck her in the face.

“What did you just say to me?”

“You don’t have to pretend anymore. I know you are a Stripper. That’s what you do isn’t it?”

Her surprise quickly yielded to fury. Hot lava seeped into her skin. She let out a burst of humorless laughter.

Of course, He’d known she was a stripper. He’d offered her money and like a fool she had accepted, catapulting his propaganda and feeding his sick mentality. Making him run assumptions about her.

She was used to people being rude to her, thinking they needed not regard her because of her profession. But this was on her.

She took a stride further, pressing her heel into his shoe. When his face twitched in pain. She ground harder into his feet until he was whining in pain and the veins in his face were hardening visibly.

She shoved her middle finger into his face. “Fuck off. You piece of garbage “

She turned to walk out of him but he grabbed her wrist. “Where are you going?” His lips trembled from the aftermath of the plan, making her shoulder puff.

She flinched his hands away as if he infest her.

“You are leaving? The night has just begun.”

“Do I look like I care?”

He rounded her, blocking her path. “What about the money?”

“You can shove it into your ass.” She stepped aside. He blocked her path again. “Get the fuck out of my way.” She said in a loud tone, drawing the attention of people around them .vBut June could care less. She was enraged.

“I’ll double it.” He said.

She let out a distasteful laugh. “Fuck off.”

Frustration choked her when he moved in the direction she did, preventing her from walking away.

“What if I triple it?”

“I don’t want your fucking money.” She thinned her lips in anger

“Twenty thousand dollars then. And I will never say what I just said.”

“What?” She gasped, shocked but quickly cleared her throat, composing herself.

Everyone except her had a lot of money to throw around apparently.

Should she? She shook her head. No. It sounded good but no. She’d learned her lesson.

“No.”

“ I’m sorry for what I said, it won’t happen again. It was the alcohol talking.” He said. “And isn’t it a pity to go home empty-handed after your efforts?

She dug her fingers into her palm. It was actually true. She’d been here the whole evening playing the fucking date. How could she just leave like that?

“Fine. But we need some ground rules. Your hand stays away from me. Your eyes are away from my body. It’s disgusting.”

“I can keep my hands but it’s impossible to keep my eyes off, it is more of an impulse.”

“Do we have a deal or not?” She gritted.

“Deal.” He threw his hands in surrender.

Who said she had learned her lesson again? Because apparently, she hadn’t.