Chapter 5: Stubborn prostitute

Mike walked into his parlor and stared at Lara in shock.

He asked, "What's the meaning of this?"

Mike was surprised to see Lara crying. His brows furrowed at her while Lara stared at him, her eyes red from crying. Their gazes met briefly before she looked away, her eyes landing on the tiled floor.

Mike burst out laughing, surprising Lara. He walked slowly towards her, but she took a few steps back, finally falling onto the executive couch behind her. As she sat down forcefully, Mike approached her. He looked breathtakingly handsome and dark, even bare.

"Are you trying to prove to me that you're innocent or forced to come here?" Mike asked.

Lara responded with a simple, "Yes."

Nodding, she avoided meeting his eyes. She was visibly afraid of him, remembering her village friend's warning that intimacy could be painful. She recalled being advised to choose a man who truly loved her, not just a random guy. Yet here she was with a man whose health status was unknown to her.

Mike leaned in closer to Lara, appreciating her sweet scent and feeling himself getting aroused again. However, as he moved closer, Lara shifted away.

"Why are you shifting away?" Mike inquired.

Lara shook her head, staring downward in silence. She was visibly trembling, afraid of what Mike might do.

Sniffing her scent, Mike softly wiped away her tears and reassured her, "Come, I won't hurt you."

Lara replied with a simple, "No."

Mike's patience was wearing thin. He cautiously asked, "Do you want me to call the security guards?"

Lara replied, "No," shivering slightly.

Mike's gaze wandered to Lara's chest, the red dress revealing her cleavage. She was undeniably beautiful, but Mike wondered where Madam Alora had found Lara and why her behavior was so frustrating.

Madam Alora had been persistently urging him to patronize her ladies. Although they did not interest him, Mike had reluctantly agreed after talking to his friend, Gideon Abram. Who had advised him to give Madam Alora's ladies a chance, and now he found himself with a lady refusing him.

Observing Lara's fearful demeanor, Mike knelt beside her and removed her shoes, causing her to tremble as his bare hands touched her smooth legs. After setting aside her black heeled shoes, Mike instructed her, "Stand up and come with me now. I don't have much time to waste here with you."

Lara firmly replied, "No."

Refusing to stand up, Lara sensed Mike's impatience growing. She realized he wanted to sleep with her but misunderstood her intentions, thinking she had agreed to engage in illicit activities.

Frustrated, Mike raked his hand through his short black hair, revealing an earring and an eagle tattoo on his right arm. He scrutinized Lara, comparing her to other women who had pretended innocence in his presence but quickly complied with his desires. However, Lara was different.

Realizing her resistance, Mike attempted to contact Joseph. Startled, Lara feared he might summon his bodyguards to remove her.

"Please sir! I am not..." Lara's voice trailed off as Mike halted his call, his cold gaze fixed on her.

"What is it?" Mike inquired.

Lara, unable to articulate her fears under Mike's penetrating stare, could only shrug in response.

Annoyed, Mike voiced his impatience, "I don't have time for ladies like you. Since you are unwilling to cooperate, you will leave my house immediately."

Begging, Lara pleaded, "No, sir... please."

Trembling in fear, Lara refused to be labeled as a prostitute but struggled to convey her concerns to Mike.

Mike abruptly dismissed the idea of engaging with Lara and terminated his call. He turned to face her and inquired sternly, "Are you coming with me or not? I have no time to waste."

Reluctantly, Lara agreed, "Fine. I will."

Initially quiet, Mike appeared to be intrigued by Lara. He instructed, "Okay. Stand up."

With nervous anticipation, Lara stood up, avoiding direct eye contact with Mike despite feeling his gaze fixed on her.

Satisfied with her compliance, Mike gestured, "Follow me."

As Mike led the way to his bedroom, Lara picked up his discarded towel. She couldn't help but notice his shameless demeanor, casually parading around bare as she felt ashamed of her own gaze upon him.

Curious about Mike's history with other women he had hosted in his bedroom, Lara contemplated her predicament. Although the lavish decor of Mike's home impressed her, her thoughts returned to the harsh reality of her financial needs and her longing to return to her village.

Resolving to endure a night with Mike to secure her transport fare home, Lara braced herself for whatever was to come, determined not to sell her body for money.

Upon entering Mike's spacious bedroom, Lara marveled at the elegant interior. From the king-size bed draped in a light-pink bedspread to the discreetly playing music video on the flat-screen TV, she took in the artistic portrait of Mike in wine-colored hues adorning the wall, musing softly, "Hmm."

"What are you staring at? Strip now!" Mike commanded, interrupting her thoughts.

Startled, Lara hesitated before complying, acutely aware of Mike's intense gaze fixed upon her. She used the towel to modestly cover herself, but Mike's reaction was immediate.

"What nonsense are you doing?" he questioned, displeased with her attempt to maintain her dignity.

Overwhelmed with fear, Lara shuddered as tears welled up in her eyes, turning red from the strain. Mike, puzzled by her sudden distress, approached her, asking, "Why are you acting like this? I don't understand. Do you want to leave now?"

Shakily, Lara managed to utter, "No."

Mike relented, saying, "Fine. Then come to bed now."

Acknowledging his interest in her, Mike sought to reassure Lara despite his desires. He insisted, "I wouldn't hurt you, okay."

With a somber nod, Lara complied, her voice quivering, "Okay."

Sitting beside Mike on the bed, Lara braced herself for what was to come, knowing that she would likely face repercussions from Madam Alora. Desperate for a way out, she mustered the courage to ask, "Please sir, can you help me with some money?"

Taken aback by her unexpected request, Mike felt a surge of frustration. Though he was irritated by her refusal to engage with him physically, Lara's plea for assistance left him conflicted.

Realizing that most women sought him out for financial gain, Mike stood up, contemplating his next move. Lara, sensing his inner turmoil, reached out to him, fearing he might summon his security personnel to remove her.

"What is happening?" Mike queried, puzzled by Lara's sudden change in demeanor and holding his hands.

"Please sir, I need to return home to the village," Lara implored, her voice tinged with desperation.

"Is this a joke? How did you even get here in the first place? Shit!" Mike cursed, realizing his mistake in sending away Janet instead of Lara.

Frustrated, Mike turned away, issuing a final command, "Just leave!"

Fearing the consequences of being cast out, Lara knelt before Mike, pleading, "Please sir, I cannot leave. Help me, please."

Visibly exasperated, Mike snapped, "What is the meaning of this? Help you with what? Alright, stand up first."

Reluctantly rising to her feet, Lara locked eyes with Mike, avoiding his gaze as she feared his physical desires might resurface. As he moved closer, she instinctively looked away, dreading the impending confrontation.

"You cannot stay here with me tonight. Since you are unsure of your purpose here and unwilling to cooperate, you will leave my bedroom immediately. Once you step outside, meet Joseph, who will assist you in finding accommodations until tomorrow morning. Then, you must leave," Mike ordered sternly.

Defiantly, Lara rebuked, "No sir, please. I have nowhere else to go."

Infuriated by her persistence, Mike swiftly wrapped a towel around his waist and escorted Lara out of his bedroom, compelling her to depart. His patience worn thin, he commanded, "Leave now, find Joseph, and get lost."

Refusing to comply, Lara remained in the parlor, weeping quietly as Mike slammed the door shut, muttering, "Shit! What kind of woman is she?"

Fuming with frustration, Mike paced back and forth, grappling with his unfulfilled desires. Ultimately, he decided to retreat to his bathroom, hoping Lara had left and seeking solace in a soothing shower.