An hour ago...
Bella entered a luxury club with a tight grip on the file. The air was thick with the scent of expensive liquor, assaulting her senses and stirring her unease.
She was not very fond of a nightclub, and her nervousness was palpable in her demeanor. Despite her discomfort, she steeled herself and focused on the task at hand: deliver the file and depart swiftly.
The intimidating atmosphere tested her resolve as she entered the private chamber, intensifying her nerves.
A haze of cigar smoke hung in the air, momentarily obscuring the two figures seated at a plush leather booth. The stench of stale alcohol hit her like a punch, churning her stomach. Swallowing hard, she forced a professional smile and marched forward.
"Mr. Woods," she said. "Here is the file you requested." Her gaze flicked past the manager, landing on the impeccably dressed man beside him.
"Thank you, Bella. Since you're here, why don't you join us?" The manager gestured to the empty seat beside him. "Mr. Cooper would be delighted."
A tremor of unease ran through Bella.
"Thank you, but I really should be getting back to the office," she said politely.
"Miss Bella, you can finish the pending work later," Mr. Cooper interjected with a hint of amusement. "Join us. Consider it an order."
She darted a desperate look at her manager, hoping for an escape route. But Mr. Woods simply chuckled and patted the empty seat beside him. "Come on, Bella. Sit down."
Her instinct told her to run away, but she couldn't offend the manager. This job was important. Reluctantly, she acquiesced, sinking into the sofa.
"Serve the drink to Mr. Cooper," the manager said. A predatory glint in his eyes sent a fresh wave of nausea washing over her.
Her hand trembled as she poured the amber liquid into the crystal glass. As she held it out to Mr. Cooper, his eyes tracked her movements with an unsettling intensity. Suddenly, his hand shot out, encasing her wrist in a vice-like grip.
"Why don't you drink some, sweetheart?" He purred, bringing the glass to her lips.
"I... I don't drink alcohol, sir," she protested.
A guttural roar exploded from Mr. Cooper. "Mr. Woods! What's the meaning of this? Perhaps I've wasted my time here."
"Wait a minute, Mr. Cooper," the manager urged with a sickeningly smooth urgency. "Let me talk to her." He moved with an unnatural swiftness, grabbing Bella's arm and yanking her closer.
"Listen carefully," he hissed, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "He is a very important client. Don't piss him off. He just wants to have a drink with a pretty face. A little alcohol won't hurt, will it?"
He continued with a false concern, "Look, Bella, I know you need money for your mother's treatment. Help me sign the deal, and I'll help you."
Bella reflected on his words. Just a few drinks and her manager would help her with her mother's treatment. It didn't seem that bad. Bella found herself nodding in reluctant agreement.
The first drink went down too easily, a bitter fire searing its way down her throat. The second followed swiftly, the world around her taking on a hazy unreality. The room seemed to tilt precariously. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but her limbs felt like lead.
Meanwhile, the manager's phone rang. "Excuse me, I need to take this call." With that, he stood up and walked out, leaving her alone with Mr. Cooper.
Bella's fear solidified. Her vision swam. Mr. Cooper's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. Trapped and isolated, Bella finally understood the true cost of agreeing to drink with them.
"Bella, you are beautiful." He ran his knuckles down her arm.
Bella's skin crawled with revulsion. She recoiled, a surge of anger propelling her to shove his advances away. "Mr. Cooper, I believe you will behave professionally."
"Stop acting innocent," he sneered, his grip tightening on her shoulders. "If you were innocent, you wouldn't have come to a nightclub like this in the first place. I know women like you. So tell me, how much do you charge? I can pay far more than whatever price you usually ask for."
Fury bubbled inside Bella. Mustering every last bit of courage within her, she snapped, "How dare you speak to me like that? Let go of me!" She struggled against his grip.
"Why is this act now, huh?" He growled, pressing her down on the sofa. "You are here to please me. Don't you know why your manager left you alone with me? Now stop pretending and please me." He lowered his head to kiss her.
"Leave me alone!" Bella screamed.
Struggling against his iron grip, she felt utterly powerless. Still, she refused to surrender without a fight. Gathering all her remaining energy, she lashed out, kneeing him hard in the groin.
"Ugh…" He yowled in pain, releasing her instantly.
Bella sprang to her feet and dashed towards the door.
"You, bitch… Wait right there!" he yelled. "Stop her."
Without glancing back, she ran away. Behind her, she heard heavy footfalls rapidly closing in.
"Bella, where are you running away?" The manager came over and blocked her way.
Adrenaline pumping in her veins, she shoved him aside forcefully, then continued sprinting down the lobby.
A terrifying roar erupted from behind: "Get back here, you little whore! I swear, I'm going to fucking kill you today!" It was Mr. Cooper, hell-bent on vengeance.
Panicking even further, Bella picked up speed. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to keep moving—to never look back. And so, with her heart pounding violently and her legs trembling uncontrollably beneath her, she fled.
Bursting into yet another opulent chamber, her frantic gaze landed on a figure lounging on a plush sofa. Without a second thought, she hurried over to him and dropped to her knees, tears blurring her vision.
"Please," she choked out, reaching for the man's hands. "Save me, please!"
"Who are you?" He yanked his hand back. "I don't talk to strangers. Go away."
"Please, please… I'll do anything you say." Bella blurted out, overriding logic. "Save me."
Two hulking men rushed in, followed by Mr. Cooper and Mr. Woods. Bella instinctively clung to the man, fearing a paralyzing weight in her chest.
But something unexpected happened. The four men froze at the doorstep, their eyes widening in what looked suspiciously like terror as they landed on the man beside her.
"Get out," the man roared.
As if propelled by an unseen force, the intruders scurried out of the room.
"Thank you," Bella breathed, heaving a sigh of relief. But that relief was short-lived.
The man's cold voice echoed inside the room once again. "What did you say? You can do anything I say if I save you!"
Bella's fingers twisted in her lap. She had uttered those words impulsively. That wasn't what she meant exactly. "Um, yes," she stuttered. "I'll do everything I can to repay you."
He leaned forward, holding her chin and lifting her face. His dark eyes bore into hers, sending ripples of shivers down her spine.
"What's your name?" He asked, his voice deep and cold.
"Bella," she murmured, trembling.
"Marry me, Bella."
Her heart lurched to the ground.