Chapter 7

She should have asked him about her clothes. Laurel thought as he made her way slowly back to the room, from where the crazy guard had dragged her. She tried to open the door with a push and was surprised at its neat furnishings.

The bed was perfect fit and it was certainly bigger than the one she used at home.

Her eyes narrowed at the boxes on the bed. She almost didn't see it. But now I have...

With excitement, she made her way to see what was inside. A small note was taped to one of the boxes. She read:

"I bought enough clothes for your stay and whatever you may need is in there. Boss Lucas."

Am I his wife? Laurel asked in disdain as she opened the first box. A pair of bunny pajamas poured out.

One by one, she tore the boxes and pairs of socks, gowns, shirt, pants, brushes, hair combs and the rest of what she will need poured out onto the bed.

How did he know what I need? Laurel frowned at her foolish question. He must have a girlfriend to know what I need as a lady! Laurel gaped, squinting at the sanitary pad sitting subtly in its package.

"You've got to be kidding me." She wasted no time in packing the newly bought items back into its boxes.

I've had enough of this nonsense. It was time to leave this ridiculous environment.

……

Laurel stormed back to where she last conversed with Lucas. "Boss Lucas!" She roared but was met with a suffocating silence.

Did he ghost me? She tried to open the study room but found it locked.

It only infuriated her more. "I know you are in there, come out, we need to talk."

No reply.

Laurel bit her lower lips in deep thoughts. There wasn't really much to see and she was getting fed up with it! She needed to get out and fast. She thought, rushing to where she thought might be the front door.

She didn't even know where the bodyguard had disappeared to. What's with all of them disappearing into thin air?

The front door was locked! "Argh!" Laurel screamed out. The prison house was getting to her little by little and she didn't like it.

"I guess I am in a fancy prison." Laurel whispered to herself as she slid down the big doors.

Her thoughts drifted to Antonia. The mighty Queen would never be happy to hear that she has gotten herself into such a mess. It was a funny thing to say…. Laurel thought as she looked up at the high ceiling.

Now she is scared. No one would ask of her even if she is about to be killed. Laurel didn't even have a boyfriend…except Matteo…

Matteo was the bubbly guy at the club. You know the guy everyone would love to be with. Laurel was the angry one. It made a lot of men draw back from her. She was sassy, and above all argumentative.

Laurel chuckled at the one time she had a little fight with a customer. She was lucky her boss was in a good mood or else he would have kicked her butt out of the club.

It was Christmas Eve; her boss had called her to come over for her pay. Mr. Malik told the rest of the workers to take the day shift so that they would be alone together.

She had found out what he did when she came into the club later that night. It made her so angry but a little pinch from Matteo told her to relax and let it go.

Mr. Malik had smirked knowingly. Laurel knew all this was happening because she rejected his pervert advances.

"I will work tonight. But the next time you try this? I'll rip your balls off and use it to play tennis."

Matteo had laughed nervously, dragging her out of the tension in Mr. Malik's office. She was sure she didn't miss the terrified look on Mr. Malik's face.

"That threat was just too much." Matteo shook his head in disapproval.

Of course, he should be displeased. Laurel was surprised at the words herself. She was too angry to even notice.

Laurel flipped him off. "If I didn't say that, he would take me for granted. Common, I am a 25 year old lady…"

"...living in an apartment in New York. Yes I know." Matteo had completed knowingly, making Laurel look at him with her eyebrows raised. Was she that predictable?

"Let's get to work Matteo." She replied, wearing her apron.

Then a loud thud was heard from the main-dance arena. She looked at Matteo and the both of them rushed there without a word.

Laurel wasn't surprised to find a drunken man harassing a young lady on her way to the back. Judging from his red cheeks, the young lady must have slapped him. It only made the man angry so he pushed her out of the way. The girl landed heavily on a nearby table. Her wails of pain could be heard.

Laurel and Matteo rolled their eyes at the same time. It was high time stingy Mr. Malik hired a bouncer or someone hefty enough to throw such people out of the club.

Laurel placed her hands on the man's shoulders making him turn angry eyes on her.

His eyes told her to back off but Laurel wasn't in the mood to act all docile. Yet, she tried to reason with him.

"You can choose to leave this club or enjoy humiliation."

The guy smirked dangerously to Laurel's irritation. He held her hands, twisting and turning. "Have you come to join in the fun?"

Laurel smiled, looking around her. She found curious eyes peering at her. No one was willing to step up to a VIP. She was in this fight alone.

She tilted her head. Matteo was warning her already.

"Don't do it." His eyes warned.