Unrequited Passion

Chapter 7 I’ve decided I’m sleeping with you tonight

“I don’t want to. Besides, I don’t need to since I’m not an escort.” Astrid replied.

Lulu, who had been eavesdropping from the side, became very upset and spared no effort in relaying her displeasure to Astrid. “What?! Who do you think you are? Who are you to snub Mr. Umber?”

Astrid was in no mood to respond to her jealous remark. She turned her focus back to fixing her makeup. One more performance and she would have to go home. She couldn’t leave Carina alone, even though she had a babysitter watching her.

Emporio Club was particularly lively during the latter half of the night.

Astrid finished fixing up her makeup, went on stage, and sang a rendition of “Where Do I Begin”. When she was done with her performance, Sammy immediately caught up to her and told her that Mr. Umber insisted on having a drink with her, and that he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Astrid being Astrid, refused. Unfortunately, the very drunk Mr. Umber accosted her as soon as she got off stage. He grabbed Astrid by the wrist and snapped, “You should consider yourself lucky that you’ve caught my eye. Don’t you go playing hard to get with me! I’ve decided I’m sleeping with you tonight, so go ahead, name your price!”

Due to a crippling injury to her hands from her time in prison, Astrid’s hands were only good enough for everyday use. They were too weak to defend her against an assault from a big, drunken man like Mr. Umber, so she struggled to escape his grasp but to no avail.

“Mr. Umber, my only job here is to sing. I don’t do anything else except perform on stage. If you’re that interested in getting laid tonight, you’re welcome to choose any other girl in this club. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to satisfy you.”

Mr. Umber was enraged when he heard this. “How dare you, you wh*re? What, are you playing the Virgin Mary now? Quit fooling yourself. It’s just one night. Surely you’ve slept with other men before!”

Then, he forcefully pulled Astrid toward him and said, “Give in or I’ll have my way with you, right here, right now!”

Astrid felt a slight hint of fear now. After everything she had experienced over the past five years, she knew exactly what kind of situation she was in now.

Mr. Umber pushed her up against the ice-cold wall and reached out in an attempt to strip her dress off. Astrid quickly grabbed his hand and bit him, hard. Immediately, blood started seeping out of the horny b*stard’s hand.

“You damned bitch. How dare you bite me?! Do you wanna f*cking die?” Mr. Umber threw a slap across her face. The force of his slap sent Astrid into a momentary bout of dizziness, blood trickled from a corner of her lip.

The loud commotion drew the attention of Emporio’s bouncer and manager. The manager ran toward them and quickly apologized to Mr. Umber.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Umber. Raven is really just a singer. She does not escort our guests. How about this? I’ll choose a few pretty girls for you. I’m sure they’ll make you happy. Consider it a token of our gratitude for your patronage…”

“Shut the f*ck up. Do you think I can’t afford your girls? I don’t care what f*cking rules you have here, but I’m going to f*ck the lights out of this b*tch tonight, and no one is going to stop me!” Mr. Umber snarled.

The manager was at a loss. All he could do was stare pitifully at Astrid.

Astrid slowly lifted her head and revealed a slight smirk. Then, she looked Mr. Umber in the eye and said, “I heard that you owe your success to Mrs. Umber. I also know that your company is about to go public very soon. I’m pretty sure that any form of scandal wouldn’t benefit you at this point. I’m just a lowly singer, a nobody. While I’m grateful to have gained your favor, there really is no need for you to destroy your own future because of me, don’t you think so, Mr. Umber?”

Astrid’s words struck a chord with Mr. Umber. His face sunk as he realized the gravity of Astrid’s threat. Astrid, on the other hand, was clenching her fists as her back broke out into cold sweat.

“Ricky Umber, a big man like you, forcing yourself on a woman? Don’t you have any shame?” A man’s voice suddenly chimed in.

Everyone turned around to find Felix Gardner, standing behind them. He was the CEO of Gardner Enterprises and an even more prominent figure than Mr. Umber. Mr. Umber quickly turned around and greeted him, “Mr. Gardner!”

Astrid, on the other hand, found herself staring at the man behind Felix. She focused her eyes, and as soon as she recognized him, her eyes flashed with fear…

It was Blake Ledger.

‘Sh*t, why is he here? I need to get out of here!’ Astrid thought.