Unrequited Passion

Chapter 9 Everything Has Its Price, Why Play Hard to Get?

Unfortunately, Blake wouldn’t leave her alone. He smirked and replied, “Everything has its price. Why play hard to get?”

“You must be joking with me, sir. I’m no one important. I have no right to play hard to get. But despite my lack of importance, I have the right to choose my customers, don’t you agree? Besides, I’ve slept with too many men. I don’t think you’d like that!” Astrid replied calmly. She hid her emotions so well that Blake couldn’t read her at all.

Blake seemed a little sullen, but he kept his temper in check. He lifted her chin to look her in the eye and smirked mischievously, “As a matter of fact, I don’t mind it at all. After all, I’m not the one sleeping with you. I just wanted to reward my bodyguards a little for their good service!”

“You really are a good boss, sir. There are plenty of beautiful women in this club. All you need to do is name your price, and I’m sure they’ll make you very happy!” Astrid replied with a smile without losing a beat. Despite the cheery outlook, her hands were secretly clenched into fists, hidden from view behind her dress, while her nails dug so deep into the palm of her hands that she almost gave off the slightest hint of wincing from the pain.

“But I want YOU to take care of them,” Blake insisted.

Astrid finally showed a small hint of a crack in her facade. She quickly recomposed herself, and her eyes returned as calm as ever. She stepped forward and pressed her lips close to Blake’s ear with a suggestive look on her face.

“Then I must thank you for your business offer, sir. How much money are you willing to pay me? I’m not cheap, you know!”

She was so close to him that he could smell the subtle fragrance of her cheap perfume.

An indescribable rage surged in Blake’s heart when he heard her tone. He pushed Astrid away, causing her to slam onto the wall.

“Astrid Noelle, have you really grown that repulsive?” He snarled with rage.

Astrid winced in pain, lowered her head, and smiled bitterly. Her eyes glistened with tears.

‘Repulsive? Pfft. I guess I am. How else could I possibly have fallen for a man who never loved me back, and continued to love him for ten years? I nearly died for him too! Would I have fallen into this living hell if I weren’t so repulsive? My dreams in music, in dance… All of it, destroyed! I’d be dead by now if it weren’t for Carina!’ Astrid lamented in her heart.

Astrid propped herself against the wall and used it as support to crawl to her feet. Her forehead was bleeding from the impact against the wall. Nevertheless, she continued smiling at the seething man in front of her and said, “You’ve gotten the wrong person. My name is Raven. Not Astrid Noelle!”

Blake couldn’t describe how he felt when he saw her in this state. He clenched his fist and threw a punch at the wall behind her.

“F*ck off!” He screamed furiously.

Astrid shuddered then smiled. “I guess you’re not giving me any business at all, sir? Well, that sucks. I guess I’m not making any money tonight!”

Then she turned around and limped away. Just as she walked past Felix, she heard him muttering under his breath, “The old Astrid Noelle was beautiful, dazzling, and as proud as a peacock!”

Astrid paused then gave him a bitter smile.

“Oh, really? It sounds like she’s quite the girl. Unfortunately, I’m not her. I’m just an insignificant nightclub singer!”

‘I’ve lost everything. I can’t ever turn back now.’

Astrid continued limping away, trying to get away from the man she once loved as soon as possible.

As her silhouette slowly disappeared down the corridor, Blake watched her like a hawk with a cold, inscrutable look on his face.