Clara

“I said take off your dress!” Michael’s voice resonated in my ears while he stood just a few steps away from me. I was deep in thoughts, but that aside, I was not going to just go naked just because he commanded it.

“No!” I said after a little while of hesitation, making my refusal known to him. He raised his hand up causing me to duck, but I never felt the hit I was expecting. No, perhaps I was being too scared or he decided to take pity on me seeing how I cowered when he raised his hand as if to slap me.

“Laye, look at me,” he said. His words were accompanied by his assurance of him not going to hurt me. He said he’d never hit me because women are fragile, and I’m one fragile being.

I managed to raise my head and saw how he was looking at me, his eyes dancing in wonderment, perhaps of my own fear. He pointed towards the bed showing me something he probably dropped on it just when I had run into the bathroom. It was a box wrapped up beautifully well. Perhaps a gift or something.

“I know it came out the wrong way, but I’m not a bad guy. I’m not even going to touch you against your will,” Michael said. He probably thought his words were coaxing enough to get me to believe or trust him. But then, if I didn’t know better, I’d fall for the soothing sound of his voice and believe him.

“I need you to try that dress on to be sure it’s perfect on you. You’ll be attending a party with me tomorrow,” Michael said.

Was that it??

Was that the reason why he just asked me to undress without a proper explanation? *Men and their controlling nature atimes*

………………………

“You look gorgeous” Michael whispered to me, his lips greasing my ear, leaving me with a weird feeling, running like melting ice through my skin. But what could be more overwhelming than seeing myself right before strange faces exposed by a sea of beautiful lights. It seemed like a party for the rich. And if I should judge, this was probably a place an average man could not afford. My eyes got lost with the crowd while Michael took hold of my hand and asked me to stick to him. I was either going to do that or find a way to run away.

But where would I run to? I had no idea where I was, except it was a party. Michael made sure I was on blindfold while on our way here. He probably didn’t want me to know the route to this place, or perhaps find my way, if I was to escape.

“Is that my one and only Mr. M, the guy with the perfect eyes?” my head turned as quickly as my ears heard a lady saying those words. She was wearing a white dress that fits perfectly to her body, it’s length almost reaching her ankle. But the split on the left did a perfect job in revealing her leg, up to her thigh. And for a moment I thought about the needlessness of wearing such a long dress if at the end of the day it will still reveal my thigh. She hugged Michael, her sweet scent greeting my nose as I stood by, watching this Melanin goddess, whisper into Michael’s ears. Then she turned to me after a while with a smile on her face, her dimples seemed so perfect sitting on her cheeks. It made me nervous.

“Michael’s Fiancee?” she asked pointing at me and talking as though Michael himself was not there. She was still smiling when Michael came to my side and wrapped his arms around my waist, probably a gesture to confirm what she just said. It was sickening, not what Michael did, nor the idea that I was his fiancée; my silence was sickening. It made me want to throw up. I felt like hitting myself. But I had to behave, lest they think I’ve gone mad.

“My name is Clara, Michaels friend. It’s nice having you at our party,” she said, making me to realise she’s probably one of the host, or maybe the host. I took her hand and shook it while mouthing, “Beatrice” inaudibly. She strained her neck as though that was her ears, but I knew it was because she didn’t hear me.

Michael coughed and pulled me to himself. Then he told Clara he was already getting bored and he wanted to join the party, also stating that he was sure I would rather be at the party as well. Then I noticed the look of disapproval on her face. But it was only for a brief moment. She soon took a few steps ahead of us, leading the way into the crowd. I noticed a few persons walking around while some stood standing and gossiping.. maybe they were talking about business, just maybe.

Michael took me to a corner, his eyes staring me down and making me uncomfortable.

“You are not meant to be telling everyone here your name or talking to anyone at all. I just need you to be by my side and look nice enough. Once I’m done with what I came here for, we’ll be leaving,”

I felt like a servant at that point. But then, maybe I was, or maybe worse. I literally signed a contract and practically sold my soul to the devil, he just doesn’t have horns.

“Laye!” he called. I just looked at him without a word coming out of my mouth.

“Stay away from Clara,”…. I was not expecting that, but then, I don’t know what I was expecting. And talk about the person in question, Clara walked up to us and tapped Michael on the shoulder. She was with someone this time. A guy, a cute guy, dark and handsome. I could bet my life that he could be a relative of hers. They had a few similar facial features. Like the nose for example, and the eyes.

“Michael, this is Tony.. and Tony, meet Michael, the dealer I told you about”…. The moment I heard the word “dealer”, I knew this was about business. I immediately lowered my head. But before I knew what was happening, someone already tucked on my arm and was dragging me away.

“We will leave you guys to deal while having fun. Your fiancée is safe with me,” Clara said as she dragged me with her. I had to stabilise myself so I don’t fall.

For me, it was how Michael just warned me about her and still allowed her to take me with her. Maybe his business with the Tony guy was worth more than his warnings, you can’t always tell…….