Lana's body responded to the sound of the door opening and immediately stood up from the sofa she was sitting on. Her eyes moved unsteadily as a well-built man in a neat suit entered with light footsteps.
The stranger gave a smile as she entered the small room that Lana used to wait for the man who had bought it.
Lana couldn't hide her curiosity. Her eyes were clearly watching the appearance of the man in front of her from top to bottom. One thing is for sure. The man was handsome with a masculine appearance that showed the character of a wealthy businessman.
"You … the one who bought me?" Lana's voice was as low as a piece of parchment being turned over. Nervousness overtook her. She couldn't help but squeeze her hand, which was sweating and shaking violently.
"Unfortunately, no. I didn't want to spend a lot of money just to spend one night with a woman. Even though she's still a virgin."
A startled mutter echoed through the room, punctuated by Lana's voice asking quietly. "Then, where is the man who bought me?"
"He's waiting for you in the car. I came here to take you to him."
"Oh."
"Has the club informed you of the terms and conditions?" the man asked.
"Yes. I'll get my money as soon as I spend one night with the guy who bought me."
"Good. I hope tonight doesn't disappoint."
"What do you mean?" Lana's voice cracked. The man's words sounded like he was mocking her.
"Darren paid you dearly. Obviously, he needs to get reciprocated, according to the price given. $200,000 is not a small amount of money, miss."
Darren?
Is Darren the name of the man who bought it?
"I know." Lana smiled bitterly. " You don't need to be sarcastic like that."
"Oh, really? I doubt it."
"When are you going to take me to see him?" she asked irritated.
"Right now." The man looked at her coldly. "Follow me."
Lana snorted in annoyance as the man turned with a cold tone. She immediately grabbed her shabby bag that was on the table and rushed to follow the man.
In her mind, Lana only hoped that the man who bought her was no worse than this cold man.
***
Out of the club area, Lana was led to a car parked beside the building. The car is red with matching colored glass which makes Lana unable to see the inside of the car. It was obvious that the man who had bought it was waiting for her there.
When the man who picked her up opened the car door, Lana could see a man sitting in the passenger seat. He looked so relaxed looking out. More precisely, he looked at Lana who was standing right in front of the car door.
"You're taking too long, Rafael. What did you do to make me have to wait so long?"
His voice was heavy and cold. There was a hint of disgust in every word the man said. Inwardly, Lana was a little happy because the cold man, who turned out to be named Rafael, got a bit of a tantrum from his master.
"Sorry."
Darren glanced at Rafael with reluctant eyes, then turned to look at Lana who was still standing still.
"Come in," Darren said glancing at the empty seat beside him. "Don't waste my time on unimportant things."
One sentence that Lana wanted to say.
They're both the same!
Is it a congenital disease that every rich person always acts arrogant and annoying?
"Why are you still silent? don't want to get in the car?" Darren frowned. "Or do I need to force it?"
Lana was almost taken aback by Darren's words. This man was far more terrifying than Rafael.
"No. I can do it myself," Lana hastily replied.
***
They arrived at the gate of a luxurious house with a large area of land. Even though Lana hadn't entered the house, she could tell with just one look. It was clear that the size of the house was so large that it could accommodate tens of people or maybe hundreds.
Rafael immediately went downstairs to open Darren's door and Lana followed him but from the opposite side of the door.
"Tell Miranda to change the meeting schedule to noon. I'll call you to let me know when you need to pick me up," Darren said. He then glanced at Lana who was now standing a few steps away from him. Seems to give him some distance or time to talk to Rafael?
"All right."
"You can go now, Rafael."
Rafael nodded in understanding. Before getting back into the car, the corner of his eye caught Darren's hand grabbing Lana's hand. One gentle tug for Darren to lead Lana into his luxurious home.
Rafael still couldn't figure it out. Why would Darren spend that much money just for one night with a woman he didn't find attractive at all?
***
Lana entered the house with a sense of trepidation. She squeezed her shabby bag tightly since entering Darren's luxurious house. Her eyes moved unsteadily, looking back and forth like a thief who made sure no one was in the house.
"There's no one in this house." Darren who was behind Lana seemed to understand the woman's movements.
Lana turned around. "You live alone in a house this big?"
"If the maids don't count. Technically, yes."
"Then… your parents―"
"We're not doing blind dates. Introductory sessions don't apply to one-night stands," Darren said, "and of course, we don't need any of that in bed."
She doesn't know when, Darren has been standing so close. His hands had landed on her waist. So smooth that Lana didn't notice that the slight squeeze of Darren's hand didn't make her realize the distance between the two of them was thinning.
Lana's breath caught in her throat. There was nothing she could do but land her hands on Darren's chest. Pressing it there hoping she'd be a little more patient because she wasn't ready to do it this fast. Especially here. In a large room without a soft bed like in romantic scenes in adult films. Of course, that's only a small part of it.
"What's your name?" Darren whispered.
"L-Lana … Lana Sharin," Lana said in a stuttering voice. She was completely helpless when Darren wrapped her arms around Lana, hugging her.
"Nice name," Darren commented.
"T-thank you."
"You're not going to turn around asking my name?"
Lana lifted her head slightly so she could see Darren's face. "I thought you didn't like introductions."
Darren chuckled. "Yes. That's right." There was a strange look on Darren's face that made Lana uneasy. "Darren Raveno. Make sure you remember the name well, Lana," Darren muttered, and grabbed Lana's head with both hands and kissed her hard. Lana took the pressure off Darren's lips with a gasp, still numbed by the realization that this was really happening. It all happened so fast―no time to think.