May woke up startled with a sweaty forehead.
Every day for the past few days, the same disturbing dream invaded her sleep. In her dream, she lay on a bed, naked. Her hands and feet were bound. Then, a snake would appear. Always the same snake. With cold, smooth, scaly skin, the large black snake slithered over her body. Starting from her feet, it crawled up, slipping into her with its cold body.
Strangely, despite the terrifying nature of the snake's touch, it felt gentle and careful, almost lulling her before the snake would open its jaws, revealing its long fangs, and bite.
May often wondered about the meaning of her dreams. A large black snake certainly wasn't a good omen. Even for someone who didn't believe in mystical things, May couldn't help but shiver. Especially when the dream kept repeating with the same scene.
The sound of someone's breathing next to her made May turn to the side.
Her husband was still peacefully asleep in bed, completely unaffected by May's experience. She sighed and carefully, so as not to wake him, stood up and walked towards the bathroom. Washing her face, brushing her teeth, changing her nightwear to leggings and a T-shirt, May then slipped out of the bedroom without a sound.
The crisp, cold air outside felt remarkably fresh. After grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, May headed to the fitness room. Morning exercise was a habit she enjoyed, especially running. Sweating and moving helped dispel her tension and made her feel more relaxed.
While spending time on the treadmill, May ponderred about her domestic life. Her marriage to Sean has just begun, only one year.
People said they were still in the honeymoon phase, but somehow, May didn't feel that way. Sure in the beginning of their marriage everything seemed fime. They were inseparable and spent almost everynight making love. In the bedroom, in the car, in the garden, in hotels. Sean even recorded their lovemaking a few times, as a reminder when he was away on business, he said.
But in the last few months, Sean seemed to be pulling away. He worked late into the night, and when he came home, all he did was sleep. May initially tried to understand. It was reasonable; Sean's role as a bussinessman demanded a lot of attention, especially when the company faced challenges due to recent economic fluctuations. Sean, of course, had even less time for his wife.
However, as it continued and May's efforts to mend their relationship were met with indifference, she finally gave up.
Her encounter with Sean wasn't something special either. Her manager, Jackie, introduced her to Sean. According to Jackie, dating a playboy businessman would be good for publicity and help her career as an actress. Who would have thought she would end up falling in love and marrying the man?
May turned off the treadmill and stepped into the bathroom to freshen up. It was pointless. Even after an hour on the treadmill, the uneasy feeling still lingered low.
May was preparing breakfast with the housekeeper when Sean entered the dining room. He went straight to the alcohol storage cabinet and poured whiskey into a glass, which he gulped in one go.
"You were tossing and turning in your sleep again," Sean commented without turning around. "I woke up because of your noise."
May looked at her husband. He poured a bit more whiskey into the glass and gulped it down in one go.
"Sorry," May replied.
Sean didn't respond. He just placed the empty glass on the counter before turning and walking towards May.
"My schedule is tight today, so I might not be able to accompany you to the party tonight," Sean said while adjusting his suit.
May, who was pouring a cup of tea, immediately stopped.
"But everyone will wonder if you're not there, Sean. Jackie has been organizing this event for a long time. Besides, it's my birthday party, can't you make an exception?"
Sean grabbed the tea cup prepared by May and drank it with the same intensity as when he drank whiskey.
"You know very well that the company is currently in a busy period, May. Please understand my situation. This big house and luxurious life are not funded by your acting, but by my work. Even the extravagant party you're planning for tonight comes out of my pocket. So, have a bit of understanding and stop nagging me to comply with your desires."
The tone in Sean's voice was dismissive, as usual. A wealthy family, a luxurious life - May felt like an outsider. Sean’s mother even didn't attend their wedding party, and his father has always treated her like a cheap woman.
"The car is ready, Mr. Kettler," one of their housekeepers announced, bowing.
Sean nodded.
May reached out her hand to help her husband button his jacket, but he turned around without saying anything. He walked out of the house without a word.
***
***
Sean observed the man sitting across from him without saying a word. Bruce was his cousin, from his father side. Both bearing the Kettler last name and both known in the field of real estate, one could say that Bruce was currently more successful than Sean.
Sean never liked Bruce though. In his eyes, Bruce was an arrogant man who never wanted to lose and always jealous of him. When Sean bought a car, Bruce would immediately buy a more expensive one. When Sean bought a Rolex, Bruce would buy two. Their rivalry had been going on since childhood, and although Sean couldn't stand Bruce's behavior, he had no choice today. He needed money from Bruce.
Although his debt to Stone Black could be considered paid off. He still have other installments waiting. The repayment of his car loan was due today, and he needed to find a way to pay it off; otherwise, the bank would seize his sport car.
Sean knew Bruce wouldn't just give him money, so he needed to offer something that Bruce wanted. And Sean know his cousin has been wanting May for a while.
"Hey, Bruce," Sean forced his voice out, placing his glass back on the table. "By the way, are you still interested in fucking my wife?"
The man sitting in front of Sean immediately stopped eating and looked up.
"What did you say?" Bruce repeated as if afraid he misheard.
"You once offered me a hundred thousand dollars for a night with May, didn't you? Are you still interested?"
Bruce put down the fork he was holding and reached for the napkin on the table. Still eyeing Sean, Bruce wiped his oily mouth before tossing the napkin back onto the table and leaning back.
"Fuck, Sean. Are you serious?" Bruce asked, sounding surprised.
"Of course, I'm serious. Are you still interested or not?"
"Hell yeah, of course I'm still interested," Bruce replied with a grin. "My dad said you need money. I just didn't know you needed it so badly that you'd be willing to rent out your wife like that. But hey... good for me. So, a hundred thousand dollars for one night?"
Sean shook his head. "I want more, two hundred."
"For two hundred grand, you better let me do anything to your wife. You know I'm quite... um... let's just say passionate when it comes to lovemaking."
Of course, Sean knew what Bruce meant. Everyone in their family knew what Bruce meant. How much money Bruce had to pay to silence the women because of his rough treatment of them.
After swallowing his saliva with difficulty, Sean nodded. "Okay. Agreed. As long as you use protection and I don't want you to harm May's face. I don't want May to look battered in public."
"Deal." Bruce's grin widened. "Can you arrange it for tonight? I happen to be...uhh... in need of some relief."
Sean pondered his response. Tonight was May's birthday party. Renting out his wife on her birthday sounded despicable. But on the other hand... Sean dared not think about what his parents would say if the bank seized his property.
"You called, boss?"Stone Black turned his face away from the window and found two of his top men, Angelo and Jet, walking in.A brown-furred Rottweiler, that look more like a bear than a dog, followed them before sitting at Stone's feet.Stone patted the dog's head before reaching for a cigarette from his desk and slipping it between his lips."Tell the others that we'll be going out tonight," Stone said while lighting the cigarette and taking a deep drag. "It's time we introduce ourselves to the dealers bold enough to operate in our territory without paying.""I heard they're coming from Virginia, maybe from Abingdon or Ashland," Jet replied, leaning his back against a long table on the room's edge. "Those people need to learn to respect their hosts when come visiting.""I'm sure they'll learn," Stone replied flatly. "After a bit of spilled blood."Jet laughed while Stone took the cigarette from his lips and turned back to gaze outside the window."I admit," Angelo said, taking a se
May watched the building in front of her through the tinted glass of Sean's sports car with wide eyes.The hotel they were heading to looked luxurious but deserted. With dull paint and a neon sign that look outdated.In the early days of their marriage, Sean often surprised May with romantic getaways like this. Booking a hotel for a few days just to relax and make love, behaving like a newlywed couple.He doesn't do it anymore. Money and busyness are the reasons he gives. May understands, of course. That's why she felt uneasy about the surprise Sean was giving her even at a hotel as runndown as this one."You don't have to book a hotel for me, Sean," May said. "I'm happy enough that you could spend tonight with me. You don't have to waste money."May turned her face back to Sean and could see that her comment seemed to hurt his feelings."Don't underestimate me, May," he said, frowning. "Just because bussiness is bad doesn't mean I'm broke."May quickly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sea
“Arg, fuck!” Bruce growled lowly while May screamed in pain.May's body trembled and tears flowed down her face even harder when Bruce started to move.Not only was that Bruce killed everything that feels clean and innocent with every thrust, but he was also hurting her.“S-stop! It hurts… Stop it, Bruce!”May cried and struggled to no avail. Her wrists ached from the grip of the handcuffs while her body ached from Bruce's rought thrusts which continued without pause.As if to deepen her pain, Bruce pulled May's ankles over his shoulders and slammed into her again with all his force."B-bruce! Stop!” May gritted her shaking teeth while trying to hold on. “Please don’t do this. P-please let me go.”Bruce just laughed and seemed to enjoy even more watching her cry like that.May didn’t know is she could hold on any longer. She thought she was about to pass out when Bruce finally slammed into her once more and shuddered.When Bruce finally rolled off of May, she sobbed and she turned her
"I'd think twice before you do that, Pete," Stone warned. "I'll consider it a threat if you keep moving your hand, and I don't like being threatened."Pete’s hand froze, so maybe he wasn't as stupid as he looked. "You might not know me because you're new, but I am the one who runs this part of town," Stone gave the man a sharp look before continuing, "My name is Stone Black. If you decide to work in this area, that means you work for me. You understand? I'm here to discuss the rules that you need to follow and let you know when and how I will be taking my share.""Your share?" The man scratched his belly and let out a snort that sounded like laughter. "Listen, man. I've been in this business for years. As far as I know, America is a free country. That means I don't work for anyone and I don't pay anyone."Stone glanced at the punk-haired man who had opened the door for him earlier. The young man watched what was happening but remained silent. Even as Stone's man started to spread out
When Bruce finally finished, May could barely move. Her whole body ached, and her head spun. It felt like her lungs had stopped working because no matter how hard she tried to breathe, there was no air.The sound of a phone ringing echoed through the room.Bruce jumped out of bed and walked towards the table. Without covering his still naked bulky body, Bruce picked up the phone and answered."Yes?" he said to whoever was on the other end of the line. After waiting for a moment, he replied, "Alright... I understand... I'll do it."After hanging up the phone, Bruce turned back and grinned at May."It must be my lucky day, May," he said while walking back to the bed. "The man who owns this hotel likes you, and he's going to offer your worthless husband a deal he can't refuse. It means you'll probably stay here longer, and I'll have a chance to see you again. More freedom this time without Sean's rules."“What?” May asked with a coa
May blinked several times as she finally regained consciousness. She found herself in a small windowless room with bright lights overhead. Squinting, she turned to the side and saw a small bathroom near the bed she was lying on and a tiny wardrobe next to it.It took a few seconds before May remembered what had just happened to her.Bruce!As the realization hit her, she jerked upright and grew more panicked when she realized she was still wearing nothing under the blanket.Her sudden movement triggered a wave of pain throughout her body, causing her to groan."Thank God she's still alive." A low feminine voice came from the corner of the room. "Welcome back, May."May immediately pulled the blanket to her chest and held it tightly as she turned towards the source of the voice.By the door sat a woman on a chair, smiling broadly at her."W-who are you?" May asked hoarsely."I am the one who is responsible for this place. You can call me Madame Jade," the woman replied with a low seduc
Nikolai has invited Stone to have lunch at a restaurant located in the middle of the Belosokov power district. As a sign of trust and to honor their peace agreement, Stone agreed and came alone.Stone arrived at the restaurant around noon. After handing over the keys to his black Porsche to the valet working in front of the restaurant, he went inside.While buttoning his jacket, Stone told the receptionist who he was there to meet and followed the woman to one of the tables in the corner of the restaurant."Stone," Nikolai said, standing up and extending his hand for a handshake. "Good to see you again."Stone shook Nikolai's hand and sat down. He ordered a glass of water and coffee when the server came to take their order."How have you been, Nikolai?" Stone asked, observing the man. Nikolai looked the same as when he last saw him. Around 40s, the man appeared fit and healthy, with a few hard lines around his brown eyes."I've been well," he answered. "And you? I heard you recently bo
Same as yesterday, May still refuses to eat.Kamila's coaxing only succeeds in getting May to drink juice and milk until Madame Jade arrives late in the evening with an angry face."So you're refusing to eat?" the woman said, her voice louder than usual. "Fine, don't eat then!"She grabbed the dinner tray from the table and threw it across the room.The sound of breaking bowls and plates echoed in the room, causing May to shiver even more. She edged away, clutching the blanket to her chest like a shield against Madame Jade's anger. But Madame Jade roughly pulled the blanket from May and threw it to the floor."Now, get up!" the woman snapped. "Eating or not, you will start working tonight."While May tried to hold back her tears, Madame Jade walked over to the wardrobe in the room and rummaged through its contents. She grabbed one of the lingerie and then threw it at May's face."Put that thing and fix your hair. Apply some makeup to cover your swollen face. I don’t want my customers