"YOU are always really in a hurry to go home, maybe it's not bad once in a while in your very busy life if you try to unwind," Cynthia commented after she turned down her offer to go with her cousin's birthday.
Lara laughed softly and then just continued to fix her things. "Maybe it's really like this when you have a child, you will always be excited to go home because you want to see your baby right away who you know is waiting for you to arrive," she explained to Cynthia.
"Oh, Lara Athena, you've been like that even before. It's good that I love my goddaughter, I have enough reason not to be angry with you anymore," Cynthia said, following what she said with a weak laugh.
Lara then approached Cynthia at her table and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks, I have to go. I still need to buy something for my baby girl."
"Okay, see you tomorrow," Cynthia said.
Time flies so fast. It seemed like the biggest nightmare of her life had just happened. That was when she was forced and took by three men and then sold to a club in exchange for an enormous amount of money.
Lara will never forget that night because of the intensity of fear she felt.
And that fear intensified even more when she got to the point where she had to work for the allegedly large amount of money spent by the man she knew paid Nati to rent her.
Lara quickly waved at the approaching taxi and it stopped. She was already inside the car but what happened to her four years ago remained in her mind.
And as she looked outside the window, it was as if she could clearly see out there what really happened to her that night four years ago?
*****
FOUR YEARS AGO...
Lara could not stand it either, she was feeling very hungry and the inviting aroma of the delicious food that the man had put on the plate really smelled in the room.
It was then that she swallowed and thought that maybe just like what had crossed her mind a while ago, the man had not put any drug in that food.
She was already weak and a little dizzy since her stomach is still empty so she didn't think anymore, she stood up and then started eating the delicious food on the plate.
Fifteen minutes later after she had finished the food on the plate Lara was quietly observing herself. And a few more minutes passed, nothing happened and she didn't feel anything strange so eventually, she ended up smiling.
"I'm sure he's the knight sent by heaven to save me. I'm still lucky because he's not just kind but very and perfectly handsome as well," Lara said, unable to contain the thrill she felt at the thought of the handsome stranger who saved her earlier.
That’s true, he’s so handsome to the point he can be mistaken for an actor.
The man is tall and she thinks he is over six feet tall. He has a beautiful and Adonis-like physique that spreads out well in his white polo shirt that looks like the man's second skin because of its proper fit on his body.
His top had a nice contrast to the brown color of his skin. While she saw him wearing simple faded jeans hugging his manly legs and thighs. But despite all that, no matter how simple the man's way of dressing, he was undeniably the most handsome of all the men she saw there. Besides the fact that he was kind to her.
Earlier when the man stared at her she had the opportunity to observe how perfect his face seemed to have been sculpted by a skilled sculptor.
Perfect nose, deep and dark eyes seemed to be able to absorb all the energy she had as he met her gaze. They are round and have fluffy lashes that are also matched by thick, black eyebrows. Red, luscious, and thin lips show signs of heavenly and glorious happiness when kissed. And his long and slicked-back hair that appears to be a black grass that crawled down his nape.
Earlier when the man hugged her, her wide and hard chest did not escape her observation. Lara could not deny that she felt a strange flow of electricity because of the simple touching of their skins, but because of her fear, she did not pay much attention to it.
She had to admit to herself that that man was the most handsome man she had ever known in her entire life. Nor could she deny the simple admiration that grew in her heart not only because of all the physical qualities she saw in him but most especially the kindness and compassion he showed her.
Lara was in such a state of mind when the door of the room suddenly opened. She was so shocked that it was normal for her to squeeze herself into the headboard of the bed where she was sitting and then hug a pillow next to her.
"How are you feeling?" the man asked her as she saw him holding a glass filled with wine.
Suddenly her breathing became abnormal not only because of the intense nervousness she felt at that moment but also because of the extreme discomfort she already had due to the man's presence inside the room.
"It's good that you finished your food already. See? I didn't put anything in, did I?" he smiled at her so that's when she had the opportunity to see his perfect set of white teeth and even his very fragile and toothpaste commercial standard smile.
"T-Thank you, sir," Lara thought to say because in fact he really deserves her gratitude.
It was then that the man stepped closer to where she was. That made Lara's chest tremble even more and it intensified when he sat on the side of the bed in front of her.
Lara automatically moved back into the headboard of the bed even though in fact she had nothing to fall back on. And when the man probably noticed what she had done he smiled again.
"Joaquin," he introduced himself then held out his own hand to her. "and for some personal reasons, I won't tell you what my surname since we don't really know each other, okay?" he added.
"E-Even if you decide not to tell me your name, it's okay. I heard it already a while ago when I was still inside that box," she replied unable to hide the trembling of her voice.
Joaquin's loud laughter filled the entire room. "But I've done it already," he said without lowering his hand. "How about you, what is your name?" he asked her.
That was when Lara shifted her gaze to the man's very handsome face and his hand still outstretched in front of her.
"V-Venus," she replied then decided to accept the man's handshake.
But that was only for a moment. She also quickly withdrew her hand from him because of the strange and unfamiliar flow of electricity she also felt earlier when the man hugged her.
"Is that really your name?" his amused question when he saw how she reacted just because of that simple handshake.
"W-Why should I tell you my real name? We don't really know each other personally, remember?" she imitated what the man had told her earlier.
Joaquin laughed out loud again. And Lara in that very moment couldn't help herself from admiring the man even more. He was so handsome and she loves to see him that way, laughing and obviously happy.
"I understand, anyway the name Venus suits you very well. The goddess of love, beauty, fertility, prosperity, victory, desire, and sex," he said, emphasizing the two words he last mentioned.
Lara's face quickly turned red at what the man said. Especially when she stared at him and suddenly she saw the seemingly small fires of desire in his eyes. Because of that, she bowed her head again.
"Don't you want to show me how beautiful you are?" the way he speaks, Lara knew Joaquin wanted her to take off her eye mask.
Joaquin only sees half of her face and she prefers that. And at least when the time comes for them to meet again outside after tonight the man won't recognize her.
"I-I don't want to, don't force me because I don't want to take off my mask," she said in a firm voice.
An understanding smile tore from the man's lips before he stood up though he remained staring at her.
"If that's what you want," he said in his usual kind tone before he turned away and walked out of the room without looking back.