Chapter 20 - Don't Touch What's Mine - mduno
She looked distressed, and no wonder—she had seen firsthand what that world was like.
"You’re so naive." She was still hurting. Had they humiliated or groped her? "Did they touch you?"
I grabbed her chin and forced her to look at me. She shook her head, and I felt a bit of relief. She held onto the sides of my shirt.
"Veronica, this isn’t the world you live in. It’s a different world. I threatened a partner for you."
"Forgive me."
Forgive her? But what was there to forgive? That innocent... She was an angel in a gathering of demons.
"While you’re here, stay close or very far away." Tears continued to fall from her eyes. "You’re so naive. It’s hard to believe that women like you still get excited."
She hugged me, and the unexpected gesture caught me off guard. I didn’t reciprocate immediately, but I felt that personal barrier shift without knowing when, how, or why. I couldn’t resist anymore and hugged her back tightly. I needed it, burying my nose in the floral scent of her hair.
"Don’t go away, please. I brought you to a gathering of old foxes."
"Everyone fears you." I tensed up; she must think I’m the worst. "They respect you a lot."
"I’m just the worst of them all." I didn’t want to lie to her.
"You command the most respect. You’re a true leader, you just focused on the wrong branch."
"Do I owe you something?"
We half-smiled. She kept hugging me, and the strangest thing was that it felt really good.
"It’ll be awkward being in meetings with that guy. How can Lorena let herself be groped like that?"
"Until a few weeks ago, I swore there were no virgins over fourteen." She looked up, rolled her eyes, and stuck out her tongue. "And even less that at twenty-one, they’d act like five-year-olds."
"You can say whatever you want."
She moved away, and I tried to hide my displeasure at not having her close. I was becoming addicted to small things. It was incredible how much I wanted a hug, to pull her back into my arms.
"Deep down, you like it."
I smiled, hoping to be convincing in my indifference, not to give myself away. Because those little things were what attracted me, in addition to her pretty face, her hair, her natural body.
"Tell me what to do."
"Wow, this is new. Are you now going to submit to my command?"
Unintentionally, the submissive role excited me. She understood the hint.
"Do you practice sadomasochism?"
"I’ve practiced almost everything, Veronica. Except men and drugs."
"You traffic them."
I crossed my arms. She raised an eyebrow, looking very cute; she hadn’t changed, she was wearing the same clothes.
"But I don’t use them, and I haven’t been with a man, and I really like vaginas."
"Don’t talk like that." She blushed, and I caressed her chin. "My best friend is gay."
"I know." She sighed again. "I have nothing against them, I respect them. Well, nothing will happen with the Spaniard, I’ll talk to him, and you, miss." I playfully stroked her hair. "Try to be kind, don’t stray from me."
She took my hand, and I froze. She stopped when she saw I didn’t anticipate that part.
"Sorry."
She realized I wouldn’t walk with her holding hands. She let go, walked, and I followed. We entered the restaurant, where they were waiting at the tables as if nothing had happened.
The table where we would sit was shared with Yan, Lorena, and John without his companion, which surprised me. He stood up, pulled out a chair for her to sit. That act reopened my ulcer.
Veronica smiled at him and slowly began to work, translating into Mandarin, not just for me, but also what she said to Lorena. The more she spoke, the more John admired her. Why was he looking at her like a creep? Didn’t he understand? She was mine!
"Great reception, Mr. Roland," John said in Spanish with an annoying American accent. "Nice name, Veronica."
Who the hell did this jerk think he was? I regretted not entering with her hand in hand. That way, everyone would have known she wasn’t available. Veronica smiled at him. Yan spoke, then she translated for me.
"Mr. Yan is asking if they should stay together or if they can explore the place at any time?" She waited for my response.
"Tell him that in each room, on the nightstand, there’s an itinerary. They can do whatever they want, the only mandatory thing is the meeting tomorrow at three in the afternoon, it’s essential. Also, inform them about the secured points for exploring. There are yachts available, nightclubs, and cabins they have access to, all secure places."
She translated, he listened, and when she finished, Yan smiled and pinched Lorena’s breast. They brought the menu, and everyone ordered different dishes.
"What do you recommend from these delicacies?"
Was this jerk earning a bullet? I showed indifference, but I bit my lip inside.
"I recommend the seafood paella," Veronica suggested.
"You’re so sweet, thanks."
She looked away from John. My appetite vanished, but I forced myself to eat, so I ordered.
"I’ll have fried snapper with plantains and salad. And lots of lemonade, please."
"I’ll have a seafood casserole," she ordered. "What Caribbean juices do you offer?"
"The corozo juice is excellent."
The waiter, who seemed uncomfortable serving the underworld congregation, recommended.
"Then, bring me that."
"After lunch, what will we do?" Lorena asked.
"I suppose Yan will want to screw you in all available orifices..."
Veronica kicked me under the table, I cursed, her friend blushed, and John burst out laughing.
"I'll do that with the woman I chose," the gringo commented.
"Speaking of which, where did you leave her?" I asked.
"She's eating at another table, looks better on camera, but she's got a body. Colombian women have a good reputation in bed. They’re fiery, and that's all I want here."
If that idiot tried or thought about wooing Veronica, he just stabbed himself. My appetite returned instantly. The lunch ended, and everyone went their separate ways.
"Shall we meet at one of the clubs tonight?" Veronica translated into Mandarin.
"Yes, tell him the name is on the itinerary, and you’re coming with me."
She translated while looking at me, her eyes had a strange sparkle. By nightfall, after resting a bit, showering, dressing, and putting on cologne once more, I went to find her to go to the club.
I knocked several times, but no one answered. "Did she fall asleep?" Thankfully, the heat had eased a bit, and the sea breeze was calming the high temperatures.
"Boss, the lady arrived with Mr. John," Cebolla said. "Simon sent me to find you, he's been watching her since they got to the club."
My ulcer exploded. What part of "don't leave my side" did this girl not understand?
"Let's go, Cebolla."
I headed to the elevator, pressed the button for the ground floor where the club was. Upon entering, I saw Veronica talking at the bar with John. She looked a bit uncomfortable, not paying much attention to her companion, holding a beer. The club was packed with staff who had been accommodated. "I usually never come to these events, so the partners were surprised." She smiled when she saw me.
"Mr. Roland."
John spoke. Damn gringo, don't become a thorn in my side.
"John, have you picked a table yet?" I asked without taking my eyes off her, making her look away. "That's right, submit."
"We're at the table with Yan," he replied.
"I'll join you in a moment." Left alone with her, I unleashed the anger burning inside me. "What part of 'I'm going to the club with you' did you not understand, Veronica?"
She looked up, her eyes confused. She was so naive, unaware of the danger around her.
"Excuse me?" Is that all she's going to say?
"You said you'd do what I wanted, and you just disobeyed me."
"Sorry?" She fidgeted with her hands to hide her nervousness.
"Don't give me excuses, you disobeyed..."
"Cut it out, Roland. Do you think I'm your submissive or something?" I tried to speak but chose to stay silent. Why is she answering back? "I'm sorry you took it so literally. I said that at noon to get out of the situation with the Spaniard."
"Veronica..."
"Nothing, Veronica! I’m not, and I won't submit to your masochistic sickness." I clenched my jaw, looking at her. "Answer me one thing, Roland. Do I mean so little to you? Let me tell you this in your language. Would you like to see me sucking off another man while you take me from behind? Or would it turn you on to see me having sex with other men or women, reaching ecstasy while you whip me until my back or butt bleeds?"
"You know about it," I said. If I waver, I'm screwed.
"I can read, idiot! And understand that those who practice that crap are sick." It was the first time I heard her curse.
"Those are different perspectives, and you shouldn't judge people's sexual tastes," I defended myself.
"Well, go to hell with your perspectives. I'm sorry I'm not what you expected. I'm too boring for your sexual perversion."
"You're never what I expect," she analyzed what I had just said.
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
"Take it however you want, I don't care."
She got off the chair, adjusted her dress, and headed to the table where John and Yan were with her best friend. I ordered a whiskey at the bar, and Simon arrived.
"The lady hasn't done anything wrong."
"Just left me hanging like an idiot, a fool."
"Boss..."
"Rata, bring me one of the girls. To hell with Veronica!"
"If that's what you want."
In less than two minutes, he arrived with one of the girls. I led her to the table where they were gathered, smiling at John. It gave me satisfaction to see his face change when he saw me with someone, he took a big gulp of his drink. Yan seemed excited with Lorena, constantly feeling her up. Veronica looked at the dance floor while I, with great satisfaction, started caressing the leg of the girl beside me.
"What's your name?" I asked suggestively in her ear.
"Samara. I thought you had forgotten about us, Mr. Roland."
"I've been busy. I hope to make it up to you, the night is long."
The girl grinned widely, took a sip of whiskey. I glanced around, and they were gone, John too. I searched for her with my eyes. "Damn." Had she gone somewhere else? My stomach twisted, but I saw her dancing.
She was being held, and someone was stroking her back with their thumb. I understood what she said earlier. If I was capable of seeing her with another, subjecting her to mistreatment, forcing her to satisfy me in some degrading way. No, no, I can't do it. I can't stand someone else touching her. I pushed the girl who had sat on my lap and quickly made my way to the dance floor.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Roland?" What's wrong? I got close to his ear.
"Don't touch what's mine."