Chapter 5 The Offer

TINA'S APARTMENT 2 am

Tina got home and unlocked the door with her extra key. She was tired and she had already removed her high heels and held it lazily in her hands. She entered the sitting room and was surprised to see Brenda sitting on the couch with a Bible on her lap.

"You're still awake?" She asked in surprise. Although this is not the first time she would be seeing such.

"Yes, I am. I'm up and praying for you" Brenda said excitedly.

"Good" She nodded and headed to her room. She just wanted to shower and rest.

"Let us pray before we head to bed" Brenda stood up and adjusted her pajamas.

"Why can't we just pray tomorrow? I'm tired" She groaned in frustration.

"This is all for your cause darling. You need God on your side so you will be free from the grasp of an unknown evil" Brenda explained and held her hands. They prayed for more than ten minutes with Brenda speaking in a language that seemed funny to Tina but she kept quiet and kept chanting Amen unenthusiastically.

"Hallelujah" Brenda concluded the prayer and Tina felt relieved immediately. She was starting to doze off while standing.

"Good night and sweet dreams" Brenda pecked her cheeks gently and they both went into their respective rooms.

Tina threw her bag on her dressing table, undressed hurriedly, and hit the shower. She let the water flow down her body and she washed her skin thoroughly as if to wash away the gaze of the lewd men who stared at her. She came out in a towel, dried her body, and wore her purple pajamas. She jumped on the bed afterward and covered herself with her blanket.

To her surprise, she was not feeling sleepy anymore. She tossed to and fro on the bed and closed her eyes to drift into oblivion but her eyes were as clear as a hay day.

"Gosh" She exclaimed and stood up from the bed. She walked to her study table where an apple laptop lay there carefully with a pen lazily beside it and then a jotter followed by the rumpled sheets of book that she had angrily torn during the day. She picked up the sheets and threw them in the waste bin beside the table.

Then, she sat down on the chair and opened her laptop but she couldn't write anything. She couldn't think about anything else except the event of that night. Jake's voice was resonating in her head and she cringed at even thinking about the offer.

FLASHBACK

"Sir" She found herself saying when he eventually revealed himself. He was so handsome up close and she admired his distinct features while barely breathing.

"Hi" He heard him mutter.

"So, I just wanted to..." He was trying to say something when I cut him off.

"Sir, please. I wasn't the one who recorded the video nor was I the one who uploaded it. It was a setup" I explained hurriedly, restraining myself from tearing up.

"I know you're not the one" He stated and peered down to look at me. He was towering above me with his height and I was looking up to him.

"My gold ring. Did you see it?" He changed the topic although he wasn't looking for any gold ring. He just wanted to talk more with her.

"No sir, I didn't see it. I will check the room for you" She replied and made to leave but his arms were in the way.

"Forget it, I have something to ask you" He intoned with all seriousness that made Tina's blood boil with fear. She dreads whatever offer this wealthy man is offering even without saying anything.

"Did you hurt yourself? I mean last night. I saw blood on the bed after you left" He stared into her eyes and watched her eyes slowly widen in shock. He made sure to observe her body language so that he would detect a lie.

"No sir, I didn't hurt myself" She mumbled. She was not expecting that question and now it caught her off guard. How could she tell him that she was a Virgin until last night? Jake wanted to say more but he could see her fingers shaking beside her so he dropped his hands and decided to let her be.

Tina sighed in relief as soon as he started walking away. She felt suffocated by his presence and his rich cologne was all she could perceive in her nostrils.

"Be my wife" His thunderous voice came again as he walked to her front and caged her in his arms on the wall again. Her breath seized for a moment and her clavicle bone became more visible from breathlessness.

"What?" She found herself exclaiming. How can he say such a thing casually?

"I'm not interested" She stated with a frown and made to leave.

"How are you going to deal with those comments and stares then? They won't stop" He told her frankly.

"Why do you care?" She glared at him.

"Honestly, I don't. I can't remember the ordeals of the other night and how we ended up together. Did you really seduce me with a charm?" He squinted his eyes like he would do when he's been serious.

Tina walked towards him in calculated footsteps with a lop-sided smile. Sadness laced her gaze and her grins wore melancholy.

"I'm a stripper. The mere placing my feet in a room gets all the guys erect. Besides, we were both drunk. No one seduced who" She snapped and started walking away in her high heels slowly but Jake was not done talking and he hated people walking out on him.

"I want to..." He was trying to say something when Tina cut him off harshly.

"Do you want to taint your image? Look, I have nothing to lose here but you have everything at stake. If people see you with me, the comments will be to your detriment" She said audibly.

"Do not cut me off when I'm talking" He warned vehemently. He was getting worked up and his gaze hardened.

"Then stop following me or even talking to me. You're not the one being hated everywhere you go so why would you understand" She wanted to yell the words out but it only came as a whisper. She wouldn't want to endanger herself by yelling at the money bag before her.

"Be my wife then. I will help you change the narrative" Jake offered with his hand in his pocket. His face was relaxed as he waited for her response.

"Forget it" She muttered and walked off

END OF FLASHBACK

"Gosh, why did I have to say forget it so vaguely and weightlessly" She face palmed herself in frustration. She groaned and jumped on her bed again and covered herself completely with her blanket.

"I want to scream" She muttered and with the blanket and pillow shoved to her face, She screamed out in muffled screams. That has been her occasional routine.

★★

8 AM

Tina was in the Dreamland when Brenda knocked harshly on her door. At first, she didn't hear the knock on the door as she continued her sleep but she was forced to wake up when it became so persistent.

"What is it?" Tina was annoyed at the knock on the door.

"Tina, open the door. Quick" Brenda whispered in an alarming tone. Tina stood up from the bed grudgingly and went to open the door. Brenda rushed in breathlessly.

"There's trouble. Serious one" Brenda intoned and started pacing to and fro in the room.

"Bren, what trouble?" She asked sleepily and yawned.

"Do not leave the house, okay? I will try and take care of it" Brenda intoned and made to scurry away but Tina drew her back.

"What's the trouble exactly?" She quizzed with raised brows.

"There are tons of reporters outside that are waiting for you" Brenda dropped the news and Tina felt a spark in her head. She ran to the window side and opened the curtains a little bit and she saw the reporters whispering among themselves with their cameras in their hands and by their sides.

"How did they know my house? How did they find me?" She stuttered uncontrollably.

"Just stay tight. I will go tell them something" Brenda said and rushed out of the house.

Tina heard the front door open and overheard Brenda speaking followed by a scuffle.

"Oh Gosh" Tina muttered in dread