Contract With My Rapist

PROLOGUE

"I don't love you anymore, Lake..." I felt the corners of my eyes warm as I told him that.

"Is it Marlon?" he asked before taking a sip from the bottle of alcohol in his hand.

"Yes, it's Marlon whom I love now. Stop bothering me. You'll only make things worse for yourself," I said.

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and threw me onto the bed.

"What does Marlon have that I don't, huh?" He moved on top of me.

"Stop it, Lake! I'm going home." I pushed him away but he pinned me down the bed.

"You're not going anywhere." He said before he kissed me. I tried to push him, but he was strong. I felt his tongue inside my mouth. His kisses moved down to my neck. "Let me go, Lake. They're looking for me at home."

His hand crept inside my shirt. I resisted even more. I kicked him, I pushed him, I did everything, but he was really strong. He lifted my shirt and bra, exposing my chest.

I begged him, 'Please, don't do this. Let me go.' I was crying. He didn't listen to me. He continued sucking my right breast while his hand was on top of my left breast. When he got tired of that, his hand moved down to my abdomen, then further down to my thighs. He squeezed and fondled, and then his hand went between my thighs. He pulled down my panties and started inserting his finger. I screamed in pain, but he didn't seem to care. I pleaded with him, but he ignored me. His lips returned to mine. He kissed me, and I bit him hard.

"Ouch!" He recoiled. I could taste his blood in my mouth. That's when I got the chance to stand up on the bed. I quickly stood and ran, but before I could reach the door, he grabbed my hair, dragging me back to his bed. He lifted my skirt and spread my legs.

He entered his manhood inside of me. Only half of it entered, causing me to recoil in pain. I pressed against the headboard and begged him to stop, but it seemed like he didn't hear me. He pulled me back to him and continued. I was crying in pain as he persisted. He repeatedly did that until I grew exhausted from resisting and crying. I let him exhaust himself with my body until he tired himself out and fell asleep.

I grabbed my clothes and put them on. I couldn't believe it happened. The man who almost worshipped me was the same man who violated me.

***

"Mama, buy me this." Kurt approached me, holding a bag of Cheetos.

"Okay, that's the last one, alright. Put it in the cart," I said. Shortly after, my son came up to me again, holding a box of Oreos. "This, mama! Can we get this too?"

"Baby-"

"Ma, don't call me baby! I'm six years old," he pouted.

I laughed. "Okay, Kurt. No, put those Oreos back. You've asked for so much. It's all junk food."

"Please, mama? Please?" He gave me that puppy-eyed look again. My son really takes after his father. Lake used to give me that look too. Kurt has inherited many mannerisms from Lake. He reminds me so much of Lake - the way he talks, the way he smiles, the way he walks... everything.

Kurt is the result of that night when Lake raped me. That night was the last time we saw each other. As far as I know, he's in Ethios. I have no intention of telling him about Kurt; I don't want him in my life or my son's.

"Okay, that's the last one, alright," I said.

"Yay!" He placed the Oreos in the cart.

"After finding everything I needed, I stood in line at the checkout counter. Because Christmas is approaching, the line is long.

"Mama, can I get juice for my packed lunch?" Kurt asked me. I forgot to get juice.

"I'll get it; you stay here," I said.

"Let me, mama! I'm getting bored here."

"Okay, hurry. Don't talk to strangers and don't go with anyone else."

LAKE'S POV

"Why are you drinking juice? That's not allowed." I turned to the person speaking. One of the grocery store clerks was scolding a child who was drinking juice. "Where's your mother? You need to pay for that."

"In line. We'll pay for it! We have a lot of money," the child replied, continuing to drink juice.

"Pay for it first before you drink it," the man said.

"I already drank it," the child shrugged.

I approached them. "What's the problem here?"

"Uh, sir, this child drank the juice without paying yet."

"Okay, I'll handle this. You can go back to your work," I said. The clerk complied. I faced the child. "What's your name?"

" Kurt," the child replied.

" Kurt, do you know that what you're doing is not allowed?"

"Yep."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Because I was thirsty, and the line was so long. I might die of thirst before we even pay for this."

I chuckled at the child's statement. This kid is awesome.

"Ok, get more juice and whatever else you want. My treat."

"Really?"

"Yes. And you can eat it here."

He ran, and I followed him. He went to get Cheerios, opened it, and began eating. He offered me some.

"Do you want some?" he asked. We sat in the aisle, eating Cheerios and drinking juice.

"Why aren't they scolding us?" the child asked, noticing that the clerks just let us pass.

"They can't scold me. I own this grocery and the entire mall," I said.

"Wow, I want to have my own grocery store and mall too. So I can eat whatever I want and get lots of toys," he said.

"Just do well in school and you can also own a grocery like this one. Wait, aren't your parents looking for you?" I asked.

The child suddenly stood up. "Oh right, my mom might be looking for me. Bye."

Kurt quickly ran, and I didn't see where the boy went. That boy reminds me so much of myself.

AVERY's POV

"Kurt, where have you been? I've been looking for you."

"I met a nice guy. He said he owns the grocery store and the mall. Then we drank juice and ate Cheetos."

"You're giving me a nervous breakdown. I told you not to talk to people you don't know."

"He was nice, mama."

"Even so! No PSP and Xbox for a week."

"But mom..." he protested.

"No 'buts'! Come on, let's go home!"

"Marlon, what should I do? Where will I get 20 million?" I pleaded with desperation in my voice.

Marlon, my loyal friend and confidant, looked genuinely sorry but equally helpless. "If only I could help you, I would. I don't even have a million," he said, sympathy etched across his face.

My mind raced, grappling with the harsh reality of the situation. "If I end up in jail, take care of my child," I said, the weight of desperation heavy in my words.

Marlon, always the pillar of support, took my hand and held it firmly. "Don't worry, girl. Gerald and I will treat Kurt as our own child. We'll visit you in prison once a month."

" Marlon, come on," I said, trying to lighten the mood, leaning away to break the heaviness that hung in the air.

"I'm just kidding," he laughed, providing a brief respite. "But seriously, girl, the best thing to do is to go into hiding."

"No, I would never do that. Our family's reputation is at stake here. I'd rather go to jail knowing that they think my business partner duped me than have them believe I ran off with their money."

Marlon, understanding the gravity of my decision, inquired, "So, what's your plan then?"

I just shrugged, feeling the weight of defeat. Sipping my coffee, bitterness lingered on my tongue, mirroring the bitter situation I found myself in. Even if I were to sell all our properties, it wouldn't be enough. Smith Construction Supplies, my father's legacy, was already drowning in debt. The hope I had when we secured the contract for a large mall construction project was now replaced by the cruel reality of betrayal.

Suddenly, the piercing ring of my cellphone cut through the heavy silence. Evelyn, my secretary, displayed on the screen. "Hello, Evelyn?"

"Ma'am, Northstar Corporation called. They said they need the materials now."

"Do we have anything left to release?" Dread seeped into my voice.

"We don't have any materials left, ma'am."

"Okay, I'll take care of talking to them," I replied, hanging up the phone. The impending confrontation awaited me. I bid farewell to Marlon and made my way to Northstar Corporation. It was time to face the CEO.

"Can I see Mr. Laiken Northstar?" I asked the secretary at the entrance.

"Do you have an appointment?" the condescending secretary inquired.

"No, but I really need to see him."

"Miss, sorry, it's not allowed. Mr. Northstar is a very busy person. If you want, you can just wait for him to come out," she replied arrogantly.

"Can you at least tell him that I own Smith Construction Supplies and I really need to see him?"

The secretary's demeanor shifted. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were one of Mr. Northstar's girlfriends." She pressed the intercom. "Mr. Northstar, the owner of Smith Construction Supplies wants to see you."

"Send her in," came the response.

"That way, ma'am." She pointed to the brown door.

Entering the room, uncertainty gripped me. The expansive space housed a black leather sofa, a large TV, and a floor-to-ceiling window providing a stunning view of Everwood. A massive desk sat at the end, and in front of the window was a swivel chair occupied by Mr. Northstar, engrossed in a phone call. The familiarity of his voice sent a shiver down my spine. Patiently, I stood until he concluded his conversation.

As he faced me, the shock was palpable. "L-Lake?"

"Take a seat, Miss Smith," he said, devoid of any expression. Hesitant, I sat in the chair opposite his desk. I scrutinized his features, confirming the undeniable truth. Lake Northstar, a haunting figure from my past, was sitting before me.

"Explain to me why you haven't sent any materials to us. Didn't I give you one month?" His voice, once warm, was now cold and demanding.

"I- um..." Stammering, I struggled to compose myself.

"Come on, Miss Smith. I don't have all day," he uttered impatiently.

"My business partner ran off with the 20 million," I confessed, the words finally escaping my lips.

"Well, that's not our problem," he dismissed callously. "You can go now."

"Lake, please, don't send me to jail." The words spilled out, a desperate plea.

"If we can't get the materials, then we would have to sue you," he declared, unwavering in his resolve.

Hell, you should have been in jail 7 years ago! For raping me, but I kept my mouth shut! I masked the truth, shielding you from the consequences of your actions. I yearned to confront him, to expose the pain he inflicted on me, but the words remained trapped within me. He exhibited no remorse for the torment he caused. I couldn't suppress the tears; they flowed freely, an uncontrollable release of pent-up emotions. Days of stress converged into this moment, leaving me emotionally drained and disoriented.

"I know a way how you can pay me back." A subtle smirk curved one corner of his lips.

I ceased crying, curiosity replacing my anguish. "H- how?"

"It's simple. All you have to do is have sex with me," he stated matter-of-factly.

"What? That's insane!" I exclaimed, rising abruptly from my seat.

"I know. Twenty million for sex? Some whores only get paid, what? Five thousand? And you, you're worth twenty million." His smirk intensified.

"I am not a whore, Lake."

"I'm not Lake. I'm Laiken Northstar."

"Even if you change your name and drown yourself in your money, you can't cover up the stench of your character," I declared, mustering my strength before storming out of his office.

"Even if you change your name and drown yourself in your money, you can't cover up the stench of your character," I said before leaving his office.

How dare he compare me to a whore. I shouldn't have begged him; I shouldn't have cried in front of that perverted, heartless bastard. Why do I have to be a crybaby? Damn!

As I entered my car, my phone was ringing. I left it inside my car. It was Sofia calling, Kurt's nanny. I picked it up, "Hello, Sofia?"

"Ms. Smith, I've been calling you for a while," she said. I immediately sensed that something bad had happened from the tone of her voice.

"Why? Where's Kurt?" My son immediately crossed my mind. He wasn't feeling well before I left.

"We're at the hospital right now. Kurt suddenly fainted. Earlier, before you left, he said he was feeling dizzy."

"Which hospital are you in?" I asked. Sofia mentioned the hospital's name. I hurriedly went there.

I saw Sofia sitting outside the ER. She stood up when she saw me. "Ms. Smith, the doctor needs to talk to you about Kurt."

I went inside the ER and immediately saw my son lying on one of the beds. The doctor was beside him. I approached.

"Are you Mrs. Smith?" the doctor asked. I just nodded. I couldn't speak; it felt like there was a lump in my throat. I glanced at my son. He was still unconscious, but he looked very pale. I knew it was something serious.

"We've run some tests on him and took his blood sample," the doctor continued. He paused for a while, and I anxiously waited to hear what he would say next. "Your son has leukemia. We're not sure of the type yet because it's just a preliminary diagnosis. We need to run a few more tests on him to determine the exact condition of the patient."

I felt like the ground crumbled beneath me. I lost all my strength, and I sat down on the side of the bed where my son lay. Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?

We spent the whole day in the hospital, undergoing various tests. The doctor said he needed to be confined.

"Mama, how long are we going to stay here?" Kurt asked.

"Maybe we'll be able to go home tomorrow. So, be strong. I'll take you to amusement park and buy you lots of toys." I tried to act normal. I didn't want him to think that something was wrong.

"I'm already strong." He flexed his arms to show his 'muscles'. "See! Can we go home now?"

I kissed him on the forehead and tried to explain the situation, "No, baby. You need to get better. Don't you want to be a hero? You're in the hospital because there are villains in your body right now. Your doctor is giving you super strength to fight them. Promise me you'll defeat those villains for Mama."

"Promise!" He raised his right hand. "But what do I have to do to fight them?"

"You just have to be strong."

Even though I didn't want to leave my son, I had to. There were too many problems that needed fixing. Our business was on the verge of closing because there was no money left for its operation, and we were drowning in debt. As they say, 'When it rains, it pours.'

"Ms. Avery, someone has been waiting for you. I've been trying to call you, but your phone is off," said Evelyn.

"Who?" I asked.

"Ms. Miller, she said. There she is." Pauline pointed to the woman sitting.

I approached her. She stood up from her seat. "Are you Avery Smith?"

"That's me," I replied.

"I'm Aurora Miller. I was sent by Mr. Laiken Northstar to talk to you about the case he's filing against you."

"Tell him to go fuck himself," I said before turning away.

"Ms. Smith, you signed a contract. My client can have you arrested and brought to the police station today," she said.

I stopped in my tracks. I suddenly remembered my son; he needs me. I can't go to prison. I faced her again. "Then, what does he want? I don't have anything to give him. Our business is closing down."

"He wants you to visit him and talk to him. If you don't do that, you're free to call your lawyer, and we can discuss the case my client is filing against you," she said.

Of course, he wants sex. If that's the way to end this, then I'll do it. It's just sex. It's not like I'm still a virgin; I already have a child. Besides, we already had sex before... well, it's not sex, it's rape, but still...

So yeah, I got in my car and went to his office.

"Good to see you again, my sweet Avery," he said with a sarcastic grin on his face.

"Let's just get this over with. I don't have time to play your sick little games," I rolled my eyes.

I started unbuttoning my blouse. He hesitated for a moment, "Now?"

"Yes, now." I removed my skirt and then my underwear. I stood in front of him, naked, while he sat on his swivel chair, looking at me from head to toe. He stood up and approached me. He kissed me on the lips, gently at first, then his kiss deepened. I didn't respond. He led me to the couch and laid me down.

He started undressing, taking off his suit and underwear. He sat at the edge of the couch while I lay there. He kissed me from my lips down to my neck and to my breasts. He sucked on one of my nipples while his hand played with the other. Suddenly, I had a flashback of the rape, and I started shaking.

He stopped and lifted his head. "Hey, hey, relax. You're shaking. Is this your first?"

I looked at him confused. This isn't my first time. He was the one who did that to me, doesn't he know? "Uh... no."

"Just try to relax, okay?" I missed that tender look in his eyes. It relaxed me a bit. He continued what he was doing, being gentle with me, which helped a lot.

His kiss went down to my stomach and then to my... "Oooh..." I bit my lip to stifle a scream. It felt so good, something I had never felt before. I couldn't describe what I was feeling, but it felt good. I was literally grinding my hips against him. I pulled his hair, and then I felt like something inside me had exploded, leaking outside of me. "Lake..."

He stopped kissing me down there. "Delicious," he said with a wicked grin. I blushed. "You still look cute when you blush," he said before kissing me on the lips. This time, I responded to his kiss.

After a while, he positioned himself. He parted my legs and entered inside me. It still hurt, but not as much as before. However, the pain and him being on top triggered memories of the rape. I was scared, but I didn't show it to him. I hugged him tight, and suddenly, the fear disappeared. We fell asleep on the couch, my head on his chest.

"Wake up..." I heard Lake whisper. I opened my eyes and looked up at him. "You were moaning. Are you having a bad dream?"

I nodded. I dreamt of it again. It had been a long time since I had that dream. I snuggled closer to him. Isn't it ironic? The man I feared in my dreams is now beside me, and I feel safe with him.