The week had gone incredibly slow for Gina, and the blame lay on Rissa's unexpected leave. Apparently, she was supposed to be an escort for five days but knowing Gina would strongly oppose it, decided to omit that important piece of information. They nearly had a cat fight when Gina found her Wednesday morning with a bag ready for travel.

For Gina, it felt suspiciously like betrayal, that despite their talks - well, they had only reached a meaningful conclusion about the surrogacy issue- Rissa still went ahead to do her heart's bidding, leaving her all alone in the house. Being alone left her very preoccupied with her thoughts, and she wasn't exactly surprised Gabriel had been a major shareholder.

He had given her an ultimatum for the reply and Tuesday came and passed without a hitch. She didn't see him at the club and he didn't contact Iyke to get her details just in case. So as the days progressed, she figured her services were no longer required and was mildly relieved and disappointed simultaneously. She refused quite adamantly to delve into that feeling of disappointment.

Presently, she was at the infamous powder room of the strip club getting ready. She was the only one present at the moment since she had gotten here earlier than most of the other girls, mainly because Rissa's absence didn't bode well with her, and thoughts about her solicitor were beginning to drive her insane.

Her eyes darted to the wall clock in the room just above the metal doors and she groaned. She had just one hour before the club opened officially for its Friday night business treats. Still in the terrible mood she encountered since mid week, she changed out of her black jumpsuit and nude bejeweled sandals and stuffed them inside her locker while pulling out her scandalous outfit for the night.

She had been put on the spotlight today as the 'mysterious dancer' of the night whose ultimate job was to tease the men raw while hiding her face behind a mask. Sometimes, a private activity was displayed right on stage in order to get more customers throwing away currency bills like ordinary paper. It was Iyke's own way of spicing up the clubs' credentials and attracting more customers. It invariably meant she would dance last, covered in a mask that hid her face and twerk till her hips dropped and play with herself till a sex-crazed client flew up on stage for a quick rendezvous. Luckily, that had never been the case due to the heavy security guarding the stage.

One advantage of being the mystery of the night was the certainty of clients, stinking rich clients. The down side, however, was that any good-for-nothing drunk could ask for a night out and you couldn't refuse since you'll always be around for the customers to unravel the 'mystery'.

She strolled to her own vanity table and began to apply makeup, waiting for the nerves to continue building until she was called up on stage. Even if she had done this for nearly three years, it never gets any easier for her. Going up on stage to dance always made her nervous.

She was drawing her contours when a girl strolled into the powder room giggling obnoxiously, intending to draw attention to herself but Gina barely spread her a glance. From the annoyingly high-pitched voice, she knew who it was even if she was missing her squad. It was the girl from last two weeks Saturday. Lilah.

She strolled to come halt behind her, her reflection giving her away. A hand was placed on her waist, and the other twirling her curly weaves as she watched Gina apply her makeup.

"When I heard you were the mystery of the night, I was shocked." She had the face of stupefaction going for her to buttress her words. "But then I realized it was a good thing. The best, actually, especially for your man since he probably wouldn't want to miss this show for anything, seeing that's the only thing he's getting from you tonight." She flashed a grin at Gina, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

Gina was honestly confused, so she turned around to stare at her. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

The girl chuckled quite softly. "Oh, but you do. I couldn't help but notice how gloomy you looked on Tuesday when that hot sexy guy you were with last Saturday didn't show."

Gina pursed her lips, now that she realized someone had caught onto her countenance. "What do you want?"

"I want him too."

At her shocked expression, she laughed suddenly before continuing.

"Don't be stingy. I'll let you have him some other night but I want him for tonight. I sense that he's an important client and we can't let inexperienced girls like you send him away after his first trial."

"He's not the kind of person you can pass around like that," Gina defended hotly, briefly wondering why she was defending him.

"Are you monopolizing him?" Lilahs' eyes were wide with shock. "Shame. It really is a big shame and here I was thinking we could be friends," Lilah stated, eyeing her manicured nails delicately.

"You do know that if you're keeping him all to yourself, I'll tell Iyke this minute and you won't even have him at all anymore."

She frowned at the game the girl was playing. Iyke had advised them not to get stuck on one client in order not to get emotionally attached. It was always harder than it seemed, so he provided an alternative. If the client was into you and you wanted out, you simply pass him on to another girl and quietly protect your heart.

If Lilah made it sound like she was getting emotionally invested in Gabriel, Iyke would ban her from receiving clients for a period of two weeks or more depending on the gravity of such accusations. The downside to this rule was that it didn't even have to be true for a jealous stripper to screw over another girl.

"I'm not," she clarified quickly and determinedly. "But you can't decide for him who he wishes to be with. If he asks for you, I'll let him have you, but if his request is still for me, it can only be attributed to my exceptionally good fortune, don't you think?"

Lilah scrunched up her face as though she had swallowed a bitter pill. "You might think you're smart but I'll show you I'm wiser. Just you wait till he shows up here, and we'll see which one of us will have him first!" She declared venomously and then stormed off, leaving Gina glaring at her.

It should not be anybody's concern if she was getting emotionally invested with Gabriel. It was her cross to bear, hers alone.

With that resolve, she went back to her finishing touches.

+++++++

Gabriel watched the girl in white bikini dance and strip seductively around the stage. She had long white feathers sticking out from her bikini strap at the back and a mask stuck to her face with matching feathers hiding her face and her long, silky black weaves covering her back just a few inches above her big butt.

She was mesmerising, he decided in one heartbeat, as his gaze swept across her slender body lustfully. The ridiculously sexy dressing for whatever purpose it was did not confuse him a bit. He would recognise her even in a blindfold. That was how important she was to him.

He had waited almost a week for her response and getting none, was forced to come back to this strip club. It wasn't that he could have helped the situation, but seeing that his father would not let up on the CEOs position, he needed to set his plan in motion and now. Gina was just dragging out the matter by avoiding him. He had decided she'd be the one to give him a son, and that was that.

The song ended and she gave a bow amidst the applause from the entertained crowd. She was a talented dancer, even if she lacked in the boobs section. He watched her walk off the stage and the girl he had sent to call her approached her. He watched as her eyes flew to the lounge area where he sat and a frown marred her features. This did not signal good things for him.

She was shocked at first to see him waiting for her. She had hoped he got the message when she didn't reply him during the week but since he was here and now, she'd go tell him to shove his offer down his throat. She wasn't that emotionally detached to let go of her child. She just couldn't do it.

She marched up to his booth and sat down, crossing her legs at the knees, and then uncrossing them again when she felt uncomfortable.

"How have you been, Gina?" He asked conversationally, a smirk dancing wickedly on his lips. It was the indication that he had enjoyed her display very much.

She pursed her lips, an action he figured out she did when she was filtering her words. She was probably a spitfire when she was angry.

"I've been fine. But you need not worry about me anymore. There's no need," she replied, getting straight to the topic at hand.

"Why is that?"

"Because my answer is no." At his blank expression, she clarified. "I've had time to think about what you said and decided that I couldn't do it. I cannot give you a son, Gabriel."

The crooked smile was immediately brought to a crashing halt on his lips. He uncrossed his knees in front of him and sat up rigidly on the lounge. "Too bad you couldn't do it since I prefer you, and I have to inform you, regrettably, that my plans cannot be terminated just like that. Do you understand what I'm saying, Gina?"

Gina studied him, wondering why she was suddenly feeling like a cornered rabbit. Didn't he understand where she was coming from?

"I understand, really. You're a busy man and achieving your plans probably means saving the whole world but I cannot be the Lois to your Superman. I cannot do it."

It was Gabriel's turn to study her, looking for a loophole to grab unto. "What about your freedom? Will you throw it down the drain?"

Sacrifices to be made, she reasoned dourfully. "I'll find other ways to obtain it. Thank you though for the offer, but no."

"I thought we agreed to be friends to satisfy our mutual benefits. I'm still willing to pay bountifully for your freedom if you agreed to my demands."

Gina shook her head sadly. "A nice prospect, yes, but that is not going to happen. You don't need to do anything sef since you and I are nothing but client and customer. The only thing between us is sex and your handsome payment. A few tumble in the sheets doesn't make us friends, Gabriel."

His eyes narrowed instinctively at her words. "What happened to you in my absence? This was not your thoughts last weekend."

She nearly broke down at his keen observations. She was gripping the sofa tightly to keep from blurting out her thoughts. Clarissa and Lilah were right. Having his child was just setting herself up for emotional problems. It would be wise if she avoided him completely, but seeing him here in front of her was too much for her confuzzled emotions. It helped when she acted aloof around him, that way he wouldn't know she felt anything for him.

"Well, it's too bad you don't know me as well as you think you do, Gabriel. This is the girl I've always been," she declared unblinkingly.

He nodded, seeming to take her words at face value. They sat quietly, looking at each other. His eyes kept running all over her body, pausing more often than not on her full lips, and memories of being kissed by him slashed into her quickly. And she knew she had to leave and now.

"If we're done here, I'll take my leave. Today is a busy night for me and I can't afford to waste it discussing what should be or not be," she stated instantly, standing up from her chair.

"Sit back down, Gina. You're not going anywhere or doing anything tonight. We're not done here," he commanded, his tone deep and dominant.

She chose to ignore it against her better judgement. If she left with another client, she wouldn't have to see him, and her stupid emotions could take the back seat for a while. She marched out of his booth, out of the lounge area, ignoring the various people hooting and whistling as she walked by.

She really was in no mood to entertain anyone tonight as seeing Gabriel had managed to confuse her emotions yet again.

She had just reached the bar area when a man grabbed her arm so suddenly and swung her around to face him, startling her. At her shocked expression, he leered at her.

"I knew tonight would be my lucky night. The mystery of the night is all alone and all mine," he stated, as though he had just found the lost treasures of whatever pirate ship.

She tugged at her arm to pull free but the man's grip was vice. She looked around her helplessly looking for an escape.

"Why the struggle? I was told I could have you so I paid good money. You're mine for the night, sugar lips," he said and she winced sharply at the mispronunciation of her stage name. He pulled her along with him towards the double doors at the right side of the stage that led to the private rooms.

Instantly, she grew desperate, seeing the intentions clear in the man's eyes. "I'm not alone. I have a client! Let me go cause he's waiting for me!" She lied, fervently hoping she could dissuade him.

He wasn't buying it, unfortunately, judging by the lecherous glint in his eyes. "That girl in the nurse uniform said you're free tonight. She's having that nice client of yours and I get to have you. It's a good deal if you ask me. You're younger, prettier and definitely hotter."

Her gaze flew to the girl he was referring to, and watched in disbelief as Lilah walked into the lounge area, heading directly for Gabriel's booth. Gina felt a jealous sensation prick at her out of nowhere. And to think she had him all to herself and had walked away.

"Now that we have a deal, you, my dear, are coming with me. You better not say no or I'm reporting you to Iyke. I've heard he's very dangerous when he's angry," jeered the man when he saw her crestfallen features, giving him more reason to pull her with him towards the doors.

She felt a tear trickle down out of her left eye. She always tried not to get caught up with clients such as these whose only care was their satisfaction. It was hopeless really, she was his for the night and she couldn't do anything about it.
Suddenly, someone appeared in front of the man stopping his march. He was stunned for a second and then frowned when he saw it was Gabriel. Gina frowned too, but she was a bit relieved he had come.

"When I tell you to sit down, I expect you to do as you're told, Gina," he grated, glaring at her.

The man's frown deepened. "Get out of my way, young man. I have a date with this beautiful lady and my money is wasting at all these delays."

Gabriel eyed him distastefully before punching him across his face. Not prepared for such assault, the man stumbled back and fell, releasing his firm grip on her arm. Gina winced at the bruise he had inflicted on her.

The man sat up with a bleeding nose, but Gabriel wasn't through with him. He knelt down, eyes level with the man and said. "The next time you and that conniving bitch try this stunt with me, I'll kill the both of you. If you're not satisfied with your customer, then leave."

It was then Gina saw Lilah standing a couple of meters away from them, scowling at her. Evidence that her plan had backfired on her.

Gabriel stood to his full height and reached for her arm, clasping it in his. She winced sharply at the contact, so he released her and took the other arm instead, pulling her along with him as he marched out of the club. She stumbled numerous times, her short strides trying to catch up with his giant ones.

"Let me go!" She cried.

"No!" He snapped at her.

"I ne-need to go change!" She stuttered, thinking how inappropriate she was dressed to exit the club.

He wasn't having any of it. "No, Gina, you don't need to, and it would be in your best interest to shut up right now," he warned already heading for the exit with a struggling, stumbling girl in tow.

"You can't do this!" She cried indignantly, suddenly feeling trapped and caught up in a scheme she knew nothing about. "I don't want to go with you, Gabriel. I don't want to have your child, or is it now by force?" Tugging her arm free from his vice grip was futile and draining but it wouldn't stop her from trying.

"Yes, it is." His retort was cold.

She refused to believe his words. He was surely jesting if he thought he could force her to do his will.

He continued his determined march towards his car in the clubs garage, despite her scratches at his fingers.

"Leave me alone this minute, Gabriel or I'm going to start shouting like a mad woman." She threatened. It was weak but this man was literally kidnapping her against her will.

The possibility of people coming to her aid was too great a risk to take so Gabriel tried to neutralise the situation the best way he knew how. The diplomacy of reverse psychology.

"Go ahead and shout, nah. Are you a mad woman?"

Her response was a loud, screeching sound that nearly bled his eardrums.

Shocked at the unruly behaviour, he could only bark at her. "Will you shut up? Is something wrong with you?"

"It's you that something is wrong with. Dragging me with you when I already said I didn't want to go."

Gina knew she was adding to his fury but she hardly cared. Did he not understand that close proximity with him was bad for her in every way?

Just to defy him, she increased the vibrations of her vocal chords, deafening him this time for a few seconds. Gabriel swore.

Without warning, he released her arm and gripped her shoulders forcibly, bringing her screaming session and false bravado to a descending halt.

She swallowed her retort when she saw the rage coursing in his dark pupils. This man was pure evil, she decided unequivocally.

Once he had her full attention, he gritted out.

"Listen, and listen good 'cause I won't repeat myself. When I said I wanted you to give me a son, I guess I forgot to mention to your very ears that this is not a bargain. I was not giving you a choice, Gina.

"I want a son and I've decided you must bear him for me. Period!"

~~~~~~~~~

Was his anger justifiable or not? I vote for not. Dude, she was thinking with her heart, not her brain. But men, smh.

Vote and comment here before moving over to the next chapter.

Thank you 😋🙌