Love Or Death?

Two

I peeped through the hole and my heart skipped a whole beat once I saw who was at the door. I ran out, closing the door behind me before I dragged Landry by the arm, away from the door so Devina couldn't hear us.

"Why the f**k are you here?" I spoke with teeth jammed together, my chest as tight as my fists.

"Calm down pumpkin," his British baritone voice bouncing off the walls. I pushed his hands before he could put his arms on my shoulders, giving him a fed-up stare, "why so tense pumpkin?"

"Why are you here?"

"You left me on read," he flashed the text message in my face, "you never leave me on read even at work when money is involved at least."

"Well, I guess I was just a bit too high."

"Obviously," he rolled his eyes, "why not let me in? Since I'm already here, let's talk."

"I'm with someone right now," I deadpanned.

"Who?"

"Not important."

"Zipporah," his voice was strict and demanding.

"Fine," I rolled my eyes, "my best friend is in there so you can't be here."

"Why not? She should know me by now."

"Well she doesn't, so now you need to leave before my food gets cold."

"Food? Invite me in and I'll not consider canceling your allowance," he said, leaning on the wall with a dubious smirk on his face.

I groaned, "Whatever, I'll just need to grab a quick smoke so I'll be high enough to answer questions or any bullshit you two might throw at me."

I turned on my heel, marching towards the door with nothing on my mind but the roll on my vanity.

Devina's head shot towards the door, her face reading of confusion as she laid eyes on Landry. Of course, she wouldn't expect a man, seemingly in his 50s who isn't my father, to be visiting me on a bright Monday morning.

I rushed towards the center table, picking up my plate of pasta and almost melting ice cream, "Devina, Landry; Landry, Devina. I'll be back, I need a blunt," I said quickly, dropping the ice cream in the fridge before rushing to my room.

"I'll deal with that later," I took a drag and a deep breath then a fork full of pasta, to say the least, it was as delicious as it looked. I didn't bother much because I knew the both of them, the room would be dead quiet till I came.

~

"I'm back," I stumbled into the living room that was swaying left and right in my eyes. I swayed my hips to the kitchen, serving more pasta for myself and then taking the ice cream I had placed in the fridge earlier to the table. I watched as their eyes looked over me, waiting for me to crash on the couch.

"What?" I slurred a bit, a disgusted look on my face as they both stared at me.

"Someone's stoned," Devina said.

"A little," I said, pinching my fingers with a bare gap in between, "so what's up?"

"We've not had a proper introduction you know," Landry added, Devina nodded after.

I groaned, squeezing my forehead between my fingers. Closing my eyes felt like a very interesting rollercoaster, which is exactly how I wanted to feel before I had to have this conversation.

"Devina, this is Landry, a very very good-"

"I'm her sugar daddy," Landry said right out.

I put on a pretend surprised expression, facing directly at Landry as I didn't want to mistakenly lock eyes with Devina with the look I could sense on her face, "Well how about that? Well, where was this confidence when I wasn't here? Hmm?"

"Sugar daddy, huh?" Devina flat ignored me and turned towards Landry.

"Oh yes, in fact, I'll leave you two to it. I'll see you tonight, pumpkin," my eyes locked with his, feeling my blood boil with fury as he approached me, placing a small kiss on my forehead. It took the little sober composure in me to not spit my pasta on that smug smirk on his face.

As the door closed behind him, I dared not to look at Devina or even in her direction. The flavor of the pasta was more prominent now that I was baked so it made me a bit distracted from her stare, but at the same time, I wondered why she was just staring at me.

"What?" I finally asked.

"Sugar daddy? Zipporah Cambero, when did we start keeping secrets?"

"Well, it wasn't technically a secret, I didn't just think much of it, you know?" I tried to justify my actions, shoving another spoon full in my mouth.

"Tell me more regardless," she said, crossing her legs to stare at me interestedly.

"Well that's all, he's my sugar daddy. We mess around and he gives me money and gifts, we are kind of gossip buddies sometimes but yeah," I explained, not making eye contact even by mistake.

"Any wife?"

"Nope, she left him," I said bluntly.

"So she left him? I mean he doesn't seem like much now but you can tell he was quite the hunk when he was younger, and he has money."

"As much of a hunk he is, he is a narcissistic b***h too. He tried to bring that to my corner and I was like hell no," I said with my mouth full, "why would I be taking such bullshit when this is purely transactional?"

"Exactly," Devina sighed. I had a few ideas of what was actually running through her mind, she was probably thinking of all the extra expensive things she had seen on me, and was putting the pieces all together. This apartment is evidence enough, "s**t!" she exclaimed suddenly, making me jump a little.

"What?" I was concerned about why she was staring at her phone with a drained look on her face.

"An urgent meeting," she groaned quite loudly, "I guess I'll be on my way now, thank you for the delicious pasta darling, and the roll," she smiled, snagging one of the rolls I had planned for us to light together.

She stood in front of me with her arms wide, rolling my eyes, I succumbed and stood to hug her tightly. I am not much of a physical touch person but she doesn't care, at all, "safe drive," I called out to her once she opened the door.

"I'll need it," she blew a kiss before slamming the door right behind her.

At last, I could have some peace before Landry comes at night.

~

I lay somber on my bed, staring outside my large windows at the beautiful city lights. I had just come out of the shower then got a glass of wine, preparing for Landry's arrival as if he was my boyfriend or something. I had my hair in a ponytail and had just painted my toenails, allowing the sweet sound of Lana Del Rey's voice to fill my ears through the speakers specially set up in places that wouldn't give me a headache unless I wanted it to. My room was rather comfortable, it was far up the building, making the view from it breathtaking at night.

Taking a deep breath, I took another sip of my wine, fearing that it could drip on my sheer, peach nightgown and robe. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, sending a chill through my body. I slipped my feet through my slippers gently, carrying my wine glass in between my fingers as I approached the door.

The sight of Landry with flowers and at least three bags in his hands was probably enough to make some girls fall in love with him, but not me. I've come to terms with the fact that I may possibly never fall in love. Romantic, s****l, emotional, and physical gestures have never gotten to me to any higher than a 'thank you I guess' extent. Devina says it's because I've not found who I click with but then again, I'm not in love and I'm perfectly happy, is there any use?

I watched his eyes look over my body lustfully, creating a look of awe in his face and then a small smile, "wouldn't you invite me in?" he asked.

"Come in," I rolled my eyes, swaying my hips back inside seductively, reaching for the wine on the center table to refill my glass. I sat comfortably, one arm on the back of the couch as I twirled the glass between my fingers.

"These are for you," Landry said.

"Stating the obvious still I see?" I hummed, staring seductively at him as he placed the bags on the ground next to me, placing the flowers on the side table, "how was your day?"

"My day started by 5 am sharp, so it turned out rough but it eventually ended by 9 am-ish, when I texted you and you aired me," he sounded like a whining boyfriend.

"Hmm, someone learned a new generation word I see?" I teased, giggling under my breath.

"Funny," he twisted his neck to give me a fake grin, "in one of those bags is cash, the other has the others I said I'll bring, and the last has a dress, a dress you're going to be wearing tonight."

I raised a brow trying to wrap my head around what he was saying, "You want to try roleplay?"

"What? No!" he squirmed defensively, making me giggle, "we're going out tonight, there's this special club I would love for you to come with me to."

"And why would I want to go to a club with someone that can birth to two of me possibly?" I mocked.

He looked rather unimpressed by my sense of humor today, "It's just a club, it's a private one meaning invite only."

"Are we doing anything first?"

"Of course we are! Before you even start getting ready definitely but tomorrow night is going to be hot, if you know what I mean," he licked his lips in an attempt to be sexy. I tried to hide my disgust, in situations like this you understand why money is addictive, people do disgusting things just to get the nicer things in life.

I forced a smile, downing what remained of the wine in my glass. I picked up the first bag and it was the one with cash, "Heavy," I stared with a smirk, "just how I like it," letting the sweet smell of mint greens fill my nose.

The second was probably the one with makeup and skincare but in boxes that I didn't bother opening, but the very last one, was when I knew I had struck the dress, taking a quick glance to see the smug smile growing on Landry's face.

I raised it out of its package and it was a beautiful silk, open-backed, long-sleeved, drop-necked, black, glittery dress. I had to admit, it was indeed very beautiful.

"Thank you," I muttered.

"You're welcome, now let's get to work before we start getting ready," I knew what exactly he meant and knew it was going to come to this and I dreaded it still.

~

The baths afterwards are usually this normal, I sit there, letting the shower run through my body then try to scrub the feeling of his touch on me. I didn't hate him, I just never imagined myself doing such just for the love of money.

But we all do crazy things for money, don't we?

The cold air of the room made me shiver beneath my thick robe until I adapted to it. He sat there in the underwear he had just put on, scrolling through his phone with a serious look on and his bag of clothes near his leg.

"Aren't you going to wash off?" I asked somberly, watching his eyes fill with confusion.

"No, I'm good," he said, staring back at his phone.

Disgusting.

I ignored it, marching to my vanity to take a seat and start getting ready. Good thing he brought the refill of skincare, I forgot I was nearly running out.

I started with my hair, of course, taking glances at Landry who just sat there, putting one leg in a pair of neatly ironed trousers lazily.

I decided to go for a simple look, my hair was long enough for me to just put it in a claw clip and it'll look wonderful enough for the club, so that's what I did.

Even after I took my time to curl and do my hair, he was still with just one leg in that trouser. I was disgusted, to say the least. What was he looking at that was so entertaining that he had to ruin someone's hard work because he definitely didn't iron that thing himself for it to be so crisp.

I shook my head, trying to focus on the task in front of me because if we were late because of me, it's a problem but if it's because of him, that bastard won't say anything.

~

Of course, he didn't mention it, but I felt I looked good.

I ditched the claw clip and ended up leaving my curled hair down. The heat of the club was probably going to take me to my maker but I didn't mind.

The dress was surprisingly snug but it was gorgeous on my curves. I paired it with my silver heels that aren't too high and silver jewelry.

The drive to the club was a blur, the bright night lights of New York City made it impossible to sleep off during the long drive.

"We're here," he said, parking his car outside a seemingly luxurious hotel. Was this some kind of joke? I stared curiously at him, feeling I overdressed or overdid my makeup for a simple hotel party.

"A hotel?" I kissed my teeth.

"Just follow me very closely, Zipporah," he said. I could feel the seriousness in his voice, nodding appropriately as we got out of the car. I held onto his hand, making sure I didn't lose him in the crowd with how fast he was walking as if he forgot I was wearing heels.

We were directed to a specific hallway on the same floor, and two very large men at the sides of the door, their sunglasses masked their eyes but I could tell they were scanning me.

"She's with me," Landry stated, gripping my hand tighter.

The first one groaned, his thick voice vibrating the hallway. He took a step forward, removing something from his pocket to scan Landry's eye. Once it made a beep, the door opened.

What sort of secret club is this?

The door led to a long flight of stairs, lit by warm lights and LED lights. It made it look like we were going to a club at least as I started hearing the wall-shaking music from the door at the bottom. Landry, again, clicked a button that scanned his eye after, the door followed, unlocking our way to the source of the loud music.

For all that fuss, it seemed like a normal club, with people rocking each other, dancing, loud enough music so you couldn't hear yourself, drugs, and drinks.

"Shall we get a drink?" I said loudly so he could hear me.

"Sure, but this isn't where we're staying," he said, a smug smile on his face making my stomach turn.

"I don't think I want a drink anymore," I stated.

"Good, now shall we?" He stretched his arm out for me to wrap mine around.

He led me to another hallway that seemed far away from the actual club with how quiet it was. The same scenario, pitch black walls with gold specs, a gold carpet, and two men by the door.

He pulled me aside, his back at the two men and I was facing them, creeped out as I figured they were boring holes in my head behind those glasses, "Do you trust me?" he whispered in my ear.

The question made me shiver, "Of course," I lied through my teeth.

"Promise you wouldn't utter a word of what happens here to anyone?"

My throat hung, feeling the fear run through my body. I adjusted immediately, hoping the men didn't notice a change in my demeanor, "I promise," I forced out.

"Good," he held my shoulders with a smile. He took my hand, giving it a firm squeeze before leading me to the very near sights of those men, right in front of the door.

The second at the left took Landry's hand as he stretched it out. My heart sank as he brought out an embedded knife to cut his palm open. I tried to comport myself, my heart racing as I was very sure I turned pale.

What the hell?

The blood gushing out of his palm ran on an iron tray leading to only God knows where till the blood stopped.

I stared at Landry wide-eyed who didn't seem fazed by anything. This was where I should've turned back, this was where I should've ran, I should've screamed, taken off my shoes, and ran but I didn't. My fear glued my feet to the floor, unable to move as Landry just gave me a small smirk.

What was so f*****g funny?

A man opened the door soon after, a tall, white, almost pale man with long, jet-black hair, the daring smile on his face matched his blue eyes perfectly, wearing the most exquisite suit I had ever seen. Some may have considered him the absolute epitome of male beauty but something about him seemed…off, very off.

"I see you brought a friend, Landry," he turned to me, the smile on his face grew as his deep blues ran across my body, feeling like he was watching every little move my body made.