|| Valentina's POV ||

My phone vibrated consistently when I started to make my way for the stage. It was Emily again as she kept calling me to notify me that we needed to pay the rent tonight. I pressed on the answer button, annoyed beyond words,

" Emily, I told you that I would pay off tonight."

A whining sob came from the other side, freezing at my track. I spoke, pausing in the middle of my way,

" Emily, are you crying? What happened?"

Emily mumbled between her sobs,

" Val, the owner..she has kicked me out of our apartment. She won't let me enter until we give her the money."

I clutched my phone tightly, anger boiling inside me. It was already so late at night. How could someone kick out a girl from her shelter? What if something bad happens to that girl? Is there no morality left inside humans?

Hussing her to stay quiet, I assured painfully,

" I am sorry, Emily. I shouldn't have put us on risk. Please stay somewhere else for tonight. I will return with money, trust me."

Emily sutured, agony lacing out from her voice,

" Did...did you go to the bar.. again?"

I didn't want to talk about this right now. Being a stripper was the best job for me right now. I tried a few jobs earlier. One was at a restaurant and the second was at bar staff. I was harassed in both places and had to leave the job to save my virginity. Being a stripper had priveileges. No one tries to harass you as they think that you will give yourself to them naturally for money.

I ended the call, muttering back quickly,

" I will talk with you later, Em."

The call was disconnected before Emily had anything to say more. Emily never liked my job since it had a huge risk. If the college learnt about my secret job, they would ban me from the institution. But an empty stomach never listens to your logic.

I watched my look in the mirror one last time, making sure that I looked like a whore literally. Well, that's what they called me, slut, whore and a lot more. I checked my outfit one last time closely. I was wearing a strapless bra, a mini skirt that barely covered my ass. Most of my body parts were visual for those hungry eyes. My breasts were extremely big which made my dance more attractive and sensual. The makeup artist used extra oil on my skin to glaze and appease those eyes more.

Tearing my eyes off from my pale face, I began to walk into the stage, shaking my hips sensually. The crowd chirped, uttering my name,

" Valentina! Valentina!"

I blew them a flying kiss and they erupted into growls of hunger loudly. They wanted my body not me! There weren't a single eye that looked at me in appreciation. Honestly, I liked this job since it was a long time journey in this sector. Besides, I was getting pretty comfortable in this environment.

Shaking my boobs a few times, I walked into the center, clutched the stripper pole to perform. The whole crowd watched in awe as I began to play different sensual moves. Some of them already whined and put out some dollars from their pockets. I walked back to the brown haired man who had the most money in his palm.

Dropping my weight on the stage, I crawled towards her, offering the inner view of my chest. He swallowed hard and mumbled lowly,

" You are sexy!"

He put the dollars inside my bra with shaking hands. I flashed him a grin, standing up to target my next customer,

" And you are rich, Sir."

The old man gave a grumpy smile as I headed for the younger boy beside. He offered me 10 dollars only which was why he just got a single kiss from me. Coming back to the poll, my eyes randomly skimmed around to stop at the VIP area. A sudden chill ran through my spine as I met those eyes, a grey one.

That handsome guy was wearing a navy blue suit. A glass in his left hand, he was looking like the pure piece of heaven's creation. I was surprised to see his nonchalant expression. He wasn't thirsty like other men and boringly watched me. I tried to smile at him seductively but he looked away, giving me zero damn.

Scoffing inside, I went back to perform my regular, spreading my thighs wider to let the man watch me evidently. My thighs were famous among men. They called them extremely sexy and attractive.

The bell rang loudly, notifying me that it was my time to get down from the stage. Every stripper had only one hour to collect their money. I earned not too well today but at least, it would pay the rent's bill for this month. Relief took over my soul as I went on the exit line to head back into my room.

Someone blocked me in the middle, towering over my height as I bumped onto his chest heavily. I gasped, stumbling a step back and looked up to find Mr.Harvey, the man who offered me to spend the night yesterday. I ran off midway because I couldn't tolerate his dirty eyes.

Mr.Harvey was the owner of a small company. He was our VIP customer but I didn't give a damn since he was targeting my body repeatedly. He spoke angrily after grabbing my arms,

" You cheated me, Valentina. You were supposed to spend the whole night with me."

I scoffed back, jerking his dirty hands off from me,

" I don't fuck, Mr.Harvey. I am pretty much sure that you were thinking that all the time."

He glared down at me, eyes emitting fire literally,

" What are you so proud of, bitch? For who, you are saving your virginity? Do you think that someone will marry a stripper like you? You guys only know how to serve at bed not at home."

I lost control of my anger. He was being too disrespectful which I never tolerated even if I had to fight till my dead end. Lifting my left knee, I kicked straight into his groin. He let out a loud groan, rolling down from the stage as other men laughed at his poor skill. I looked back, laughing along with them when my eyes subconsciously travelled on the zone.

That man was smirking! The same man who rolled his eyes at me!

I scoffed at him eternally, and turned around to leave for my restroom. Men are all confused!

****

I changed my dress into a pair of jeans and a short shirt. As I began to sprawl through my bag, the door burst open, appearing an overexcited Julie. Julie was the woman who managed us. She grinned while shooting me a mischievous grin,

" Guess what? Lorenzo King wants to see you."

My jaw dropped when the name bounced inside my room. I heard about him a lot of dark, mysterious, cold but nothing like his father. Years back, there were rumours about him dating a model from showbiz. I never saw his picture and only heard from other strippers who died to serve him one day because that man had zero interest in other women. Even, I never heard that he ever attended our bar during my working years.

Heavy footsteps began to echo towards my room. I swallowed hard, preparing myself to answer carefully. One wrong word with him could drag me straight to hell. Julie left the door open for him. I felt his presence behind, powerful and intimidating. As soon as I turned around, a loud gasp of surprise passed through my lips.

It was him! The man who ignored me!

I swallowed heavily, mentally slapping myself twice because I had invited my own death here. Pretending cool on the surface, I asked to pull my eyes up to meet his cold eyes,

" How can I help you, Mr.King?"

He smiled maliciously, shaking his head slightly as if I cracked a joke. He leant against the door head, watching me intensely,

" I want something from you, Miss Avery."

My jaw clenched hard at his response. I could understand where he was heading to. Sticking firm to my pride, I blurted with rage,

" Mr.King, you must have already heard that I don't sell my body."

He chuckled more dangerously, raising one of his eyebrows playfully,

" Who said that I want your body, Valentina?"

My brows were crooked together, confusing,

" Then?"

He sighed heavily and began to approach me into the room. I stepped back subconsciously, making a perfect distance between us. His eyes held mine, mysterious, dark and it was hard to predict what was going behind his mind. His thin lips quirked upward, giving me a slow, handsome smile that left me bewitched in my place,

" I want to hire your bump, Valentina."

|| Valentina's POV ||

His words left me stunned, paralyzed for a few couple of moments. Honestly, it was the most weird proposal that I ever got in my lifetime. Most of them came to offer money for their bed services except him. There was something else behind his eyes, the power he carried whenever his presence surrounded me. This thing didn't happen before and I was sure that Mr.King had successfully managed to leave his best impression on me.

I gulped, scrutinizing tightly,

" What do you mean?"

He smirked, his eyes paying close attention on my thick eyelashes. He didn't sound like a playful man but at the same time, these words sounded odd to me.

Who wants to hire a bump seriously?

His words came out stern and firmly,

" I want you to become the surrogate mother for my child. In other words, you will get money and I will have my child."

Wordless, I stared into his eyes blankly to ensure that he didn't crack a joke with me here. In society, we, strippers are highly degraded by upper class families like them. But hearing something different from him really left me with a lot of questions.

"Why me? ", my question blurted out subconsciously, earning a silent glare from him. Well, I had every right to know that why did he want to hire me as a surrogate. There were plenty women out there to become his surrogate. Above all, bearing a child wasn't a easy process. I didn't even complete my college.

What would others think of me?

He smirked at me mysteriously, dragging his body a feet closer until we were few inches apart from each others,

" One thing, I would like to clear Ms.Avery that I don't like anyone questioning me. If you want to do it, just say yes."

I tugged on my lips nervously. Truthfully, I was in bad need of money now. The rent, college everything required a lot of money which wasn't in my captivity now. Although I was the infamous Stripper here, that didn't feed me off entirely. I still struggled to fulfill my daily basis. But the confusion and insecurities still lingered in my mind.

What would happen to my career?

Pinching on my palm lightly, I replied suturing,

" I..I need time.."

He nodded agreeing and left after plucking out a card from his pocket,

" Take it! You have 24 hours to consider, Miss Avery.If you still think yes, come to my office."'

Clutching his card into my fist, I watched him, heading outside in urgent steps. He didn't tell me why he chose me but the address 'Miss Avery' warmed my heart somewhere. The first time, someone showed me this much respect.

But why did he choose me?

_____________

An hour later, I arrived at my apartment, spotting Emily between the stairs. Her face was still stained as if she was crying for hours. Our gaze met and relief contoured her expression.

Emily ran over to me, hugging and sobbing,

" Valentina..our house.."

I patted her back, coaxing,

" Hush! I have gotten money, Emily. No one can kick us out."

After that, I went straight to the landlord's apartment and paid off our rent before cursing a few times. This lady was too ruthless to be appreciated. She had a face like witch from movies.

Free from charges, Emily and I both dragged our staff back inside, panting and huffing all the way. I couldn't understand how she managed to kick out all this stuff singlehandedly. No wonder all those fat belly!!

Emily's voice pulled me back on earth,

" Val, this...this isn't happening right..I feel like we will be kicked out again sooner or later.. Your job isn't stable. Sometimes, you can barely make money to buy a meal. How are you going to manage everything, Val?"

I bit my lips together tightly. I knew it very well. The chances of getting kicked away were high as I had to pay money a few places. Surely, this comforting apartment was out of my way. Keeping her questions aside, I blurted suddenly,

" Emily, Lorenzo King came to me with an offer. I don't know whether I should do it or not."

Emily's eyes lit up, surprisingly,

" What.. what is it?"

Sighing, I revealed the truth, getting confused in tension,

" He..he wants me to become the surrogate mother for..his child..He will probably pay hugely.."

Emily exclaimed Pressing her hand on mine,

" That's awesome, babe. You should grab it right away."

" But..", I stammered, still hesitating. Getting involved with King's heir wasn't an easy choice. Besides, I heard that the two brothers were fighting for the legacy. This child might have something to do with their property or business.

Emily explained carefully,her voice sounding serious,

" What is wrong with becoming a surrogate mother, Val? It's not like you two are having sex. After ten months, you will be free from every charge. Think about it, Val! Your career and life both will be smooth like water in just a few months. I don't think that you will have a better option than this."

Emily's words made sense honestly. If I took his offer, I would have no difficulties in my life anymore. Besides, I could ask him to keep it secret until the child is born. Perhaps, I wouldn't have to find a job anymore.

But was everything so easy that I thought it was?

______________

|| Lorenzo's POV ||

I stared hard at the ring in my finger. Her memories still came to waver my thoughts but it didn't hurt like before anymore. Time healed my soul but not my heart. Luka kept rumbling beside me all the while,

" Seriously King, surrogate and Valentina? Do you think that she can take care of your baby?She is just a stripper."

I smirked cunningly at his words. He didn't read her well. I saw a fire in her eyes which could burn down everything. As my baby's mother, I wanted someone fierce like her who would carry a good feature, a fierce character like her. Although I had everything in my genes, mother's feature mattered the most. Besides, she had a fighter character which would be easier for me to fight against my dearest brother before giving birth. She was perfect to become the fake to be Mrs.King for a few good months. Her fierceness could give a tough time to my step-mother. Besides, I believed that she could protect my child well in her bump. She was loyal to her job and surrogacy was her new job for now.

I replied smiling lightly,

" My child will have great features like her. Besides, she is a stubborn ass. Do you think that someone innocent can survive in the King's family? No, Luka. She can slap my step-mother without holding back. Once the news of her pregnancy leaks out, they will definitely find a way to harm her. At this point, I need someone strong like her. Mark my words! She will be the perfect surrogate mom for my child."

Luka questioned concerning,

" But will she agree?"

I hummed while smiling,

" She will sooner or later. Someone who is in need of money wouldn't turn down this offer so easily. She is just confused now."

Luka spoke again, speeding on the car,

" But will your father agree if he hears that you hired a surrogate to get a child?"

I blurted looking away into the running trees,

" He wouldn't know."

Luka sent me a look of confusion, furrowing deeply. My words came out humming, startling him for the second time,

" Because he will know that I have a baby with my girlfriend."

" What!!", Luka shouted, stopping the car in a rush. Luckily, we didn't have traffic behind and it was only our car midway. I assured him, smirking cunningly,

" Did you think that I will take this risk of triggering his rage! Nope! I will introduce Valentina as my girlfriend to him who is expecting a child with me."

Luka remained silent for a while and I could guess what he was thinking inside. He looked doubtful,

" What.. what if she returns one day?"

My jaw clenched, anger taking over my sanity. I had demolished all the possibilities from my mind but still it hurt to think that she wouldn't be the mother of my child.

I huffed my words out, grimacing,

" I won't wait for anyone."

Luka nodded smiling and gave me his advice before starting the engine,

" Think about everything carefully, King. If anyone figures out that you hired a stripper to become your child's mother, you will lose everything instead of getting one."

I felt deep thoughts. It wasn't still doubtful to me whether I was ready to become a father or not but I wanted a child to get my legacy. I couldn't give off my rights to those malicious people at any cost.