It took thirty minutes to complete the agreement contract. Throughout that time, Zara remained silent, her eyes staring blankly out the large window that bathed the room in warm morning light.
Her thoughts churned as she imagined the things she would have to endure in the future.
The black ink on the agreement was still wet, marking the bond that had just been forged—a bond tying Zara to a dark secret she now shared with Tama. Zara looked at Tama, who was gazing with satisfaction at the original document in his hand, while Zara had received only a copy.
The contents of the contract truly made her feel like a slave. A slave who had to obey every order given by her master. At least one clause benefited Zara: throughout the duration of the agreement, Tama would cover all of her financial needs, no matter how much they cost.
“Are we done?” Zara asked, looking at Utama flatly. She needed fresh air outside after the air in the hotel room had begun to feel suffocating.
Tama looked at Zara, who seemed uncomfortable, then turned toward Juan, who was staring intently at her. A deliberate throat-clearing broke Juan’s gaze. He looked at Tama questioningly. What is it?
“You may leave, Juan,” Tama said before standing and checking the watch on his wrist.
Then Tama looked at Zara, who was still sitting in silence. “And you’re coming home with me,” he declared.
Zara finally stood as well, looking at Tama uncertainly. “I want to go to the hospital,” she murmured. She felt insecure voicing her desire, considering that all her freedom was now bound by the agreement.
But Tama was willing to listen. He nodded, then walked toward the door and waited as Zara hurried to grab her bag.
Inside the car, they were both silent, watching the busy streets of the capital. People raced through the traffic to get to work as quickly as possible. Tama, however, looked relaxed, occasionally humming along to the easygoing song playing on the car radio.
Zara let out a harsh sigh. She had forgotten that Tama was her boss. Being late probably wasn’t something he needed to worry about.
A few moments later, Tama began asking questions when he saw that Zara had remained silent the entire time.
“What’s wrong?” Tama asked, glancing toward Zara, who was sitting upright beside him, lost in thought. He could see the sadness shining in her eyes, and he didn’t like it.
“Don’t be sad.”
“Do you regret that I was the one who took your virginity?” Tama asked, trying to get a reaction from Zara, but the woman remained unresponsive.
“You know, another man might have treated you brutally.”
“Men always look down on women who sell themselves there. They have no self-respect.”
“But I don’t, Zara. Not you. You’re different from all the women there. And I want to help you again, even if I have to do it this way.”
Zara stared at Tama in confusion. How could he possibly want to help her after ruining her body and honor? But everything came back to one thing: money.
Yes, Tama had helped her escape her outstanding debts, even though she had to pawn her body in exchange.
“So don’t regret any of it.”
Zara remained silent, but she nodded, reluctantly accepting the reality Tama had stated.
“When you get to the hospital, don’t forget to get birth control. Choose the safest option, one that won’t cause serious risks in the future.”
Zara nodded again in agreement. It seemed Tama had no intention of ending this contractual relationship anytime soon.
Without realizing it, Tama’s fingers settled over her right hand, clasping it and squeezing it tightly. His eyes shifted briefly to Zara, who stared at him in surprise.
“You know? It’s incredibly uncomfortable wearing that damn thing,” he murmured deeply.
Zara couldn’t stop her cheeks from turning red.
A few minutes later, they arrived in the hospital courtyard. Zara looked at Tama, who was still holding her right hand.
She wanted to express her discomfort, but she was afraid and worried that it might change Tama’s cheerful mood.
“I’m leaving now, Uncle,” Zara said after waiting for a minute while Tama remained silent, still not releasing her fingers.
Reluctantly, Tama let go of her hand, then instinctively adjusted his sunglasses.
“Zara, I’m sorry if what I said earlier was a little harsh,” Tama said, not wanting her to leave so quickly.
“I don’t have the right to protest, do I?” Zara gave him a bitter smile.
Tama swallowed hard, stung by the question. “That’s not what I meant… Ah, yes, I was a little harsh. I’m sorry.”
“And you’re free to voice your opinion however you want. Don’t be too hesitant around me.”
Zara nodded, unwilling to prolong their conversation. She felt exhausted and wanted to see her mother as soon as possible.
Feeling that they were finished, Zara opened the car door to get out. But Tama still had it locked.
“I’ll pick you up after work.” Tama’s words stopped Zara from trying to open the door.
Zara turned toward Tama and shook her head. “I want to stay here and take care of my mother.” Tama shook his head as well, rejecting her wish.
“No. I still want to sleep while holding you tonight.” Zara was annoyed. Tama had just told her she was free to voice her opinions, yet he was already violating that freedom by refusing to listen to her wishes.
“Uh… You may need some time to adjust to our new relationship. So it’s probably better if you stay overnight at my apartment tonight,” he amended.
“Whatever, Uncle! I want to get out. Are we done?” Zara stared straight ahead in disgust. Tama was taking far too long to let her disappear from his sight.
“But I still want to be with you,” Tama chuckled as he unlocked the car door. Zara got out, leaving Tama sitting alone inside, lost in thought.
After dropping Zara off, Tama drove to his apartment. He needed to change clothes and collect some documents to take to the office. Throughout the drive, Tama never stopped smiling. His eyes shone brightly, revealing the happiness and satisfaction he still felt.
Ah, yes… Young women never fail. Tama snorted. It wasn’t that he was a sex maniac. Sex wasn’t some essential need he had to satisfy.
His life revolved solely around work, which was always waiting faithfully for him. Yet last night, he had completely lost control. Zara had transformed him into a mature man who savagely ensnared a frightened little rabbit and dragged her into his ferocious game.
And that rabbit would never escape his trap.
Tama whistled cheerfully as he stepped out of the elevator. One hand toyed with his gleaming car keys as he walked down the hall toward his apartment. Once he arrived, he entered lightly, but his alertness soon returned.
His footsteps slowed as he ventured deeper into the apartment. Then a sound from the kitchen made Tama walk toward it. His body went rigid when he saw a slender figure rummaging through the contents of his refrigerator.
“Why are you here?” Tama asked, watching her.
Annastasya, his wife, froze for a moment as she looked at Tama, who was glaring at her as if she were an intruder trying to steal something.
But Anna managed to compose herself and smiled sweetly at Tama, who stood silently waiting for an answer.
“Tama, you didn’t sleep here last night? Where did you sleep?” Anna asked gently, though inwardly she was slightly irritated by her husband’s cold attitude.
Tama snorted in displeasure. “That’s none of your business.”
The smile faded from Anna’s face at her husband’s curt response. Tama had always been cold and sharp with her. She had no idea when he would finally grow warm and affectionate toward her and their child, like the families with harmonious homes she saw everywhere else.
“Did you make this food?” Anna asked carefully, afraid of offending Tama. She peered curiously into the plastic bag containing prepared food whose origin—and the time Tama had acquired it—she didn’t know.
Although her marriage was far from harmonious, Anna knew Tama’s habits, especially when it came to food. He rarely went near the kitchen and would never go to the trouble of cooking. Tama also never allowed anyone to enter his private apartment carelessly. He preferred cleaning it himself with sophisticated technological tools to help him.
Anna grew even more suspicious when she accidentally noticed the kitchen trash and plastic bags from what appeared to be recent activity in the kitchen.
“Since when did you become so chatty?” Tama asked, his voice carrying a hint of pressure. Anna sighed and decided to give in, knowing how stubborn Tama could be.
“I just wanted to tell you that Davin misses his father,” Anna said, explaining the reason for her unexpected visit that morning.
“I’ll come home this weekend, if I have time,” Tama replied coldly as he turned and walked out of the kitchen.
“You have to, Tama! Davin is your son, in case you’ve forgotten!” But Anna’s words made him freeze. His right arm clenched into a tight fist until his knuckles turned white. Anna had touched on something that wasn’t hers to question—and unfortunately, something she had secretly discovered.
With his face holding back his anger, Tama turned and glared at Anna. “I’m going to work. Please leave first. And don’t ever enter my apartment without permission, let alone mess around in my private space!”
“That’s too much, Tama!” Anna shouted in outrage, hurt that her husband treated her like a stranger being thrown out like garbage.
“That isn’t your cooking, is it? You wouldn’t go to the trouble of cooking or paying someone to cook here, would you? You’re having an affair, aren’t you, Tama?” she accused, no longer able to hide her unease.
“That’s none of your business. And never interfere in my affairs! Remember our agreement!” Tama said before walking away, leaving Anna with tears glistening in her eyes.