The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

Flashback

When I saw Cholo for the first time, I knew we were not for each other. His family’s wealth is very well known in our town.

His father is a rich American businessman who led the shipbuilding industry in the country while his mother is the daughter of a well-known mall owner in the city.

Compared to the influence and wealth they hold, I’m just like mud sticking to the side of their shoes.

My father was a humble farmer who had a stroke and completely lost the will to live. I have caught him trying to take his life several times so I had to convince my brother to stop his part-time job at the cafeteria so he could watch over our father.

I didn’t get a chance to see my mother who, according to my father’s stories, hurriedly walked away after putting me in my father’s arms.

It is said that an agent has offered her an opportunity to become an entertainer in Japan, so she abandoned me even though I was only six months old.

Life is very difficult for us but I can manage it for the sake of my family. I would do anything, even grab Missy’s offer to sell myself to the person who was now staring intently at me from the bed he was sitting on.

I swallowed and forced myself not to look away. I have to be brave even though my knees are shaking already.

I pushed the bathroom door open as I held tightly to the hem of the bathrobe. My hair was still wet against the towel I put on my head.

“Good evening sir,” I greeted him in a restrained voice.

I walked towards the bed and sat at the edge. He did not respond with a greeting. He didn’t take his eyes off me so I avoided him. I can’t face his gaze that seems to be digging into my whole being.

For a while only the sound of him drinking from the glass of wine in his hand could be heard inside the cold suite in this very expensive hotel.

A one night stay here is already a month of my brother’s allowance. Missy herself drove me here to check me in. He also asked me to wait for my future customer.

I was ready for the old man I would be with this night so I was very surprised to see the young man I loved sitting on the bed, looking like he had been waiting for me to look his way.

I looked at Cholo who stood up and went to the mini fridge to get something to drink. I swallowed my pride knowing that the only man I love is witnessing how I shame myself.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I studied his appearance because this might be the last time I would see him up close.

Cholo is tall, a bit thinner than his friend Maverick Fuentebella but I like him better in this body. His shoulder-length dark hair is wavy, he has gray eyes that he inherited from his father with his prominent jaws, and pointed nose.

He’s got a very nice complexion. He’s only wearing simple cotton pants and a black t-shirt but he still looks so expensive. Maybe because there is something about the way he carries himself. There is authority in how he acts and speaks.

I witnessed that when I was one of the catering staff at his mom’s birthday party. I saw him first there. He was very handsome in a suit and bow and tie while mingling with the guests on the fancy lawn of their mansion.

Since then, I have purposely passed in front of his university to try to catch a glimpse of the young man even if only for a few seconds.

From then on, I have started admiring him which later blossomed into something else. Before I could even stop myself, he has already secured a special place in my heart. That’s why I feel a lot of regret and shame now because he will know me in this way-a desperate woman who has to sell herself to save her brother in prison. The thought made the weight in my chest unbearable while remembering the miserable life I am living.

“What do you want?”

His voice startled me when he broke the silence. He barely looked at me when he stood up.

I didn’t answer for a while. The hair on my body rose when I heard his cold voice.

“W-Water,” I stammered.

I saw him grab a small bottle of water and close the fridge with his foot. He returned to the bed and handed me the water before pulling out a chair and sitting on it.

He raised his feet on the bed next to me and gulped down the energy drink he was holding. I practically froze on my seat when he kept his eyes on me for the entire duration.

I felt like I was not breathing anymore because of the tension so I drank water.

“So how long have you been doing this?”

My gaze flew back to the man at the question.

“Huh?” I was confused.

He laughed sarcastically.

“Don’t act coy with me, lady. You seemed to be a pro in this industry. You look so calm and collected. So? Three years? Five years? How many men have you bedded already? Fifty? A hundred?”

I was stunned by what he was saying so I couldn’t speak. I seem to have swallowed my tongue because I really have no idea what to say due to the shock.

I think he even mistook me for a whore. But aren’t you the same? Said a voice inside me. You’re selling yourself so you’re a whore.

I was horrified by the thought but I forced myself to swallow it. It’s true.

“Cat got your tongue, bitch?” he said in a voice full of disgust.

I was petrified by what he said not only because of the hurtful words he called me but also because of the tone of his voice. I could hear the anger, hatred, and judgment there.

I looked up at Cholo whose eyes were burning with hatred and scorn.

“I’m clean. If you want to see the health car-”

“I know you’re physically clean but are you morally clean?”

“I-I don’t understand you. What are you talking about? Can you explain it to me?”

He smiled mischievously.

“Ah, the bitch is dimwitted. What else can I expect from a girl like you?”

I can’t reply again because I didn’t really know what to say. I’m confused and I’m starting to feel afraid of where he’s going.

“Okay, I understand you. What about thus, do what you came here to do. But before that…”

He took the cellphone from his pocket and began recording me.

“Strip for me, Karina.”