Chapter 7: The Motive

(This chapter is CRAZY! I hope you like it!)

"Do you think that was by choice? I mean, would Riley ever be…what she is…by choice?" I asked Lucas nervously. He was deep in concentration.

Nothing stumped Lucas, but I guess his supposed-girlfriend being a prostitute did.

At last, he spoke, "Yes. Yes, I do think it was by choice. Riley legally could say no being that what she is doing is a job choice. However, even if the whole operation was illegal, she looked like she was enjoying it. No one is that good of an actress."

What Lucas said made sense, but what was the motive?

I wondered this aloud and Lucas took no time to hesitate, saying, "Me. I was her motive."

"What?" I exclaimed incredulously, "You wouldn't have persuaded Riley to do that! It's just not in your character!"

And then something I never expected to see happen happened.

Lucas broke down in tears.

He sobbed, "I wouldn't have sex with her. She always tried to hint at it, but I pretended not to understand."

He looked up at me, "I couldn't lead her on when I got her best friend pregnant. It just got worse when we started sneaking around. I couldn't even be around Riley anymore. I had no idea what she was becoming."

Lucas dissolved back into tears. I just hugged him as he cried on my shoulder. It was heart-breaking really.

I knew he still loved Riley deep in his heart. He had dated her for five whole years of his life.

I wasn't jealous though because I knew Lucas loved me too. But I had to ask him because I didn't want him to stick around out of guilt.

"Lucas, darling," I began nervously, "Do you love me? Like really love me? I know you must still love Riley a little bit, but sometimes I wonder if you love her more."

Lucas's crying slowed until it came to a stop. He looked…strange. Not like himself. He looked the same way when I told him I was pregnant.

His voice was an eerie calm, "Maya, darling," he said with an almost snarl, "Why would you ask that? I'm sitting her with you when I could be with a good girl from a good home who has just lost her way a little."

His voice was rising, "You know what? I'm done! For real, this time! You're just hot and maybe I felt a little bad for you! I've wasted all this time when I could have saved Riley and gotten rid of you!"

He kicked a chair. I was terrified and I tried to calm Lucas down, "It's okay. You're just upset right now. Just take a deep breath…"

Lucas grabbed me by my shoulders and pushed me into the wall.

He breathed heavily, "You like what Riley got from Drew Waters? I'll give you ten times better."

I tried to reach for my phone in my back pocket to call someone, anyone. But I was too late.

Lucas started pulling my hair, squeezing me, and kissing me hardly while hitting my legs against the wall.

I couldn't breathe. It was like I'd forgotten how.

I tried to speak, "…baby…Lucas…save…baby." At least, Lucas at some of his morals left because he let go of me and put me on the bed.

Breathlessly, Lucas told me, "I meant it when I said I was done with you. But you better listen to me now. I am proposing to Riley. Right now. We'll be married the day after graduation. I know Riley's family has some serious cash and stellar connections. I'll get a great job with no experience necessary and Riley will my perfect trophy wife. No college for either of us. Your role is to be Riley's devoted maid and my mistress. You'll work for Riley and me in our big house. Got it, darling?"

I was terrified out of my mind, but I was still able to spit my words out at him, "Why would I accept that deal? Even if I don't have you at least I'll have my baby and my own life."

Lucas chuckled darkly, "Maya, Maya, Maya."

He came close to my face, "I will kill your child if you don't obey MY terms."

I nodded and he left with a door slam. I could have cried at that moment, but I needed to be strong.

Not just for myself, but for my unborn child.

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