DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Scarlett

“You looked cute and very nerdy with them on, but without the glasses, you look like a very different person – more tough and handsome too. But hey, I still prefer your cute side.” I told him, keeping my tone light.

Viktor laughed softly, the sound surprisingly warm despite how awkward the moment felt.

“Remember my glasses broke last night?” he said.

“Oh yes! Shoot! Totally forgot about that. So sorry.”

“Nah, it’s not your fault,” he shook his head.

I leaned in a little closer, squinting at his face. “Hmm, so I see a red mark on your face,” I whispered.

“Oh… it’s that slap,” he whispered back, rubbing the spot gently.

I sighed softly, guilt twisting in my stomach again. “I am so sorry,” I said.

He bit his bottom lip, looking shy even without the glasses. “Make it up to me then if you’re sorry.”

“Hm, I see. So how?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He swallowed hard. “Can I kiss your cheek?”

“Anything that makes you happy,” I said, chuckling a little.

He brought his face forward, but the kiss didn’t land on my cheek. His lips pressed against mine. It was soft and quick, but definitely on my mouth.

I gasped and pushed him off gently but firmly. “You said ‘my cheek‘. You kissed my lips.”

He froze for half a second, shame flooding his face. Then he turned and ran off like his life depended on it, only to jam straight into a passing pedestrian.

“Damn it!” he muttered before scurrying away, one hand holding his face in embarrassment.

“Oh my God,” I laughed, covering my mouth with my hand as I watched him disappear down the street. “I hope he is alright. Gosh…” I whispered, shaking my head. He was so funny and silly sometimes. The awkward nerd who could barely look at me yesterday had just tried to steal a kiss and then bolted like a startled rabbit.

I turned and went in the opposite direction, my steps carrying me toward the part of town I hated visiting. The building was dirty and unpainted, the kind of place that looked like it might fall apart any minute. I climbed the terrible, shaky staircase, each step creaking loudly under my weight. When I reached the right door, I knocked once before pushing it open.

Inside, the room was dim and smoky. Various men lounged around tattooed, scarred, big and intimidating. They were thugs, plain and simple. The kind of people you didn’t want to owe money to.

They all turned to look at me as I stepped in. My stomach tightened, but I kept my chin up. I had come here for a reason, and I wasn’t leaving until I handled my business.

One of the bigger guys with a thick scar across his cheek smirked. “Well, well… look who finally showed up.”

I stepped deeper into the dim, smoky room, the heavy smell of cigarettes and cheap alcohol hitting me like a wall. The tattooed, scarred men wached me with greedy eyes, their bodies sprawled across old couches and rickety chairs. These weren’t just thugs – they were loan sharks, the kind who preyed on desperate people like me.

08:49 Mon, Jul 13

Chapter 130

10 vouch

I pulled out the thick envelope from my bag – the money I’d made from the last few private sessions with Vee, especially last night’s big payment. My hands shook slightly as I counted it out and handed it over to the leader, the one with the thick scar across his cheek.

“Here. This covers the last three months I owed.” I said. keeping my voice steady even though my stomach was in knots.

The man counted the cash slowly, his smirk growing wider with every bill. When he finished, he nodded. “Good girl. You’re finally catching up.”

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I actually came here to pay my last bills, but these bastards had scammed me so badly. The original amount I borrowed was for my mother’s hospital bills and my little sister’s treatment and necessities money I desperately needed for my family and myself. I never imagined the interest would turn into this hell. The contract I signed in a panic had hidden clauses I didn’t fully understand at the time. Now I was trapped paying them back for the next five fucking years. Five years of my life are owed to these monsters.

If I had known what I was really signing, I would never have borrowed a single cent. But I had no choice back then. My family was falling apart, and I was the only one who could hold it together. That desperation had led me straight into borrowing agony.

That was exactly why I started doing OnlyFans and private webcam sessions on Sensual. The money from my “normal” 9-3 janitor job would never be enough. Vee’s generous tips and private sessions had been a lifeline. I was genuinely glad he came into my life – maybe he really could be the one to help me finish paying off the rest of this nightmare.

–

The men looked pleased as they pocketed the cash. One of them leaned forward eyes narrowing. “Where’d you get all this money from lately, sweetheart? You suddenly hitting the lottery or something?”

“None of your business.” I snapped, glaring at them with pure hatred in my eyes.

They chuckled darkly, but the leader just waved a hand. “Fine, fine. Just remember… next month’s payment is due on time. Don’t make us come looking for you.”

The reminder sent a chill down my spine. I turned on my heel and left without another word, anger burning hot in my chest as I slammed the door behind me.

Outside, I flagged down a taxi and climbed in, sinking into the worn backseat. The driver asked for my address, but I barely heard him. My mind was spinning with thoughts about life — the endless cycle of debt, the double life I was living, the confusing encounter with Viktor this morning, and the way Vee kept showing up at the perfect (or worst) times.

As the taxi moved through the streets toward my quiet upscale apartment building, I rested my forehead against the cool window and sighed deeply.

How the hell did my life get this complicated?

At least for today, three months were paid. But five years still stretched ahead like a dark tunnel. And somewhere in the middle of all this mess, my shy nerd neighbour and my generous online patron both had me feeling things I wasn’t ready to

name.

08:50 Mon, Jul 13

Chapter 131