CHAPTER SIX

CHLOE:

Waking up, I shielded my eyes from the sunlight that peered through the curtains. A subtle yawn escaped my lips as I sat up and stretched. My eyes fell on a pair of men's trousers lying on the table, away from the bed, and my breath hitched. I wondered what in the world was going on before I heard stirrings from behind me.

 Turning around, I locked eyes with a man - the same stranger I had met last night, the blue-eyed heir to a billionaire. I couldn’t believe I was lying beside him. Though I wanted to scold myself for being in this situation, I couldn’t help feeling exhilarated. His eyes were the most beautiful I had ever seen, and I questioned whether everyone, including men, fell for his looks.

My phone buzzed on the bedside table where it was plugged into the socket. It was a message from my best friend. She seemed to be freaking out, knowing she had left me alone at the party to have a fling with someone. To be honest, I was too surprised to be angry at her. I knew she would feel the same if she found out I had shared the same bed as my admirer, who happened to be an heir.

I smiled as I set my phone aside, deciding it would be best for us to have a conversation before I disclosed the news about him to her. I tossed the duvet away and reached for a towel. My eyes fell upon the dress neatly laid out on the table, instantly recognizing it as the one Alistair had ordered for me. Perhaps it had arrived exceptionally early, and the staff didn’t wish to disturb me.

After my quick bath, I dressed in the blue jean shorts and white crop top provided. It struck me as surprising that he perceived me as a 'jeans person,' or perhaps it was simply his preference. What amazed me more was finding him still asleep, and in a way, I felt relieved. I wasn't keen on the idea of him sending a chauffeur to take me 'home,' whatever image he might have had of my home. As I readied my purse, knowing I was ready to leave, I made my way to the door, passing the table where he had left his wristwatch.

 “Wait a minute.” I said in almost a whisper, as I halted at the front of the door.

Didn't Alistair mention the watch was worth a fortune? I pondered this as I grappled with what to do. It's not a stretch to admit my intention to take the watch—honestly, I do. With that watch, I could cover my mother's medical expenses. While he might be angry upon discovering its absence, I doubt it would bother him. After all, he's a billionaire; he could likely buy forty of them if he wished.

Men like Alistair drink coffee from cups made of money. They spend lavishly and still possess wealth that could sustain the world, if they chose. One wristwatch wouldn’t disturb him, but it could save my mother's life if I take it. With conflicted emotions, I approached the table and seized the watch. Glancing back at him, guilt pierced me, but it was a choice between his luxury and my mother's survival.

"Forgive me," I whispered before leaving the room, the wristwatch hidden in my purse.

***

The door jingled as I pushed it open and stepped into the store. I was there to sell the watch, having already listed it on eBay, and someone had shown interest. Judging by the address, it seemed like the right place—a typical dealer shop. As I approached the counter, I noticed a few men eyeing me. The guy behind the counter, a somewhat macho figure, sized me up with a frown. He couldn't hold a candle to the hot mess I'd shared a bed with.

"What can I do for you?" he asked, his expression stern.

"Are you Rookie man?" I inquired, and as recognition dawned on him, a smile touched his lips.

"Can I see it?" he requested.

"Do you have cash?" I shot back.

"Bitcoin, maybe?" he countered.

"No, cash only," I replied firmly. He nodded, and I briefly revealed the wristwatch from my bag before promptly tucking it back in.

He nodded, motioning for another man to take his place while gesturing for me to follow him, which I did. We ventured through another door and found ourselves in what appeared to be an office, complete with a table, chairs, a laptop, and a partially emptied bottle of rum. He offered me a seat, and I accepted.

"The watch," he prompted, and I withdrew it for a second inspection. "Where did you get it?" he inquired after about thirty minutes.

"Sorry, I can't disclose that," I returned.

"Stolen?" he probed.

"Does it matter?" I deflected.

"It doesn't," he affirmed, smiling, and I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll buy it for $4 million," he offered, much to my surprise.

"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief, but he met my reaction with indifference. "That's not the price it's listed for. I'm selling it for $8 million on eBay," I reminded him, but it didn't seem to sway him.

"Yeah, I understand, but I can't sell it for $7 million," I countered. There was no way I was going to let him rip me off.

"$5 million?" he proposed.

"$7 million," I insisted, and he arched a brow.

"$6 million or nothing," he firmly declared, sliding the watch across and reclining in his chair.

It was evident he meant it and even though i knew he'd make a fortune from selling the watch, I opted not to argue the point.

"Fine," I relented, and he appeared satisfied as he took the watch. He confessed that he didn't have the cash on hand, needing to wire me the money instead.

***

After a series of calls with the doctor, I managed to send over the required funds for my mother's treatment. Relief flooded through me, offering the first real breath of fresh air I'd experienced in a while. I hadn't been a model citizen since my mother fell ill. Though I still maintained my virginity, I turned to drugs to cope. Now that her surgery was finally possible, I knew I had to bid farewell to Molly.

As the late afternoon settled, I finished a rather unhealthy meal of a burger and Pepsi, aware it wasn't the best diet. All I needed was to head home, change, and either visit my best friend or see my mom. Hailing a cab, I took the front seat after providing my destination. The driver appeared pleasant but there was an unsettling air about him, sending shivers down my spine. His constant gaze through the rearview mirror made me feel unnerved and insecure, despite knowing I shouldn't.

"What's your problem?" I snapped at the driver. He apologized, but I ignored him, slipping on my earbuds and gazing out the window.

We reached my house, and I settled the fare in cash before stepping out of the car. As I exited, a chilling sense of dread washed over me, my knees turning weak. I found myself staring into those blue eyes, now emanating a dangerously intense aura. He smiled, his chauffeur shielding him with an umbrella from the falling snow.

How did he track me down? I attempted to speak, but no words escaped. His guards swiftly approached, seizing my hands with a force that nearly broke my skin, drawing warm blood.

"Let go of me!" I screamed, but they paid no heed, forcibly dragging me towards him and pushing me to kneel before him, creating a public spectacle in the neighborhood.

Whispers and gasps enveloped us, the attention now drawn to the unfolding scene. He stooped to my level, delicately holding my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

His eyes held a captivating intensity, beautiful yet perilous. Rather than fear, they sparked something within me. Time seemed to halt, suspended in his fiery gaze, until he finally spoke.

"Where's my watch, you naughty thief?" he inquired. Stunned, I struggled to respond, realizing he did care about the watch. "What, cat got your tongue?"

"I... I sold it," I managed to admit. He drew closer, his cologne almost tangible. His penetrating eyes unnerved me, yet strangely fueled an unknown emotion.

"I'm here to interrogate, not to kiss you," he retorted, noting my lingering gaze at his lips. I shifted away, a blush coloring my cheeks. "Tell me, how do you plan to repay me?"

"I only have $4 million on hand. I can work to gather the remaining $2 million," I offered. He frowned, clearly displeased.

"$6 million for my watch?" he questioned, causing my confusion.

"You mentioned the watch was valued above $5 million, so I assumed it might be worth $6 million and sold it for that," I explained, but his displeasure persisted. "That 'Watch'," he started, massaging his temples, "is worth approximately $55 million," he revealed, eliciting a gasp from me.

The realization hit hard—I'd possessed a $55 million watch and sold it for a mere $6 million. I knew I was in deep trouble, possibly facing severe consequences. There was no way I could come up with such an amount.

"That's... a lot," I murmured, feeling the weight of my mistake sink in.

"How do you intend to repay?" he demanded, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Please, I'll do anything," I implored. "I'll be your servant until I've paid off my debts," I suggested, prompting a raised eyebrow from him.

"Why assume I'd need you?" he questioned.

"Please," tears streamed down my cheeks. "My mother is dying, and I needed to help her," I confessed, regretting ever taking the watch.

Suddenly, he signaled to his companion, a man almost as striking as Alistair, dressed in a black Italian suit. He handed me a document and a pen, pointing to a space.

"Sign here and become my contracted girlfriend," Alistair proposed, leaving me in shock. It sounded like a plot from a novel.

"Huh?" I murmured, still bewildered.

"You said you'd do anything, right?" he reminded me. I nodded, wiping away tears. "Then sign here." I complied, taking the pen and signing it before handing it back to him. He passed it to his companion.

"Now, little thief," he said with a smirk. "You are mine, and mine alone, the moment you signed those papers."

At that instant, I realized I'd struck a life-altering deal. Though uncertain of its implications, I chose this over watching my mother succumb. A lump formed in my throat as I nervously accepted his proposition, while he smirked in response.