The day shift was quite stressful at the dress store. Snobby customers with bad breaths kept me busy.
"I don't like the color." one fat lady knitted her chubby cheeks in a disgusting frown.
"This is the only color maam." I spoke in my professional tone, keeping the smile intact. I know the trick too.
"Then leave it. I'll try some other shop." she scoffed at me with a challenging tone and left the store with her oversized ass.
Shop store duties suck. I don't know how on earth do some people handle these types of customers with little or no sense.
Once, a girl tried to throw tantrums on me telling that she has a lot of money and she is capable of getting whatever she wants. So, if the hairband she demands is not in the desired color and shape she'll order everyone to make her a desired one.
I sigh and wrap up the dress into the packet. Meanwhile the manager walks in and approaches me with a sad face.
"Meera dear, I'm really sorry but my condition is being a bit low. I'll be only able to pay you half of the amount of your salary this month. I hope you understand!"
No,I dont! Why does everything happen at the same time? I just wanted to slap his face and tell his miser ass to fuck off, but my Mother Teresa version 2.0 popped out of my head and said...
" It's ok. I understand. Take care. "I assured him. Take care, my foot!
I bid everyone my goodbyes before leaving the store. All my expenses relied on this dress store. And so I was forced to adjust with everything.
I sighed and started walking straight ahead to my apartment. The store was half an hour of walking from my abode, so good for saving transportation fare.
My phone vibrated inside my jeajs and I picked up the call to hear a very familiar voice.
"Hi Meera?"
"Yes."
"It's me Eleanor. I've found a match for you. Can you come here, to my office?" her tone was humble and excited.
"Yeah sure. I'll be there in one." I licked my chapped lips to moisten them.
"Perfect. I'll send David to escort you."
"Ok."
I wear my casuals and step out of the apartment, received by a smiling David. It would be completely wrong to say that I'm not irritated with the smiley faces all around. They seem so fake. Just like, I'm some kind of a bait they're feeding later to be sacrificed to the beast. But the bait here knows that she's the bait, so things just feel more awful.
I move into the car and David drives me to the office within half an hour.
"Meera! Come dear." Eleanor pulls me in a hug that I don't reciprocate.
"Would you like anything?"
"Some tea would be good." I spoke and sat on the chair against the desk.
Basically, I didn't used to be so straightforward with asking any refreshments or anything I wanted oe needed. I used to be shy. But experiences taught me a lot. One of them is to demand what you need when you're asked for it. Humbly.
One of the staffs brought me a cup of tea. The smell of ginger was extremely calming for my tensed up nerves residing inside my stomach.
"So, you won't believe this when I say that I got like 10 proposals in an hour after I uploaded your profile." she smiled flashing her Colgate white teeth while I popped my eyes open like a cartoon. She's right. I don't buy what she's speaking.
"And I went through all the prospects and ultimately came to this profile that I feel is just perfect for you." she handed me a file. I took it nervously. I hope it's not a man with a wrinkled face and white hair. Eww.
I opened the file slowly, trying to slow down my spontaneous breathing.
" Dhruv Saxena, a 33 years old business tycoon all over Asia and some parts of Europe. He gained success at a very young age, building his grandfather's empire of weapons and cargo shipments. Some say that he's also related to the underworld mafia families and is highly respected all over the world. "
" Mafia? Underworld? "I looked up at Eleanor with concern marred over my face.
" It's ok, don't worry. He's extremely rich and mostly, he's not that old. He pays a high amount for hanging out with him. And our business assures safety and security. Nothing will happen to you." she walked over to me and squeezed my arm in assurance.
I diverted my focus back to the file and a photograph of him between the pages. I pulled it out and scanned the tall, tan skinned, muscular figure staring back at me. He had dark black curly waves and his eyes teared through me like a spear. Extremely sharp and dangerous. Danger seemed to emit from his whole body. And he looked so confident, like nothing is at a level to him.
"He's hot, isn't he?" I realized that I was staring agape at the photo and immediately pulled my lower jaw back. Eleanor smiled at me and walked towards the window.
"He saw your profile and immediately called me. Says he wants to meet you."
I gulped in the saliva stuck in my throat. A man like him wants to meet me? Why? Is it that he found me attractive or my virginity igniting the fire within him. Basically, men love to own a clean, pure virgin to later snatch it away. I've heard it a lot of times.
"So, what do you think?" Eleanor snapped me out of my chain of thoughts and I just stared at her blandly.
"Umm... I-I don't know." I replied honestly. But I didn't know why I was feeling the outburst of hormones in my system.
"Well, you can meet him and talk with him, get to know about him. If things don't work out, then you can go for the other options. Though, I should add that the others are not that good." she spoke to me in an alarming tone.
"Umm,ok."
"Perfect!"Eleanor clasped her hands together in excitement.
"So,I'll give him a call and ask him where he wants to meet. Also, do you ...umm...have something to wear for the date?"she eyed my dress skeptically.
"I fear not." I handed her a sheepish grin.
"No problem. That can be managed. I will hire a group of makeup artist and I'll get the dress just perfect for you!" she exclaimed.
I sighed in defiance and asked her if I could take the file with me,but she denied telling that they can't risk on trusting anyone with the info.
David dropped me home safely and I walked up to the stairs to be welcomed by a group of men who radiated 'danger' whenever they lined up the stairs for a chat. More for picking on girls who walk pass them.
"Hey baby, wanna get your muffin buttered?"one of the creeps grinned with his infamous cocky smile and I resisted the temptation to break them on his mouth.
"Dude, that ass is hot. Would love to fuck you from your-'
'I told no smoking!' the landlord shouted from upstairs. At times I really feel grateful for his existence!
I sighed a breath of relief and walked up to my door, without sparing a second glance to the bunch of assholes, digging my skin with their pervert looks on me.
I didn't feel safe inside the place I was living. I never felt safe anywhere. Not to the divorcee bitch whom I call my mother. Not inside the apartment I'm staying. Not inside my own body. Why was I even born in the first place? And that also as a girl?
I pushed my sneakers away and hopped into the hard bed. It definitely hurted, but not more than the pain that was crawling deep within my soul.
***********
I sighed after seeing the text from Eleanor."Can you meet at the office?" The text said.I replied "Ok. But why?"Another message popped up."I need to get you ready for Mr. Saxena. He said he wants to meet you today."What???I immediately dialled Eleanor's number but she didn't receive it."I'm busy with a client right now. So can't pick up your call. Let me know the time you'll be arriving and I'll send David to receive you." Her message said."But I am not ready!" I texted her back."Don't worry Meera, just leave everything to me."I slouched on the bed with a sigh escaping my lips.I'm going to meet a business tycoon cum mafia today and I don't know what the heck I'm going to do! This is all her f
Eleanor stared at me, utterly shocked."What are you saying Meera? You can't drop out right now!""Yeah I can. You said that it was my decision." I revolted."Yes. But not in the middle of a commitment you've already given. You've to meet him Meera,else Mr. Saxena will feel disrespected!"I sighed. She is right. I can't leave something in the middle like this. Usually, I wasn't the type of person who does half job. My mind would turn into a cluttered opera of my irritating inner voices doing group discussions.But this time I was scared! Scared to meet a powerful person who can destroy my entire life in seconds. And who would care about the 5'3 foot tall, brown eyed, fair and skinny brunette with wavy locks floating dead on the river of California?Does California even have a river? Because I don't prefer imagining my dead
He walks towards me, steady steps, the one of a predators walking towards his prey.His hazel eyes look straight into me,as if pulling me towards them. I wanted to look somewhere else,but I was trapped under those orbs."Hello,Miss Adarsh." His lips curved into a smile,his dimples evident from the arch of his cheeks. Those hazel eyes scanned me like I'm his evening meal."Hello. Mr-"He arched an eyebrow at me.I'm having a short circuit in my brain right now. I can't even remember his name. What the fuck is happening to me!"Mr. Saxena. It's nice to meet you." I managed to speak. Somehow.He smiled with satisfaction. God, I'll eat that smile!"The pleasure is all mine." He walked towards me and signalled the guy beside me whose name I have probably forgotten, to leave.
"Tell me all about it." Laila leaned towards me, whispering so that no one except us hears it in the class."Well there was this beautiful, rich ass hotel where I went wearing a less slutty dress. I was told that it's only just a meeting to understand whether we are good to walk forward.""How was the guy? Don't tell me he was old.""No he wasn't. In the contrary,he was smoking hot. I bet you would've gone all wet after seeing him.""Ooh. That's interesting and good. It's far better than an old man.""Hmm. But the more interesting part is that he's a complete asshole."Laila tightens her jaw in dissapointment."Did he try to rape you?""No,not that. In the beginning he was all good,but after I informed him that I am into nothing physical, he changed his attitude into all rude-bossy billionaire.
"Mr. Saxena, what a pleasent suprise!" He moves up from his seat to embrace Dhruv in a hug.Do they know each other? Shit!Dhruv doesn't hug back,but forwards his hand for a handshake. Rude.Though Mr. Brown doesn't look disappointed. Maybe he knows what kind of a jerk Dhruv Saxena is.Dhruv shifts his glance at me, putting me on alert. What's he going to say?"You've company." His question is directed to Mr. Brown but his eyes are at me.Get your eyes off me!!!!Mr. Brown looks at me and smiles with his creepy eyes looking at me with pride. What's that supposed to mean?"Yeah. Meet Miss Meera here. Isn't she lovely?""Yes, she is. Very much."Dhruv keeps staring at me.And I feel like hitting my head somewhere. What's happening t
I stare at him for a moment.Is this guy for real? How can he ask me to ride with him? With him!"Thank you for the offer,Mr. Saxena. But I have my ride. Thank you once again." I replied with a smile,more like a smirk.But that jerk smirks back leaving me totally confused."That wasn't a question,Miss Adarsh." He walks towards David, tells him something that I can't hear and I see David nodding his head and leaving the place.What the fuck! How can he do this?Dhruv buttons up his navy blue suit and walks towards me. He gestures me to sit in the car.Feeling hopeless, I agree and sit inside the sleek black BMW. I was going for the backseat but that asshole already pulls the door for the passenger seat for me, getting a hidden scowl from me in return. Remember, it's hidden.I r
I tap my feet on the floor with anticipation of what's coming next.After that jerk left, Eleanor called and told me that he wants us to meet and talk about the sugary deal. I don't know what other word to use.And frankly, I don't want us to be together. Dhruv is a total dick and I have seen enough of his behaviour.I'm sure that my desire to not be with him overcomes his one to have us together. I don't want to be Dhruv Saxena's sugar baby.I can pull it off with other man, but not with this man.My eyes roam around the huge meeting room, observing the chairs lined across the huge table. It looks like a business conference room where all those black and grey suits sit together with files and discuss about shit I don't understand.The door opens, revealing Eleanor walking inside with another old man I don't recognise. He's
I want to bang my head on the table.The agreement is shit!The only freedom I enjoy here is to negotiate with my limits and demands.Dhruv on the other hand looks super pleased. He gets to keep me locked in his place if he wants.Oh my God! Days under the same place with this guy will drive me nuts.I hear the old lawyer guy reading the next section in the agreement."Under Section 8.6, the Sugar Daddy is not allowed to force any kind of sexual or abusive activities against the Sugar Baby's will."Yay! I'll throw a party for this! We're talking about the consent which I am never going to give him.Dhruv's face is stoic, no bit of happy or sadness can be seen in his face. I will take classes from him on making this type of face. So that people never understand what I am feeling.Ok. Maybe I should