After One Night

Daphne's heart pounded as she stared at the brothel. She turned to leave. Then her phone buzzed.

[Unknown number: Pay your father's debt. Don't test our patience, or you'll regret it.]

Seconds later, another message arrived. This time, it came with a photo.

[Unknown number: This is what happens when you take us lightly.]

Daphne covered her mouth. The loan shark had sent her a photo of her father, badly beaten. She stared at the photo, trembling as tears slipped down her cheeks. She no longer knew how far they would go. With no other choice, she stepped into the building.

"Take off all your clothes," ordered Madam Rosaline, the owner of the high-end brothel where Daphne had come to apply for a job.

Daphne swallowed hard. Her fingers tightened around her jeans.

Seeing that Daphne remained frozen, Rosaline approached her and began unbuttoning her shirt herself. "Don't mistake this for cruelty," Rosaline said when she noticed Daphne's trembling. "I need to know what I'm offering my clients."

"Let me do it myself," Daphne quickly interrupted as Rosaline reached toward her bra.

When everything covering her body fell to the floor, Daphne closed her eyes. Shame overwhelmed her, but Daphne reminded herself why she had come. She couldn't back out now.

Rosaline slowly circled Daphne, her experienced eyes scrutinizing every detail. She stopped in front of Daphne and gently brushed her thumb across her cheek. No trace of foundation came off.

Daphne held her breath. Rosaline's gaze made her feel deeply uncomfortable.

"Are you still a virgin?" Rosaline asked, though she could already guess the answer.

Daphne hesitated before finally giving a small nod.

A faint smile appeared on Rosaline's lips. "Interesting."

Rosaline walked toward the sofa at the end of the room and lit a cigarette.

Daphne quickly put her clothes back on.

Rosaline watched her movements with an amused smile. "Your body being seen is only the beginning of this job. If you can't handle that, then tell me, why should I trust you with my clients?"

Daphne remained silent.

"You need money that badly, don't you?" Rosaline asked, taking a drag from her cigarette as she stared directly into Daphne's eyes.

Daphne gave a small nod.

"But... you don't have any previous experience. I'm worried—"

"I'll do my best. I promise I'll try." There was a firm determination behind Daphne's voice.

Rosaline raised an eyebrow, and a faint smirk appeared on her lips. "Maybe I shouldn't doubt someone who's desperate for money, should I?"

Daphne nodded, forcing herself to appear braver than she felt. She needed this job. She had no other options. She only needed to stay until her father's debt was paid off. 

"Good." Rosaline rose from the sofa and took a document from the drawer beside her. "Before you sign this contract, listen to me carefully. Once you sign this contract, breaking it won't be free. You'll have to pay the termination f*e."

Rosaline paused.

"My clients value discretion, so whatever happens here stays here. You never know what kind of person is waiting behind that door. Whatever happens between you and a client is your responsibility. Can you handle that?"

"I understand," Daphne replied, her voice steady.

"Perfect. Now read the contract carefully before you sign it."

Daphne only skimmed through the pages before picking up the pen and signing her name.

Rosaline watched her in silence.

Young. Untouched. A pity.

The thought vanished as quickly as it had come. Business was business. Life wasn't always fair.

"When can I start?" Daphne asked as she handed the contract back. 

"I'll have to make sure you receive the full treatment first." Rosaline glanced at her watch. "Tonight."

Daphne's chest tightened. She had no idea what kind of man would be waiting for her behind that door. But whatever happened, the contract she had signed had already taken away her last chance to run.

*****

"You're twenty-six, Alexander. We've given you enough time to play around with acting. It's time you started thinking more seriously about this family's future."

Alexander's jaw tightened. He shot his father a sharp look. “Play around?”

The atmosphere at the dinner table instantly grew tense. Every member of the Harrington family fell silent, watching the exchange unfold. Catherine, seated beside her son, tried to ease the tension.

"You're the sole heir to the Harrington Group. Don't forget the responsibilities that come with it," Edward replied, meeting Alexander's gaze.

"I never asked for that life."

"Mind your tone," Edward warned. "Where do you think all these privileges you've enjoyed since you were a child came from, if not from the very life you're rejecting?"

Edward looked at Alexander as if waiting for a response, but not a single word left his son's mouth. All that remained was the anger burning in his eyes, threatening to spill over.

"Make sure you attend the board meeting. Postpone your filming."

"Stop treating my career like it's a joke." 

"I beg you... both of you, please stop," Catherine said softly, her voice trembling yet firm.

Edward looked away, taking a brief moment before speaking again.

"And the Beaumonts have expressed an interest in strengthening the relationship between our families."

The moment the words left Edward's mouth, Alexander pushed back his chair and rose to his feet.

"Sit."

"Alexander."

Edward's command and Catherine's call fell on deaf ears as Alexander walked away without looking back. 

Arthur, Alexander's cousin, who had also attended the dinner that night, quickly got to his feet and went after him.

"Your father really knows how to turn a simple conversation into a war," Arthur said as they walked through the mansion's hallway.

Alexander didn't respond. He only gave Arthur a cold look.

"Edward never learned how to ask. He only knows how to demand."

Alexander's sharp gaze made Arthur sigh. He knew better than to push the subject any further. Whenever Alexander was frustrated, Arthur always had the same solution, the kind Alexander never took seriously.

"Maybe a woman can make you forget everything for a while. Name your type. Big breasts? Blonde? Skinny? Young? I know a place."