CHAPTER 3

      CHARITY was no longer comfortable with her blindfold as she stood alongside six other women. Before they alighted from the vehicle earlier, they were blindfolded, leaving her with no idea where they were now. A wave of anxiety gripped her chest as conflicting emotions surged through her. Was the process really so strict that they had to blindfold them to prevent them from seeing or remembering the way?

       Maybe I should regret my decision…

       She silently conversed with herself.

       She tugged down her black dress slightly, which had ridden up her rounded thighs. It hugged her figure tightly, emphasizing her curves. She silently cursed Georgia for choosing this dress and cutting her hair short, now barely brushing her shoulders.

       "You may now remove your blindfolds, ladies," a man—one of the Silvestre staff attending to them—spoke firmly.

        They carefully removed their blindfolds, revealing a room with a stunning red-and-white interior design. Charity's attention was drawn to the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, leaving her in awe.

        "I’ll leave you for now. Mr. Cameron Silvestre will arrive in ten minutes," the man announced before leaving.

        Left in the room with the other six women, Charity chose to sit on a sofa, trying to calm herself.

      What have I gotten myself into?

      Again, she questioned herself silently. She felt like backing out, but every time the thought of the money she might receive crossed her mind, her determination returned. If chosen, she promised herself she’d go back to school and fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.

        This is your last chance, Charity. You can finally escape the life you have now, she reminded herself.

      Unbeknownst to the seven women, Cameron Silvestre was watching them from another room through a monitor. He was carefully observing their appearances. His attention was drawn to the petite woman in the black dress. Cameron grinned, stroking his chin as though plotting something. Who would have thought the woman who had bumped into him at a nightclub would now be among his options? Could this be his chance to exact revenge for what she did to him that night?

       Cameron Silvestre, 26, was the CEO of a thriving construction company and the boss of their mafia organization. No one dared to raise their voice at him or speak to him without respect. Most who met him looked at him with fear, as though he were a monster. But not the woman he was now observing. That night at the club, she had insulted him—perhaps not even recognizing who he was—and that still infuriated him.

     "Servant Kim."

     A man quickly approached him.

    "Yes, Sir Cameron?"

     "Send the other women home. Keep the one in the black dress," Cameron ordered.

     "Understood," the man replied before leaving.

       Cameron’s eyes returned to the monitor, observing the woman who sat confidently on the sofa. A sly smile curled at the corner of his lips.

____________

       CHARITY sprang to her feet when the door to the room opened. Everyone returned to their previous positions as the room fell silent. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the space.

     "Mr. Cameron has made his choice."

      The women exchanged glances. A decision had been made? But how? They hadn’t even met the man yet.

     "You."

      Charity froze as the man pointed at her. The man, in his 40s, had a kind and composed demeanor.

     "M-me?" she stammered, pointing at herself. A chill ran through her, leaving her unable to move.

    "Yes, you are Mr. Cameron’s choice."

    "Chosen for what?" she asked, confused. It hadn’t been clarified why they were there or what they were being chosen for.

     "You’ll have to ask him that yourself, my dear," the man replied.

     Charity fell silent, stunned by the revelation.

     Did he recognize me? Oh no, I yelled at him before… She winced, silently praying he wouldn’t remember her.

    "Wait, why was she chosen?"

      Charity turned to see a woman, clearly upset, glaring at her.

     "Yeah, there might have been a mistake!" another woman chimed in.

       Charity said nothing, feeling embarrassed. Judging by their reactions, it seemed like she didn’t deserve to be chosen. After all, the others were taller and more striking compared to her average looks and short stature. She only stood out because of her curvy figure and clear complexion.

       "Put your blindfolds back on," the man ordered, ignoring the protests.

       Reluctantly, the women obeyed, and another man entered to guide them out.

       "Follow me," the man instructed Charity. She complied and followed him out of the room.

       As they walked through a luxurious hallway, Charity marveled at its grandeur. It felt like she was in a palace, with countless rooms along the way.

      "I am Kim, known as Servant Kim. You may call me that," the man introduced himself.

      "O-okay, sir," Charity replied shyly.

       After a short walk, they stopped in front of a door. Servant Kim turned to her.

      "Go inside. He’s waiting for you," he said firmly.

       Her chest tightened as anxiety returned. She took a few deep breaths before stepping closer to the door. Just as she was about to turn the knob, Servant Kim spoke again.

     "Just go along with him, dear. Don’t make him  angry," he advised, offering her a small smile.

       Charity nodded and entered the room. It was larger than the previous one, but it exuded a cold, somber atmosphere. The gray and black decor, along with the furniture, gave the space a lifeless feel.

      "M-Mr. Cameron?" she called out softly.

       There was no response. She wandered around, observing the room. It felt empty and soulless, as though a vampire lived there.

     "What do you think of my lair? How was it?"

       Startled, she turned toward the voice. Her breath caught as she finally saw him up close.

      Gosh…

       He was sinfully gorgeous. He stood tall—about six feet two—with a powerful presence. She could tell that beneath his tailored suit was a body sculpted to perfection. Though they had met at the club, she hadn’t fully seen his face due to the darkness and her tipsy state. Now, however, his face seemed strangely familiar, stirring a memory from her past.

       "Charity Mercaez, 23, an orphan, unemployed, single, and poor," Cameron said smoothly, emphasizing the word "poor."

      "Y-yes. How did you know?" she stammered.

       He chuckled mockingly, holding up a paper containing her information.

      "Do you know what you’ve gotten yourself into?" he asked coldly, locking eyes with her.

       Charity tried to suppress her fear and shook her head slightly. Cameron took a step closer, stopping just a foot away from her.

      "There’s no backing out now. If you do, you’re dead," he said in a low, menacing voice. Charity knew he wasn’t joking. "Here’s the deal, Miss Mercaez..."

       Holding her breath, she awaited his next words.

      "Bear my child."

       Her eyes widened in shock as the words sank in.

      "A-a child?" she stammered, unprepared for such a proposition.

      "Yes. Bear my child, and I’ll give you two million. Once you’ve given birth, you leave," he declared.

       Charity was speechless. Two million pesos? It was a fortune, but the price she had to pay was daunting.

       "Will I get the two million right away?" she asked cautiously.

       "Once the child is in your womb," he clarified.

       "When will we… do it?" she asked hesitantly, her cheeks flushing.

        Gosh, we’re going to make a baby!

        Cameron smirked and leaned in closer. "As soon as possible," he whispered. "But first, let us seal the deal."

         Before Charity could respond, Cameron claimed her lips in a deep kiss, sealing their agreement.

          She had made her choice. She would bear the child of this monster.