CHAPTER 2
Nelly’s POV
I had just finished my shift at the restaurant, wiping down tables when the manager walked in, looking serious.
“Listen up!” he called out. “Tomorrow is an important day, so I need you all to pay attention.”
We all stopped what we were doing and turned to him.
“The CEO of this restaurant, Jason Wilson, will be visiting. I need everyone to be on their best behavior.” With that, he turned and walked back to his office.
Excited whispers filled the air.
“Wow, this will be my first time seeing him!” one of the waitresses gushed.
“I’ve been working here forever and have only seen him once,” another added. “He’s cold but damn handsome.”
I glanced at my wristwatch—it was getting late. My other job was waiting. Without another word, I grabbed my bag and slipped out of the restaurant.
As soon as I walked into the dressing room of the brothel, Agnes whistled.
“Damn, Nelly, where have you been? You look stunning tonight.”
“Got held up at work.”
She smirked. “The boss wants to see you.”
That made me pause. The boss never called for anyone unless it was something important. I quickly dropped my bag and went to her office.
Boss—our madam—was a tough woman, built from fire and steel. People said her father sold her off as a teenager to pay his debts, but she clawed her way out and built this place from scratch. Now, she ran one of the most high-end brothels in the city.
She had been good to me since the day she found me crying in the bathroom. Ever since I told her about my situation, she made sure to send high-paying clients my way.
“Sit, Nelly,” she said, gesturing to the chair in front of her.
I obeyed, waiting as she finished a phone call.
“There’s a client willing to pay big,” she said finally, locking eyes with me. “You up for it?”
I grinned. “Of course, Boss.”
“Room 401. He’s waiting. Be good.”
I nodded and walked out.
---
In a short time, I had learned a lot about men. They were easy to handle—give them the right touch, and they melted. With my body? They never stood a chance.
I stepped into Room 401, my movements slow, calculated.
A deep voice broke the silence. “Are you the girl they sent?”
The tone alone sent a chill down my spine. I turned, and—damn.
A tall, dangerously handsome man sat on the couch, legs crossed, watching me with unreadable eyes.
I smirked, stepping closer, my voice sultry. “Are we doing this on the couch?”
He didn’t react. Just watched me.
I trailed my fingers down his chest, lower… The slight twitch beneath my touch made me smirk. Got him.
Leaning in, I whispered, “Come on, you don’t want to keep the big guy waiting.” I flicked my tongue over his earlobe, expecting him to finally give in.
Nothing.
He just sat there, staring.
A sliver of doubt crept in. Every other man would have been all over me by now.
Finally, he spoke. “I want to take a shower first.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Then you will take one too.”
I frowned. In all my time here, no man had ever asked for that. But I nodded and sat on the couch as he disappeared into the bathroom.
This was going to be a long night.
---
“You’re joking!” Sugar cackled, nearly splashing water out of the bathtub as we washed up the next morning.
“I swear, I was so confused,” I groaned. “He even made me shower too, like I was some dirty street girl.”
Sugar shook her head, still laughing. “Some clients are just weird. You’ve just never had one like that before.”
“Well, whatever. At least he paid well.”
After our bath, we got dressed and headed to the restaurant for our shift. I made a mental note to visit Grandma after work and make a deposit at the hospital.
---
The restaurant was packed, orders flying in, trays clattering, customers shouting. I was rushing from table to table when I noticed our manager heading to the entrance in a hurry.
Then came the whispers.
“That’s him.”
“The CEO.”
“Mr. Wilson, this way, please,” the manager said, leading a tall, powerful-looking man toward his office.
I barely glanced up until Sugar nudged me.
“Damn, he’s smoky hot,” she whispered. “Wouldn’t mind a night with him.”
I rolled my eyes. “You sleep with men every night, Sugar. What kind haven’t you had?”
She grinned. “That’s why they call me Sugar, baby.”
I chuckled, shaking my head—then stopped.
Something about the CEO’s presence made my skin prickle. His posture, his physique… something felt familiar.
I frowned, trying to place him.
Then he turned.
And my heart stopped.
“It’s him,” I whispered, eyes widening.
At the same moment, his gaze swept across the room—
And landed right on me.
NELLY'S POVSome questions aren’t meant to be answered—especially when the answer rips open a wound you’ve spent your whole life pretending didn’t exist.“Where are your parents?”The question hit me like a slap. Mr. Wilson’s voice was calm, almost casual, but his eyes? They were drilling holes straight through me.I froze, my hand clenching around my fork under the table. I blinked at the food on my plate but suddenly couldn’t tell rice from vegetables.“My parents…” I began, but my voice trailed off, thin and shaky.From across the table, Diana snorted. “Cat got your tongue?” Her voice was sweet poison. “He asked about your parents, dear. Or don’t you have any?”I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump rising in my throat.“I… I lost them when I was little,” I finally said, staring down at my plate. “Raised by my grandparents.”Silence.Not even the clink of a spoon.I hated talking about this—because how do you explain missing people you never really knew? My memories were made up o
Nelly’s POVI don’t know why my stomach won’t stop churning.The mansion stood tall and intimidating under the evening sky, its perfectly trimmed hedges and glowing windows a reminder that I didn’t belong here. Not really. Not in their world of luxury, old money, and sharp tongues hidden behind polite smiles.Jason parked the car, killing the engine in silence. For a moment, neither of us moved. The tension had followed us from the apartment, clinging to the air like perfume.He finally looked at me. “You okay?”I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”That was a lie.I wasn’t fine.Not with the knot twisting in my chest, or the pit in my stomach that told me tonight wasn’t just a dinner—it was a test.He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek for a beat longer than necessary.“We go in together,” he said firmly.I nodded. “Together.”We walked up to the front door, my heels clicking softly on the marble steps. When it opened, I was met wi
Nelly's POVTWO DAYS LATERThe last two days had been peaceful—no drama, no awkward silences. Just soft mornings, warm dinners, and shared looks across the table that made my heart flutter. But tonight? Tonight would be different.We were heading to dinner at Jason’s parents’ place.I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress for the hundredth time. Not too flashy, not too plain. Just the right amount of “fake wife” mixed with “respectable daughter-in-law.”“Nelly!” Jason’s voice echoed from downstairs.“Coming!” I called back, grabbing my handbag and hurrying out.When I reached the living room, he was already by the door, keys in hand. He didn’t even look at me.“You took long enough,” he muttered, turning the knob.My smile dropped. A compliment would’ve been nice. Hell, even a smirk. But no, classic Jason—cool and distant.Still, I followed him out. The evening air brushed against my skin as we stepped into the car. I couldn’t help sneaking glances at him while he drove. T
Nelly’s POVThe faint clatter of pans woke me.At first, I thought it was a dream—one of those soft, fleeting ones you don’t want to end. But the scent of something buttery and warm floated down the hallway, and I realized it was real.I rubbed my eyes, wrapped my robe tighter, and padded out of the room.The apartment was quiet, hushed like the early moments before a city fully wakes up. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting gold stripes across the walls. I followed the smell toward the kitchen, heart thudding—half from curiosity, half from last night’s still-lingering emotions.Jason was there.Shirtless. Barefoot. Frying eggs.I stopped at the entrance, my fingers gripping the edge of the doorway. He hadn’t noticed me yet.His back was to me, muscles shifting with every movement, and his hair was tousled—like he’d run his hands through it a thousand times overnight. There was a tiredness in the slope of his shoulders, but his movements were careful, almost... thoughtful.He
Nelly’s POVThe clock ticked louder than usual. I sat on the edge of the couch, arms wrapped tightly around my knees. The breakfast I made had gone cold hours ago, untouched. I didn’t even have the strength to clear it from the table.All I could think about was her—Diana.Her smug face. Her words.And Jason… walking out like I didn’t deserve answers.I waited.And waited.The sky turned orange, then grey.And finally, the door creaked open.Jason stepped in, loosening his tie like nothing had happened. He paused when he saw me sitting there, arms still folded, eyes locked on him like fire."You’re back," I said flatly.He gave a nod, ran a hand through his hair, and dropped his keys on the counter. "Yeah."“Do you have
Nelly’s POV“Gregg… Gregg… Gregg…”That damn alarm again. I groaned, reaching blindly for the clock on the nightstand and smacking it silent."Why did I even forget to turn it off? Or maybe I should just throw the damn thing away," I muttered, dragging myself out of the cozy bed. I hadn’t needed an alarm since moving in here. No more running to the restaurant. No more brothel. Just this quiet house, this new life that still felt too shiny to touch.I freshened up, fixed the bed, and took a slow walk around the room—my room.It was beautiful. Creamy walls. Huge windows that poured in sunlight like a blessing. A bed big enough for four Emilys. A bookshelf full of books Jason probably hadn’t touched. A vanity that looked like it belonged to a Hollywood starlet.Everything screamed money, class, and comfort.And for a second, I just stood there… soaking it in."This can't be my life," I whispered.But it was.I pulled my thoughts together and made my way to the kitchen. Maybe I’d cook br