CHAPTER 2

Aria

‘Every action has its consequences and sometimes these consequences could be fatal if we’re not careful.’

Dad’s frequent words of advice replay in my mind the next morning as I stare blankly at the chandelier above me, lying on the bed of the luxurious hotel room the stranger brought me to yesterday.

Regret is an understatement to how I truly feel right now. I had shamelessly slept with the stranger not once, not twice but three times last night. Someone I didn’t even know his name.

Each round left me wanting more and despite the pain I felt from it being my first time, the pleasure was what spurred me on and only now that I have come off my euphoria do I realise what I have truly done.

I had sold my dignity, given my first time to a total stranger, who probably thinks I’m a hooker and left me a check of…….

Wait a minute. I tilt my head to the bedside drawer and see a piece of paper resting on it. I pick it up instantly and glance at the figure.

$10,000. 

10 grand. That’s all you’re worth Aria. That’s all your dignity is worth. How could you be so foolish and shameless?

Why am I even blaming myself? This is all Ethan’s fault. If he hadn’t made me drink so much I would never have made this mistake.

You know what? I’m not going to dwell on this. What’s done is done.

I get out of the bed and saunter into the bathroom to freshen up. I wince at the sharp pain I feel around my rosebud when my feet touch the ground. Did he use a hammer or something on me last night? Christ!

I quickly ran a hot bath. I’m really glad they got good liquid soap at this hotel. I use so much of it like I am trying to wash the filth of that stranger off me.

I step out of the shower, drying my hair and my eyes land on the paper laying on the bed. If that check was worth a million dollars right now, would I regret it so much? Dad would have been out of prison, at least losing my dignity would have been worth it.

Wait, what if I make that the reality?I know he’s rich. His Rolls Royce is a one of four Rolls Royce Droptails worth about 30 million dollars. The cars took four years to build and each one is different, customised to the owner’s preference. 

I’m kind of a luxury car freak. It’s not my fault, dad started taking me to luxury car shows from a very young age.

The moment I realise I’m seriously thinking about getting more money out of this man, I shock myself. How low have I fallen? But I really need the money, and I have no other way. If there was ANY other way I wouldn’t have turned to Ethan.

I try to remember the man from last night. I remember his soulful eyes, his firm jawline, and his answer to my drunk joke – what you asked is far from greedy.

Can I? Be greedy and hopeful, just this once?

It’s only one million. If I can get dad out, we can pay him back within no time.

There’s only one way to find out. Figure out who he is and then go to him. I’m probably going to regret this decision but he’s already slept with me and thinks I’m a hooker. What’s the worst that could happen?

*****

“For the last time Miss, if you don’t have an appointment, you can’t see the CEO,” The front desk receptionist at his office says for the third time.

With his check I got his name easily. I thought that was the hard part until I made it to his building.

“I didn’t want to tell you this because you will lose your job over it but, I’m your boss’s lady of the night. You can check with him yourself, or you can let me in,” I lost it and put on my princess mode. I got that name in high school, now I know why.

Staring at me as she counts the chance of keeping her job, she finally says reluctantly. “Top floor, it’s the only office there,” She hands me an electronic pass.

“If you’ve come here to see if we can hook up again, my answer is no. I don’t eat the same food twice,” Damien says passively as soon as I step into his office, not even raising his head up from his laptop to look at me.

His words sting. Reminding me of the reality of our situation. How condescending. I felt so…..cheap.

“On the contrary, I’m here because there’s a few zeros missing from this check,” I reply, placing the check on the table and taking my seat.

I didn’t plan to say it like this but he’s asking for it. Asshole.

He raises his head sharply from his laptop to look at me and I’m caught off guard by those deep, sexy and dark eyes again. Memories of last night flooding my mind and an image of him fucking me as my fingers dug into his back made goosebumps rent my skin.

“Back to Earth Miss,” He smirks smugly.

Oh God. Was I staring so much? He looks ten times more attractive than he did last night. Focus Aria. The money…

“The check. It’s ten grand. We agreed on a million,” I reply, composing myself.

Damien scoffs. “Did we?” His deep voice comes, his gaze cold, almost scary.

“Yes. I’d like to believe a man of your calibre keeps his word,” I reply, matching his gaze with one of mine.

He closes his laptop and chuckles lightly, almost as if he finds me amusing.

“I didn't get your name last night” he said calmly 

“Aria” I almost blushed

“Aria, you said my word?……well if I remember it clearly, I said money is not pricey. Which it’s not, don’t get me wrong but a million for a night? C’mon, not even the goddess of sex is worth that much.”

Damn.

He never really did say yes or no now that I think about it. I never should have come here. I didn’t give this enough thought but he took my virginity, shouldn’t that mean something?

“But you knew it was my first time last night, my virginity is worth that much to me,” I say softly, putting a sad pout on my lips and giving him puppy eyes, really looking like I’m about to cry. This always works on dad whenever I need something from him, maybe it’ll work on Damien.

“It’s just a broken hymen. In your line of business, it’s not worth much and honestly, it’s the only reason I gave you the ten grand,” He replies coldly, his eyes emotionless and his words carry a tone of finality.

His words hurt and surprise me at the same time and I can’t hide the repulsiveness in my eyes.

This is clearly not working. Perhaps I could just come clean with the truth and borrow the money from him. 

“The truth is I’m not a hooker Mr Damien. Last night I was drunk and….”

“I don’t care what or what you are not Miss Aria. You’re not getting a million from me,” He cuts me off coldly. 

“It’s not about the money!” I yell and he scowls. “Yesterday was a mistake. Just listen to me, please,” I say calmly, my voice breaking and I try hard to fight back the tears that threaten to fall from my eyes.

I don’t know why but I felt the strong urge to talk, just let it all out. I just wanted someone to unburden myself on. The pain I feel, the overwhelming sadness, the frustration since everything started with dad, but Damien’s probably the wrong person and his next response confirms that.

“I don’t have to listen to you, but since you’re so desperate, I can pay for your nights,” He says condescendingly, eyeing my cleavage.

I blink and the tears fall from my eyes, my lips shake but I can’t bring myself to say anything as I stare at him with pain in my eyes and anguish in my heart.

This man doesn’t have a heart and I’m sure he only thinks with that thing between his legs.

“Don’t be so jelly Miss Aria……those tears would do nothing for you. I’ll give you one grand a night. I’m sure that would solve whatever financial crisis you’re having,” he leans back into his chair with a smirk I’m tempted to slap out of his face.

“I’m not a fucking hooker,” I snarl, glaring dangerously at him.

“Then give back the check.” He replies curtly.

I grab the check but I hesitate. One way or the other this money is mine. I shove it into my purse. With this 10k, I can post dad’s bail and sign an undertaking to pay the rest of the money in instalments.

“Go to hell,” I say to his face venomously, before grabbing my purse and storming off. 

How dare he?

His snide response is the last thing I hear before I slam the door shut.

“You’re mistaken Miss Aria, Hell is where you are, I’m the one offering you heaven.”