Chapter 2:Male Escort

Perhaps it was the alcohol in my system, urging and making me bold. I staggered toward him, ignoring Olivia who was yelling my name.

Meanwhile the mysterious man simply stared, his expression blank but amusement glinted in his eyes, like he was watching someone make a decision they might regret.

"Hey handsome, why are here alone?" 

Everything about this man screamed danger. He oozed pure villain aura. A rational person would have stayed away from him. But I wasn't thinking straight. 

 "Perhaps no one has offered you as much as you want. But I'm willing to double any offer that has been made," I said, downing the remaining alcohol in my glass.

He didn't look like the typical male escorts. He looked expensive, regal and untouchable. Something told me he wasn't a gigolo. but I pushed the thought away. If he wasn't, then he'd push me away.

"I want you to be mine for tonight... or forever. I will pay you a generous amount but you have to work based on my terms."

His gaze darkened as he leaned back into his seat, his lips curling into a dangerous, mischievous smirk.

He wasn't going to reject me right? I didn't want him to. He was perfect for my revenge. 

"Is that so. Are you sure you can afford my f*e," he spoke in the most alluring sultry voice I've ever heard.

"Of course I can afford your f*e," I said quickly before he changed his mind. He was certainly a gigolo since he didn't deny it. Perhaps he was the exclusive kind.

He didn't speak for a while just observed me. "You don't know me, are you sure you want me? You seem drunk."

Did I need to know him? It wasn't like I wanted a serious relationship with him. I shrugged.

"I'm not drunk and I do want you, perhaps this proves it."

I leaned forward clumsily, kissing him lightly before pulling away. "Does this convince you? I could convince you more if you come with me."

 I pulled away from him, rising to my feet. He trailed my every move with a heated look, hesitating for only a second before rising to his feet too. 

... 

I was starting to have second thoughts the moment we arrived at the sunshine hotel. Perhaps it was because I was beginning to sober up. Still I booked us a room for the night using Olivia's name and card.

"Enjoy your stay," the receptionist yelled after us though I didn't bother giving a reply my mind was too muddled at that moment. 

This isn't right. No no, I can't do this. It's not too late to turn back. I could apologize and leave right now.

I opened my mouth to speak but the words wouldn't come out. 

If I abandoned revenge. I would lose. Alex would still be cheating while I stay silent watching him, breaking until there's nothing left of me. He probably wouldn't even care. He had Kate. And my father who would rather side him than his own daughter.

With that in mind, I pushed every trace of rationality out of my mind. Then I ordered wine to get me fuzzy so I wouldn't think so much. As I drank, the gigolo sat silently on the bed, observing me with his dark gaze. He made no attempt to join me or stop me from drinking.

"I love that man so much," I murmured after downing half the bottle of wine. I was so drunk that everything around me blurred and I started seeing double.

"I loved him so much, stayed faithful but what did I get in return, infidelity. He's been cheating on me with my cousin. Apparently even before we got married, worse part is that my father knew yet he still made me marry him. And what did he say again... Oh, I shouldn't divorce my husband because of mere cheating. Men were polygamous in nature after all, so it's fine if he cheats as long as he doesn't marry her." 

 Ha...haha.

"Why is it okay for men to cheat..." I cried. "Women are called cheap and uncultured if they do the same yet a man has the right to. Why couldn't he just be faithful to me like I was to him. Or am I unattractive?"

I rose from where I sat on the couch, staggering toward the bed to the male escorts.

"Tell me, am...am I not beautiful."

I laughed hysterically when he remained silent. Even through the haze of alcohol, I could feel the pain gnawing at me.

"Forget it, you're a man too. With a handsome face like yours, you'll probably cheat too."

I wasn't sure if I was been paranoid but his expression twisted into a scowl.

"I would never cheat. If you were mine, I'd never cheat on you."

There wasn't the slightest hint of teasing in his voice. If anything, he sounded almost offended by the accusation.

I chuckled, nearly losing my balance but he caught me before I could fall.

"Sweet talk..."

I placed both hands on his shoulder. "Make me feel good. Make me forget him."

"You're drunk. You're not thinking straight," he said.

Ha...

I scoffed.

"Since when does a gigolo take those things into consideration. Just do what I hired you for."

I kissed him hard, pouring every ounce of my frustrations, anger and hurt into the kiss.

"Just make me forget," I whispered, my voice trembling "please."

***

The next morning, I woke to a pounding headache. My mask was gone, I was stark naked, and every muscle in my body ached. As I lay there, the memories of the previous night came crashing back, one after another.

Alex's cheating. My revenge. The passionate night I spent with this gigolo. 

 God ...no.

I couldn't have done that. It was probably a dream. But the naked man lying beside me was evidence it really happened. I was a goddamn sinner, an adulteress. How could I after claiming to love my husband so much.

This was a mistake. A terrible one.

I quickly got out of bed, putting my clothes on. I took out a stack of cash from my purse, then wrote him a little note.

 "Forget that this ever happened," then I put the note and the cash together and ran out of the room.

This has to be one big nightmare.  

I checked my phone as soon as I hauled a taxi.

A text from Alex.

Two missed calls and a text from Olivia.

I ignored Alex's text clicking on Olivia's. "Babe, are you okay? You ran off with that hot stranger. Please be okay, be safe. Call me once you see my text."

I couldn't talk right now. I didn't feel like doing so, so I texted her. "I'm fine Li. I'll tell you everything when I'm ready."

The taxi soon pulled up in front of my house. I paid the driver and slowly made my way inside. The home I had always loved suddenly felt suffocating, its familiar walls closing in on me with every step.

  "Welcome Madame," it was Judith our house keeper. "Sir went out early for an urgent business he said he'd be back tonight."

"Okay, thanks Judith," I replied, heaving a sigh as I walked upstairs. 

"I made breakfast ma'am," Judith called after me but I was in no mood for breakfast right now.

"Thanks Judith. I don't want breakfast but could you please prepare a hangover soup for me my head hurts... Thank you," I told her before heading to mine and Alex's room. 

The room was neatly arranged and the bedsheet had been changed leaving no signs of Alex's infidelity. Still I couldn't help but feel disgusted as images of the two of them tangled up in this bed came rushing back.

I quickly left the room unable to bear another second in there. I returned to the living room. 

After taking the the hangover soup Judith prepared, I tried to finish some of my work though it was impossible since I had a lot in mind. Somehow I dozed off when I opened my eyes again I found Alex peering at me.