Lexie Sinclair's life was already on the brink of collapse. Her jobs were failing, bills piling up, and time running out. Then, everything fell apart—until an unexpected offer came from the most powerful man she could imagine. Damian Valour. The ruthless, untouchable CEO with one proposition. He needed a fiancée to fill the role until his real bride, Victoria returned. For Lexie, it was the deal of a lifetime. For him, it was purely business. But when lines blur between the contract and something real, Lexie finds herself in a twisted game of control and desire, fighting for more than just survival.
Lihat lebih banyakLEXIE’S POV
“I wish I could tell you that this is the typical love story where the guy comes and sweeps me off my feet. But it is not, and if you are here for that, then I suggest that you leave.” “I fucking hate my life.” As I clung to the pole, I could feel every set of eyes in the room burning into my skin. I could tell that they all knew I was doing this totally wrong. The music thumped in my ears, but my movements were clumsy. Tacky, if I’m not mistaken. I just wrapped my legs around the pole like a pair of tangled earphones or a wet cat stuck on the tree. I shouldn’t be here. But then I couldn’t afford not to be here... Jenny threw this sweet offer at me. “Listen, it’s just one night. And you need this money.” She assured me. “I’m not even asking you to fuck them or anything, but big men would be there. I’m not talking small business class; I’m talking rich ass business moguls that wouldn’t mind throwing cash at you.” I hesitated; the words to resist barely made it out of my mouth at her mention of cash. “If you add the huge tips along with your paycheck, then you can get your mom the treatment she needs. At least for a new week, her chemo is every week, right?” She raised a brow. “Yeah...” I replied dryly. My mother had been battling cancer for two years now; I had exhausted the trust fund saved up for me to finish college, and I’m at the point where I would even owe health insurance because the one we had wasn’t enough. My dad wasn’t in the picture; I’ve never even met the guy. I couldn’t watch her rot away on that hospital bed; I couldn’t watch her die. In fact, I wouldn’t. My eyes remained glued to the flyer. flyer. flyer. Jenny stretched toward me; she didn’t utter a word, but her eyes said everything I needed to hear. They were pushing me, “Say yes.”. As if the universe heard me rambling in my thoughts, my heel caught on the platform, and platform, and platform, and I felt my balance slip away. My hand missed the pole, and I crashed to the floor in a heap. The music screeched to a halt, and the room fell silent for a moment... “Get off the fucking stage, newbie!” Someone yelled, and the booing began with mocking jeers. It was almost like my head was spinning; everywhere I turned, I only saw laughing faces. Humiliation burned through me as I kicked off my heels and scrambled to get off the stage. “Make a run for it, little bitch.” The catcalls and taunts followed me, a harsh chorus of my constant failure at any attempt to better my life. I bolted for the dressing room; tears blurred my vision. How could I have thought this was a good idea? Fuck Lexie! My desperation for money had led me into a trap for my embarrassment. I could almost cuss out Jenny so loudly, but she didn’t force me to take the job. She wanted to help me, but I should have said no. This wasn’t my turf; it’s for tough girls like her. In the dressing room, I collapsed onto a chair facing the dressing mirror, burying my face in my hands. The tears I had struggled to hold back came pouring like rain; I failed. I’m sorry, mom, I failed again. Just like I always did. I couldn’t do anything right; I couldn’t hold a job, and I was no closer to getting the money my mother needed. Suddenly, the door swung open with a bang... Here comes the worst. I looked up to see the man in charge of the place, technically my boss. “What the hell was that out there? Are you trying to give me a bad name?” He shouted, his voice echoed in the small room... “You think this is some game to you? People pay good money to see a show! If you can’t dance on a fucking pole, then strip! Flash your boobs, flex your body, or something goddamnit!” “I’m sorry,” I stuttered, my voice shaky. “I tried, but...” “Save it; you didn’t even put effort. You just ran off the fucking stage.” He cut me off, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. “You’re lucky I don’t throw you out right now, but trust that you’re getting a lesser pay check. Anyways, it seems you’ve got someone interested in you.” I blinked back; the mascara that watered down my face suddenly dried as my tears vanished and confusion overwhelmed me. “Someone…interested?” “Yeah, you bagged yourself a VIP,” he said, his tone still sharp. “He wants to see you, so pull yourself together. Now listen carefully.” He stepped closer to me, me, and I gulped. “You had better treat him right; I’m not losing a VIP because of you. And except you want to owe me along with your paycheck, then don’t screw this up.” ************ What could a VIP want with me? Why would he be interested in me? So many questions wandered aimlessly in my head... The room was empty; at least for the past five minutes I had been standing here. A low table held a selection of expensive-looking drinks and a pack of cigarettes, but that wasn’t surprising as much as the black annex credit card sitting pretty on it. Who would leave a credit card with no limit laying carelessly, that aside??? Should I grab it? Stealing from a VIP? That’d be even more stupid than even when I agreed to take this job. . “I can almost hear your inner conflict...” A voice said, smooth but yet deep. I turned my attention to where it came from; the man with the voice stood in front of the bathroom door. His presence immediately engulfed the room; it was commanding. He was strikingly handsome; his piercing green eyes looked like they could tell me to do anything, and I would do them with no questions asked. This is the man that asked for me? Even more shocked, he was wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. “Stunned? It’s expected, what’s your name?” He asked with a devilish smirk. “L-Lexie..” He started moving closer to where I stood; my body just froze up. It didn’t try to move back; it was just... still... still. He palmed the back of my head with his hand; his other fingers found their way on my face, tracing every detail, almost like he was studying my features, trying to get familiar with them. “Lexie...” he echoed in my ears, and I shivered. “W-what are you doing, sir?” I swallowed, trying to find my voice. “Strip for me, Lexie...” He commanded, There was a way my name rolled off his tongue that sounded so intoxicating. I just want to do everything this stranger says so badly. “I can’t do that... ... I’m sorry.” I obliged politely; why was I still scared? Why was I worried that I would make him mad? His cologne hit me like the harsh smell of cigarettes mixed with the sweet-smelling savory scent of vanilla; his tattoos covered his left arm, which beautified his rippling muscles. “I won’t ask twice...” His nostrils were on my neck, inhaling my scent as we both stood in the same position I froze in. “Or do I have to ask you to name your price?” Money. I needed money. I can do this. Just this one time, I would do anything a stranger wants because I’m that desperate. “What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I knew what he wanted, but the inner conflict I was having with my mind didn’t want to acknowledge it. “I already told you, strip.” “I-I’m sorry…” For a split second, my eyes darted back to the annex card on his table. And trust that he was fast enough to catch me. “You want it, don’t you?” He smirked and stepped back to pick up the card. “Here, take it.” He stretched it towards me; was this like a game to him? “Take it from me, Lexie.” It was an order now; I didn’t have a choice. “I can’t take this, sir.” “You don’t have the guts to ask for the things you want.” “Tell me what you want.” He whispered in my ear. “M-money…..” I stuttered He smiled softly. “Then strip...” My hands hesitated, but I needed the money, and this was the only way I could get it. My bra fell to my feet as I unclasped it, and my pants rolled down my feet. His hands encircled themselves around my waist. “Beautiful…..” His compliment instantly got me soaked between my legs. “Ahm…” A loud gasp escaped my lips when his hands found their way in between my legs. His fingers went deeper, and I instantly grabbed onto his shoulder involuntarily. “You’re a virgin, Lexie?” He sounded surprised as his eyes found their way to mine. “Y-yes, sir….” In a matter of seconds, I lost balance when he lifted me off my feet and onto his shoulders. “Even better…..”LEXIE’S POV “I can’t believe you want to move back in with him,” Jenny said, her voice laced with disbelief. “Just like that?” I stood by the bed in silence as I folded Cameron’s tiny clothes into neat piles while Jenny sat on the armchair and bounced him gently on her lap. I could feel Jenny’s eyes on me the entire time, but I kept my head down to avoid her stare. “You’re seriously not ignoring me right now, are you?” I paused; my hands froze over one of Cam’s little shirts. I didn’t know how to explain it to her. Not in a way that would make me sound ridiculous, and not in a way that wouldn’t sound like I was giving in. Because a part of me wanted this, wanted Damian, wanted the family we could have had. I wanted to believe he had changed. “Jenny, it’s…it’s complicated right now.” I dropped the pile of clothes onto the bed with more force than I intended and turned to face her. “I mean, can’t you see? Landon won’t even talk to me. He hates Damian’s guts, and I can’t keep
LEXIE’S POV “I’m done for, Jenny.” My voice cracked as I curled up tighter on the couch, knees pulled to my chest. Tears blurred my vision, but I blink them back. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house. How could I? I was still trying to grasp how everything crumbled before me so easily. Damian had made it clear—he was going to marry Victoria. It was a simple truth that made my stomach churn. I had no place here anymore, but for some reason, I still couldn’t leave. “Ms. Valour, are you ready for breakfast?” Mary, the house cook, her gentle voice cut through my many thoughts. “I’m fin—“ Before I could finish, I was interrupted by the sound of sharp footsteps. “There can only be one Ms. Valour, Mary.” My heart dropped, and I turned sharply. It was her—Victoria; she stood firmly at the entrance like she owned the place. Her eyes were dark, covered with smoky eye shadow that only seemed to enhance the wickedness in her gaze. I shot up from the couch and stood so fast I felt
LEXIE’S POV“I’m done for, Jenny.” My voice cracked as I curled up tighter on the couch, knees pulled to my chest. Tears blurred my vision, but I blink them back.I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house. How could I? I was still trying to grasp how everything crumbled before me so easily.Damian had made it clear—he was going to marry Victoria. It was a simple truth that made my stomach churn. I had no place here anymore, but for some reason, I still couldn’t leave.“Ms. Valour, are you ready for breakfast?” Mary, the house cook, her gentle voice cut through my many thoughts.“I’m fin—“ Before I could finish, I was interrupted by the sound of sharp footsteps.“There can only be one Ms. Valour, Mary.”My heart dropped, and I turned sharply. It was her—Victoria; she stood firmly at the entrance like she owned the place. Her eyes were dark, covered with smoky eye shadow that only seemed to enhance the wickedness in her gaze.I shot up from the couch and stood so fast I felt dizzy, li
LEXIE’S POV“I can’t believe you want to move back in with him,” Jenny said, her voice laced with disbelief. “Just like that?”I stood by the bed in silence as I folded Cameron’s tiny clothes into neat piles while Jenny sat on the armchair and bounced him gently on her lap. I could feel Jenny’s eyes on me the entire time, but I kept my head down to avoid her stare.“You’re seriously not ignoring me right now, are you?”I paused; my hands froze over one of Cam’s little shirts. I didn’t know how to explain it to her. Not in a way that would make me sound ridiculous, and not in a way that wouldn’t sound like I was giving in.Because a part of me wanted this, wanted Damian, wanted the family we could have had. I wanted to believe he had changed.“Jenny, it’s…it’s complicated right now.” I dropped the pile of clothes onto the bed with more force than I intended and turned to face her.“I mean, can’t you see? Landon won’t even talk to me. He hates Damian’s guts, and I can’t keep living he
DAMIAN’S POV I stood by the transparent office window as I watched the cityscape while I spoke into my phone. The call was with Anthony Gates, a loyal investor who had been with me for over a decade.“My personal assistant was supposed to help me reach out to you, but I insisted on making the call myself,” I said, while my tone remained professional.“My schedule is tight, and I wouldn’t be able to attend. But I hope a $20 million donation isn’t too little. I would do more as my contributions soon, but pardon my absence.”Anthony was about to launch his new airline, and his event was important for the press coverage. I wanted to support him, even if I couldn’t be there in person.“Not at-“ I continued, but I was abruptly cut off when my office door flung open and slammed into the wall. That would be $20million in damage if anything happened to it.I turned, my gaze shifted from the cityscape to the chaos that erupted behind me, Victoria.She stormed in; her heels clicked aggressive
VIEWERS DISCRETION It glinted under the dim light from the alley, sharp and small, but yet deadly. I had no idea what I was doing or what I was about to do. But at that moment, what went on in my mind was... “Take care of your problem, Victoria,” words that my brother had implanted in my head. “Let’s make this more fun, because no one threatens the Hayes family and gets away with it. I will make sure that you won’t live to blackmail anyone ever again.” I said, my voice soft and filled with joy. Then I began, the knife slid into him so easily, like cutting through warm butter. This was the knife I had planned to use to kill myself every time, but I regained my senses each time and I never failed to leave it unsharpened. I stabbed him, over and over, the blade sank into his flesh as I giggled, blood splattered all over my face, hot and sticky, but I didn’t care. I was having fun. He stopped moving after a while, his body went limp beneath me, but I kept going. I wasn’t done yet, n
“Lex, listen to me,” he pleaded as he took another step toward me, his hands raised in a calming gesture in an attempt to hold me. I watched as he fought himself mentally about where to place his hands, but then he held my shoulders and caressed them softly, and I knew how awkward it was for him He went from pounding me mercilessly to wondering where he could touch that wouldn’t offend me. “That would never happen. I won’t allow any harm to come to our son. I can be a competent father; I just need you to trust me. Our son. The way he said it, like we were a thing or couple of some sort. It made my stomach jump, but I didn’t want to feel that hope again—that maybe we could be a family and Cam would grow up with his father and live like heirs lived. I couldn’t let myself get sucked into that fantasy... “My son is everything to me right now, and he’s all I care about. I don’t need your lover giving me a hard time because of him,” I said. My voice was sharp, “I don’t care about Gen
I blinked back confusedly, “His shadow? Mom-Wh-where are you getting all these from? I literally have my own company to look after.” How would I ever be in Damian’s shadow? We don’t intrude in each other’s affairs except I needed his help and he needed mine But mother just gave me this sarcastic and pitiful look that me feel more uncomfortable than ever. “Two sons both bearing a powerful name, and yet one thrives powerfully above the other,” she said, as she dabbed her lips with a napkin as if we were discussing something so serious. “Normally, I would say what one is doing is worth doing well, but no..” Why was she suddenly talking like that? Damian never for once talked down on me, or acted in a way that made me feel like he was superior. Besides, I wasn’t even in New York to begin with…. How in the world would I even be in his shadow if I was in a totally different place entirely. I wasn’t in a competition with Damian, and I never had been. My work, my life- it was m
AIDEN’S POV I had been spending more time with Victoria for the past few days. It wasn’t in the ways I had imagined, neither was it under the circumstances I’d have chosen, but at least she was beginning to see me, to let me in Her illness was the reason we were staring to bond, something I wish she didn’t have to endure. Something I wished that I could take away from her, I hated that I didn’t know about it. The fact that she was going through all that pain by herself made my heart break, she needed someone to be there for her and I wasn’t, neither was Damian. But a part of me was selfishly glad that it had given me an excuse to be around her, to watch over her. A few years had gone by, and I finally got be so close to her physically, I had hope. But trust that no love story ever started over easy, and it would always be unfair to one person. That person was me, every time I was near her, it killed me to watch her obsess over Damian, the way her eyes lit up at the
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