CHAPTER 2

“Please revoke the scholarship for the student named Renata Assegaf. Her grades have dropped three times in a row,” Dominic said flatly.

“Yes, sir.”

Dominic Sinclair leaned back in his chair, a faint curve tugging at the corner of his lips. He was the one who had suggested revoking her scholarship in the first place—not out of coincidence, but for reasons far too personal, far too inappropriate to be spoken in a professor’s office.

He still remembered their first meeting. The girl had come in looking panicked, pleading for help as if her entire world depended on that scholarship. Beautiful, naïve, and desperate. Exactly the kind of girl Dominic needed.

Now everything was unfolding according to plan. And who would’ve thought—today, Renata had come to him willingly, agreeing to an offer she should have refused.

Dominic turned his gaze toward Renata, seated beside him in the car. The girl looked nervous, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“So,” he asked calmly, “you’ve really made up your mind? No one forced you into this?”

Renata nodded faintly. “Yes, sir. I’ve thought about it.”

He studied her face in silence, his eyes sharp and deliberate. He wanted to be sure she truly understood what she was getting herself into.

“Once more, Renata,” he said quietly, though his tone carried authority. “Once you agree to this, there’s no turning back. I don’t want to hear any regret later on.”

Renata swallowed hard. “I understand.”

Dominic’s gaze dropped to her trembling fingers, then returned to her face. She was terrified—but beneath the fear, there was resolve.

“Good,” he finally said. “Starting tonight, your status changes. You’re no longer a scholarship student, but someone who works for me personally.”

Renata lowered her head. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks.

Dominic looked away, pulled a pen from the dashboard, and signed a document as if this entire arrangement was nothing more than paperwork.

“Let’s start with one rule,” he said without looking at her. “Keep this relationship a secret from everyone—including your family.”

Renata nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes, sir.”

“Second rule,” Dominic continued, his voice dropping an octave. “You’re not allowed to have a boyfriend. Your attention stays on me.”

Renata nodded again. “Yes, sir.”

He studied her for a moment longer. “And when you meet me, make sure you look the way I want you to. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Renata held her breath, but eventually nodded again. “I understand.”

Dominic leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them until his voice brushed against her skin.

“Good,” he murmured, soft but cold. “I don’t like girls who are difficult to control.”

Renata bit her lip and kept her eyes on her lap.

“Rule number four—you’ll live in a private apartment, not far from campus. I’ll take you there after this.”

“Alright, sir. I understand.”

“Fifth rule, you don’t interfere in my personal life.”

“Understood. Anything else, sir?”

“Yes.” Dominic cleared his throat. “You can ask me for money anytime, aside from your monthly allowance.”

Renata’s eyes flickered with faint hope. Though still afraid, she managed to gather her courage.

“Sir, for the initial agreement… may I ask for some money? For my little sister—”

“You may,” Dominic cut her off before she could finish. “Oh, and one more thing. Just as you’re not allowed to meddle in my life, I won’t interfere in yours. Let’s consider this a simple, mutual arrangement between a sugar baby and her sugar daddy. Understood?”

Renata’s lips trembled, but she nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand.”

The car sat motionless in the deserted faculty parking lot, tinted windows sealing them off from the world. The AC hummed softly, yet the air felt heavier, hotter. Dominic didn’t pull back. His eyes trailed from her face, down her neck, lingering on the black mini skirt clinging to her thighs.

His left hand moved without warning. Long fingers brushed her knee—cold as ice, yet searing.

Renata’s breath caught. Her body stiffened.

Dominic said nothing. He just watched as his hand crept higher. Slow. Deliberate. Fingers sliding along the soft inner thigh, inching toward untouched territory.

Renata trembled. Her breathing grew ragged.

“Sir…” her voice cracked.

He didn’t stop. His fingertips neared the hem of her skirt, brushing the edge of the black lingerie she’d worn on his command.

“Sir, please…” Renata clamped her thighs together, her hand clamping his wrist. “I… I’m on my period.”

Dominic froze.

His hand froze mid-movement. His fingers still brushed her skin, but they didn’t move any further. His gaze lifted—sharp, assessing, cutting right through her.

“Period?” he asked flatly.

Renata nodded quickly, her face burning. “Y-yes, sir. It started yesterday. I… I didn’t tell you.”

Dominic slowly withdrew his hand—not out of embarrassment, but like a man pulling back a loaded weapon he wasn’t ready to fire.

“Fine,” he said calmly. “Tonight is postponed. But tomorrow, when it’s over, you’ll come to me. No more excuses.”

Renata swallowed hard. “Yes, sir.”

Dominic started the engine. The low hum of the car filled the silence between them.

“And Renata,” he added, glancing sideways, “next time, tell me in advance. I don’t like surprises.”

She only nodded, too nervous to respond. The car rolled out of the parking lot, gliding smoothly through the late-afternoon traffic. About ten minutes from campus, Dominic turned into an apartment complex.

“Oh, right,” he said casually, eyes still on the road. “There’s one unwritten rule I forgot to mention in our contract.”

“What is it, sir?”

The car came to a stop. The air thickened again as Dominic unbuckled his seat belt and turned toward her.

“I don’t like sleeping with virgins. It’s… inconvenient.”

Renata’s mouth fell open. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t shocked. But before she could react, Dominic was already handing her a pen and the contract sheet.

“I’m sure you’re not one,” he said evenly. “So, go ahead. Sign it, and I’ll transfer your advance payment right after.”

Renata’s throat tightened. The truth pressed at her lips, but she swallowed it down. Her hand trembled slightly as she scribbled her signature and handed the paper back.

“Done?”

“Done, sir.”

“Good. Now, put on your mask. I’ll show you the apartment unit you’ll be staying in.”

Renata obeyed without a word. She took the mask from him, slipping it on quickly, then stepped out of the car, following his pace—her legs unsteady.

Inside, her heart pounded so loudly it drowned out her footsteps. If only Dominic knew—Renata was still a virgin. Would he be angry if he found out?