Chapter 1: The Weight of the World

Chapter 1: The Weight of the World

Janine Pascua had learned to carry the weight of her world on her narrow shoulders long before she was ready. Ever since her father died in a construction accident four years ago, she had become the sole provider for her family. She was just twenty-one, but life had forced her to grow up too fast.

Her mother, once a vibrant woman full of laughter and warmth, was now a fragile shell bound by medication and fatigue. After a mild stroke, her condition worsened. Daily maintenance meds were essential, but even walking across the room left her winded. Janine never blamed her—she just worked harder.

She had two younger siblings: Kyle, who was in his final year of university, and Sheila, still in high school. They were her reasons for pushing through every exhausting shift and sleepless night. Janine juggled jobs like a magician—waitressing in the morning, clerical work in the afternoon, and sometimes selling handmade crafts online just to make ends meet. There were days she didn’t eat just so her family could.

But nothing could have prepared her for the phone call that came one rainy afternoon.

“Your mother collapsed,” the voice on the other end told her. “She’s in the ICU. We need you at the hospital.”

The next hours were a blur. She sat by her mother’s bedside as machines beeped and tubes fed her what her body could no longer provide. The doctors said it was severe hypertension, triggered by stress and missed doses. She needed close observation and possibly long-term care.

As Janine clutched her mother’s hand, her phone buzzed again. It was Kyle’s university. She stepped outside the sterile room to answer it.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Pascua, but unless we receive payment for Kyle’s remaining tuition, he will not be allowed to graduate.”

The words struck her like a blow to the chest. Her knees buckled. She leaned against the wall and cried silently, the pressure of everything finally catching up.

Desperate and out of options, her mind drifted to a conversation she had buried long ago. Tina.

Tina was an old friend from college. A year ago, she had offered Janine a way out—a job at a private club where the clients were rich, demanding, and always willing to pay for what they wanted. Tina had said it was easy money. But the job involved intimacy, and Janine had turned it down immediately. It went against everything she believed in.

But now?

Now her mother was in the ICU. Now her brother’s future was at stake. Now there was no one else to turn to.

With trembling hands, Janine called Tina.

“You sure about this?” Tina asked, concern heavy in her voice. “It’s not just a job, Janine. It’s a different world.”

“I have no choice,” Janine whispered. “I’ll do it. For my mom. For Kyle.”

That night, Janine stood at the doorway of their tiny home. Sheila was curled on the couch, eyes puffy from crying. Kyle sat beside their mother’s bed, his hand resting gently on hers.

“Take care of her,” Janine told them, forcing a smile. “I have a job. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’ll call.”

“Where are you going?” Sheila asked, concerned.

“Somewhere that pays better. Just trust me, okay?”

“You sure Janine?” Kyle asked.

“Yeah, I need this to save our Mama” then she smiles.

“Just be safe, okay?” Kyle walked towards her and hugged her and she answered him with a nod.

She left before they could ask more.

The club was in the heart of the city, discreet and draped in luxury. Janine felt small stepping inside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Velvet drapes covered the walls. It smelled like expensive perfume and danger.

Tina greeted her with a tight hug and pulled her into the dressing room. “You can back out now. It’s not too late.”

Janine shook her head. “I’m doing this. I need this”

Tina handed her a red leather mini dress—tight, revealing, and completely out of Janine’s comfort zone. She hesitated but changed silently. The fabric hugged her body, accentuating her curves. Her lips were painted deep crimson, and a glittering black mask covered half her face.

“Rules,” Tina said, serious now. “Don’t speak unless spoken to. Don’t be rude—clients come first. Don’t be picky—if he pays, you stay. And most importantly, never take off your mask. It protects you.”

Janine nodded, her heart pounding.

Tina led her to a private hallway and opened the door to one of the VIP rooms.

Inside, he sat like a king on his throne.

The man was striking—tall, broad-shouldered, with a sharp jawline and eyes that seemed to see through everything. He wore an expensive suit, black on black, and held a glass of scotch in his hand. He didn’t smile, but his eyes narrowed with interest when he saw her.

Janine froze.

She had expected some drunk businessman. Not… him.

Theo Lucas Guevara III.

The billionaire. The tech magnate. The man whose face was on magazines, whose name moved markets. He wasn’t just rich—he was powerful, influential, untouchable.

What was he doing here?

He said nothing at first, just gestured to the seat across from him. Janine sat, legs crossed, her fingers twitching slightly.

“What’s your name?” His voice was low, smooth like velvet.

She remembered the rules.

“Speak only when spoken to,” Tina had said—but did that apply to questions?

“Rose,” she said quietly, giving the alias Tina had prepared.

He smirked. “Fitting.”

For a moment, there was silence between them. Then he leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers.

“You're new here?” he said.

“Yeah”

“Knell” he firmly said with his cold eyes looking at me.

“What?” She was confused for a moment but still followed what he said.

To her surprise Theo unbuckles his belt, moves down his zipper and shows his might in front of her face. She was shocked, she was blushing under her mask.

“Suck me” he commanded.

But Janine just looked at his cock with her eyes wide open. She was hesitant as the fact that she doesn't know what to do and the other fact that his friend is thick, long and almost look like can ripen her mouth wide open.

“Are you just going to stare at it?” He said out of frustration, he's hard and he needs to release but this woman is just looking at him.

“I…I think i can't do this, that wouldn't fit in my mouth” out of his expectation the woman is hesitant and backing out but he couldn't let that happen his hard and this woman is making it even harder. With that sassy look, that red lips and the body of a goddess. He's hard and he needs a warm now.

“In case you forgot you're already paid for this Rose” then he grabbed her chin and made her look into his eyes. “And I don't care about your opinion, I already settled my payment and now you need to take responsibility for it” and he smiles at her.

Janine’s breath caught.

He was right.

But she was here anyway.

Because she didn’t have a choice. This is for saving her mother and for her siblings' future.

She took a deep breath before grabbing his manhood and started licking its tip.