Chapter 4

Esmeralda pov

Two hours earlier.

I stood in front of the dressing mirror, and my chest tightened as I stared at my reflection. But I barely recognized the girl staring back at me.

God! Is that really me?

I was dressed in a red, flimsy gown Mulan had picked out earlier. It was revealing, short, tighter and more expensive than what I had ever worn in my whole life. My face too, was caked with makeup, and the loud bass from the club did nothing to calm my nerves.

“Mulan .. I don't think I can do this… it's not right." My voice trembled. I was about to do the one thing I had vowed I would never do. It was scary and overwhelming.

"Stop overthinking it, Esme." Mulan said, dousing me in different scents. "It's just one night, close your eyes and trust me, time will pass by faster."

It's not just a night. It's a night of broken vows and promises.

I swallowed hard, as she continued to speak, her hands steady where mine were shaking.

I looked at her. At the face I had known since our first year of college, before life happened to us.

Mulan had been brilliant and fearless in college, the kind of woman who everyone wants to associate with. Till date, I never understood what pushed her to this work. She had never explained and I never pushed.

“We've all been through this route." She knelt in front of me, adjusting the hem of the dress, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror. "I swear it gets easier.”

"Here, drink this." She grabbed a glass of whiskey from the dresser and pressed it into my hands. She had been sipping since she started dressing me. "Think about your mom. The hospital bills. How this one night could kick start her treatment.”

I thought of my mother's frail pale body on the hospital bed, the doctor's words.

Shakily, I reached out for the glass and gulped it. I winced as the liquid burned through my throat.

Knock!

"Come in." Mulan answered, and a burly man stood by the door looking very intimidating and scary.

"You’re lucky, you know,” he added casually. “Not everyone gets an offer like this from a first time client. Five thousand for a night? That’s crazy."

Five thousand dollars? I blinked hard in shock at the outrageous amount. That could begin my mom's treatment, that would buy me time to figure the rest.

"Just go through the back lounge," he continued, pressing a master key card into my palm. "The VIP suite is on the third floor, the first room no 168..." With that, he left.

The loud bass vibrating through the wall drowned out his words. "Got... It." I responded quickly, even though I wasn't sure I heard him right.

‘He said 166... 7 or was it 8?’ I mumbled to myself.

"Ready?" Mulan questioned, as the man left the room.

"Yes" I nodded, smoothing my dressing nervously, as I swayed on the heels while Mulan escorted me to the elevator.

As I stepped into the elevator, my head raced with fear and uncertainties, but that didn't discourage me. On getting to the hallway, I was faced with challenges.

Two rooms stood side by side; 1667 and 1668. At first, I was confused but decided that 1687 must have been what the man mentioned, it's only logical since it was the first number before 1688.

It had to be it. Right?

I stopped in front of the door, and stared at it before slipping the card in. The door clicked and I took a deep breath before whispering.

'This is for you Mom'

***

The room was dimly lit, the interior design, the chairs down to the curtain smelt of luxury. With wobbling legs, I moved towards the bed and sat down. This was really happening, there was no turning back. I slowly laid back, just like Aria told me. "Don't think. Just do it."

"I'm sorry, Mom... I have no choice." I squeezed my eyes shut, as tears slowly seeped silently onto the pillow. I quietly and patiently waited for the inevitable.

I didn't have to wait for long, as the slammed open. I jerked upright with a gasp, my hair flying wildly to my shoulders.

"Who the hell are you!" The voice sounded so cold and danger, that it shook me to my spine.

"I....um.." I mumbled as I came up with a reasonable explanation. I had expected he'd come in and just finish the job, no questions asked. I felt the urge to bolt out the door, but I remained rooted to the ground.

If this was the price to pay for my Mom's life. So be it.

"You have two seconds to explain yourself." He said his voice sounded so cold, that it sent a chill down my spine. "Or I will make you regret ever stepping into this room.”

I stumbled off the bed, my hands instinctively clutching my dress to cover myself. “I... I'm not an intruder,” I blurted out quickly. “I was sent here… to take care of you.”

For a moment, silence filled the room, as his eyes scanned me slowly, from my face down to my trembling hands.

Then he let out a low chuckle. “Jayson…” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head slightly. “This is what he meant when he said he'd send someone over for my needs, I would have never imagined... What a pleasant surprise."

I didn’t understand, but the way his expression changed and his eyes turned darker, made my heart pound even faster.

“Come here.” He commanded in a low voice.

I tried to move but my feet remained rooted to the floor. “I…” My voice came out shaky. “I can’t..."

“I don’t like repeating myself.” His tone hardened.

Before I could react, he closed the distance between us. And I sucked in a breath when his fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. Up close, his presence was even more intimidating.

“You’re shaking,” he said quietly, his eyes unreadable.

I hadn’t even realized it.

For a split second, his grip loosened on my chin and he looked sad, but it was quickly replaced by something colder, maybe anger.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he muttered, like something in my eyes unsettled him.

Like what?

I wanted to ask but his hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer, his lips crashed on mine, stealing the questions right out of my mouth.

My mind went blank from the shock of it. But then reality set in, this was why I was here. My fingers slowly curled into his shirt, gripping tightly as the kiss deepened. I could taste alcohol on his breath, and feel the heat of his lips.

"Fuck!" His lips drew away from mine, and I let out a soft moan of protest, which was weird. I felt conflicted because I didn't even know this man.

What was happening to me? Why am I surrendering to him willingly?

"If she can indulge in her own pleasures. I might as well please myself!" He slammed his lips against mine roughly.

'Who is she? And why is he angry?’ That confused me the most. But I lost concentration when he lifted me up from the floor and laid me gently on the bed, his hands roaming over my body and sliding down to my privates.

“Wait…” I caught his hand before he could pull my dress down.

He froze, his brows drawing together. “What is it?” His voice was husky, impatient but not angry.

“I… I’ve never done this before.”

“Don’t lie to me,” he said, and I could see doubt, and confusion flicker in his eyes.

“I’m not,” I whispered.

“Fuck…” he exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration.

I was afraid he would stop, walk away, but he did not. Instead, his hand came back to my waist, pulling me closer.

His gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes like he was deciding whether or not to continue, before he finally muttered.

“I'll be gentle.”