6 The Price

**Quinn's POV**

When I opened my eyes, I only saw darkness.

Then I remembered that I was in the bed at my flat. And it seems night has come again because this room is dark as I forgot to turn on the light.

I lose track of how long I've been in this room without going out at all other than getting something to eat and drink. But it's obvious that my body is still stiff and sore when I try to move it. So I gave up on getting up and went back to hiding under the blanket.

Since meeting Grayson that night, I hadn't gone to my part-time job. I hid inside the flat as if if I came out, Grayson would catch me and demand back the 10 thousand dollars he had given me. Because I didn't know whether he was satisfied or not with the 'service' I provided that time. So I didn't want to take any chances. That's why I also ignored his calls for who knows how many hundreds of times until today.

I woke up because I heard my phone ring. And until now it's still ringing because I never answered his calls nor did I switch it off. I just left it alone until it died and rang again. I was worried that if I picked it up, he would track me down and come after me for the money that I split up until only 500 dollars left.

The name 'G-Stone' kept appearing on the screen until I finally flipped the phone over.

I scooped up my face with both hands and looked at the ceiling of my room, which had black spots from mold.

That morning a week ago I woke up in a very luxurious room with a high ceiling and a luxurious chandelier after a night of trying to survive under Grayson with immense stamina. Now I woke up in my room that was in the opposite condition.

Huft, I hope that's the last time I see Grayson. And maybe I'll reject the contract sent by Frost Maple's general manager. Because I'm honestly so embarrassed, I don't know how to act when I see him again. I even sneaked out when he was taking a shower.

I knew the decision to sleep with Grayson was stupid. He's a werewolf, while I'm just an ordinary human. And I almost killed myself over that decision.

But on the other hand, it also helped me to survive until now.

Thanks to Grayson's money, I was able to take a break from work this week after working non-stop for the past few years without a day off. I can also finally feel what it's like to relax for a while even though after this I have to go back to work like a horse.

Even though after having sex with Grayson I was sick because my body was shocked, if time was turned back, I would still choose the same thing. I wouldn't reject his offer. I have no regrets.

Actually if I thought about it again, Grayson was nice too because after I told him I was a virgin, he became gentle with me. I had originally thought that I would end up like the previous prostitute. But apparently luck is still on my side.

It's just that, if to repeat it for the second time, maybe I can't stand it. Maybe I'll reject him if he wants sex with me again. I took it as the first and last one night stand.

I looked at my phone again when it rang another tone, a special tone from the hospital Dylan was treated at. I hurriedly picked it up with my hands already covered in cold sweat.

I honestly had a bad feeling. Because usually if they call, it means that there is something very important that they want to convey as soon as possible.

"With Ms. Quinn the trustee of Dylan Blair Roux?"

"Yes, Quinn is here," I answered quickly.

"I'm from the oncology department to inform you that Dylan's condition is dropping and your presence is required now. Please come as soon as possible, thank you."

My hand holding the phone slid down when the call ended. I tried to get up on weak knees. I grabbed my jacket and ran outside.

***

"As we discussed before. The treatment for patient Dylan has reached the final stage but the patient has not shown significant improvement with the planned medication. Therefore, I recommend you to try a new drug that is stronger than before. However, this new drug is also much more expensive because it has been proven to work in patients with the same condition as Dylan. However, I do not force you to agree to my suggestion if you have any objections. After all, all decisions about Dylan are in your hands, Quinn."

It felt like there was lightning striking overhead.

I had just arrived after running through the rain and now I was confronted with a shocking fact.

Dylan was in the ICU because his condition had dropped to the point of losing consciousness. That's because the medicine isn't working properly on him anymore. And as the doctor said, I was given the choice to buy a new, more advanced medicine that cost 5 times as much or let Dylan stay like that until he gave up.

Of course I wanted to change Dylan's medicine even if it cost me working in 10 different places in a day if need be. As for the price... I could borrow money from the bank. The important thing was that Dylan could survive longer and recover. The only matter is he's not in pain while he's here.

So I raised my head to see the doctor. "I agree to use the latest medicine on Dylan. I promise I can pay for it. Please give the best treatment for my brother, doctor."

The doctor suddenly held my hand with his softening gaze. "I believe you'll do the best for your brother, Quinn. It's just that, this time you can't pay at the last like before. This medicine is imported in very limited quantities from overseas. The hospital can't cover it anymore at such a fantastic price. But I can work it out for you if you pay in advance. I'll make sure to get the medicine no matter how difficult it is."

The hope I had seemed to be snatched away again. It threw me into a deeper, darker pit.

Dylan's life was now in my hands. If I got the money sooner, then he could be discharged from the ICU and I could talk to him again.

"How much time is left until I have to pay, doc?" I asked in a nasal voice.

"No later than tomorrow afternoon because the day after tomorrow is a holiday. The pharmacy that sells the medicine will be closed and we need to get the medicine to Dylan as soon as possible before his condition worsens," the doctor explained with a look of pity on his face.

25 thousand dollars. How can I get it overnight? What would I have to do overnight to earn that much money?

Maybe I'd have to sell one of my organs? But who would I have to go to, and who could give me the money that quickly? How do I know if they're not lying and just want my organs?

Oh crap, I think I'm going to faint now.

"Just think about it until tomorrow. There's still time to decide, Quinn."

"My decision remains the same, doc. I'll come back tomorrow with the money," I replied confidently. I excused myself and walked out of the doctor's office.

In front of the room, I hugged myself. The cold immediately hit me because my clothes were still wet. To make it worse, I sneezed too.

I had no idea where to get the money. Even the loan shark boss wouldn't lend me that much without collateral while I had nothing to collateralize, everything was gone.

I just continued walking without direction, following my heart that told me to keep going. Until finally I arrived at the waiting room, sitting there while covering my face with both hands and thinking about the 25 thousand dollars.

There were no relatives to ask for help. Dylan and I were alone in Chicago.

'The ice hockey sports world once again rocked by the number 17 player, Grayson Wyatt Talon, who again scored the highest points during the start of the regular season that made Frost Maple, speeding up to hold the first position temporarily in this season'

I raised my head, looking at the news on the TV hanging on the wall of this quiet waiting room.

Shortly after, my phone rang again. It's a call from Grayson.

This time I decided to decline the call.

But just as I was about to pocket my phone back, it vibrated.

A new message came in from Grayson:

"Is $10,000 for one night's pay not enough? Just tell me and I'll raise it, whatever you want it to be. But you must be prepared to provide 'service' whenever and wherever I want it. Do you get it?"