A Pound Of Flesh

“The operation your mother requires is not covered by her insurance provider. The total cost for the procedure she needs would be $386,795.68,” the Nurse informed Carolina, looking up from the clipboard that held her mother's billing information.  It took everything in her not to yell, curse, or break down in the lobby of her mother's Doctor's Office. The amount of money the Nurse had just quoted her was gargantuan, and saying it aloud only made it seem more daunting to her. Where would she come up with that amount of money in such a short amount of time? She was a full-time student at a University forty-five minutes away. With everything that had been going on with her mother's steadily declining health, she was barely passing her classes. She had missed several in-class assignments and was having

Geo threw the fortune 500 magazine with his face on the glossy cover onto his glass table by the chocolate brown leather sofa inside of his Large office. He was the man of the hour. The businessman of all businessmen according to the world. Man of the year. Most innovative and self-made. All the buzz words they were using in conjunction with him was becoming ridiculous. He was just a hard-working man who was born into a family that had gained their wealth through illegal means.Because of his father's lengthy ties to organized crime, he got very little recognition for his legitimate business acumen. It felt like as soon as his father handed him the mantle the media couldn't get enough of him and his high moral principles and ideals, considering his ilk. It also didn't hurt that he was intelligent, street smart, and gorgeous. The untypical, business tycoon bachelor. He had had enough of all of this fake hero worship. He hadn't wanted nor expected

Carolina’s mother, Karen, bathed herself and made breakfast. She looked and felt much better than she had yesterday. A few hours later, Carolina made her way downstairs and into the kitchen. The morning sunlight poured into the kitchen. She was wearing an oversized gray t-shirt with a black satin robe.  “Good morning darling,” Her mother called to her when she saw Carolina enter the Kitchen. "I've made us breakfast. Come. Sit down. Eat.” She did as her mother asked of her. She sat down at the dining room table. Her mother sat across from her drinking a cup of freshly ground coffee while reading the newspaper. Carolina noted her mother had put the sections she wasn'

"Why? I thought this is what you wanted." She looked at him confused. "Isn't this the reason you were cheating on me with that slut Cherry?" "No. I told you I had been drinking. She took advantage of me, kinda like what you're trying to do now." "What! I have never done that. You invited me over." " I didn't think you would actually show up." He admitted. She was shocked at his admission. "Really?"  There was a long pause. Russ spoke. "So we are getting back together?" "No." She said without hesitation. "Then why are you here?" He asked her.

3 days later … Carolina pulled her car into the hotel parking lot. This afternoon she would be meeting and interviewing about the Companion position. If they liked her and her qualifications she would be hired. She hoped she didn't end up with some rich, bratty kid.  She walked inside and immediately saw a sign that led her to the banquet hall. She opened the door on her left and saw about fifty uniquely beautiful women waiting in the large room. Everyone was dressed their best and seated as they had been instructed to do so upon entering the banquet hall. No one was talking. She noticed they were all attractive and around her age. She chose to sit in an empty middle row. There was a stage at the very front of the room. A few minutes passed and then a nicely dressed wo