Chapter 14 You are a prostitute
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
You’re a prostitute.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
I push away my self-loathing and get out of the car.
Absentmindedly, I hand him his money while looking at the house. It is a Penthouse in the Upper East Side, and from my quick research, Roman owns it, and it is about eighty million dollars. No wonder he can throw money in my face.
I feel out of place in my outfit because this place screams of money. I know I should turn around and leave, but I just can’t, not when there is so much money involved and so much on the line. So, I walk forward, and I knock. I doubt anyone will respond, considering how big this place is.
The doors open, and a middle-aged man walks out.
I blink, “Hi … I’m Scarlett, and I’m … I’m here for Roman. These are my friends, Eve and Rick. He knows we are coming.” I fall over my words like a child, my cheeks flushing.
Eve cuts in sharply, “We want to see Roman Sterling. He is expecting us.”
“Come with me, please.” He smiles and opens the door wider for us.
I inhale slowly and step into the place. Roman is desperate for a fiancée. He isn’t going to hurt me.
Unknown to me, Roman will not just hurt me; he will shatter me to the ground, reducing me to ashes.
Oblivious, I follow the man, looking around. He leads us to the elevator and says, “He’s expecting you.”
He steps back, and the elevator moves, taking me where I know not.
I have done some stupid things in my life, but this takes the cake. At least, I’m not alone.
Thankfully, the elevator comes to a stop, and we step out, inhaling sharply at the luxury right in front of me. I walk into the living space. The walls are glass, giving a view of New York City.
Intrigued, I walk towards it and smile softly when I see the city below, glittering and flashing.
“You’re late.” I hear suddenly and turn around sharply, only to knock into a vase, which crashes to the ground and shatters.
I gasp and bend immediately, reaching for the broken pieces like there is anything I can do when there is not.
“What are you doing?” Roman asks me, and I glance up to see him towering over me, irritation etched on his forehead.
“What does it look like, genius?” I scoff, absolutely irritated.
“Well, stop. Get up. Now, tell me who the fuck these people are.” He snaps and takes my hand, pulling me away from the broken pieces.
My heart races, and I jerk away from his scalding touch.
“You don’t have to be such a fucking cunt. These are my friends. My sister, Eve, and our friend, Ricardo.” I snap at him, my heart pounding.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Eve glares at him.
He is silent for a moment before taking my hand.
My heart is pounding hard as he leads me further into the house.
He has changed out of his shirt and now wears a black tee that clings to his biceps. His brown hair is a mess, in a way that shows he has been running his hand through it. His scent fills my nostrils and makes me a little lightheaded. His hold is firm and warm. I shake my head, ridding myself of the thoughts and pull my hand from his. The contact was messing with me.
I freeze when I realise where he has led us. His office isn’t empty.
“What the fuck is this?” I glare at him, aware of the stranger's gaze.
“This is my Lawyer. He has the contract for you to sign.” He gestures at the brown-skinned man who is smiling at me. I glance at the second man, and Roman scoffs, “That is Caleb. Ignore him.”
“What contract? I thought we were going to talk first.” I whisper, feeling out of depth.
“There is nothing to say.” He reaches for the said contract and hands it to me.
“She is not signing any contract. Why do you think we are here? If you think you can swindle her, think again.” Eve cuts in, angrily.
He narrows his gaze at her, “I’m not swindling her. It’s a fair contract.’
I hold it with trembling hands, and I wonder if it is too late to turn around.
“You can read, can’t you?” Roman asks, and I glare at him, “Yes, Roman. I can read.”
Irritated, I run my gaze over the contract. It encompasses the timeline, which is two years, and the payment of two million dollars every month, as well as the bonus of twenty million dollars at the end of the ruse. I freeze when I reach the Condition of Ruse and Obedience. Obedience? What the hell?
It gets worse as the contract stipulates I have to move in with him, must obey him and be readily available every hour of the day. The contract goes on, and I can’t hold back my smile.
“Let me see, Scarlett,” Rick tells me, and I hand it to him.
It takes him a second to skim the important part, then he hands it to Eve, whose face flushes angrily.
“No. You are not buying a wife on the black market. Scarlett is a person.” She snaps, her shoulder squared.
“Well, let her speak, and back off.” He barks at her.
Rick cuts in sharply, “Calm down, Mr Sterling. Do not talk to her like that.”
I glance at Roman. “You are insane. There is something wrong with you, and you need to get your head checked. If you want a contract, then we can do it together. If you want a bimbo or a dummy, then find one somewhere else, but you are not cheating me. If I am doing this, if I am tying myself to you for two years, then it will be worth my while.”
He frowns at me and even dares to look confused.
“You are a bimbo, Scarlett. I am giving you a world like no other. You’re a prostitute, and I am a billionaire. You should be celebrating this offer.” He remarks calmly, and my stomach sinks at his words.
Blood rushes to my ears, and the papers slip from my hand. Eve opens her mouth to yell at him, but I hold her back. I give Rick a look, and he understands immediately.
We turn around and walk out of the office. Nausea rushes through m but I push it away.
I am not a prostitute. I am an escort, and there’s a difference, but none of that matters. How stupid of me to think I can be here?
I am going to do this my own way. I will never tie myself to Roman Sterling.