Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen - Have I Lost My Mind?

Everly

I jump to my feet and glare at him. “I knew you were an asshole, but this is low, even for you. What makes you think it is okay for you to blackmail me? What the fuck is wrong with you?” I yell, my fists clenching at my sides to stop me from punching him.

He laughs loudly and stands, taking his place in front of me. “Low? I am offering you a way out, Everly. I am offering you money - the kind of money you will probably never earn. What is so bad about that? It will be for a few months.”

“Oh My God! How do you not see how wrong this is?”

“It will be a few months of your life, no longer. I will pay you two million dollars. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“T-t-wo million dollars?”

“Yes. It means you can pay off your debts and stop doing what you are doing. You will have money left to spend as you please. Is it blackmail, yes? But it could be worse. I could offer you nothing to help me. Christ, I will up it to three million dollars. I am sick and tired of being compared to my brother. I have had enough of being told I am not worth shit and shouldn’t have everything I have because I don’t deserve it. Do you know what it is like for your entire family to be disappointed in you? See you as a joke? I do, and it needs to end, at least until I get what I need.”

His emotional reaction takes me aback. I didn’t know he had emotions or a heart, to be honest. I haven’t seen such a side of him. I had heard his family aren’t the best of people, but I didn’t realise he was the black sheep of them. However, it still doesn’t justify what he is doing.

“No, I don’t know how it feels because I don’t have any family. I have been on my own since I was a teenager. I am sorry your family treats you like they do, but I don’t know if I can help with that. I can’t be bought, Orson.”

He raises his brow and opens his mouth to speak. I know exactly what he is going to say. He is going to comment on how my services can be bought. I place my hand over his mouth. “Don’t even think about it,” I warn.

He licks my hand and laughs! Eww!

I retreat. “That is disgusting!”

Is he two years old?

“Do you have an answer for me?”

“No. I don’t because it’s ridiculous! This whole thing is fucked up.” I whine, tossing my hands in the air.

I pour another drink downing it, refill, and head to the balcony. I need air. He was never meant to find out. How did he find out? He didn’t tell me! Has he been someone investigating me? He has a point that amount of money could change a lot. It would change my life, but I don’t know if all the money in the world would be enough to pretend to not even like him but love him and lie to everyone. I can’t sell out.

I hear him behind me, and he takes the place next to me. “The offer won’t be available for long.”

“How did you find out? Have you been stalking me, or have someone following me?”

“None of the above. I found out because you left your other cell behind. It wouldn’t stop ringing, and I got annoyed. I answered a call between the person I spoke to and the texts that came through while I had it in my hand. I put it all together.”

“You had no right answering my cell, Orson. Do you not have any boundaries.”

He shrugs. “Nope. You should know that by now.”

“Are you going to fire me if I tell you no?”

I don’t know why I’m asking because I already know his answer.

“Yes. I will give you until we leave for dinner to think about it. My final offer is three million dollars.” He smirks and turns to head back inside.

“God, you infuriate me!” I groan.

“I know. Think about it. Not only will you have millions in your account, but you can make my life a living hell and get whatever you want from me. It may seem like a cruel offer, but you should also take it as I need you more than you need me.”

With that, he disappears inside. He has a point. I could use this more to my benefit. I would love to make his life a living hell without consequences. It would be a lot of fun for me. It is more appealing than the money if I think about it. He couldn’t treat me like shit or threaten to fire me because he needs me. I don’t need him.

Why am I even considering this? Have I lost my mind? I finish my drink, set my glass down and focus on the view. I sigh loudly and run my fingers through my hair. Would I be able to deal with him for a few months without killing him? Can I lie to everyone like he wants me to? Yes, I have been lying about my double life, but the reason for that was to protect myself.

There are pros and cons to his offer. I always wish I had a way of getting out of the game, more so after what happened with Roman. I wouldn’t be putting myself in danger, but I would miss a couple of my clients, like Jonah, but he would understand. We could still meet without him paying me. I could clear my debts and buy myself a new apartment. I will never make such a large amount of money in my entire life. The biggest con of it all would be spending more time with Orson.

I check the time. I have two hours to make up my mind. Regardless of the choice I make, my life is going to change. I need to make the right one that will change it for the best. I did not expect our trip to end up like this.