The high from the success of the show had worn off, and Will felt himself spiraling. His pulse quickened; a sheen of cold sweat sprouted on his forehead. He held it together the best he could while around others. But alone, with nothing but his memories to accompany him… it was always the worst.As he arrived home and prepared himself for another lonely night, he was greeted by something unexpected. A large truck was parked in front of his home. Men moved in and out of it, bringing things inside.“…The fuck?” he muttered as he parked his car. “Excuse me,” he called out to them. “This is my home. What are you doing here?”“I hired them,” a voice said from the doorway of the house. He looked over towards the familiar voice, not daring to believe it. But there she was, bathed in the light from inside the house. “Hi, Will. I’m sorry if I startled you, but I w
Six months later “Stewart Industries Landmark building construction was completed today. The twenty-story building boasts retail, commercial, and event space. The impressive building has already become a hallmark of the city with a silver tower as its crown. Glass windows glisten in the sun. And anyone in the city can enjoy the gorgeous public park that surrounds it. It is a gorgeous and shining collaboration of the best and freshest minds in the city. William Stewart has named the structure, ‘The Conrad Tower,’ in honor of his beloved late grandfather. The city awaits now for the building to open and for all the new opportunities it will create. This has been Susanne Winters for Channel 16 news.” They all cheered and toasted the completion of the building, gathered around Will and Emma’s living room. “Here’s to The Conrad Tower!” Will raised his glass. “And to all the people that helped make it possible! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you all. Thank you.” They raised
“You SOLD me?” Emma said, her voice filled with disgust. “He paid $50,000 for you. What can I do. You’re bought and paid for,” Jane said, who was Emma’s stepmother. “I’m not getting married,” “Oh, yes you are! He already paid us! After you graduate from college, you’re going to get married. I finally found a man that has agreed.” Jane picked up a photo of an older man. Bald, fat, ugly. He was at least over 50 years old. Emma was just twenty-one. Emma’s anger bubbled over. “I have a boyfriend! I’m not yours to sell! You couldn’t have sold Anna to this old man?” Before Emma took a breath, Jane slapped her hard across the face. “You stupid bitch! He already paid for you! And the money is already gone! You’re gonna marry him or I’ll have to sell the house!” “You should feel lucky that someone thinks you’re even worth anything,” Anna teased. “You’re not going to sell the house, and I’m not going to marry that man! I’ll pay that money back on my own!” Without any of her things, Em
Emma froze. No. I must be hearing things. She peeked around the corner and the last bit of hope in her life fizzled away. Matt was in the doorway of her room, with his hands all over her roommate Vivian. Vivian looked up at him and ran her fingers through his hair. Their clothes were disheveled. It didn’t take much imagination to figure what they’d been up to. “It’s me or her, Matt,” Vivian cooed as she traced circles on Matt’s chest. “It’s me or Emma.” “It’s you, Viv,” Matt answered. “You’re the one I want to be with.” Emma’s heart shattered and dripped into the hallway along with the rain water she was soaked in. She choked back a sob, but the sound escaped. Vivian’s head snapped in the direction of the noise. She had the decency to look shocked for a bit, but then she giggled. “It seems we have an audience. Who’s there? Maybe we’ll give you a show.” A cascade of emotions bombarded Emma. Betrayal, anger, sadness, denial. More than anything, she wanted to run as far as she could
Vivian shot up and slapped Emma across the face.“A devil slut? You’re just jealous that Matt would rather be with someone like me!”“And you’re just a horrible bitch that can’t get a man of your own. What is this, like the fourth boyfriend you’ve stolen? Get a fucking life!” Vivian looked almost hurt. She lashed out and pulled Emma’s hair. She’d had enough. The anger that she had buried all day wouldn’t be suppressed any longer. Emboldened by the drink, she launched back at Vivian and they blew up into an all-out cat fight. They scratched, slapped, and pulled at each other. Emma was having an out of body experience. She wanted Vivian to hurt the way she was hurting. She went in for another slap, but Matt jumped in between them.“Stop!” he called out. “Just stop!”The girls backed away from each other. Fury still boiled in Emma’s blood. She wanted to yanked that wench’s hair out strand by strand. But her wrath for Matt was on another level. At the end of the day, this was his doing.
The stranger looked her and raised an eyebrow. Emma figured he thought she was a sex worker. And that factored into her plan. Maybe this rich man could provide her the money she needed. At least he’s hot, she thought. If she was going to be sold, it may as well be under her own terms.“Okay. I see where this is going. Fine.” He didn’t speak after that. Emma reveled in the warmth inside the car, but also cringed at the mess she was making in it. The dirty rain water would stain the glossy leather seats. But he didn’t seem to notice.They pulled up to a fancy five-star hotel. The lobby was glamorous. Her wet shoes sloshed on the polished marble floors. Mirrored ceilings assaulted her with own reflection. Emma realized her suspicion was right. He thought she was a sex worker, and there were expectations with that. She followed him to the front desk. A classy worker at the desk greeted him with familiar enthusiasm.“Good evening, Mr. Stewart. Housekeeping has been to your room. You’ll
Emma longed to submit herself to the throes of passion, to let this man erase the memories of the worst day of her life. “I’m not Grace,” she whispered with what little power she had left. The spell was broken. Something inside him shattered as he pushed himself off this imposter. This common whore. Not his Grace.“No. You aren’t.” Emma thought he would be angry, but she was surprised to see a tragic sadness in his eyes. He was in pain. Just as she was. “But I can be her. I can be Grace for you, if that’s what you’d like,” Emma said. She tried not to feel any sympathy for him. This is a business deal, she thought. Just a business deal. Will scoffed and sat up, trying to put as much distance between them without getting off the bed. How could he mistake this hooker for his Grace? Now that she was cleaned up, it was clear she was beautiful. And under other circumstances, he’d had every intention of finishing what they started. But not like this.“Of course, you could. I’m sure you’
Will’s eyes went wide. His eyebrows shot into his hairline. They stared at each other for a few seconds. Emma knew exactly that it was a steep price for just one night. But she had no choice.“Why not? This night has been strange enough,” Will said. He got up from the bed, still very naked. He laughed as Emma looked away.Emma felt her face flush. Rough fingers gripped her chin, and Will pulled her face so that she was looking up at him. The danger is his eyes was back. A violent storm raged in them, and Emma found herself wishing she’d been caught in that storm rather than the one she ran through yesterday. “So, Emma,” he inched closer to her face. “Did you enjoy yourself last night?” he smirked, hot breath hitting her ear.Emma wanted to slap the smug smile off of his face.“I don’t understand why that matters,” she managed to whisper. As much as she hated it, her body responded to his in a way she couldn’t control. “Did you enjoy yourself last night?” He ignored her question.“Y.