Chapter 2

After Simon dropped me off at home, I pulled out my phone and typed back.

[Can I do a payment plan?]

No answer came. I tossed the phone in my bag and laughed to myself.

Rich guys were all the same. Just playing around, trying to scare me. No reply meant it was over.

What mattered now was squeezing every last drop out of Simon.

The next morning, I'd barely sat down at my desk when a nasty text from Simon's wife, Jessica Grant, came through.

I didn't react. Just kept working until Simon walked past my desk.

Then I let my head drop and let my shoulders shake a little.

"What's wrong?" Simon stopped and put his hand on the back of my chair.

I quickly wiped my eyes and turned my phone face down on the desk.

"N-nothing, Mr. Hayes," I stammered.

Simon frowned, picked up my phone, and saw the nasty message on the screen.

His face went dark.

"Crazy woman," he muttered, throwing the phone back down. "Ignore her. You okay?"

I bit my lip, and the tears fell on cue.

"Mr. Hayes, I really don't want to ruin your marriage. But your wife..."

Simon ate it right up. He pulled out his phone and tapped away.

A notification popped up on mine.

[Your account ending in 8888 has received a transfer of $20,000.00]

Simon took my hand. "Go buy yourself a bag. Stop crying. You're breaking my heart."

My tears dried up instantly. I looked at him with big, adoring eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Hayes. You're so good to me."

After he walked off, I checked my bank balance.

Getting cursed out by his wife suddenly felt like a small price to pay.

Near the end of the day, Simon called me into his office.

"Got an event tonight. Time to introduce you to some real players," he said, then lit up a cigarette. "Big names in the industry. Figure it's time people knew who you are."

I smiled on the outside but scoffed inside.

Introduce me, right? More like use me to pour drinks or hand me off to some rich old guy who wanted arm candy.

I'd seen this kind of thing before. Same old game.

But I acted surprised and pleased. "Really, Mr. Hayes? You're finally taking me to one of these events?"

Simon put out his cigarette and came over to pinch my cheek.

"Go change. Wear the red one," he said.

That red dress had a back that plunged down to my waist and a slit that went all the way up to my hip.

I nodded sweetly. "Okay. Whatever you say."

The event was at the most exclusive club in the city.

I walked in on Simon's arm, wearing my practiced smile.

He steered me straight toward the main table, his voice dripping with eagerness.

"Mr. Kingston. Long time," Simon said.

My eyes followed his gaze to the man sitting at the head of the table, surrounded by admirers.

The moment I recognized his face, my arm tightened around Simon's.

It was him.

I felt my smile start to crack.

Raul Kingston swirled his wine glass and lifted his eyes lazily. His stare landed on Simon's hand on my waist, and his expression turned cold.

Simon didn't notice a thing. He pushed me forward.

"Mr. Kingston, this is my assistant Nina. Nina, say hi to Mr. Kingston," Simon said, nudging me again.

I stepped up reluctantly.

"M-Mr. Kingston," I stammered. "Let me toast you."

Raul didn't move. He leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on me.

The whole table went quiet. Awkwardness hung in the air.

My palms started to sweat.

I thought he was going to embarrass me right there. But then he lifted his glass and tapped it against mine.

"Your assistant looks familiar," he said.

I forced a dry laugh. "Mr. Kingston must be mistaken. I have one of those faces."

Raul's mouth curved into a knowing smile. "Do I?"

Simon jumped in eagerly. "If Mr. Kingston approves, that's an honor for her."

Raul stood up and moved to my side. "Let's get together sometime, Simon."

Simon practically trembled with excitement. "Of course, anytime you want, Mr. Kingston."

Something was pressed into my palm. My fingers closed around it instinctively.