Chapter 3

My phone buzzed. A critical illness notice for my mom popped up from the hospital.

I hesitated for a moment, then knocked on the door. Jason and I left each other some dignity. I didn't go inside.

Jason stepped out, clearly annoyed. "What is it?"

I held up my phone to him. "Is this your idea, too?"

The maliciously edited video was outrageously explicit in its content.

Jason's eyes flickered. "Come on, it's not real."

People like him were always on top, looking down at everyone else. Why would they care about my reputation?

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak despite the lump in my throat, "The video's already out, and it's a hit. The grad school recommendation list is about to be re-released.

"Can you help me? I'm still short by 90 thousand dollars. Just think of it as me borrowing from you. Jason, you must have a way."

Jason's voice was very soft, as if he had just drawn in a gentle breath. "Iris, you're so desperate for money that you'd even agree to seduce someone for the cash?"

He was the one who told me to seduce someone, and now he was also the one mocking me for it.

"You know my mom's still in the hospital. I'm begging you," I pleaded.

Jason leaned against the railing on the second floor, taking his time. "Iris, I'm not repeating myself. Don't push your luck."

Turns out, whether I got the money or not was all up to his mood. "Am I not obedient enough?" I asked.

Lily's family didn't really need this opportunity. But Lily wanted it, so Jason'd fight for it at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing me. I did whatever he wanted. Isn't that enough?

Jason's patience was wearing thin. "Three days. When the video mess is over, I'll figure something out for you."

I couldn't wait any longer. But if I kept arguing, I might not have any money for three days. "Okay," I said.

*****

I called everyone I knew, but the only one who helped was my college roommate. She lent me a few thousand dollars.

None of my relatives was willing to lend me a dime. They said my mom and I were nothing but dead weight.

A few thousand dollars wouldn't last me more than a few days. I ended up sleeping on the cold hospital bench. My stomach ached from hunger.

My advisor messaged me, saying the school was investigating the forum incident, and I had to take a week off.

Those days, I was desperately hustling at part-time gigs off campus.

I was dressed in a hostess uniform, standing in the lobby, and greeting guests. Then, a bunch of spoiled rich kids rolled in, all crowding around Lily like she was the queen bee.

Lily stopped right in front of me and said, "You. Go fetch me some water."

I couldn't say no. There was no way out.

They were lounging in the lobby, like they were waiting for someone.

I bowed down carefully, like the hotel had trained us, and placed the water on the coffee table.

Lily picked up the glass, took a tiny sip, then demanded, "Too cold. I want it piping hot."

One of the rich kids next to her gave an awkward laugh. "Lily, want me to get it for you?"

"It's fine." I went and poured some steaming hot water, then placed it beside Lily.

She reached for it, and I wanted to warn her it was hot, but it was too late.

The next second, Lily shrieked, "Ah... It hurts so much."

The water spilled everywhere. Everyone jumped to their feet.

I barely registered someone rushing past me from behind before I was shoved to the floor.

"Did you get burned?" Jason asked. For once, his usually calm voice sounded genuinely worried.

Lily shook her head, clutching her red, burning fingertips, tears brimming in her eyes.

Jason snapped, "Where's the manager? Didn't you train your staff? Do you know how to do your job? Who taught you how to pour water?"

I slowly got to my feet.

The manager pulled me over, trying to make me apologize to Jason. "She's new here, a part-timer, doesn't know the ropes yet."

Jason turned his head, and when he saw it was me, his anger nearly exploded. "Why are you here?"

The manager still had his hand clamped on my arm, dragging me over and demanding I apologize. Jason kicked him aside.

Jason fumed, "Is it because I didn't give you enough money? Or did someone else offer you more? So now, if someone told you to take off all your clothes in front of them, you'd do it, huh?"

As soon as he said that, everyone around him shot me looks full of disgust. Even Jason himself was staring at me with rage and disappointment.

Funny, wasn't it? The guy who used to say he liked me, who used to treat me so well, was now the one humiliating me in front of everyone.