Love Beyond Bargain

Lila Scarlet, a light brown skin toned lady, with blonde hair and hazel eyes which made her so pretty, sat on the edge of her bed, The thick envelope marked "Binghamton University" right in her palms was open, revealing a stark reality: the tuition fees . It was the final semester. One last hurdle she had to cross before she could earn her degree. But staring at the amount required, her stomach twisted into a painful knot.

She had worked tirelessly-Having to do part time work, weekends cleaning office buildings, and occasionally babysitting just to be able to get enough money for her fees . But the amount she had with her hadn't even gotten to half the money she needed.

Her mother, Elizabeth scarlet, a woman who had always been too wrapped up in her own world to care for Lila's needs, had barely acknowledged her daughter's struggles. It was as though Lila's education, her dreams, didn't matter to her at all. Lila didn't know why she kept trying to get her mother's approval. She had learned long ago that no matter how hard she worked, it was never enough for her mother.

"What is the essence of college." Were the kind of things she will say to her daughter.

" Lila, you ' re twenty-two now. You should be figuring things out on your own. " Her mother ' s words echoed in her mind, cold and indifferent, as she took her breakfast that morning.

Lila's heart skipped as she shuffled through the papers tracing the total amount due. If she didn't find a way to come up with the money before the deadline, she would have to drop out.

No, she thought to herself, I'm not giving up now.

She had dreamed of graduating from college even if her mom wasn't there to support her, and Binghamton University had been her ticket. But dreams felt like they were slipping through her fingers, just like the money she needed to hold onto that future. Lila wasn't one to ask help from people - she knew that asking would lead to rejection, and she couldn ' t bear to feel that humiliation again.

That's when she remembered her best friend, Olivia. Olivia had always been bold, always willing to take risks and think outside the box just to get what she wants.

That evening, Lila found herself in the small, dimly lit coffee shop where they usually met after school and part time work. Olivia was already there, sipping from her strawberry drink as she flipped through her phone, scrolling absentmindedly.

"Lila! You okay? You look like you have been starving yourself from sleep, you look very worried. Olivia said with a playful smile, though her eyes held a glint of curiosity.

Lila forced a weak smile and sat across from her. She hadn't slept much; the stress and worrry was consuming her.

"Yeah, I've just been... thinking," Lila replied, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

Olivia didn't miss a beat. She leaned forward, her voice suddenly dropping to a furtive tone. "You know, I've got a way for you to make money. I'm talking quick, serious cash."

Lila raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "What are you talking about?"

Olivia took a deep breath before she continued, trying to place her word straight. "I know a place where you can meet with different people of high caliber, and just a one night stand with one of them you can make cool and quick cash, that cover your tuition fees and more.

Lila's heart raced at the thought, but she pushed the idea away. "You want me to... what? Sleep with a stranger? Jezz, that's crazy. I'm not doing that."

What if he has a sickness or something.

Olivia held up her hands in mock surrender. "I'm just saying, it's a quick solution. I know it sounds wild, but it's an opportunity. One night, Lila. One night, and you have your money with you, It's the only thing that could work at this point. And if you're really serious about school..."

Lila's mind swirled, the thought consuming her. She had always been fiercely independent, never relying on anyone, but this... this felt like something else entirely. Could she really go through with it? Was she desperate enough?

"I'm not asking you to marry the guy," it's just a one time thing Olivia added quickly, sensingLila' s hesitation. "Just meet him. Get the money. No one will know. It's your chance, Lila. You've worked hard for everything you have, but sometimes you gotta take chances and risks to get ahead."

Lila stared at her friend, feeling torn. The idea made her tummy crawl, but her situation was appalling . She could keep grinding away with a dozen jobs, but would it really be enough? Or would she have to give up on her dreams altogether?

Her heart beat in her ears as she thought about the potential future. Could one night be worth it? "I'll think about it," Lila said finally, her voice shaky, betraying her uncertainty.

Olivia smiled, a knowing glint in her eye. "I knew you'd come around. I'm telling you, this will solve everything. You just have to take that bold step."

Lila left the coffee shop that night with her thoughts tangled. The decision haunted her as she walked through the cold New York streets, her breath clouding in the chilly air. What would it hurt?

she thought. One night. That was all. Then everything would be fixed. She would pay off the bill, finish her degree, and escape her mother's apathy once and for all.

But deep down, Lila couldn't ignore the torturing feeling that whatever decision she made, it would change everything.

This sets the stage for Lila's tough decision and the dramatic direction her story will take. She's caught between her desire for education and the dangerous, yet tempting, proposition of a quick fix.

Liam Smith walked through the crowded streets of Astoria, Queens, the hustle of the city around him a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his chest. He was known around the borough, not just as a successful businessman, but as the man who could get anything he wanted. Tall, standing at 6'5" with a broad, muscular builds, he had the kind of aura that made people take notice. His jet-black hair was always perfectly styled, and his piercing blue eyes, which had once sparkled with ambition and charm, now seemed distant, clouded by the heartbreak that had recently shattered his world.

Liam's reputation as a powerful, affluent man preceded him wherever he went. He had built his empire from the ground up, a self-made billionaire with a tech company that had expanded into real estate, hospitality, and even private investments. His wealth was evident in the tailored suits he wore, the sleek, expensive cars parked outside his penthouse in Manhattan, and the exclusive events he hosted that were frequented by the city's most influential people.

But it was in Astoria, where Liam had grown up, that people truly knew who he was. He was a fixture in the community-often seen in local cafes, always willing to lend a hand to a friend or support a good cause. Despite his vast wealth, he never lost his roots. Yet, as much as he was admired for his success, it was his tragic personal life that had become the subject of whispers.

For the past few weeks, he had been a shadow of himself . His best friend, Williams, had been the one to witness it all.

Williams was more than just a friend to Liam-he was a brother. The two had grown up together in Astoria, their bond forged in the kind of tough circumstances that only the streets of New York could provide. Williams, a tall and athletic man with a warm smile and a calm demeanor, was Liam' s sounding board and confidant. He had been by his side through thick and thin, but never had he seen his friend so broken, so lost.

It all began with Emily Liam's ex.

Liam had thought Emily was the one. They had been together for three years, their relationship a picture of romance and shared dreams. She had been beautiful, charismatic, and kind-everything he had ever wanted in a partner. But that image came crashing down one fateful evening.

It had been a Wednesday when Liam had come home early from a business trip. He walked into his

penthouse, expecting to surprise Emily with a quiet evening at home. He had no idea that the only surprise waiting for him was the devastating sight of her in the arms of another man. what hurt him the most was fact that she brought him into his house.

The scene had unfolded in front of him like in the movies. Emily, his Emily, was kissing another man. It wasn't just a moment of weakness-it was real. She had been seeing someone else behind his back, and the pain hit him like a physical blow. His heart had shattered, into pieces and in that instant, everything he thought he knew about love and trust crumbled.

Liam had stood there, unable to move, feeling a crushing weight on his chest as Emily's eyes met his, filled with guilt and shame. She had tried to explain, to apologize, but it was too late. The betrayal had cut too deep through his heart. He didn't need words to know that the relationship was over. She had betrayed him in the most painful way possible.

The next few days had been a blur for Liam. He had buried himself in work, trying to distract himself from the heartbreak. But the emptiness remained. Emily was gone, and with her, any hope of rebuilding the life they had dreamed about together.

As Liam sat at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen, lost in thought, he couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness. His success, his money-it all felt meaningless without Emily by his side. He had always been in control of everything-his career, his investments, his empire. But he was powerless when it came to matters of the heart, he couldn't do anything, he was hurting real bad.

That's when Williams stepped in.

"Liam, you've been locked up in here for days," Williams said one afternoon, stepping into his friend's office with a concerned look on his face. "Man, you need to go out and free you mind from this, You can't keep doing this to yourself."

Liam looked up at him, his eyes dark with fatigue. He hadn't been sleeping, hadn't been eating right. He was a mess, and Williams could see it.

"You know what happened," Liam replied quietly, his voice heavy with emotion. "I can't getover this, Will. I am trying so hard to let it off my head but it seems not to be working.

Williams sat down across from him, placing a hand on Liam's shoulder. "You're the same guy who built an empire from nothing. You don't need her to define you, Liam. You're strong. You're better than this."

"I need to forget about it. Forget about everything... at least for one night." Williams raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Liam stood up, walking over to the window and gazing out at the skyline of New York City. His mind was racing, but there was only one thing on his mind at that moment.

"I just need to get away from everything. One night, no strings attached. No emotions. I just need something... different. I don't want to think about Emily or anything except for that moment

Williams studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I get it. You're not the first guy to want to escape like this. But, man, you need to be careful. You know what this could lead to."

Liam turned back to face his friend, a bitter smile on his lips. "I don't care Will. I just need a distraction. That's all."

And with that, Liam made a decision that would set him on a path he wasn't prepared for. He would go to a hotel, a luxurious one that could offer anonymity and indulgence. He would find someone, a woman, who wouldn't ask questions, wouldn't make him feel anything other than the fleeting pleasure of a night that had no meaning.

He needed that-he needed to forget the incident for at least a little while.