THE COSTOF HIS DESIRE

my feet hurt, and my hands were sore from scrubbing dishes all day at the diner.

en I s

as stuck

ION N

paper said I had seven days to leave. Seven

in my hand, but it didn't change anything. I had

o small.

g him I would catch up. But promises didn't pay the bills. Seven days to leave

heavy I could barely breathe. My head throbbed, my stomach churned, and my whole body trembled. I pressed the

nt, the tiny kitchen where I tried to make my life feel a little norm

o barely noticed me. I scrubbed dishes until my hands burned. I ran on litt

l, too alone. The quiet in the apartment was deafening. I wanted to scream

. Maybe I could find another job. Maybe I could b

ne coming to save me. No one waiting

art pounding so hard it hurt. Seven days. I had seven days before everyth

esterday. I hoped, just maybe-my boss would give me a little advance. En

same, but it didn't feel like mine anymore

muttered. "Company ru

ed myself to smile, but it was fake, weak. I didn't ha

counter, talking in low voices,

the one,

the deal," the

ipping my bag so tightly I thought I'd c

. Billionaire. Ruthless investor. The kind of man who never los

ls he made. The people he destroyed if they got in his way. And

a partner. Someone wi

erate enough," one of th

per

't pay my rent. I had no job, no savings, no one to turn to. I fel

was hammering in my chest, my legs trembling with every step. I wanted to turn around. I want

ds twisting in my bag. My voice s

each him?" I aske

my boldness. They exchanged a glance, a sm

ut if you want to see him..." He slid a small card

st an address.

s was insane. This was dangerous. But my rent... my

f he refused me? What if he laughed? What if.

closer, his voice low. "You'll know what to do w

he meant. My hands were shaking, my chest tig

ed in as I turned and walked out. The city

twist with fear and excitement. I had no idea what I w

knew w

no othe

f me shivered with a st

bout to meet Da

hat he wanted....or