To pay for Angela's mother's medical bills, I found myself having dinner and chatting with other women. But the money just wasn't enough, and soon I was sleeping with them too. Angela would hold me close, expressing her gratitude and love, until the day I caught her walking out of a hotel room with her childhood friend.
Heartbroken, I tossed all of Angela's things out and ended our relationship. "You're sensitive and gloomy, and you've been with so many women that you're practically worthless. Who would want you after me?" The sweet, gentle Angela I once knew now looked at me with a cold smirk, convinced I'd end up alone, regretting my decision.
Three months later, while cleaning a hotel room, Angela stepped in front of me as I was leaving. Her eyes were red, and her voice trembled. "Samuel, I can't let you be with other women anymore. Can you please come back to me?"
***
"Baby, can I kiss you?" As we walked out of the restaurant, Ada Smith loosened her grip on my arm, her expression a mix of hope and disdain.
At forty, Ada's designer outfit did little to conceal her bulky frame, and her forehead was lined with deep wrinkles. I looked down, feeling uneasy. "Ms. Smith, I really don't think that's a good idea. We agreed to just have dinner and talk, with only casual touches."
She chuckled lightly, her body shaking slightly. Pulling a card from her purse, she tossed it at me. It hit my chest and dropped to the ground with a soft thud.
"There's twenty thousand on this card, plus the thirty thousand I gave your girlfriend before. That makes fifty grand in total," Ada said, flipping her hair back and tilting her chin defiantly. "So, what do you say?"
I stared at the card on the floor, frozen for a few moments, before finally walking over to Ada. I couldn't remember how the kiss began or ended; all I knew was that the stares from those around us felt like daggers, slicing through my pride and self-respect.
"You're so young and handsome. You're way better than the male models at the bar. If I ever need someone again, I'll definitely come back for you," Ada winked, a sly smile on her lips as she turned to leave.
I stood there for what felt like an eternity, lost in thought. As I bent down to pick up the card, I suddenly noticed a pair of clean white shoes in front of me.
"Angela." I took a deep breath and stood up, forcing a smile at her.
Angela, with her high ponytail and wearing a lovely white dress, looked as fresh and beautiful as the day we met.
"Samuel, I'm so sorry for everything," she said, wrapping her arm around mine, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
I gently patted her head, slipping the card into her palm. "It's not a burden. For you and your mom, I'd do anything."
I trailed off as she looked up at me with curiosity. Ada had some strange quirks; whenever we went out shopping or dining, she insisted I call her "wife," even though she was twenty years my senior.
After saying it so many times, my dignity felt shattered, and my mind was getting foggy. Sometimes, I'd even slip and say it without thinking.
I forced a smile and added, "This is what Ms. Smith just gave me; you can keep it."
Angela tucked the card into her bag and threw her arms around me, tears glistening in her eyes. "Samuel, you had such a bright future ahead of you. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have to..."
"Samuel, I'm sorry, but I really need to say thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
"Angela, don't say you're sorry, and don't thank me. Just love me, okay?"
Chapter 2The warmth in my arms felt so real; in that moment, I truly felt loved.
When I was eight, my father passed away. My mother looked at me with tears in her eyes for what felt like forever before she abandoned me at the orphanage. From that day on, I became sensitive and withdrawn.
It wasn't until high school that I met Angela. Like me, she lost her father when she was young, so she understood my pain. We became each other's safe haven, warming each other's hearts, and eventually got accepted into the same university.
Before long, we were a couple. Life was simple and beautiful until a year ago when Angela's mother fell seriously ill and needed a hefty sum for treatment. Watching Angela break down, I pulled out all the cash I had saved from my part-time jobs--only ten thousand dollars.
As a junior, it shattered my heart to see her suffering, but I felt utterly helpless. So, when Angela hesitantly mentioned that other women were interested in me and asked if I could spend time with them, I agreed without thinking twice.
Angela shifted slightly in my arms, pulling me back to reality.
"Samuel, I love you, I really do," she said after a moment, her voice trembling. "But my mom's treatment still needs more money..."
Over the past year, I'd managed to earn quite a bit--tens of thousands--but I hadn't realized it still wasn't enough.
"Are there still women who want to spend time with me?" I asked, playfully ruffling Angela's hair. "I can always earn more."
She looked away, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Yeah, but... she wants you to..."
It took her a moment to continue. "She wants you to sleep with her."
"Did you agree to this?" I asked, taken aback.
Angela clutched my shirt, biting her lip as she nodded.
A whirlwind of emotions crashed over me. I understood it was all for her mother's sake, but I never expected Angela to actually want me to sleep with other women.
"Samuel, are you upset?" Angela asked cautiously, her gaze searching mine as if she could read my thoughts. "I don't want this either, but my mom's treatment costs a fortune every day. The doctor said this last round will help her get better. Please, for my sake, can you just hang in there a little longer?"
I exhaled slowly, forcing a smile. "It's okay, Angela. I'll do it. Just don't worry."
Her eyes brightened as she pulled something from her bag and placed it in my hand. "This is the hotel room key. She wants to meet at nine tonight. Just remember to be on time."
For some reason, her overly eager tone sent a chill down my spine. Holding the room key, I felt a heavy knot in my stomach.
"Okay."
A dark smudge marred Angela's flawless face, and I leaned down, ready to wipe it away. But she turned her head, looking uncomfortable. "Let's just head back to school now."
I was caught off guard, my hand lingering in the air as I managed a resigned smile.
Angela seemed to think I wanted to kiss her.
At nine o'clock, I arrived at the hotel room as promised.
[Ms. Johnson, I'm here.] I sent a message in the new chat.
With fifteen minutes to go until nine, I noticed she hadn't replied. Maybe she hadn't seen my message.
The dim lighting set a sultry tone in the room as I sat on the large bed, feeling the vibrations beneath me, an unsettling sensation settling in my stomach.
Finally, I sighed and stood up.
I had sent Angela several messages, but she had only replied at seven with, [I'm heading to the library], and then nothing more.
Bored out of my mind, I stumbled across Ms. Johnson's Instagram. She didn't post much, and her captions were straightforward--just simple, cheerful messages about being happy.
I was a bit taken aback; I had assumed she was around Ada's age, but she looked like she was a student at our school.
The photos of military training, the grand hall during the opening ceremony, and the library's study area--all of it felt all too familiar.
I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. At least I wouldn't have to juggle an inappropriate relationship with an older woman. But if she was a classmate, those rumors that had fizzled out about "the high-achieving male student selling himself" could easily resurface like weeds.
This time, it could be even more believable and spread even further, especially since I was actually selling myself.
Just then, a message popped up in the chat: "I'm here, open the door."
Sure enough, a few seconds later, there was a knock.
I opened the door to reveal a strikingly beautiful face that radiated confidence.
"Hi, I'm Laura Johnson." The girl, looking about my age, stepped inside with a warm smile and reached out her hand.
I took her fingers lightly, mumbling, "Hi, I'm Samuel Evans."
The purple lights cast a sultry glow around us, creating a palpable tension. Suddenly, Laura tightened her grip on my hand, drawing us closer. My heart raced.
Angela was my first love, and I had always respected her, so this was my first time venturing into something like this. I felt out of my depth, nerves flooding my body.
"Let's go," Laura chirped, tugging me toward the door.
Noticing my shocked expression, she laughed. "What? You thought I was going to, uh..." She glanced at the bed with a teasing smirk.
I quickly shook my head. "No, no, I'm not thinking that. But where are you taking me? My girlfriend said you wanted me to spend the night with you?"
Laura winked at me. "Yeah, I want you to spend the night, but not like that. Just follow me, and you'll see."
Embarrassment washed over me, but my curiosity got the better of me. "If we're going out, why did you want me to wait in the hotel?"
Laura chuckled, saying something I could hardly believe. "I just told Ms. Lambert I wanted to pay a hundred grand for you to keep me company for the night--not to sleep with me. She booked this hotel room without even asking me."
Chapter 3I climbed into Laura's car. I usually got carsick, but the light scent of aromatherapy in her vehicle helped ease my stomach.
"Want some candy?" Laura offered, pulling out a box and handing it to me. I grabbed a piece and popped it in my mouth--it was orange-flavored, one of my favorites.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
Laura smiled, her fingers tapping the steering wheel. "Didn't I say you'd find out if you just followed me? You're a big guy; are you really worried I'm going to sell you off or something?"
I kept my head down, sinking into a heavy silence.
Laura glanced over at me. "Still thinking about what I said back at the hotel? Do you think I was trying to stir things up between you and your girlfriend?"
She let out a playful huff and continued, "I swear I wasn't. Maybe it's just that I'm offering a bit more, right? Your girlfriend mentioned she wanted to work with me long-term. She set up this hotel to give me a better experience."
I looked at my phone, still silent with no new messages, and thought back to how Angela had cried earlier, her voice thick with emotion, and how she had pulled away from my kiss.
After a few moments of silence, I shook my head. "I can't believe Angela would say that."
Laura wore a calm expression, her smile reassuring as she said, "We'll be there soon."
An hour later, we reached the mountain peak, and my breath caught at the sight before us. The landscape unfolded like a painting, stars twinkling above, and a cool breeze playfully brushing against my skin.
This was the kind of view I had always dreamed of.
We lingered at the summit, soaking in the magic of the night until well past midnight before reluctantly making our way back down.
Among the few cherished memories I had, I could still picture my dad, an avid hiker, taking my mom and me on adventures to revel in the mountain vistas.
But after my parents vanished that fateful year, I ended up in an orphanage, and I hadn't set foot on a mountaintop since.
During military training in college, I'd told Angela how much I wanted to go hiking with her, to experience those breathtaking views again.
Yet, before I could finish, she spotted her childhood friend in the crowd and dashed over to greet him with that bright smile of hers. After that, I forgot all about it.
"Did you have fun today?" Laura's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
I nodded, then asked, slightly taken aback, "Ms. Johnson, is it really worth spending this much just to have me tag along?"
Laura laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Five grand to buy your happiness? That's a steal."
Her words sparked something deep within me. After a brief pause, I asked, "How did you know this would make me happy? Why do you care so much after spending all that money?"
She shrugged, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "I spent the money because I wanted to. Why all the questions?"
Laura drove us to a luxurious hotel and booked two rooms.
Handing me one of the room keys, she said, "The school is closed now, and the hotel your girlfriend booked is too far away. Let's just stay here for tonight."
I considered offering her some money, but she shook her head with a smile. "I don't need it. If you want to repay me, just promise to be happy every day."
That night was both exhausting and surreal. I collapsed onto the bed and noticed a message from Angela at 1 AM: "I'm going to sleep now."
I couldn't help but wonder why it took her so long to return from the library.
The next morning, as I opened my door, I was stunned to see Angela and her childhood friend, Robert, stepping out of a room together.