The Mistress Proposal
954 Words
Shammah's POV
"I heard about your father," Solomon said when I answered. "I might be able to help. Come outside."
I walked out slowly. Solomon was leaning against his fancy car with his arms crossed; he looked so good it made my chest hurt.
"Why are you here?" I asked, trying to sound strong.
"Because I can help you," he said. "Your father needs seven million dollars. I have it."
My eyes went wide. "You'd pay his debt?"
"Yes," Solomon said, smiling. "But there's a condition."
My stomach twisted. "What condition?"
His smile got bigger, but it wasn't a nice smile. "After I marry Esther, I want you to quit school and become my mistress."
I felt like he had slapped me. "What?"
"You heard me," he said, walking closer. "I'll buy you a beautiful house, give you money, and pay your father's debt; all you have to do is be mine in secret."
"How can you ask me that?" I whispered. Tears filled my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall.
He touched my arm. "We have always been good together, Shammah. That won't change just because I'm married. Your whole family would be safe; just say yes."
I jerked away from him. "No. I'll never be your mistress."
His eyes got dark and angry. "I'm going to be the Alpha. This is a good deal for you. Don't you want to save your father?"
"I'll find another way," I said.
He studied me for a long time, then he shrugged. "You'll change your mind when you realize there's no other way; you'll come back to me. Until then, your father stays in jail."
He got in his car and drove away.
I fell to my knees and cried.
The next morning, I told my best friend, Ivy, everything while we sat under our favorite tree at school.
"That jerk!" Ivy yelled. "He wants you to be his secret girlfriend? After he threw you away for Esther?"
"Shh!" I looked around to make sure no one heard. "I don't know what to do; I can't get seven million dollars."
Ivy’s eyes lit up. "Wait. You said David gave you his shirt, right?"
"Yes, but—"
"Shammah, don't you see? He likes you! That's why he gave you his shirt. He wanted his scent on you!" She grabbed my hands. "David is super picky. You are the first girl he has ever been nice to at the hotel."
"He doesn't like me," I argued. "He was just being nice."
"Then why did he kiss you?" Ivy asked. "You said you almost… you know… with him. That means something."
My face got hot. "Maybe I was just drunk and sad."
"Or maybe," Ivy said slowly, "you could use this. Go see David; make him an offer."
I knew it was a bad idea, but I couldn't stop thinking about it.
The next day, I put on the red underwear I had bought for my wedding night with Solomon. I covered it with a long coat and went to David's office.
The lady at the front desk looked annoyed when I walked in.
"I'm here to see David Khai," I said politely.
She rolled her eyes. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but—"
"Then no. Lots of girls come here wanting to see Mr. Khai. He's too busy for fangirls like you."
"And who said you can turn away my guests?" David’s voice boomed from behind me.
The lady jumped up. "Mr. Khai! I was just—"
"You were just doing something you're not supposed to do," David said coldly. "You are supposed to call me and let me decide, not make the choice yourself."
He looked at me. "Come with me."
I followed him to a glass elevator. We rode up in silence; he stood so close I could smell his mint scent. My heart was beating so hard.
When we got to his office, my mouth fell open. The whole floor was his office; huge windows showed the whole city.
"What do you want?" he asked, leaning against his desk.
I took a deep breath. "I need your help. My father owes seven million dollars. I was hoping you could pay it."
"And what do I get in return?" he asked.
This was it. Now or never.
I looked him right in the eyes. "At the party, we had a connection. I thought maybe …"
I opened my coat a little, showing the red underwear.
His eyes got darker, and he stood up straighter.
I touched his arm. "I could do favors for you. I'm clean, I'm in college, I've never… you know… done it before, but I'm on birth control, so you don't have to worry."
He stepped closer; his fingers touched my cheek. We were so close. I closed my eyes, waiting for him to kiss me.
Instead, he closed my coat.
My eyes flew open.
"Do you really think I need to pay women for that?" he asked. His voice was hard. "You said yourself I have lots of options."
My face burned with shame.
"You're young, Miss Rowland," he continued. How did he know my last name? "You'll regret using your body like this when you're older."
I looked at the floor, wanting to disappear.
His voice got softer. "I have a daughter, and I would never want her to do what you're doing. I want better for her future."
He touched my neck gently. "And I want better for you too."
Before I could respond, security guards appeared.
"Time's up," David said. "Please escort Miss Rowland out."
They walked me to the door. I felt so embarrassed I wanted to cry.
But more than tha
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