Chapter 4: The Deal
1754 Words
Ericc drove into his compound and parked gently. He unbuckled his seat belt, rushed out, and closed the door behind him. Felicia didn’t move, remaining seated behind the tinted glass. Realizing he had forgotten that the passenger side was locked from the inside, Eric opened the driver’s door again, stepped back in, and pressed the lock console.
“What’s going on? Won’t you change your dress?” Eric asked in haste.
“So... this is how you intend to treat your girlfriend?” she asked, turning her head to meet his gaze.
“Hmmm, my apologies,” he said calmly.
As he moved closer to Felicia to unlock the door properly, the scent of his expensive perfume grew stronger, and his long hand accidentally brushed against her breast. It wasn’t intentional.
She didn’t move.
But their eyes locked instantly.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” he apologized quickly before pushing the door open.
Felicia loosened her seat belt and stepped out. She looked around the massive mansion compound and shook her head in disbelief.
I’ve been to many houses, but this is outstanding, she thought. Starting from the paint, the architectural design, the flowers, and the expensive cars outside... this man is super rich. I need to make this money at least. I will have two days to rest from stress, at least.
Eric brought out the shopping bags with him—the ones he had originally bought for Billie. Hopefully, some of the dresses would fit Felicia because they almost had the same body shape, except Felicia’s butt carried a little more weight.
Eric led her inside. It was already 6:45 PM.
He dropped the bags on the couch in the sitting room.
“Please check the items and pick the ones that fit you. We are already late,” he said before rushing upstairs to change.
“Where am I supposed to ch—”
Before she could finish speaking, he had already disappeared upstairs.
“Okay,” she muttered to herself.
She slowly looked around the sitting room, admiring every beautiful detail around her, but time wasn’t on her side.
Quickly, she searched through the bags and found a red off-shoulder gown. She tried it on, and surprisingly, it fit perfectly. She wore the jewelry too, except for the shoes—they were painfully tight, but she managed them anyway.
Eric rushed downstairs a few minutes later, looking more handsome, calmer, and controlled.
“I’m sorry. I should have shown you a room to change in,” he apologized.
Then he noticed her struggling slightly with the shoes and bent down to help her adjust them.
“You look even more stunning in this dress,” Eric said with a smile.
Perfect woman for this event, he thought silently.
“You are cute too,” she replied shyly. “How come this dress looks perfect on me? Like... did you know me before?”
“I guess the universe is favoring me for meeting you,” Eric replied calmly. “Because you almost have the same height and shape as my ex, except—”
“The butt?” Felicia interrupted immediately.
She turned around playfully for him to check.
“That’s my bank though,” she said proudly, touching it while Eric laughed softly.
For the first time that evening, the heaviness inside him loosened slightly.
“It’s already seven, and it’s going to take us thirty minutes to drive there, so let’s go,” he said.
He held Felicia’s hand gently, and they walked toward the car together.
“I will call you sweetie, and please find me a romantic name too—”
“Like Big Head?” Felicia interrupted him and laughed.
“What?” Eric immediately bent toward the side mirror to inspect his reflection because the compound was brightly lit. “Is my head actually big?”
Felicia burst into laughter again.
“Oh my God... you really checked.”
Eric shook his head with disbelief before closing the door gently for her and walking over to the driver’s seat.
This time, the journey felt lively.
Not cold and awkward like before.
Eric found himself talking more than he expected. He told her about his likes and dislikes, spoke briefly about his family, and even explained a little about the Wilson family—the richest family they would be dining with that night.
“So, can you tell me a little about yourself?” Eric asked gently with a smile.
“Nothing serious... except that I’m Felicia and I’m twenty-six years old.”
Her answer came sharp and cold before she turned away.
What do you want me to tell you? she asked herself bitterly. That I’m an orphan who lived on the streets? A dropout who couldn’t finish college? A debtor always running with no peace of mind? No... I don’t want to think about those moments right now. Please.
Eric noticed the sudden shift in her mood and decided not to push further.
I’ll cover for her, he thought quietly. At least it’s just for tonight.
Soon, he drove into another massive compound—far bigger than his own.
This was the house he grew up in.
The same house he had stopped coming to three years ago after everything fell apart.
Steve had warned him never to come near the estate again, so Eric bought his own mansion and never saw his parents face-to-face after that day.
The Lamborghini stopped before the gigantic automated iron gates.
As the gates slowly opened, the bright evening floodlights illuminated the enormous estate, making Felicia’s stomach tighten.
Look at this place, she thought bitterly. The electricity wasted on this single compound could power my entire childhood street for a whole year. Life is unfair. Some of us suffer endlessly just to survive while others are born into paradise without even asking for it.
Eric parked carefully before stepping out and opening the passenger door for her.
“Welcome to my home, sweetie,” he said softly while holding her left hand.
Then he leaned closer.
“Stop fidgeting,” he warned calmly. “My family won’t bite.”
But somehow, that didn’t comfort her.
As they stepped into the mansion, Felicia’s breathing slowed.
The house was enormous.
Far bigger than anything she had ever imagined.
I thought Eric’s own house was already heaven, she thought weakly. Not knowing there was another heaven hidden somewhere else.
The grandeur of the marble floors, towering pillars, sparkling chandeliers, and endless luxury instantly made her feel small.
Like dirt dragged into a spotless palace.
All eyes turned toward them the moment they entered.
Felicia’s heartbeat stumbled instantly.
Her legs began shaking nervously, making the tight shoes hurt even more.
Felicia, why are you even here? she asked herself. You don’t belong in a place like this.
An elderly man suddenly approached them from the far side of the room, holding a polished walking stick.
“When will you finally become responsible?” Steve asked coldly, stopping directly in front of Eric.
This was the same father who hadn’t willingly spoken to him in three years.
“You’re thirty-five minutes late.”
“I’m sorry, Father. I got caught up in a meeting with a client, and Harris wasn’t around to take over,” Eric lied smoothly.
“Hmmm.” Steve sighed heavily. “That poor boy has practically given you his life. I hope you won’t disappoint everyone tonight because I don’t know what the Wilson family might demand for... your restitution.”
Then Steve’s eyes shifted toward Felicia.
The way he looked at her instantly stripped away her confidence.
“Is she one of your s*x toys?” Steve asked arrogantly.
Eric’s jaw tightened immediately.
“No, sir,” he answered firmly. “She’s my fiancée.”
The words left his mouth before he even realized how far he had gone.
I need to protect her, he thought fiercely as anger tightened inside his chest. I can’t let them drag her into our family mess.
Felicia’s throat suddenly went dry.
The pressure of the mansion, the wealth, the powerful stares, and Steve’s insult crushed whatever confidence she still had left.
She could barely breathe.
“Excuse me, sir... um, Eric... I need to powder my nose,” she said softly, her voice trembling badly.
Eric immediately pointed toward the visitor’s restroom.
Felicia walked away quickly.
The moment she entered, she pushed the door shut forcefully behind her and leaned against it.
Heat rushed violently beneath her skin.
She turned toward the mirror.
The flawless glass, gold-plated taps, and luxurious decorations felt like mockery.
“Felicia... what have you gotten yourself into?” she whispered shakily.
She took a deep breath, staring at her own reflection.
I don’t think this deal is good for me.
Look at yourself.
You’re just a dropout street girl wearing another woman’s tight shoes.
You are nothing compared to these people.
Slowly, the anger inside her dissolved into shame.
Heavy.
Cold.
Crushing.
Why would someone call me his son’s s*x toy when he barely knows me?
No... I can’t take this humiliation.
But I don’t even have the strength to fight them.
I’m completely out of my league.
She swallowed painfully.
Felicia, walk away right now.
Slip out through the back door and disappear.
Tell Eric you’re no longer interested.
Let them keep their money.
I’d rather remain a debtor on the run than stay here feeling this worthless.
Her trembling fingers slowly touched her burning face.
Then suddenly—
A sharp knock landed on the restroom door.
Felicia froze instantly.
Who could that be?
Her heartbeat suddenly quickened.
Please... don’t let it be his father.
She had only been inside for barely five minutes, and already it felt like everything outside was boiling apart.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD