The Millionaire's Mistress

TWO

The sky is painted a desolate grey. The wind is crisp and dry, blowing Cara’s thin, long skirt behind her as she makes her way to the park where she is supposed to meet Maria. Her blonde hair — though tied up into a ponytail — still manages to escape and whip around her face. 

When she’s about five feet away from the broken gate of the park, she can see Maria leaning on one of the benches. Her dark hair is styled to perfection and her red lips match her short dress. She looks so out of place, like she doesn’t belong in Chester Springs. 

That’s what I want to look like. Cara thought. 

“Hey…” Cara trails off nervously, still embarrassed from her breakdown last night but more than that, she was excited to know what ladder she had to climb to get out of this hell-hole. 

“Hey girly,” Maria sighs, giving her a small smile. “How are you this morning?” 

“Nervous,” Cara admits. “But I’m ready.” 

“Okay.” Maria motions for Cara to sit on the bench. “You remember what you promised me, right?”

“Yes, I promise this will stay between us. You can trust me, Maria.” Cara crosses her legs and tries to give Maria her most genuine smile. She can almost taste the freedom on the tip of her tongue.

“Okay…” 

“So, what is it?” She is trying not to be impatient but it’s hard when all you have ever dreamt of is right in front of you. 

“I don’t know what you’re going to think of this, I know I was a little. . . skeptical at first. But trust me, this is just a start. I’m just doing this until I’m done paying for college and then I’ll have an awesome job that doesn’t make me do this.” Maria is aware that she is stalling, using all these vague statements to make Cara feel comfortable, but she can’t help it. She has never admitted to anybody what it is that she does. And while it does provide her good money, it has a sense of shame attached to it. 

“Makes you do what exactly?” 

“Have sex...with strangers.” Maria bites her red lip nervously as she looks at the expression of shock on Cara’s face. 

“You mean, you mean you earn money by-by doing… that?” Cara can’t help but stumble over her words. She can almost feel a pit forming at the bottom of her stomach and her heart falling right into it. Never in a million years did she think she would have to do this. 

“It’s not as bad as it sounds alright? And it doesn’t have to be s*x. There’s all kinds of stuff you can do, like dance, some people like being fed, some would literally book a night to look at your feet. You can do what you’re comfortable with and plus, the money is great.” Maria tries explaining. 

“Wow, I just,” Cara pauses, trying to find the words in her haywire brain. “I just didn’t expect you to say that.”

“I know it’s pathetic Cara, trust me. But do you think there’s a better way?” 

And that’s exactly the problem. There isn’t. 

There is a moment of silence where none of them say anything -- Cara is too busy processing the information just given to her. This is nothing like what she dreamed of. The thought of having to sell her body just so she can have a decent life is so unfair, it almost makes her angry. Why is this the solution to her problems? 

“Look, you don’t have to make up your mind right now, but think about it okay?” Maria places a comforting hand on her shoulder and Cara breaks out of her trance. 

“So this is what it takes?” She mumbles. Maria can practically hear the brokenheartedness. It’s awful to realise that you have to sell your being just so you can have a chance at life.

“I know it sucks, but you’ll get used to it. And remember, it’s only temporary. Just a stepping stone until you get where you want to be.” She tries to sugarcoat it. 

“I guess.” Cara’s brain is still reeling with thoughts. It’s a war between rationality and dignity; while her brain tells her this is the only way out, her heart sinks at the thought of treating her body like a commodity.

Another moment of silence passes. 

“I have to go now Cara, I have to catch the train.” Maria pauses, digging into her brown leather purse and pulling out a bright yellow card. “This… is the brothel I work for. Just call the number on the card and David will tell you what you need to do to join.” 

And with that, Maria walks out of the park, leaving a young girl with broken dreams and a head full of questions on the old bench.