Endless Nights
Chapter 6
David
I was completely taken aback, feeling a mix of shock, surprise, and confusion all at once. I never imagined someone like Alessia could act in such a way. Perhaps that's the nature of women: appearing innocent and respectable during the day, only to engage in questionable activities at night. It makes sense that she fled from the wedding; maybe her fiancé uncovered the truth about her past as a prostitute or something akin to that. I glanced at her, clapped my hands, and said,
'Wow! I shouldn't feel jealous; after all, I'm nobody to you. So this is your line of work? I understand. But I really just want to know why you've chosen this path, Alessia.'
'L-l-look…' she stammered.
'You're stumbling over your words, which means you're at a loss for what to say, huh, babe? Seriously? But who am I to judge?'
**Alessia**
When I encountered David at the bar, I felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment. For a moment, I considered leaving, but then I remembered Aunty Gini's bills, which kept me from doing so. I turned back to David and asked,
'Why do you care? We've just met and we're essentially strangers, so why don't you mind your own business while I manage mine?' Even as I said this, I felt hurt inside, not wanting David to perceive me in that way. Despite everything, I found myself developing feelings for him, especially after wearing his t-shirt.
Eventually, David looked over at Rafael and said,
'I also need a girl for a one-night stand, but I want Alessia. If you want me to keep being your best customer, then make her mine for tonight. I'll pay extra if necessary. Is that a deal?'
I was taken aback by the prospect of sleeping with him. No way was that going to happen! Yet, it seemed that money mattered more than words or reasoning. I glanced at Rafael, hoping he would refuse, but he merely chuckled and said,
'You can take the girl; room number 37 is available. This bar had accommodations at the back with spacious rooms. David took my hand and led me to room 37. Once we entered, he closed the door. I paused, instinctively covering my hips with both hands due to the snug fit of my dress.
'Take off your clothes, Alessia,' David commanded. I responded,
'What did you just say? Why should I do that?'
'Don't make me repeat myself; I said to strip down now. Isn't your job about going around and sleeping with men?'
'I don't want to take them off. Stop being rude, David! Don't act upset as if you have feelings for me. If I choose to sell my body, how is that your concern? Please explain!'
'Alessia, it's because I lo...' You know what? 'It's because I believed you were different; I thought you had a respectable job, not this. It breaks my heart to see a beautiful girl like you resorting to selling her body.'
'Why do you care? Am I your wife, girlfriend, or even your side chick? No, I don't think so,' I retorted. He stepped closer, grabbing my throat gently.
'I haven't seen you in a while, Alessia, but I have this feeling you could be a great mother to my child. Despite your situation, I still see goodness, innocence, and kindness in you. Is money the reason you do this? You're selling yourself for money, right?'
'Yes, I want money.'
'Alright! Tomorrow you'll sign some papers. I'll give you one billion dollars, but there's one condition.'
'What is it? Wait, one billion?' I was genuinely astonished.
'After I give you that money, I want you to be the nanny for my baby. You'll work for me while pretending in front of my mother and daughter that you're my girlfriend. Do we have a deal?' David asked. I hesitated, unsure of his situation; all I knew was that he had a child and was eager to marry. I moved to the window, turned back to him, and said,
'David, I've made a lot of mistakes, and I don't want to continue down that path. Even though I generally avoid financial deals with people like you, I don't love you, I don't know your family well, and I hardly know you,' I whispered. He approached me slowly and began to gently touch my hand.
Initially, I stood there, frozen in a tempest of my emotions, allowing myself a moment to absorb the weight of what had just transpired. I could feel the storm brewing within me, swirling with doubt and confusion. It was as if I was trapped in a vacuum, my thoughts racing faster than I could articulate them. Eventually, I found the courage—or perhaps the desperation—to detach myself from him. I made my way to the bed, a sanctuary of sorts amidst the chaos, and confronted him with a question that lingered on my lips,
"Do you want me to work for you? Or do you want me to sleep with you?"
His gaze locked onto mine, with an intensity that felt both unnerving and intriguing.
"Do you want to know about myself? Do you know the Maynard family?" he replied, his voice rich with curiosity. In that instant, a wave of recognition washed over me. The Maynard name resonated through the corridors of my memory; it was a family that was not just well-known, but infamous in its wealth and power. And it struck a chord deep within—especially for me—because it was the lineage from which my ex-boyfriend Ethan, a figure cloaked in opulence and callous ambition, hailed. Could it be that this man before me was an heir of that very dynasty? A million questions danced in my head, each one amplifying the confusion.
As I mentally unraveled the entangled threads of my past, a distant memory flickered back to life. During the whirlwind romance with Ethan, he had tantalizingly mentioned a brother named David. But was this handsome stranger truly the brother he spoke of, or was he merely fabricating tales of grandeur to impress me? My skepticism flared—after all, in this world, one often encounters individuals who boast of grandeur they do not possess, merely to captivate someone's attention. Glancing at him, curiosity piqued, I inquired,
"Are you the heir of that family?"
To my astonishment, he nodded, a simple yet profound action that ignited disbelief within me. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he could belong to such an elite circle. But what if it were true? My laughter erupted, betraying my incredulity.
"I think all men are liars. You seem charming, David, but honestly, I question your claims about vast fortunes. Are you simply trying to coax me away from this 'diabolic' job I'm stuck in?" I retorted, a tinge of humor lacing my tone. "And oh, one more thing—be proud of who you are. I highly doubt that you're Mr. Maynard's son."
His melodious laughter filled the room as he retrieved his phone and began scrolling through social media. It struck me like lightning—before our paths intertwined, I had followed him on all platforms, captivated by his allure. But after Ethan's abrupt departure from my life, I wove a tapestry of disconnect, unfollowing anyone who flaunted extravagant lifestyles, choosing instead to associate with those who were unencumbered by wealth.
"Shocked? So you're from a rich family too?" I probed, skepticism painting my words.
His response was as straightforward as it was unexpected. "Yes, why? I thought that would impress you. Also, I have a daughter—she's eight years old. Her birthday is…," but before he could finish his thought, I was already retreating. The urgency to escape was palpable, and I could hear him calling out my name, "Alessia, what's wrong? Ale, wait…"
"I'm sorry," I managed to utter, my voice tinged with fatigue. "I'm just so tired of being around wealthy individuals. They come, they go, leaving me in ruins. It was a pleasure meeting the heir of the Maynard family, but I sincerely hope our paths don't cross again."
"Does being rich affect you? Hold on, we need to talk," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation. "I can give you any amount you need. If you don't wish to work for me, I'm fine with that—you don't have to if you don't want to," he shouted as I stepped away, my heart heavy with bitterness.
With a tumultuous mix of emotions swirling inside me, the anguish of being abandoned by a wealthy man whispered warnings in my heart. As I walked away, Aunt Gini's wise words floated through my mind, but I silenced them—convincing myself that there were alternative ways to earn a living, ways that didn't require dancing to the whims of the wealthy. I believed that those who amassed fortunes often began with good intentions, only to be consumed by greed, leading to eventual betrayal.
Upon reaching the bus stop, I waited for the Uber I had summoned, the chill of the evening biting at my skin. When it finally arrived, I climbed inside but was immediately assailed by the overpowering stench of diesel. I quickly instructed the driver to halt, and as I tumbled out, the nausea surged through me like a rogue wave.
"Ma'am, what's wrong? Are you pregnant, or do you just despise the smell of diesel?" the driver inquired, his tone laced with concern.
Pregnant? The thought raced through my mind with fiery intensity. Heaven forbid that could be true! The only man I had ever slept with was that insufferable bastard, Ethan. But could this new thorn, David Maynard, be a contributor to my plight? A tempest of regret and confusion clouded my thoughts as I escaped the confines of the car.
******
Meanwhile, inside, David felt a pang of regret. The moment Alessia left, something within him shattered. No wonder she harbored animosity toward affluent people; the painful echoes of abandonment tainted her perception. As he wandered through his thoughts, guilt gnawed at him for revealing his wealth and drawing her into this unspoken circle of affluence. Perhaps he should have chosen silence, crafting an identity steeped in humility instead.
Lost in self-recrimination, he spotted an object on the floor—her diary, left behind in her haste. Curiosity pulling him in, he picked it up, opening the cover to reveal a photograph of what appeared to be a strikingly beautiful couple—most likely her parents. Turning to the next page, he began to read, entranced by her words, plunged into an intimate glimpse of her world…
To be continued.