Chapter 2

Sarina's POV:

I didn't know how I looked at that moment, but the words that came out of Maximus' mouth were far from anything you'd normally hear. I must've looked shocked, my mouth hanging open.

"Can you hear me, Sarina?"

I jolted at the sound of his voice.

"Are you unsatisfied with pleasuring yourself, Mr. Salonga? Don't drag me into your nonsense," I snapped back, quickly.

It was infuriating. What did he take me for? Oh right, he was blind. Did he think I was a prostitute?

"I'm a nurse, Mr. Salonga, not some loose woman. I took this job because of the high pay, not because of your big penis." I didn't even know why I added that last part, but I saw the smirk spread across his face.

"Say that again," he said.

"What?"

"The last thing you said. Say it again."

"Because the pay is high?"

"The part after that."

"Not because of your big p—"

I didn't even get to finish before he interrupted, "Damn, you just turned me on. Say something dirty again. It sounds so good, I'm getting hard."

"You're disgusting, Mr. Salonga," I said, my voice laced with contempt.

"I'll pay you."

"Now you think I'm a prostitute!" I snapped.

"200k. For one year of being my personal sex partner," he said, and my mouth dropped open again.

200,000 dollars?

"You really think I can't earn that kind of money—"

"You won't earn that much in a year, Sarina. And before you start fantasizing, I could fuck any woman for free if I wanted," Maximus claimed.

"In your current condition?" I shot back.

"Of course, not now. But if I paid, I could still have someone to fuck," he said.

"Then go pay," I retorted sharply.

"I'm offering it to you, aren't I?" he said as if it was a reasonable proposition.

"Offer it to someone else," I clarified.

"If I wanted someone else, don't you think I'd have offered it to them? You're even flat-chested," he said, and I instinctively looked down at my chest. How did he know?

"Don't be delusional. You help me sit and stand from the wheelchair. I know you're flat-chested," he added quickly as if reading my thoughts.

"Why not offer it to someone else?" I asked again.

"Because I still have some dignity. People will talk, saying I'm still so horny despite my condition. And I don't want anyone spreading rumors about me," Maximus reasoned.

"And you think I won't spread rumors about you?"

"I'll make you sign a contract," he replied.

"Then make them sign one too," I shot back.

"Really? You want every woman I sleep with to sign a contract? Isn't that too much of a hassle?" Maximus mocked. "If it's just you, I'll only be obligated to you. And if anything about my sex life leaks, I'll investigate you."

"Even so, don't drag me into your perversion," I said, grabbing the tray and walking toward the door.

"Think about it, Sarina—$200,000 for one year of sleeping with me," he added as I quickly left his room and headed straight to the kitchen.

This was insane—what was wrong with him?

Were men who were used to getting everything so uncontrollable? And why was he like that? He was willing to pay me 200,000 dollars just to sleep with him for a year?

I couldn't understand how the minds of rich people worked. How did they process things?

Yes, I needed the money, and his offer couldn't have come at a more convenient time.

My dear father, Dean had gotten himself addicted to gambling, and in my last call with my mom, Martina Ferrer, I found out he had pawned the title to our farm.

Did Maximus know about this? No, he couldn't have. I had been in my room when I talked to my mom. Even though the phone had been on speaker, he couldn't hear me—I had been on the balcony. Plus, my room was across from an empty one, and his room was two doors down.

Ugh! I didn't want to think about it anymore. Maybe he was just out of his mind from jerking off earlier. Maybe when he came to his senses, he'd realize how absurd his offer was.

When I entered his room later to give him his meds, he didn't mention it again, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

By the time night came and I was back in my room, I had forgotten about his offer as if it had never happened.

That was until around 9:00 p.m., when I got another call from my mom.

Honestly, my salary as a nurse practitioner at a well-known hospital was decent. But I really wanted to build a proper house for my family, which was why I gad accepted the job of being Maximus' private nurse.

"Mom," I answered.

"Sorry to bother you again, Rina."

"It's okay, Mom," I said, though in truth, it wasn't.

How could I tell her that?

She had worked tirelessly to put me through school. On top of that, she supported my older brother, who had squandered his own chances, gotten married right away, and still relied on her.

"I didn't want to drag you into our problems, but... do you know anyone who could lend us money to pay off your father's debts?" My mom's voice was thick with worry. "I'll be the one to pay it back, I promise. It's just... you know how tough things are here in the countryside."

"How much are we talking about, Mom?"

"It's about 70,000 dollars, Rina," she replied.

"What?" I gasped. "How are we supposed to get that kind of money? And it's not easy to borrow such a large amount."

Her deep sigh echoed through the phone, and my heart ached for her.

"I'm sorry, Rina. I didn't want to burden you with this, but I didn't know who else to turn to," she said, her voice soft and apologetic.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of her words.

Where on earth would I find 70,000 dollars?

My father was nothing but a burden, always bringing trouble.

I couldn't help but pity my mom. She had drawn the short straw by marrying him. Even though he was my father, I couldn't shake the resentment I felt.

It was so hard to find a dependable man these days. And the ones that were responsible? Well, they were probably looking for someone like themselves.

"Okay, Mom. I'll try to figure something out," I said, hoping to ease her anxiety.

The thought of my mom, at 55, still battling these problems weighed heavily on me.

"Thank you, Rina," Martina said, relief evident in her voice. "Take care of yourself."

"You too, Mom," I replied before ending the call.

Maximus' indecent proposal suddenly popped into my head. Should I consider it? He only wanted me for sex, after all.

"Ugh... Can I really sleep with someone who isn't my partner?" I muttered aloud.

I glanced at my bedroom door, ensuring it was locked. No one had overheard that, right?

"Dad, I swear this is the last time you'll put Mom through this," I vowed. "I'll personally make sure you end up in prison."

But I knew the truth. There was nothing I could do—no one to vent to but myself.

-

The next day, I assessed my perverted employer, waiting for him to bring up his offer again.

Yet, even by the time he was ready for bed, he hadn't said a word.

The same thing occurred the following day.

Had he come to his senses? Did he realize that 200,000 dollars was far too much for a year of sex?

Honestly, he wouldn't be at a loss, especially since I was still a virgin.

However, considering how horny he was, I might end up worse off. What would my poor body even look like after a year of this?

-

A week passed.

I found myself in his room again, feeding him, unable to take my eyes off him. After all, he wouldn't know, as he was blind.

"Sarina." His voice startled me, despite my intense focus on him.

"What now?" I asked, feigning annoyance.

"Are you staring at me?" he inquired.

What the hell? Was he really blind?

I couldn't resist waving my hand in front of his face, but nothing happened. He didn't even blink.

"No, why would I stare at you?" I replied, trying to sound irritated.

"I don't know. It just feels like someone has been staring at me for a while now. I hesitated to ask because I thought you might think I'm going crazy," he said with a shrug.

I took a deep breath and gathered my courage.

"I'll do it," I said without hesitation.

Damn it, I hoped this pervert was still interested.