Chapter two

CHLOE’S P.O.V.

     I read the message over and over again. It said it was an opportunity for me. I would like a business opportunity but I was skeptical. It looked like a scam, someone was playing tricks on me for sure. At the same time, I prayed in my heart that it wasn't any form of trick. 

Anyway, I was going to see for myself if it was a trick or scam. I checked the address that had been sent to me online and then found out that the area was in a secluded place and the restaurant wasn't well-known. 

I didn't flinch though but I needed to be sure my safety was secured. Thereby, I informed the police about my whereabouts and told them I wasn't sure of where I was heading. They instructed me to do some things which I needed to do. 

That night I thought about the new opportunity. What if it was real? I would be able to get my mommy’s hospital bills paid and also bring my dad out of jail. Whatever Grayson did I would have to undo it. 

At the same time, my phone beeped. I took my phone and checked the messages. I sat up when I saw that I was tagged in many kinds of messages. 

My social media feed was bombarded with hate posts and comments. People were mean to me. Too wicked. 

They said all kinds of things about me. And then the cab man, he went ahead and mentioned that I didn't give him any tips. People talked about that as well. They were all so insensitive. 

“Bastards!” I scoffed. It wasn't the first time I received backlash but it was too much this time. 

There was a particular account that kept tackling me and trying to bring me down hence I traced it. After much digging, I realized it was Olivia. And this made me laugh. She went as far as creating different accounts, just to badmouth me. I dropped my phone only to feel a heavy weight drop on my heart. I should be able to handle this. I have received a lot of hate comments throughout my life, I should be able to handle this. 

I sighed before ordering a cab which took me to the location sent by the stranger. The location didn't look popular, I had never been there. Yet, I walked in knowing the police were aware of my location. Getting in, I saw a man in a suit. He was the only one in the room. 

“Welcome, Chloe Hathaway,” he said, with an expressionless face. His face didn't say anything and I couldn't read him. 

Who was this man? The question grew in my head.

“Why do you want to invest in my company?” I blurted. I was staring at him with skepticism. I didn't know what this man would do to me. I even took a mental note to look around, perhaps someone would come out with a dagger. 

“There has to be something in it for you,” I added, taking in every inch of him. He was huge. His face was cold but he was handsome. He looked like a rich mogul but anything could happen. Even as I spoke his expression did not change, he kept his face fixated on me as if he was looking for something in me. 

His green eyes dilated and then he breathed in before shaking his eyes again. 

“Would you like to take something, Chloe?” He asked. 

“Do you think I am here for that?” I raised my brows. I was impatient. I wanted to know the real reason he had dragged me out here. 

“I want to help you and your miserable state, Chloe.” He stated simply. He wasn't flaunting, no, that wasn't it. However, he didn't sound like he was going to do it for free. There was something in his eyes though, I couldn't point out what it was. 

“I am not in a miserable state!” I curt. 

“You are. Your family has lost everything, your house, the company. The shares. Your accounts have been frozen. Your mom’s hospital bills are due. You are miserable.” He spat, gently. Softly. His voice wasn't hard, but it was brutal. And it hurts. 

I clenched my fist on my lap, the pain soaking up my skin. Damn this man. 

“How did you know all these things? Are you stalking me?” I asked, trying to contain my emotions. I didn't know how much more I could take honestly. These words were like arrows tapping into my skin, making me bleed. 

“I have my ways, Chloe.” He moved closer, smoking in my face. He was ruthless. Why was I still here? 

“Why do you want to help me?” I dared to ask. A man like this wants something in return for sure. Something I almost couldn't give. 

“Nothing much, Chloe. All I want is you. Be my sex toy, my companion whenever I need it.” He smirked, but all I saw in them was mockery. 

“Sex toy?” My eyes went wide. My body trembled with shame. This was cruel. He was subjecting me to humiliation in exchange for my redemption. 

“How... How am I sure you can even help?” I stuttered,  tears already burning my eyes. It hurt. My heart ached badly. This hurt so much. The humiliation. Shame. Chagrin. Damn it. 

“My name is Ethan Holmes, Chloe. I am quite famous. You can see my details on the internet.” He commented causally. He didn't take me seriously. No, he didn't. He came here to humiliate me. To show me that I was nothing. Nothing. 

I knew Ethan Holmes, he owned the biggest company in the country. His net worth was quite high. He was a billionaire at such a young age. The internet never really has many stories about him, it was weird to see him here this way. 

“Suck your money like a cock because I would never stoop low to do that for you. Pervert!” I grunted and then walked out of the room. My hands stiffened, and my legs trembled. Even my body ached badly. My heart felt heavy while my body felt like needles were pricking at it. 

The lowest point that I thought I would never be subjected to was right in front of me. I felt like I was doomed. And instead of crying, I burst into laughter. Horrible laughter that had me terrified. While in the cab - returning to my hotel room - a message dropped on my phone. 

“Miss Hathway, your hotel room has been locked as a result of your frozen card.” 

I breathed out as it was getting harder to breathe after reading the message. That hotel got most of its annual raise from my dad and mom last year. I remembered how they were honored. This year, I am being kicked out. This world is mean. Nobody helps you except if you are rich. This reality is harsh. Cruel. Unfair. 

Swallowing the bile in my throat, I called the bank manager. I had spoken to him about lending some money from the bank. This way,  I would be able to sort out some things. 

“I am sorry, Miss Hathaway, your request wasn't granted by the upper hands.” He had told me and ended the call. My hands were so weak and I developed a headache. 

“Stop here,” I said and paid the cab man before going to the hospital. My mind was gloomy at the moment and I just wanted to see my mother. 

However, as I walked to her ward I saw her bed being dragged out. My eyes went wide and I rushed to the scene. 

“What happened?” I questioned the nurse while looking at my mom. They didn't remove the drip from her arm which I was thankful for. 

“Maybe you pissed the doctor off, he said not to grant the one-week extension anymore.” She explained, her expression neutral. She looked like she had supported him when he said that. 

That bastard doctor did this because I refused to sleep with him. Damn. 

“Hold on, I will pay. I just need...” 

“Aww, do you need help giving your mom treatment?” Grayson’s voice sounded behind me. My fist clenched as I turned to the bastard. Olivia was next to him, her face only increasing my anger. 

“Isn't this what you want, Grayson?” I scoffed pathetically. He caused all of this, he faked all of those documents and put us in this mess. 

He smirked, mockingly. 

“No, just ask for help and ask for our forgiveness.” 

Olivia nodded her head, jeering me as well. 

“Over my dead body. You will see, I will pay the hospital bills and I will trample on you two like I did before.” I smirked, one brow raised. 

“You can't trample on us, Anymore Chloe. Moreover, I am carrying Grayson’s baby, nothing you can do can stop us now.” She announced proudly as if having a child for the traitor would affect a strand of my hair. 

“I do hope your child doesn't come out bald,” I smirked before turning to the nurse. 

“I will come back and pay you. Take my mother back to her ward!” I groaned. She just stared at me and with this, I walked out. 

Ethan Holmes was right, I was miserable. But there was one thing I wasn't a coward and I wouldn't fall - not to my enemies. Hence I went back to him and...

“I will be your sex toy but you have to help me. You have to help me with all of your might.”