005

Alina

I returned home, a weight of hopelessness coursing over me.

Seeing how changed he is she cannot be with him knowing his intentions but he has blocked her in a corner.

And what he was asking…

My gut tightened. He was asking me to be his personal whore. To lose all my dignity for him.

From the moment I came into my current situation, no matter how dire straits I was in, I had never done anything to lose that part of my dignity. I had taken off jobs, been insulted and humiliated publicly but I refused to ever give away that part of me.

And here he was, demanding that I did so.

I couldn't do it. I refused to.

What did I do then? Could I look for more jobs even if his threat hung over me? What if he followed through?

The pride in me told.me to fight. I could let this happen. Surely it wasn't possible. Even if it was a single job…I would be able to find work somewhere else…

Right?

I snapped back to reality as the door opened. Serena entered the room, her little body shaking.

I moved to her in alarm. She was supposed to be in school, not come back this early.

“What happened?” I asked. She looked up and my heart broke. Her eyes were glistening with tears.

“Ma-mama, the school sent me back.”

“Why?”

My heart sank even lower as she explained everything. It was all because a bully teased her about the food she had. Before she knew it the little food was scattered on the floor and she had gotten into a fight. She hadn't eaten for the whole day.

My heart broke with every sob from her. I thought we were doing okay, persevering no matter the odds but it was clear it wasn't. I hadn't known of this until it was too late?

The realization was painful. No matter how much I worked, I wouldn't be able to give my daughter the life she wanted. The life she deserved.

I shut my eyes tightly, a new resolve forming.

I couldn't risk my daughter's life for anything else. Not even my dignity.

For her I would do anything. Even this.

I held her until she cried herself to sleep before putting her to bed. As I stepped out, it was with resignation. Taking out my phone, and the card, I made the only choice.

“I'll take your offer.” I said, Feeling humiliated and hollow.

…

In the night, I'd brought Serena to stay with the babysitter, a sweet old woman. It pained me to see the confusion in her gaze when I'd told her I needed to work but I couldn't reveal a thing.

As I reached the destination I was told to be in, there was a car and people waiting there for me. Immediately I was thrown a box revealing clothes and heels.

“Wear those.” Dante said. Holding my tongue I entered the building where I was led to change privately.

I stepped out in the skin tight red dress and heels I was forced to wear. I couldn't recognize myself in my reflection.

As he looked over me, heat involuntarily rose up my spine. It was twisted, yet a part of me that still yearned for him wondered if he liked it.

“You really have been through plenty cara. You look more…worn.”

His insults stung deeply and I couldn't hide my hurt. His smirk grew wider , as if he was relishing in my pain.

“No time to waste. Let's go.”

We arrived in our destination moments later in a club. I tried to compose myself under the overwhelming combination of flashing lights, heat and alcohol as he took me to a seat.

Immediately there came a chance to order I took alcohol. It was probably the only thing that could keep me sane.

I'd expected something to happen, but he only remained on his seat. I stayed beside him, drinking enough to feel buzzed.

A warm finger trailed up my thigh, making me stiffen and turn to him. Dante didn't stop however, his hand trailing higher and higher until…

A gasp left my lips. He was touching me in public.

It was so wrong in many ways, yet whether it was the buzz from the alcohol or the fact I hadn't been touched in years or because it was him, but I felt myself growing hotter as his touch persisted. Eventually I couldn't hold back a moan.

“Dante,” I sighed without thinking before he turned to me. His face was completely darkened, hear and desire clearly in them.

Before I could think he dragged me up, leading me away and I was helpless to follow when he led us into a private room.

He pushed me against the wall, hiking my dress up. I held on to his shoulders for dear life as I was lifted off the ground, wrapping my legs around him.

My mind went blank when his lips moved against my neck, sucking and biting making me moan.

I was nearly far gone when I felt my underwear pulled to the side before something warm and hard nudged against me.

“Dante” I moaned, holding him when he finally entered.

We moved in tantalizing motions, each one sending waves of pleasure through me. I closed my eyes savoring the feeling as I reached my peak.

I felt him climax inside me as I relaxed in his arms, pleasure thrumming through me. With him up close, his scent and the feeling of him, I was brought back to years ago.

He would hold me just like this, when we were too pent up to control our desire. Despite the pressure I had to live under, with him I always felt wild and free. Loved.

My eyes opened when his grip and warmth suddenly disappeared, leaving me to stand on shaky legs. The cold feeling drew up my skin leaving me discombobulated.

Wiping his face he pulled something out of his pocket and pushed it towards me. It was a large roll of Money.

It was like icy water washing over me.

“Your job for the night is done. Leave. My men will take you home.”

He didn't give me the chance to speak as he placed the money in my hands before walking out of the room casually.

Tears slipped down my cheeks. Was this what my life had become? Being treated like a common whore by him?

It hurt.

I tried to not collapse at the ache in my heart, sucking in my pain.

I had no choice but to do this. Dante was gone, no longer the man I loved, but there was someone else I had to fight for.

Serena.

I was doing this for her.

I would fulfill my end of this bargain and keep my heart away. And in return I would make sure her existence wasn't known. She wouldn't know the kind of person her father was.

And I would make sure she never would.