CHAPTER 2

Tessa rubbed her cheek, which was still very sore. She just wanted to get to her apartment and get an ice pack that would take the pain away. And, hopefully, not leave slap marks that ended up turning blue.

This was normal for Tessa because this was the life she had been living. She'll take every risk because, well, there's nothing easy about working. And let's just say that even prostitutes sometimes pretend to be satisfied to keep their customers happy.

When will she do this?

No idea!!!

Tessa never knew how long she would continue to live like this. Shouldn't she be enjoying her life, even at her age? Women out there are having fun and dating; some have families.

The more Tessa imagined it. Then, it only felt more like an illusion to her. The taxi that had brought her had now stopped in front of her apartment.

Tessa took out a few bills from her wallet and handed them to the taxi driver. Tessa got out of the taxi barefoot, deliberately not wearing her heels and just carrying them with her. Her feet walked through the grass, which felt as silky as expensive velvet. 

Tessa closed her eyes for a moment, imagining that if only she had been born from the womb of a wealthy, loving woman, then she would have experienced the luxury and warmth of family without having to feel this torture.

"Shit! What are you thinking, stupid?" Tessa opened her eyes and hit her head with one hand.

Her feet took another wide step towards the main door. Pushing the metal sleeve, the door's security guard used a 10-digit number to open it.

Click. 

Tessa's footsteps rushed inside, and she tossed her heels aside as she closed the door. She quickly made her way to the pantry and dumped her bag on one of the chairs at the minimalist dining table in her apartment.

"You don't deserve to complain, Tessa, remember, it's your job." 

Tessa kept talking to herself. She often did this to encourage her weak side. Her hand opened the fridge and picked up a can of soda, placing it on the surface of her slapped face.

She stood at the pantry table, closing her eyes, and kept pressing the can on the surface of her cheek. The cold sensation slightly reduced the pain on her face; if her cheek left a mark tomorrow, she would not be working for a while. One day, she wanted to pamper herself and spend her hard-earned money.

"Did that fucking guy send me money?" Tessa opened her eyes and remembered that she should check her cell phone; at least she had received some money in her bank.

Tessa placed the can of soda on the table. Pulling her cell phone out of her purse, a notification from the bank, and a message from a number she never saved.

"I'm sorry about what happened... I paid you more money to take you to the doctor."

Tessa just rolled her eyes in indifference. After reading the message from the man who rented her a few hours ago, she didn't care about the man's apology. Tessa just wanted to see if the amount of money continued to enter her account. Unconsciously, a smile spread across the surface of her face. Although, it was a little difficult because of the pain,

"See, only money can make people happy." 

Tessa put down her phone. Opened the lid of the soda can and drank it without pause. Tessa's thirst and fatigue instantly disappeared just because of her favorite soda drink.

Tessa rested her head on the dining table. Resting on her hands, Tessa rested her head. The clock was almost midnight and would turn to one in a few minutes. However, Tessa seemed to have fallen asleep in a sitting position.

This wasn't the first time Tessa had fallen asleep in an awkward position. She often falls asleep in a sitting position wherever she can sleep; that's Tessa.

***

Meanwhile, on the other hand, a man who was almost three years old had arrived through the high iron fence that bordered the large mansion in front of him.

Axel Leonidas was the first son of married couple Xander Leonidas and Darasela. Axel was the only son to inherit all of Xander Leonidas' wealth.

Axel's dashing body was visible when the door of the red Porsche Panamera GTS opened. His gray eyes looked very cold, with no smile framing his face.

His feet stepped into the mansion, passing through the massive main doors in typical European style. The maids were lined up neatly to welcome the young master.

Axel continued to walk in, his hands tugging at the tie that was strangling his neck and loosening it slightly. His hand glanced at the expensive watch around his wrist; he was sure everyone in the house was now resting, which meant his mother and father.

"Axel." Axel's feet stopped on the way up the stairs because he heard his mother's voice.

"Hi, mom." Axel came back down the stairs and gave his mom a peck on her right cheek.

"Did you have a hard day, baby?" Dara rubbed her son's face. Even though her son Axel was now 29 years old. Dara sees Axel as her young son.

"No, Mom, everything is fine." Axel took his mother's hand and gave it a gentle peck on the top of her hand.

"Is Daddy burdening you too much with all this work? Just tell Mommy; Mommy will talk to Daddy so that he doesn't put too much pressure on you to do this heavy work."Dara is not easily fooled. Although, her son said that his work was fine, Dara as a mother, feels how difficult it is for her son to be a CEO in 7 months. Dara felt how busy Axel was, who had to go home until late at night, and sometimes even saw his son's tired face.

"Mommy, believe me, I'm fine... I like my job now; leading two companies is nothing compared to Daddy's job. Well, I'm going to rest now, and Mommy also has to rest; it's almost midnight. "Axel gave his mother one more kiss on the cheek before he walked up the stairs that would take him to the top floor, where his room was.

Meanwhile, Dara was still looking at her son, Axel, from a lower position. Dara's eyes implied sadness. There was something she still couldn't believe, and it was hard for her to say. Because in reality, Dara did not believe the rumors she heard about her son.

Dara who carried Axel for nine months, also took care of Axel until he was 29 years old now. And just because, a news story said something that almost made Dara disappointed and disbelieved

That her son is gay!