Deal.

CAMILA

^*^

"I'm not a prostitute, " I muttered, shifting my weight to my right leg this time.

Did he want to have me for himself? Was I some sort of... whore? I mean, I was a stripper, but that was where it ended. I only danced at the pole and sometimes on the men to make them spend more... but that was where it ended.

"I'm not a freaking whore!" I muttered again but this time, more to myself.

"You see," The Adam stood again and started moving closer to me with his hands in his pockets as he spoke. "That's where you miss it all. I don't want to fuck you, I want to paint you. Sexually, I don't involve myself with 'things' like you." He emphasized more as he said 'things'. "I paint things like you."

It took a whole lot from me not to laugh out, or punch this self-centered man in the face. "So? And why do you think I'd even accept whatever you want to do with me?"

"Because, my dear, I have what you want." I raised a brow and he grinned. "I have the money you need."

"W-what?"

"You need money for your sister's wellbeing, your orphanage dues are up, and..." He paused, moving towards me and putting his left hand on my shoulder. " You so badly want to run away from this bad boyfriend of yours, don't you?" He whispered.

"How did you..."

"I know everything, sweetheart,"

I held my breath for a few seconds, seeing how we were. "And this... deal, what is it about?"

He moved quickly away from me towards the chair. "A contract, for one month." He sat, facing me. "I'll paint you for one month. And after, you'll walk away with Six million dollars."

Six million what?! That was a huge amount of money! Having such money could help me make my life plans, train my sister properly in school, and leave Nick. like I've always wanted to.

I stared deep at his face, looking for any sort of jokery or prank but he stared back with a weird smile. This wasn't right, it felt fishy.

"Come on, have a seat. You can ask questions. " He offered.

I hesitated a bit but then sat on the chair opposite him. Immediately I did, he shifted a contract paper to me. My eyes flickered around the paper, it was some sort of contract rule and at the left end, his name was there, LORENZO KING CALLOWAY. it read. Underneath it was a blank place for the client's name and signature.

"So," I began. "What's this painting contract like?"

"I paint you any day, any time within that month. You'll stay with me during that time and once the contract is over, you get your money and we part ways."

"Oh," I nodded, going through the contract line by line to make sure there weren't any wrong statements there. "Do I get an advance payment?"

"If you want to, the sum of three million will be deposited into your account as soon as you sign it." He confirmed.

***

And that was how I found myself in the expensive car of the great King Calloway. Having signed the contract, three million was credited into my account immediately.

I dragged my gaze back to King, who was sitting beside me at the back. His gaze was on the document on his hand and he seemed not to pay any attention to me.

I sighed, bringing my gaze back to the window, and watched the background blur through us.

I didn't know if I was making the right decision of living my whole life for a month and leaving Nick like that. king offered I'll be staying with him all through the month, with no interactions with the outside world or anything of the sort.

I sighed again, this might not end well.

The Adam's phone rang a few moments later and he answered.

"Leonard..." He said over the phone. "Yes... it has been concluded... why now?... I don't know..." He kept answering, not even bothering to spare me a glance.

I sighed for the third time, taking my gaze away from him and focusing back on the window.

"I have no problem with that at all, I'm cool with it... okay then, see you soon." He said and hung up the phone.

There was silence inside the car for a minute before I finally decided to start a conversation with him. "So, uhm... what do you do?"

He didn't answer.

"Do you have an art gallery?" I asked again.

He didn't spare me a stare, talk more of a reply.

I sighed and focused back on the road. it was stupid of me to want a conversation with this man in the first place. I mean, I didn't even know him and I want to stay with him for a month? I didn't even know what kind of painting or what way of painting he did. I was just here because of the money and the freedom it'll give me after. Nothing more.

The window blind opened and the driver spoke. "We've arrived, sir."

The Adam stood up and moved to descend and I followed gingerly. We descended, and the driver came down too, and bowed slightly, as we turned from him.

A gigantic black gate spread before us like some gates leading to heaven, and I sucked in a nervous breath.

Similarly massive trees, crowned in crimson and swaying slightly in the winter wind, stood arrogantly on either side of the wide old-bricked path leading to the colossal structure ahead. Two rows of bodyguards, all dressed in black, facing each other on either side of the path as well, stood without any move like soldiers on duty.

They could easily pass as guards for the royal palace, I believed. At the threshold of the pathway was the delicate marble fountain, the soft gurgling of the clear melodic water echoing as it resonated through the surrounding silence, the sparkles of the water flowing shimmering beneath the moonlight.

We stepped inside the gate, and I bit my lips, following him

consciously. We passed through the route with harmonic footsteps, and as we came closer, I finally had the chance to examine the gigantic building palace- whatever intently. It was Victorian, redbrick topped with copper domes and spires that had long turned green.

There must have been at least a hundred windows on five floors facing the drive. It was a house that just didn't know where to stop.

I took in the proud balconies and the beautiful lights. It was hardly believable that a man could own all this.

"Th-This is all yours?"I couldn't help asking.

He didn't stop marching, calmly. "What do you think?" His voice echoed, dripping with chilliness and slight sass.

I frowned, "I thought you would perhaps have at least some... partner?" I pouted.

We finally reached the small series of wide stairs leading to the main massive door and entry.

We finally reached the small series of wide stairs leading to the main massive door and entry.

"I am a man that either has it all or has no interest. I do not take shares." He muttered, voice arrogant and careless.

I gulped, as we reached the front door which could

accommodate a family of giraffes. Two men, tall, dark, dressed in black as well, stood guarding on either side of the door.

The moment they spotted my master, they directly arced their heads in a bow-like gesture.

"Good evening, Sir!" The guy to the right, muscular, with a clear tattoo all over his neck, greeted me. He removed his black glasses and took a ready position. I had the chance to observe his dim almost-black orbs.

They didn't seem too friendly.

Mr. Calloway stood before the door.

The door was dark brown, with some golden knob and a... was that a keypad to its left?

King reached up towards the keypad with his left hand,

and pressed some numbers so fast I couldn't memorize them. The keypad's screen lit brightly at that, and a 'Correct Passcode' appeared over it. I should learn those numbers someday.

King reached towards the gate-like door and made a slight nudge. The gate to the heavens opened. The door opened without much resistance.

Holy... wow. Somebody pinch me.

He stepped inside, and as I moved to step behind him, a hand shot out to grab my upper arm from the right side, and I gasped, as a cold metal suddenly touched my neck.

A gun.

A gun was touching my neck.

Well, so much for a six million contract.