CHAPTER EIGHT

Then Naomi leaned in close to me and started laughing.

“You like him. Don’t you? I’ve never heard you talk like this before. You're always so cold and detached. This is a first. You like him." Naomi giggled.

My cheeks turned red and I looked away.

“No.” I yelled. “I don’t like him. Didn’t you hear me? I hate the man. He’s so annoying.”

Naomi chuckled. “Stop lying, Aya. You have feelings for him. He’s the first guy, who has gotten through to you. The first guy, that made you loose control. Don't lie." She teased.

"I'm not lying. I am not attracted to him. I hate him." I protested.

“I’m sure he won the seduction challenge too but you're lying." Naomi said.

I was silent. I was not going to deny it. Travis won the challenge.

I had enjoyed every second of it. Every kiss. Every touch. He did a very good job.

But I rather die than admit it to Naomi.

“No, he didn’t. I won….. He also cheated. He broke the rules. So, it was a tie." I replied.

Naomi was not listening. She was not buying any of it.

"I won't stop until you admit it. You like him. Just accept it. There's nothing wrong with liking someone. And there's nothing wrong with admitting it." She said.

I glared at her. "No.” I yelled

Then I stood to my feet and shooed her out of my room. “Don’t you have work tomorrow? Leave my room, Naomi. Go away. I’m so tired. I want to sleep.”

“But we haven’t finished talking…” Naomi tried to speak but I pushed her out of my room and closed the door.

"Goodnight, Naomi. See you tomorrow." I yelled and walked to my bed.

Naomi continued banging on the door and yelling.

"Aya. Open the door. You can't just leave it like that. I have so many questions. Open the door." She shouted.

"No. I am tired. I'll talk to you tomorrow." I said and collapsed onto my bed.

I was exhausted and the day's events had left me mentally drained.

My eyes closed and my breathing slowed.

All I could think about, was Travis. His touch. His kisses. His smile. His laughter.

Everything.

"Why are you thinking about him? Get him out of your head." I screamed at myself and covered my face with a pillow.

Travis had done something, no other man had ever done. He had made me want more. He had made me want him.

And, that, scared me.

Scared the shit out of me.

The next morning, I woke up, feeling refreshed and rested.

The previous day's events were a blur.

I remembered Travis and our kiss, but, the anger and annoyance I had felt was gone.

I had no reason to be angry with him. He was a customer. And his money had paid for my time.

So, the fact that he didn’t want to continue the appointment, wasn't a big deal.

But, why did I feel a sudden pang of disappointment when I realized that?

Was I hoping for him to want me again?

No. That was stupid. I shook my head. I was acting crazy.

He had been an interesting guy.

He was different from the rest of the clients, I had met. He was arrogant and self centered, but, underneath it, there was something else.

Something that intrigued me. Something that made me want to know him better.

"No. No. No." I whispered and covered my head with the pillow.

"Don't think about him. He's just a guy. A client. Just another guy."

I closed my eyes and took deep breaths.

“No more thinking. Time to get up."

I quickly showered and got ready.

When I was done, I went to the kitchen and found Naomi already there, sipping her coffee.

"Morning. How are you feeling?" She smiled.

"Much better. And I am not in the mood to talk about what happened yesterday." I told her.

She raised her eyebrows.

“But why? I want to talk about what happened last night. The guy seems interesting. What’s his name?” She asked.

“I’m not telling you anything.” I responded.

“Why?” She cried.

“Because it’s in the past. Today is a new day and I want to forget about the man.” I replied.

I sat down beside her and poured myself some coffee.

I needed it.

Coffee always woke me up and made me feel better. It was like the elixir of life.

"If you say so.” Naomi pouted and stirred her coffee.

“So what do you have planned for today?” She asked me.

“Nothing.” I replied. “I don’t have any clients today. I was thinking of looking for a job. You know, a day job.” I said.

“A day job? Doesn’t the escort business pay well. What will you do with a day job? It will just waste your time. Besides, you are the most sought after escort in the agency. No one is even close to your client list. You are the best. The top. Everyone wants to book you. Why would you even want a day job. It won't make any sense." She told me.

“Well. I have a lot of bills to pay.” I replied.

When my father died, he left a lot of debts behind for me.

He had borrowed a lot of money and had gambled with it. And he had lost.

All the money he had won, he had lost back again.

I had had to sell my family's mansion and everything in it, just to pay the debts.

The only things, that had been left, were a few furniture items, which were old and useless.

Also my mum and my younger brother depended on me for support.

After dad died, mum couldn't work. She had gotten really sick.

And my brother, was studying.

I didn’t have a choice. I had to support the family.

I was the oldest and the only one, who could help.

It was difficult at first, but then, when the escort job came, things got a little easier.

I was able to pay the bills and provide for my family.

But, the problem was, the debts, they were huge.

I was still paying for them and had no idea when I would be free.

Sometimes, it felt like, I was drowning. But, I had to keep going.

For my family. For myself.

"Well, you can come over to the company, if you are free. I can help you get a job."Naomi told me.

I smiled and shook my head. "I'm not a tech person. I don't know how to use computers. And, I am not smart. So, I will just waste your time. Thanks though."

"Come on. You are a smart person. You can learn. And, besides, the company pays really well, it’s the biggest in the country." She said and stood up.

“What do you say?” She asked again

“I will think about it.” I replied.

“Don’t think about it.” Naomi shook her head and dragged me to my feet.

“You’re following me to the company and applying for a job. Now. Let's go." She grabbed my hand and pulled me.