Chapter 6

Natalie

It was Thursday and Natalie had not told Sammy nothing about her meeting with Theodore even though she was being damn intrusive. Because first of all, she was in denial that there was no point in dragging Sammy into this since Natalie was not going to meet him. Why should she? He is a stranger and wants to fuck her.

Then she started thinking about all the things they could do. What if she meets him? These relationships are always open. She can tell him what she wants and they can have some fun.

Her mother’s call over the weekend had only strengthened her resolve to at least see him and learn how much he can pay her, because her mother was forcing Natalie to meet Michael, “as your Dad wants.” Her mother had quoted.

Now on a Thursday afternoon, Natalie sat in her kitchen, turning around the card in her hands and thinking about the bizarre proposal. It was a beautiful dark grey card with silver fonts, stating his name “Theodore”, his contact and a simple address which everyone could find. She had a mental list ready about the pros and cons of her actions.

Pros

He is hot.

He is definitely rich.

He looks clean.

She can always ask for his health report.

He is going to pay her, (a major deciding factor, but insulting too)

He is intense and he definitely has an effect on her.

Cons

He might be a serial killer.

It was a bizarre proposal but Natalie was impressed by his confidence. Who asks a girl outright to be his submissive? “Ummm, an ogre? A screwed man?” A meek voice in her mind whispered. But Natalie shirked it off.

She sighed, looking at the card and as always, her wild nature prevailed. She decided that she will meet him. The address was of a beautiful high rise and Natalie, if nothing else, wanted to see his place.

So, that’s how she decided that she will be meeting Theodore. And she realized it then. “Crap, I don’t even know his last name.”

Theodore

It was the first time that Theo was fully dressed for an arrival in his apartment. His mind was playing games with him. Whether she will come? What if she didn’t? What else can he do to convince her?

It was already 8 o’clock and his hopes were nosediving. He stood in the little study and looked down at the sprawling landscape. The city of Angels, Los Angels, is no place for angels. Every sin, every demon, every devil is found here. Theo thought about himself. He is no angel.

And the doorbell rang. Theo smiled from ear to ear and unlocked the door with the remote. He exited his study to meet Natalie who had just entered the apartment, and was looking like a lost doe.

“Good evening.” His voice got her attention and she turned to him.

She was dressed in a dark maroon knee length dress, her hair was falling open, and there was no usual smoky makeup on, but a faint lip gloss. She had a small purse on her shoulder.

“Welcome to my humble abode.” Theo spoke.

“It’s a nice place you have got here and it’s not humble at all.” She spoke, and came forward.

“Would you like a tour?” He found himself asking. It was a first. Why was he going to such lengths to convince her?

“Yes, if you have no problem.”

“Follow me.”

He showed her around the place and was quite sure that she was impressed and now believed him that he really owned the place.

He led her to his study.

“Would you care for a drink?”

“Yes, please.”

He pulled out a vintage single malt whiskey from the fridge in the small, unused kitchen, and arrived in his study with two glasses, ice, and the bottle in a tray. He poured himself one and one for her.

“So…. Why are you obsessed with me?” She asked as soon as she had taken a large sip from her glass. She made a face when the bitter drink touched the back of her throat and Theo knew that she was not a heavy drinker.

“I am not obsessed. I want you. I thought it must be flattering.” He had taken his position behind the large desk.

“Flattering? You are a handsome man. Why me?”

He placed his glass back on the desk, and leaned in, entwining his fingers. He never liked to be on the other end of questioning.

“Listen, Natalie. All I want to know from you is whether you are up for it or not. I have the contract drawn up. You can go through it, and decide whether we are in it together or not.”

He pulled out the drawer and slid the contract towards her on the desk.

She took it while giving him a look as if he was sliding a time bomb at her.

“Read it carefully. It has everything written down and if you have any questions or you want to make any changes, we can talk about it.” She pulled out a pen from her purse, and started scribbling. She was quite sure what she wanted and what she didn’t want. Theo was impressed about her clarity of thoughts on this matter.

Theo was amused all the while she was reading the contract. Her lips moving silently, her brows, relaxed, she bit her lip, pouted, and Theo looked at her as if there is something he is missing. Her question was now playing in his mind. Why is he obsessed with this girl?

Once she was done, she slid the contract back to him. Theo slid another sheet of paper towards her and she looked at it with questions.

“What is it?”

“This is how it is going to work.” Theo was also very clear on how he wanted things to work out.

“No contact. No learning about each other’s personal lives. Three days a week. And weekly payment.”

“Yes. Are you on pills?”

“Yes. But I would like to see your health report first.”

“I had been disappointed if you hadn’t asked.” He pulled out his medical reports and she satisfied herself that he won’t be passing on any STDs.

She sighed and then looked up at him, clearly contemplating a few things in her mind. “So, what you are suggesting is, that we will remain strangers? I won’t even know your last name?”

“Yes, And I won’t know yours. I don’t want to know what do you do in your real life. The only thing that I want from you is the loyalty of your body. If you agree to do this, you won’t be fucking anyone else. It will be simple. Just an arrangement. I want you to submit yourself to me. Submit your body to me. I don’t want your soul, your heart, or your devotion, and you will get the same from me. Pleasure for pleasure.”

The contract was made up, and clear. It was a deal between two strangers, who agreed to remain strangers, despite being intimate. That’s how Theodore wanted it.

“What if we end up breaking the terms?” She asked in a timid voice, which was so unlike her.

“The contract shall become null and void. And we will part ways without looking back.”

Theo stood up from his desk, and took confident steps towards her. Taking her chin between his thumb and index finger, he tilted her face to make her look up. Her lower lip quivered at the touch.

“I want your body, Natalie. To do as I please for a price. I dare you to fall for me.”