Chapter 3: New Beginnings

FAITH

I stared into his green eyes, my expression dead serious. 

I don't know what I was expecting, but it surely wasn't a chuckle from him. He literally laughed, and I swear to God, it was the most attractive sound I had to have ever heard.

Even in this situation, when my world had turned upside down, my heart reacted to the sound of his deep laugh.

“What?” he asked once he stopped laughing, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“What what?” I shot back, reverting back to my seriousness. 

He tilted his head, confusion etched on his amused features. “I don’t get it. What are you saying?”

“Wait,” I paused, doubt flickering within me. “Are you not Jared’s boss?”

“Yes, I am. But I am not sure I know what you are talking about.”

“Jared said you would pay me $100,000 for sleeping with you,” I clarified. “So for personal reasons, I’m willing to sleep with you four times for $100,000 each time. No negotiations.”

His expression shifted from confusion to surprise as the implications of my words sank in. “Ohhh,” he finally let out. “It must have been my mother who told him to ask that of you. I swear…” he added, rolling his eyes slightly, a flicker of exasperation breaking through.

I was thoroughly confused. Why would his mother want him to sleep with me? Did she doubt he was gay or something like that? And she wanted to check?

Oh, well, whatever, it wasn't my headache. I already had plenty to worry about.

“I don’t care who asked what,” I interrupted. “I want to sleep with you. I need the money.” 

“Look, you don’t want to do that,” he replied, his tone shifting to something more serious. “I mean, it’s a long-term commitment.”

I narrowed my eyes, more confusion flaring up alongside my anger. “I don’t care if it’s a long-term commitment,” I snapped back, internally freaking out about the number of times I’d have to sleep with him for $400,000. 

For my mom, I would do anything.

“Even though I said no negotiations, I only meant that about the money. I don't care how many times I have to sleep with you for that. I am determined to do this,” I stated, my voice stronger than I felt inside.

He raised an eyebrow as he studied me, giving me a once-over from top to bottom, as if it was only now that he was checking if I was worthy to please him in bed or not. 

As if satisfied with what he was seeing, intrigue sparked in his gaze. 

“Alright then,” he said, his voice low and teasing. I noticed the smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “I am on my way to get discharged. Go wait in the car outside.”

Nodding, I walked toward the entrance. As the cold night air hit my face, the reality of what I had agreed to settled within me. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with fear. I had no idea what was awaiting me. I might have just signed up for something really terrifying.

What was I doing? Would this really help my mom?

My heart raced in fear, but I pushed it down; I had made a decision, and now I had to follow through.

When I reached the front of the hospital, I spotted an expensive car waiting by the curb, its sleek lines and shiny exterior glinting under the lamppost light.

For a moment, I stood there, staring at it. I didn’t want to get in just yet; it felt too awkward, too… intimate.

I shifted from one foot to the other, my nerves bubbling beneath the surface as I waited outside the car.

Just as my anxiety began to climb, the guy emerged from the clinic entrance.

“What are you waiting outside for?” he asked, a playful lilt in his voice. “Do you want me to open the door for you? You could have just motioned to my driver.”

I shook my head, mumbling, “I was feeling awkward.” My cheeks flushed as I realized how silly I must have looked, standing there like a scared teenager about to make a really bad decision.

He grinned, confident and charming. “You’re cute being awkward,” he remarked, his eyes glinting with mischief. “But I liked it better when you were confident.”

Something stirred in my chest at his words, a flutter of unexpected warmth. 

I took a deep breath, trying to regain some of that earlier determination. Maybe I could embrace that confidence again.

I was about to slide into the front passenger seat when he called out, “Hey, sit beside me.” He was holding the door open to the backseat.

I paused, surprised. The invitation felt intimate, but I had to be confident. I was going to sleep with him in a short time, so what did it matter if I sat in the backseat with him? So, I turned back and climbed into the backseat next to him.

The plush leather enveloped me, and I felt a strange sense of comfort amid the tension. I tried to relax, despite the cloud of problems hanging over my head.

As the driver pulled away from the curb, I tried to calm my nerves, mentally preparing myself for what was about to come. I tried hard not to think about all the things that happened in the last few hours.

The car ride was mostly quiet, the soft hum of the engine filling the space as… What was his name again? Oh, well, it didn't matter. He was focused intently on his iPad. 

His brows furrowed slightly in concentration, and I couldn’t help but think, he truly was a gorgeous man. Was he a celebrity? That could be why he was so rich and was willing to pay so much for a random girl. Maybe there was some secrecy issue or something. 

I had half a mind to ask, but I didn’t want to disrupt the tentative peace that surrounded us.

As we pulled up to an expensive hotel, my breath caught in my throat. The exterior gleamed under the soft glow of the streetlights, and the grand entrance was lined with lush plants and elaborate decor. 

Okay, he really was ‘rich’ rich. That kind of top 0.000001% of the population.

This place felt worlds away from my usual reality. 

I swallowed hard, a knot forming in my stomach as I thought about what I was getting into.

The guy stepped out of the car first, glancing back at me with a small, reassuring smile. “Come on. We are here.”

I nodded and followed him inside. The lobby was stunning, with marble floors and chandeliers that sparkled like stars. If I wasn't in such a bad place in my head, I would have felt overwhelmingly underdressed. 

He strode confidently to the elevator, and I found myself dragging my feet through a fog.

Once we reached the large suite, he opened the door and gestured for me to step in first. I walked inside, taking in the luxurious furnishings and expansive views of the city skyline. 

He moved to the mini-bar, pouring a glass of wine for both of us and holding it up as if to toast. “To new beginnings.”

I was a little confused as to why he said that, but I brushed it off with something along the lines of, we would be sleeping together multiple times, that's why.

“Actually,” I interrupted awkwardly, “I want a contract written that you will pay me.”

He raised an eyebrow, appearing amused. “What? Afraid that I will scam you? Even after seeing this?” He gestured around the luxurious suite, emphasizing just how wealthy he was.

I frowned and crossed my arms, refusing to back down. “But what if you pay me less? Rich people can be miserly too.”

He chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Point taken.” He placed down our wine glasses and reached for a notepad and a pen resting on the side table. 

As he scribbled something down, I felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation swell within me. Then he paused, signing his name with a flourish. 

I almost gasped as I caught sight of the name at the end of the page: Blaze Weston. 

There was nobody in this city who didn't know that name. Blaze Weston was the CEO of West Corporation—one of the most influential and popular multinational companies. 

“Still doubting me?” he asked, a teasing smile dancing on his lips.

My eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t believe it. I was about to make a deal with someone so powerful. 

The sudden realization hit me hard, and I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. 

I grabbed the wine glass and gulped down the entire content, desperate to calm my nerves. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with performance anxiety. A little glad at the same time as well.

If a man like that filed a lawsuit against me, I would have been doomed for life. What luck of mine to have bumped in front of his car of all the people in the world!

“Can I please have more?” I requested, my voice slightly unsteady and panicked.

Blaze smirked, clearly entertained by my reaction. He moved to pour me another glass but paused. He twitched his lips, as if thinking about something else. “It might not be a good idea to get you too drunk.”

He stepped closer, his hand finding its way to my waist. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, igniting an undeniable tension in the air. 

“I want you to remember this night—everything that we do,” he added, his voice low and husky.

I looked into his enticing green eyes and swallowed hard. I had come here for a purpose, so I had to do it well. Our deal didn't change just because I found out who he was. 

Therefore, determined to follow through until the end of our deal, I placed the glass to the side and looped my arms around his neck, hoping to show that confident side he commented on liking more earlier.

“Well, whatever you wish. I am yours for the night anyway.”

He shot me a smile and brought his lips to my ear, inhaling my scent. I shuddered at his hot breath on my skin, letting my eyes flutter shut.

“By the way, have you slept with someone in the last month?” he asked.

“What?” I instantly pulled back, shooting him a disgusted look.

“What, I didn't ask if you were a virgin.” He frowned. “I just asked that for our business purpose.”

“What kind of—” I was about to question, but I took a deep breath, calming myself.

It's okay, Faith, calm down. Maybe that's how these kinds of deals work. You just have to do whatever he asks of you. He is the employer. So, be nice to him.

Once I consoled myself, I managed to answer with a forced smile, “No, I have not. I have not slept with anyone in the last couple of months. Because I was too busy.”

“Busy with what?” he asked, pulling me closer again, this time biting my earlobe.

“Part-time jobs. Paying bills. Fending off my loser dad,” I answered, sighing at the feeling of his hands exploring my back under my top. “You wouldn't get it. I am sure you never had to worry about any of it.”

“Maybe not about those particular things, but I have had my fair share of worries,” he said, his lips trailing down my neck.

“Yeah, right. Because given the choice, I would rather cry in a mansion than in a tiny apartment that my dad wasn't trying to snatch.”

“Sounds like you have much bigger issues.” He tugged at the hem of my top, as if asking for permission before pulling it off.

“Yes, otherwise, I wouldn’t be here right now,” I managed to say, trying to stay composed and confident. 

However, I was completely thrown off my facade as his one hand slipped under the back of my knees and the other grabbed my waist, effortlessly lifting me up in his arms.

Gasping, I clutched his shoulders, gaping at him in shock.

A smirk graced his lips as Blaze brought his lips dangerously close to my lips. “You sound like you don't wish to be here,” he kissed the corner of my mouth, making me shiver, “but trust me,” his eyes held a spark of confidence and passion that I couldn't look away from, “after a few minutes, you wouldn't wish to be anywhere else.”

With that, he walked towards the bed and threw me on the fluffy mattress, instantly coming on top of me. Not giving me a chance to catch my breath, he captured my lips in a kiss that made me forget about everything else in the world.

I melted into the fervor of his passionate kiss, and for that hazy moment, I truly didn't wish to be anywhere else.

I chased after his lips as he pulled back briefly. It made him chuckle in amusement, sitting back on his heels. “Missing me already?” he asked, pulling off his suit and unbuttoning his shirt.

“No,” I mumbled, looking away, feeling shy.

In a matter of seconds, he was back on top of me. “Oh, don't worry, baby. I wouldn't make you miss me tonight. And…” He gently grabbed my jaw and made me turn back to look at his face. “Don't look so shy yet. You promised me four times, remember?”

My eyes snapped wide as the realization dawned on me.

Four times? All tonight?

As if reading the look on my face, Blaze grinned. “Yes, baby. Four times tonight.”

Oh, my God. Have mercy on me.

###

My body was trembling, skin slick with sweat as I gasped for air, completely spent. We really went at it four times. 

Every muscle felt like it was on fire, my chest rising and falling in desperate attempts to steady my breathing. 

That’s when Blaze, still pressed against me, murmured through a satisfied grin, “That must be enough to get you pregnant.”

My eyes snapped open, but this time for a whole different reason. “What?”

Blaze blinked, looking confused. “What what?”

“What do you mean by pregnant?” I demanded, sitting up despite my exhaustion.

“Pregnant, as in the mother of my child? You know... the surrogacy?”

“Surrogacy? What surrogacy? What the fuck are you talking about?”