Siren's POV
I bet Eomma is currently having a second heart attack in her grave.
As the elevator climbed up the floors of one of the most expensive hotels in Las Vegas (A night in this specific suite would cost you 60,000 dollars. That was half the freaking amount I needed), my palms grew sweaty and my breaths shortened. The sleek designs and the architecture wasn't enough to intimidate me.The sleek designs and the architecture wasn't enough to intimidate me. What scared me was my future.
Was I about to sleep with some strange man for money?
Yes.
Did I feel an ounce of shame?
No.
Was I nervous?
More than I've ever been.
Despite of my strict, disciplined and religious upbringing, I grew up pretty much a rebel. Ever since I was a kid, my mom knew I had the pride the size of mountains. She tried to curb it but the more she tried to crush it, the bigger it grew. It wasn't that I loved opposing her, it's just that the way we thought was pretty contradicting.
I had never been a freak but I wasn't a virgin either. The two boys I had slept with were actually pretty decent but not enough to make me a freak. So, I had been chaste for the last few years. I regretted it now. Though I had watched enough adult content to last me a lifetime, I was still an amateur in the game.
The doors opened to reveal a sitting area. Although the place was simply decorated but it screamed money and elegance, the huge door to the actual room was made of sandalwood. One wall was glass, while the other two were painted siler. I raised my hand to the bell but dropped it.
I could feel panic in my throat, carving it's way out.
I unlocked my phone, 7.50 p.m. I had ten minutes. I called Selena and she immediately picked up.
"I...I... I need time," I told her as soon as she picked up.
"Girl, if it wasn't for the surgery, I wouldn't have in your wildest dreams asked you to do it," She huffed. Her 24 hour recovery breast augmentation didn't exactly recover in 24 hours and she needed a replacement because a last minute cancellation was a no-no in the escort industry.
If it hadn't been for Selena's surgery, I probably wouldn't have been here. Because of that last minute complication, she had to find a replacement. Though it wasn't my first choice of profession, I was willing to do it. I had entered Selena's house to ask her if I could get the job but not right away. I thought I would have enough time before the act to actually mentally prepare myself but as soon as stepped in, Selena took me waxing, dress hunting and what not.
I shook my head at the dreaded physical examination I had to endure.
All I knew about the man was that he was some sort of British businessman in his late twenties with a bank balance that could end world hunger. He was supposed to be hot but I doubt it. Every billionaire I'd ever seen was...let's just say average looking.
"He rented a penthouse worth more than most people's annual salary. Just imagine how much money he has," I'm pretty sure she was rolling her eyes at me.
"I'm not sure,'' I chewed on my newly manicured fingernails.
After a very intrusive physical exam, a very painful wax session, not to mention all the lies I had to concoct to make a page on the escorting website for myself, I was feeling very unsure.
"Lil mama, you've got some balls, use them and fuck what the world says. Trust me, it won't be half as bad as the physical exam," She reassured me "Just relax and if you feel uncomfortable at any time, walk the fuck out of there. Anything without your consent Only you own yourself, no one else. Also, here's a guide to Escorting 101. First of all, happy client means more money, so be sweet. Second of all, since you're unlikely to orgasm, fake it. It boasts their ego. Scream and moan like crazy. You've seen enough porn, act like the women. Act like he's the only one who's ever made you feel that way."
Now that I had run from not one but two psychopaths, I knew what I had to do.
"Mhmm. I can do this," I said more to myself than to Selena.
"Remember two things. Don't do anything before he hands you the money and be sweet, a pick me. Guys love them. Make up a sappy story if you have to," Oh she had no idea, "And most importantly, remember this is a business transaction. Business is about convincing the customer to buy the product for the highest price humanly possible. You're a business student. Negotiate and get yourself a good deal."
Businessmen ain't got nothing over escorts when it comes to negotiations. With how good some of these women are, they'd make better CEOs than most average people.
Everything else I could do but being sweet was going to be a problem. With my loud fucking mouth that refused to stay shut, I just wasn't made for the service industry. It's fine, everything will be fine.
"One last thing, ask yourself this. If money wasn't a part of the equation, would you still sleep with this man. If the answer is yes, you have a win-win situation. If no, think of it as a stupid drunken one night stand."
Thats good. Yeah I'll do that. I'll just think of it as a one night stand. Plenty of people did that, right?
I hesitated for a second and Selena sighed, "Look I didn't tell you this because I didn't want to give you false hope but my highest record for a night was 50,000 dollars in cash and a car worth 250,000 dollars."
Fuck, I didn't know that. When I had asked her how much one could earn in this profession, she'd said sky was the limit but to actually put a number on it.
"And we're ready to get laid," I sang to her as I cut the call.
Don't you dare be ashamed, bitch. You're sexy, you're hot, you can motherfucking do this.
Removing my coat, I briefly checked myself out in the mirror wall, I was wearing a dress Selena had lent me. It was a satin slip dress that was tight on my upper body and loosened slightly at my hips, ending a bit above my knees. The slit on the dress was high but not visible until I parted my legs a bit. My platform strappy heels and no makeup makeup look completed my attire. My hair was curled to perfection and I looked, fuck I look hot. I put my coat back on.
The question was if I was a rich businessman, would I fuck me?
The answer was a fuck yes.
Ringing the doorbell, I stood there waiting. A few seconds later, the door opened and my heart went out of control. It was...him. The guy from the nightclub. The one I had practically seduced. Up close, he was even more stunning. Fuck, this is ridiculous. I really do not get it. Why would HE need to call an escort, I'm pretty sure that I'd drop my panties for him anytime he asked. He was tall, like 6 feet and a few inches tall and his body screamed 'fuck me'. He wore a casual white t-shirt that made his biceps very visible and a pair of tan pants but his plump lips were the only thing I could focus on.
The only word that could be used to describe this man would be angelic.
He showed no signs of recognising me but raised his brows at me as he looked around.
"Siren," I introduced myself, my voice perfectly levelled while I screamed on the inside.
He walked back in with the door open and I took that as an invitation. The living room was grand and spacious with a couch in the middle as a statement piece, facing a tv with the wall in front of me being glass from floor to ceiling that led out to a balcony with a huge inside pool. Three steps separated the living room from the dining area. Oh to be rich and arrogant.
"I was expecting a woman named 'Selena'," The words rolled off his tongue in a British accent, his voice deep as he settled on the couch.
"She had some last minute complications," I explained as I stood in front of him, the table between us.
"I mentioned a tall, tanned woman with in her late twenties, preferably European. Perhaps, they were mistaken," He gave me a once over before staring right into my eyes.
Is he calling me short? I take offense in that. 5'4 is not short. But I couldn't deny that I was definitely not what he ordered. I was an Asian with pale ass skin and I was definitely not in my late twenties.
"Are you even old enough for this?," He raised a perfectly arched brow. Wow, I need to get my brows done from his beautician. Although, I'm pretty sure my current bank balance won't allow that.
"And then some," It wasn't a lie, though my profile did say 25. He wasn't budging and I wasn't about to beg a guy to pay me money to sleep with me. I wasn't that desperate.
Yet.
But one try won't hurt, "Trying a new flavour once in a while is good for your health.''
I gave him the sweetest smile I could muster. He had a poker face as he grated out, "I'm very particular about my choices and I have a specific taste.''
"You won't let me change your mind?"
His expression turned even colder as he stared at me. Before he could kick me out, I smiled at him once more. I was definitely not made for the service industry.
It's fine, not everyone has spectacular taste.
"Your loss," I expected my voice to be squeaky but I sounded confident, like a fucking pro as I turned around, accidently knocking the newspaper off the table. I gave it one glance, wanting to leave it there before the gears turned in my head. Seduction.
I flipped my hair to one side, letting my coat fall off one shoulder, one leg in front, the slit revealing my skin. I bent down, my boobs very much visible and I heard his breath hitch as I stood back up.
"Maybe I was quick to judge," He bit that luscious lip and I felt like I was the one being seduced.
"Would you like to stay for a drink? I'm Noah Winston." He offered me his hand, flashing a fiery look.
Oh fuck, I just seduced a guy.
I took his hand, surprised by the warmth and the roughness. I'd expected them to feel cold and rugged, like his personality.
"Sure," he lead me to the mini bar, my hand in his.
He released my hand, asking me to sit before moving around the bar, making himself a drink.
"Siren...is that your real name?" He glanced back at me questioningly.
"That's what everyone calls me,'' I wasn't about to tell a strange man my real name.
"Are you greek?" He asked, referring to my name. "You don't look the part. You look more asian to me," He commented, looking expectantly at me.
"No, I'm not greek," I answered carefully, making sure not to give much away. I had to very careful at this point or I could end up in trouble.
"What would you like to have?" He asked me when he was done with his drink. I had zero knowledge about alcoholic beverages. When I became eligible to drink one, I realised I didn't have the money for alcohol tasting. So I stuck with beer or vodka.
"Whatever you're having," I told him as I gazed out at the sumptuous view at my feet, the light breeze making everything look calm and serene.
"Whiskey?" He asked. Hmm probably not a good decision on my part.
"You look more like a cognac kind of woman," He offered.
"Sure, I'll have that," I told him as I sat at the edge of my seat.
"Are you uncomfortable?" He had a keen eye, I'd have to watch out.
"I'm relatively a rookie in all of this," I told him
"That's what every escort I've known has said. Seems like no one can keep this job long enough to be a pro," he tilted his head, humour in his eyes. He thinks I'm lying. Great.
I'm not about to convince him otherwise. He can think whatever he wants. He turned around and I took the time to admire his backside. He had an..uhm...generous ass. His back muscles flexed as he reached for something on the side, hardly concealed by his t-shirt. He had a sharp v jawline with a nose straighter than my sexuality. His side profile was brilliant and this point I felt like I was anticipating fucking him more than he did.
His long fingers wrapped around my the glass as he handed it to me. No ring or tan line from a ring. At least he's not a cheater. I looked up to see him staring at me. Turning away, I focused on the balcony once again.
"You can check out the view if you want," he told me as he saw me staring outside.
The property reminded me of one of the vacation homes my family had owned. Luxurious and elegant. The pool looked warm with plants surrounding the edges of the platform I was standing on. As I leaned on the ledge, I saw the beautiful lights covering the city. This is what I found interesting about Las Vegas, it looked so glamorous on the outside but inside, it was filled with drug and alcohol addicts, single moms, people struggling to make a living.
I wondered what my life had been like if I had my money. If the man I trusted the most hadn't stabbed me in the back. I'd have been graduating college with my former friends, living the life, travelling places. Maybe, I could've had the romance, the intimacy I always craved for. My siblings wouldn't be in danger because of my stupidity.
I sighed as I went over my plan to escape. We'd get out of this state as soon as Mason recover, which would take two weeks which also happens to be the date of my last college exam. I'd already started looking for an appartment in Ohio, the cost of living wasn't too high and it was close to NYC where Aria would be attending college. I had looked up jobs there as well and as soon as I had enough money to get another fake ID, I'd apply to one of those. I had a few schools in mind for the boys to attend and maybe I'd have enough money for Liam to get therapy for his autism.
I was prepared to leave this city forever.
I looked back to see Noah walking my way, he settled beside, sipping on his drink while I admired as his scarily stunning features. I had never seen a man this pretty in my whole life.
"Are you liking the view?" He asked me, meeting my gaze.
"What's not to like," I brazenly gave him a once-over, licking my lips before looking out.
"I checked your webpage on the company's site," He sipped his drink.
Ah, the page.
The one that Selena co-wrote and basically screamed pick me, it said I was athletic, I didn't have a single sturdy bone in my body. It mentioned I liked reading (who the hell doesn't), painting (I can draw stick figures) and baking (burnt the kitchen last time I tried) in my free time. My measurements were mostly true though. So was the part where it said I had no enhancements/ surgeries.
"It says your measurements are 36-24-39," he gaze dipped to my breasts.
"35 on my best days, I like my size," I took another sip, my taste buds refreshed, "This is good"
''This is the part where you tell me your story," He put aside his glass when he was done with it.
"What story?" I was surprised by the unexpected question.
"How you came into this profession, what major turn of events in life pushed you into this job, how much you hate it, etc, etc"
What the fuck? This arrogant hot piece of ass thinks I'm about to lie to him. Why would I? Although, I'm definitely not going to tell him the truth. I can't risk that. So, I took another approach.
"Jaagiya, never in my life have I ever done something I don't want. Can't I like what I do? Do I have to have a sad story?"
"They all do," He countered.
"All is a strong word. Maybe you just haven't met enough of them," I tilted my head at him.
"Hmm, are you native to the US?" He asked referring to my eyes and skin tone.
"No, I'm from an asian household," I was born to a Chinese father and an American mother. Grew up in China with my mom until she divorced and we moved to Korea when I was 10. Mom always had an obsession with Kdramas, so she married a Korean man with two kids a few years I had been learning Chinese and English since birth and I had to start Korean lessons at 10. I was furious, but not too long. I became an idol trainee at 14, like half of the teen korean population thanks to my connections. That's where I got my singing and dancing abilities. Though I didn't get the chance to be one long enough to fulfill my dreams.
I glanced at him. Although his accent was British, he looked Asian too.
"Tell me more about yourself," He looked at me, expectant.
It won't exactly be wise of me to share information at this point, when I was as good as a criminal and on some sort of hit list.
When I hesitated, he chuckled mockingly at me, "You don't like talking about yourself? That's a first.''
"I'm sure my life story would bore you. Can we do a no personal questions thing?"
"You sure you can resist the urge to know about me?"
I had no interest in getting to know him or anyone in my situation. Though I loved his face and that body, it was unlikely I'd like what's inside.
"I'm sure it'll be hard but I'll make it through the night."
"Siren, are you making fun of me?"
"No," I smirked at him over the rim of my glass.
"Good, let's get down to business. I'll need you for an hour or so but I booked the whole night. I don't like worrying about things like that. How much to let me do whatever I want to you," He explained.
He made my time seem trivial, like I was an insignificant purchase to him.
"Some things are completely off the table. There just isn't enough money in the world for that." I wasn't about to loose all of me to one man.
"Oh? Like what?" He looked surprised at my words. What? Did this man think he could buy anything with money? Like come on, there had to be women who had kept conditions before.
"Nothing bareback, no child fetishes, ddlg or whatever, nothing extreme enough to leave scars, although that's a given" I stated sternly.
"Not a problem. You replaced someone tonight. I expect you to do what she would've done, what I ordered" He looked at me, asking for my consent.