CLUBHOUSE

"Why is she dressed this way?" One of her colleagues asked, barely audible.

"Is she Mother Teresa, going to offer her blessing to those horny men?" Another asked.

Anna ignored them and stood up to leave. She had more pressing concerns than their noisy gossip; her mother's life hung in the balance, and she was running out of options.

She halted at the sound of the suddenly flung door, followed by a masculine voice.

"Anna, can I have a drink with you?"

"Do I look like a bar attendant to you?" She asked, her voice sharp and outspoken.

While her colleagues were shivering, she felt no atom of fear. She had encountered so many jerks in her life, maybe he was just one among them.

"I doubt you would still say this when you know the reason," he said before he walked up to her. "Meet me in the room opposite this dressing room if you want to save your mom," he told her before walking out.

She slowly turned to the direction he went, staring at him until he faded. She hurriedly stormed after him, leaving the rest in confusion.

***

Anna's eyes widened as she made her way into the large room. Adams Winthrop, the popular playboy, lay shirtless on the bed, his broad chest gleaming in the light. She turned her face away, burning in embarrassment.

"What is the proposal you speak of?" She managed to ask, her voice barely audible.

"I need an heir, Anna, and I'm willing to pay top dollar for it," Adams replied, his eyes burning in desperation.

Anna's heart raced as she scanned through the documents – twelve months of surrogacy in exchange for a huge sum of money. It was a tempting offer, but at what cost?

As she hesitated, Adams's words interrupted. "Your mother's life is on the line, Anna. Don't let your pride get in the way of her survival."

Memories flooded her mind – her mother's diagnosis, the endless hospital bills, and her struggle to make ends meet. She felt the weight of her responsibilities, the pressure to save her mother, and the desperation that drove her to this place.

"Mom, I will do anything it takes to save you; I promise," Anna whispered to herself, her eyes welling up with tears. She remembered the day her father passed away, leaving her mom with nothing. The debt, the struggles, the sleepless nights. Anna had always been the strong one. But at this point, she was drowning.

With a heavy heart, Anna signed the documents, her hands trembling. Her heart pounding, she knew she was taking a risk, but for her mother, she was willing to do anything.

As she looked up, Adams's gaze locked into hers. His eyes burning in desperation. "Welcome to our agreement, Anna. I hope this collaboration brings us something good."

The air was thick with tension as Adams's hands traced down her flawless thigh, sending shivers down her spine. Her mind raced as she kept wondering what it felt like. This wasn't how she planned her life; giving away her virginity like it was nothing was the last thing she thought she'd do. But here she is, throwing it away like it meant nothing.

"Please, I can't do this," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Adams's eyes narrowed, his grip on her hand tightening. "We've only just begun, Anna. There's no turning back."