Chapter 5 Long-Term Deal
Victoria figured Nathaniel would just leave without a second thought, like he did last time. She struggled to get up and threw on some clothes.
Just then, Nathaniel, all fresh from a shower, strolled out in a towel, looking a bit surprised to see Victoria already dressed.
"Mr. Cross, I'll be leaving now."
Nathaniel had never met someone so practical before.
Usually, women were all too eager to stick around, like pesky flies you couldn't shoo away.
"Sure thing."
Victoria had a hunch he wouldn't allow overnight guests, but with her body feeling weak and walking being a bit of a challenge, she hoped he'd at least let her catch her breath and grab a drink of water.
"Hold on."
Just as Victoria was about to open the door, Nathaniel's voice stopped her in her tracks.
She spun around to find Nathaniel standing right behind her.
He had a solid build, broad shoulders, a trim waist, and narrow hips. The towel around his waist highlighted his V-shaped physique perfectly.
It was then that Victoria noticed the mismatched scars on his chest, standing out against his smooth, tan skin, not looking scary but rather intriguing.
"Mr. Cross?"
Nathaniel reached out and gently ruffled Victoria's hair.
In a soft tone, he uttered the most unexpected words. "Don't forget to take your meds when you get home. I don't want any surprises."
Stopping her just to remind her to take birth control pills?
Victoria's mind buzzed. 'How presumptuous. As if I'd want the trouble of bearing your child.'
If she ever decided to have a child, it would only be with her partner.
"I got it, Mr. Cross." Victoria forced a smile.
"I'll be in touch."
Did this mean their deal was officially sealed, and Nathaniel was satisfied with Victoria's services today?
"I'm off now. Goodnight, Mr. Cross."
As Victoria stepped out the door, a warm tear threatened to escape her eye.
Once a wealthy young lady, now in a submissive role, serving in bed. How could she not feel bitter?
No amount of mental prep could brace her for this.
She lifted her head quickly, holding back the tears.
Crying wasn't an option right now.
"Miss Chase."
The bodyguard by the door caught up with her. "I'll walk you back."
Victoria figured this good-looking bodyguard must escort women often.
He seemed like Nathaniel's right-hand guy.
On the ride home, Victoria planned to rest her eyes, but the more tired she felt, the more her mind raced.
Feeling lost and uneasy, she struck up a conversation with the bodyguard.
"What's your name?"
"Sam."
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
Three years younger than Victoria.
To be Nathaniel's right-hand man at such a young age seemed unreal to Victoria.
Maybe he was taking over the family business. His dad used to work for Nathaniel, but then... Victoria's thoughts trailed off.
"Do folks try to off Mr. Cross often?"
Sam Evans glanced at Victoria in the rearview mirror without a word.
Realizing she might have crossed a line, Victoria decided to drop the subject.
The car pulled up in a rundown neighborhood with dim streetlights.
Back home, as soon as Victoria stepped in, the master bedroom door creaked open.
Her father, David, emerged, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Victoria, why're you back so late?"
"Picked up an extra gig at a bar. Sometimes it runs late."
Victoria fibbed.
"Victoria, I'm sorry for burdening you. It's my fault for not looking out for you! But hey, I've got a new plan. I'll turn things around soon and make up for all the losses!" David exclaimed.
Victoria was drained.
"Dad, money doesn't come easy. You're falling for scams! Get a steady job, like as a security guard. I'll handle the debts at home."
"You barely make anything playing the piano. When will you clear your debts? And I hate seeing you work so hard..."
"Just sit tight, and I'll feel better." Victoria mumbled softly.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Hey, Dad, what's the deal with the debt collectors? Do we still owe them?"
When the company's funding fell through, they had taken a loan from a shady moneylender as a stopgap.
"Of course, we still owe them! They're not in the charity business. They just gave us more time and won't get rough with the collections."
True, Nathaniel wasn't exactly a charitable guy. How could one night with him solve all their problems?
It seemed like their arrangement was more of a long-term deal.
Before turning in, Victoria took a long-acting birth control pill she had picked up with Sam on the way back.
She'd heard they were gentler on the body than emergency contraceptives. Since she'd likely keep seeing Nathaniel, she opted for the safer choice.
With that in mind, she swallowed the pill with water.
The next morning, still early, Victoria was jolted awake by her ringing phone. She groggily answered.
"Hello?"
A cold, raspy voice on the other end said, "I'll be there in ten minutes."
Victoria wondered, 'Who's this? What's going on? Hold on...'
That voice sounded familiar... It was Nathaniel!
In an instant, Victoria was wide awake.
Before she could respond, the call ended.
Without a moment to spare, she jumped out of bed, freshened up, changed into a clean outfit, and got ready.
The noise from her morning routine must have stirred something because the master bedroom door creaked open.
David peeked out, "Victoria, this early?"
A knock on the door cut him off.
Victoria hushed him, "Dad, go back to your room."
As she fixed her hair and approached the door, she held her breath, opened it, and saw Sam's handsome face.
Victoria couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
It was Sam! Sam was safe. Victoria had been scared, thinking it was Nathaniel.
Even though she had already slept with Nathaniel, Victoria still felt a distance between them. She would get jittery around him.
"Miss Chase, Mr. Cross is waiting for you downstairs."
"Okay."
Victoria followed Sam downstairs.
A sleek black car stood out in the rundown neighborhood.
The window rolled down, revealing Nathaniel's cool, handsome face. Seeing Victoria waiting for his cue, he said casually, "Hop in."
Victoria settled in the back seat, hit by a strong tobacco scent. She cautiously glanced at Nathaniel.
His eyes were intense, his face showing weariness, like he hadn't slept all night.
"Mr. Cross, what brings you here so early?"
Given his exhausted appearance, it didn't seem like he was seeking her for any physical needs this early.
"I'm a bit hungry. Let's grab breakfast."
"Huh?" Victoria was taken aback. He came before dawn just for breakfast?
Was breakfast that crucial? She wanted more sleep!
With a gig as a substitute pianist for a film crew in the afternoon and a private banquet to play at in the evening, Victoria was full of complaints.
But Nathaniel was her sugar daddy now, so everything had to revolve around him.
Victoria quickly adjusted her mood and asked warmly, "What's your craving, Mr. Cross? There's a great spot near my place."
As the car started moving, someone approached and rapped on the car window.
Curious David had quietly trailed them downstairs and was now peering in through the window.
Seeing David's eager face, alarm bells went off in Victoria's mind!
Why was David following them? This went against Nathaniel's rules!
"Hey, how's it going! Is this Victoria's new beau?"
Unaware of the danger, David's innocent question was like walking into a lion's den!