THE WIDOWED CEO’S PROSTITUTE

"You have two choices," he said, looking into my eyes. I froze, unable to believe this was happening. "What are they?" I asked nervously. He smiled, and fear grips me as my body tenses involuntarily. "First," he raised his hand, showing one finger, "you sign this contract and keep what is most precious to us," he said calmly. "Second," he raised another finger, "I know people who will help me get what I want. In minutes, I won't have any mercy and will take what's precious to you." At that moment, a chill runs through my body, making me think I'm standing before a demon in a suit. I feel trapped, with no escape except a long fight, likely ending in death, because no one will take what's most precious to me. The Beginning Anne Moore Today is definitely going to be the happiest day of my life! I'm 19 years old, studying interior design, a field I love. I believe one day I'll work for a big company and be very successful. I have a boyfriend named Joseph, and I'm head over heels for him. We've been dating for a year. He's wonderful and the perfect man. My parents don't know about him because they wouldn't allow him. I'm from a very religious family with strict rules, especially about no s*x before marriage. My mom got married as a virgin and expects the same from me. We're a traditional family, and as an only child, my parents focus all their attention on me, constantly reminding me of the family rules. Even though it can be annoying, I love my parents and understand their reasons. I promised I'd wait until marriage, but today feels different. Joseph has been asking for a night alone with me, and even though I'm a virgin, I know it's hard for him, especially since he’s not. I don't have any friends. My parents raised me in a bubble to keep me away from the world's bad influences. So, I spent my life between school and home. I studied at Shepherd Junior High, which was very strict. We weren't allowed to show affection or talk for more than two minutes, or our parents would be fined. I also looked like a nun, with long skirts and my hair always tied tightly in a bun. I wasn’t allowed to wear any other clothes. I lived in Mesa, Arizona. After high school, I got a scholarship to Harvard, where I met Joseph. He was cool and confident. I couldn’t believe it when he noticed me. At first, I didn’t know how to respond, but his charm won me over, and I fell for him. Knowing my parents wouldn’t approve, I kept it a secret. I just let myself enjoy the moment. Joseph told me he planned a special night for my birthday, and we'll be staying at a hotel. I think tonight I’ll lose my virginity, but I’m okay with it. I believe Joseph will be the man I marry, so I don’t see any problem. At college, I changed how I dressed. People thought I was old-fashioned, and I was bullied, so I started wearing shorter clothes, which made me feel better, and it pleased Joseph. Now, I’m getting ready to meet Joseph at the hotel. I’m so excited! I have a cousin my age who my parents favor more than me, but it doesn’t bother me. She studies at the same university, but we aren’t close. She doesn’t like me, and I’ve never understood why, but I don’t care for her attention either. We share a room, and while I’m getting ready, she watches me silently, like she’s analyzing me. I’m not in the mood to hear anything she might say. I put on a black dress that’s a little above my knee with a black coat because it’s cold, and some lace stockings. I’m not tall, so I wear heels. I look at myself in the mirror, smiling, and then grab my makeup kit to look perfect for Joseph. In a few minutes, I’m all set. I’m a brunette with dark eyes and straight hair. I leave it down, naturally volumized. I walked out of the apartment without saying a word to my cousin. When I got to the hotel, I was told I could go up because Joseph is already waiting. I take the elevator and, in minutes, I’m at the door. I knock, and Joseph opens it. He looks amazing in his perfectly fitted suit, and I think there’s no more handsome man in the world. He smiled, “My girlfriend looks perfect.” I know I’m blushing. “And so does my boyfriend.” We entered the room, which is covered with rose petals, and romantic music plays. It feels like the best way to celebrate my birthday. I thought it would be the best night of my life, but it turned into my downfall. Joseph was sweet. We had dinner, danced, and relaxed, but when the moment came for me to lose my virginity, I felt pain I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t what I imagined. Afterward, Joseph told me I was weak but thought I’d get used to it. I felt guilty but assured him I would. Now we’re lying in bed, me naked, with Joseph gently stroking my hair as I drift off to sleep. I hear a knock at the door, which seems strange. “I didn’t order room service,” he said. “That’s odd, but you should answer. It’s rude to keep people waiting,” I replied. Joseph smiled and got up in his underwear. When he opens the door, my father walks in. I’m shocked. In a panic, I pull the sheet over myself, and my father looks at me like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. “I can’t believe my daughter has lost herself,” he shouted. “Dad,” I stammered. He grabbed Joseph, pushing him against the wall. “You’re going to marry my daughter,” he demanded angrily. Joseph smirked. “Sorry, sir, but I have no intention of getting married,” he replied. My father attacks Joseph, and I start screaming. My mother and cousin entered the room, calming my father down. “Uncle, she’s not a virgin anymore. Anne didn’t respect our family’s rules,” my cousin said with disdain. “You’ve taken what was most precious to my daughter. You will marry her,” my father yells. Joseph laughed, but I didn't see anything funny. “I would never marry her. You’re all crazy. s*x is part of life, and your daughter gave herself willingly,” Joseph says, glaring at me with anger in his eyes. “We’ll never be together again. I would never marry you. We dated and had s*x, that’s all. Thanks for the fun, but I’d rather pay for it than commit to marriage. I'd rather pay for your virginity than pay with my life.” Joseph throws a large amount of money on the floor, grabs his clothes, and leaves. It was just me and my family left in the room. My father puts his hand on his head, trying to calm down, while I cry quietly under the sheet. “You’re a disgrace to our family,” my father said. “No, Dad…” I tried to speak, but he interrupted. “Thank you for telling me, Lorrane. Today, Anne has lost her place in our family. She is disowned, and that money your ‘boyfriend’ left—take it because you’re no longer welcome in my house. You are impure and not worthy of being part of our family.” I cried. “Dad, please don’t do this,” I begged. My mother came toward me, and for a moment, I thought she might comfort me. I’m wrong. She slapped me hard across my face. “Don’t speak to your father. You knew the family rules, and by breaking them, you knew you’d be disowned. You are nothing to us now. My daughter is impure and will pay the price,” she says coldly as I sobbed. My father turned to my cousin. “Let’s go, Lorrane. At least you’re a source of pride. You’ve never disrespected us, unlike Anne, who is a curse.” Everyone left the room, and I was left alone. What I thought would be the best night of my life turned out to be the night of my downfall. I thought I could move on from there. I left the hotel, realizing Joseph hadn’t paid the bill. I returned to the room, picked up the money he had thrown, and paid for the room. When I got back to the apartment I shared with my cousin, I knocked on the door, and she opened it with a smug smile. “What are you doing here?” she asked with contempt. “It’s my apartment too,” I said. “Not anymore. My aunt and uncle gave it to me, and you’re not welcome. I’ve already thrown off all your clothes since you walked out that door, Anne. You’ve lost yourself, and you don’t deserve anything.” I felt my body shaking with anger. “Why do you hate me, Lorrane?” I asked. She smiled. "I don't hate you. You lost your way, and you know that's unacceptable in our family," she says, seemingly amused by my distress. At that moment, I couldn't take it anymore. I lash out at my cousin, hitting her in a fit of rage. I know she must have brought my parents here. "Get off her, Anne," my father said, pulling me away. I hadn't even realized they were there. "Dad," I said. He looked at me with contempt and slapped me across my face. "You lost your way on your own. Get out of here now," he shouted. "Please, Dad," I begged, kneeling before him. "There's no 'please.' You had everything and now you have nothing. Get out. Even street dogs are worth more than you. Forget about college; I won't support you anymore. With my influence, no one in this city or country will give you a job. I'll make sure everyone I know refuses to open doors for you." He went into the apartment, leaving me outside. I left, devastated. I don't know anyone, made no friends, and now even Joseph has turned his back on me. I cried a lot that night, wandering the city until I found a low-cost hotel to stay in. I tried going back to college, even with clothes from a thrift store, but found out Joseph was bragging at the university about taking my virginity. I was heartbroken and didn’t go back, as I had no proper clothes and everyone laughed at me, including my cousin, who was now all over Joseph. The only money I had was what Joseph had thrown on the hotel room floor. I used it to pay for the hotel and a little bit of food. Unfortunately, that money was running out, and I couldn't find a job since the doors were really close to me. One day, while walking the streets, I saw a flyer for a waitress job at a restaurant in New York City. It was far away, but I thought it might offer a fresh start and a job, far from my father's watchful eye. So, I set off for New York with just a bag of clothes and my ID. Thankfully, I always kept it with me. I was ready to try a new life there. To be continued…