“Mhm. So what do you say? I’ll pay you.”
I don’t know whether to be annoyed or ask how much. “What do I look like? Just because we?—”
“You need the money. I overhead you Monday and, well…I’ll give you ten grand.”
If they could, my eyes would pop out of their sockets. I jolt back and blink rapidly, still not able to process his words. “You’d give me ten grand, just like that?”
“Just like that,” he says simply.
This isn’t real. It can’t be, right? This has to be a prank.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll find someone else to do it.” That disrupts my thoughts and cuts through the silence.
He turns, but I stop him. “No, wait, don’t do that.” I grab the crook of his elbow. “I’ll be there. Just tell me what I need to wear, where it’ll be at, and what time.”
It’s so desperate and I hate myself for it, but I’ll admonish myself later. I’d be stupid to turn down ten grand.
He looks smug, and I realize he wanted me desperate. Fucking asshole. “I’ll give you my number and send you the details.”
“Pendejo,” I mutter, drawing out my phone from my pocket.
“A veces.” He winks at me.
So, he does understand Spanish. Oh.
Friday, December 13
“It seems too good to be true!” I yell from my bedroom as I hook my earring on my left lobe.
“I get it…” Jenny hums pensively and grows quiet, letting Shakira’s voice filter throughout our apartment.
I hum along to “Rabiosa,” hoping it’ll help drown out my thoughts, but they’re too loud, overriding the lyrics.
It’s been two days since Sylas and I came to an agreement and two days since we last talked to each other. After he gave me his number, he sent me the e-invite with dress code details, let me know I could bring a plus-one, and then ran me through how the auction would play out.
I’m not usually a person who likes to mull over my thoughts, but I’m still waiting for theI don’t need you anymoretext or to show up to an abandoned warehouse where the silver spoons will sacrifice my body.
That last one seems unlikely, but I’ve been around the rich for three years. I know what they get up to. Been to a few parties in their extravagant homes. I’ve notseenthem do any crazy rituals, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?” I step out of my bedroom, my mocha-brown heels clicking with every step.
Jenny turns to look at me before she turns back and does a double take. “Holy shit, Anna.” Her jaw goes slack, eyes doubling in size. “That dress was made for you.”
Thanks to Jenny, I was able to borrow an olive-green satin gown from Saks Fifth Avenue. It has an open back, a cowl neck, and a long slit down my thigh. It’s the prettiest, most expensive thing I’ve ever worn.
And I say “borrow” because Jenny begged her manager to let us use it for the event. She agreed, so long as we return it as-new first thing tomorrow.
It came with a price though. Jenny has to pick up extra shifts this month because of how busy they are, starting tonight. Which really sucks because she was going to be my plus-one. Now I have to go alone. And if the dress is damaged in any way, it’ll be coming out of Jenny’s paycheck.
But I assured them both that wouldn’t happen. I also told Jenny I’d be splitting Sylas’s money with her. It’s only fair sinceshe’s having to pick up extra shifts because of me. She protested, but I’m going to do it anyway.
I smile as I twirl for her. “You don’t think this is too much, do you?”
It’s not that I don’t feel good in the dress, because I really do. I know I look good, but it’s a black-tie event. There’s a high slit and it’s snug on me.
“No, you look hot as fuck.” She whistles and does a circle motion with her finger. I twirl again and smile until it hurts when she pulls her phone out and starts snapping pictures. “You’re making me reconsider whether dicks are worth it.”
I smile before my lips fall in a flat line. “Okay, in all seriousness…don’t you think this is weird?”
