Chapter 58: Mistress

“Sir…” Hilda squeaked.

The man raised his head and appraised her from head to toe, his eyes filled with lust. Grinning, he said, “Relax, I won’t eat you. Come sit with me.” He patted the couch beside him.

Terrified, Hilda dared not disobey. She slowly walked toward him and sat down.

At the sight of the fair, beautiful young woman, the man’s arousal increased, his eyes lighting up. He poured two glasses of red wine and offered her one. “Come. Drink with me!”

“Sir, I… I can’t drink,” Hilda said, unable to reach for the glass.

“It’s alright. You can learn now!” The man’s lips curled into a smirk. [Remove the website promotion]

Left with no choice, Hilda took the glass and downed it in one gulp.

The man burst into laughter. “Jenny told me you owe loan sharks a considerable sum. Is that true?”

Hilda nodded. “Yes, a million.”

“A million? That’s not insignificant,” the man said, writing a check for one million and sliding it toward her. “Satisfy me tonight, and this million is yours.” He sounded confident. He’d used this method on many women before, and it always worked.

Hilda’s breath hitched as she stared at the check. A million! With it, she wouldn’t have to hide from the loan sharks. She could quit exotic dancing and the constant fear of being recognized.

However, a dilemma gripped her. Accepting the money would send her life spiraling downward. Although she was an exotic dancer, her chastity remained intact. After paying her debts, she could return to a normal life, even marry and have a family. Accepting the money meant becoming someone’s mistress for life.

Suddenly, she remembered Jared. As teenagers, he’d been very protective of her. She’d even dreamt of marrying him. They’d drifted apart as they grew older; he’d met Sandy, and marriage seemed imminent. Because of that, Hilda had stopped seeking him out.

Life, however, proved unpredictable. Jared hadn't married Sandy; he was in prison. Hilda had wanted to visit him, but her university studies had consumed her.

She was deeply upset that Jared knew about her work. What if he tells Mom? If she finds out I’ve been lying, she’ll be devastated. She worked so hard to raise me alone. If she finds out I’m an exotic dancer, I’m doomed. If I become someone’s mistress, she’ll probably disown me!

Thinking of her mother, Hilda rejected the man’s offer. “Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I must refuse.”

The man was stunned. He’d never been rejected before. His usual method had failed for the first time.