Thelma POV:
Staring at the dark-skinned man lying on the bed beside me, I remembered how it all started. I had been ridiculed by my two best friends, Sandra and Ella, for still being a virgin at 24. They laughed at me, and I was pained to realize how foolish I must have seemed to them.
I rushed to the hotel's club and gulped down any liquor I could find, trying to forget my sorrow and their bullying. There, a man in a black suit approached me. "Hello, miss," he said.
I stared back, wondering who he was and what he wanted. I was too upset to pay him much attention. He took the bottle from my hands and pulled me outside the clubroom. I was puzzled to be dragged out by a stranger.
"Who are you? Let me go!" I screamed, wearing a long, slim-fitting red gown and black low-heeled shoes. I'm the only daughter of my billionaire parents and the sole heiress of BeeH Group. The people in the bar didn't even notice, lost in their own drinks.
"Calm down, miss. I don't mean any harm," the man said. I looked at him again and saw that he was much older than me, a middle-aged man, probably in his forties or older. I had never fantasized about being with a man old enough to be my uncle. I struggled to free my hand, but he repeated, "Calm down, miss. I don't mean any harm."
He led me to a corner of the bar. "If you don't mean any harm, then let go of me at once! Let me go!" I ordered.
The man sighed. "Look, miss, I need your help with something, and I don't mind paying you well for it. I think you're the best person for the job."
"What job?" I asked directly, my sharp blue eyes searching his face for any sign of deceit. I wondered if he was a boss or a servant here in City B, where only billionaire families could afford the luxurious lifestyle. What help could this man need from me?
I'm fair-skinned, with a sharp, pointed nose, sparkling blue eyes, and long golden hair.
"Look, miss," he said. "I know you don't know me, but I saw you when you rushed into the club, and I can tell you're heartbroken."
"So, what do you need me for?" I asked again. He released my hand. "I want you to spend a night with my boss."
"Your what?" I asked in shock. I'm the daughter of the richest man in City B. How could this man offer me such a thing?
I was already upset because of my friends' insults.
"I'll pay you well, miss, but please come with me. We don't have much time," the man said.
I wanted to protest. First, I didn't know this man. Second, I had never gone out with a stranger before. I was always heavily guarded by my father's security. He barely let me out of his sight. Even at my birthday party in the hotel, his security men were stationed outside the private hall where my friends and I were celebrating.
I decided to follow the man out of the hotel. He seemed responsible and honest. And I also wanted to lose my virginity to avoid further ridicule. My father wanted to arrange a marriage for me with a billionaire's son, but he hadn't found a suitable match yet. I was still single at my age.
I silently followed the man to the car park. We got into the front seat, and he started the car and drove off. I saw two guards in the back.
I stared out the window, feeling the cold wind on my face. We arrived at a magnificent white building. I wondered who owned this impressive mansion.
"Step down, miss," the man said politely.
I got out of the car, realizing I hadn't even asked his name.
"Come with me," he said, and I followed him into the living room.
The mansion was as impressive as my father's. I saw guards stationed around the grounds.
"Welcome home, Sir Adam," the maids greeted the man, bowing respectfully. They bowed to me as well, and I waved dismissively.
Sir Adam looked surprised but quickly said, "Come with me again, miss."
I followed him upstairs to the second floor. He stopped at a door. "Wait here, miss. Let me go in and speak to my boss. He's in his room."
"Okay," I said. I was scared and curious about the boss. Was he my father's age or a young man?
I nervously admired the paintings of ancient warriors and historical scenes in the second-floor lounge. After a while, Sir Adam came out. "Come inside, miss."
I followed him into the sitting room and almost gasped at the cold air. Everything in the room was white: the couch, the walls, the paintings, the curtains, the television, the divider, the ceiling.
"Look, miss," Sir Adam said. "Just do whatever my boss asks. I've drugged him so he'll sleep with you."
"What?!" My eyes widened. "I'm not a prostitute," I said, in case that's what he thought when he saw me in the club.
"I know, miss. Just go in there. I promise to pay you as we discussed, and I'll take you home safely," Sir Adam said.
"Is this a joke? Pay me how much?" I asked. I wasn't broke; I was a billionaire's daughter with a black card.
"One million," he said.
"I'm worth more than that, sir. And I can't go in there. I'm scared," I replied.
"Please, miss," Sir Adam pleaded.
"Just call me Thelma," I said, not wanting to give my last name. In City B, mentioning Sebastian would instantly reveal my father's identity.
"Okay, Miss Thelma, but we can't keep my boss waiting. Just name your price, and I'll talk to my old master about it," Sir Adam said.
"Your old master? Who's that?" I asked. Just then, a deep, masculine voice called from inside the room, "Who's there?"
I froze. Sir Adam quickly said, "Please go in there, Miss Thelma. I'll be waiting outside."
Before I could ask anything else, he slipped out of the sitting room and closed the door, leaving me alone.