Chapter 12

The sound of splashing echoed loudly in the office. Emilia could hear every bit of it, and the shame crawled all over her. Her body tensed up involuntarily, and that’s when Dominic let out a low grunt and slapped her hard on the butt after lifting her skirt. "So damn tight—trying to make me finish early or what?" "You..." Emilia was mortified, about to say something when Dominic moved faster, deeper—her brain just… shut off. She clung to him tightly, everything else going blank. Eventually, Dominic pressed down on her waist and stopped. Her sweat-covered body sagged against his shoulder just as a knock came from outside the door. She stiffened immediately, terrified someone would see them like this. But it was just the secretary, who didn’t come in and called out, "Mr. Hayes, your 4 PM meeting is coming up." "Got it," Dominic answered, his voice hoarse from the intensity. Yeah, this time... way better than that night. When things quieted down outside, Emilia scrambled to get off him. The sound of their separation was embarrassingly loud in the silence, making her cheeks flush even redder. Dominic chuckled, still caught in the afterglow. "You’re seriously tight, you know?" As Emilia cleaned up and got dressed, Dominic casually handed her a set of keys. "Since I’m the one keeping you, I’ll take care of things. Quit your job at the club. Live here." "I understand," Emilia replied, taking the keys. She hesitated a moment before blurting, "About the arrangement... do you think we could draw up a contract? Something we both sign?" Because if he got bored in a few days and decided to cut her off, what was she supposed to do? Without the club, there’d be no money for Mom’s treatment. That contract meant everything to her. Dominic shot her a glance, the corner of his lips twitching like he was amused. Emilia clutched her purse carefully, waiting him out. "I’ll bring it by later." Hearing that, Emilia finally let out a breath. She fixed her clothes, left the Hayes building, and once outside, opened her palm to see it damp with sweat—the keys slick in her grip. While visiting her mom in the hospital, she got a call from Dominic’s personal assistant. "Ms. Hart, the funds have been transferred. Please check your account." "Okay, thanks." She turned her head and looked at her mother—once so lively, now still as a statue under pale sheets, with tubes everywhere. Mom, just focus on getting better. I’ll take care of everything. Emilia gripped her phone tightly, eyes stinging. Even if it cost everything—even if she sold herself—she just wanted her mom to live. *** When Emilia showed up at the club to quit and mentioned Dominic’s name, jaws dropped. Ms. Carter, who’d gotten her own big payout from Dominic, beamed. "Oh Emilia, if Mr. Hayes gets sick of you, you’re always welcome back here. My doors are open for you anytime!" As soon as Ms. Carter walked off, a handful of coworkers crowded around her. "Whoa whoa whoa, Emilia, you’re really with Dominic?" "No way, isn’t he... you know, not able to perform? That sounds like bad business, girl." They kept tossing out their two cents, half out of envy, half to warn her—saying being tied to some 'broken' sugar daddy was a waste. Why not just stay at the club? Emilia gave a small smile. "It’s fine. He pays well. I’m into money." After officially quitting, she tossed out her cheap makeup and old clothes, then spent a whole day moving into the fancy condo Dominic had given her. Out of the ¥350,000 she got this time, ¥150,000 was just for her personal use. Emilia didn’t hold back—walked straight into a high-end mall and bought every designer outfit and makeup set she liked.