Chapter 4 FAUX MORALITY

CHAPTER 4: FAUX MORALITY

As I held the envelope in my trembling hands, my heart sank to the depths of despair as I unfolded the rejection letter from the school board denying my application for financial aid and informing me that I did not meet the requirements for their program.

I had applied for student loans as exams drew near, in the hopes of offsetting my tuition fees so I would be able to write my exams but as I read the contents of the letter, each word crushed my hopes of pursuing higher education. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the ink on the letter.

Thoughts raced through my mind, colliding with one another in a chaotic whirlwind of emotions. I had worked tirelessly, pouring my heart and soul into my studies, hoping for a brighter future. And now, it seemed that all my efforts were in vain. My hopes of pursuing a degree were crushed by a single sheet of paper. I skimmed through the letter once more hoping that by some stroke of luck, the verdict had changed but the words on the page felt like a cruel blow, devastating my dreams and casting me into a sea of uncertainty. The weight of the rejection letter settled on my shoulders, dragging me down into a pit of self-doubt. Doubt in my abilities, doubt in my worth as questions plagued my mind.

My dream of a college education slipped through my fingers like sand, quickly replaced by a daunting uncertainty. My legs wobbled and gave way, I plopped onto the ground seating in the dimly lit room, surrounded by textbooks and the remnants of shattered ambitions as tears streamed down my face. I laid down on the bare floor devastated and at a loss for what to do. My body trembled from crying uncontrollably, my head and my eyes hurt but it all meant nothing to me.

I reached for my bag and calculated the money I had saved up from my tips and earnings at the diner as well as the money my mom occasionally sent to me as a stipend. I shuddered at the amount I had come to after my calculations, it was a lot of money, much more than I had ever had but it wasn't enough to pay for my tuition. I stood up and paced around the room as I collected my thoughts. I had to think of an alternative, I could sit here and moan about my misfortunes all day but what good would that do in the end?

"The diner," I whispered and an idea took form in my mind, igniting the flame of hope in my heart. I could go to the diner and ask Signora Moretti for an advance salary, I would work for free till I could pay it off. She would understand how dire the situation was.

The idea of a probable solution filled me with a renewed sense of hope. I rushed to

the bathroom, took a bath, wore a set of fresh clothes, and made my way to the Diner.

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The city buzzed with people and things of interest but it all faded into the back of my mind. I had more pressing problems than the need to gawk at buildings and admire the people.

I half ran, half skipped to the diner, my heart filled with hope. When I pushed the door and stepped in, I found Leonardo sitting at the counter, I felt my heart sink. This was going to be harder than I had anticipated. I spent my shifts trying to avoid lengthy conversations with Leonardo, now, I had to initiate one with him.

His eyes roamed all over my body, a wicked glint in his eyes as I walked towards him. The diner was empty as he had flipped the sign at the door which now read "CLOSED" to passersby.

"Hello, Elsa. What a pleasant surprise. Aren't you supposed to be in school?" He asked, stretching out his hand for a handshake. I took his hand in mine and quickly let go as his grip started to tighten uncomfortably around my hand.

"Hi, Mr Moretti. I-"

"I've told you countlessly Elsa, you don't have to call me Mr Moretti. Leonardo would do. So tell me, why aren't you in school?" He interrupted. I nodded in response when he had finished speaking.

"Mr Moretti, sorry. Leonardo. I had come to see the Signora. If it's not any trouble, I would like to ask for a favor."

"Of course Elsa, anything. Go on. Sit." He gestured to a table. When we had sat down, I relayed my intentions to him.

"My exams are forthcoming, and I am yet to pay my tuition fees. I applied for student loans but my offer was repudiated. I would like to solicit for a loan if you wouldn't mind." I said in one breath and crossed my fingers under the table.

After a moment of silence, he looked at me and smiled. "If given this loan, how do you intend to pay us back?" He asked.

"I would work here, free for the duration of the loan using my earnings as an employee here to pay it off," I replied.

"You seem to have everything planned out, don't you? Do you think you could survive on tips only?" He responded. His eyes darkened, he had a mischievous look in his eyes as a smile danced at the corner of his lips.

"I have survived on far less Mr Moretti-"

"Leonardo-" He interrupted.

"I'm sorry. I have survived on far less Leonardo, I would find my way around it. I just really need to pay my tuition fees so I can write the forthcoming exams. I would do anything."

"Anything?" He asked, as his eyes glistened, his voice laced with mischief.

I felt a tug in my stomach-a sneering feeling like I had walked into a trap of my own accord and bitten off more than I could chew.

Leonardo stood up from the seat and walked towards the entrance. My heart fell into my stomach as he turned the key in the lock, shut the door, and drew the window blinds down. He turned around to face me, unbuckled his belt, and took his pants off. My eyes bulged in surprise as I watched him stroke his hard cock as he walked toward me.

"You've told me what you want Elsa. I can do that for you but first, you have to do something I want in return," He said as he rubbed his dick on my lap and slid his fingers in between my thighs.

I felt bile rise in my mouth and I jerked away from him.

"Mr Moretti, I-" I tried to speak but he grabbed my boobs in his hands and pulled me towards him and close his eyes while sniffing my hair.

"Your beautiful red hair," He said as he ran his hands through my hair pulling on them and licking his lips.

"I want you to take my dick in your mouth and suck on it till I cum in your mouth. I want to feel your plump lips on my cock then bend you over at that table, lift your skirts and give you the time of your life."

"I... I can't do that Leonardo. Please."

"You said you would do anything, didn't you? Don't you want to pay your fees and write your exams anymore?" He asked, as his face contorted into a frown.

"I want to, I want to do all that but I can't do this. It's not right." I replied and he chuckled.

"Right and wrong is subjective Elsa. Morality is subjective. What's right or wrong to you, might be the reverse for someone else," He said, as he unbuttoned my shirt and dipped his hand into my bra, grabbing my left boob and rubbing a finger on my nipple as his dick poked my thigh. I felt disgusted, I pulled away from him, buttoning up my shirt as I quelled my nausea.

"I can't do this, please. I have to go." I said. My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Are you a virgin Elsa?" He asked. I looked at him surprised at how he figured that out. He looked at me quizzically.

"Yes," I replied as I stood up from the seat.

"Even better. I'm going to be your first. I promise I will be gentle. Think of this as a transaction, like the service you render here, to customers that walk through the doors but now, you get the loan to pay your tuition fee and we both have a good time. It is a win-win for both of us."

"I'm sorry. I have to go," I said as I walked towards the door but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back towards himself. He wrapped his palm around my throat. His grip grew tighter as I tried to pull away from him.

"I want you to think of your next step very carefully, Elsa. You could have everything you wanted, all you have to do is let me fuck you to oblivion. Don't be such a prude. Everybody has sex at some point in their lives. You're lucky I'm going to be your first. I'll be gentle, I promise."

"Please let me go, Mr Moretti," I said. I felt anger wash over me as he slipped his hand under my skirt, caressing my thighs. "Please Leonardo, I need to go."

"I'm going to have sex with you Elsa. I have watched you saunter around this diner, acting coy, avoiding my gaze, and silently begging me to fuck you."

"I have never implied that I wanted to have sex with you," I replied.

He chuckled and shook his head. "You didn't have to say it. I knew it," he retorted.

"You're being delusional. I've never said nor implied anything of the sort!" I retorted and pushed him off me with all the energy I could muster. He fell to the ground and let out a shout of pain and rage.

"I never want to see your face in this place, you stupid girl. You could have everything you wanted but your faux sense of morality is standing in your way!" He said as he stood, anger pulsing through his body. "And, if you breathe a word of what happened here to anyone, I would make your life a living hell here in Milan. You will never be able to get another job to finance your barely existing lifestyle! Get out!"

I ran towards the door, unlocked it, and ran to my dorm, as tears flowed freely down my face.