Chapter 3 A Taste of deceit

The next morning, Emily woke up to an empty bed. She stretched and yawned, feeling a sense of satisfaction and happiness. She had never felt such a deep connection with someone before even with Ethan.

As she got out of bed, she noticed Harrison standing by the window, staring out at the city. He was fully dressed, his back to her.

"Good morning," Emily said, trying to sound cheerful.

Harrison turned around, his expression cold and detached. "Good morning," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

Emily felt a shiver run down her body. What was wrong?

Harrison walked over to the dresser and pulled out a briefcase. He opened it, revealing a stack of cash inside.

"Here's the $100,000 we agreed on," Harrison said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Now, I want you to get out of my house."

Emily felt like she had been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"What's going on, Harrison?" Emily asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "What did I do wrong?"

Harrison's expression turned even colder. "You did exactly what I paid you for," he said. "Now, I want you to leave."

Emily felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She had given herself to Harrison, at a vulnerable time thinking he had a heart. But now, she realized that she was just a transaction to him.

With shaking hands, Emily took the briefcase and turned to leave. As she reached the door, Harrison's voice stopped her.

"And Emily?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Don't bother trying to contact me again. Our transaction is complete."

Emily felt a hot tear roll down her cheek as she walked out of Harrison's apartment, feeling used and discarded.

Emily walked out of the apartment building, feeling like she was in a daze. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She had given herself to Harrison, thinking that they had shared something special, but it turned out that she was just a transaction to him. What was she expecting he was upfront with the offer of money in exchange for pleasure.

As she walked down the street, Emily felt a sense of shame and humiliation wash over her. She had never felt so used and discarded in her life.

She eventually made her way back to her apartment, feeling like she was in a trance. She couldn't shake off the feeling of being used and manipulated by Harrison.

As she entered her apartment, Emily was greeted by the silence and emptiness of her living room. She felt a sense of loneliness wash over her, and she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to trust anyone again.

Emily walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it, feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. She lay there for a while, staring blankly at the ceiling and trying to process what had just happened.

After a while, Emily finally got up and walked over to the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back at her. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and her face was pale and drawn.

Emily took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. She knew that she had to move on from this experience and learn from it. She couldn't let Harrison's manipulation and use define her.

With a newfound sense of determination, Emily began to clean herself up. She took a shower, washed her face, and put on some fresh clothes. As she looked at herself in the mirror again, she felt a sense of renewal and hope. She knew that she would get through this, and she would come out stronger on the other side.

Just as Emily was starting to feel a sense of calm, she heard a knock at the door. She hesitated for a moment, wondering who it could be. She wasn't expecting anyone.

She cautiously made her way to the door and peered through the peephole. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Ethan standing on the other side, a concerned expression on his face.

Emily took a deep breath and opened the door. "Hey," she said, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil she was feeling inside.

Ethan's eyes scanned her face, and he could tell that something was wrong. "What's going on, Emily?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Emily hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal.

Ethan walked into the apartment, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something. Emily closed the door behind him and leaned against it, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"Where were you last night?" Ethan asked his voice firm but controlled.

Emily hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She hadn't expected Ethan to confront her so directly.

"I...I was out," Emily stammered.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Out? With who?" he pressed.

Emily sighed, knowing she couldn't avoid the truth. "I was with Harrison," she admitted.

Ethan's expression turned dark. "And you didn't come home last night? With the door locked?" he asked, his voice rising.

Emily nodded, feeling a sense of shame wash over her. "I know I should have called you, or at least let you know where I was," she said.

Ethan's eyes flashed with anger. "You have no idea how worried I was," he said. "I thought something had happened to you."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "You were with him last night?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of anger and hurt.

Emily nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm so sorry, Ethan. I was weak, and I made a mistake."

Ethan took a step closer, his eyes blazing. "A mistake? You were with another guy behind my back! That's not a mistake, Emily. That's a betrayal." All these while you constantly nagged at me about female friends I talk to and you were out all night with a popular handsome billionaire??

Emily felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She knew she had hurt Ethan deeply. "I know, and I'm sorry. It will never happen again."

Ethan's expression was skeptical. "How can I trust you now?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion.

Emily took a step forward, her heart heavy with regret. "I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I hope you can find it in your heart to give me another chance." Ethan turned away, his back to Emily. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the stiffness in his posture. She knew she had hurt him deeply.

"I need time to think," Ethan said finally, his voice cold and detached.

Emily nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I understand," she said quietly.

Ethan turned around, his eyes searching hers. "I love you, Emily," he said. "But I don't know if I can get past this."

Emily felt a tear roll down her cheek. "I love you too, Ethan," she said. "And I'll do whatever it takes to regain your trust."

Ethan's expression softened slightly, but his eyes still held a hint of uncertainty. "I'll be in touch," he said finally, before turning and walking out of the apartment.

Emily watched him go, feeling a sense of despair wash over her. She had hurt the person she loved most, and she didn't know if she could ever make it right.

Emily stood frozen in her apartment, her mind reeling with thoughts of Harrison and the previous night's events. She felt a deep-seated hatred for him, for the way he had used and manipulated her.

She thought about how he had made her feel like she was nothing more than a disposable object. She remembered the way he had looked at her, with a cold, calculating gaze that made her skin crawl.

Emily's anger and hatred for Harrison were matched only by her regret and shame. She couldn't believe she had let him touch her, that she had given herself to him so willingly, just cause of a hundred thousand dollars, she felt like an expensive whore. She had never seen that amount of money in her life but was it worth her dignity.

She felt like she had lost herself in that moment like she had sacrificed her self-worth and dignity for a fleeting pleasure. The thought made her sick to her stomach.

Emily took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She knew she couldn't change what had happened, but she could learn from it. She could use this experience to grow and become stronger.

Now Ethan too had left her she felt like her whole world was crumbling before her, but she still had to get ready for work.

Emily finished tidying up her apartment and took a deep breath, feeling a sense of renewal and determination. She knew she couldn't change the past, but she could focus on the present and build a better future.

She grabbed her purse and headed out the door, deciding to resume work at the bar. She needed the distraction and the sense of normalcy that came with her routine.

As she walked into the bar, Emily was greeted by the familiar sounds of laughter and music. She smiled, feeling a sense of comfort and belonging.

Her coworker, Sarah, noticed her arrival and came over to give her a warm hug. "Hey, girl! We missed you last night. Everything okay?"

Emily hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about Sarah's kind and genuine concern made her open up. "I had a rough night," Emily admitted. "But I'm okay now."

Sarah's expression turned sympathetic. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you," she said.

Emily smiled, feeling grateful for her friend's support. "Thanks, Sarah. That means a lot to me."

With renewed energy and determination, Emily clocked in and began her shift, ready to put the past behind her and focus on the present.

Just then Harrison walked into the bar, his confident stride commanding attention. Emily's eyes widened as she took in the sight of him, her heart sinking. She hadn't expected to see him again, especially not so soon.

But what caught her off guard was the woman by his side. She was stunning, with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Harrison had his arm around her waist, pulling her close as they made their way to the bar.

The end.